She’s considered to be one of the most skilled players from the Survivor franchise after making history and becoming the first contestant to win the game twice. Now, Sandra Diaz-Twine is back to reclaim her throne as she gears up to compete on Australian Survivor alongside her daughter Alanna “Nina” Twine.
The mother-daughter duo have fans of the show excited as they recently announced their involvement on the new Australian Survivor: Blood vs Water, which pairs family members together.
“Survivor has always been an individual game. But this season, that’s all about to change,” said host Jonathan LaPaglia.
“I have a secret weapon – my baby girl Nina. Y’all better look out, because I taught her well,” Sandra says in the teaser for the upcoming season, which is set to premiere on January 31.
But Who is Sandra Diaz-Twine?
Once you get to know her you’ll understand why she’s managed to win the difficult competition not once, but twice. Previously working as a chemical repair specialist for the US Army, Sandra first rose to fame in 2003 when she appeared on the American version of Survivor.
The 47-year-old shares two daughters with her husband Marcus Twine, with Nina, the one who will be joining her this season, being the youngest.
How Many Times Has She Competed on Survivor?
In the trailer for Blood vs Water, Sandra calls herself the “Queen of Survivor” because she’s the only person to have won the show twice. But what people may not know is that the alum has actually appeared on the show a whopping five times.
The first was in 2003 on Survivor: Pearl Islands which she ended up winning due to her clever instincts, and tactical gameplay. She then returned in 2010 on Survivor: Heroes vs Villains, where she made history by winning again.
But it doesn’t stop there, because in 2017 the TV personality joined Survivor: Game Changers where she was sent home on Day 16. Then in 2019, Sandra teamed up with Boston Rob and mentored contestants on Islands of the Idol.
For the show’s 40th season, Sandra agreed to return for Winners At War, but after being booted out on Day 16, she told Entertainment Weekly that it would be her final season.
But it seems Australia was calling her name because she said yes to coming Down Under!
Can She Win Australian Survivor?
The series, which has already finished filming in Queensland, may see Sandra as the winner but it seems we’ll have to wait and find out.
There is a big chance she could pull it off, especially with her daughter by her side, but there will most definitely be a target on her back from day one.
But despite a mother’s love conquering all, Sandra did issue a warning to Nina in case they end up against each other.
“If me and my daughter have to go head-to-head, I’m beating her ass to remind her who’s Queen,” she says in the teaser.
Whether Sandra can take home the title for the third time is yet to be seen, but one thing is for certain, there’s no stopping her.
Australian Survivor: Blood vs Water premieres on January 31 at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10play.
