Survivor: Vanuatu

***Survivor: Vanuatu*** **- *Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty*** is the eleventh season of the reality show *Survivor: The Sims*. This season was filmed on the island of Efate in the Shefa province of Vanuatu. This season premiered on August 20, 2021, and was once again hosted by Jack Jones with the standard 39 days of gameplay.

For the first time in the show's history, the 18 castaways were divided into tribes based on the qualities they exhibit in their day-to-day life. The "brawn" tribe represented those who use their strength the most in their lives, whether physical or mental. The "brain" tribe represented the castaways who use their brain power throughout their daily life, and the "beauty" tribe consisted of the castaways using their looks or inner beauty to advance themselves in the real world.

The season concluded in a shockingly close finish, with Josh DiMattia becoming the eleventh Sole Survivor over runners-up Molly Deitz and Roger Wilson in a 3-2-2 vote. Josh currently holds the record as the winner to receive the least amount of jury votes on their winning season, with only three. At the reunion, Raven Cole was awarded the title of "Fan Favorite" via public polling from viewers of the show.

## Production

During the finale of *Survivor: Mauritius*, the location of Vanuatu was announced at the reunion by host Jack Jones. Initially, *Vanuatu* was announced to have 16 castaways, but after the casting process commenced, 18 castaways were ultimately chosen by the production team. This season ended production officially on August 18.

The eighteen contestants were revealed on August 19, 2021, along with the season's theme: Brains vs. Brawns vs. Beauty.

## Twists/Changes

* **Eighteen Castaways:** *Survivor: Vanuatu* featured 18 castaways, which is larger than the previous amount in *Mauritius*.
* **Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty:** The division of the three tribes is based on which attribute each castaways reflect the most in their lives: brains, brawn and beauty. The Araki tribe consists of the "brains," the Kakula tribe represents the "beauties," and the Sakao tribe are the "brawns."
* **Three Starting Tribes:** To correspond with the theme of this season, the tribes will be divided into three tribes of six.
* **Hidden Immunity Idol:** Once again, the Hidden Immunity Idol is to be played after the votes have been cast, but before they are read. The Hidden Immunity Idol is eligible for use up until Day 36.
* **Tribe Switch:** On Day 12, a tribe switch occurred switching 12 of the 13 remaining castaways into two tribes of six. Whoever drew the lone red buff would be exiled, and join the losing tribe after they attended Tribal Council.
* **One-Time Exile:** As a result of the Tribe Switch, whoever drew the lone Kakula buff was sent to the old Kakula camp. Because of them being exiled, at the next Tribal Council they were both ineligible to vote and to be voted out. Whoever was exiled would join the losing tribe at the next reward challenge.
* **Final Four Fire-Making Tiebreaker:** In the event of a deadlocked vote at the final four, the two involved in a tie would move to a fire-making challenge. Whoever made fire first would advance.
* **Early Merge:** The tribes merged with 11 castaways remaining.
* **Juror Removal:** On Day 38, a final reward challenge was held, granting one of the finalists the power to remove anyone of their choice from the jury.
* **Final Three and Jury of Seven:** The final three faced a jury of seven.

## Castaways

**^a** During the tribe swap, Erik drew the lone Kakula buff and was sent to Exile Island. Since Sakao lost the immunity challenge, Erik joined the tribe after the vote to even the numbers up.
## Season Summary

**^a** Combined reward and immunity challenge.
**^b** There was no reward challenge due to the tribe switch.
**^c** There was no reward challenge due to the merge.
**^d** Roger was given the opportunity to share his reward with another castaway, but decided not to share.
**^e** There was no immunity challenge or elimination due to the juror removal. Roger chose to remove Maci from the jury after winning the final reward.
## Voting History

### ***Notes***

**^a** The first vote ended in a tie between Johan and Ryan, forcing a revote. On the revote, the castaways could only vote those involved in the tie, and Johan and Ryan were ineligible to vote.
**^b** Trang was evacuated due to heat exhaustion.
**^c** Justin played a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating 3 votes against himself.
**^d** For drawing a Kakula buff during the tribe switch, Evan was sent to Exile Island. He joined the Sakao tribe after the vote.
**^e** Ibrahim played a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating 4 votes cast against him.
**^f** At Tribal Council, it was announced Maci was pulled from the game due to medical reasons, cancelling the vote.
**^g** The first vote ended in a tie between Evan and Molly, forcing a revote. On the revote, the vote once again resulted in a tie. Evan and Molly then competed in a fire-making challenge to determine who stayed; Molly won, earning a spot in the final three and Evan was eliminated.
**^h** Maci was removed from the jury after the juror removal vote on Day 38. Roger won reward, and voted Maci off the jury.
## Trivia

* *Vanuatu* produced the third LGBTQ+ winner, Josh DiMattia. He was preceded by Michael Vega from *Fiji* and Heather Bell from *Philippines*.
* *Vanuatu* is the first season to feature a juror removal. Maci Kressin was removed from the jury by Roger Wilson per his decision after winning the final reward.
* *Vanuatu* is the second season to feature a theme that divided up the tribes. The first was *Survivor: Fiji*, with "Battle of the Sexes." *Vanuatu* featured the Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty theme.
* *Vanuatu* is the fourth season overall to feature 18 castaways, following *Thailand*, *Cook Islands*, and *South Africa*.
* *Vanuatu* is the second season with three starting tribes, following *Cook Islands*.
* *Vanuatu* is the first season to feature a fire-making tiebreaker as a means to settle a vote. Every other tiebreaker thus far has been a rock draw.

## References

1. ↑ Jack Jones on Twitter: We are filming Survivor: Vanuatu!
2. ↑ Mauritius Reunion Recap.
3. ↑ Upcoming News: Survivor: Vanuatu!
4. ↑ Jack Jones's Twitter.
5. ↑ **Survivor: Vanuatu**