Survivor host Jeff Probst has revealed that Survivor castaways will no longer win prize money from pop star Sia, who has been extremely generous since 2016.
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Jeff, 62, explained via Instagram Stories on May 24, "It's the end of one of the most unique eras in the history of Survivor. After eight years, 14 seasons, 19 players and over $1,000,000 awarded, Survivor is officially bringing the Sia Prize to a triumphant end!"
"So it is with tremendous gratitude and admiration to Sia that we bring to a close one of the most unique relationships a TV show could ever have with a pop star of Sia's global wattage," Survivor's longtime host continued.
"I'm really honored for Survivor to have this one of a kind association with Sia. She's in the Survivor Hall of Fame of Superfans!"
Sia, 48, reposted Jeff's statement via Instagram Stories that same day.
Sia began her tradition of awarding cash prizes to fan-favorite Survivor castaways back in 2016 for Season 32, which was titled Survivor: Kaoh Rong -- Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty. (Michele Fitzgerald had won that season).
"I still vividly remember the day Sia stood up in the audience during the live finale of Survivor: Kaoh Rong back in 2016 and made her way onstage. She was so taken by [Tai Trang]'s commitment to protecting a chicken from being eaten that she awarded him $50,000 of her own money," Jeff recalled in his lengthy post.
"Tai was shocked, the audience was shocked, I was shocked! What was happening? Sia was onstage in her wig hanging out money to a Survivor player?!"
Jeff shared how "that was the beginning of what became affectionately known as 'The Sia Prize.'"
"And over the many years Sia has brought us so much joy to so many players, and it was always straight from her heart," he concluded.
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Jeff did not explain why Sia has chosen to stop handing out the dough, and Sia didn't provide a comment on her decision either.
Sia, a singer known for her quirky style, has gifted 18 additional Survivor players money over the years.
The following seven Survivor castaways received $100,000, according to People: Rick Devens from Season 38), Elaine Stott and Janet Carbin from Season 39, Drea Wheeler from Season 42, Jesse Lopez from Season 43, Carolyn Wiger from Season 44 and Katurah Topps from Season 45.
The other 11 Survivor contestants who were awarded money were Donathan Hurley from Season 36, Davie Rickenbacker from Season 37, Aurora McCreary and Joe Anglim from Season 38, Jamal Shipman from Season 39), Owen Knight from Season 43, Ryan Medrano from Season 43, Lauren Harpe and Carson Garrett from Season 44, and Jake O'Kane and Kaleb Gebrewold from Season 45
Sia's prize money was separate from CBS' cash prize of $1 million, which goes to Survivor's winner -- the "Sole Survivor" of every season.
Survivor's Season 46 jury just crowned Kenzie Petty its winner over Charlie Davis during the three-hour finale that aired on May 22.
Kenzie, a 29-year-old salon owner from Gibraltar, MI who currently resides in Charlotte, NC, won Survivor in a tight 5-3 jury vote on Night 26 of the game at the Final Tribal Council in Fiji instead of Charlie, a 26-year-old law student from Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA who currently resides in Boston, MA.
Survivor's other Final 3 member, Ben Katzman, a 31-year-old musician from Miami, FL, received zero jury votes during the Season 46 finale.
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Liz, a 35-year-old marketing strategist from Luther, MI who currently resides in Orlando, FL, finished in fourth place after losing the firestarting challenge to Kenzie.
And Maria, a 48-year-old parent coach from Dallas, TX, place fifth.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
