“When you get your Shot in the Dark for the game, there’s not really a big announcement about it.”

*Survivor 50 *star Savannah Louie forgot to play her Shot in the Dark

"When you get your Shot in the Dark for the game, there's not really a big announcement about it."

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

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March 5, 2026 11:27 a.m. ET

Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 50'. Credit:

Robert Voets/CBS

Almost everyone wanted her out of the game before the game even started (according to my pre-game interviews). And things did not get much better for Savannah Louie once *Survivor 50* actually kicked off.

Sure, she escaped the first vote when Jenna Lewis-Dougherty made the mistake of targeting Cirie Fields… but once Jenna was gone, that meant there was nowhere to hide. And yes, she won a secret Block-a-Vote advantage… but the fact that her tribe correctly deduced she had won something on the Journey only made her even *more* of a threat, and therefore, more of a target. So when the Cila tribe lost their second straight immunity challenge, and Cirie went to work protecting her ally Ozzy Lusth, Savannah’s fate was sealed.

How does the *Survivor 49* champ feel now about her early ouster? Does she believe she was doomed before the game even began? What was her reunion with Jenna like at Ponderosa after being voted out? And how much did she and Rizo Velovic coordinate their stories before heading back out to play? We asked Savannah all that and more the morning after her televised ouster. You can either watch or read the full interview below.

15:13 Savannah Louie 'Survivor 50' exit interview

**: What did you think your chances were of making it through that Tribal Council when you walked in?**

**SAVANNAH LOUIE: **You know, I thought there was probably a 5% chance. And then as Tribal Council was going, I'm like, *Oh, damn, things are not looking good. People are talking about narratives that I am not in on*. I could just kind of really feel that I was on the outs. But if there's even just a 1% chance, I'm always gonna hold that hope. Crazier things have happened.

**So then if you think it’s a 1% chance, I guess the Block-a-Vote is not really gonna help you at that point, but why not use the Shot in the Dark?**

Dude, I forgot about it! I'm not gonna lie. No one used it in 49. And then when you get your Shot in the Dark for the game, there's not really a big announcement about it. You just kind of find it in your bag, and it just wasn't on my radar or on my mind.

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**That is amazing that you totally forgot you even had it to play. I mean, I know a lot is swirling at Tribal, so I'm not *super* surprised, but still… amazing.**

Yeah, in hindsight, I wish I would've remembered and played it, but dude, my mind was just going 120 miles per hour. I'm trying to process what my cast is saying and figure out if it relates to me, while also trying to figure out, *How can I speak without giving too much away in case people do decide to vote with me for Ozzy.* So there was a lot going on. And, of course, I just played 49, and my brain was definitely not operating at the usual 110% that it is.

Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 50'.

Gail Schulman/CBS

**This was a first time for you, so tell me what it felt like getting your torch snuffed, and how you were feeling as you made your way to Ponderosa?**

Oh my gosh, just all the emotion. I get emotional just talking about it now. Part of that is, of course that sadness. *Oh my gosh, this dream is over.* But I felt so much gratitude for being able to come back. To be honest, I felt a lot of guilt too, because I was an early boot. I know that I had been a late addition to the cast, and I was worried that I had taken someone's spot who maybe deserved to be there more than I did, and I felt like I had let Jeff and the producers down, and all that stuff.

It was just everything — everything that I had felt in not only 50, but also that I had been feeling in 49. I still hadn't freaking processed that I had won 49. Well, actually, as I was walking away, I was kind of wondering, I'm like, *Is this really the end of the game or is there Redemption Island around the corner? *You never know with 50. It was all over the place.

Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**Yeah, when I was at Stephenie’s camp, she was convinced that there was gonna be sort of a Redemption Island or Edge of Extinction situation going on as well. What was the reunion with Jenna at Ponderosa like?**

I love Jenna. For me, she was like a mom in a sense. She was also like a sister. She was also like a best friend when we were out there. Jenna and I were at Ponderosa for the entire time, plus we had played the beginning of the game together, so we got very close. She was as gracious as I could have asked for, and I was actually very scared to see her because I had just voted her out. I knew how much this game meant to Jenna, but she welcomed me with open arms. We talked a lot of s--- while we were there. [Laughs] Which was very therapeutic.

But I think the world of her. She's been a huge support to me, not only in the game when we played together, but at Ponderosa and then outside of the game as well.

**Who were you talking s--- about?**

Oh, who do you think? I'll put this back on you. I'm not gonna say anything.

