Survivor season 44 was lauded as one of the series' most memorable seasons in the last several years, and it's time to find out where the cast is now that the season's been over for close to a year. As one of CBS' longest running reality TV series, Survivor has been a mainstay on the network since it originally aired in 2000. Things have changed for the series over the years, with new twists and returning contestants changing the game time and time again. Throughout the span of the series, Survivor host Jeff Probst is the main face of the franchise, coming back each season to welcome new survivors and facilitate the game.
Survivor isn't the same game as it was when the show began. The series has evolved to become a more strategic, mental game that requires players to uphold the motto of "Outwit, Outplay, Outlast." As the show has grown through the years, contestants who have tried their hand at Survivor have come to understand that it's a lot more difficult than it looks on TV, and it doesn't look easy. While some contestants thrive in the mentally and physically taxing environment, others find themselves facing tremendous difficulty to make it through the competition. With contestants from both camps on Survivor season 44, their lives changed after the series.
Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho
The winner of Survivor season 44, Yamil "Yam Yam" Arocho, won in a nearly unanimous vote after spending 26 days braving the jungles of Fiji and outlasting his fellow castaways. Taking home a prize of $1 million, Yam Yam was thrilled to have lived out his lifelong dream and ultimately took the competition further than anyone else. After his Survivor win, Yamil returned to his home in Puerto Rico, though he continued to make appearances to speak about the show. Yamil shared that he hopes to work with charities who help LGBTQIA+ people of color, as he's the first to win Survivor and feels he could do some good.
Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt
The runner-up of Survivor season 44 who took home $100,000 in prize money of her own was Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt. She received one vote to win from her fellow castaway Danny Massa, but ultimately finished in second place. After the series, Heidi returned to her home city of Pittsburgh and spent some downtime with her large family. She has been traveling around the United States, enjoying herself and decompressing from her Survivor experience, while continuing to make memories with her children and cast mates.
Carolyn Wiger
As the contestant in third place, Carolyn Wiger didn't win any prize money on Survivor season 44, but left the competition knowing she beat out nearly every other player on the show. A fierce competitor, Carolyn was a threat to nearly every other survivor's game, but ultimately was unable to take the title. After her time on Survivor season 44, Carolyn has been prevalent on social media, filling Cameo requests for her fans and sharing about her experience. She's also been spending as much time as possible with her son Luca, even helping him to train his own survivalist skills.
Bruce Perreault
Bruce Perreault, a retired US Navy SEAL, was the first contestant to leave Survivor season 44 after he sustained an injury in the first challenge. After hitting his head, Bruce was medevac-ed out of the competition and didn't wind up returning, instead going home to heal. While Bruce was disappointed in his showing on Survivor season 44, he got to head home and spend time with his family as he recuperated. Bruce will appear on Survivor season 45, finally having the chance to compete the way he'd like.
Brandon Cottom
Former NFL football player Brandon Cottom played for the Seattle Seahawks, but still feels Survivor season 44 was one of the most difficult challenges he's ever endured. Lasting more than half of the competition, Brandon was eliminated on day 15 and became one of the votes for Yam Yam to take home the million dollar prize. After competing on Survivor, Brandon returned to his native Philadelphia and spent time with his family and friends, sharing more about his time on the show on his Instagram.
Matthew Grinstead-Mayle
Matthew Grinstead-Mayle quit the competition during Survivor season 44, lasting 11 days before he was injured and had to leave the competition. After suffering an injury to his shoulder on the first day of competition, it didn't appear to be healing at all and got to the point where he decided to put his health first and leave the game. After Survivor, Matthew returned to his life in Columbus, Ohio, where his husband Dale was ready to care for him. The pair have continued to run an Instagram dedicated to their family adventures with their son.
Jaime Lynn Ruiz
Yoga Instructor Jaime Lynn Ruiz was in the middle of the pack during Survivor season 44. She proved herself to be a competitor, but ultimately fell short of winning the ultimate prize when she was eliminated on day 23. After the competition, Jaime took the time to reacclimate to her normal life, but used her newfound Survivor fame to her advantage. She has been participating in yoga retreats and traveling to teach her practice wherever she's able, sharing tips with others who practice in person and on her Instagram.
Josh Wilder
Josh Wilder seemed like he would be a tough competitor on Survivor season 44, and shared early on that one of his lifelong dreams was being achieved on the show. Unfortunately, Josh wound up being too big of a target and was blindsided by the rest of his tribe, getting eliminated early on in the competition. After competing, Josh returned home to Atlanta where he and his husband Alex purchased a house. The pair has been active on their social media about their move, and have shared behind-the-scenes photos from Josh's time on Survivor.
