Watching Survivor

Alrighty - now that we’ve met the men, I think it’s time to meet our lovely Bikini-clad beauties that will amaze us with their incredible disappearing bellies for the forty days of Survivor: Gabon! Here are the profiles of our new, soon to be skin and bones, women of Survivor: Gabon!

Michelle Chase (24)
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Music Producer

Michelle Chase has been through more in her 24 years than most people have in a lifetime. Not only did she grow up poor in South Florida with a single mother, but her best friend, her father, disappeared from her life at an early age. As a result of her Dad’s absence, her mom became the most influential person in her life.

Although life has been rocky for Chase, she’s tough and resourceful and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She began supporting herself at the age of 16 and was married and divorced by the time she was 19.

Chase currently works as a music production assistant. She enjoys DJ-ing, boxing and surfing and describes herself as lively, bodacious and loud. When asked how her friends would describe her, she says hardcore, fun and set in her ways.Besides being mentally strong, Chase has also run several triathlons. She is ready to bring her street smarts combined with physical fearlessness to the game of SURVIVOR.

Chase is single and currently lives in Los Angeles. Her birth date is March 7, 1984.

Says Michelle: I will win Survivor because I’m the bombshell baller.I’m bodacious and I outwit, and outlast, and outplay. And I need a million dollars REALLY bad.

Says Probst: Michelle is a wild card for me because I actually thought that Michelle had a good solid energy coming into the game. But she’s very small and very young. I think her life experience is the big question mark. What will she do when the going gets tough?

Susie Smith (47)
Hometown: Charles City, Iowa
Occupation: Hairdresser

Susie Smith, a Mexican American mother of one, has always allowed others to dictate her life and she’s ready for a change. Born into a Mexican immigrant family of crop field workers, Susie and five of her siblings began working alongside her parents at a young age and the other three siblings were raised by Susie and her siblings. She has struggled ever since, but has overcome many personal challenges.Tired of working hard and being poor, Smith vows to devote the rest of her life to her needs. After years of allowing others to influence her life, she’s decided to stop and dedicate this next chapter to herself, and taking part in SURVIVOR was the first step and second was showing her son, family, friends, and students that all it takes to change any part of your life is to just TRY.

Smith has been married for 25 years. She currently works as an assistant teacher and hairdresser. She teaches English to non-speaking English children from kindergarten to 8th grade. When Susie is not teaching, she enjoys working as a hairdresser where she has many wonderful clients. Her hobbies include photography, watching movies, eating out, sewing and gardening. She describes herself as encouraging, moody and talkative but with a big potty mouth.

Bold and brassy with a huge zest for life, Smith believes SURVIVOR will finally be the opportunity she’s needed to turn things around. She has a huge desire to win and won’t let anyone get in her way.Smith currently lives in Charles City, Iowa with her husband, Todd, son, Trent, and two dogs. She is a graduate of the Marshalltown Cosmetology School and a graduate of North Iowa Area Community College.

Her birth date is October 24, 1960.

Says Susie: The first player that I see going off thinking they’re gonna track an elephant or a hippo, I’m gonna kick their ass, because we don’t need them coming into our camp.

Says Probst: Susie is a mom, and she likes to talk. That’s definitely her biggest obstacle to overcome, that she can’t shut up. If went in and played this game and got teamed up with Susie, I would be wary of her hanging in there with me, because she seems to go with the wind and doesn’t even seem like she’s paying attention at times.

Jacque Berg (25)
Hometown: Santa Barbara, California
Occupation: Medical Sales

Jacque Berg always plays to win and will settle for nothing less than number one. She’s trained her whole life to play a game like SURVIVOR. Competing in several sports such as gymnastics, water polo, crew, track and swimming, she’s proven herself a leader.

Berg thrives off pressure and has gone as far as competing against sales executives with 10 years experience to land her dream job as a medical device sales representative. Berg, one of the youngest people in her industry, is also a writer and charity organizer.

Constantly on the go, Jacque admits she doesn’t like to sit still and is full of life. Her hobbies include running, swimming, surfing and boating. She describes herself as enthusiastic, adventurous, sweet and extremely positive. Her biggest pet peeve is people who talk about their big dreams but do nothing about it. She believes we all have control over our own destiny.

Berg confesses that she performs her best when in extreme situations and can’t wait to overcome the physical and mental challenges SURVIVOR will offer.Berg grew up in Minnesota and is currently single and lives in Santa Barbara, California. She has a B.S. in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Her birth date is September 10, 1982.

Says Jacque: It’s kind of one of my natural instincts to flirt. I don’t mean too. That’s actually going to be something I watch, because I don’t want a target to be on m back from the other girls.

