Meet Your 'Survivor: Tocantins' Castaways

By Hanh Nguyen, Zap2It.com | January 14, 2009

Jeff Probst

Competitors include two models, a former pop star and an army sergeant

Will a flair for hair trump the prowess of a sports coach out in the wilds? "Survivor" once again poses such a question as this and more.

CBS announced the cast for the 18th "Survivor" installment on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and among them is hairstylist Erinn Lobdell, who wants to differentiate herself from another similar blonde with her smarts and toughness, and Benjamin Wade, a soccer coach who is sick of the "survival of the weakest" trend of the last few seasons and wants to take his strongest competitor to the end with him.

This season, 16 castaways will already be split into two tribes -- Jalapao and Timbira -- and immediately have to choose someone in each to be kicked out. This means first impressions are paramount, and the contestants are quick to strategize how they'll present themselves and prove their worth.

There's Stephen, a corporate consultant who says he'll omit talking about his Yale days since he thinks there's a bias against Ivy League educations. Also joining the fray are: Candace, the self-professed heartless bitch; James, the smarter-than-he-seems Alabama cattle rancher; Sierra the model, who claims she's a chick with some balls; Taj, the former pop star and Spencer, a 19-year-old student who is the youngest "Survivor" competitor to date.

As always, Jeff Probst will host and he's quick to point out that unlike "Survivor: Gabon," this cast will be immediately likeable.

"Survivor: Tocantins -- The Brazilian Highlands" will make its series premiere on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Your 16 new "Survivor" castaways:

Jalapao Tribe:

Name: Sandy Burgin
Age: 53
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Occupation: Bus Driver

Name: Joe Dowdle
Age: 26
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Real Estate Sales

Name: Spencer Duhrm
Age: 19
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Occupation: Student

Name: Carolina Eastwood
Age: 26
Hometown: West Hollywood, Calif.
Occupation: Bartender

Name: Stephen Fishbach
Age: 29
Hometown: New York
Occupation: Corporate Consultant

Name: Taj Johnson-George
Age: 37
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Former Pop Star

Name: James "JT" Thomas, Jr.
Age: 24
Hometown: Samson, Ala.
Occupation: Cattle Rancher

Name: Sydney Wheeler
Age: 24
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Occupation: Model

Timbira Tribe:

Name: Tyson Apostol
Age: 29
Hometown: Lindon, Utah
Occupation: Professional Cyclist

Name: Deborah "Debbie" Beebe
Age: 46
Hometown: Auburn, Ala.
Occupation: School Principal

Name: Erinn Lobdell
Age: 26
Hometown: Waukesha, Wis.
Occupation: Hairstylist

Name: Sierra Reed
Age: 23
Hometown: Los Angeles
Occupation: Model

Name: Jerry Sims
Age: 49
Hometown: Rock Hill, S.C.
Occupation: Sergeant -- U.S. Army

Name: Candace Smith
Age: 31
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Occupation: Attorney

Name: Brendon Synott
Age: 30
Hometown: New York
Occupation: Entrepreneur

Name: Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Age: 37
Hometown: Bolivar, Mo.
Occupation: Soccer Coach