‘Survivor’ has seen countless showmances over the last 25 years, but which power couples made their relationships work off-screen?
Are These ‘Survivor’ Showmance Couples Still Together?
Despite being filmed in the same location as shows like “Love Island,” the contestants on the hit CBS reality competition series “Survivor” rarely have romance on their minds while slogging through greuling challenges, scheming to eliminate their competitors and suffering from lack of food, sleep and comfort.
That being said, while most “Survivor” players keep their eyes on the prize – a $1 million check and the coveted title of “Sole Survivor” – plenty of past contestants have proved that love can be a powerful tool in the ultimate game of alliances and deception.
While it’s been awhile since fans have bared witness to the birth of a “Survivor” power couple to rival the likes of Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano and Amber Brkich, Savannah Louie, star of the show’s currently-airing 49th season, recently called on CBS to cast more players that are likely to enter into a so-called “showmance.”
“Love is the only way to beat logic and smarties,” wrote Savannah in her “hot take” on the Emmy-winning series.
Though Louie’s statement is more strategic than romantic, it calls on the series’ long history of on-screen romances, plenty of which continued in real life after the cameras stopped rolling.
From Boston Rob and Amber’s marriage proposal on “Survivor: All Stars” to Dee Valladares’s showmance with “Survivor 45” co-star Austin Li Coon, here’s a closer look at the show’s most iconic couples, what happened to their love lifes after they returned from filming, and who’s still together today.
Ozzy Lusth & Amanda Kimmel
Both “Survivor” legends in their own right, Ozzy Lusth and Amanda Kimmel crossed paths for the first time on the cast of “Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites” after appearing on separate original seasons.
While competing on the 2008 season, the duo frequently engaged in steamy makeout sessions while their fellow players were asleep, with Ozzy describing the fling as “jungle love.”
GettyThough the duo tried to keep their romance alive after the season ended, their efforts failed.
In 2015, Amanda married her now-husband Matt Cooper and has since welcomed two sons: Liam (9) and Logan (6).
Ozzy, on the other hand, is reportedly still single. In 2022, the four-time player – soon to become five as he appears on “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” next year – came out as bisexual in a now-deleted tweet.
Boston Rob Mariano & Amber Brkich
Few “Survivor” romances are as well-known and iconic as the one between Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano and Amber Brkich.
While the duo got their start on the series in separate seasons, their paths crossed on the cast of “Survivor: All Stars” in 2004. Throughout the season, the couple’s romance blossomed into an unstoppable alliance that landed both Rob and Amber in the Final 2, where Amber eventually won the title of “Sole Survivor” by a single jury vote.
GettyIn addition to taking home the title and the million-dollar grand prize, Amber similarly took home a diamond ring and a new fiance during the season’s live finale after Boston Rob dropped to one knee to ask for her hand in marriage – a moment widely regarded as one of “Survivor”s most memorable and romantic.
The couple later competed on two seperate seasons of “The Amazing Race” together, as well as hosting their own short-lived reality series “Rob and Amber: Against the Odds” on FOX.
In 2005, Rob and Amber officially tied the knot, and have been together ever since. The couple, who recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, have since welcomed four daughters together: Lucia Rose (15), Carina Rose (14), Isabetta Rose (12) and Adelina Rose (10).
Jenna Morasca & Ethan Zohn
After claiming the “Sole Survivor” title on “Survivor: Africa,” Ethan Zohn returned to compete once more on “Survivor: All Stars” in 2004. While the castaway was unable to claim the title a second time, he did manage to find love on the season with a fellow former winner, Jenna Morasca, who took home the million-dollar prize on “Survivor: The Amazon” before returning for “All Stars.”
GettyThe couple, both living in New York City, actually started dating before the season starting fiming, entering the game as a threatening pair. That being said, their obvious connection put a massive target on their backs and both former winners were taken out of the game early on.
Ethan and Jessica continued to date after “All Stars,” even appearing on Season 19 of “The Amazing Race” together. However, in February 2013, after 10 years together, the duo announced that they were going their separate ways following an amicable split.
Zohn later married interior designer Lisa Heywood in 2016.
Parvati Shallow & John Fincher
Now a “Survivor” legend, Parvati Shallow reportedly dated several of her series co-stars, including Ozzy Lusth and James Clements, before tying the knot with “Survivor: Samoa” alum John Fincher in July 2017.
Despite appearing on five seasons across “Survivor”s 25-year history, Shallow never actually played the game with Fincher, with their relationship blossoming off-screen. In July 2018, one year after getting married, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Ama (7).
CBS/GettyBy 2021, however, Parvati had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
The “Black Widow” has since come out as queer and continues to raise her daughter as a single mother, albeit with the help of her “chosen family,” which includes former co-stars like Tyson Apostol and Ethan Zohn amongst others.
Joe Anglim & Sierra Dawn Thomas
Joe and Sierra’s romance traces itself back to “Survivor: World Apart,” where the castaways’ paths first crossed in 2015. While the duo were little more than friends on the season, with Sierra even being partially responsible for Joe’s elimination.
After filming had wrapped, however, the former players reported that they grew closer after attending “Survivor”-related events, both for their original season and for their separate subsequent appearances on “Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance” (Joe) and “Survivor: Game Changers” (Sierra).
GettyBy April 2019, Joe had moved to Sierra’s native Utah before the couple had announced their engagement on Instagram. In October of the same year, they revealed that they had obtained their marriage certificate, with Sierra dubbing Joe her “Prince Charming” in romantic wedding photos.
Today, the couple remain married and have since welcomed two children together: Della Dawn (6) and Vander Joseph (3).
Dee Valladares & Austin Li Coon
After making it to the finale of “Survivor 45” together, Austin Li Coon and Dee Valladares – who eventually won the season – seemed like they were on track to become the next Boston Rob and Amber, proving that romance could be a powerful tool in the game.
The couple kept the status of their relationship coy after the season wrapped, with Dee telling Entertainment Weekly in December 2023, “This has been a whirlwind of emotions, and we have decided to keep it low-key for now, only because it’s been insane.”
CBS/GettyLi Coon echoed the statement in a seperate interview with the outlet, saying, “We kind of want to keep that a little private for now, just because things have been so crazy. The finale just aired and I don’t think I’m ready quite yet for dealing with all the fans and giving out the answers.”
Despite their comments, it turns out that the showmance between Dee and Austin had already ended by the time Dee was named the “Sole Survivor” of Season 45. The revelation came after Austin celebrated his one-year anniversary with his current girlfriend – Jeff Probst’s niece Amanda Probst – in December 2024, proving that they’d already started dating by the time the finale of Season 45 aired.
Valladares, alternatively, remains single as she prepares to return to “Survivor” for Season 50 next year. At present, the former winner is competing on MTV’s “The Challenge,” where she briefly entered into an unsuccessful showmance with series legend Johnny Bananas.
