Top 10 Most Hated Survivor Players

When the castaways are dropped on an island, sparks are sure to fly, alliances will form, and betrayals are inevitable. Yet, as much as we love some contestants for their cunning strategy or impressive physical feats, there are those who we just can't stand.

So, what makes a Survivor player widely disliked? It could be a host of things: their backstabbing nature, annoying habits, controversial remarks, or even their success in manipulating others to get ahead in the game. Some players are despised for their arrogance. Others for their deceitfulness. Then there are those who seem to have a special knack for rubbing everyone the wrong way. Whatever the reason, these players certainly stir the pot, and not in a way that makes for beloved TV characters.

1. Colton Cumbie

   

   Colton Cumbie made his first appearance on Season 24, Survivor: One World Over the course of six episodes, he was widely criticized for his caustic behavior, including comments perceived as racist and classist. He left the game after being medically evacuated due to acute appendicitis symptoms, though... read more

   Absolutely no redeeming social qualities whatsoever.

2. Russell Hantz

   

   Russell Hantz is an oil company owner and former contestant on the reality television show Survivor. He competed on three seasons of American Survivor and one season of Australian Survivor.

   His highest placement was in his debut during Season 19, Survivor: Samoa, where he finished second. Many... read more

   Talented at manipulating people, but it's like he's using a claymore instead of a surgical knife.

3. NaOnka Mixon

   

   NaOnka Mixon was one of the most outspoken contestants on Survivor: Nicaragua (Season 21). She was known for her direct and unapologetic approach to the game, often engaging in heated confrontations with fellow players. However, she ultimately quit the competition in Episode 11 alongside Kelly Shinn... read more

   Could there have been anyone more outspoken about less, and who quit for a worse reason during the season? Put her poster on the wall under a huge banner that reads, "How NOT to Perform on Survivor."

   Corinne once asked a finalist if someone would surgically sew their mouth shut. NaOnka deserves it!

4. Jon Dalton

   

   Possibly the first prominent villain of Survivor, Jon Dalton, who came to be known as Jonny Fairplay, was a standout character in Season 7, Survivor: Pearl Islands. His infamous lie about the death of his grandmother helped him win a Reward Challenge, and his confrontational attitude carried him far... read more

   Dead grandma. Nothing else needs to be said.

5. J'Tia Taylor

   

   Cast as one of the "Brains" in Season 28: "Survivor: Cagayan (Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)," J'Tia holds the distinction of being one of the few "Survivor" players to be spared from the Tribal Council vote immediately after dumping out her tribe's rice supply.

   Hey, I can destroy the camp supplies and nothing negative will come from it! Clearly, Survivor was playing reverse racism here.

6. Brandon Hantz

   

   Brandon Hantz first appeared on Season 23, Survivor: South Pacific, where he advanced deep into the game. He was invited back for Season 26, Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, but his volatile behavior led to his removal from the game. During a confrontation, he emptied the rice and beans of the... read more

   Let's see: deny your heritage, then flaunt it. When you're given a second chance, assault others and destroy the camp like a two-year-old. Yes, he's clearly one of those winners of being The Biggest Dickhead You Can Be!

   Yes, you were the author of your own demise.

   Now go sit in the corner, crybaby!

7. Phillip Sheppard

   

   Phillip Sheppard is a United States Army veteran and the chief executive officer of a software company. He's best known for his appearances on the American television show Survivor. In Season 22, Survivor: Redemption Island, he played alongside Robert Mariano, who went by Boston Rob and ultimately won... read more

   Thanks for making Survivor a little worse, you worthless old man.

   Such an FBI agent that's on the pink undies prick list. What a loser.

8. Natalie Bolton

   

   Natalie was one of the fans on Season 16, "Survivor: Micronesia (Fans vs. Favorites I)," and the last fan remaining due to her alliance with an all-women's group (The Black Widow Brigade). However, this alliance didn't carry her to the end, as she was voted out in fourth place and didn't make the Final Tribal Council.

   Let's put together a hate checklist:

   Fake lips and body? Check.

   Anti-male in everything she is? Gotcha.

   Desire to ride on others' coattails without being the prime focus? Yep.

   Never asked back? Good.

   I'd rather watch ants build an anthill than see her on television ever again.

   Rumor has it she's being considered for "Survivor 50." If this is true, then the game is dead for me.

   Another one with few redeeming social qualities.

9. Michael Skupin

   

   Michael David Skupin is an American software publisher and television personality best known for competing on two seasons of the reality competition show Survivor. He first appeared in Season 2, Survivor: The Australian Outback, where he became the first contestant to be medically evacuated after falling... read more

   Hated primarily for his hypocritical nature ("Christian," my ass) and his convictions over leading a Ponzi scheme and online pornography.

10. Abi-Maria Gomes

    

    Abi-Maria first appeared on Season 25, "Survivor: Philippines," where she clashed with former alliance member R.C. and had a contentious presence around camp. She was perceived as a non-threatening player and lasted longer as a result. She returned for Season 31, "Survivor: Second Chances," where she played a similarly polarizing game and was again voted out before the finale.

    Seldom has there been someone so socially unaware of just how much they irritate other people and how entitled they are.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Dan Spilo

    Dan Spilo appeared on Season 39, "Survivor: Island of the Idols." During the season, multiple contestants reported inappropriate physical contact by Spilo. He was the first contestant in the show's history to be removed from the game by production.

    Sexual predators have no place in society, much less on a television show where people see their odious, contemptible behavior!

12. ?

