Hold onto your buffs, Survivor fans! Australian Survivor is back for its tenth season, premiering on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 7:30 PM on Channel 10 and 10Play.
This year’s theme? “Brains V Brawn II,” promising a thrilling rematch between intellect and muscle.
Filmed on the rugged terrains of Upolu in Samoa from July to September 2024, this season brings together 12 of the sharpest minds and 12 of the toughest competitors.
The Brains tribe boasts PhD students, teachers, and AI experts, ready to outsmart their opponents. On the flip side, the Brawn tribe features rescue firefighters, Olympic sprinters, and coaches, all set to prove that physical strength reigns supreme.
Hosted by the ever-charismatic Jonathan LaPaglia, this season introduces 24 new castaways divided into two tribes: Brains and Brawn. Each tribe boasts a diverse lineup of contestants, all vying for the coveted title of Sole Survivor and a life-changing $500,000 cash prize.
But that’s not all! In a groundbreaking move, Australian Survivor is set to launch “Australia vs The World” in the latter half of 2025.
This season will pit fan-favorite Australian contestants against seasoned players from South Africa, Norway, New Zealand, and the USA.
So, without further ado, let’s learn about Australian Survivor Brains V Brawn II.
Meet the Brains Tribe
AJ, Poker Champion
A Survivor superfan with a knack for deception and strategy, poker champion AJ aims to be remembered as the best Survivor player ever. In his statement AJ said;
“I want to be remembered as the best Survivor player ever,”
he added;
“Not, not just in Australia. I really want to be the most fun, entertaining, strategic, everything. I want it all together. I want to be that Survivor player that is just undisputed the best.”
Ally, AI Expert
Hailing from North Queensland, Ally has spent years proving herself in the male-dominated tech world and is ready to outsmart her competition. In her statement Ally said;
“My fighting word to the Brawns is you can have all the muscle in the world but if you don’t know how to use the muscle in your head? No hope, brother.”
Indy, Business Development Manager
By day, Indy is a business manager; by night, a stand-up comedian. Describing herself as “psycho competitive,” she’s ready to bring her A-game. In her statement she said;
“On a scale of one to crazy competitive, I’m probably psycho,” “I don’t actually want to be. I’d really like to be less competitive, but when it comes to this game I am so excited and ready to play.”
Indy also added;
“I’m a black Muslim bisexual who grew up in Townsville. I’ve been voted out of tribes my entire life. I’m ready for this.”
Kaelan, PhD Student
Be not deceived by his appearance. Although Kaelan grew up playing rugby, surfing, and becoming a professional stand-up paddleboarder, his ability to transition between the two tribes is what will ultimately determine his success. In his statement he said;
“People often misconceive me based on my appearance and the way I talk. If I’m with the Brawn tribe, I’m going to be talking about footy and sport, and then with the Brain tribe, I can talk about literature, get a bit deeper.”
Karin, Doctor
Karin, who works in orthopedic surgery, describes her role as “the dude that’s holding things apart so the doctor can do the fixing.” Her 36-hour shifts without food or sleep, followed by rival doctors trying to outsmart one another, have been the ideal preparation for Survivor. In her statement she said;
“I just want to do something that’s different. I’ve had every part of my life planned for the last 30 years,”
Karin further added;
“Not a single thing has gone wrong, and everything I’ve wanted to happen has happened. And that’s because I like planning, I like control, and I like having everything organized in front of me. And this is so left field of anything I’ve ever done.”
Kent, Business Mogul
Kent, used to success, gets up at 4.40 am to work out before watching the news and then beginning his day as the head of a multinational company. Kent, who has watched the show for 25 years, hopes to learn from David Genat. In his statement he said;
“The Golden God, just the way he played, the way he was possessed by Idols. He was great to watch,”
he further added;
His business acumen will also come in handy when it’s time to negotiate with his tribemates.
“I’m full of love and going to give so much to my tribe but at the same time, I’m going to be happy to cut their throats. This is a game. This is Survivor.”
Laura, Witch
Laura also identifies as a witch because she is a woman who knows what she wants and wants to reclaim the stigma associated with the label. She does this by collecting more than 250 crystals, performing spells every day, and manifesting. “My tribemates will perceive me as sweet and inquisitive when I come across really hippy-dippy, but I’m not scared to use this sugar’s bite.”
