Pre-game interviews

• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (1/31/25): "Substance Abuse Counselor Mary Zheng Has a 'Hunger for Control'"

Post-game interviews

• Dalton Ross at EW.com (5/8/25): "Survivor 48 star Mary Zheng details 'incredibly frustrating' final days"
• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (5/8/25): "Mary Zheng Says She Was 'Antagonized and Ostracized' by the Majority Alliance "
• Rob Cesternino at RHAP (5/8/25): "Exit Interview: Fifth Juror Voted Out Survivor 48"

Official CBS Survivor 48 bio excerpts, (as preserved in Mike Bloom's Parade.com cast reveal, January 29, 2025):

"3 Words to Describe You: Chaotic, dynamic, thoughtful.

Why do you want to be part of Survivor? I’ve done Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and hitchhiked across the Mediterranean. It’s been a while since I’ve challenged myself. This game will push you to your limits – emotionally & physically – and I’m dying to be pushed there & then push past it!

What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game? Volunteering at the crisis hotline for years – you have to build trust within minutes, be convincing enough that people who formerly wanted to end their lives don’t want to anymore and be attuned to the subtitles of human emotion. Plus, you never know who you’re gonna get on the other line so you need to be ready for surprises!

Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? Identify w/ Ben because although he was pinned as a threat, his relentless game play ensured he was never voted out – the man played like his life depended on it. But I’d also play like Kenzie who went to every reward because by nature I’m a social butterfly. I will flit around, providing comfort, care, and laughter to my tribemates.

What will you value in an alliance partner? The ability to shut off your emotions in favor or what’s best logistically / strategically. I can’t have an alliance partner poppin’ off at someone we need for numbers thereby potentially alienating them or wanting to vote out a shield just because they want revenge.

Favorite Hobbies: Cycling (read: weaving through traffic during rush hour); making music; tarot; writing; cooking for my loved ones.

Pet Peeves: Slow drivers in the left lane; food that you pay for that sucks; inefficiency; being told what to do; people who over-promise & under-deliver.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Learning how to say no to others so that I can say yes to myself.

What is something we would never know from looking at you? I’ve struggled for years w/ body image & disordered eating, and I’ve put in a lot of work to forge and nurture a healthy relationship with food.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? Everyone says their parents and I’m no different, except it’s because my parents helped lead the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests for Democracy. Afterwards my mom escaped house arrest after 9 mo. In jail and my dad evaded the Communists despite a national search for him. They didn’t choose to start a new life in a foreign country – they were forced to seek political asylum otherwise they’d die. They live their lives with intention and purpose.

Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I’m a bundle of contradictions – so I can be whatever I need to be whenever I need to be! I’m chaotic but also careful & controlled; I’m easy-going & can befriend anyone but intense & will be on the whole time (think: Ben searching for idols at all hours). I move through the world with my intuition leading so I’ll be able to sense any sneaky business or deceitful intentions."