The finale of “Survivor” Season 47, which aired on December 18, 2024, received mixed reactions as Rachel LaMont was declared the winner, beating the other three contestants in the final four: Sue Smey, Sam Phalen, and Teeny Chirichillo.
On one hand, there were those who were happy with the results. “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,” wrote one user, while another expressed, “Finally a well deserved survivor win for Rachel!! Glad Sam didn’t win..he didn’t have any immunity win. [sic]”
Celebrating LaMont’s victory, one shared, “Rachel for the win, Sam second, Sue third just because she found an idol, Teeny fourth just because she ‘out lasted.'”
Meanwhile, a wave of disappointment came from fans who had another winner in mind. “Sam should have won,” one person remarked, and another commented, “[I am] disappointed in the winner, especially the votes, only 1 for Sam– I would vote for him.” “Sam did way better in the final tribal pleading his case than Rachel did!” said another.
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.”
LaMont, who took home the $1 million prize, was a fan favorite for many viewers, having won three individual immunity challenges and an immunity idol before the finale.
Ahead of the finale, when the final four contestants were asked about their experiences on “Survivor,” LaMont spoke about her proudest move in the first 24 days, citing her idol play, which led to Andy Rueda’s elimination from the top six.
She recounted spying on her competitors and learning 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
LaMont 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 contestant, Kyle Ostwald.
