Category: survivor tocantins

Tyson Apostol
Age: 29
Hometown: Lindon, UT
Occupation: Professional Cyclist

CBS Bio
Witty, charming and arrogant is how Tyson Apostol describes himself. This former pro-cyclist and swimmer believes that his natural athleticism, combined with his “life of the party” personality, will get him far in he game. His favorite movie is “The Jerk” and that’s how some people just might describe him.

He compares his game strategy to that of some of the most entertaining castaways to ever play the game. Much like them, he is willing to do almost anything to win one million dollars, including implementing the use of lies and deceit to feed off the “emotional weakness” of the other castaways. A Brigham Young University drop-out, he is actually very well traveled and skilled in street smarts, previously spending two years in the Philippines as a Mormon missionary, in addition to six years as a cyclist in Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.

In many ways Tyson can be brash, egotistical and unapologetic but, oddly enough, he has no tolerance for “know-it-alls” or individuals who lack common courtesy. In addition to, as he describes it, “looking awesome,” his favorite hobbies are exercising and sunbathing. If he becomes the next sole SURVIVOR, he plans to use all of the money for selfish purposes, starting with “the most smoking motorcycle around.”

Tyson currently resides in Heber City, Utah and his birthday is June 17.

Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George
Age: 37
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Occupation: Former Pop Star

CBS Bio
Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George already has a lot on her plate, but can’t wait to add SURVIVOR contestant into the mix. A Grammy®-nominated singer, successful author, wife of a former NFL pro and mother of two wonderful boys, Taj believes she will be the “most underestimated player” in the game.

A Grammy®-nominee for her soul group SWV (“Sisters With Voices”), Taj says “her group was the one to beat.” Selling over six million records, her time as a singer has prepared her for the spotlight.

In addition to her music career, Taj is also an accomplished writer. The author of “Player HateHER: How To Avoid The Beat Down And Live In A Drama Free World,” she tries to practice what she preaches as her true pride and life’s focus lies within her family. The wife of Heisman Trophy winner and former Tennessee Titan running back Eddie George, she warns all opponents, “I’m not the average NFL wife and mother.”

Growing up in Brooklyn, Taj overcame both physical and mental abuse in her life. With her background, it’s no wonder she says she’s “naturally distrustful.” Taj goes on to say “I am literally, truly a survivor, who has survived more things you can ever imagine.” She is used to beating the odds and plans to do it again.

In her free time, Taj says she is very physical and likes to workout, running, swimming and doing yoga and kickboxing. Taj is the total package built around strength and street smarts and will be a fierce competitor in this game.

Taj currently resides in Nashville, Tenn. Her birth date is April 29.

Sydney Wheeler
Age: 24
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Occupation: Model

CBS Bio
Sydney Wheeler is the girl next door. Beautiful and smart, Sydney learned early on to adapt to any situation after spending her childhood being shuttled between her conservative parents.

Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sydney decided to move out to the west coast to try her hand at modeling and interior design. She plans to use the skills she’s learned working with different clients to help navigate the social game of SURVIOR. She’s also not afraid to use her looks to further herself in the competition.

Forced to mature at an early age, Sydney knows what it really means to live life to its fullest. At age 19 she lost her sister Laura in a tragic car accident, but throughout it all has maintained a positive attitude. “God put us on Earth to do good things, big things and that’s what I’m trying to do and achieve in life.”

Sydney knows she can use her winning personality, along with her beauty, her body and her brains, to charm people. Wheeler warns, “people stereotype me as just a pretty face. Don’t misjudge me, I’m going win.” Sydney is ready for the adventure SURVIVOR will surely provide.

Sydney is in a relationship and currently resides in San Diego, Calif. Her birth date is May 11, 1984.

Stephen Fishbach
Age: 29
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Corporate Consultant

CBS Bio
Stephen Fishbach believes he’s a cutthroat player who can manipulate his way to SURVIVOR success, though you couldn’t tell that by looking at his non-threatening appearance. The first one to tell you he resembles a Muppet, Stephen plans to sidetrack his competition with his goofy charm and quirky sense of humor.

Aided by his quick wit and prankster personality, this Internet marketing director could very well be a major player behind the scenes. A Yale graduate, Stephen certainly has the right mix of brains and charisma to disarm his fellow castaways. This New Yorker believes people will be inclined to trust him but claims “that would be their mistake, because then I strike!”

Described by his friends as wild, smart and ambitious, Stephen’s biggest pet peeve is when somebody is “overconfident or cocky.” He plans to use that type of person to his advantage by forming a bond and then subtly prompting them to carry out his decisions. A strategist, Stephen prides himself on being able to pretend to agree with someone’s idea while replacing it with his own.

In his free time, Stephen keeps himself active and fit by boxing and lifting weights. He also takes part in urban combat activities, namely the Idiotarod, which he describes as a great event where “five idiots drag a shopping cart from Brooklyn to Manhattan.” Among his reasons for why he believes he will excel at SURVIVOR, Stephen lists “he’s strategic and devious.”

