‘Survivor 42’ spoilers find that Maryanne Oketch is, at just 24 years old, one of the youngest Survivors ever to win the game. The title of youngest ever winner goes to Survivor: Nicaragua surfer dude, Jud “Fabio” Birza who was 21 when he won back in 2010.
Maryanne was also the second ever black woman to win the reality show, some 20 years and 38 seasons after Vecepia Towery took home the title of Sole Survivor back in 2002 during Survivor: Marquesas, the fourth season of the long running series.
‘Survivor 42’ Spoilers: Second Canadian in a Row Wins the Game…What’s the Secret?
But what really has people talking is the fact that Maryanne is the second Canadian ever to win the show. Not so much a big deal until you learn the wins are back to back after fellow Canadian (and fellow woman of color) Erika Casupanan took home the million dollar (US) prize money from season 41.
Oh, and Canadians (living in Canada) have only been allowed to compete for three seasons.
Yeah, watch out America.
61-year-old retired hockey player, Tom Laidaw was the first and only Canadian to play during season 39- Island of the Idols, the first eligible season. Tom was eliminated pre merge. Season 40 was an all returning cast -Winners at War, so no one from the Great White North was yet eligible
But come season 41 and 42 a total of 5 of the upstairs neighbors not only played the game, but did pretty darn well.
Season 41 saw winner Erika and the popular Shan Smith (both from Ontario, though Shan represented her new home of Washington D.C.). compete on the Fijian island of Mamanuca. Shan came in at 8th and has many fans hoping the mastermind will return for an upcoming all star season.
Season 42 saw three Canadians in the mix- Maryanne and Omar Zaheer (also both from Ontario) and Drea Wheeler, originally from San Antonio but representing Montreal, Quebec.
Drea came in 7th, Omar at 6th and of course, Maryanne, the sole Survivor.
Funnily enough, Omar was instrumental in taking Drea out and Maryanne instrumental in getting Omar’s torch snuffed.
And they say Canadians are nice!
Hey- fun fact- Survivor China winner, Todd Herzog has dual US and Canadian citizenship…so perhaps we can count it another win for north of the boarder?
So, what is it about these Canadian players that make them so darn awesome? Is it all the maple syrup and Labatt beer? Do the brutal winters make them less susceptible to the driving drains of Fiji? Is everyone in Canada just more conniving?
Maryanne has her own ideas. Speaking with the Toronto Star the new millionaire laughed about the irony of Canadians blindsiding Canadians, especially when she asserted that “kindness” is what got her so far in the game.
Then, with the million watt smile that viewers fell in love with throughout her game, Maryanne joked of the back-to-back Canadian wins that Americans shouldn’t even apply to “Survivor” anymore.
“Honestly? They should give up. They had the first 40 seasons. The next 40 are ours.”
So, what does she believe is the big Northern secret?
“We’re just genuinely nice people.”
Oh, and as cutthroat as a hockey skate.
What do you think of the current run of Canadian winners or simply excellent players we’ve been seeing? Do you want more of them and do you think the winning streak can continue into season 43 (and beyond)?
For any other soap opera and entertainment news, please visit again Daily Soap Dish.
