How Survivor Honored Crew Member Vince Costello After His Death

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The Survivor tribe has lost one of its own.

Vince Costello, the locations manager for the popular CBS series, received a special tribute during the premiere of its 49th season on September 24th.

“In loving memory of Vince Costello,” an onscreen dedicated read, “forever in our hearts.”

Vince passed away at the age of 61 after a battle with liver cancer, as shared in a GoFundMe campaign created by his family.

Starting in 2015, this Fijian local worked with the Survivor team, finding suitable filming locations throughout the South Pacific.

He previously shared with *People* magazine that he appreciates Fiji’s strong cultural values and respectful people, making his work on *Survivor* a positive experience. He expressed gratitude from both the crew working on the show and all the citizens of Fiji.

Vince truly saw the show’s crew as his family, a feeling strengthened by the fact that his children, 28-year-old Aline Costello and 21-year-old Patrick Costello, were both working on the *Survivor* production team.

Aline, who began her career on *Survivor* and now works with her dad as a locations assistant, told *People* that her close-knit family gives her confidence. “We work well together, so if anyone can make this happen, it’s us,” she said. “Things are going well.”

Meanwhile, Patrick became a camera operator after spending his childhood running around the set.

My dad really wanted me to go to college, but I had to negotiate with him. I basically asked if I could skip that and just learn a trade instead.

According to *People* magazine, Vince’s most recent project was the 50th season of *Survivor*, filmed in June on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. This special season, called *Survivor: In the Hands of the Fans*, will bring back popular contestants like Jenna Lewis, Colby Donaldson, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, and even Mike White, the creator of *The White Lotus*.

Vince moved from Fiji to Australia to receive cancer treatment, as detailed in a GoFundMe campaign created for his family. Many people clearly cared for him, with the campaign describing him as well-loved and highly respected.

The fundraiser highlighted Vince’s consistent support for his friends and local community. It noted his kind personality, funny spirit, and willingness to help others have positively affected all who know him.

For more behind-the-scenes stories from Survivor, read on.

Every season, tens of thousands of people try out for the show. The casting team intentionally selects a diverse group, combining dedicated *Survivor* fans with people who often turn out to be models or actors that they recruit. However, even these recruited individuals have to go through the standard audition process.

As a long-time fan, I was really fascinated to learn from Lynne Spillman, one of the original casting directors who worked on the show until 2018, that they actually get a lot of repeat applicants – people who try out every single year! She shared that with Reality Wanted, and it just shows how dedicated some people are to getting on the show.

Now, host Jeff Probst is handling casting. 

You know, it usually happens like this: we get on Zoom, and they start sharing what’s going on in their lives. Honestly, the first few minutes I’m always struck by how incredibly accomplished they are for being so young! It really makes me think about what *I* was up to when I was their age – it’s a bit humbling, to be honest!

The selection process includes further interviews, including sessions with the show’s psychologists. Host Jeff Probst explained that their main goal is simply to understand the applicants’ true personalities. He often tells potential contestants on *Survivor* that they don’t need to pretend to be someone they’re not. It seems obvious, he says, but it’s completely true. They don’t need a dramatic life story, a comedic personality, a college education, or any other fabricated persona – just authenticity.

Even if you’re one of the first contestants voted off, you’ll still earn money by appearing on *Survivor* – though it might be a blow to your pride.

Here’s a quick rundown of what competitors make:

Players voted off before the final jury still get a free trip to Fiji, as they need to remain on location throughout filming to keep the outcome a secret. They also each receive $10,000 for appearing at the live finale and reunion show at the end of the season.

Jonny Fairplay, known for his villainous behavior on the show, recently revealed to *TMZ* how much *Survivor* castaways earn. He claims the first person voted off receives $12,500, and those who make it to the jury – the final voters – get $40,000. Fairplay admitted he may have revealed confidential information, possibly violating a non-disclosure agreement.

The winner of *Survivor* receives a $1 million prize, but even the runners-up get substantial money: second place earns $100,000, and third place gets $85,000. Previously, viewers voted for a fan favorite who would win $100,000 or a car, depending on sponsorship, but that award is no longer given.

Season two of *Survivor*, *The Australian Outback*, is the only one to last longer than 39 days, likely due to the huge popularity and high ratings of the show’s first season.

Plus, each episode covers about three days of the competition, which means editors have to carefully select moments from a huge amount of footage – between 300 and 500 hours – to create a concise, 44-minute show. Remember, the contestants are filmed around the clock!

