Survivor: Tocantins - A First Look

Survivor: Tocantins - The Brazilian Highlands is about to get underway so we wanted to give you a preview of what to expect from Jeff Probst and the masterminds behind Survivor.

This season, Survivor’s 18th, the trend for unexpected twists continues in the wilds of Brazil. Players in the past have complained about working hard at building alliances and demonstrating a can-do attitude, only to have it all fall away with a wicked twist in the game. Get over it. Twists are here to stay. And this year there is one so early on, the players haven’t even spoken to each other yet.

Before the contestants make first camp, they’ve got to look each other over and vote out 2 players based solely on looks and attitude. And the cruelty doesn’t stop there. A second, new twist follows close behind. But you’ll have to tune in to see the outcome of this fiendishly brilliant new strategy for yourself. Don’t miss it and don’t miss our livechat with the first person voted off the show this Friday!

In the meantime, we’ve compiled a list of all the players and a little biographical background to help you sort out your favorites. More than ever, these chosen few will never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Benjamin “Coach” Wade (37)
Hometown: Bolivar, Mo.
Occupation: Soccer Coach
Benjamin Wade is known by many names. As the head women’s soccer coach at the Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, he is called “Coach Wade,” but he also goes by “Maestro” due to his role as an artistic director and conductor of a California symphony orchestra.

Brendan Synnott (30)
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Brendan Synnott is all about playing the game. Whether it is in front of a classroom teaching entrepreneurial success or taking part in outdoor extreme adventures, he knows how to read the odds.

Candace Smith (31)
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Occupation: Attorney
Candace Smith grew up as a tomboy and athlete, competing in soccer, basketball and track. She lacks fear or inhibition and is always ready to take on new challenges. This sexy former Miss Ohio USA has both beauty and brains, making her a real threat to her competitors.

Carolina Eastwood (26)
Hometown: West Hollywood, Calif.
Occupation: Bartender
Born in Panama, Carolina spent the first six years of her life living in poverty until her father, an Army solider, moved the family to the Untied States. Despite the adversity that Carolina has faced throughout her life, she views those difficulties as learning experiences that have pushed her to become the trash-talking firecracker and SURVIVOR of life that she is today.

Jerry Sims (49)
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Occupation: Sgt. – U.S. Army
Jerry Sims promises, “you’ve never seen anybody like me before.” Growing up in a poor family, he was one of 10 children who had to learn, very early on, the skills to help him survive in the real world. Jerry has been passing on those survival skills learned from his childhood to soldiers in the Army National Guard for the last 20 years.

Joe Dowdle (26)
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Real Estate Sales
This 26-year-old southern gentleman and savvy businessman was raised in a single parent household along with his sister. Joe is eternally grateful to his mother for all the sacrifices she made while he was growing up. He currently works in real estate investment sales and enjoys spending his free time strumming his guitar, tossing around a football and hanging out with friends.

Sandy Burgin (53)
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Occupation: Bus Driver
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.

Sierra Reed (23)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Model
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, and hopes that her tenacity will balance out her “strong nature.”

James “JT” Thomas Jr. (24)
Hometown: Samson, Ala.
Occupation: Cattle Rancher
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.

Erinn Lobdell (26)
Hometown: Waukesha, Wis.
Occupation: Hairstylist
Erinn Lobdell is a hairstylist and make-up artist who is out to prove she’s not just another pretty face. After recently going through a very personal growing experience, Erinn is ready to prove that she can make it on her own and rise to the challenge SURVIVOR will bring.

Debra “Debbie” Beebee (46)
Hometown: Auburn, Ala.
Occupation: Middle School Principal
A self-described people person, Debra Beebe is a middle school principal and married mom from Auburn, Alabama who believes that her natural leadership abilities and tactful problem-solving skills will contribute to her success as a castaway on SURVIVOR.

Spencer Duhm (19)
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Occupation: Student
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, his fanaticism will give him a built-in edge that can make a direct contribution to how far he goes in this game.

Stephen Fishbach (29)
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Corporate Consultant
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.

Sydney Wheeler (24)
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Occupation: Model
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. She plans to use the skills she’s learned to help navigate the social game of SURVIOR. She’s also not afraid to use her looks to further herself in the competition.

Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George (37)
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Former Pop Star
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.

Tyson Apostol (29)
Hometown: Lindon, Utah
Occupation: Professional Cyclist
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 the game, comparing his strategy to that of some of the most entertaining castaways to ever slug it out to the finish line.

Last season I made a prediction that Crystal would win it all, due to her status as an Olympic gold medal winner, and I said Bob would be booted as soon as the shelter was built. So I’m officially out of the prediction business.

But who do you think will be the ultimate Survivor? Let us know with a comment below.

And get ready for the new season of Survivor: Tocantins debuting tonight on CBS.

We’ll be watching on Fancast.

More on These Topics: Brazil | CBS | Jeff Probst | Mark Burnett | Survivor | Tocantins