Michaela Thompson

**Michaela Thompson** is a contestant from *Survivor: Thailand* and *Survivor: Panama*.

On *Thailand*, Michaela was regarded as a Fan Favorite for her impressive strength in challenges and likable personality. While Michaela lasted until Day 15, she never had a solid alliance in the game and was often on the wrong side of the numbers. Michaela was also known for flipping on her original Ko Wai members post-switch, voting out Chris Glover and siding with the original Soi Dao members. Ultimately, this big move proved to be Michaela's downfall and she was voted out because of her unpredictability and untrustworthiness.

Michaela came into *Panama* as a much more seasoned player, quickly creating alliances to take the target off of herself as a returning player. Michaela's strong relationships and less intense strategy allowed her to get to the merge with the numbers on her side. Once at the merge, Michaela solidified her bonds with the old Yeguada, creating a strong alliance to target the stronger players, including Serena Zhao, Nash Wegner, James Havea and Adam Brower. Michaela's strength in making big moves pushed her into a power position late in the game, even deciding to target her fellow returning player Shamar Neal at the Final Four to give herself a better shot at winning jury votes. While Michaela had a strong game from the very beginning, Stephanie Morales's jury speech and under-the-radar gameplay beat Michaela out, making Michaela the Runner-Up in a 5-3-2 vote.

## Profile

* Panama

* **Name (Age):** Michaela Thompson (23)
* **Tribe Designation:** Ko Wai
* **Current Residence:** Narberth, PA
* **Occupation:** Hairdresser
* **Hobbies:** Running, biking, shopping with my friends
* **Pet Peeves:** I'd say I'm a pretty easygoing person, but I really don't like bossy people. I don't love to be told what to do and when to do it.
* **Which *Survivor* contestant are you the most like?** I feel like I have the wit of Keith, the bubbly personality of Jasmine, and the sneaky gameplay of Chantal.
* **What's your reason for being on *Survivor*?** I want to try this game out and give it a shot. I'm a fan of the game and I think I'd be really good at it!
* **Why do you think you'll "survive" *Survivor*?** I'm ready to do this, 100%. I have a lot of inner strength along with my physical strength, I've trained for the game and I'm ready to kick ass in this game!

- **Name (Age):** Michaela Thompson (24)

- **Previous Season:** *Thailand*, 13th Place (6th Voted Out)

- **Hometown:** Philadelphia, PA

- **Occupation:** Makeup Artist/Creative Director

- **Inspiration in Life:** My mom. She's a strong woman and always worked hard to give my family a great life.

- **Reason for being on *Survivor*:** To prove that I can win the second time around and improve on the mistakes I made in the game.

- **Why You Think You'll Be the Sole Survivor:** I'm funny and bring a great attitude, but I'm also a fighter. My go-getter personality combined with my experience from *Thailand* will be a pretty killer combination.

## Survivor

### ***Survivor: Thailand***

Michaela was assigned to the Ko Wai tribe, where immediately she was on the wrong side of the numbers. In Michaela's favor, her physical prowess helped Ko Wai win the first two Immunity Challenges, avoiding Tribal Council. However, on Day 9, Michaela attended her first Tribal Council. Michaela was not a part of the main Ko Wai alliance of six, and instead aligned with Samson Collins and Terra Freeman. This ultimately proved to be a hindrance, as Terra was voted out in a 6-3 vote, leaving her in a bad spot.

After Michaela's first visit to Tribal Council, the Tribal Switch occurred, and Michaela was put on the new Ko Wai. Being on the bottom of the old Ko Wai, Michaela bonded with the previous Soi Dao members on her new tribe and when the new Ko Wai lost the first Immunity Challenge post-switch, Michaela joined forces with Soi Dao to take Chris Glover out of the game on Day 12.

On Day 15, both tribes were sent to Tribal Council. The Ko Wai tribe conspired to get Michaela out of the game due to her ability to flip on other people during the game, and she was blindsided in a 3-2-1 vote.

### Voting History

Votes
 1

## Trivia

* Michaela lost 8 lbs (3.63 kg) during her time on *Survivor: Thailand*.
* Michaela is the first contestant to be voted out in a Double Tribal Council.
* Michaela is the first contestant to return for a future season, along with fellow *Thailand* castaway, Shamar Neal. The two returned for *Survivor: Panama*.
* Michaela celebrated her 24th birthday during the filming of *Survivor: Panama*.
* Michaela lost 17 lbs (7.71 kg) during her time on *Survivor: Panama*.
* Michaela is the first returning player to finish as the Runner-Up during their second season.
	+ By association, Michaela is also the first player to reach Final Tribal Council on their second time playing.
* Michaela was on every tribe at some point during *Panama*.
* Michaela never won a challenge post-merge. On both *Thailand* and *Panama*, Michaela has not won a single individual challenge.
* Michaela is the first Runner-Up to receive three jury votes at the Final Tribal Council, being the highest amount at the time. In *Survivor: Samoa*, Chantal Heath received two votes to win, while Jared Klein received one vote to win on *Thailand*.