Stephen is single and currently resides in New York, N.Y. His birth date is January 24.

Spencer Duhm
Age: 19
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Occupation: Student

CBS Bio
Soon to see his teenage years in the rear-view mirror, Spencer Duhm is ready to look forward to the journey ahead of him. A fan of SURVIVOR since day one, which began when he was still in grade school, Spencer can practically do a Castaway roll-call all the way from SURVIVOR: Borneo. His fanaticism will give him a built-in edge that can make a direct contribution to how far he goes in this game.

Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida and currently a student at the University of Florida, Spencer majors in telecommunications and minors in business and European union studies. Aside from being the recruitment chair for his UF crew team, where he also rows competitively, Spencer is a huge sports fan. Involved in myriad athletic activities since age 7, Spencer has developed a strong competitive streak and determination to achieve success. Rooting for his college Gators or beloved Cubs familiarized him with all of the peaks and valleys associated with being a contender, which may help him navigate the ups and downs associated with castaway life.

With a resume like his, it’s no surprise that this self-professed lover of “water cooler gossip” can’t stand slow-talkers or laziness and is very ambitious and very outgoing. He is even willing to face his fear of heights for one million dollars but there is one fear that he refuses to face. When asked what he would not do for a million dollars he responded, “Snakes in general, I just don’t do snakes.” This young, goal-oriented man has been presented with his childhood dream of competing on his favorite reality show and truly feels that he has what it takes to become the next sole SURVIVOR .

Spencer is a gay, single man and currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. His birthday is December 20.

Sierra Reed
Age: 23
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Model

CBS Bio
Sierra Reed wants to make it clear right off the bat that she has the ability to find her place in any situation, anywhere in the world, through her perseverance and strength. Despite the fact that she is strong-willed and determined, she is one who will wear her heart on her sleeve. Not intimidated by age, (“I’m 25 and if you’re 45 that’s great, but if we have differences, I’m going to let you know”), Reed will speak her mind, yet she does it with purpose and passion. She hopes that her tenacity will balance out her “strong nature.”

This fashion student and model is no stranger to roughing it. After moving to Taiwan by herself at a very young age, Sierra is used to living in places with no running water and filled with grime and bugs. Sierra is a self-proclaimed adventure junkie who “loves to experience new things all the time” and she believes that those experiences make her a prime candidate for SURVIVOR.

Sierra claims she isn’t a “very stereotypical model,” because she doesn’t do it for the notoriety; she does it because modeling can help facilitate new experiences and allows for travel to amazing locations which is something she enjoys tremendously.

Her modeling background has helped to shape her strategy for the game. Forced to deal with a variety of personalities all competing for the same goal is nothing new to her, having lived with five catty models vying for one spot. This experience will be to her advantage when forming alliances and making her way through the twists of the game.

Sierra is single and currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif. Her birth date is September 29.

Sandy Burgin
Age: 53
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Occupation: Bus Driver

CBS Bio
A country girl through and through, Sandy Burgin grew up and still lives in Kentucky, where she takes pride in being the state champion of the School Bus Rodeo. A night owl by occupation, Sandy works the graveyard shift transporting construction workers to their work sites. As a professional driver for 30 years, she isn’t a stranger to cat calls, especially since she is the one doing it. On one occasion she called out to a tall thin man, commenting on his physique when, to her surprise, he turned around and was clearly a priest!

She likes to unwind by crocheting or listening to country, oldies or some good old fashioned rock and roll. Her penchant for reading “do it yourself” magazines in addition to her fishing skills just might make her a valuable member of her tribe.

Sandy describes herself as funny and fearless and can’t stand mean or greedy people. She is looking forward to interacting with new and interesting people and is thrilled at the opportunity to win a million dollars. With an outdoorsy nature (as reflected by her mouse tattoo) and a kooky personality, in combination with her determination to win, Sandy feels that she has what it takes to be the next SURVIVOR.

Sandy currently resides in Louisville, Ky. Her birthday is July 1.

James “JT” Thomas Jr
Age: 24
Hometown: Samson, AL
Occupation: Cattle Rancher

CBS Bio
A cattle manager raised in Samson, Alabama, JT operates a registered Angus Cattle Ranch. In addition to preparing the land and working the cattle, this southern charmer is responsible for all the paperwork and marketing associated with running the business.

This ambitious 24-year-old gets fired up when people insult his intelligence and says “I’m not a dumb hillbilly, so don’t think it!” However, this may be just the strategy that JT chooses to use and isn’t above playing the “dumb and innocent country boy role” in an effort to gain alliances with the women. JT attended Troy University and is the first in his family to earn a Bachelors Degree. His is in business administration.

A true family man, JT values his relationships and will work towards forming alliances that will take him very far in the game. This strong country boy is competitive and determined and will use manipulation in order to help him succeed and ultimately win SURVIVOR.

JT is single and currently resides in Mobile, Ala. His birthdate is June 23.