Natalie Anderson: 5 Things About ‘Survivor’ Star Who Returned From Edge Of Extinction
Despite being the first person voted out on ‘Survivor: Winners at War,’ Natalie Anderson is back in the game after winning an intense challenge against 13 other players from the Edge of Extinction
Natalie Anderson just had one of the biggest Survivor moments of all-time during the May 13 finale of Survivor: Winners at War. Natalie was the first person voted out on this season and has been living on the Edge of Extinction ever since. The conditions on the Edge are dire, but Natalie has persevered. She was able to win more than a dozen fire tokens to purchase a hidden immunity idol and three advantages to be used in the challenge to get back in the game. Natalie beat 13 other players to earn her spot in the Top 6, and she’s now up against Denise Stapley, Michele Fitzgerald, Ben Driebergen, Tony Vlachos and Sarah Lacina to win the $2 million and title of Sole Survivor. Here’s more to know about Natalie:
1. What happened on her original season of ‘Survivor’? Natalie competed on Survivor: San Juan Del Sur, which was the show’s 29th season. The format was Blood vs. Water, which meant that each contestant had a family member also competing. Natalie’s sister, Nadiya Anderson, was the first person voted out of the game. This left Natalie to fend for herself, which wound up being an advantage, as she didn’t have to worry about anyone else, and could focus on her own game through the ENTIRE season. At the final tribal council, she was awarded for making big moves in the game, winning with a 5-2-1 vote.
2. She was also on ‘The Amazing Race’. Before Natalie was on Survivor, she and Nadiya competed on season 21 of The Amazing Race in 2012. The twins finished in fourth place, and returned for an All Star season of the show in 2014. Unfortunately, they were the first ones eliminated that time around.
3. She lived in Sri Lanka as a child. Natalie was born in New York City, but moved to Sri Lanka at three years old. She was 13 when her family relocated to the United States and settled in West Hartford, Connecticut.
4. She’s an athlete. In high school, Natalie ran track and was captain of the swim team. She also played rugby while attending Fordham University.
5. She’s a CrossFit coach. Now, Natalie stays active and in shape by working as a CrossFit coach. She has said that she wants to open her own CrossFit gym one day.