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'Survivor 51' Cast Revealed: Meet the 21 New Contestants — Including a Former WWE Superstar and 'Grey's Anatomy' Star
The open era of Survivor is officially, well, open!
Five years ago, the hit CBS show ushered in a brand new era. And eventually, it got settled into a usual rhythm and routine. 39 days were now 26. Tribes would give up their flint if they lost Immunity Challenges. There would be frequent visits to the Sanctuary (where good things happen) and journeys (where not-so-good things could happen). It all culminated with Survivor‘s 50th season, serving as a milestone celebration and bringing in castaways from all eras to do battle with one another.
So the question has been on the minds of both Survivor fans and producers alike: Where do we go from here?
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What Does the “Open Era” Mean on ‘Survivor’?What Does the “Open Era” Mean on ‘Survivor’?
Enter the “open era.” Survivor 51 serves as the kickoff for a brand-new phase of the show. As highlighted in the teaser for the season shown back in May, any previous twist or advantage can appear at any time. Of course, while past is prologue, we’d be remiss not to think there are some brand-new elements that Jeff Probst and company are looking to throw into the game. But this open concept mainly serves to show, from now on, there is not necessarily a set structure that every single season will adhere to. As Probst puts it in the trailer, “It’s a shape-shifting game, changing without warning, creating permanent uncertainty.”
And we get that from the jump with the cast of Survivor 51. For the first time in the history of the American version, a whopping 21 castaways will hit the beaches of Fiji. They span a wide variety of lifestyles, from a game designer to a former WWE superstar to a whopping three farmers. After going heavy on the returnees earlier this year, we’re back to the newbie casts we’ve gotten used to in the past half-decade. But these people are all looking to make a name for themselves, hoping that by the time their 26-day exodus ends, they’ve opened the open era with a bang.
Launch the gallery below to find out the 21 players competing in Survivor 51. And be sure to check in with Parade throughout the preseason as we bring you insights from notable alumni about the season and the “open era.” Survivor 51 premieres on Wednesday, Sep. 23 at 8 p.m. with a special two-hour episode on CBS.
Related: ‘Survivor 51’ Will Usher in a Brand New ‘Open Era’ for the Iconic Reality Series
Robert Voets/CBS
Aaliyah Puglia Aaliyah Puglia on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 24
Hometown: Gloucester City, NJ
Current Residence: Providence, RI
Occupation: Chef
3 Words to Describe You: Confident, wise, sporadic
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor is a show where the impossible happens and it gives everyday people the opportunity to be themselves entrapped in a twisted, chaotic and thrilling game of strategy and who can do the most with what they are given. It’s a huge accomplishment to win and I want the title
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: My constant pursuit for change has prepared me to win, from living in a small town in Jersey to then moving to Miami at 13 with little warning, then moving to RI for college not knowing a soul to solo traveling in different work environments to places I’ve never been with people I don’t know. I’m used to being adaptable, flexible and for things to change without notice.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? I identify the most with Yam Yam, someone who makes jokes naturally, can be loud back but calculated, always tries to find a way in. I think I will play the most like Cirie, calm, outside appearance, working multiple angles, considers all options and goes to bat for her allies.
Robert Voets/CBS
Alexis Levine Alexis Levine on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 34
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Current Residence: Atlanta, GA
Occupation: Criminal defense attorney
3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, thoughtful, determined.
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor represents the best of the human spirit – physical endurance, mental toughness and social awareness.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Being a criminal defense attorney – defending the little guy from the all-powerful government means constantly being “on the bottom” and how to think creatively.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? I identify most with Kyle Fraser. Most like him with a touch of Rachel, and, of course, Parvati!
What will you value in an alliance partner? Someone who thinks and plays differently than me – diversity is the best asset.
Favorite hobbies: Gardening, reading, going on long walks with my husband, and daughter and our two poodles.
Pet Peeves: People who are ruled by their emotions and misogyny.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? 10 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol.
What is something we would never know from looking at you? I am Iranian – my dad came here when he was 18 and never went back. I hope to visit one day!
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why? My daughter, Lyla, inspires me every day to be better, push harder, and have fun!
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? Every lesson I’ve learned in my life brings me to this moment and I plan on capitalizing on that momentum and grit to outwit, outplay and outlast!
Robert Voets/CBS
An “Thien An” Nguyen An “Thien An” Nguyen on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 24
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Current Residence: Fort Worth, TX
Occupation: Medical student
3 Words to Describe You: quick-witted, empathetic, outgoing
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Since watching, I knew I wanted to be on Survivor. Very few opportunities in life let you connect to life in such a raw and authentic way. It’s everything I love! New friends and the outdoors.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Doing Boy Scouts as a kid (yes, Boy Scouts) exposed me early on to outdoors and survival skills.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: Kenzie is a firecracker and played a social game close to her heart, yet still strategic. I hope to play similar to her.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: PLEASE someone that won’t stab me in the back (well, first at least!).
Favorite hobbies: Spending time with loved ones, whatever it may be like, exploring the world, running marathon on a whim, or making insultingly low trades in Catan.
Pet Peeves: Anything that seems unfair, Fake people – yuck!, People who can’t separate “your” versus “you’re.”
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: During COVID, when everything was closed and everyone was isolating, I made a new friend who, after a year, wrote me, “You taught me what being happy truly means.”
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I am a back-to-back all-around intramural champ.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My mom and dad! (I’m smart enough to not choose favorites!). Truly both though. No one lives life as generously as my mom and boldly like my dad – They are my rocks, role models, best friends.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Coming in at 5 feet strong, I will be LURKING incognito-ly until it’s time to strike.
Robert Voets/CBS
Ana Sani Ana Sani on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 34
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Current Residence: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Voice actress
3 Words to Describe You: Goofy, ambitious, chaotic
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor is the perfect opportunity to lock into my competitive side. I love games, and who doesn’t want to lie and deceive in a setting where it’s totally acceptable to do so?
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Being an actor means you need to have really thick skin. I’ve had extremely down moments, but I’ve always picked myself up. I’ve created a career I’m really proud of, and that’s thanks to never giving up and always finding an alternative route. That’s what I intend to do on Survivor.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I identify with Tony cause he’s chaotic like me; never know what to expect. I would love to play most like Ricard who is severely underrated. That player is a strategy mastermind!
What will you value in an alliance partner?: If an alliance partner is willing to divulge others’ secrets to me, I feel like they have put their trust in me. Which is quite unfortunate for them, cause trusting me might be a mistake.
Favorite hobbies: I enjoy playing video games (league, anyone?), exploring new coffee shops, playing the piano and have recently become a gym rat!
Pet Peeves: Transition lenses (they’re weird and aesthetically, it’s a no for me). People who enter the subway and don’t go all the way into the train (move, please!). Cheaters (both in relationships and games!)
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I’m most proud of the career I’ve built in voiceover. I worked my butt off to get to where I am and can proudly say I’ve done voices for over 60 animated shows and a ton of commercials, audiobooks and video games!
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: That I have an honors degree in Political Science (specifically Political Theory). I enjoy reading about the dynamics of power and why people in positions of power do what they do.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My mom. She fought cancer for 18 years and she was the most positive and optimistic person, despite the pain that she was enduring. She unfortunately passed in 2020. I’m also playing for her! She was a huge Survivor fan too.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Because I’m hopefully not going to be afraid to take some creative liberties to either build more trust or cause some chaos. High risk, high reward, right?
Robert Voets/CBS
Angelica “Jelly” Loblack Angelica “Jelly” Loblack on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 29
Hometown: Garland, TX and Midwest City, OK
Current Residence: Bloomington, IN
Occupation: Sociology professor
3 Words to Describe You: Curious, Multifaceted, and Passionate
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor has been a part of my family and life for as long as I can remember. It was my first exposure to the sociological questions and experiments that would later lead to an entire career. I want to play and win Survivor and experience it with the loved ones who introduced it to me while they’re still here.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: My journey to the PhD in Sociology has undoubtedly prepared me to win this game. From my interview and ethnographic observation training, to my critical thinking and analysis skills, my sociology background is my greatest weapon. As a young, Black woman in this field, I’ve already made a name for myself and will do the same in Survivor.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: The player I identify most with is Katurah Topps and the player I think I’ll play most like is Shan (S41), for better or worse.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: In an ally, I will value transparency and innovation. I want a ride-or-die who’s not afraid to brainstorm and risk-take, creatively, of course. Someone less ego-driven than myself with a good bit of sarcastic humor and Y.O.L.O energy BUT loyal like no other.
Favorite hobbies: Volleyball, running, writing, binge-watching dystopian sci-fi series, debating, and rapping to myself in the mirror Issa Rae style.
Pet Peeves: I can’t stand overly boastful people, people who can brag about themselves all day, every day. I also can’t stand people with black-and-white thinking, who never question the norm or entertain alternative ideas/theories. People who don’t care to think outside of the box. I also don’t like loud eaters!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I’m most proud of earning my PhD under the age of 30 and writing a dissertation I can be proud of and share with everyone in my community.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I once won most comedic mascot at mascot camp (yes, it’s a thing). I was Webber the Bear!
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My grandma, hands down! We’re talking about a woman who was queer in a time where you could be imprisoned, hospitalized, and even have your kids taken from you for loving who you love. A two-time breast cancer survivor and widow, who has dealt with every negative life can throw, but still leads with love and pours into every human she comes in to contact with. I would not be me without her.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Because I’m a driven, passionate, brainiac in an unsuspecting, beautifully wrapped package. Being a sociologist, I’m not only an expert on all things social but I’m literally trained to immerse myself in any environment and social dynamic, take what I need, and put it to good use. There’s nobody better equipped to win a social experiment that is Survivor than the sociologists who create them.
Robert Voets/CBS
Brady Booker Brady Booker on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 27
Hometown: La Salle, IL
Current Residence: Knoxville, TN
Occupation: Pro wrestler
3 Words to Describe You: Enthusiastic, Intense, Fun
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Growing up my family loved watching the show together. I love adventure in the outdoors. I love competition. I love being pushed to my limit to show what I am truly capable of doing.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: My job experience has prepared me to play because it involves long days, minimal sleep and food, along with being able to politick your own social game.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I identify most with Jonathan. From our size, ability, and our loyal vibe, I believe we are two peas in a pod. I hope to model my game after him as the laid-back provider, until it is time to STRIKE!
What will you value in an alliance partner?: The biggest value I look for in an alliance is trust.
