Sia has given over $1 million to her favorite 'Survivor' contestants. She's stopping after 8 years and no one knows why.
Since 2016, Sia has given money to her favorite "Survivor" contestants after every season.
"Survivor" host Jeff Probst announced on Instagram that Sia is stopping her prize for contestants.
Sia has given over $1 million in total over eight years.
Sia is ending her "Survivor" cash prize after giving over $1 million across eight years.
Since 2016, Sia has been handing out money to her favorite "Survivor" contestants as an unofficial prize for the hit reality show. She awarded money after every season to the contestant or a charity of their choice, and the cash prize ranged from $14,000 to $100,000 per person.
On May 24, two days after the end of "Survivor" season 46, Jeff Probst, the show's host, announced on an Instagram story that "The Sia Prize" had ended.
"It's the end of one of the most unique eras in the history of 'Survivor,'" Probst wrote. "After eight years, 14 seasons, 19 players and over $1,000,000 awarded, 'Survivor' is officially bringing the Sia Prize to a triumphant end!"
Aside from the unofficial "Sia prize," the winner of "Survivor" takes home a $1 million cash prize, and all the contestants are paid based on their length of time on the show.
In 2018, season seven contestant Jonny Fairplay told TMZ that the first person to get voted off the show gets $3,500, and the runners-up get paid $110,000. If they also win Sia's unofficial prize, contestants stand to make a lot of money from the show.
In the past, the show adopted other fan-favorite contestant prizes for a few seasons, but they never lasted long. But the tradition of Sia's unofficial prize began in season 32 when she stormed the stage during the live reunion to praise contestant Tai Trang for his love of animals during the season.
She then offered to give him $50,000 and donate $50,000 to an animal charity of his choice.
In his recent Instagram story post, Probst said of Sia's spontaneous prize: "She was so taken by Tai's commitment to protecting a chicken from being eaten that she awarded him $50,000 of her own money."
He continued: "Tai was shocked. The audience was shocked, I was shocked! What was happening? Sia was onstage in her wig handing out money to a Survivor player!?"
Since season 32, 18 more players have won the Sia prize, with seven getting $100,000.
"Over the many years, Sia has brought so much joy to so many players and it was always straight from her heart," Probst said. "So it is with tremendous gratitude and admiration to Sia that we bring to a close one of the most unique relationships a TV show could ever have with a pop star of Sia's global wattage."
"I'm really honored for Survivor to have this one of a kind association with Sia. She's in the 'Survivor' Hall Of Fame of Superfans!" he added.
Sia reposted Probst's statement on her own Instagram story but made no further comment. Neither Probst nor Sia have commented on whether contestants from the most recent season will receive money from the singer.
Representatives for "Survivor" and Sia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Katurah Topps, who competed in season 45 and won $100,000 from Sia, wrote on X on May 25 that she was honored to be the last recipient of the Sia prize.
Woke up to this news - this means I’m the LAST person @Sia publicly named as her favorite Survivor player and gifted $100k to!
Ahhhh, this makes an already INCREDIBLE honor, so much more meaningful. I’m forever grateful and reminded of the power of being authentic!! ?? #survivor https://t.co/Wtizup17l5— Katurah Topps, Esq. (@KaturahTopps) May 25, 2024
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