Rachel LaMont faced three other “Survivor” contestants to emerge as the ultimate winner. While some viewers believe she deserved the victory, others argue that someone else was more deserving of the prize money.
The finale of “Survivor” season 47 aired on December 18, 2024, sparking disapproval among some netizens. Before the finale, the reality show featured a sneak peek of the final four contestants discussing their journeys before the winner was chosen.
Out of 18 castaways, Rachel LaMont was crowned the winner, leading to mixed reactions on social media. One user commented, “[I am] disappointed in the winner, especially the votes, only 1 for Sam– I would vote for him.”
However, another viewer, who celebrated LaMont’s victory, shared, “Rachel for the win, Sam second, Sue third just because she found an idol, Teeny fourth just because she ‘out lasted.'”
Adding to the debate, a commenter agreed with the previous sentiment, writing, “Rachel is the only one who’s deserving! I like Sam, but he hasn’t done a whole lot. [I] don’t like Sue or Teeny.” Meanwhile, another person, who believed LaMont didn’t deserve to win, took to Instagram to complain, “Sam did way better in the final tribal pleading his case than Rachel did!”
Agreeing, someone else remarked, “Sam should have won.” However, a supporter of LaMont’s win countered, “Finally a well deserved survivor win for Rachel!! Glad Sam didn’t win..he didn’t have any immunity win. [sic]”
On Reddit, a user lamented, “They did a great job of making me think Sam had a chance,” while another stated, “Hot take: boring wins are good because it means there’s a deserving winner.”
A lengthy response from one netizen read, “I really think that Rachel sold in her FTC [Final Tribal Council]. She had no charisma at all tonight. Sam really sold us on his game. If the FTC was the only thing that i watched, I’d be [expletive] that Rachel won. Still deserving though, but shouldn’t have been the blowout it was.”
The race for the $1 million prize was between LaMont, Teeny Chirichillo, Sue Smey, and Sam Phalen. LaMont was a fan favorite for many viewers, having won three individual immunity challenges and an immunity idol before the finale.
Before the finale, the final four contestants answered questions about their experiences on “Survivor.” When LaMont was asked about her proudest move in the first 24 days, she cited her idol play, which led to Andy Rueda’s elimination from the top six.
She recounted learning, while spying on her competitors the night before, that they were plotting against her. The reality star explained how she leveraged Rueda to determine when to play her idol during Tribal Council.
After losing to Caroline Vidmar, LaMont made Rueda feel guilty for lying about her being his top choice to keep. She recalled, “He apologized and promised he was done lying to me and I told him that I was blocking Sam’s vote that night, and if he told me he was voting for Sam and then voted me out instead I would ensure he never got Sue or my jury votes.”
Eventually, Rueda confessed his plan to vote her out, prompting LaMont to change her vote. She was described as a social and strategic player with excellent fire-making skills.
The finale began with LaMont winning her fourth immunity challenge, solidifying her position as a strong contender. She chose Smey to join her in the final showdown, leaving the other two to compete in a fire-making challenge.
Teeny Chirichillo after becoming jury number eight of the Tribal Council on December 18, 2024 | Source: Instagram/survivorcbs
The reality show’s winner coached Chirichillo during the challenge, while Phalen, who admitted to holding a flint “maybe once” during his 25 days on the island, struggled to make sparks. Chirichillo managed to start a fire and build it steadily with LaMont’s guidance, while Phalen initially failed.
Things looked bleak for Phalen until he finally got his flint to work. However, a gust of wind extinguished Chirichillo’s fire before it could burn the rope, with the show’s host, Jeff Probst, sending her off, allowing Phalen to win and advance as one of the final three.
In the final Tribal Council, the trio faced questions from the jury. Phalen claimed, “It was immunity and an idol in fries that got her (LaMont) to the end of this game.” However, the jury was unconvinced, ultimately voting 7-1-0 in LaMont’s favor. Phalen received his sole vote from previous contestant, Kyle Ostwald.
