Survivor: Fiji

[Chrisx2]

Cast reveal for Suvivor: Fiji will be Friday, January 12 on the Early Show on CBS.

Season premiere is on February 8 at 8pm.

I hope this season is as good as last season! I had almost given up before Cook Islands.

[Melanie]

Survivor Makes a Project Runway Connection

By Cynthia Wang


The granddaddy of all reality shows, Survivor, is back for a 14th season – this time with a connection to another hit reality program, Project Runway.

Rita Verreos, 38, a former professional ballerina and the older sister of Project Runway veteran and fashion designer Nick Verreos, has joined Survivor: Fiji's band of castaways.

"I only purchased cable TV when my brother was on a reality show," Rita, a part-time image consultant and full-time single mom, tells PEOPLE.

Before Survivor began filming at the end of October 2006, Rita and Nick had a talk about "reality" life. "I have not asked for advice," says Rita, "but he has told me to just be myself. He said the aftermath of the attention could be overwhelming. But a few years ago, I was in the Miss Venezuela pageant, so actually, I gave him the same advice before Project Runway!"

Rita says she hopes fans will make a positive correlation between her and Nick. "Maybe the Verreoses can be like the Osbournes," she jokes, "or people will want the Rita and Nick Show!"

As for the show, this time around, the theme is Haves vs. Have Nots. The new series will begin with all of the contestants in a single tribe. All 19 adventurers are dropped off on an island near a natural cave and given supplies to make for a deluxe camp. But by the third day the group will be split into two and the tribe that wins the first immunity challenge will stay in relative luxury, while the losing tribe will be forced to move to a new island with only a pot, machete and a water source.

Elements of the last two seasons – Exile Island and a hidden immunity idol – will return but with a twist. This time, the person sent to Exile Island will look for clues to where an immunity idol is hidden somewhere at each tribe camp. This means there could be the tantalizing possibility of two hidden immunity idols being in play at the same time.

As for the figure of 19 participants instead of 20, one potential castaway cast herself off the show before it began. Melissa McNulty, a 28-year-old talent manager from Los Angeles, had been flown to Fiji before she decided to bow out of the game. Producers decided not to bring in an alternate and so the series continues with 19 castaways.

Survivor: Fiji premieres on CBS on Feb. 8.



Complete List of Castaways on Survivor: Fiji

ALEX ANGARITA, 28
Los Angeles, Calif. (originally from Columbia, South America)
Attorney

KENWARD "BOO" BERNIS, 34
Lafayette, Louisiana
Construction Worker

YAU-MAN CHAN, 54
Martinez, Calif. (born in Hong Kong, raised in Borneo, Malaysia) Computer Engineer

EARL COLE, 35
Santa Monica, Calif. (originally from Kansas City, Kansas)
Advertising Executive

JESSICA deBEN, 27
Los Angeles, Calif. (originally from New Orleans)
Fashion Stylist

ERICA DUROUSSEAU, 27
Lake Charles, Louisiana Non-Profit Fundraiser

CASSANDRA FRANKLIN, 42
Los Angeles, Calif.
Civil Engineer Manager

LILIANA GOMEZ, 25
Oxnard, Calif.
Loan Officer

ANDRIA "DRE" HERD, 25
Wilmington, N. Carolina
Cheerleading Coach

STACY KIMBALL, 27
Boulder, Colorado (originally from Montpelier, VT)
Interactive Internet Producer

SYLVIA KWAN, 52
Ross, Calif. (born in Hong Kong)
Architect

MOOKIE LEE, 25
Wheeling, Illinois (born in Seoul, Korea
Loan Manager

LISETTE "LISI" LINARES, 36
Los Angeles, Calif. (originally from Miami)
Customer Service Representative

JAMES REID, 28
Los Angeles, Calif. (originally from Boston)
Bartender

EDGARDO RIVERA, 28
Miami Beach, Florida (originally from Puerto Rico)
Advertising Executive

ANTHONY ROBINSON, 32
Compton, Calif.
Expert Witness Locator

GARY STRITESKY, 55
Ramsey, Minn.
School Bus Driver

RITA VERREOS, 38
San Antonio, Texas (originally from Venezuela)
Single Mom

MICHELLE YI, 23
Cincinnatti, Ohio
Student

From People.com

[disneydrmr]

Wow! someone from Cincy! Guess I know who I'll be rooting for! Sounds like it's gonna be another diverse cast even! And 2 hidden immunity idols - this could be an interesting season! I can't wait!