Favorite hobbies: Fun in the outdoors (hunting, fishing, hiking, camping)
Working out (weightlifting, trail runs, jujitsu)
Pet Peeves: Overly judgmental, lying, bad hygiene, bad manners
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I am most proud of where I have gotten in my career. Although it’s just started, I have made a place for myself in professional wrestling.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I did gymnastics throughout my years of youth sports.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My parents are my biggest inspiration because of the life they gave me with what little they started with in the beginning. The sacrifices and effort they put forth out of love is why I am here today.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I will be the Sole Survivor because I am comfortable being uncomfortable. I am used to falling on my face and coming back stronger.
Robert Voets/CBS
Carter Krull Carter Krull on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 24
Hometown: Rock Rapids, IA
Current Residence: Sioux Falls, SD
Occupation: Livestock farmer
3 Words to Describe You: Adventurous, Competitive, Determined
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor has been on my bucket list. You never know when your last day will be – so better get rollin’ on the list!
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Opened a snow cone truck, kind of put me in a tropical mood.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I enjoy the thrill of Tony. One of the greats to ever do it. It’s a toss-up who I’ll play like, the game is so situational. I’m going [to be] a cross between Rob, Ozzy, Tony, Sam Phalen.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: I’ll value communication. I’ve got your back if you’ve got mine. The bottom layer of flooring in this game is trust. Let’s keep each other in the loop.
Favorite hobbies: I’ve always had a passion for woodworking. My Grandpa Shaffer built his own house – so that’s why. My high school shop teacher, Grant Engel, showed me how to work with epoxy. I love making epoxy river/resin tables!
Pet Peeves: If you chew with your mouth open – you just as well pack your bags and head home – life’s too short for that.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: One of my buddies and I started a moving company from scratch. Started by doing some pretty small, odds and ends moving, and now are helping people relocate all across the U.S. We spent most of our time in the name department…it’s called MOVE MOVE MOVE!
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I can make a really weird whistling noise with the back of my throat – not sure why?
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My Mom and Dad, and it’s not up for debate. They’ve each taught me from a young age how to work hard, chase your dreams, and never to stop
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: It’s gotta be one of us roundheads… Why not me?
Related: Jeff Probst Says a ‘Survivor 51’ Castaway Could Host the Show Someday
Robert Voets/CBS
Cristian Chavez Cristian Chavez on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 26
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Current Residence: Salt Lake City, UT
Occupation: Head of HR
3 Words to Describe You: Fun, Chaotic, Loud
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I LOVE competition! I also want to test my limits in this game and be pushed past my breaking point just to experience it.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Definitely practicing small challenges with my dad growing up. He would put together little activities just like smaller Survivor challenges and it was always so fun.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I identify the most with Tai. I want to play as a weird mix of Tai, Cirie, Tony and Carolyn
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Someone who thinks differently than me, but can also hear my side. Predictability, I want to be able to predict their motivation.
Favorite hobbies: Baking; being with family; philosophy; playing with my son; feeding ducks
Pet Peeves: Being mean to animals, logical inconsistencies, people getting upset/mad at someone crying or showing emotion
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Getting my master’s degree at 21 yrs old.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I’m a dad, I can be cutthroat when I need to be. I have a very LOUD laugh. I have a very strong aversion to worms.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My mom 1,000,000% She inspires me every. single. day. She has given us so much and always chose her kids over everything. She’s an incredibly hard worker and so intelligent. She always knows what’s happening and I love her so much.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Because not only am I willing to do anything to win, but if I’m not winning, I’ll do whatever it takes to make everyone else lose.
Robert Voets/CBS
Danny “Kilby” Kilby Danny “Kilby” Kilby on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 30
Hometown: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada
Current Residence: London, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Game designer
3 Words to Describe You: Wacky, Chaotic, Playful
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Biggest dream of my whole life. When I was a kid, Survivor was my fave show and still is today. Survivor has given me so much already – I met my girlfriend playing a fan-made Survivor game. She lives in Florida; we’d never have met if not for Survivor. I am an adventure chaser, and this is the best adventure. All my best friends I met through being a Survivor fan.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Student government really taught me to delegate tasks, manage a bunch of different groups and egos. All my weird hobbies, honestly prepared me to think quickly, connect with people and be confident. Board games (the nerdy/strategic ones) taught me to execute complex plans fast. My whole life has been training for today.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: Most identify with Todd Herzog or Ben Katzman. I’m a good vibes guy, and when 46 aired I got 9000 messages of people telling me I remind them of Ben. I’ll play the most like David Wright. Aggressive, bold, moves built on empathetic, deep bonds.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: I look for someone I have fun playing with. I want to know someone’s “real laugh” before I lock in, so I know when they’re lying in the future. Fun, loyal, smart, and connects with the people I don’t. Someone I can emotionally manipulate if I need to (sorry!)
Favorite hobbies: Video games, volleyball, soccer, filmmaking/watching films, WWE events, online reality games, Blood on the Clocktower, board games, karaoke, dancing, performing improv, Lego, puzzles, kayaking, dodgeball.
Pet Peeves: When people say an obvious thing but act like it’s brilliant. Rich people who want to act like they’ve had a hard life. When people tell you “wrestling is fake”. Complainers, why can’t we just make the most of it?
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I’m the first in my family to graduate high school and go to university. I got straight A’s, and my mom graduated and got a degree after I did. Her success is my proudest accomplishment. She didn’t go because she was a teen mom and had to raise me. She gave the biggest sacrifices so I could be the happiest, goofy kid. Also, I won a cool filmmaking competition and got a sick trophy.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I come off as a happy go lucky, oddball hippie, and that’s true. But I’ve suffered a lot. There’s a lot more to me than meets the eye (like a transformer).
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My stepdad Bruce. No one I’ve ever met has always been so positive, friendly, funny. Anywhere we go he meets a new friend, and he worked my whole childhood to take care of me and my mom. It’s not often your dad gets to CHOOSE you, and mine did. While we didn’t have the most, I think I had the best childhood ever because my parents were silly, loving and curious about everything.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I can make anyone love me and feel like the most special person in the world. My social game is bomb. I have grit like no one else and I’ll never stop smiling. I’m a strategic crazy mad scientist, and I’ll always think my way out of any problem.
Robert Voets/CBS
Devin Way Devin Way on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 33
Hometown: Lufkin, TX
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Actor
3 Words to Describe You: Charming, Playful, Loyal
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: There is nothing else like this in the world. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play one of the best games in existence! I can not wait!
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: I play Dungeons & Dragons every week and the game teaches you to roll the dice and no matter what happens (with the help of your team) you can figure it out!
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: Rick Devens is who I want to play like – his joy, smile and love for the game is what excites me. I identify with Joe a lot though. His integrity and love for his family mixed with the grief of losing a sibling tragically.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Loyalty and honesty will keep me. The second I find out you lied or betrayed me in some way I’ll be looking for a new alliance.
Favorite hobbies: Line dancing, Dungeons & Dragons, spoken word, game nights with friends, karaoke, reading comics, going to the gym, sitting in the park.
Pet Peeves: People who look down on others or treat people less than.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: In this moment, I am the proudest of making it on Survivor 51!! Truly can’t believe I’m here.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: That I have 12 brothers and sisters. I’m number 7 in the group.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My MoeMoe (Grandma) She’s the strongest, most loyal, loving, fighter of a woman that I’ve ever met.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Because “Ways Always Win”
Robert Voets/CBS
Eric Macksoud Eric Macksoud on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 34
Hometown: Lincoln, RI
Current Residence: Windsor Locks, CT
Occupation: Mental health counselor
3 Words to Describe You: Animated, Charismatic, Empathic
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: As someone who loves people and learning about what makes people tick, Survivor is the ultimate celebration of the human experience. It’s a game that breaks people down to build them back up into stronger people, and it’s the ultimate adventure for those looking to grow and test themselves to see who they truly are. For a guy like me who’s always willing to step outside their comfort zone and face themselves to evolve, I just want to be a part of that adventure and celebration regardless of the outcome.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Being involved in community theater has definitely prepared me for Survivor. In each show I’m in, I’m thrown into a new group of people that are all different ages, backgrounds, and skill sets. It leads us to form strong bonds very quickly, which helps us in being able to work effectively and successfully in putting on a phenomenal show. I often leave each show with a new, close friendship, and I feel this will translate perfectly once I’m dropped off in a new tribe where I’ll have to make quick bonds with a diverse group of strangers.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: When I saw Dominick Abbate on Ghost Island, it felt like I was looking into a mirror and seeing where I’ll be in a few years. He’s a charming, slightly sassy East Coast Italian American like me, and his game is definitely forming a strong bond with a pal that got him to the end and almost the win. He was also honest and upfront with his feelings, which I also plan on being with others as I go far in the game. Like Dom, I also plan on taking calculated risks that will advance me and get me to where I need to go.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Someone that will display with continuous trust and loyalty, that I can joke and laugh with, that will be open-minded and non-judgmental, and that I can confide in and talk to if/when I’m feeling down. Ultimately, I value an alliance-mate that can also be a confidant and best friend in-and-out of the game.
Favorite hobbies: Community theater, jamming on the electric guitar, going on adventures with my fiancé, watching horror movies, swimming, playing board games with friends, and petting my cats.
Pet Peeves: People with low emotional intelligence/maturity, people who take themselves too seriously, super machismo type guys, reckless drivers, and bad grammar.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Aside from meeting and becoming engaged to the love of my life? In that case, I’d say passing my licensing exam is something I take a lot of pride in. The LMHC exam is no joke, and it was something I had to continuously study for over and over again since it notoriously takes multiple attempts to pass. Despite my frustrations and doubt, I didn’t give up and kept trying until I passed on my 4th attempt. Whenever I find myself doubting my skills, I remind myself of that accomplishment so that I can be mindful that I can overcome tough things.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: You probably couldn’t guess that I’m trained in Muay Thai kickboxing, and that I used to be a competitive swimmer from age 8 up until my senior year of college. I don’t present as the athletic type, so it does throw some people off when they learn about my athletic history.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My fiancé, Gina DeVito, continually inspires me every day to work hard, grow, and be there for myself and for our relationship. She’s a self-starter that had to work extremely hard to overcome her own adversities to be the successful, strong woman she is today, and does so with class, bravery, and unconditional love. She’s always there for me in the highest highs and lowest lows, and her love inspires me to show up and work just as hard not only because she deserves it, but I deserve it too. She’s the epitome of a soulmate, and I’m always in awe of how much we’ve accomplished since the first day I met her.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I’m an emotionally intelligent person who can form close bonds in a short amount of time and will adapt to whatever a person needs in order to maintain trust. I’m able to read people successfully and convince others to shift their perspectives as needed, all while having enough self-awareness and control to know when to lead or when to follow. I can also be in touch with my own feelings and self-regulate so that the stress and anxiety I face will not hold me back from making tough game decisions.
