’Survivor’ Alums Share Emotional Responses to Being ‘Cut’ From Season 50 Cast

The official cast for “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” was announced on “CBS Mornings” on Wednesday (May 28). While the cast includes fan-favorite returnees like Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth, as well as recent winners like Dee Valladeras and Kyle Fraser, it’s notably missing other “Survivor” alums that fans thought were shoe-ins for the milestone season. 

Amongst those missing from the series’ largest-ever cast are names like Jerri Manthey, Abi Maria Gomes, Spencer Bedsloe, and “Rob Has a Podcast” host Rob Cesternino.

Jeff Probst Says Casting ‘Survivor 50’ was ‘Brutal’

With more than 700 previous contestants to consider for the Season 50 cast, long-time “Survivor” host Jeff Probst previously revealed that narrowing it down to just 24 contestants was “brutal.”

“We went from 200 on a list to 100, to 80, to 50,” Probst said during a sit-down with “CBS Mornings” on the day of the cast announcement. 

He continued:“And then those last 26, they were brutal cuts. And they still are. There are so many people we could have put out there, but there are only so many people you can put on the show.”

While some “Survivor” legends, like Robert “Boston Rob” Mariano, admitted to saying “No” when offered a spot on Season 50, other alums have come out of the woodwork to express their disappointment at not making the final cast.

‘Survivor’ Alums Respond to Getting ‘Cut’ From ‘Survivor 50’ Cast

Jerri Manthey, who originally appeared on “Survivor: The Australian Outback” took to Instagram just days before the cast announcement to reveal that she had been “cut” from CBS casting process for “Survivor 50.”

“I’m devastated as well, as you can imagine,” Manthey says in the video, which began as a Cameo for a fan named Nancy. “The outpouring of support and encouragement from everybody online has just been so helpful in helping me start the process of healing, but I’m not going to lie…I’m disappointed, I’m sad.”

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The original “Survivor” black widow continued, saying she felt “disrespected” after being cut: “I have spent the past 25 years of my life, which is almost half my life, involved in, supporting, being a part or making an effort to be a part of the ‘Survivor’ community.”

Abi Maria Gomes, who appeared on both “Survivor: Philippines” and “Survivor: Cambodia,” similarly confirmed that she had been ‘cut’ from the casting process on Facebook.

“Feeling all the feels today,” Gomes wrote the day before the cast reveal. “To my amazing friends heading out for ‘Survivor 50’ – I’m beyond happy for you. Truly. You’ve worked hard, you deserve this, and I can’t wait to see you shine.”

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“As for me,” she continued, “I’ve poured nearly nine months into the casting process, and today I found out I wasn’t chosen. So yes, I’m crying, tears of heartbreak for myself, and tears of joy for those who made it.”

Additional “Survivor” alums who have taken to the internet to reveal their disappointment at not getting cast included “Survivor: The Amazon” castaway and “Rob Has a Podcast” host, Rob Cesternino, and “Survivor 44” finalist and “The Traitors” star, Carolyn Wiger.