Mike White subtly incorporated "Survivor" contestants into his show "The White Lotus" as unobtrusive cameos.
Veteran "Survivor" contestant Mike White, who placed second in Season 37 of the reality show, has been announced as part of the cast for the 50th season of the series. White, also the creator of the hit HBO show "The White Lotus," has a unique connection between the two shows, as he has secretly integrated "Survivor" into "The White Lotus" by casting former "Survivor" contestants as extras.
White's scripted series, "The White Lotus," follows a similar theme to "Survivor," as each season is set at a different luxury resort in a faraway destination where guests' lives intertwine in an over-the-top fashion. Some eagle-eyed fans may have noticed the cameo appearances of "Survivor" contestants in the background of the White Lotus' exotic settings.
Alec Merlino, who competed in both "Survivor: David vs. Goliath" and the upcoming Season 50 of "Survivor," has had the most significant role on "The White Lotus." In the first season, set in Hawaii, Merlino played Hutch, a waiter and bartender at a resort in Maui. Merlino and White were on the same team in "Survivor: David vs. Goliath," with Merlino being voted out in ninth place while White finished as runner-up.
Angela Keeley and Kara Kay, also from "Survivor: David vs. Goliath," made appearances in Season 2 of "The White Lotus," which was set in Taormina, Sicily. They spoke to a new main character, Daphne, while lounging on the beach.
Natalie Cole, Carl Boudreaux, and Christian Hubicki, all from "Survivor: David vs. Goliath," appeared as guests at the White Lotus resort in Thailand in Season 3. Their cameos did not involve speaking, and their brief appearances may have been missed by those unfamiliar with Season 37 of "Survivor."
Hubicki and his girlfriend, also a former "Survivor" contestant, were planning a trip to Japan for a conference when they decided to visit the "The White Lotus" set in Thailand. White had previously extended an invitation to former "Survivor" contestants to appear as extras if they found themselves near the filming location.
As "Survivor" enters its 50th season, fans will be excited to see the return of White and other "Survivor" alums on their screens.
Source: Caitlin O'Kane, New York City journalist, Senior Manager of Content and Production, CBS News' News social media team.
In: "Survivor," "The White Lotus," Television.
[1] Relevant Enrichment Data: In addition to the contestants mentioned in the article, Christian Hubicki and his girlfriend, Emily, also appeared as extras on "The White Lotus."
Fans of "Survivor" and "The White Lotus" can anticipate a fusion of both worlds, as the upcoming 50th season of "Survivor" might bring back some of their favorite contestants to be part of related news in television. The entertaining crossover between the two shows is not just limited to Mike White's secret integrations but also involves other former "Survivor" contestants like Alec Merlino, Angela Keeley, Kara Kay, Natalie Cole, and Christian Hubicki.