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**Let's put it this way: Who orchestrated your downfall? Was it one person, like Cirie, pushing more for it, or was it a collective effort to get rid of you?**

Well, let me say first, this is not me talking s--- about anyone. I have nothing but respect for Cirie and her masterful gameplay, because she is truly a social and strategic queen. There’s no wonder she was brought back for 50 because she truly embodies what it means to be an incredible social player and an incredible gamer and strategist.

It's so interesting with the dynamics that camp because you have the Christian, Devens, and Emily trio, and then you have Cirie and Ozzy. And from my position, it looked very much like Christian was pulling the levers and calling the shots, and I think he was. But even more powerful than Christian, where he has his two other close allies, you have Cirie, who has a way of just getting people to do exactly what she wants. And if Cirie can get Christian to do what she wants, then Cirie has control of Ozzy, Christian, Devens, and Emily. That's one person! Cirie, low-key, has the majority in the tribe just because she's that freaking good.

Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**Everyone needs at least one partner-in-crime in this game. Nobody knows that better than you. Who was the person you wanted to be your ride-or-die in this game? Was it Rick?**

Dude, I would've taken anyone! I'm not even kidding. From day one, I felt like I had the closest connection with Jenna. And I think it might be because we are both two very strong women. We think the same way. We can both be a little aggressive at times — you know, not a bad thing. But at the same time, there were definitely people on our tribe who at least seemed like they had a connection that maybe started from day… I guess… maybe minute zero when we got on the beach, you know what I mean?

So I really would've worked with anyone. I really wanted to work with Devens the most. I looked up to him so much before I even got out there on the island. I talked about him in my *Survivor* application video! That's how big of a fan I was of Rick Devens. I also thought I saw a path forward with Joe just because I saw his gameplay in 48. I'm like*, Man, this guy's a loyal player. I'll be a loyal player. We could be loyal players together and make something magic happen.* So I would say probably Rick, Joe, and then also, honestly, Emily. I love working with women, especially, headstrong women. So probably those three.

**We talked about the pregame alliances before the season, and on returning players seasons, they always factor in. How much do you think they factored into what happened on Cila Beach?**

A lot. [Laughs] A lot. I don't know if I can give you a percentage, but I do think that… and I also wanna say, pregaming isn't necessarily like I pick up my phone and I call so- and-so and I say, "Hey, on day three, we're gonna go after this person. Day five, we're gonna do this." Pregaming in some senses can be like, "Hey, I have a buddy who's gonna be on the season with you. You should trust them. You should connect with them. They're gonna have your back because I give them a stamp of approval." You know what I mean?

So pregaming, it looks differently and in different ways, but I do think it played a factor in my season, and particularly on my beach.

Joe Hunter, Savannah Louie, Christian Hubicki, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Emily Flippen, Rick Devens, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty of the Cila tribe on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**When Rick refused to ask Joe if he wanted to be in an alliance with you, did alarm bells start ringing?**

Yes. And I was mostly just so confused and frustrated because I'm like, *Dude, Rick, even if you don't wanna be in an alliance with me and Joe, like, you're playing Survivor, right? Why wouldn't you just at least act like it? Come on! Because now you're making me look like I'm a liar and I can't be trusted.* And I already had this big question mark over my head, being the unknown winner of the previous season, and he wasn't doing me any favors. So I was a little irritated in that moment, for sure.

**You never want to say no to *Survivor*, especially for season 50, which is the most hyped season ever. But if you had to do it over again, knowing that you are a winner and would most likely be asked to come back again at some point, do you think you would turn down the back-to-back and wait for, like, *Survivor 55* — when maybe you have less of a target on your back as this big mystery threat?**

You know what's so interesting? I feel like I'm probably one of the best people to work with on a returning player season. I am someone who's very loyal. I didn't really BS a lot of people in my first season. I'm very much what you see is what you get. I'm very predictable.

At the same time, I'm really not the most likable person in the room. So if you take me to final three with you, there's a good chance socially you might do better than me. And I'm a good person to work with. So in a returning player season where people have actually seen my season and seen how I operate and play, I think I have a good advantage there.

But that being said, no, if I could go back, I would say yes to season 50 100 times out of 100 times. It was just incredible to be included in this, and even though it didn't turn out the way that I wanted, I got to play with my heroes. I got to play with people who might not ever play this game again. I think back to my journey with Colby. I grew up freaking watching Colby. I grew up having a crush on Ozzy, and watching Cirie and the Black Widow Brigade.

