Iconic 'Survivor' Player Admits He Was 'Mean' and 'Nasty' to Host Jeff Probstoriginally appeared onParade. Shane Powers was a clear fan-favorite player onSurvivor: Panama - Exile Islandin 2005, so fans of the show often wonder why he's never been invited back for another season when other players from his round—includingCirie Fieldsand Terry Deitz—have. Many fans were hoping to see Powers return for the all-star lineup ofSurvivor 50: In the Hands of the Fansin 2026, but the former competitor admits he knew that was never going to happen, and it's his own "fault" because of how he treated host Jeff Probst. Related:'Survivor' Winner Shares Wedding Photos & Reveals Which Tribemates Made the Invite List "I would not have been called [forseason 50]. And most of that is my fault," he toldEntertainment Weeklyin an August 5, 2025, interview. "I have lost the right to be considered for that show because I have been mean and grumpy and nasty with the guy who created… or didn't create the show, but that's his baby." Shane lashed out at Probst on X in a now-deleted post in 2019 after longtimeSurvivorcasting director Lynne Spillman was let go, and at the time, Probst evenresponded. "Dude, you are so weird! Love that you're talking smack about Survivor. We hear you Mr. Powers, we are listening. We understand we have destroyed the show," he teased. However, Powers is now changing his tune about Probst. "He's been a wonderful host, and he's been an amazing executive producer," said the competitor. "And I've made the choices I've made, and I really respect who he is and what he's done with that whole thing. It's been really beautiful." The former reality star also admits that he did try to get back on the show forHeroes Vs. Villainsin 2010, but it went poorly. "I was so drunk, and I was lying to everybody saying, 'I'm not drunk,'" he shared. "I peed like a 0.28 to the physical and took the psych test drunk with Dr. Liza." 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Then, when it came toSurvivor Second Chancein 2015, fans had the opportunity to vote for him to come back, but he didn't make the top ten list. Probst himselfsaidhe "assumed" Powers would be voted in, and even prepared himself for it. "I was already thinking about 'How am I gonna deal with Shane?' He can be crazy, but he'll be great." The host theorized that it may be because of Powers' "mean" persona. "My mom, she'd go, 'Shane, he was kind of crazy and mean, I don't know,'" when it came to voting, and that the kinds of people who are fans of Powers may simply not bother voting. Survivor 50is set to premiere in 2026. Next:Legendary 'Survivor' Winner Defends Former Competitor Against Sexist Criticism Iconic 'Survivor' Player Admits He Was 'Mean' and 'Nasty' to Host Jeff Probstfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