Robert Voets/CBS
Jenna Doore Jenna Doore on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 30
Hometown: Perrysburg, OH
Current Residence: Toledo, OH
Occupation: Wedding photographer
3 Words to Describe You: Empathetic. Determined. And energetic. (my family’s nickname for me is NENERGY)
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: WHERE TO BEGIN? For starters – it’s my lifelong dream. I’ve watched with my fam since I was 7 years old. I was the kid begging my parents to let me stay up to watch the finale past my bedtime (literally negotiated by making up my own Immunity Challenge – a 1 min, long handstand – that I finally accomplished after hours of trying). But more than that – Survivor is all about putting yourself outside your comfort zone and seeing who you become when you do. That is why I want to play this game.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Being a wedding photographer! I have the best job ever – but it’s easy to write me off as “the cute little wedding photographer” — when in reality what I do takes grit, stamina, and mental toughness. When it comes to wedding days – the name of the game is ADAPTABILITY. It’s about being able to perform and create when the stakes are high and the pressure is on….just like Survivor.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I honestly hope to be a combo of Charlie and Kenzie (both players I look up to!) Kenzie for her social skills and ability to be everyone’s buddy. Charlie – for his intentional game play focused on keeping options open and letting himself be underestimated by others – when really, he had his finger on the pulse of the game.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Honestly – vibes. I want to work with people I genuinely connect with on a human level. Also, green flags if they are a safe space to chat through various strategic options before deciding on the right course of action.
Favorite hobbies: I love writing! Mostly I write poetry – and love reading poetry as well. I also love to run and I’m always down for an adventurous hike.
Pet Peeves: Can’t think of many, but catch me after 26 days on the island and I’m sure I’ll have a few.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Building my business! I’m honestly living out my dream and frequently pinch myself getting to do this job. When I was 15 years old – I saved up all my babysitting money and bought my first camera. At 18, someone took a chance on me and I photographed my first wedding. I have put so many hours of BELIEF into my photography dream – and I feel so proud of the way 15-year-old Jenna followed her passion to start it all.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I think I give off “sweet, bubbly, artistic girl”… but I’ve got a savvy strategic side to me! In fact: in all the wedding contracts I’ve sent out over the last 5 years, I’ve included a ‘Survivor Clause’ because I did, in fact, know this was my destiny.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: Gotta be my mom and my dad. My dad because he reminds me – anything is possible. He is constantly finding adventures in everyday life and can seemingly troubleshoot any obstacle through creative thinking and hard work. My mom because for all the ways I want to reach into the world and accomplish things, she reminds me that there is nothing I need to prove.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: So – back before I ever heard anything from Survivor – I wrote this little poem inspired by my dream to play. It says, “I can’t wait for you to look back at all these times you believed in it believe it was visible!” But then I had an idea – what if I could give this poem to anyone who wants them, but in exchange – they have to tell me their dream. I gave away 154 poems. I will be the Sole Survivor because I have an army of people who are believing in it with me. I’m playing for them.
Robert Voets/CBS
Kristin Flickinger Kristin Flickinger on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 49
Hometown: Ketchum, ID
Current Residence: Santa Barbara, CA
Occupation: Crisis management
3 Words to Describe You: Determined, Joyful
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I have been applying for Survivor since the middle of Season 1. It has become the lens through which I view and navigate the world – however, dysfunctional that may be. I am excited for the adventure, competition, and challenge. And excited to play big, fully, and propulsively to the end.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game? My entire existence has prepared me for the game. Growing up in the mountains of Idaho, navigating the world as a queer woman leading teams, finding and sometimes making community, and turning my traumas into a career serving LGBTQ+ community especially in moments of crisis.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? I identify with Rachel LaMont. She’s the first player who played the way I think about the game. She was quirky, likable, smart, innovative, and lucky.
What will you value in an alliance partner? My dream alliance partner is someone I can know in my bones wants to go to the end with me and has the ability to think innovatively through complex situations quickly. Also, someone who wants to get up to mischief together. Papaya bandits, anyone?
Favorite hobbies: Road cycling, training my husky dog to talk with buttons, applying for Survivor (I’m on the hunt for a new hobby…).
Pet Peeves: I really dislike the term “pet peeve”. Like, what even is that? Sounds like a poltergeist dog. Crumbs on the kitchen counter – really any surface – send me.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Creating an intergenerational culinary arts program for LGBTQ+ youth and seniors. Thousands of people have had their lives touched by that program.
What is something we would never know from looking at you? I carry rocks in my bra usually for protection, but it changes based on my mood, and any particular meetings I have that day.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why? Honestly, a long time ago, I decided to be my own inspiration. I draw strength from nature, family, friends, ancestors and the connection we all have.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? The stars are literally aligned for an Aries, for the next 26 days. Like for real. The sun, planets, everything. And the moon phases form my Scorpio rising and Scorpio moon, too!
Robert Voets/CBS
Lewis Kelly Lewis Kelly on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 28
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
Current Residence: Puerto Rico
Occupation: Farmer
3 Words to Describe You: Cheeky, devilish, charming
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I love the show. Once I became a US citizen, I owed it to myself to apply, to take this new opportunity and really live and be an example of my American dream. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take and even if I don’t have a notion of what’s going on, I’ll always put myself forward and give it a go.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: My trip a few months ago to North Korea. At times we were isolated, unable to leave our rooms, no communication with the outside world, no phones, uncomfortable rock hard beds, never knowing what’s coming the following day, not knowing if one wrong move is going to get you… voted out!
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I identify with Venus. She’s just out here trying to represent and handle the chaos as best she can. She’s funny and not afraid to say what’s on her mind and stands 10 toes down. I also feeling like I’m a better, cooler, version of Tyson.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Someone that’s there to cause chaos and have fun. Someone that won’t rat me out. Snitches get their torches snuffed.
Favorite hobbies: Lying! What do you mean I can go on a show where it’s okay to deceive people?! I also love traveling and charting the unknown I’ve always wanted to live a remote life, as my wife and I traveled the US renovating a school bus that we now call our beautiful home.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I’ve been to 40+ countries, I’ve seen the good, bad and ugly and I have appreciation for it all. I love travel so much I live in a school bus!
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I feel I’m more intelligent than people take me for. I might sound a bit rough around the edges, but on Survivor, every blunder, every mistake I make publicly is probably very thought out and deliberately executed move.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My beautiful wife Andrea. She’s a partner that is just as bold and daring as me. She keeps me on my toes and makes my life so spontaneous and magical. She’s the only reason I’d even be half decent at Survivor. She has and continues to teach me so much about life. I love her with all my heart.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I probably won’t be the Sole Survivor. If these players have any notion about them they’ll make sure I don’t get to Final Tribal Council. But if I do, the game is as good as won.
Related: Every ‘Survivor’ Winner: Full List of Champions From All Seasons
Robert Voets/CBS
Linnea Capobianco Linnea Capobianco on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 25
Hometown: Kearny, NJ
Current Residence: Jersey City, NJ
Occupation: Entrepreneur
3 Words to Describe You: Rational, outgoing and optimistic.
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: This life, this limited time on earth, is all I am certain of. With that, I seek to experience as much as possible, saying yes to a challenge, to be uncomforted, to grow. Survivor provides all those things and more. It’s the ultimate challenge and opportunity of a lifetime that I am so ready for.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Studying and working in Washington D.C. where networking is imperative to your success, helped prepare me for the complex social politics of Survivor. Fostering relationships with people in power and people who have different views than you is essential in the nation’s capital and in Survivor.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? Kyle F., due to his ability to build strong relationships and lead votes without being the over leader. He’s also extremely well-rounded (athletic and social strengths).
What will you value in an alliance partner? True friendship, positive attitude, doesn’t freak out / get overly paranoid, rational (most important).
Favorite hobbies: Street photography, Lagree, attending jazz shows.
Pet Peeves: When people ask me my zodiac sign, when people exclude others in convo, e.g., standing in a circle that doesn’t make everyone feel a part of it.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Being a successful business owner in NYC!
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I have a laughing problem. I’ve had countless uncontrollable laughing attacks (funerals, church, class, during a presentation, etc). They happen when I know I shouldn’t be laughing.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: Lyndsey Addario (conflict/war photographer). Risks her life to be the voice of the voiceless and follows her true passion.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I’m highly skilled at reading people, persuading people, and being a leader that doesn’t come off as threatening. In addition to my grit, determination, and athletic abilities.
Robert Voets/CBS
Maggie Nestor Maggie Nestor on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 40
Hometown: Middleway, WV
Current Residence: Charlestown, WV
Occupation: Farmer
3 Words to Describe You: Joyful, intentional, Redneck
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I’ve loved Survivor since I was 15. I’ve been watching for 25 years and waiting for this opportunity of a lifetime.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Growing up in West Virginia
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I most identify with Parvati! I don’t know who I’m going to play most like. We’ll see throughout the season.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Someone who is creative, open, happy, and willing to make bold moves.
Favorite hobbies: Farming, gardening, fishing, hunting, exploring, running, lifting, pole vaulting, reading, teaching, signing, cooking, playing guitar
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: The life my husband and I created.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I’m a mom of three AMAZING MARVELOUS children who MERIT me more love than I deserve.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: Jesus because He saved me.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I truly believe my entire life has prepared me to outwit, outlast, and outplay. I’m determined to be Season 51’s Sole Survivor.
Robert Voets/CBS
Mike Pinsky Mike Pinsky on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 32
Hometown: New York City, NY
Current Residence: New York City, NY
Occupation: Baseball executive
3 Words to Describe You: Enthusiastic, strategic, driven
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: When I was 8, I used to play Survivor with my friends in our New York City apartments. When I was 18, my college friends and I would drop everything for our sacred Wednesday night viewings. When I was 28, my marriage proposal to my wife Becky incorporated a Probst catchphrase. Getting to actually live this dream for real is a one-of-one life experience, and the thrill of this type of adventure sets my heart on fire!
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer when I was 24 (she was 61). The pain and sorrow were immeasurable, and it forged the resilience that I possess today. I’ve been thinking a lot about how my mom used to tell me “everyone has something to offer,” which is a pretty darn good mantra for day one of Survivor. I’ll be thinking of her out there for sure.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: Kyle Fraser, Charlie Davis, and Adam Klein, all remind me a bit of myself in the similarities of our Survivor toolkits. But I ultimately hope to be this season’s Rachel LaMont (the best new era winner), who had those same skills and also brought innovation [to] how the game is played.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: As in baseball front offices, when it comes to Survivor strategy, information is king. You can’t really maneuver without knowing important facts. So, I want allies who can help me gather that intel: who’s working with whom; who has what advantages; what was that whispered conversation at the water well all about?
Favorite hobbies: I’m the best home cook you’ll ever meet! Also, a big fan of pickup basketball, improv comedy, tennis, and playing with my dachshund Pookie.