Together with her talent for reading people’s energies and auras, Laura thinks that her acting abilities will enable her to deceive her tribemates and influence them to comply with her wishes. In her garden, the Survivor superfan also has challenges that have been reproduced and puzzles that have been 3D printed. This witch has completed her assignments.
Logan, AFL WAG
Logan wants to prove to the world that she is more than just a WAG, even if her husband plays football for the Western Bulldogs. The mother of two is majoring in marketing for her Bachelor of Business degree and is using Survivor to help herself. Logan said;
“I’ve pretty much given up my 20’s to have kids. I had my daughter at 22, my son at 25 and been with my husband since I was 20. I don’t regret anything, and I love my life but it’s time to do something for me,”
she explained
“There are three different parts of me. There’s the WAG wife, the mum and then there’s Logan and Logan doesn’t get enough attention. I’m ready for it to be Logan’s time.”
Max, Primary School Teacher
“What’s inside our head is gonna get you a lot further than any muscles on your arms” is a risk Max is willing to take in order to outplay his opponents and cross-playing Survivor off his bucket list. He is also facing his fear of having a crab crawl over his face while he sleeps.
Myles, Financial Analyst
Myles, who enjoys statistics and Survivor, feels that he wouldn’t belong on the Brawn tribe. “My brain is all that matters to me… I love statistics. I love running statistics, learning statistics, using statistics,” he explained.
“I’m going to be taking every problem on analytically. I’ll be approaching each Tribal after crunching the numbers and finding my best path forward.”
And while Myles isn’t the biggest fan of roughing it in the elements, he’s willing to do what it takes to make the most of the experience.
“I’m going to be drawing on is the fact that I’m on Survivor, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Things may suck, but they’re sucking on Survivor. And you just can’t beat that.”
Rich, Film Director
Rich views Survivor as his own Oscars, working with some of the top celebrities.
“The possibility for a person to make a major move and stop a whole country of people watching on TV is what I like about Survivor. I adore that sensation. It’s watching for that one individual who has the audacity to go and defeat this individual.”
Rich may have a sharp mind, but his passion for creation makes him feel like he belongs among the right people. He said
“Some people have a calculator in their mind, mine is a paintbrush,”
Zara, VP of the PTA
Zara, the mother of twins aged six and eleven, calls herself the head of her family. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Bachelor of Law, and a Master of Economics in International Finance. She is also a certified financial planner and attorney and serves as the Vice President of the PTA.
Zara is prepared to deal with her tribemates thanks to her diverse skill set.
“The strategies that you have to use to manage the PTA are always being open to everyone’s opinions and trying to make sure whatever they are voicing, they are heard and I will give everybody in the tribe a voice.”
Meet the Brawn Tribe:
Ben, Stonemason
Stonemason Ben, a father of three teenagers, finds peace via breathwork, boxing, and fishing. Even though he has always wanted to compete in Survivor, he says that the challenge of competing in the ultimate human experiment is more important than the money and fame that come with being named Sole Survivor. The actual Jumanji!
“I want to obtain answers from folks on Survivor. Since Survivor is a flexible game, I won’t be forced to use a single approach, but it will be much simpler if I can receive what I want from others.”
Candy, Model
Candy has a point to make despite belonging to the Brawn tribe: “
I was dyslexic growing up. I earned a degree in literature because I wanted to show myself that it wouldn’t stop me. The effort to prove that to myself was incredibly costly.
Candy, a rural girl from Washington, grew up working on farms and in wineries before pursuing her ambition of being a model.
“You won’t get employed again unless you put up with a lot of things. Even if someone burns you with a curling wand or you are inadvertently pinned by a tailor, you just continue on despite your physical and emotional exhaustion. And in Survivor, I’ll do just that.”
Jesse, Pro Skater
Jesse thinks that his demeanor will disarm the other players enough to allow him to unleash his strategic side while also bringing positive energy to the tribe.
“I want the tribe to chuckle. I want everyone to enjoy themselves. In order to make people feel more at ease and calm, I aim to de-stress situations. After that, I want to act a bit cheeky and make some moves.”
Jesse is a professional skateboarder who has his own company teaching skateboarding to those with impairments and all abilities. He doesn’t mind if his fellow castaways make assumptions about him based just on his looks.
Kate, Dancer/DJ
On the first day, Kate hopes that people will form quick opinions about her as she waltzes onto the beach wearing jeans and rhinestones.
