Pre-game interviews

• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (1/28/26): "'I Make You Like Me, Then I Slit Your Throat' - Jenna Lewis-Dougherty on Returning After 22 Years for Survivor 50"
• Dalton Ross at EW.com (2/3/26): "Survivor 50 star Jenna Lewis-Dougherty 'here to f--- you over in every way, shape, or form'"

Post-game interviews

• None yet.

Official CBS Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans cast bio excerpts, as published by Mike Bloom at Parade.com (January 28, 2026):

"Why do you want to come back for Survivor 50 and how does it feel to be chosen for this milestone season? I want to come back because this is the adventure of a lifetime and Survivor has shaped my entire life. It saved me from a small life and made it huge and beautiful. And I feel like many people doubt I belong here, except as a “token” player from season 1. I want to show them final 3 was not a fluke. It’s the honor of my life to be asked back, obviously. I feel like I’m writing my own epitaph at this point. Securing my spot as an icon, if not a legend.

What one life experience since the last time you played do you feel has prepared you for 50? I think being a busy, hard-working realtor mom with teenagers at home preps you. I spend every second of my day negotiating million-dollar contracts and screentime. I impart my own will on people for a living. I have to make clients like me, trust me, and want to work with me. Have you ever tried to manipulate a teenager into brushing their damn teeth? Seriously, my job is perfect preparation for the dynamics of this game.

Coming into this season, what is the Survivor accomplishment you are most proud of? And what are you eager to have another shot at? From the second I landed on All-Stars, I was seen as barely deserving of a spot. But I ran that season. Pompous, yes. But I did. I used the “winners” strategy to get out Tina, bond Jerri to me, and put Ethan on his back foot. And worked Rupert from day one. I was shuffled onto every tribe and still never went to a tribal council doubting if I would go home. I want to win individual immunity to prove to my kids I don’t suck. I want to prove, like everyone else, that I deserve to be here.

What would you say is your Survivor reputation and how will you manage that perception in the game? I really don’t think anyone will remember me or how I play. Some of these folks weren’t even BORN when I last played. My reputation is loud and annoying – hmm. I am loud and annoying. I’ll have to be a bit more subtle. Not to be too obvious with planting my own strategies. Everyone is here with their own redemption story playing in their heads. I have to convince them that I’m integral to theirs, while making the moves necessary to fulfill mine. I just have to shut my damn mouth.

What is your strategy going into 50? And how will it differ from previous time(s) you’ve played? Survivor 50 strategy is same as All-Stars – get people to like me quickly and start planting seeds of my plans so they think its theirs. Find a “ride or die” that you can convince can beat you in final 3. Be malleable and adaptable. Flatter everyone. Tell strong people how smart they are. Beautiful people how smart/strong, etc. Keep secrets. (I’m bad at this!). Keep my mouth shut (again bad at this!). Make sure I know how I’m being perceived by others (again-bad at this!) and adjust it. Make others feel secure. Always be willing to make a friend and slit their throat. Adapt and pivot. Determine everyone else’s motives and redemption story and figure out how I can convince them I should be in it.

Survivor fans have had the opportunity to help shape the game this season by voting on various elements – what are you hoping makes the cut and why? I’m hoping final 4 fire making stays. I think I’m decent at that. I also hope that there are immunity idols, not because I think I’ll find one, but because it is an easy way to put a target on someone’s back – usually someone strong + strategic in the game. If one falls in my lap, then I hope I have the good sense to keep it a secret (again – BIG MOUTH, bad at secrets!) and use it correctly.

At this point in your life who is your biggest inspiration and why? I haven’t grown up with a lot of role models, especially ones that have walked a similar path or have emulated what I consider my core values. So I would say my 29 year old twins are my inspirations. For so long it was just them and me. Our 3 musketeers. And although, I’m the parent, we all grew up together. And even with my mistakes as a young teenage mom, they forgive and love me. They have grown into admirable adults – sending out good humans into the world. But they fought through being 1.5 pound preemies, hard of hearing and a minor disability to be phenomenal women. I’m so proud. They are my inspiration.

Why will you be the Sole Survivor? Because nobody knows me, good or bad. And I will try to make myself a smaller target in a season of big, sometimes REALLY big targets. I can make people like me – at least for short periods of time. By the time they can read my motives, I hope they’re sitting across from me, not next to me. I can be REALLY aggressive and competitive and cutthroat, but have to hide it. Under a veneer of camaraderies. Honestly, if I win, what a complete full circle – a Survivor 1 player winning Survivor 50."