Pet Peeves: Misused words, overused words, under seasoned food.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Marrying my high school crush, Becky. We met acting in school plays, and our first kiss was on stage as lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Our first real kiss was at a prom after-party even though we were not each other’s dates (scandalous!). The best part of getting to be me is being loved by Becky.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: Working for the Yankees, I spend tons of time assessing players from the comfort of a stadium seat or my desk chair. But inside me is a burning desire to be the one playing. I am beyond pumped to hit the beaches of Fiji as a player!
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I’m athletic, but at 5’8” I’m not physically imposing. I’m strategic, but I know how to downplay it when I need to. And I’m a good chat without being a charm machine who will be seen as too big a social threat. I have the right cocktail of qualities to take this thing to the end!
Robert Voets/CBS
Ori Jean-Charles Ori Jean-Charles on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 27
Hometown: Spring Valley, NY
Current Residence: Spring Valley, NY
Occupation: Personal trainer
3 Words to Describe You: Consistent – never too high or too low. I am a rock my family and friends know they can rely on. Anomaly – I am more than what meets the eye, I have a little edge I am different. Hustler – I will find a way to make it happen!
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: My older brother once told me, “You don’t owe us anything” when it looked like my NFL career wasn’t going to be what I thought. But he is wrong. I owe them everything and that’s why I am here. To change my family’s lives. They carried me in their hearts on their minds and shoulders. They sacrificed everything for me to be here today. And right here, right now, is an opportunity to pay that back for all they have done.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: While in college, my mom had an accident; she really hurt her back. I was finding my footing, realizing some of my Division 1 football dreams. But I had to transfer; I needed to be closer to home. I was a really good player, so many schools wanted me. But all that really mattered was being there for my family. So, I transferred from the University of Louisville to the University of Maine, for simple fact that it was close to home. When creating our schedules, I joined the earliest workout group on Fridays at 5am and the latest on Mondays at 3pm. Every Friday after my 5am lift, fighting sleep, I would drive 8 hours home in a little blue Audi A3 I could barely fit in. I would help my family for the weekend, then head back Monday AM. I did every weekend for my first semester and a half. I put in so many miles on that car that it literally blew up! The amazing part of that experience was that I played some of the best football of my career. I broke an NCAA Division 1 record and received all kinds of awards. That was because my family was all that I thought about. There was no one who was going to outwork me, get to the ball before me or anything. My brother and sister who were sacrificing, my mom who was fighting for her health were on my mind. I couldn’t LOSE! That’s Survivor! When you are tired, homesick, worried about family, hungry, when you feel all that pressure, THAT’S WHEN YOU HAVE TO PERFORM! That’s when you have to SURVIVE. And I have done that time and again.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: Jeremy, I feel like I identify [with] and will play like him because for the simple fact he was strategic and was playing for his family. When your “why” is greater than yourself and you have everything riding on this, there is NOTHING you won’t do. And nothing means more to me in this world than my family!
What will you value in an alliance partner?: I know it is cliché, but loyalty first and foremost. There is no alliance without trust. People that are doers and not scared, people that will pull the trigger and make a move with me. It’s like playing a game of basketball. If I make a move or get double-teamed and pass you the ball, SHOOT! Don’t hesitate, don’t get scared, TAKE THE SHOT! Because if you don’t, I might not pass it to you again.
Favorite hobbies: Food – some people call themselves foodies, I LOVE TO EAT! Travel – I love to see new places and try different things whatever it’s at out the country or just a road trip, let’s just go! Fashion – I love to look and dress nice, I take pride in walking into a room and being the flyest dude there. It’s also been a sort of healing journey for me. Being able to buy and have the sneakers and clothes I couldn’t afford as a kid is incredible.
Pet Peeves: I hate idiocy. I have no patience for people who lack common sense. My second pet peeve is someone that absolutely NEEDS attention. I know it’s ironic saying that on a TV show. But the “look at me!!” people bother me, just chill!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: I am most proud of being the first in my family to get a college degree. And not only did I do that, I went and got my master’s degree. It means so much because there was no one to help or show me how. I filled out all the forms; I moved myself into the dorms. I couldn’t call home and ask for money; I was the one sending money back home. What’s even more special is now everyone in my family is a college graduate. I have a little sister who is a social worker that helps kids go to school and another becoming a doctor. It’s like I broke a generational curse. Seeing me do it let them know they can too.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: Something you would never know by looking at me is that I used to play the violin. I was pretty good at it. It’s funny because I’m not an artist; the arts were never my thing. But somehow, I ended up First Chair in my 6th grade orchestra.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My mom! My mother is not only my inspiration but my best friend. There have been so many times that she didn’t eat so me and my siblings could. Didn’t sleep so me and my siblings could. To try to name and thank her for all her sacrifices would be impossible, so winning this money and retiring her would make all my dreams come true.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: I am book smart, I am street smart, and I am a former pro athlete. I am literally made for Survivor. But most importantly, I am here to win. There is nothing that I won’t do to win Survivor.
Robert Voets/CBS
Patt Cannaday Patt Cannaday on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 33
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Current Residence: Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Federal prosecutor
3 Words to Describe You: Goofy, loyal, intense
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I love challenge and new adventures. This show is the challenge/adventure of a lifetime.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: A few years ago, in Brazil, my friends and I went on a hike. It was supposed to be three hours and ended up being six. None of us spoke fluent Portuguese. The end of the hike was actually a climb. We had to stumble our way back in the dark. Essentially, I’m used to adventures I’m fully unprepared for and get by solely through the power of friendship.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I love Amanda Kimmel and Rachel LaMont. Amanda played a loyal, resilient game with close allies, and Rachel played a scrappy, no-holds-barred climb to the top. Both were brilliant and flexible, and I hope to be the same.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: I want someone who is willing to take risks with me and engage in shenanigans.
Favorite hobbies: Boxing, skydiving, hiking, dramatic reading nights, really whatever I’ve picked up this week
Pet Peeves: White sunglasses, flip flops and jeans, when the least informed person is telling everyone else what to do.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: My marriage to my husband.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?:My parents are my biggest inspiration. My mom is a genius, who homeschooled me and my siblings, and my dad was a 26 year Air Force officer, who (in his own words), succeeded primarily based on his good looks. In my 33 years I’ve never heard my parents yell at me, my siblings, or each other, although I certainly deserved it a lot.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? My sparkling personality, undeniable wit, and of course, my good looks.
Robert Voets/CBS
Rob Antonson Rob Antonson on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 40
Hometown: Johnston, RI
Current Residence: Cumberland, RI
Occupation: Airline gate agent
3 Words to Describe You: Competitive, funny, loving
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: I’m a total city boy, I have never been an outdoors type. I want to show my three young kids that you can get out of your comfort zone, take chances and still succeed. I want to prove to myself that I can push myself like I never have before and came out on top.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: I think working at the airport has prepared me for the game of Survivor. At the end of the day, Survivor is a huge social game. At the airport, I socialized with people from all over the globe every day! The airport is also full of chaos, so this has kind of made me immune to it. Survivor chaos to me is just another busy Friday at the airport!
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? Boston Rob because he’s from the New England area and is a Sox fan like myself. He carries himself with this swagger of not caring what others think about him, which is exactly how I am! I will play with a mix of Tony and Joe. I’ll play a loyal game like Joe when it comes to relationships. I’d throw some manipulation gameplaying like how Tony played!
What will you value in an alliance partner? I will value someone who is an open book to me, not someone who acts shady at times. I value someone who will shoot down my name when talked about from others to vote out.
Favorite hobbies: Coaching my sons’ sports teams (baseball, football, soccer). Traveling with my family, game night with my buddies, karaoke, videoing podcasts and video editing, spending family time with my wife and kids.
Pet Peeves: Miserable people, bad hygiene (bad breath), the pouring of soda (I have no clue why!).
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Helping to create my three children. I have always wanted kids and have always wanted to be a daddy. Being a dad is the best thing in the world, and I would never change it!
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I am a huge reality TV junkie. I watch Real Housewives, Traitors, Love Island, MTV’s The Challenge. If it’s reality, I’ve probably watched it. I guess I just like peeping into people’s lives from my couch.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My father is my biggest inspiration because when we were little, he worked 2-3 jobs to make sure me and my sister were set. He built me into the strong-minded man I am today!
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I will be the Sole Survivor because I feel like I can be a social chameleon in the game. I can fit into any crowd due to my life experience.
Robert Voets/CBS
Sharonda Cox Sharonda Cox on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Age: 34
Hometown: Pompano Beach, FL
Current Residence: Richmond, KY
Occupation: Resident, OBGYN
3 Words to Describe You: Charismatic, Resilient, Reliable
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Survivor has a way of forcing people to be vulnerable, reflect and see themselves in a new light. I would love to encourage those little Black boys and girls, those in low-economic areas, and my family and friends what we can do despite our disadvantaged beginnings. I also want to stop going through the motions of life and meet the new, unapologetic Sharonda.
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Growing up in Pompano Beach in a single-parent household taught me that you have to work hard for everything you want and to be appreciative. This game comes with ups and downs, but as long as you put the work in and don’t become complacent, you can make it far!
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like?: I identify with Cirie the most because I am shocked by the things I am able to accomplish. She is also a strong Black woman.
What will you value in an alliance partner?: Loyalty but adaptability. If plans change 5 mins before Tribal, you need to be both and ready to make it happen…otherwise, you are next!
Favorite hobbies: Fishing, reading and watching sports with my husband
Pet Peeves: Loud chewers. I cannot stand the sound of someone chewing with their mouth open.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?: Making my family proud! Whether that’s being a doctor or just a decent human being.
What is something we would never know from looking at you?: I was first chair in orchestra. I played violin at Disney. I was also a science nerd and loved NASA!
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why?: My maternal grandparents are my biggest inspiration. They had to drop out of school, work the bean fields and sacrifice so much. They are loving and supportive despite their trials and tribulations. I owe everything to them.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor?: Life has trained me for this very moment! There isn’t one thing this game can throw at me that I haven’t already endured. I was made for this!
Robert Voets/CBS
Jeff Probst Jeff ProbstRobert Voets/CBS
Sandra Bullock Reveals the Surprising Reason She Joined Instagram
Fans who spent years wishing Sandra Bullock would join social media got their wish this spring, but the reason behind it turns out to be far darker than a movie rollout. Con artists had been posing as the actress online and taking real money from people who believed they were talking to her.
Speaking on the SmartLess podcast, Bullock, 62, told hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes that publicity for her new film was not what pushed her online. She said impostors had been using her name and likeness to scam money out of people for about a year and a half, defrauding fans who thought they had a personal connection to her. It was a rare, candid turn for a star who rarely discusses her private life in public.
