Why Lisa Whelchel from The Facts of Life Wasn’t Invited to Survivor 50
Following the reveal of the Survivor 50 cast, numerous past contestants have stepped forward to disclose whether they were approached for the upcoming season, including actress Lisa Whelchel.
Whelchel, 62, confirmed in a recent interview that she was not among those considered for the all-star season of the long-standing CBS competition.
“I was not contacted,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly on Thursday, June 19.
When asked why she thinks she wasn’t contacted, she referenced a previous interview with EW where she expressed her disinterest in returning to the show.
“I believe one of the reasons is because you did the COVID [Survivor Quarantine Questionnaire] interview with me, and I was very clear that I wouldn’t do it again,” she remarked, recalling her October 2020 statement.
In that earlier interview, Whelchel was asked if she would compete on Survivor again if given the chance.
“No. I got what I wanted and, more importantly, what I needed, and I am forever grateful for that,” she had stated back then. “I’m content to enjoy the show from the warmth, comfort, and emotional safety of my home, thank you very much!”
Whelchel, known for her role in The Facts of Life from 1979 to 1988, participated in Survivor: Philippines in 2012, finishing as one of the runners-up alongside Michael Skupin, while Denise Stapley claimed the title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million prize.
Unfortunately, no contestants from Survivor: Philippines will be part of Survivor 50. The cast includes season 48 champion Kyle Fraser and Mike White, the creator of The White Lotus. Other returning big names from earlier seasons include Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, and Colby Donaldson.
Another notable absence from the Survivor 50 cast is the iconic “Boston Rob” Mariano.
Mariano, 49, previously explained his disinterest in returning for another Survivor season after competing in five seasons and serving as a mentor in a sixth.
“I don’t feel any desire to go back there and play again, especially when they’ll just use me for a bit and then vote me out,” he stated to TV Insider in May 2024.
Boston Rob Mariano is not part of the highly anticipated Survivor 50 cast, but fans may not have seen the last of the legendary contestant. Mariano, 49, hinted at his future plans on Friday, May 30, sharing an Instagram story featuring a Page Six piece about his exclusion from the cast. “It’s gonna be OK…I […]
Mariano did offer fans a glimmer of hope, suggesting he might consider returning if Survivor underwent some transformation.
“But who knows? Maybe if there’s a concept change or something, I would consider it because they’ve given me so much throughout my life,” he remarked.
Mariano’s most recent performance was on season 3 of The Traitors, where he was banished in the seventh episode. He also hosted the Deal or No Deal Island After Show With Boston Rob earlier this year.