“I dressed entirely to appear like a girly girl. To my complete satisfaction, I believe they will have the incorrect impression and not believe that I am here for the proper reasons.
Kate has OCD as well, and although it can be physically and psychologically taxing, it has also given her a great deal of resilience and fortitude.
Kristin, Aviation Fire Fighter
As an Aviation Fire Fighter who is on standby to handle any airport emergency, including first aid, fuel spills, accidents, and water rescue, Kristin is accustomed to operating under pressure.
“We’re prepared and eager to react to anything. My job doesn’t feel like a job, which is why I enjoy it. You’re rocking up at work every day and you have no idea what you’re going to be doing,”
she said.
“I’ll be using a lot of my professional abilities. Having interpersonal skills, being able to respond quickly, functioning under pressure, and just being physically strong.”
Morgan, Olympic Sprinter
Since 2012, Morgan has participated in three World Championships, two Commonwealth Games, and two Olympic competitions. Her tribe will greatly benefit from her strength, tenacity, and social skills.
“Olympic Morgan will assist in overcoming obstacles. Then there is Social Morgan, who is entertaining and engages in conversation with everyone. However, they will both know when to back off and when to take center stage.
Nash, Salesman
Salesman Nash’s confidence, which is useful in his area of business, is an example of the Brawn spirit.
“I have the willpower.” The character and the correct mind. Working with others is beneficial to me since I’m a highly social guy,” he remarked.
Nash is a smiling assassin who wants to utilize his charm to prevent his tribemates from figuring out his true motivations.
“You won’t be able to tell if I’m a member of your alliance or not while I’m always grinning. I’m just going to tell you what you want to hear, and you’ll believe me because of my charisma and confidence.”
Noonan (Laura), Footy Fanatic
Coming from a family of well-known people in her home on the Mornington Peninsula Laura or Noonan or Noons is eager to create a name for herself.
“Everyone knows my family and then there’s me and nobody knows who I am unless you come down to the footy club,”
she added.
“When I tell people that I’m Laura Noonan and that there are other Noonans besides the boys, they’re astonished. People assumed I was the hired assistance, so I felt like I didn’t really add anything to the family name or any role. I have been the Noonan who is fascinated with Survivor for a very long time. People used to make jokes about it, so who’s laughing today as they sit here?
Paulie, Paramedic
“For my job, I must connect with people quickly and make them feel at ease,” said Paulie.
“I’ve been doing this job for so long that the skills I’ve obtained from it are part of my everyday life and I think will help me on Survivor.”
He has a toolbox of talents from his high-pressure career that will help him in the game, but it could be harder to rough it in the weather.
“I’m a city kid. I enjoy things from the city. Even though I travel, I’ve never lived in such a setting! Although it’s adorable, I’ve slept on a beach a couple of times, so this will be challenging.
PD (Paul), NPL Football Head Coach
PD makes a startling admission while playing Survivor:
“Please don’t tell my family this, but I will miss my dog, Rocky, the most out of everybody back home.”
The father of two works as a football coach at night and as a salesperson for a brewery during the day. PD, who played for Australia and the National Soccer League before becoming a coach, feels that his abilities as a team manager would be useful while interacting with his tribe.
“I usually have two plans: A and B. Our current strategy is plan A, whereas plan B aims to improve on plan A. Therefore, we won’t lose.”
Ursula, Powerlifter
Ursula is a powerlifter and fitness and nutrition instructor who epitomises both mental and physical strength when it comes to brawn. In the end, she worries most about being overly candid with her tribesmen.
“I just prefer to be honest, even if it has gotten me into problems a few times. It’s not my problem if somebody can’t handle it.”
Ursula looks forward to the social part of the game, stating,
“I’m funny,” even though her candour could be problematic. I am loud and vivacious when I want to be, yet I have a pretty dry sense of humour.
Zen, Hip Hop Artist
Zen, the youngest tribemate this season, is ecstatic about the chance to slow down his hectic life and focus on being present and in tune with nature.
“Probably the hardest part of the game for me, personally, is going to be having to allow someone else to take control,” he stated.
It’s necessary to conceal testosterone levels, stifle intelligence, and play beneath someone—not dumb, but subordinate—so that someone may assume the role of leader. The most difficult aspect will be this.