    Sherri Biethman

    

    Franchisee owner Sherri was a contestant on Season 26, "Survivor: Caramoan" (Fans vs. Favorites II). She advanced through the Fans tribe and later aligned with John Cochran and Dawn Meehan to make the Final Three. She did not receive any votes at the Final Tribal Council, which was also notable for her telling Erik Reichenbach to sit down because he was "done."

The Contenders

13. Kelly Shinn

    

    Kelly Shinn was a contestant on the 21st season of Survivor, Survivor: Nicaragua. She was provided only a sundress and a bikini to wear during the game, which contributed to her discomfort in the harsh conditions. She quit the game on Day 28, citing the cold and physical exhaustion. Her departure, along... read more

14. Dreamz Herd

    

    Andria "Dreamz" Herd was a contestant on Season 14, "Survivor: Fiji." He made it to the Final Tribal Council but received no votes after reneging on a deal with Yau-Man Chan involving a car reward. His gameplay was viewed as inconsistent by others in the game.

15. Heidi Strobel

    

    Heidi Strobel, a former gym teacher, competed on Season 6, "Survivor: The Amazon." She was part of the "attractive women" alliance and made it to the Final Five. Her comments and behavior drew criticism from fellow contestants. After the show, she married professional baseball player Cole Hamels.

    She was so arrogant and completely clueless about others, with no empathy. The way she treated older women and the hearing-impaired contestant showed a lack of self-awareness and character.

    Let's see, she couldn't understand how more mature women could look down on her shallow, narcissistic attitude. Then she went and married a jock to live in her ivory tower for the rest of her life.

    Just stay away.

16. Brian Heidik

    

    Brian approached Season 5, "Survivor: Thailand," with calculated and strategic gameplay. He secured the necessary votes to win, ensuring that the jury would not favor runner-up Clay Jordan. After the show, he declined invitations to return unless compensated and was later involved in a widely reported incident involving animal cruelty.

    The Iceman. Simply that.

    Who could ever be a fan of someone who is so coldly cruel and dispassionate? Borderline sociopathic.

17. Francesca Hogi

    

    Francesca Hogi is noteworthy for being the only Survivor contestant to be voted out first on two separate seasons: Season 22, Survivor: Redemption Island, and Season 26, Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites. She came into conflict with Phillip Sheppard during both of her appearances. She was initially... read more

18. Ben Browning

    

    Ben was known for being brash and outspoken during his time on "Survivor: Samoa." He was ejected from a challenge by Jeff Probst after kicking another player in the back of the knee. Seen as a liability by his tribe, he was voted out in 17th place.

19. John Cochran

    

    John Martin Cochran, commonly known as Cochran, is an American reality television personality and television writer.

    He first appeared on Season 23 of Survivor, titled Survivor: South Pacific, where he was a member of the Savaii Tribe and later joined the Upolu alliance after the merge. He was... read more

    Some people think he was a worthy winner.

    Good for them.

    In reality, "Cochy" Cochran was a great PR story, a "Survivor" fan who made good. His path to the top was eased and greased in so many sickening ways that it makes Caramoan even more of an unappealing season to watch or re-watch.

20. Dan Foley

    

    Possibly the most enthusiastic "Survivor" fan to appear on the show ever, Dan's overexuberance and controversial comments alienated nearly everyone on and off the show and won him few fans, until he was finally voted off, finishing in sixth place.

    Did he get an unfavorable edit? Almost certainly. And maybe some of the things he said were shown out of sequence to shame him. "Survivor" producers do that.

    But he certainly didn't help his cause with fake apologies, comparing domestic violence with being adopted, and his comments on the Live Reunion Show.

21. Erik Reichenbach

    

    Erik Reichenbach made a notable appearance in Season 16, Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites, where he was voted out at the Final Five after giving up Immunity in a widely criticized move. He later returned in Season 26, Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, advancing deep into the game before... read more

22. Rupert Boneham

    

    Rupert Boneham is an American mentor for troubled teens who became known to reality television audiences in 2003 as a contestant on Season 7, Survivor: Pearl Islands, where he placed 8th. He returned for Season 8, Survivor: All-Stars, where he advanced deep into the game and finished 4th.... read more

23. Gervase Peterson

    

    Gervase Peterson was one of the original contestants on Season 1, "Survivor: Borneo," finishing in seventh place. He returned nearly fifteen years later for Season 27, "Survivor: Blood vs. Water," where he played with his niece Marissa and finished in third place.

24. Vecepia Towery

    

    Vecepia Towery, known as "Vee," appeared on Season 4, "Survivor: Marquesas," and navigated shifting alliances to win the title of Sole Survivor. She hasn't returned for another season.

25. Boston Rob Mariano

    

    Robert Carlo "Rob" Mariano, known by the nickname Boston Rob, is an American television personality widely known for appearing on several reality shows.

    He has competed on Survivor five times as a player and once as a mentor. His first appearance, on Season 4, Survivor: Marquesas, resulted in... read more

26. Shambo Waters

    

    Shannon "Shambo" Waters competed on Season 19, "Survivor: Samoa." She was often on the outs with her Galu tribe and later aligned with the Foa Foa Four. She was eliminated at the Final Six.

    The exit door is there. Keep going, don't look back, and don't come back.

27. Sue Hawk

    

    Sue Hawk was one of the original contestants on Season 1, "Survivor: Borneo," reaching the Final Four. She became widely known for her "Snakes and Rats" speech at the Final Tribal Council. She returned for Season 8, "Survivor: All-Stars," but quit the game following an incident during a challenge involving another player.

    There's the attitude. There's the accent. And there's the arrogance. Strike three, goodbye!