Since its premiere in 2000, “Survivor” has seen numerous former contestants embroiled in off-screen controversies, ranging from the first winner, Richard Hatch, facing legal troubles for tax evasion to Stacey Stillman’s lawsuit alleging manipulation of the show’s outcome. Other controversies include Alec Merlino breaking his NDA, Nick Wilson’s political career sparking debate, and Carson Garrett being accused of unethical practices regarding his puzzle brand.
Since its premiere in 2000, “Survivor” has seen numerous former contestants embroiled in off-screen controversies, ranging from legal troubles and breaking non-disclosure agreements to political careers and allegations of unethical behavior.
Since “Survivor” hit our screens in 2000, it’s been a whirlwind. Oh, the drama that’s unfolded, both on-screen and off. Take Richard Hatch, the very first winner. His gameplay raised eyebrows, but it was his life outside the show that really caused a stir. After scooping up that million-dollar prize, Hatch found himself in hot water over taxes. Yep, he tried to dodge them and got a 51-month timeout in federal prison for his troubles.
But Hatch isn’t the only one who’s found drama after the cameras stopped rolling. Alec Merlino, for instance, got a bit too share-happy on social media, breaking his NDA before the season 37 cast was even announced. And then there’s Nick Wilson, who shifted from public defender to Kentucky congressman. His support for some pretty controversial legislation definitely got people talking.
Scroll down, and you’ll see some of the juiciest “Survivor” controversies over the years.
Remember Stacey Stillman? After the first season, she sued CBS, claiming the show’s creator, Mark Burnett, rigged her exit. She alleged that two tribemates were nudged to vote her off instead of Rudy Boesch, a fan favorite. Stillman was after lost prize money and $75,000 for out-of-pocket expenses. CBS, of course, denied it all, calling the lawsuit frivolous and groundless. They eventually settled out of court, but the details? Hush-hush.
Richard Hatch found himself in legal trouble again in 2001, this time over a domestic assault charge. His former partner accused him, leading to a one-year probation sentence, which Hatch appealed. The conviction was overturned in 2002. But that wasn’t the end of his legal woes. In 2006, he was convicted of attempted tax evasion and signing a fraudulent tax return. Hatch served 51 months in federal prison, was released under supervision, and then… ended up back in prison for another nine months in 2011 for not amending his tax returns.
Jeff Probst and Julie Berry’s romance was another headline-maker. They started dating after “Survivor: Vanuatu,” despite a 19-year age gap. They went public during the season’s reunion special but split in 2008. Probst blamed the breakup on long distance and his filming schedule. Berry later said she couldn’t return to the series because she’d seen too much of the behind-the-scenes action.
Alec Merlino’s NDA drama ahead of “Survivor: David vs Goliath” was a doozy. He posted a photo with fellow contestant Kara Kay, captioning it, “F–k it.” That move got him uninvited from the reunion show and cost him his appearance fees. Alec later expressed nothing but respect for CBS and “Survivor,” cherishing his time on the show.
Nick Wilson’s political career has been… interesting. After winning “David vs Goliath,” he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. There, he’s supported some controversial bills, including one that bans gender-affirming care for transgender children. And then there was that bill about legalizing sex between first cousins. Wilson withdrew it, claiming an error during drafting. He apologized and praised the system for allowing quick corrections.
Wendell Holland, the “Survivor Ghost Island” winner, faced cheating allegations from his ex-girlfriend, Chelsea Brooks. Rumors linked him to “Survivor 45” winner Dee Valladares. Wendell apologized in a since-deleted tweet, admitting dishonesty about his family life and creating an unfair situation.
Carson Garrett, known for 3D-printing “Survivor”-themed puzzles, faced accusations from Etsy sellers of stealing their ideas. Outplay Puzzles claimed Carson mimicked their marketing strategy after they met for coffee and discussed business. They congratulated him on his brand launch, only to find themselves blocked on social media. Outplay Puzzles didn’t accuse him of anything illegal, just called it unethical.
And there you have it. A rollercoaster of controversies, legal troubles, and off-screen drama that’s kept “Survivor” in the headlines for years. What a ride, huh?