The scheme reached her own family. Her sister, Gesine Bullock-Prado, fielded messages from strangers who said Bullock had taken thousands of dollars from them, and some fans had been convinced they were in an online relationship with the star. Relatives were sometimes left with the painful task of telling victims that the person they trusted was not real. Bullock described that harm as the real reason she reversed a long-held stance and created a verified account in April.
For most of her career, Bullock stayed almost entirely off social platforms in what she said was a deliberate choice, one she reinforced whenever her name turned up in places she had never posted. Her Instagram debut in April quickly drew millions of followers, climbing past 6 million as the months went on. Because most of her early posts were about nostalgia and her return to the screen, many assumed the account existed only to promote her work.
That return is Practical Magic 2, which reunites Bullock with Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens more than two decades after the 1998 cult favorite built a devoted following around its midnight margaritas and witchy sisterhood. The sequel adds new Owens family members and marks Bullock’s first leading film role since 2022. She has said stepping back onto the set “felt like we came back to a home that we once lived in”, and much of her feed has teased the film, which is due in theaters this September.
Celebrity impersonation scams have grown more sophisticated, with fake accounts and, increasingly, AI-generated images pulling in victims across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Consumer advocates have long warned that impersonators exploit the trust fans place in famous names, and Bullock is not the only star whose likeness has been weaponized this way. By claiming her own verified space, she gave followers a reliable way to tell the real account from the counterfeits. Practical Magic 2 reaches theaters next month.
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Carol Burnett Shares 'Annie' Clip in Tim Curry Tribute
Carol Burnett recently took to Instagram to remember her 1982 on-screen sidekick, actor and singer Tim Curry, who died on Tuesday.
Sharing a clip from the film ‘Annie’ on social media, where the two played brother-and-sister scammers in the movie musical, the longtime comedian, 93, shared a sweet caption in tribute to Curry.
“We had such a wonderful time working together on ‘Annie,'” she wrote of their time playing Agatha Hannigan and Rooster Hannigan. “Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him.”
View this post on InstagramThe clip featured the musical number “Easy Street,” which also starred Bernadette Peters, who played Curry’s girlfriend in the film.
While Curry was known then for his role in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, following the movie musical, Curry went on to be nominated for a Tony for his role in the musical My Favorite Year and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
TMZ first reported the news of the actor’s passing in Los Angeles. His agent later confirmed his death to The New York Times.
While Curry had been dealing with serious health issues since suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2012, a cause of death has not been released.
The actor made sporadic appearances throughout the years, one notably at the 50th anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at LA’s Academy Museum in September 2025.
Related: Tim Curry Dead: Inside His Health Battles Over the Years
Tributes from other celebrities have also begun to pour in.
Actor Jane Seymour shared a series of photos of she and Curry from their time starring in Amadeus.
“Tim was one of those extraordinary people who seemed to bring more life into every room,” she said. “He was wildly talented, wickedly funny, completely original, and such wonderful company.”
Actor Melissa Gilbert also took to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
“I don’t know how to explain how much I enjoyed watching this man on film, in interviews, and on stage,” she said. “Mr. Curry, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
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Jane Goodall’s Goddaughter Reveals the Heartfelt Postcards the Late Icon Sent Her
Jane Goodall’s goddaughter is showing fans the sweet side of the late primatologist, who died at the age of 91 in October 2025.
Sarah May Sommers Wald, the daughter of producer Jeff Wald and photographer Deborah Wald, took to her TikTok page to share postcards she received from Goodall over the course of her life.
“For years, she wrote me postcards from all of her travels around the world, and now I’m sharing them with you in hopes that maybe they can inspire something in you,” she said.
In the multi-part series on TikTok, Wald is going in chronological order and reading the postcards to her followers.
@sarahmaysommersLetters from Jane Pt.23 #janegoodall #janegoodallinstitute #rootsandshoots #JGI #postcard
♬ som original – Eli.lopes001In one postcard from 2003, the first year she started receiving postcards from her godmother, Goodall wrote from South Dakota while meeting with the people who saved the black-footed ferret from extinction.
In another, she wrote to her goddaughter from Tanzania, and another from Scotland. At the time of her death, Wald reflected on what it was like to have Goodall as a godmother.
I got my deeply spiritual love of nature and animals from Jane. The way I see the world is because of Jane,” she shared on Instagram. “I will miss shoving chocolate and miniature whiskey bottles into Jane’s pockets. I will miss the postcards and emails and video calls. I will miss her dry, perfectly British and well-delivered humor. I’ll miss the way she approached everyone with kindness, no matter who they were or how much she disagreed with them.”
She continued, “I plan to live my life in honor of Jane and her mission, and I hope we can all do the same. The world would be a perfect place if we were all Jane.”
As expected, fans loved seeing this personal side of Goodall through her handwritten postcards.
“I’m in tears, this is beautiful. She’s been my role model my entire life. What an incredible memory to have,” one person commented on TikTok. Another added, “This is so special. I love that you have these and that sharing them keeps her with you in a different way.”
Keep the postcards coming!
’70s Rock Band, Now Led by Vocalist Who Played Janis Joplin, Releases New Music and Extends Tour
Jefferson Airplane has long since ceased to exist. Jefferson Starship, though?
That’s a whole different story — literally. Formed in 1974 from the ashes of Jefferson Airplane, the spin-off has stood the test of time with no plans to pump the brakes.
Releasing the new single “Jetpack” this August ahead of a forthcoming album and extending its touring schedule into 2027, the five-decade-old ensemble of acid-rock veterans refuses to be relegated to the oldies bin, looking ahead instead of backward.
With tie-dye shirts still in full force, whether donned by band members themselves or spotted throughout the crowd as a throwback to yesteryear, the band has carved out remarkable staying power despite significant lineup changes, never forgetting its roots in San Francisco’s hippie heyday.
Fronting the group now is Cathy Richardson, who once played Janis Joplin in the original Off-Broadway production of Love, Janis — so you know she has the pipes.
She joined Jefferson Starship in 2008 after a succession of female vocalists followed Grace Slick’s departure, ultimately taking over the role Slick made famous.
One original member remains as well, David Freiberg, while longtime bassist Pete Sears has returned to the fold on the band’s new material (though not on tour).
Any way you slice it, the psychedelic rockers can still bring down the house for both long-time diehard fans and newbies as their recent show in Place Bell in Laval, Quebec was described as “a study in generational overlap.”
True diehards will appreciate that the band still turns back the page to its Airplane days, performing songs such as “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.”
Related: Grammy-Winning Rock Band, Touted as the Next Led Zeppelin, Releasing New Single
“Jetpack” is Jefferson Starship’s first new song in five years. Explaining how the track came together, Richardson said:
“I loved the music and the hook was really strong. I thought about why I would want to strap on a rocket and blast off the planet, and the words just came spilling out.”
Richardson added that the band initially recorded the song with a different ending before she came up with the idea for an outro, saying she “really wanted to hear the band jam out over that chord progression and go to space musically.”
The band is playing three dates in Canada to wrap up August before returning stateside to Lincoln, California on September 4 and ending their extensive run on the Flower Power Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 27, 2027.
Tim Curry Embraced Life and Death in Final Interview Before His Passing at 80
Tim Curry, the three-time Tony nominee and Daytime Emmy winner whose performances could be playful, menacing, and unforgettable, faced mortality with the same dry wit that defined his work.
Ten months before his death at 80, the Rocky Horror Picture Show star reflected on dying and the health crisis that changed his life.
What Did Tim Curry Say About Death?During an October 2025 interview with “CBS Sunday Morning”, Curry said he “didn’t fear death” and suggested it could be “very comforting to go bye bye.” The actor laughed before adding, “I think I might very well embrace it.”
Curry made clear that he was not eager for his life to end. He said he still tried to avoid death and was “not galloping toward it.”
How Did Tim Curry Die?TMZ reported on Wednesday, August 26, that Curry died at his North Hollywood, California, home the previous evening. Law enforcement sources told the outlet they suspected no foul play. A cause of death was not immediately announced.
What Happened After Tim Curry’s Stroke? Actor Tim Curry attends the premiere of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again”(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012. The medical emergency carried added emotional weight because his father, James Curry, died from a stroke in 1958, according to The New York Post. Doctors discovered two blood clots in Curry’s brain.
He underwent emergency brain surgery and spent about a month in the hospital before beginning rehabilitation. Curry had to relearn how to speak and continued experiencing painful sensitivity in his left arm and hand. Although he eventually regained movement after being partially paralyzed, he used a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
The actor largely stepped away from live-action roles but continued working as a voice performer.
What Was Tim Curry’s Final Public Appearance?As Parade reported earlier, Curry made his final public appearance on Monday, November 3, 2025, during the 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour for The Rocky Horror Picture Show in New York City.
He reunited with co-stars Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell, closing his public life alongside the cast of the film that made him a cultural icon.
Curry also reflected on his career and recovery in his 2025 memoir, Vagabond.
Mayim Bialik Reveals the Unexpected Item She Kept From the 'Big Bang Theory' Set
Actress Mayim Bialik is revealing what she kept from the set of the hit CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory.
While recording an August 2026 episode of The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, host Jessica Radloff asked if Bialik had kept a purple jacket that her character, Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, frequently wore on the show.
“We were not allowed to keep anything. It’s all kept at Warner Bros.,” said Bialik, in reference to The Big Bang Theory being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios throughout its 12th season run until its end in 2019.
She then clarified that she did keep something from her time playing Amy, which she began at the end of the show’s third season.
“I got to keep the bras though, and I appreciate that,” said the actress, causing Radloff to laugh.
Mayim Bialik Revealed How She Related to Her ‘Big Bang Theory’ CharacterWhile recording the August 2026 podcast episode, Bialik, who holds a doctorate in neuroscience, similar to her neurobiologist character, shared how else she related to Amy. She said that she, like Amy, “tend[s] to be kind of an awkward person” and uses humor to deflect during difficult moments.
“I think things are funny that other people maybe don’t. Or sometimes, you know, I really have a strong desire to find something funny. Maybe because it’s getting too emotionally close, right? I use, you know, kind of humor that way. And I think Amy, you know, I relate to that as well,” said Bialik during the Official Big Bang Theory Podcast episode.
She then credited certain Big Bang Theory writers, specifically Maria Ferrari, for coming up with a realistic portrayal of an awkward woman. In addition, she noted that most of the Big Bang Theory characters “were all different variations” of nerdy individuals.
“There was even a hierarchy, right, of like who’s the nerdiest and who’s the most like approachable, right? So yeah, you got to see that kind of diversity of quirky,” said the actress in the August 2026 interview.
Tim Curry Once Revealed the Iconic Movie Role That Landed Him in the Hospital: 'It Was Exhausting'
Fans have seen Tim Curry take on a wide range of roles throughout his career, from a horned demon in Legend to a less demanding role that ultimately sent him to the hospital for a specific reason.
