"Won over my heart" — Survivor season 47 fans react to Teeny's speech before the fire-making challenge in the finale

Survivor Season 47 concluded on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The finale saw Rachel take the winner's crown by defeating her competitors, Sam and Sue. Teeny failed to make it to the final three after losing the fire-making challenge to Sam. Before the contest, she opened up about her insecurities regarding her gender identity, admitting that she projected them onto Sam.

Teeny was a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and often felt that her game was downplayed or left unnoticed. She confessed that she particularly had a "one-sided rivalry" with Sam. She acknowledged Sam's gameplay and admitted that he threatened her position in the competition.

Teeny added that Sam was a "handsome" and "athletic" man who was the center of everyone's attention. She claimed that because of their gender and identity differences, she had to work harder to experience things Sam could easily do. As a result, the fire-making challenge was an important event for Teeny to prove her worth and take down her opponent.

Survivor fans were divided by Teeny's pre-challenge speech. While some took to X to praise her for opening up about her feelings and owning her insecurities, others deemed it unnecessary.

"Teeny won over my heart with her speech about projecting insecurities onto Sam. Beautiful speech," a fan wrote.

"Teeny's argument vs. Sam would be SO MUCH more convincing if THEY HAD ALSO DONE SOMETHING OF WORTH IN THE GAME," a netizen posted.

Many Survivor fans applauded Teeny for speaking about her challenges.

"Really love how Teeny got to express themselves at this tribal. Gender envy is real and the insecurities that come with it are so complicated. That was a very important moment as a viewer for me," a user reacted.

"Teeny’s story was such a wonderful thing to get to witness on mainstream reality television and I hope at least one 11 year old watching their first season of Survivor saw themselves in Teeny," a person commented.

"Teeny talking so openly about their insecurities and the way they have projected them into Sam because of his own identities was a really beautiful and powerful statement that explains a lot about their reactions throughout the season too," another fan wrote.

In contrast, some Survivor fans disapproved of Teeny having a "one-sided rivalry" with Sam.

"Teeny’s entire speech about hating Sam because he’s a handsome dude is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard like it’s A GAME and it’s not like he’s been some macho douchey a**h*le," one user posted.

"Teeny’s response is insane lol one-sided rivalry filled with loads of unnecessary compliments. She’s done nothing in this game but be a puppet yet talks on Sam not doing anything," a person reacted.

"Did Teeny just say that she's had a "one-sided rivalry with Sam" because "he's a handsome, smart, athletic, strong guy." How is that an acceptable thing to say?" another netizen commented.

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"I do think that moment will haunt me" — Survivor season 47 contestant Teeny reflects on her loss

Immunity winner Rachel helped Teeny learn the tricks of starting a fire using a metal and a knife before the challenge. While speaking to the cameras, Rachel confessed that she wanted Teeny to be in the final three alongside her and Sue.

Meanwhile, Sam, who claimed that he did not know how to start a fire, relied on his Loved Ones' letter from his dad to motivate himself. He began practicing with renewed energy, determined to ace the challenge.

"I'm not ready to go home. I want to see Day 26. I've got to find a way to get myself to the end of this game. I'm on Survivor for a reason. The second you let your brain get to a point of doubt, it's the second that you've lost. And I'm not ready to go there yet," he said.

Teeny had a big fire raging during the challenge while Sam struggled to find a spark. Despite his initial lag, he caught up to Teeny after multiple attempts.

After reaching a neck-to-neck stage, the Survivor star managed to win the contest. Sam's fire rose upwards and burned the string placed above it, while Teeny's fire blew away from the rope due to the strong forces of the wind.

Teeny was heartbroken and moved to tears. As Jeff Probst, the show's host, snuffed her torch, she said:

"I do think that moment will haunt me for the rest of my time on earth."

The Survivor contestant added that losing to the "big handsome jock" was just another part of her story that she would have to deal with.

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Survivor can be streamed on Paramount+ and Hulu.