Says Probst: I think Jacque will be a bit of a dark horse. I don’t think she’ll be a learder. I think she’ll use her looks and her charm to get in with the right guy and hop that she can ride with that guy as far as she can. if Jacque gets deep into the show, I think she’s a legitimate threat at the challenges. She’s pretty fit.

Gillian Larson (61)
Hometown: Temecula, California
Occupation: Retired Nurse

Retired after working as a registered nurse for 41 years, Gillian Larson has never satisfied her appetite for adventure and travel despite her wide array of experiences throughout her 61 years. She has traveled through 46 countries and all but a few U.S. states, much of it backpacking. This adventurous “granny” can climb and rappel 4,000 foot mountains and swim with the Great Whites. Not only is she versatile, but she is competitive by nature and feels as though she is an perfect fit for the game of SURVIVOR, having applied 15 times, always believing she would one day be selected.

Married 37 years to her husband, Ron, Gillian has three married daughters and four grandchildren. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, she was awarded several academic and athletic honors. Gillian met her husband in Germany and moved to the United States. The couple has relocated 18 times and currently resides in Temecula, Calif. since 2001. Her proudest achievement is her awesome family.When she isn’t scuba diving or hiking through the mountains, Gillian enjoys travel, writing, photography, gardening, spending time with her family and her eclectic group of friends who range from 2 to 92.

For her 60th birthday, she got a purple butterfly tattoo on her left hip. A very good swimmer, this SURVIVOR-addict feels that she has what is takes to be the oldest winner yet.

After SURVIVOR, Larson’s new goal is to be a motivational speaker, focusing on “believe in yourself and you can achieve anything”

Gillian’s birthday is February 24, 1947.

Says Gillian: I love doing all sorts of crazy things. it doesn’t matter what age you are. As long as you can physically do it, do it! And hopefully they’ll look at me as a mom and you know, who would like to kick their mother out of the game?

Says Probst: Charm is her strength because she’s likeable in doses and that’s her liability. Does she know when enough is enough? You can only hear someone say I’m from South Africa so many times before you want to say ‘Why don’t you go back to South Africa!’

Paloma Soto-Castillo (24)
Hometown: Downey, California
Occupation: Student

Paloma Soto-Castillo has been playing the social game her entire life, one of the skills necessary to succeed in the game of SURVIVOR. Her parents were both missionaries, causing her to move around a lot during her childhood. Growing up with this lifestyle taught her to adapt to any environment and she became a stronger person as a result.

Soto-Castillo was born in Chile and lived there for a large part of her life before moving to Tennessee, Virginia and then settling in California. One day, on a whim, she decided to leave everything behind and move to Kenya…alone, without any group or organization. She lived among the natives and wild animals for three months without any support from family and friends or any modern conveniences. After witnessing the people’s suffering first-hand, she says it changed her life and she’s certain she’ll go back and help change their lives. Soto-Castillo is motivated to win SURVIVOR so she can open an orphanage or elementary school for the children of Kenya.

Soto-Catillo has a B.A. in communication studies from California State University, Long Beach and continues to go to school. She is currently working on her single subject teaching credential and works part time as a waitress. Her hobbies include traveling, camping and reading. In her free time, Paloma loves staying competitive and keeping her mind sharp by playing Texas Hold ‘Em.

Soto-Castillo is single. She currently lives in Downey, California with her Shitzu, Sam. Her birth date is August 24, 1984.

Says Paloma: I think I deserve it. I’ve worked really hard in my life. I’m very competitive. I’m stubborn. I’m compassionate, and passionate.

Says Probst: Paloma is sassy, cute. My question for her is ‘is her attitude real, or is it a put on?’ and if it’s a put on, how long will she be able to sustain it when she starts getting hungry? Paloma’s going to have to pick the right alliance. Who you decide to team up with early on has such an impact on how you do in the game, because if you pick the wrong people, it can be hard to get out from under that.

Crystal Cox (29)
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Occupation: Former Olympic Athlete

Crystal Cox, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in track for the 4 X 400m Relay, is ready to tackle new challenges as a contestant on this season of SURVIVOR. As a single mother and athlete, she is the sole provider for her family and calls herself “the glue that holds the home together.”

As a child, Cox’s family frequently moved, forcing her to adapt. The only girl in a home with four brothers, Crystal held her own physically and became mentally tough as a result.

Cox currently works as childcare teacher, high school track coach and a professional athlete. She has a B.A. in communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

When Crystal is not training to compete, she enjoys surfing the internet, traveling and relaxing. Her hobbies include volleyball, kickball and softball. She describes herself as a leader who is outspoken and open minded. She possesses the three “Bs” required to be Sole Survivor, which are: brains, beauty and blazing speed!

Cox currently lives with her daughter, Destiny, her boyfriend Harry and his son in Durham, North Carolina. Her birth date is March 28, 1979.

