Fresh from walking away with a staggering $9million prize on American game show Deal or No Deal Island, David Genat is diving back into the world of Survivor.
The 45-year-old, who cemented his place in reality TV history with his win on Australian Survivor: All Stars in 2020, has been confirmed to join a brand new international edition of the show, Survivor: Australia v The World.
This will mark his third appearance on the hit franchise, having first competed on Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019 before returning to dominate and win the All Stars season the following year.
Now, he’s taking on a global cast of returning players from Survivor editions across the world, including the US, South Africa, Finland, Québec, and New Zealand – all battling it out for the title of Sole Survivor and a $250,000 cash prize.
The upcoming season, which was filmed in September last year, will see contestants compete in a shortened but intense 16-day format set on the beaches of Samoa.
The cast was officially unveiled today, confirming Genat’s participation alongside other standout Survivor legends from Australia and beyond.
Fresh from walking away with a staggering $9million prize on American game show Deal or No Deal Island, David Genat is diving back into the world of Survivor
The 45-year-old, who cemented his place in reality TV history with his win on Australian Survivor: All Stars in 2020, has been confirmed to join a brand new international edition of the show, Survivor: Australia v The World
Joining David in the Aussie lineup is Survivor All-Star and fan favourite Brooke Jowett, known for her strong physical gameplay and social connections.
Also returning is international poker player and Brains v Brawn contestant George Mladenov, who became a breakout star for his scheming and strategic dominance.
Representing the United States is legendary winner Parvati Shallow, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
She’ll be joined by Boston Rob Mariano, who returns for another crack at glory after decades as a franchise icon.
Other global names include Queen of the North Kim Lévesque Lizotte from Survivor Québec, Finnish powerhouse Aki Manninen, South Africa’s ace player Killarney Jones, and Kiwi battler Lisa Holmes.
Despite recently scoring one of the biggest payouts in reality TV history, it appears Genat isn’t finished proving himself – and he’s ready to outwit, outplay and outlast once again.
David made headlines last month after he walked away with $5.8million from the NBC series, which comes in at AUD $9.2million.
His previous top earnings were on Australian Survivor All Stars, from which he netted AUD $500,000.
Also returning is international poker player and Brains v Brawn contestant George Mladenov, who became a breakout star for his scheming and strategic dominance, and Luke Toki
David made headlines last month after he walked away with $5.8million from the NBC series, which comes in at AUD $9.2million
‘I’m rich… I am the Golden God of Deal Or No Deal Island,’ he boasted to the Daily Telegraph.
‘No one from Australia has done what I’ve done and no one from Australia has crossed over into American (reality) television, this is the first time it’s been done.’
He added: ‘Not only have I crossed over, I’ve won the biggest amount of money ever on American reality television, so I hope it opens a lot of doors for Australian talent wanting to do what I’ve done.’
David, who said that the skills he learnt on Australian Survivor helped him win Deal Or No Deal Island, told NBC that he plans to spend the money on his four children, who he shares with wife Pearl Christensen.
‘I probably shouldn’t be saying this out loud because they’re gonna hold me to it, but like, all my kids are coming up to driving age,’ David said.
‘So I’m probably gonna have to buy a fleet of new vehicles. I mean, hey, that’s what I’m gonna do.’
He also had some plans for himself, disclosing, ‘I’m going to buy myself a new motorcycle because I love motorcycles. That’ll be my little fun spend.’
David first found fame in 2002 when he won the Search for a Supermodel contest after he accepted a $50 bet.
His previous top earnings were on Australian Survivor All Stars in 2020 (pictured), from which he netted AUD $500,000
David told NBC that he plans to spend the money on his four children, who he shares with wife Pearl Christensen. Pictured with wife Pearl and their four kids
Later he became successful across the world, and was featured in Vogue and Vanity Fair – most notably photographed by the iconic Mario Testino.
David returned to reality TV by starring in Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019.
He was the 14th castaway voted out, and then returned to the franchise the following season for Australian Survivor All Stars, which he won.
In 2021, he joined the cast of The Celebrity Apprentice, where he was fired in task 7.
In 2023, he expanded his career by hosting an adventure reality series for Channel Nine called Rush.
‘Are you ready for the rush of a lifetime? I know I am! Rush is an epic new travel adventure series. I am so excited to host this amazing series and can’t wait for you to see,’ he wrote.
After retiring from his distinguished modelling career over a decade ago, Genat also made a comeback to the catwalk.
He was inspired to return to modelling when he met fashion designer Camilla Franks on the Celebrity Apprentice, which aired on Channel Nine in 2021.
‘I had a long fashion career doing a lot of runway shows, but I probably hadn’t done one in about 10 years because I was a bit past my use-by date,’ he told 9Honey.
After Camilla and David formed a friendship based on their love of fashion, the famed designer asked him to open one of her fashion shows.