Earlier this year, Curry looked back at his most iconic roles with The Academy, like the 1985 comedy mystery Clue. The actor recalls Jonathan Lynn having seen some of his stage work, having been to school together, and offering him the part of Wadsworth, the butler.
Anyone who has seen the cult classic film knows the pivotal role Curry played in the film as a group of six strangers gather in a secluded mansion where a series of murders take place. They are forced to uncover the killer before one of them is next. Looking back at memorabilia from the film, the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library pulled a record from July 25 during filming.
The record showed that Curry was taken to the hospital at RAP after reporting not feeling well. It also details that the doctor reported the actor had high blood pressure. Amid Curry’s more demanding on-screen roles, Clue is one that didn’t require prosthetics or grandiose set movements. In reality, what made the actor land at the hospital was filming his popular running scene in Clue.
“That was the day we shot me running around demonstrating each murder,” recalled Curry. “It was exhausting, and I was beclemped.”
The scene they are referring to happens at a pivotal point in Clue where Wadsworth re-enacts all the murders that took place to understand everyone’s connection to the series of events. As a result, Curry is seen in the film running back and forth multiple times before three plausible endings are presented. Notes from Clue also revealed that there were originally four endings instead of three.
“There was one ending where I did all the murder, and of course that was my favorite,” said Curry. “They never released that ending because they thought it was too obvious.”
Clue wasn’t a box office success when it was released in 1985, and made a little more than its original budget at the box office. It’s since become a cult classic and one of Curry’s distinguishable roles after The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Curry was announced to have died in his home on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the age of 80. He continued acting well after his 2012 stroke that left him partially paralyzed.
Related: Tim Curry Dead: His Final Film Appearance Nearly 50 Years After ‘Rocky Horror’
Wayfair's 'Cozy' 6-Piece Foliage-Inspired Comforter Set Brings the Beauty of Fall Indoors, Now 72% Off
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Here’s a simple interior design truth: Your bed takes up a lot of visual real estate. When it looks good, the whole room feels more complete. But upgrading your bedding can quickly spiral into a game of mix-and-match — hunting for the right sheets, coordinating colors, and realizing too late that your comforter doesn’t quite work with the throw pillows you already have. That’s why many shoppers are embracing the comprehensive Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set from Wayfair.
Currently marked down to as low as $47 from its original $170 price, this set is now up to 77% off at Wayfair in the queen size. Discounts vary by size and hue, but you can snag many combinations for over 60% off. That’s a seriously solid deal for a collection with six pieces that give your space a thoughtfully coordinated look. Whether you’re swapping out your summer bedding or giving a guest room a thoughtful touch-up, this one-box upgrade does the job in one go.
Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set, From $47 (was $170) at Wayfair Shop at WayfairWith a nature-inspired leaf motif that’s reminiscent of earthy fall foliage, this bedding set adds a calm, pulled-together feel to your space. Whether you’re swapping out your bedding for the season or just giving things a low-effort refresh, it offers a full look in one go. Each set includes six pieces: a comforter, dust ruffle, shams, and decorative pillows — all designed to color-coordinate and work together so your bed feels like the most intentional part of the room.
Each piece of this bedding set is machine washable and made from soft microfiber, which means it’s as easy to maintain as it is to enjoy. There are 12 rich color options to choose from, though some size and hue combinations have already sold out.
With more than 4,800 five-star reviews, this reversible comforter set has earned praise from both those updating their bedrooms and decorating new spaces for its “great value” and “cozy” feel. “This comforter set is very soft and looks great,” one shopper wrote, adding that it “washes very well and has a beautiful pattern!”
Another shopper, who has owned the set for more than a year, said that “this comforter is lightweight, so you don’t get overheated,” and it has “held up great” with regular use and care.
At up to 72% off, the Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set is a budget-friendly way to refresh your space for autumn. Grab your favorite color before this Wayfair deal disappears!
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Tim Curry’s Most Legendary Role Is One He 'Didn't Revel' In
When you think about the most iconic Tim Curry roles, there are a few that will stand out. Many of those are within the world of comedy, but there is one iconic horror role that left many absolutely terrified of clowns.
Curry played Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King classic, It. Yet, when he was ever asked about the role or when he would bring up his past experiences, he would try to avoid the subject of that particular character.
In his memoir, Vagabond, the Clue actor shared that he “didn’t revel in the role.” He never regretted the performance, and he always said that the adaptation of King’s novel was “strong,” but it was something that was rather off-putting during his time filming.
The reason? He shared how he “loathes” clowns in his memoir. It wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t look at himself in the mirror, which was often something reported, but he “didn’t delight in my reflection.”
He went on to say, “In any case, the thought of embodying this killer clown made me feel simultaneously uncomfortable and like I would be pushing myself to take it on.”
It makes sense then that he would bring a character that was so terrifying to many people. Before his death, he had noted that those who would want to talk to him about Pennywise often wanted to share about how they were traumatized by his performance. While he never blamed that thought process, he admitted that it made for a difficult conversation afterward.
Stephen King’s “IT” – 11/18 and 11/20/90 In this Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Novel for Television based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, played Ben “Haystack” Hanscom, one of seven childhood friends who are reunited in their middle ages to confront an evil entity (a clown named Pennywise). (Photo by Neal Slavin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) NEAL SLAVIN, ANETTE O’TOOLE, RICHARD THOMAS, HARRY ANDERSON, DENNIS CHRISTOPHER, TIM CURRY, JOHN RITTER, RICHARD MAUSERIn his memoir, he continued by saying, “But I’ve never really known how to respond to that. It’s not the most charming conversation starter, and invariably leads to a less-than-delightful discussion to navigate.”
It aired over the course of two nights in November 1990 on ABC, pulling in almost 30 million viewers. While it was hard to imagine anyone in the role after him — although Bill Skarsgård took on the role extremely well in the modern movie adaptations — he almost turned down the role, but not due to loathing clowns. He just didn’t revel in the idea of going through hours of prosthetics, leading to director Tommy Lee Wallace assuring him that it would be face paint.
Fans of It weren’t the only ones to feel uncomfortable watching the performance. The child actors and many of the adult cast members would stay away from Curry due to the unnerving feelings when he was in costume.
After It, Curry would turn back to comedy and lighter shows and movies for some time. He played Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers. He also voiced Captain Hook in Peter Pan & the Pirates and Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Related: Tim Curry’s Final Public Appearance Happened in 2025
A Look Back at Dolly Parton’s Decades of Iconic Appearances at Dollywood
Dolly Parton’s loss has been felt around the world.
The beloved icon dedicated her life to philanthropy, coming from humble beginnings in East Tennessee, growing up impoverished, to chart a career that would span music, film, stage and beyond. She was a true multi-hyphenate: global superstar, humanitarian and even theme park entrepreneur. That’s right, she was the ‘Dreamer-in-Chief’ of her very own theme park, Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
As her music career soared, Parton never forget her Tennessee roots and opened Dollywood theme park in 1986 near her hometown in Sevier County. It’s now the largest employer in the county, creating thousands of jobs and generating around $1.8 billion annually. Additionally, her Dollywood Foundation, inspired by her own father who couldn’t read or write, has gifted over 200 million free books to kids around the world.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the park dozens of times. And what makes it so special is that it is much more than simply licensing a name. Dolly was a fixture at the park. Of course, her likeness is plastered across billboards and part of attractions, but she spent time there greeting guests and employees as if they were family. She was widely known for her annual appearances, including her beloved park parades where she would ride around the stunning Smoky Mountain theme park as thousands of her fans cheered on. While the park offers groundbreaking attractions, it’s these homegrown touches that set it apart.
Related: The Smoky Mountain Dream That Dolly Built Turns 40 Today
View this post on Instagram“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams,” Dollywood shared in the wake of her passing.
Related: Dollywood Shares Heartfelt Statement
Here’s a long back at her legacy and her most memorable park moments.
Dolly at Dollywood (2:45) Dollywood Opened in 1986On May 3, 1986, a small theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenneessee, Silver Dollar City, was transformed into Dollywood. “I want you to know that Dollywood’s aim is to make you feel important on every visit as I feel today,” Parton famously said at the park’s dedication ceremony. “I have dreamed for many years of getting to come back, bringing something back, so you folks would know that I’m as proud of you as you’ve always been of me.”
It would change the region forever, and is visited by millions of visitors from all over the world each year. Today, the park is in the midst of an aggressive expansion, that includes the debut of NightFlight Expedition, the single largest investment the park has made in its history. It continues to be a pioneering force in the theme park industry, alongside the likes of Disney and Universal. The park has no shortage of accolades and is acclaimed for its attractions, hospitality and culinary offerings.
Related: Dolly Parton Won’t Go on Dollywood Rides: ‘Any Number of Things Could Happen to Me’
It’s Not Hollywood, It’s DollywoodDolly famously shared that when she saw the iconic Hollywood sign she thought it would be “cute” if it said “Dollywood.” And the park has a loving recreation of the famed tinsel town sign.
Dolly at Park EventsDolly was beloved for her annual visits, which usually coincided with the opening of each season and new attractions. I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few of these and can attest to the sheer level of excitement felt in the park. She would famously show up in elaborate outfits, usually themed to whatever new project they were working, and even perform.
Related: Dollywood Just Opened One Of Its Biggest Attractions
Another favorite was her annual parade which would draw thousands of visitors. She would traverse the park in a carriage outfitted with dozens of roses.
It was a true family affairDollywood was a true family affair and it wasn’t uncommon to spot her familiy members working or performing around the park. Parton’s niece, Heidi, helms her own show where she performs hit songs with other family members and friends.
One of the park’s most visited attractions isn’t a roller coaster but a replica of the humble cabin where her family, including 11 siblings, grew up. The cozy cabin is just two rooms and had no running water or electricity.
Attractions Are Quietly AdvocacyDollywood has worked for over 3 decades to protect the American bald eagle through support of the American Eagle Foundation and its mission to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect the birds of prey. It carries an educational presence at Dollywood through the popular Birds of Prey program held at the park’s Wings of America Theater. Since the partnership began in 1991, the American Eagle Foundation has helped release more than 400 bald eagles back into the wild.
The Dollywood Foundation Will Continue Her WorkHer contributions go far beyond gifting us the joy of cinnamon bread (iykyk). Parton’s own father couldn’t read or write, fueling her to create the Dollywood Foundation, which would include charitable work that focuses heavily on education and literacy. Its signature program is the Imagination Library, which has sent more than 270 million free books to children around the world. One of the park’s newest attractions, The Dolly Parton Experience, celebrates the Imagination Library and her legacy.