Filming the Tribal Council scenes usually takes between one and two hours because Jeff Probst asks each contestant the same question individually. When it’s time to count the votes, Probst works with the producers, who are watching a live feed of the voting. Together, they decide the order in which Probst will announce the results.

According to the *Survivor* Wiki, castaways are only allowed to bring one small, handheld item with them when filming begins – they can’t bring any luggage.

All clothing worn during the 39-day shoot must be approved by the production team beforehand.

Angelina Keeley from *David vs. Goliath* wished she’d brought her warm parka to the game, but contestants don’t get to choose their outfits. She explained to *EW* that clothes are meant to reflect your personality and everyday style. After famously asking recently-eliminated Natalie Cole for her jacket (unsuccessfully), Angelina noted that you begin the game with one outfit and must stick with it – unless you find a way to change things up.

During a Reddit Q&A, former contestant Max Dawson shared that producers would go to great lengths to control what contestants wore, even directing them to specific stores with pictures of the exact items they wanted them to purchase. For example, John Cochran’s famous sweater vests weren’t his own choice – they were selected for him by the show’s producers!

According to Today, contestants are provided with a kit containing essential items like feminine hygiene products, birth control, important medications, contact lens solution, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Getting basic necessities like tampons isn’t always easy on the show. Former contestant Lauren-Ashley Beck shared that she had her period twice during her time on Season 39, and the second time, the crew had to go to a local village to get more tampons, making her wait almost a full day.

Often, actors need to avoid showing visible stubble or unshaven areas. That’s why some competitors undergo procedures like laser hair removal or teeth whitening before filming to ensure a clean-shaven appearance.

So…where are Probst and the crew members staying while the competitors are roughing it? 

Jeff Probst shared in a 2014 Reddit AMA that the Survivor crew’s sleeping arrangements depend on the location. For example, when filming in the Philippines, they were lucky enough to find a large, usually deserted casino and hotel on one of the islands. He admitted they didn’t know what the place was normally used for, but it provided comfortable accommodations with private rooms, showers, and air conditioning for everyone on the crew, making it a great base camp.

They’ve used tents in the past, he explained, recalling a particularly memorable experience in Kenya. He described sleeping in individual tents where, each night, he’d pull out his cot to stargaze. Every morning, he’d carefully unzip his tent, being as quiet as possible, knowing zebras or giraffes were likely grazing nearby. He called it a truly unforgettable opportunity.

Jeff Probst says there’s really no such thing as a typical day for him. Each day is long, surprisingly enjoyable, and filled with constant work because “Survivor” is always in production. As Executive Producer, he’s always needed, but he credits his incredible production team for making it all possible.

Ever wonder how the challenges on *Survivor* are tested before the contestants arrive? There’s a dedicated crew – often called the “Dream Team” – who run through each challenge multiple times. First, they make sure everything functions correctly and determine the best way to film it. Then, they perform the challenge again while being filmed, pretending to be the contestants, so it can be shown during Jeff Probst’s explanation on the show.

It’s understandable if the show’s rules, as explained by host Jeff Probst, can be a little confusing. Luckily, the contestants receive a more detailed explanation from John Kirhoffer, the challenge producer who oversees all the games and answers their questions. A representative from CBS legal is also on hand to make sure everything is fair.

Contestants see the show’s doctors both before and after each challenge. Medical staff are also available at all times in case of emergencies, like the time three competitors collapsed during one challenge on *Survivor: Kaôh Rõng*.

Even if you’re voted off early in the competition, you’ll still spend the entire 39 days at the filming location – which is good for keeping secrets! Eliminated players who make it to the jury are sent to a place called “Ponderosa,” where they enjoy comfortable living with amenities like food, entertainment, and running water. It’s typically a resort or hotel, and they’re free to hang out and talk with the other jury members.

Oh my gosh, during Micronesia, CBS finally gave us *Life at Ponderosa* online! It was EVERYTHING. I mean, we finally got to see what happens *after* someone gets voted out, what they’re really thinking and doing at Ponderosa. It was a total game-changer for a superfan like me!

If you’re voted out of the game before reaching the jury stage, you’ll move to a nearby location once the jury members begin gathering.