That was part of the reason why I fell in love with the game. I don't know for sure, but I don't think they're bringing these people back for *Survivor 55*, you know? So I'm so glad I did it, even though it didn't turn out the way that I necessarily wanted.

Savannah Louie and Colby Donaldson on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**You brought up the journey. How much of a negative impact do you think you going on that Journey and winning an advantage had on your game?**

Well, I'll tell you right now, it didn't help me at all. [Laughs] After Jenna was voted out, I actually did a confessional about this that wasn't shown, but I pretty much sit there and I'm like, “Dude, I feel like I'm next on the chopping block. My time here is very limited.” And so going into day four, that's where my mind was. I'm like, *If I go home next, I at least wanna do s---. I don't wanna just sit here at the beach even though that might be better for my game.* And I was able to play that way because I had just won 49, When I went into 50, I kind of just went in wanting the experience of it all.

For 49, I was like*, I'm gonna win. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to win. I don't need to go on a Journey. I'm gonna do whatever's smartest for my game.* For 50, I was very much there for, *I wanna talk to everybody, I wanna enjoy this experience, I wanna soak it in.* And so that's why I really went on the Journey. I thought maybe there will be something there to help me out, but I thought it would be a cool opportunity to talk with players that I had grown up watching, and I just thought it would be fun.

So, yeah, and when people already didn't trust me and I came back and I didn't have an advantage, even though I did, I think it definitely gave me another strike.

Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**I ****was there at your camp**** when you told your tribe that you and Rizo drifted apart after the merge and he might hold a grudge against you for stuff that happened in the game. Total BS. Did you all coordinate that story together before you left for Fiji?**

You know, honestly, we didn't really talk about how we would say that we perceived each other. I just asked him “Don't tell people I won four immunity challenges. I don't wanna be seen as a challenge beast.” I also wanted to position things to where people didn't think me and Rizo were super tight, but I didn't wanna trash him too much to where if I did go out of the game, his game would be dead on arrival. I wanted him, him to be in a decent position going forward, even if my game was kaput.

**Did your tribemates push you anymore on that after I left in terms of your relationship with Rizo?**

No! And that was, like, one of the biggest shocks to me. And maybe it's just because I'm always asking people questions. I'll pry just because I'm…

**A reporter.**

Right! I love learning more about people and their experiences and believe it or not, people didn't really press for anything. So I was kinda grateful for that because I'm like, *I don't know how much detail I can really give about this made-up story,* but people didn't really ask too much.

Savannah Louie, Colby Donaldson, and Mike White on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**I assume you were pulling for a Rizo win after you got voted out, but who from your tribe were you rooting for after your torch-snuffing?**

So you know what's so funny? They didn't show this, but on my way out, I gave everybody a hug, and everybody was so kind, and on my way out, I turned and I'm like, "I genuinely hope one of you guys wins the season." Just because I was so emotional, and I was so grateful to just even be there and get to know these people. Even though they voted me out, they're genuinely cool people for the most part, you know? And so I would say at that point, any of them, but now as I watched things back, like, none of them! I want Rizo to win. [Laughs]

**What’s something that happened out there that didn’t make it to TV that you wish we had seen?**

I am chronically online at times. And so I've seen a little bit of the discourse from people, and I've seen a lot of people kind of talk about the situation with Joe and Devens and everything. And I thought it was so interesting from my perspective. People I don't think understand how intense that conversation was. It was greater than what I had seen on my initial season for 49. Emotions were so high and I wish people would've seen that. Whenever we see conflict in *Survivor* in the game, it is fascinating from a human perspective and also kind of from an entertainment perspective. So I kind of wish we would've seen a little bit more of that, but I also get kind why they chose not to air that.

Savannah Louie of 'Survivor 50'.

**Are you back again on *Survivor* if and when they ask you?**

What's interesting is that for 49, I told you that I felt like I was gonna win 49. I felt like *I can freaking do this!* For 50, I very much went in thinking, *I'm not gonna win this. I'm gonna go for the experience. I'm gonna have fun.* And so if I ever get asked to go back, I need to be in a place where I feel in my bones that I am going to win. I don't wanna be rude. I love *Survivor*. I love the game, but I don't wanna just go to have fun. I wanna go to win. Like, I got bills to pay, you know what I mean?

**I'm gonna take that as a yes, Savannah.**

It depends on where my headspace is.

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