She has one final song to shareTucked away at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa you’ll find Parton’s final musical contribution. Behind a glass case, locked in a chestnut “Dream Box,” is her final song: “My Place in History.” Only Dolly knows its melody and content until it will be opened on her 100th birthday on January 19, 2046.
Related: Dollywood Shares Heartfelt Statement Honoring ‘Beloved Dreamer-in-Chief’ Dolly Parton
Tim Curry's Net Worth at Time of Death and How the Legendary Actor Earned It
Tim Curry died at age 80 late on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at his home.
The iconic British actor made an indelible impression onscreen in comedic roles in Clue and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, but none more famous than as the legendary Dr. Frank-N-Furter in cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Curry’s massive success came as a surprise to him.
“I’m very aware that I’m lucky,” Curry admitted to The Guardian in October 2025. “I’m astonished actually at how ambitious I’ve been. I didn’t think of myself as ambitious at all.”
Sadly, Curry suffered a debilitating stroke in July 2012 that left him unable to walk for the rest of his life. Still, he continued acting in theatrical productions and screen projects where he could remain seated to accommodate for his mobility issues.
Find out Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death and how he made it.
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How did Tim Curry become famous?Curry focused on acting in college, double-majoring in English and drama at the University of Birmingham.
He began his career on stage in the 1968 London production of Hair, where he met Richard O’Brien, who would later pen the script for his most famous role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror.
Curry told NPR’s Fresh Air that he originally planned to play Dr. Frank-N-Furter with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but changed his mind and decided that the character “should sound like the Queen.”
“I did think it was risky and indeed it was,” Curry told The Guardian of the overtly sexual nature of the role. “But I like risky. I would choose risky over anything. That’s the best way to be.”
Rocky Horror debuted on stage in 1973, but it wasn’t until the film released two years later that Curry became a household name.
After hitting it big as the transvestite from Transylvania, Curry continued acting on stage and screen, with some of his most notable roles including the Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott‘s Legend, Pennywise in the TV movie adaptation of Stephen King‘s It, the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers, Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov in The Hunt for Red October, King Arthur in Spamalot and Wadsworth in Clue, as well as the voice of Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys.
Related: Tim Curry Once Shared the Mindset That Helped Him Through His Hardest Years
What was Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death?Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death is estimated to have been $8 million.
Curry likely earned quite a comfortable fortune through his decades of stage and screen acting, but his opportunities did become somewhat limited after his stroke due to his mobility challenges. In addition to fewer opportunities, medical care and accommodations for people with disabilities are not cheap, so it’s likely his net worth took a hit because of his medical condition—which is unfair and infuriating, but a sad reality, especially for people living and working in the United States.
Related: Inside Tim Curry’s Health Battles Over the Years
How much did Tim Curry make from Rocky Horror? Patricia Quinn, Tim Curry and Richard O’Brien in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”United Archives / Getty Images
Curry’s specific salary from The Rocky Horror Picture Show isn’t publicly known, but other cast members said they didn’t make much from the film, which wasn’t a hit upon release but became a massive cult classic later.
Barry Bostwick revealed he made $15,000 for the film and that Susan Sarandon made $20,000, plus about $1,000 annually in royalties from the soundtrack for the first few decades after its release, though they made substantially less than that once streaming became the primary way for fans to hear their music.
Casting director Celestia Fox revealed in the Rocky Horror documentary SANE INSIDE INSANITY, “For a film like that, you would never ever have gotten a big budget because people thought you were insane. The studio would have thought, ‘The only way it’s worth doing is if it costs absolutely nothing,’ and just maybe, they might make a bit of money out of it. It was absolutely the going rate. It just, as it turned out, [producer] Lou Adler and [20th Century] Fox, everybody ended up making millions and millions.”
That said, Curry may have made a bit more than some of his castmates did, because he got a small percentage of profits as a producer on the project.
“It is my calling card because it’s still playing, that’s pretty swell,” he said in an interview. “I had a sort of tiny percentage of the producer’s profit which basically would probably cover some of my mortgage, I should think. It certainly didn’t get me a private plane. I’m grateful; for small mercies, it was my first movie and I was lucky to have any kind of a percentage at all. But it hasn’t made me rich beyond my wildest dreams or even comfortable beyond my wildest dreams, and it helps me get on a plane once in a while, and I should be happy about that.”
Related: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Heading to the Sphere Las Vegas in 2027
How much did Tim Curry get paid for It? Tim Curry as Pennywise in “It”ABC
While Bill Skarsgard is terrifying as Pennywise, Curry originated the onscreen role of King’s fear-consuming antagonist clown in It. His compensation has never been publicly reported, but if he got paid for memes from the 1990 ABC miniseries alone, Curry would have died a very rich man, because the campiness of the role became an endless well of GIFs.
“I’ve always tried to make [my villains] amusing, which gives them a bit more edge,” he told The Guardian. “It’s like people being drawn to the scene of a car crash. They’re drawn to extreme behavior … I think people secretly long to be a bit more explosive or act out much more.”
Related: The Best and Worst Stephen King Movies, Ranked
How much did Tim Curry make for Home Alone 2? Dana Ivey, Tim Curry and Rob Schneider in “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”20th Century Studios
Curry never revealed his salary for Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, but he did reveal he didn’t love saying in the Trump Tower. He recalled meeting Donald Trump, who cameos in the film, with amusement and a hint of distaste.
“He was very anxious to find Chris Columbus, the director,” Curry recalled to The Guardian. “He said, ‘I’ve got to get Marla [Maples] to meet Chris Columbus because she’s a brilliant actress.’ And I thought, ‘Yeah, I’m sure.'”
He added that Ivana Trump asked him about the hotel.
“She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?'” he said. “And I loathed it actually.”
Luke Evans Wrote a Letter to Tim Curry Three Weeks Before His Death
Just one day after Luke Evans’ final performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Broadway, it was announced that Tim Curry passed away at the age of 80.
Evans was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of the character Curry made famous in the 1975 cult-classic movie. So, it was no surprise that Evans wrote a letter to Curry shortly before his death.
Related: Billy Ray Cyrus Recalls Dolly Parton Affair Rumors in Emotional Tribute
“Three weeks ago, I wrote Tim Curry a letter. I want to share it with you. He was a force, a bright, fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone; he was an inspiration to me and so many more people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us,” Evans wrote on Instagram. “There will only be one Tim Curry.”
He went on to share the note he wrote three weeks before his final show after seven months on Broadway.
View this post on Instagram“Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry,” he said in the note. “I’ve never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hoped to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him.”
Evans thanked Curry for his “fearless performance” and for inspiring generations of actors.
“I hope, wherever you are, you’d approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels,” Evans ended the note.
Evans will be replaced by Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears on Broadway, continuing Curry’s legacy.
In the words of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, “Don’t dream it. Be it.”
Miley Cyrus Shares Emotional Tribute to Godmother Dolly Parton: 'Angel by My Side'
Miley Cyrus is honoring her late godmother Dolly Parton.
Parton’s reps confirmed to People that the legendary singer died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at age 80 after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Cyrus shared the touching tribute to Instagram one day later on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” Cyrus wrote.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋,” she continued.
Cyrus concluded, “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖.”
View this post on InstagramRELATED: Dolly Parton’s Death Date Holds Special Connection to Goddaughter Miley Cyrus
Parton became Miley’s godmother after her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, asked his longtime friend to take on the role when Miley was born.
“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton said of Cyrus during a 2009 interview with Good Morning America. “Her father’s a friend of mine. And when she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept.’”
“We never did do a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her and she’s just like one of my own,” Parton added.
During a 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Parton said she and her goddaughter had “stayed very, very close” and that Cyrus would often run things by her when it came to her career.
“Well, she’s asked me a lot of things, and she mostly just runs things by me. And we talk. She’s very successful. Miley is very smart. She’s very intuitive about the business, and I just think Miley is a spectacular human being and an amazing talent,” Parton said.
Cyrus has also honored her godmother throughout her career, including collaborating with Parton on music and performing covers of her songs.
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1975 Folk Rock Hit, Inspired by Bob Dylan’s Marriage, Ranked Among ‘Best Rock Love Songs’ of All Time
Not all rock tracks are about hard-hitting guitar solos, partying, and wild nights, as Bob Dylan proved in one of his classics, “Shelter from the Storm,” that a good love song fits just fine in the genre.
Billboard compiled a list of some of the “Best Rock Love Songs” throughout the decades from the 70’s, 80’s, and 2000s. Among tracks from The Monkees, Heart, and the Rolling Stones, Dylan’s 1975 folk rock song landed at No. 26 on their list.
Since its release, “Shelter from the Storm” has been interpreted in a variety of ways, largely as a staple religious track often heard during Bible study or in religious events. According to Billboard, “But while the song is indeed woven with religious symbology and esoteric double meaning, its ultimate message is obvious and universal: that good love functions as shelter.”
It was recorded in 1974 with only three chords and a clear melody. He released it a year later for his 15th studio album, Blood on the Tracks, but it never entered the Billboard charts, as it was never released as a single. According to American Songwriter, Dylan originally titled it “Up to Me” while working on the album, but later decided to rewrite its lyrics.
The inspiration for “Shelter from the Storm” is often discussed as having been about Dylan’s wife, Sara Dylan. The two met around 1964 when Sara was working on Don’t Look Back, the popular documentary about the singer’s 1965 UK tour. Their relationship developed quickly, and Sara was pregnant with their first child by 1965 and later married.
By the mid-1970s, their marriage began to deteriorate and is believed to have been the basis for “Shelter from the Storm.” According to Biography, their marriage was strained due to art classes he took in Manhattan and their move to Malibu in 1973. Dylan and his wife were separated by 1975.
Dylan had often pushed back at claims that Blood on the Tracks was a diary of his failed marriage. He did try to reconcile with Sara at the time, and it briefly worked until they officially divorced in 1977.
“It just wasn’t the kind of life that she had ever envisioned for herself, any more than the kind of life that I was living, that I had envisioned for mine,” Dylan told CBS.
Related: 1974 Rock Song, Written by Bob Dylan as a Lullaby, Is Still a Heartfelt Hit 52 Years Later
Rupert Grint Will Portray 'Harry Potter' Bestie Ron Weasley Once Again
Daniel Radcliffe was outstanding as the boy who lived, but Rupert Grint certainly stole a whole lot of scenes across those eight Harry Potter films.
And now, the 38-year-old is reprising his role as the beloved Ron Weasley after 15 years, Variety reports.
Grint is set to join the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Broadway’s Lyric Theatre from Feb. 2 to May 30, 2027. He will play an adult version of Harry’s best friend Ron in the play, which centers on the next generation of Hogwarts students.
