ASHLEY UNDERWOOD Age: 26
Occupation: Business owner/model
Current residence: Benton, ME
The former Miss USA competitor has a theory on why pageant girls have had success in this game before. ''Pageant girls are very strategic and very charismatic and I think you have to be likable in this game,'' says Ashley. ''I want to be likable and I want to build relationships with everybody. And through pageants you really have to work on that side of your personality.'' She names Stephenie and Parvati as her favorite players. As for her least favorite? Surprise! It's Russell! ''He's a jerk and I know you can't be everybody's best friend. But he was nobody's friend. Let's be real.''
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SARITA WHITE Age: 36
Occupation: Visual effects producer
Current residence: Santa Monica, CA
How did Sarita end up on Survivor? ''They actually found me in Venice Beach. I was taking margaritas to the face.'' And while she counts Parvati as her favorite player (''I love the vixen''), Sarita plans to play much more openly and honestly: ''I'm going into it with a completely open heart, my instinct totally honed in on the other cast members, and I'm really just ready to vibe it out. To play it differently than it's ever been played before — just truly from the heart.'' Sounds great! Whether it gets her past day three is another matter.
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PHILLIP SHEPPARD Age: 52
Occupation: CEO, Enterprise Software Sales Group
Current residence: Santa Monica, CA
In what sounds like a plot twist straight out of Xanadu, Phillip was recruited for the show when casting director Lynne Spillman saw him rollerdancing. Philip considers Rupert, Coach, and Boston Rob his favorite players, and insists that being one of twelve siblings will help him get along with large groups in the game. And while he's excited about playing, there is one thing he is not looking forward to about the experience. ''Well, to be candid about it, defecating in an environment where other people could potentially see you or there might be a camera catching you — that's not too exciting.'' (For anyone.)
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NATALIE TENERELLI Age: 19
Occupation: Dancer/student
Current residence: Acton, CA
The teenage beauty had not watched much Survivor before she was cast, but ended up on the show after being on a professional volleyball dance team — don't worry, we have no idea what that is either — with Jennifer Parker of The Amazing Race (season 12). And she's already looking for another young hottie to partner up with. ''I definitely want to align with a girl — a younger girl. Because I feel like if I'm not in an alliance with another girl that they will be jealous of me if say, I'm with two or three other guys.''
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RALPH KISER Age: 45
Occupation: Farmer
Current residence: Lebanon, VA
Ralph got on Survivor the old fashioned way — he applied. And this southern boy may remind some of his favorite player ever, Big Tom. He plans to spread the love in the game...to a point. ''I love everybody. I don't hate nobody. But they got to be losers, 'cause I got to be the winner. I hate to say that but I'm gonna have to get one or two of them to follow me through to the end of the game and can their ass.'' Something to keep an eye on: Ralph claims he can make fire anytime, anywhere. We'll see...
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JULIE WOLFE Age: 50
Occupation: Fire department engineer
Current residence: Oceanside, CA
Julie doesn't want to win Survivor. She needs to win. ''Financially, I have to. I'm here for one reason. I'm not here for the fame or the pictures or the glory. I just went through a divorce. I have two daughters at home. The divorce was ugly. I'm paying child support. I'm paying alimony and I have two girls 100 percent of the time and my house is in foreclosure so I'm here to win that million dollars. That's the only reason.'' Her favorite contestant? ''The whole world may hate me, but I like Russell. He's evil. But he played the game.''