First, the BALKAR male tribe

Buck Hamilton is a 37-year old cattle rancher from Attalla, Alabama. He lives at his ranch with his wife, Shirley, and two kids Jessie (9), and Lance (5). He says that cattle ranching has been around for generations of the Hamilton family, and he hopes that one day he can pass the keys to his ranch onto his son, and so the generations can keep on rolling. He is joining Survivor to try and improve the stereotype of rednecks as racists and biggots, and play hard to win the money for his family. Jeff described Buck as "The guy everyone wants to build the shelter, then pick off when he is done".

Edward "Ed" Hodges is a 19-year old university student from Keene, New Hampshire. He is studying a Physics degree, and hopes that this will springboard him into a career in the sciences. He comes from a wealthy family, but says that hasn't influenced him at all to go down this route, and he has chosen this opportunity for himself. He says he used to get picked on at school, and he worries that his lackluster physical ability may be a disadvantage. He is joining Survivor for the experience, and to be able to take a break from something to try and learn how to be sociable and to improve his physique. Jeff says that Ed is "your Cochran-esque fish out of water. If he doesn't get in an alliance quick he is just a liability".

Martin Lake, 51, is a self-made buisnessman. Growing up in the small city of Deer Lodge, Montana, didn't give him the freedom he wanted to grow a business. Aged 18 he took the rash decision to move to the capital, Helena, with no money at all. Years of work has made him into a successful buisnessman, and he has now moved back to Deer Lodge to spend time with his family, while still maintaining his buisness from home. He is joining Survivor to do something new, and to have the freedom he felt when he first moved to Helena once again. Jeff says that Martin is "someone who doesn't need the money, and is out here to seriously just have fun. He could be a natural leader people gravitate to".

23-year old Kiyran Maine from Santa Monica, California, is a typical ladies man, despite the fact he is a fast food server at the local fried chicken stop. He claims to have slept with over 40 women in the past two years, and says that his group of friends named 'The Cruizers' are thinking about starting up a boyband. Kiyran is joining Survivor to try and get the money to get rid of his fast food job and start getting The Cruizers' name out there. He hopes to woo the ladies to get the end. Jeff calls Kiyran a guy who "expects to come out here and just win. I don't think he'll do that, but maybe he'll learn a valuble life lesson".

Greg Samuels is a 28-year old former builder from Mercury, Nevada. He claims the past five years have been the biggest in his life. Alcoholism led to his sacking as a builder, and he spent three months on the streets before being urged into rehab by a friend. Despite trying to stop drinking, the rehab didn't work and Greg continued to spiral out of control. Last year he went to rehab once again, and he says he hasn't drunk a single pint since. He is joining Survivor to try and find a place for him to discover himself again, and to win the money to bring home and start his career again. Jeff says said Greg's story "will be inspiring to the castaways, and could be a good way from him to get to the end".

Franki Tyne is a 30-year old hippie traveller from Muncie, Indiana. He knows that people can be abrahsive towards who he is and his personality, but he thinks they should keep their opinions to themseleves and "shove it" because he doesn't judge them on being too normal. He says that living in his caravan with his wife and six kids is the best thing in the world, as he is not confined by land borders. He joined Survivor because he wants to travel somewhere he hasn't already been in his caravan, and to show that hippies can win the game and win it with honour. Jeff says that Franki is "one of the funniest people to be around. The cast will either enjoy his humour, or be annoyed at every word that exits his mouth".

Brad Ugosi, 43 from McMinnville, Oregon, is an IT software manager, who has struggled with his weight his entire life. From a little boy he was always larger than his classmates, and they laughed at him because of it. In recent years he has taken up jogging to improve his weight, and he says it has worked to a certain extent, but he still wants to be thinner. He is coming onto Survivor, not to loose weight, but to prove to all those who taunted him that he can do something amazing and unique, despite his issues. Jeff describes his as "a man on a mission, who will stop at nothing. Don't be fooled by first looks, this guy is here to win".

Michael Woodson, a 32-year old building contractor from Monroe, Louisiana, is not your typical man. He is a single dad with a son, Bobby (2), who he has looked after by himself since his ex-wife Leanne walked out on them a year and a half ago. He has since given up time from work to look after his son, which has had in impact on his pay, meaning he has been struggling to keep on top of things by himself. He is coming on Survivor to win the money so he can give his son support and a future, and to make him proud of his daddy. Jeff has said that Michael "really wants this so badly. For himself and for his son. If people get in his way he will not hestitate to knock them over for the money".

Now, the KABARDIN female tribe

Karissa Bates is a smart, and physical 34-year old physical therapist from the small town of Bluffton, South Carolina. Karissa, even as a young girl, wanted to help people that needed it and she felt a physical therapist would be the perfect job for her. She joined Survivor because she wants to feel the struggle her patients endure and overcome the obstacle by winning the show. Jeff describes Karissa as "a young, athletic woman who has her head on straight."

Li-Ahn Chai, a 31 year-old nurse from Albany, New York, likes to describe herself as the typical asian woman. She grew up as the only child, with strict parents who wanted her to be the best she could possibly be. It has rubbed off on her, and now she makes sure she does anything to achieve the success she craves. Li-Ahn really wants to break away from her busy life and join Survivor for an experience she has never done before, and to make sure she comes away with the money. Jeff describes her as "a controlling, yet likable woman that has what it takes to win."

Cassandra Fullerton, who is a 21 year-old model from Calabasas, California, is not the typical blonde bombshell. Cassandra is (and always had been she likes to say) a lesbian. Her, along with her girlfriend Miena, always go to local gay parades and contribute to LGBT prophits and charities. She wants no kid to endure the bullying she went through in high school. Cassandra's main goal is to break down the stereotypical wall of what lesbians are supposed to look like. Jeff describes her as "a beautiful, talented young lady that has the perfect message to send out".

Rachael Ghones is a 44-year old Stay at Home Mom from a small town of Decatur, Texas. Rachael, along with her husband Ray, and her 4 children Franny (15), Ragen (9), Riley (9), and Janey (4), all love and watch Survivor every week. Rachael has never worked a day in her life, and hates when people judge her for that because she stated being a mom is the hardest, and most enjoyable job there is. She wants to join Survivor she is a huge fan and because the adventure of being on this type of show is one-in-a-lifetime. Jeff says "Don't judge Rachael from her outlook. Being a mom, she could be someone many people turn to because they trust her".

Jasmyn Grace is a 25-year old part-time babysitter from Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, Michigan, a job is extremely hard to come by, so Jasmyn has to settle for babysitting. She explains how short tempers run in her family. Jasmyn has it, her mom has it, her grandmother has it, her younger sister has it, which makes them just as close. Every Sunday after church, all of her family goes to her and her mother's house to have lunch and chat. Jasmyn wants to be a part of Survivor for one reason only. To win money. Jasmyn and her family need it desperately and she will do whatever it takes to win. Jeff describes Jasmyn as "someone who could possibly surprise all of us with her witt."