Says Crystal: I will win Survivor because I have the three Bs - brains, beauty and blazing speed.

Says Probst: I thin Crystal’s big dilemma is going to be, what does she say that she does? who does she say that she is? Because it’s obvious that she’s an athlete.Crystal has a mouth on her. She does not edit. That makes her great at Tribal Council, but a liability in the game.

Kelly Czarnecki (22)
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Occupation: Retail Sales

Kelly Czarnecki describes herself as a leader by nature. And though she has worked for everything she has, she’ll also be the first tell you that “she gets what she wants and does what she wants.” Don’t be fooled by her girl-next-door looks Czarnecki is a mid-western spitfire who loves the outdoors. Called adventurous and ambitious by her friends, this one-time cheerleader always finishes what she starts because to her there’s always a reward at the end.

Hailing from Buffalo Grove, Ill., Kelly has three brothers who have helped make her both physically and mentally tough. In her free time, Czarnecki loves to camp, hike and canoe. She describes herself as an energetic strong minded achiever for which self-confidence is not a issue. This fashionista can be found at the gym at least five times a week and is skilled in kickboxing, yoga and Pilates. Although most of Kelly’s time is spent focusing on her career goals, she is a self-proclaimed “denim expert,” and hopes to one day open her own clothing store.

Aside from studying fashion marketing at the Illinois Institute of Art, Kelly is also the sales manager at one of the top retail boutiques in Chicago. Czarnecki claims “she is a hell of a salesperson and can talk anyone into anything,” although she also wants them to feel good about their purchase. She believes it is those leadership skills she’s received from her job and schooling that has prepared her for SURVIVOR.

Kelly resides in Buffalo Grove, Ill. and her birth date is April 4, 1986.

Says Kelly: I’m funny, and I’m fun, and I’m energetic, and I bring a positive vibe to the group - like a burst of sunshine.

Says Probst: The way I would describe Kelly is that she is part of the Text Message Generation. And she speaks that way, she’ll say O.M.G for oh my god. That’s Kelly. And just as a grown man looking at her I could say ‘That’s charming, she’s young and has her whole life ahead of her’ but as a tribemate I’d probably say “If she says OMG, I’ll probably say GTFOH.”

Corinne Kaplan (29)
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales

Corinne Kaplan takes great pride in being able to manipulate the people around her. As a pharmaceutical sales rep, this smart and sexy, self-described bitch, is in it purely for the money. At work, Corinne must convince physicians to prescribe her products. Now, Corinne is looking to convince her fellow tribe mates that she’s trustworthy, while ready to sell them out behind their backs.

This catty former sorority girl uses her wit and sex appeal to further her goals. Aside from working out in the gym almost every day, Corinne keeps fit by hiking and running. Corinne will tell it like it is and couldn’t care less what people think of her for it. Her outgoing personality is a trait that seems to work well on the men in her life. Corinne basically has no filter and is often hilarious in her directness, saying what everyone else only thinks.

Corinne is single and currently resides in Los Angeles. Her birth date is January 17, 1979.

Says Corinne: Honestly, like, I’m a girl. We’ve all starved ourselves here and there. I can starve for a little while. I think there are no losers in Survivor.We all come home skinny, detoxed and tan. We’re all winners.

Says Probst: Corinne is a self-proclaimed uber bitch and she owns it. I think the meanest thing you could say to Corinne would be “you’re very pleasant” She would take that as an insult of the highest order.

Jessica “Sugar” Kiper (29)
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Occupation: Pin-Up Model

Jessica Kiper prides herself on being flirty and fun. When she is not acting, this 29 year old works as a waitress named “Sugar” at ’50s diners and enjoys singing and making music. Friends describe this single, free-spirit as crazy, funny and cool. Currently, this blonde pin-up model lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with her dog, “Major P. Pants,” but has spent time living in various places throughout the country including Florida, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.

Jessica can be a bit of a goofball and her laugh is contagious. Although at first glance she may not look tough, despite being adorned with several tattoos, Kiper has been through a lot in her life, including the recent death of her father, whom she called her hero. Despite the struggles she’s faced, Kiper has always come out on top. She is ready to bring her spunk, positive attitude and bubbly personality into the game of SURVIVOR and hopes to grow as a person after the experience and win enough money to “get off people’s couches.”

Jessica was born on February 22, 1979.

Says Jessica: I want to make everyone fall in love with me. And I want to be friends with everybody. That’s all I got, my personality. I’m not strong.

Says Probst: She makes every decision from her heart and not her head. She’s very emotional, somewhat naive, and I think when you first look at her, the question is going to be ‘Can she hack it out here? Does she have what it takes?’ It doesn’t take much for Sugar to break into tears.