Survivor Season 45 Cast Guide (2024)

Survivor season 45 has released its newest group of castaways, featuring 17 new cast members and 1 returning castaway. After 44 seasons, Survivor has a huge following of viewers who are interested in trying their hand at the game. With fans and survivalists alike making their way into the game, Survivor season 45 has a cast that will engage their social and survivalist skills in order to try and outlast each other for the million-dollar grand prize.

Survivor is one of the longest-running reality TV competitions, having originally aired in 2000 and running consistently ever since. There have been some massive changes to the game since the early days, but the competition has ultimately been crowning a Sole Survivor since the very beginning. Winners have been working to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other to the end through the years, despite some incredibly difficult gameplay. With Survivor season 45 bringing together a new cast, the castaways look like a phenomenal group of players.

Austin Li Coon

According to EW, Austin Li Coon is a 26-year-old grad student from San Jose, California who's currently living in Chicago, Illinois. He describes himself as "ambitious, sweet, [and] clumsy." He feels he'll be the Sole Survivor because he "make[s] the best of every situation" and finds himself to be "adaptable, creative...and [will] make sure not a second is wasted out on the island."

Bruce Perreault

After being evacuated from Survivor season 44 for a medical emergency, 47-year-old Bruce is returning to Survivor season 45 for another shot at the grand prize. From Warwick, Rhode Island, Bruce is an insurance agent who describes himself as "funny, competitive, [and] energetic." Bruce feels he'll be the Sole Survivor because after not being able to participate in the previous season, "this is my time."

Dee Valladares

A 26-year-old from Havana, Cuba, Dee Valladares is an entrepreneur that now lives in Miami, Florida. She wants to be on Survivor to ensure her family's security, and because she wants to "live a rare life surrounded by rare individuals, and [she] can't do that unless [she places herself] in situations where [she doesn't] belong." Dee has manifested her win as the Sole Survivor, and knows she won't quit.

Brandon Donlon

A content producer with Slickerville, New Jersey, Brandon Donlon is a life-long Survivor viewer who's excited to finally play the game. He describes himself as "empathetic, inquisitive, [and] reliable", and "want[s] to be the person this game can turn [him] into." Brandon is looking for "comfort" in an alliance, explaining he's anxious in his daily life and wants someone with "unique ways of calming [him] down."

Emily Flippen

A 28-year-old originally from McKinney, Texas, Emily Flippen now resides in Laurel, Maryland and works as an investment analyst. Emily describes herself as "direct, genuine, [and] aggressive" and shares that she's been advised to "live a more interesting life." Emily feels led by her "own very strict sense of right and wrong", and hopes that Survivor won't deviate much from her moral code. Emily hopes the competition on Survivor season 45 never sees her coming.

Brandon “Brando” Meyer

As a 23-year-old software developer from Oak Park, California, Brandon "Brando" Meyer lives in Seattle, Washington. He describes himself as "curious, clever, [and] motivated", and is excited to play Survivor after dreaming of being on the series since he was 10. Brando feels he will be the Sole Survivor because his "combination of quick thinking and acute attention to detail" will help him last.

Hannah Rose

As a therapist from Woodbridge, Connecticut, Hannah Rose has an incredible read on people in complicated situations. She currently resides in Baltimore City, Maryland and describes herself as "enthusiastic, passionate, [and] authentic." Hannah hopes that she can push herself "physically, mentally, and emotionally" because Survivor is her favorite show.

Janani Krishnan-Jha

A singer living in Los Angeles, California, Janani Krishnan-Jha goes by the stage name of J. Maya. Janani is originally from San Francisco and describes herself as "ambitious, optimistic, [and] creative." She shared that she's known Survivor was "the quest [she] had been waiting for" since the first time she watched the series.

Drew Basile

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Drew Basile is a 23-year-old from Birmingham, Michigan who describes himself as "smart, witty, [and] dynamic." Drew currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and feels that "Survivor is the ultimate test of character." He shared that he feels he'll become the Sole Survivor because he's "a good strategist and a potent speaker."

Julie Alley

A 49-year-old estate attorney from Brentwood, Tennessee, Julie describes herself as "hardworking, loyal, [and] smart." She hopes to find an alliance partner with "truth, hard work, loyalty, and strength" to help her through the game. Julie hopes to become the Sole Survivor because she feels she has killer instincts and will be able to "carry my [her] family's support with [her] in the game."

Jake O’Kane

An attorney from Hanson, Massachusetts, Jake O'Kane is currently living in Boston and feels that he's "boisterous, wily, [and] persistent." Jake feels that Survivor "is a celebration of everything [he's] been able to accomplish in [his] life." Jake feels he'll be the Sole Survivor "because no one wants it more than [him] and no one is going to work harder...to achieve it."

Katurah Topps

Katurah Topps is a 35-year-old civil rights attorney from St. Louis, Missouri who currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. Katurah describes herself as "calculating, determined, [and] unexpected." She hopes to become the Sole Survivor because she's "been preparing for it for life" as a fan of the series since the very beginning.

Kaleb Gebrewold

A 29-year-old originally from Port Coquitlam, Canada, Kaleb now lives in Vancouver and works in software sales. Kaleb describes himself as "charismatic, opportunistic, [and a] golden retriever." Kaleb has been watching Survivor for the majority of his life, and feels that he has what it takes to win the grand prize. He believes he'll become the Sole Survivor because he always "expect[s] the best."

Kellie Nalbandian

As a 30-year-old critical care nurse, Kellie Nalbandian feels that she's "scrappy, deliberate, [and] intuitive." She currently lives in New York and though she only started watching Survivor in the last few years, she feels that her time as a nurse during COVID-19 has prepared her for even the most difficult of challenges. Kellie hopes to be the Sole Survivor because she's "fully prepared to manipulate and blindside [her] way to final tribal."

Nicholas “Sifu” Alsup

At 30-years-old, Nicholas "Sifu" Alsup owns a gym and knows that the challenges of owning his own business have prepared him for Survivor. Nicholas describes himself as "outgoing, loving, [and] empowering", and hopes that he'll be able to find an alliance partner with "honesty, focus, and determination." Nicholas feels he'll be the Sole Survivor because he "will be undeniably myself" and "unwavering in [his] pursuit."

Kendra McQuarrie

A 31-year-old bartender from Haverhill, Massachusetts, Kendra McQuarrie currently lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She describes herself as "outgoing, determined, and enthusiastic." She feels that "Survivor checks all the boxes for [her] as far as an adventure goes and then some." Kendra hopes to become the next Sole Survivor because her "unwavering optimism, courage and gut instincts will guide the way."

Sean Edwards

A school principal from Lawrence, New Jersey, Sean Edwards now lives in Provo-Orem, Utah. He's been watching Survivor since the very beginning, and would describe himself as a "connection-seeker, ambitiously minded, [and with] magnetic energy." He feels he will be the sole Survivor because he "can read people's emotions, empathize with others, connect with anyone, and make people feel comfortable."

Sabiyah Broderick

Sabiyah Broderick is a 28-year-old from Locust Grove, Georgia who currently lives in Jacksonville, North Carolina. A truck driver, Sabiyah describes herself as "resilient, vibrant, [and] proud." She's a former Marine, and hopes that her unconscious preparation for the game will fulfill what she feels is her destiny, to become the Sole Survivor.

Source: EW