And the Winner of 'Survivor: Island of the Idols' Is...

Photo credit: CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images
Photo credit: CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images

From Men's Health

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Survivor: Island of the Idols. If you don't want to know what happens up to and including the finale, turn back!


After a season full of blindsides, an improperly handled #MeToo situation, and advice from Boston Rob and Sandra, we finally have a winner for Survivor: Island of the Idols—4th grade teacher Tommy Sheehan was named Sole Survivor on Wednesday night's finale.

The Final Three was made up of Tommy, Noura Salman and Dean Kowalski, and Tommy ended up winning with 8 out of 10 votes. Janet Carbin and Lauren Beck made it to the top five, but they later landed on the jury.

Tommy gave a powerful speech at the final tribal council.

Noura won the final immunity challenge, and she chose to bring Tommy with her, with Dean and Lauren fighting for the third spot in a fire making challenge. Dean ended up winning the challenge, and when he, Tommy, and Noura went to speak with the jury at the final tribal council, things got a little heated.

However, Tommy was able to prove that he had social ties with many of the people on the jury, and he pointed out that Dean tended to follow the numbers instead of building connections with people. He also passionately spoke about being a teacher, and how his students inspired him to play hard. Additionally, Tommy pointed out that while playing the game of Survivor often means that castaways have to lie and deceive each other, he made a promise to himself to never bully anyone.

Who is Tommy Sheehan?

Tommy is a 26-year-old teacher from Long Beach, New York, and before the season started, he told CBS that his ability to connect with people would serve him well in the game:

"I am physical and can win challenges, but that won't win Survivor. What wins Survivor is the time spent opening up and connecting to people. When you have real connections with people they will keep you around longer. Also, I am there to win the game. I see myself finding idols, making moves and leading blindsides."

Photo credit: CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images
Photo credit: CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images

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