Here's a First Look at the Tribes for 'Survivor 45'

If the new era of Survivor has taught us anything, it's that where you start the game can absolutely dictate how you end it. Over the course of four seasons, we've started out with three tribes of six, purposely designed to make players feel like they have "nowhere to hide," and that every move they make, every vote they choose to sacrifice, every challenge they participate in, matter that much more. Among the five people they share the beach with, they can make their tightest ride-or-die allies, or their worst enemies in the game. And Survivor 45 will continue the trend, sorting the eighteen castaways (seventeen new faces, and one returnee in Bruce Perreault) into three tribes.

Of course, as is usually the case with Survivor, there's no hard and fast ideal way to play with your initial tribe. We've seen season 41 winner Erika Casupanan never go to Tribal Council in the premerge, something that saved her. And we've seen season 44 victor Yam Yam Arocho winnow down to only three tribe members in the premerge, something that prepared him for the hardened questions Jeff Probst throws out. Last season also saw the return of the tribe swap, which may further alter dynamics, as buffs and bonds are exchanged alike.

Check out the three starting tribes for Survivor 45, and be sure to check out our daily interviews with castaways prior to them hitting the beach. Survivor 45 premieres Wednesday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m. with a 90-minute episodes on CBS.

Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 45

Survivor 45 tribes

Belo Tribe

The Belo tribe (named after the Fijian word for heron), which will always wear blue, consists of:
–Brandon "Brando" Meyer, a 23-year-old software engineer from Seattle, WA
–Bruce Perreault, a 47-year-old insurance agent (and Survivor 44 returnee) from Warwick, RI
—Jake O'Kane, a 26-year-old attorney from Boston, MA
–Katurah Topps, a 35-year-old civil rights lawyer from Brooklyn, NY
–Kellie Nalbandian, a 29-year-old critical care nurse from New York, NY
–Kendra McQuarrie, a 31-year-old bartender from Steamboat Springs, CO

>>> Sign up for Parade's Daily newsletter and get the scoop on the latest TV news and celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox <<<

Lulu Tribe

The Lulu tribe (named after the Fijian word for owl), which will always wear yellow, consists of:
–Brandon Donlon, a 26-year-old content producer from Sicklerville, NJ
–Emily Flippen, a 28-year-old investment analyst from Laurel, MD
–Hannah Rose, a 33-year-old therapist from Baltimore City, MD
–Kaleb Gebrewold, a 29-year-old software salesman from Vancouver, Canada
–Sabiyah Broderick, a 28-year-old truck driver from Jacksonville, NC
–Sean Edwards, a 35-year-old school principal from Provo-Orem, UT

Reba Tribe

The Reba tribe (named after the Fijian word for goshawk, and not the popular country singer), which will always wear red, consists of:
–Austin Li Coon, a 26-year-old grad student from Chicago, IL
–Dee Valladares, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Miami, FL
–Drew Basile, a 23-year-old grad student from Philadelphia, PA
–Janani "J. Maya" Krishnan-Ja, a 24-year-old singer from Los Angeles, CA
–Julie Alley, a 49-year-old estate attorney from Brentwood, TN
–Nicholas "Sifu" Alsup, a 30-year-old gym owner from O'Fallon, IL

Next, check out photos and bios from the cast of Survivor 45.