# I Will Survive (TV series)

I Will Survive is an Australian talent show-themed television series that premiered on Network Ten on 21 August 2012. The premise of the show is to search for a new, unknown talent to perform in the Broadway production of the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Due to the Broadway theatre production closing in June 2012, the prize has been amended to another performance on Broadway, along with a $250,000 cash prize. The title of the show is derived from the title of a song in the production, "I Will Survive", originally sung by Gloria Gaynor.
I Will Survive was hosted by actor and singer Hugh Sheridan, and featured judges Jason Donovan, who played Tick in the West End theatre production of the show, and Stephan Elliott, the director of the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

## Format

I Will Survive searches for a "triple threat" performer, proficient in the disciplines of acting, singing, and dancing, to portray a drag queen as based on the hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The show starts with open auditions, with the most talented performers joining the famous Priscilla bus, retracing the steps of the movie, from Sydney to Alice Springs, performing at outback locations on the way.

## Top 12 contestants

| Name | Age | Occupation | Portrayed as | Status |
| Michael Snell | 28 | Dance Instructor | Wants to be Leading Man | Winner |
| Tom Sharah | 24 | Cabaret Performer | The Star | Runner-Up |
| Nathan Foley | 32 | Former Hi-5 member | Reinventing himself | 3rd Place |
| Rohan Seinor | 42 | Mine Worker | Light hearted/Funny | 4th Place |
| Stephen Mahy | 29 | Performer | Win at all costs | 5th Place |
| Brendan Hanson | 39 | Performing Arts Teacher | Loving father | 6th Place |
| Matt McFarlane | 28 | Former Australian rules football Player | Musical Theatre Type | 7th Place |
| Adrian Espulso | 23 | Mechanic | The Underdog | 8th Place |
| Davin Griffiths-Jones | 25 | Former Child Star | The Bitchy Villain | 9th Place |
| Jamie Jewell | 43 | Costume Designer | Drama Queen | 10th Place |
| Frank Kerr | 22 | Weekend Radio Announcer | Nice Guy | 11th Place |
| Sean Perez | 23 | Luna Park Entertainer | Cry Baby | 12th Place |

## Challenges

| Contestants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Michael | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 2 | WINNER |
| Tom | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT |
| Nathan | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | OUT |
| Rohan | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | Bottom 2 | OUT | |
| Stephen | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | Bottom 3 | OUT | | |
| Brendan | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | | | |
| Matt | Bottom 3 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | OUT | | | | |
| Adrian | SAFE | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | OUT | | | | | |
| Davin | SAFE | Bottom 3 | SAFE | OUT | | | | | | |
| Jamie | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | | | | | | | |
| Frank | Bottom 3 | OUT | | | | | | | | |
| Sean | OUT | | | | | | | | | |

## Ratings

| Episode | Original airdate | Timeslot | Viewers |
| Episode 1 | 21 August 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 506,000 |
| Episode 2 | 22 August 2012 | Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 427,000 |
| Episode 3 | 28 August 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 364,000 |
| Episode 4 | 29 August 2012 | Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 360,000 |
| Episode 5 | 4 September 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 391,000 |
| Episode 6 | 5 September 2012 | Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 338,000 |
| Episode 7 | 11 September 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 336,000 |
| Episode 8 | 12 September 2012 | Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 281,000 |
| Episode 9 | 18 September 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 358,000 |
| Episode 10 | 25 September 2012 | Tuesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 277,000 |
| Episode 11 | 2 October 2012 | | |
| Episode 12 | 9 October 2012 | | |
| Episode 13 | 16 October 2012 | | |
| Episode 14 | 23 October 2012 | | |