Danny Massa
Danny Massa is a breathwork facilitator who was thrilled to compete on Survivor season 44, hoping to bring his style of meditation into use within the competition. Danny was a fierce competitor, but wound up with a target on his back and was eliminated toward the end of the competition, getting out on day 21. After Survivor season 44, Danny returned home to his family. He continued working with his clients in training and breathwork, and has used his newfound Survivor fame to help support his business.
Lauren Harpe
Lauren Harpe was one of the longest lasting, fiercest competitors on Survivor season 44. She nearly made it until the end, but was outplayed by some of the other competitors and wound up getting eliminated on day 24. After returning home from Survivor, Lauren did her best to get back into her normal routine as a Special Education professional and mother to two sons. She's kept in touch with her Survivor family, especially those she's geographically close to like Heidi and Carson Garrett.
Helen Li
Helen Li was an early elimination on Survivor season 44, only making it to day 5 before she was cut from the competition. Though Helen thought she had a handle on the game, she was blindsided during the second episode of the season and sent home much earlier than she'd anticipated. After her Survivor experience, Helen returned to San Francisco and continued working as a Product Manager. She's posted extensively about her time on Survivor season 44, sharing the incredible friendships she made with her fellow castaways.
Maddy Pomilla
Maddy Pomilla was one of the most excited Survivor competitors the show had seen in years, ready to compete for the prize and simply happy to be meeting Jeff. While Maddy's excitement was admirable, she wound up being the first to be eliminated from Survivor season 44. Though Maddy wasn't seen on the series for long, she still made some incredibly lasting friendships and has kept in touch with the rest of her fellow castaways. Since Survivor ended, Maddy seems to be thriving after returning to her life in Brooklyn, New York. She enjoys indulging in chatting with other long time Survivor fans about her time on the show.
Sarah Wade
Sarah Wade was another early elimination on Survivor season 44, only making it to day 9 of the competition before she was voted out. While Sarah seemed capable of playing the game on a high level, she was blindsided early in the competition and eliminated quickly. After her time on Survivor, Sarah posted about her experience on Instagram and shared that she doesn't have any regrets about her time on the show. She's been relatively quiet on social media since leaving Survivor, but seems to be doing well after the series.
Matt Blankinship
Survivor season 44 contestant Matt Blankinship was the first member of the cast to be voted into the jury. He made it through 14 days of competition on Survivor, but was ultimately eliminated and named the first person to the jury in somewhat of a blindside. Though Matt seemed to have a great experience on Survivor season 44, he has been relatively quiet since his time on the show. His social media is private, but he's been spotted in photos with his fellow Survivor 44 castaways and seems to be doing well.
Claire Rafson
Claire Rafson was eliminated early on during Survivor season 44, leaving after just a week of competition. Though Claire was clearly a competitor, her fellow castaways felt it was better to eliminate her than leave her in the game long-term. Claire, who is a huge fan of Survivor, was simply excited to be on the series and has shared memories from her time with the cast on her Instagram. After her time on the series, Claire has spent her time backpacking all over the world and documenting her travels on social media.
Kane Fritzler
Kane Fritzler was a polarizing figure on Survivor season 44, having been a middle-of-the-pack exit on the series. He lasted through the competition and became a jury member after getting eliminated on day 17. Since his time on Survivor season 44, Kane has shared photos from his time with his fellow castaways, who he seems to have a great relationship with. Still settling back into his life, Kane has gone back to Saskatoon, Canada to continue his legal studies.
Frannie Marin
Frannie Marin was another castaway who wound up making it to the jury of Survivor season 44, but ultimately was unable to make it to the end of the competition. After being eliminated on day 19, she was one of the jury members who eventually wound up crowning Yam Yam as the winner. Once Survivor season 44 ended, Frannie went on to use her platform to promote being a woman in STEM. She speaks about her experience on the series when she can, discussing the unexpected level of competition she managed to reach.
Carson Garrett
Carson nearly made it to the end of Survivor season 44, but just missed the finale. After being eliminated on day 25, he became the final member of the jury who would ultimately choose the winner. Playing one of the most hard fought games of the season, Carson still left the show happy for his experience. Since Survivor finished up, Carson has gone back to his job at NASA, where he's working in aerospace technology during the summer of 2023.
