‘Survivor’ Alums Reveal Secrets for the Perfect Audition Tape

While most of the “Survivor” fandom is setting their sights on the forthcoming premieres of “Survivor 49” and the highly-anticipated “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” others are already preparing themselves to apply to appear on the cast of future seasons. With Season 51 and 52 already confirmed by long-time host Jeff Probst, plenty of fans, including “Drag Race” star Monet X Change, are already beginning the process of creating the perfect audition tape to woo Probst and CBS executives to land a spot on the show. 

Thankfully for them, plenty of “Survivor” alums have offered hopeful-castways their advice on nailing the important first impression. 

Most recently, “Survivor 44” alum Heidi Lagares compiled an Instagram post featuring audition opinions from her former tribemates. 

Danny Massa Encourages Applicants to be ‘Genuine’ and ‘Vulnerable’

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Danny Massa was working as a firefighter in the Bronx when he joined the cast of “Survivor 44” in 2023, though he’s since become a certified breath work trainer in California. Giving his advice to fans eager to join the show, Massa encouraged applicants to be themselves. 

“[Be] genuine, but genuine on level 10,” he said. “Don’t go outside yourself, but be entertaining.”

He also called on prospective players to be “vulnerable” in their audition tapes: “Know ‘Survivor’ will expose some of those vulnerabilities, but express [how] your north star is overcoming them and articulate reverse navigating from your north star during the game.”

Massa lastly called on fans to sharpen their storytelling skills before applying. “‘Survivor’ is one big story told by the cast. Be a good story teller by practicing self expression on camera,” he concluded. 

Lauren Harpe Tells Prospective Players to Focus on ‘Story-Telling’

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Lauren Harpe, whose infectious personality kept her from receiving votes at Tribal Council longer than any other player on “Survivor 44,” similarly encouraged prospective players to lean into their story-telling. 

“I think they want you to be able to draw people in and narrate what’s going on which makes for a better show,” she said, adding that audition tapes should similarly showcase future players relating their real life challenges and victories to “Survivor.”

Carolyn Wiger Calls on Future Players to Show ‘Raw Emotion’

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After a runner-up appearance on “Survivor 44,” Carolyn Wiger followed in the footsteps of other former players like Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, Parvati Shallow and Cirie Fields when she joined the cast of Peacock’s murder-mystery reality competition series “The Traitors.” 

With two seasons of reality TV experience under her belt, the fan favorite player encouraged “Survivor” applicants to make producers “feel something” with their auditions. 

“Give raw emotion,” she said, adding, “Don’t try to replicate who you think they want to see.”

Yam Yam Arocho Gives Advice on Crafting a Winning Audition Tape

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Finally, Lagares asked “Survivor 44” winner Yam Yam Arocho to offer up his top three tips to crafting the perfect “Survivor” audition tape. 

Arocho, set to become the second Season 44 alum to join “The Traitors” on its upcoming fourth season, responded: 

“1. BE YOURSELF. Keep it short, 3 [minutes] or less. Don’t bullet-point your life,” Arocho began. 

“2. Talk about your life journey and how it relates to ‘Survivor’ through a personal story and compare it with a past player if possible,” he continued. 

“3. Show no inhibitions. Take a shot! Dance and scream your favorite song before you do it! Do it in one take. No need for pictures unless they are the most amazing thing ever,” the former winner concluded. 

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