Since Survivor premiered in 2000, lots of former contestants have experienced their fair share of controversial times.
Even though the initially-at any time winner, Richard Hatch, made headlines for his questionable behavior in the game, he also struggled in his personal everyday living. Immediately after using home the a person million greenback prize, Hatch was convicted of attempted tax evasion and signing a fraudulent tax return. He served a 51-month sentence in federal jail.
Hatch is not the only participant to expertise drama following leaving the activity clearly show. Alec Merlino bought in difficulty for seemingly breaking his NDA after he shared a image of him and a fellow season 37 David vs Goliath competitor just before the solid was officially declared. Nick Wilson, who won David vs Goliath in 2018, also raised eyebrows when his career shifted from community defender to Kentucky congressman who backed controversial laws.
Hold scrolling to see some of the most important Survivor off-screen controversies above the a long time:
Stacey Stillman’s Lawsuit
Survivor got its initially flavor of write-up-video game scandals following its inaugural time, Borneo. In February 2001, Stillman, who was the third human being voted off the time, sued CBS claiming the demonstrate creator, Mark Burnett, orchestrated her exit and the end result of the year.
In her lawsuit, Stillman claimed that two of her tribemates, Dirk Been and Sean Kenniff, ended up persuaded to vote for her rather of enthusiast-preferred Rudy Boesch, who finally arrived in third location. She allegedly preferred restitution for missing prize money, additionally $75,000 for out-of-pocket costs. CBS refuted her allegations.
“We heard about Stacey Stillman’s allegations quite a few months ago. They had no advantage then they have no merit now that she has packaged them into a frivolous and groundless lawsuit,” the community said in a statement at the time. “Survivor has acquired a lot more push and general public scrutiny than any show in latest television heritage, and its artistic integrity has remained intact throughout. We are hence confident that the courts, as properly as Survivor viewers, will see the case as completely without having foundation.”
CBS and Stillman eventually settled out of court docket for an undisclosed amount of money.
Richard Hatch’s Authorized Issues
In 2001, Hatch was billed with domestic assault immediately after his previous partner Glenn Boyanowski accused the actuality star of assault. Hatch was sentenced to just one-yr probation but appealed the conviction the next calendar year. In February 2002, the conviction and sentence had been overturned.
Five years following his Survivor acquire, Hatch was convicted by a jury of two counts of tried tax evasion and a person depend of signing a fraudulent tax return for not having to pay taxes on his match present prize, radio cohost earnings and rental house cash flow. He served 51 months in federal prison.
Hatch was produced in 2009 below a three-12 months supervision and was purchased to amend his tax returns. On the other hand, he did not follow by and served an supplemental 9 months in jail in 2011.
Jeff Probst and Julie Berry’s Romance
Probst commenced dating Berry, who appeared on Survivor: Vanuatu, immediately after filming wrapped. The former pair, who experienced a 19-yr age change, revealed their romance throughout the season’s reunion specific in December 2004. Probst and Berry known as it quits in 2008.
The longtime host shared in a 2008 job interview with United states Today that he and Berry’s break up was induced by extended distance and his Survivor filming routine. Four many years later, Berry uncovered in an interview on Rob Cesternino’s podcast that she could not return to the series next her romance with Probst because she was exposed to the behind-the-scenes get the job done on the clearly show.
Alec Merlino’s NDA Drama
Ahead of the premiere of Survivor: David vs Goliath, Alec seemingly broke his NDA by spoiling the solid right before the information dropped. Alec posted a photo of him and fellow contestant Kara Kay on his social media, captioning the pic. “F–k it.” Adhering to the article, Alec was uninvited from the reunion exhibit and did not get his physical appearance expenses.
“The issue is, with social media, I experience matters can be misconstrued, but I have almost nothing but the utmost respect for CBS, for Survivor, for Jeff. I went out there and I experienced the knowledge of a life time,” Alec mentioned to Amusement Weekly in November 2018. “My biggest aspiration was to be on Survivor, so to go out there and have the experience, that is what I’m likely to keep near to my coronary heart and which is what I’m going to cherish.”
Nick Wilson’s Political Job
Following his gain on David vs Goliath, Nick was elected to the Kentucky Household of Representatives in 2022. Since coming into business office, Nick has supported quite a few controversial bills like laws that bans gender-affirming care for transgender kids and the discussion of sexual orientation in universities.
In January 2024, Nick made headlines after he introduced a monthly bill that would have legalized intercourse amongst first cousins. Nick subsequently withdrew the invoice and claimed that it was an error on his element.
“During the drafting method, there was an inadvertent modify, which struck ‘first cousins’ from the record of associations provided less than the incest statute, and I failed to include it back again in,” Wilson wrote by using Facebook at the time. “During today’s session, I will withdraw HB 269 and refile a bill with the ‘first cousin’ language intact. The truth that I was equipped to file a invoice, capture the miscalculation, withdraw the invoice and refile in a 24-hour time period displays that we have a good process.”
Wendell Holland’s Dishonest Allegations
In January 2024, the Survivor Ghost Island winner was accused by his ex-girlfriend Chelsea Brooks, with whom he shares a son, of dishonest. Following the allegations, rumors swirled that Wendell was linked to Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares. Wendell tackled the speculation and apologized to Survivor followers in a due to the fact-deleted tweet.
“My gf and I broke up. I choose responsibility for that. I’m sorry for her and all that has transpired,” he penned. “The man or woman the world wide web keeps attaching me to deserves an apology as nicely. We bought close at the finish of November and December, and I was dishonest about my spouse and children lifetime with her. I developed a scenario that was unfair to both equally functions and whilst I apologized to each privately, I would like the group to know that I’m sorry.”
Carson Garrett’s Puzzle Scandal
The Survivor 44 player, who was most effective recognized for 3D-printing his own Survivor-themed puzzles, was accused by various sellers on Etsy that he obtained the trinkets on the net. 1 company named Outplay Puzzles arrived forward and alleged that Carson stole their brand’s marketing and advertising strategy when he introduced his possess manufacturer Puzzlenaut, in December 2023.
“We achieved for espresso, I gave him absolutely free products to boost in his material, and we discussed payment,” the firm wrote through X in April 2024. “Over the course of an hour he requested tons of concerns about how I run and encourage my organization, how to encourage my puzzles, etc. I answered honestly because I imagined he was a mate.”
When Outplay Puzzles attempted to congratulate Carson on launching his brand, the organization claimed that they had been blocked on social media by the former contestant. Outplay Puzzles shared they never feel Carson did nearly anything unlawful and just referred to the scenario as an “unethical” practice.