Surprisingly, the show wasn’t forced to evacuate the cast because of a natural disaster until a cyclone struck Fiji during Season 33, *Millennials vs. Gen X*, in 2016. And when a disaster halts production, it means everything stops completely.

To ensure everyone was together, we brought all the tribes back to base camp. Probst explained to EW that each tribe was then isolated in a completely empty room – no food, bedding, or anything else. Producers watched them closely all night, and impressively, they kept to themselves and didn’t attempt to strategize or make deals, respecting our agreement. The next morning, we brought them back to their beaches and the game continued.

During season 37 in 2018, the castaways had to be evacuated twice because of cyclones in Fiji. Both times, they were kept isolated to ensure fair play. However, host Jeff Probst praised the contestants for respecting the game even with those interruptions.

The contestants were grateful we had their best interests at heart,” Probst explained to EW. “They also understood the game wasn’t over, even though it was paused, and that’s why they didn’t try to break any rules or cause trouble.

Although it often appears that contestants walk to challenges and Tribal Council on their own, production staff actually transports them. However, they aren’t allowed to discuss strategy or the game while being moved between locations away from the cameras.

Jeff Probst, the host and showrunner of *Survivor*, recently shared his favorite winner during an *EW* panel: John Cochran from Season 26. He also named Parvati Shallow and Rob Mariano as players who, in his opinion, have played the best games.

And during a Reddit AMA, he revealed his least favorite Survivor twist ever: The Medallion of Power. 

He admitted he wasn’t a fan of it and wished he’d been more vocal. Everyone makes errors, he acknowledged, but he believes their decisions are usually sound. He explained that, as any showrunner knows, you can’t predict what will be successful until you actually try it.

He considered the hidden immunity idol, first appearing in season 11, to be the most impactful twist of all.

Jeff Probst told *The Hollywood Reporter* that *Survivor* has incorporated ideas from Tyler Perry multiple times, like the “special powers” idol. This idol could be played after the votes were tallied, and it actually helped Tony Vlachos win in Cagayan. However, viewers weren’t very happy with that particular twist.

Besides Perry, Jimmy Fallon has also offered ideas. A group of TV showrunners and producers are running a contest where they each contribute $200. The person who guesses correctly wins the entire pot, while the one who’s wrong pays for a huge celebratory dinner at the end of the season – it’s gotten as high as $8,000 before!

Before filming begins, everyone who competes on the show signs a contract. This agreement with *Survivor* and CBS prevents them from making negative or damaging statements about the series or those who create it. It also confirms they understand the show involves risks and potential for injury.

However, there’s a huge penalty – $5 million – if you break the confidentiality agreement. That means you can’t reveal any details about the show, or even that you’re a contestant, until CBS officially announces it.

During season 37, Alec Merlino risked legal trouble when he shared a photo with fellow contestant Kara Kay on Instagram before the show aired. He captioned the photo with a profanity. Although producers didn’t pursue a $5 million penalty using a non-disclosure agreement, they did prevent him from attending the live finale taping.

Honestly, the whole situation has been the biggest challenge for me throughout my time on *Survivor*. I truly have nothing but respect for CBS, the show, and Jeff – they gave me an incredible experience. That photo that caused the controversy? It was a mistake, and I completely own up to it. It really stinks that it happened, but I think things were taken out of context, and that’s all I want to say about it.

Back in 2001, Stacey Stillman, who was the third person eliminated from the first season of *Survivor*, filed a lawsuit against CBS and the show’s creator, Mark Burnett. She claimed Burnett manipulated her removal from the show and rigged the results. Her lawsuit alleged that Burnett misused his relationships with the contestants and persuaded two of them to switch their votes.

CBS and Burnett dismissed the lawsuit as without merit. The network then filed its own counter-suit, seeking $5 million in damages due to a breach of contract – specifically, speaking publicly against the show as prohibited. Eventually, the dispute was resolved privately, outside of court.

Over the years, *Survivor* has seen many couples find love, with Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich being the most famous example. They met during *All-Stars* and are now married with four daughters.

You know, it’s funny where life takes you! Even Jeff Probst, the host of *Survivor*, found romance on set. He started dating Julie Berry, a contestant from *Survivor: Vanuatu*, once filming wrapped. They were pretty discreet about it, keeping things under wraps until after her season finished airing. They actually had a serious relationship for a few years, but things eventually ran their course and they split up in 2008. It just goes to show, connection can happen anywhere, even in the most unexpected places!

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2025-09-26 01:19