“Ron Weasley has been a part of me since I was 11 years old and I can’t wait to meet him again in this stage of life,” Grint said in a statement, per Variety. “There is something so full-circle and so special about stepping back into Ron’s shoes now when we are both fathers; it is somehow both very familiar and completely new. And the joy of being back on Broadway, this time in a role that defined so much of my life is truly exciting.”
The presale for Grint’s 17-week run begins on Sept. 1, with registration now available on the play’s website.
As fans are well aware, Grint’s casting follows Tom Felton’s successful run in the play as an elder Draco Malfoy, which has just been extended through Jan. 3 and resulted in a box office spike, Variety also noted on Wednesday, August 26.
Step Inside the Cursed WorldEarlier this year, Harry Potter and the Cursed child co-stars Aidan Close and Emmet Smith, who play Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, respectively, welcomed Parade for a behind-the-scenes look at the space they call “the best apartment in Manhattan.” Rent-free, of course.
The production is known for its technical complexity. Between illusions, fight sequences and fast-paced staging, the actors are constantly on the move, sometimes with as many as 19 quick changes per show, many under a minute. Find out more here.
Cher Reflects on Friendship With Dolly Parton in Emotional Interview: 'She Just Had a Spirit'
Dolly Parton‘s longtime friend Cher is remembering the late country music icon in a candid interview.
Just hours after news broke that Parton died at age 80 on Tuesday, Cher spoke with CBS News in an emotional evening interview about the “9 to 5” singer and shared sweet stories of their time together.
However, at the top of the interview, the singer admitted that she was still processing the news.
“I was fine. Then I started crying,” she told Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil.
The “Believe” singer, 80, went on to share her first impression of Parton from when they first met at a party thrown by their mutual manager. Describing the country singer as “this chick with like this major hair,” Cher recalled their manager saying, “You’re gonna love her. She’s gonna love you.”
“And it was the truth, and we did,” she added.
Remembering their decades-long friendship, Cher also gushed about Parton’s “spirit.”
“You know, she just had a spirit, and it was a spirit that was always thinking the best was happening, [that] the best was going to happen,” she said. “You know, her friends loved her, her life was good. You know, that’s who she was.”
Cher also said that her favorite songs by Parton are “Islands in the Stream” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Related: Dolly Parton Through the Years: A Look Back in Photos
Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, confirmed the news of her passing in an Instagram video shared to her account on Tuesday.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he said, in part. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
Following the release of the news, music icons including Cyndi Lauper, Paul McCartney, and Linda Ronstadt all shared social media tributes to the late singer.
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Tim Curry Wanted to Play His 'Rocky Horror' Character 'Like the Queen'—and Changed His Career Forever
When Tim Curry first stepped into the corset and sky-high heels of Dr. Frank-N-Furter for 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, even he couldn’t have predicted the pop-culture phenomenon he was about to unleash.
At first, the actor was downright horrified when he saw his bold makeup transformation. But Curry quickly leaned into the madness, deciding to command the screen and play the sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania “like the queen.” This brilliant choice turned a wild cult character into a timeless cinematic legend.
PEOPLE Magazine reported that the legendary actor has died at 80, 14 years after suffering a paralyzing stroke. However, his legacy endures as the star of one of the most bizarre and beloved camp film classics of all time.
In a 2025 interview with NPR, Curry revealed that when he landed the now-iconic role in the original 1973 stage musical, which debuted at the Royal Court Theatre in London, he played Frank with a German accent. He later adapted a more posh accent that he would use in subsequent stage productions and the film version of the musical.
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He told the outlet, “I played Frank-N-Furter as though he was German. I was Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and everything was very interesting and stupid.”
Curry continued, “And then, one day, I heard a woman on a bus saying, ‘Do you have a house in town or a house in the country?’ And I thought, ‘Yes, he should sound like the Queen.'”
He concluded, “So that’s how it happened. It just started in this tiny theater, you know, and it just took off like a sort of rocket.”
The actor reflected on the film’s power over pop culture in an interview with CBS This Morning. He believed that the character “had a lot of power.”
Curry explained that Frank-N-Furter “gave a lot of teenagers permission to be different. And I am very happy that he did have that power.”
The Rocky Horror Show debuted in the United States in 1974 at the Roxy in Los Angeles. There was also a short-lived theater run in New York City one year later.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, Richard O’Brien, the musical’s author, “wanted to deal with sexuality through sci-fi and throw songs in.” However, not all moviegoers got his message.
But it wasn’t until September 1975 that the musical film adaptation hit theaters. And it flopped, miserably.
Studio heads pulled the movie from theaters after only a brief run. But some fans weren’t ready to let Curry’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter go, returning week after week for limited screenings.
Noticing the devoted crowd, who imitated their favorite characters and interacted with the film in real-time, studio executives gambled on late-night showings. That hunch didn’t just save the movie; it launched a record-breaking cultural phenomenon that film lovers are still dressing up for decades later.
Related: The 1975 Cult Classic Film Princess Diana Claimed ‘Completed My Education’
1973 Rock Song, Written by Paul Simon, Named Among ‘Greatest' Lyrics of All Time
Some songs capture a moment in time. Others manage to transcend it.
Such is the case with Paul Simon’s haunting 1973 song “American Tune,” a poignant meditation on disappointment, weariness and the complicated promise of America that remains remarkably powerful more than five decades later.
It’s the melancholy voice of a man disenchanted amidst dashed dreams and broken promises, quietly contemplating how he and his fellows have so lost their way, in lyrics punctuated with gratitude for all that has come before.
And I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
Or driven to its knees
But it’s alright, it’s alright
For we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
Road we’re traveling on
I wonder what’s gone wrong
Written by Simon and released on his third solo studio album, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, “American Tune” arrived during a turbulent period in the nation’s history. The Vietnam War continued, the Watergate scandal was unfolding and Americans were confronting a growing sense of disillusionment with their government and country.
Simon understood the connection. In an exclusive interview with journalist Tom Moon, he reflected on the impetus to write the song.
“I don’t write overtly political songs,” he said, “although American Tune comes pretty close, as it was written just after Nixon was elected.”
But despite the motivation, Simon didn’t come out swinging. There is no fiery protest or call to arms here. Instead, he did something far more subtle. Simon wrote from the perspective of an ordinary person who is tired, confused and battered by life, wondering what happened to the road they all set out on together. Hope has left the building, but a heartbreaking surrender remains, a humble resignation. And even faith.
And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
Simon’s quiet approach, with optimism ringing out amidst despair, may be exactly why the song has endured.
In 2021, Forbes included a passage from “American Tune” in a collection of some of the greatest rock song lyrics of all time, placing Simon’s writing alongside work by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and other celebrated songwriters.
The melody itself reaches much further into the past. Simon adapted a centuries-old melody associated with the hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” which was famously used by Johann Sebastian Bach. Against that solemn musical backdrop, Simon created his own distinctly American lament, recalling the arrival of the pilgrims to the shores of America where promise and hope would meet devastation for an entire race.
Rather than shouting to convey his depth of feeling, Simon masterfully implies it in his lilting voice and simple lyrics, making the sentiment all the more impactful.
We come on the ship they call The Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours
And sing an American tune
“American Tune” was released as a single in November 1973 and reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. That year Rolling Stone named “American Tune” its “Song of the Year.” But its chart position hardly tells the story of its lasting impact.
Decades later, the song continues to reappear during moments of national uncertainty. It has been covered by countless artists from Willie Nelson to the Indigo Girls. As the Los Angeles Times observed in 2019, the song’s power comes partly from its restraint: Simon isn’t raging at America so much as grieving for it while still carrying on.
Oh, and it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all I’m trying to get some rest
And therein lies the song’s quiet hope. The American dream may be bruised. The traveler may be weary. But morning is coming, and there is still another working day ahead.
Related: 1968 Iconic Ballad, Written by Chip Taylor, Is Still a Powerful Hit 58 Years Later
Walmart’s ‘Cute’ Sideboard With Pottery Barn Vibes Brings Cozy Farmhouse Charm and Organization to Small Kitchens
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Sideboards are the epitome of versatility. Ideal for any room in the house, they provide extra storage to clear up the clutter and offer a space to display decor. While practical, they also serve as a stylish accent, tying your room together and sprucing up the space. The Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard at Walmart is a prime example. Featuring barn-style doors with X-shaped panels, it nails the farmhouse trend, instantly elevating the aesthetic of your living space and making it feel cozy and inviting.
From your living room to your kitchen, this chic storage solution can help organize and perk up your home in no time. While it looks like something you’d find at a high-end retailer, you can currently score it on sale for less than $100 at Walmart. Normally retailing for $150, the white version of this sideboard is now marked down to just $70. It’s also available in brown or gray styles, which are now on sale for $80 and $90, respectively.
Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard, From $70 (was $150) at Walmart Shop at WalmartIf you prefer a more modern look, opt for the white style with its sleek finish and contrasting wooden tabletop. The gray and brown versions offer a more rustic appearance. They boast exposed woodgrain surfaces, giving them a raw and natural vibe. Reviewers loved the design of this sideboard, describing it as “really cute.”
Designed to reduce visual clutter and streamline your living space, this sideboard features a spacious two-door cabinet and a wide drawer. The cabinet is equipped with an adjustable shelf that can be positioned at three different heights, allowing you to fit items of various sizes to maximize storage space.
For size reference, the vertical clearance of each tier is a little over 10 inches and slightly varies depending on how you position the shelves. The cabinet is 26.9 inches wide and 14.9 inches deep, offering plenty of space for small and large items alike. Ensuring that the cabinet doors remain closed, the frame is fixed with metal latches.
Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard, From $70 (was $150) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThe sideboard’s drawer has a 22-pound capacity and measures 26.7 inches wide, 11.2 inches deep, and 2.7 inches tall. It’s ideal for storing everyday items, as it’ll give you easy access to whatever you store inside. To keep the drawer tidy, you can grab some organizer bins to give all those little things a designated space.
This sideboard boasts a roomy countertop with a 150-pound capacity. If you keep it in the kitchen, it’s ideal for storing bulky appliances like microwaves, ovens, and air fryers. You can also keep coffee makers and espresso machines on it and transform the piece into a coffee bar. Alternatively, you can use this sideboard to showcase table lamps and decor pieces in the living room, or organize toiletries and beauty products in the bathroom.
Measuring 31.8 inches tall, 28.3 inches wide, and 15.7 inches deep, this slim sideboard won’t take up much space in your home. Shoppers confirmed this, noting that it’s a “space saver” and “perfect for small kitchens.” This sideboard is made of wood, and reviewers mentioned that it’s “very sturdy.” Customers also commented that it was easy to assemble.
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If you want to clear up the clutter and simultaneously decorate your space, grab the Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard at Walmart while it’s still on sale for as low as $70!
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