Just went to CBS's website - they have the cast posted with pictures! It really does seem to be shaping up to another good season!

[TooGoofy]

The cast bios are up and can be viewed at the Survivor Website found here.

Looks like another more diverse cast...but I'm not sure they can top last season's standouts, Yul ( ) and Ozzy!

[Chrisx2]

OK, after a quick look at the bios, a few things stood out. I didn't count exact numbers but I swear half of them were born outside the US. I guess they are really going for diversity this time!

Jessica was a body painter for the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. Pretty cool. Cassandra reminds me of Cerie from two seasons ago. And James, well... his picture irritates me. I know that sounds odd but it does. I think the fact he's from Boston and has that smirk makes me have Rob flashbacks.

[SBETigg]

Nothing wrong with a little Boston. Most people from MA are not like Rob! I hope James doesn't help Rob in giving us a bad reputation.

The cast looks interesting. It's too early to pick a favorite, for me. I hope they give us more twists and turns to keep us hooked!

[MN MINNIE]

school bus company. I met him right before christmas at the Mall of America. It will definitely be interesting this season knowing one person.

[murphy1]

Darn, I did not want to watch this season! The only reason I watched last season is b/c I knew someone on the show. I am a huge PR fan and LOVED Nick Verreos. He talked about his sister a lot and said she was a Ms. Venezuela. Some of you might have seen the My Scene Barbie challenge that he won. I think it was my favorite outfit out of every season. If she is as great as Nick was portrayed on his show, I hope she does well.

[Momof2boys]

The thing that stood out to me were all the people who live in California !

[Chrisx2]

Nothing wrong with a little Boston. Most people from MA are not like Rob! I hope James doesn't help Rob in giving us a bad reputation.

The cast looks interesting. It's too early to pick a favorite, for me. I hope they give us more twists and turns to keep us hooked!

Sorry Sherri! I didn't mean to imply Mass was full of people like Rob. (Used to live in NH and enjoyed Boston a lot!). It was James' smirk and stance in the picture that irritated me. I know that sounds wierd.

[SBETigg]

Christina, not to worry. I was not at all offended. Rob is quite the character. I like to have a few "characters" on the show, but it's never fun if they don't get the boot early on. I still can't believe "Romber" hit the top two in All-Stars. What were their castmates thinking not to split them up when they had the chance? Crazy. I would love another All-Stars cast in a few more season, if Survivor lasts that long.

[Chrisx2]

I never understood not breaking up "Romber" either. Another All-Stars would be fun. Any chance to see Yul and Ozzy again is good for me!

I hope this season's "twists and turns" are not too much. I'm not a big fan of the immunity idol/Exile Island thing.

[Carol]

Who's ready?

I am!

[Melanie]

Me too, Carol. Last season really peaked my interest in this show again.

[Carol]

Does it start for you this week too, Mel?

And only 2 more weeks for The Race. Woot!

[ChipnDaleGal]

Me too, Carol. Last season really peaked my interest in this show again.

Me too! It is going to be hard to top the final four from this past season, but I am really anxious to meet this new crop of players.

[disneydrmr]

We have our office pool going and I drew Mookie. He puts me in mind of Yul (who I had last season! Yeah! He won me $100!) I sure hope Mookie does well! I'm looking forward to it starting! Especially with our local girl from Cincy! It does look like another diverse cast!

[MN MINNIE]

and we know one of the contestants. Gary Stritesky from Ramsey, MN. His nickname on the island was Papa Smurf, hes one of the 5 top contestants to watch on this seasons show. Read it in a article in MN. Its so weird seeing commercials about it and seeing someone you know on there! Wow! He is a special ed school bus driver and so likeable, hes my DH coworker!!!

[scottgr]

I am looking forward this season also. The 2 hidden idol should make it really interesting. Maybe it will actually get used at tribal and switch around the whole game.

[Melanie]

Does it start for you this week too, Mel?

Yes! We'll get it on quick turnaround, 13 hours after you guys.