If you’ve been keeping up with the madness in Fiji, you know that 2024 was basically the year of the underdog. It was a year where the "obvious" winners got clipped and the social butterflies actually took home the check. But since Survivor seasons move faster than a Jeff Probst monologue, it’s easy to lose track of who actually made it to the end and who is currently left standing in the history books of the 46th and 47th chapters.
Honestly, the "New Era" of Survivor has changed the math. It isn’t just about who can build a fire anymore; it’s about who can hide their threat level until the very last second.
The Current State of Play: Who is Left on Survivor 2024?
By the time the calendar flipped toward the end of the year, we had two distinct groups of survivors. First, the spring crew from Season 46, and then the fall heavy-hitters from Season 47. If you are looking for who is left on the island right now—well, technically nobody, because the cameras have stopped rolling and the million-dollar checks have been signed. But the "survivors" left standing as the definitive finalists of the year are the ones who actually navigated the merge and survived the fire-making gauntlet.
For Season 47, which wrapped up in December 2024, the final three came down to a battle of wills that most people didn’t see coming in the early episodes.
Rachel LaMont ended the year as the "Sole Survivor" of Season 47. She didn't just win; she dominated the final stretch. Joining her in those final moments at the tribal council were Sam Phalen and Sue Smey.
If you look at the full list of who survived the longest this year, these are the names that matter:
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- Rachel LaMont (Winner, Season 47)
- Sam Phalen (Runner-up, Season 47)
- Sue Smey (2nd Runner-up, Season 47)
- Kenzie Petty (Winner, Season 46)
- Charlie Davis (Runner-up, Season 46)
- Ben Katzman (2nd Runner-up, Season 46)
The Breakdown of the Season 47 Finale
The finale of Season 47 was wild. Before we got to the final three, we had to see who would fall at the final hurdle. Teeny Chirichillo was the last person eliminated before the final tribal council, losing a heartbreaking fire-making challenge against Sam.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Teeny fans. They had played a top-tier social game, but in the New Era, if you can’t strike flint, your journey usually ends at fourth place.
Why Rachel LaMont’s Win Was Different
Most people watching at home thought Sam might have it in the bag because of his early-game visibility. But Rachel? She was a silent assassin. She tied the record for the most individual immunity wins by a woman in a single season, snagging four necklaces. You can't vote someone out if they're wearing the jewelry. Basically, she took her fate out of the hands of the "Survivor gods" and put it in her own.
The jury recognized that. It wasn't even close—the final vote was 7-1-0. Sam got one sympathy vote from his closest ally, Kyle, but the rest of the jury saw Rachel’s resume and realized she had outplayed everyone.
The Mid-Year Shift: Remembering Season 46
We can't talk about who is left on Survivor 2024 without mentioning Kenzie Petty. Back in May, Season 46 gave us one of the most controversial (and debated) finales in recent memory. Kenzie, a salon owner from North Carolina, beat out Charlie Davis in a 5-3-0 vote.
Why was it controversial? Because Charlie played what many called a "perfect" strategic game. He never had his name written down until the end. But Kenzie? Kenzie had the "vibes." She was the person everyone wanted to talk to at 2:00 AM when they were starving and miserable. In 2024, the jury decided that being a good human was just as important as being a good strategist.
Lessons From the 2024 Survivors
If you're a superfan or someone thinking about applying, 2024 taught us a few things that have completely changed the meta of the game.
First, threat management is everything. We saw players like Genevieve Mushaluk and Andy Rueda get cut right before the end because they were simply too good. They played "too loud." If the jury thinks you’re the winner at Final 7, you’re probably going home at Final 6.
Second, immunity is the only true safety. Rachel LaMont proved that if you can win challenges, you can bypass the "voting blocs" and "idols" that usually ruin people's games. She won when it mattered.
Third, the social game has evolved. It’s no longer about who made the biggest move; it’s about who the jury actually likes. Kenzie and Rachel both had high "likability" scores, which made the jury want to give them a million dollars.
What’s Next for the Castaways?
The 2024 cast members are now part of the "Survivor alumni" world. You’ll likely see them on podcasts, at "Hearts of Reality" charity events, or maybe even on a future "Returnees" season. There’s already massive buzz about Season 50 being a full all-stars cast, and you can bet names like Kenzie, Charlie, and Rachel are at the top of the list for casting directors.
If you’re looking to catch up on what you missed, the best move is to head over to Paramount+ and binge the merge episodes of both seasons. Watching the transition from the "Yanu" disaster in Season 46 to the "Gata" chaos in Season 47 is the best way to see how these winners actually survived.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to keep track of the remaining players in real-time for future seasons, follow the "Survivor Subreddit" or the "Inside Survivor" blog. They usually have the boot lists and "who is left" trackers updated within minutes of the East Coast airing.
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To prep for the 2025 seasons, pay attention to the casting calls—Survivor is currently leaning heavily into "authentic" personalities over "game bots." If you’re applying, take a page out of Kenzie or Rachel’s book: be someone people actually want to spend 26 days with in the rain.