Kenzie Petty of Charlotte, far right, on Season 46 of “Survivor’” on CBS. Also pictured: Maria Gonzalez, left, and Hunter McKnight, center.
CBS
“Survivor” Season 46 has come to an end, and the winner has been crowned.
Kenzie Petty of Charlotte and 18 other castaways headed to Fiji this season to win the coveted title of “Sole Survivor” — and the $1 million prize.
With immunity challenges involving puzzles, obstacle courses and mazes, Petty survived 12 tribal councils to earn a spot in the the finale’s top five.
How did Petty fare in Wednesday night’s season finale? Read on to find out. (Warning, we’ve got spoilers ahead)
Who is Kenzie from ‘Survivor’?
29-year-old Kenzie Petty owns eXplicit Salon in Camp North End.
The red-haired, tattooed, self-described “people person” has quickly built a following on social media after being cast on “Survivor,” with her fans dubbing themselves the “Bimbo Brigade.”
“I don’t know how it happened,” Petty told The Charlotte Observer in February, “but yeah, that’s what the fans have decided to call themselves. So we’re running with it.”
Petty also told The Observer that her psychic, who lives in her building and introduced her to “Survivor,” knew she was going to be on the show when she announced she was going on a “yoga retreat.”
“She did not believe the yoga-retreat thing when I announced it,” Petty said. “She said, ‘I knew. I knew that’s what you were doing.’ I was like, ‘Alright. Yeah.’”
What is Kenzie known for?
Early in the game, other castaways became known for their fierce competitiveness, but Petty, who received the nickname “mermaid dragon” for her soft (but deceitful) exterior, established herself as an alliance maker on Day 1.
Presumably a strategic move, she formed alliances with four other members of her tribe, who have since been eliminated from the competition.
Petty also received praise from fans after helping Ben, a fellow castaway, through night terrors and panic attacks during her time on the island.
“I don’t care if it’s a game for a million dollars,” Kenzie said during a confessional. “At the end of the day, Ben’s a person. Is he my competition? Yes. But he’s my friend. And sometimes you just have to be there for somebody and sit with them through it.”
How did Kenzie do on the ‘Survivor’ season finale?
Challenge 1: Petty won a puzzle challenge with the help of Liz, who realized she wasn’t going to finish the challenge. Her victory secured immunity from elimination, and a spot in the final four.
She chose Ben to join her for the reward lunch, where they discussed their plans to vote for Maria.
When Petty returned to camp, in an attempt to save herself from elimination, Maria approached her to get her to vote for Ben, using his “accidental” slip-up where he wrote “Kenzie” down during a tribal council at the end of the season as her reasoning. But Petty didn’t fall for her stunt.
“Her pitching Ben is foolish,” Petty said during a confessional. “None of us are going to fall for that.”
During tribal council, before the vote took place, Petty told Maria that she planned to vote her out of the competition.
“I literally want to be you when I grow up…you would have wiped the floor with us,” Petty said after writing her name. “That’s why this is happening.”
Maria was eliminated from the competition, receiving three votes during tribal council, leaving Petty, Liz, Ben and Charlie in the final four.
The night after tribal council, with Charlie’s help, Petty once again helped Ben through a panic attack he experienced in the middle of the night, reinforcing the closeness of their relationship.
Challenge 2: In the final immunity challenge, which involved a puzzle and a giant pinball machine, Petty came close to winning, but Ben came out on a top, locking down his first win of the season and a spot in the final three.
But he had choices to make: Who would he choose to join him in the final three? And which two castaways would face off in the fire-making competition?
Challenge 3: Seeing her as the biggest threat remaining, Ben chose right off the bat to make fire the challenge — and he picked Petty as her opponent.
Though she struggled in the beginning, Petty beat Liz handily in the contest, earning her a spot in the top three alongside Ben and Charlie.
Facing the jury: After the final challenge, the winner was in the hands of the jury.
“My game is about adapting…and knowing when to step up,” Petty said during a confessional. “I know my story’s better than Charlie and Ben’s, it’s just about how I sell it.”
The jury questioned the remaining three castaways on strategic moves, past mistakes, forming alliances and what they would do with the money if they won.
Pleading her case for the final time, Petty focused on the relationships she formed throughout the competition.
“I came in here trying to make friends and thank you all for listening,” Petty told the jury. “I just love you all, thank you so much.”
Who won Sole Survivor for Season 46?
In a 5-3 vote, Petty edged out Charlie for the title of “Sole Survivor” and the $1 million prize.
During the aftershow, host Jeff Probst asked Petty how it felt to be a millionaire.
“It’s literally life-changing,” Petty said. “I couldn’t be more proud of myself, and I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone around me.”
“It’s really one of the first times in my life I’ve done something for me and it’s just, it’s indescribable,” she continued. “I’m very proud of myself for owning that, and I’m going to take my congratulations.”
How to watch the ‘Survivor’ season finale
If you missed the “Survivor” Season 46 finale live on CBS, you can stream it on Paramount+.
This story was originally published May 22, 2024, 10:23 PM.
