Kentucky OB-GYN Resident to Compete on New Season of ‘Survivor’

Can you believe Survivor has been on the air since the year 2000?  The first episode of the 51st season of this beloved, nail-biting social experiment of a TV show airs this week on CBS and on all kinds of streaming services.

I just learned this morning that a woman from Richmond, Kentucky, is competing for the $1,000,000 prize along with the other 20 contestants on the island of Fiji. The castaways are from all over the world and all walks of life, ages 24 to 49.

The contestants' backgrounds are all so diverse and interesting. My Little Pony voice actor, a sociology professor from Indiana, a professional wrestler, a livestock farmer, to name a few. Some of them consider themselves "outdoorsy" while others admit they are not. However, almost all of them have been fans of the show for a long time and are ready to try something new.

I'll be excited to see how they use their skills and knowledge in the crazy games and difficult situations that occur. Sharonda Cox is a 34-year-old from Florida who is now an OB-GYN resident at the University of Kentucky. She is used to working long hours (She told the Herald-Leader she works 80-hour weeks!) and handling moments of crisis.

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Full confession: I haven't watched Survivor since I was in high school in the early 2000s, but I'm going to tune in for Doctor Cox! People Magazine has a rundown of all of the castaways, and it looks like a fun crew. Here's what they shared about Sharonda:

Sharonda Cox has been helping other people and blending in her entire life, but she’s finally ready to step into her own and do something for herself.

 

“I need to do something for myself,” she shared. “I’ve been going through the motions for so long that I need something new, and I think Survivor really puts you in those places where you cannot hide.”

 

The 34-year-old OBGYN resident said she’s going to need to watch how empathetic she is toward other people, but she believes she can win the game with both her “tenacity” and her “street smarts.”

Get it, Dr. Cox! We'll be cheering you on from the Bluegrass State! Survivor Season 51 "Open Era" two-hour premiere is Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.