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Survivor and The White Lotus share more parallels than one might initially recognize. Both shows, renowned for their glamorous and exotic settings, delve into themes of power struggles and social issues. Moreover, they feature a revolving cast each season, adding a fresh dynamic to the storytelling. A closer examination reveals a key connection between the two: Mike White, a notable figure who nearly clinched the $1 million jackpot on Survivor: David vs. Goliath in 2018 and later created The White Lotus for HBO, earning accolades in the form of three Emmy Awards in 2022 for his exceptional writing, directing, and producing efforts.
Each season, White has utilized his platform to bring in some of his favorite contestants from Survivor Season 37 into the world of The White Lotus. To date, five familiar faces from the reality series have made guest appearances, with some being granted dialogue. However, these appearances are intended purely for entertainment, devoid of any competitive elements such as alliance betrayals or torches being extinguished.
Below is an overview of the Survivor cast members who have made appearances in The White Lotus thus far.
Alec Merlino
10th place on Survivor: David vs. Goliath
In the debut season of The White Lotus, Merlino took on the recurring role of Hutch, a waiter and bartender at the resort in Maui. He featured prominently, appearing in five out of the six episodes, where his tasks ranged from mixing cocktails to assisting Olivia (Sydney Sweeney) and returning a misplaced bag to Armond (Murray Bartlett). Among all the cameos, Merlino’s role stands out as the most significant and memorable.
In his Survivor stint, Merlino began on the same Goliath tribe as White, ultimately merging with him in the competition. After his exit on Day 28, he became part of the jury, casting his vote for Nick Wilson instead of White for the million-dollar prize—a decision that seems to haunt him. Merlino also faced repercussions for breaking the show’s non-disclosure agreement, which led to his exclusion from the Season 37 reunion.
Angelina Keeley
3rd place on Survivor: David vs. Goliath
Kara Kay
4th place on Survivor: David vs. Goliath
In the early scenes of Season 2, Keeley and Kay are introduced enjoying their accommodations in Sicily, leading to a conversation with Daphne (Meghann Fahy), who shares her disdain for leaving just as they arrive. As Daphne recounts the luxurious features of the hotel, she silently hints at the unexpected events that are about to unfold.
On Survivor, both Keeley and Kay were also members of the Goliath tribe and reached the final four alongside White and Wilson. Kay was eliminated during the fire-making challenge and ultimately voted for White to take the title, while Keeley, known for her requests for a jacket from a fellow contestant, left without any jury votes.
Natalie Cole
15th place on Survivor: David vs. Goliath
Carl Boudreaux
9th place on Survivor: David vs. Goliath
In a notable moment during the Thailand-set Season 3 premiere, Cole and Boudreaux are recognized by Belinda’s (Natasha Rothwell) character, who excitedly notes their presence at the restaurant. This instance symbolizes an encouraging representation within the series’ dinner scene. Despite all cameos originating from the Goliath tribe thus far, Boudreaux notable for utilizing an idol nullifier against his rival, Dan Rengering, comes from the opposing David tribe. Cole, on the other hand, had a memorable experience involving a jacket and her interaction with Keeley, but left before the jury phase.
Who could be next?
A notable figure spotted at the Season 3 premiere of The White Lotus is Parvati Shallow, a Survivor veteran known for her victory in Survivor: Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites. Her presence at the event, including photo opportunities with Cole and Mike White, has sparked speculation about a potential cameo. With two episodes remaining this season, the possibility remains open for her appearance.
One more thing…
White humorously recalled a moment in 2018 when he aired his frustration about not being favored to win an immunity challenge, even ranking below “No One” in user assessments. “It’s more likely that something unprecedented would happen than for me to win the next immunity,” he joked—only to ultimately secure a win in that very challenge. Fast forward to 2022, and the Emmy predictions were spot-on, successfully predicting his wins for Best Limited Series, Writing, and Directing for the inaugural season of The White Lotus. Perhaps there’s reconciliation in the air?
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