‘Survivor 48’ contestants reveal why they will win the game (exclusive)

Every contestant that shows up to play Survivor thinks they have what it takes to win the game. Optimism abounds! Everything is sunshine and Fun Dip and unicorns! And then those happy-go-lucky souls are dropped off on island and reality hits. Because that’s when the backstabbing and blindsiding begins. That’s when 18 wannabe winners will be slowly whittled down to just one.

But why dwell on all that suffering and hardship? Instead, let’s return to a kinder and simpler time, when a collection of ragtag misfits that would comprise the cast of Survivor 48 (premiering Feb. 26 on CBS) was sitting in majestic Fiji less than 48 hours before their island adventure was to begin — each one of them certain they would be fawned over by a jury before all was said and done. Because that is when we asked each Survivor 48 player to tell us exactly why they would win the game, and you can see each of their answers in the exclusive video above.

Of course, while anyone in that video could be right or wrong (most will be wrong), there were a few answers that caught our attention. Take Kamilla Karthigesu, for instance, who offers a very practical reason for her impending triumph. “My name is Kamilla Karthigesu and I will win Survivor 48 because no one will see me coming,” she responds. Sounds like a pretty generic response to us. However, it turns out the height-challenged Kamilla means that literally. “I’m five-one. I speak like an idiot and so no one will literally see me coming. I mean… literally… I am down here! Everyone’s eyes are, like, their eye level is up here! They’re all like a foot taller than me. They won’t see me coming!”

We’ve heard of fire-building and grip strength being big factors in new-era Survivor, but now it seems we can add eye level to the list. Another attribute that apparently needs to be added as well? Being super average! Just ask Kyle.

“My name’s Kyle Fraser and I’m going to win Survivor 48 because I’m the best average guy you’ll ever meet,” he explains. “I’m well-rounded. I’m going to use all the tools I have to win the game.”

While being average maybe does not quite scream iconic Survivor player at full volume, perhaps that is exactly the point. Because a seemingly average person is the type of player that could potentially fly under the radar while the perceived big threats take each other out. So good for you, average Kyle! We’re picking up what you’re putting down on that one.

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But there are so many more players and so many more answers just waiting to be scrutinized. Who is the self-proclaimed badass? Who claims they can win anybody over? And who will win because “I got the looks, the charm, the smarts, the physicalness, the hair, the body”? (You forgot modesty!) Those answers and more await you in the video above.

Survivor 48 premieres Feb. 26 on CBS.