"All played pretty different games": Survivor 49 champion Savannah breaks down Sage, Soph, and her own journey

Survivor 49 winner Savannah opened up about fellow finalists and their gameplays during her recent interview with The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp on December 18, 2025.

She recalled her gameplay and how it was different from Sage and Soph's strategies. Savannah also reflected on the final Tribal Council and jury members' votes during the interview.

Survivor's Savannah noted that despite being a confident individual, she was concerned during the final Tribal Council. It was because she and fellow finalists played different games throughout the show.

"I'm a pretty confident person as it is. That said, like, I knew I was not gonna get unanimous win. And I looked at my competition, Sage and Sophi, we had all played pretty different games, you know what I mean? And they were all really good respectable games. So, going into final Tribal (Council), I was confident just because that's in my nature. But, I wasn't sure that it was going to be a win," shared Savannah.

Survivor 49: Savannah reflects on her experience and the finalists' game plays

After winning Survivor 49, the winner, Savannah, attended The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp on December 18, 2025. She asked her about her confidence during the final Tribal Council.

Savannah recalled that she had been a confident person throughout the game, confessionals, and more. However, after she witnessed jury members' interactions and Soph's answers during the council, she was concerned.

She noted that her, Sage's, and Soph's game plays were different from each other. With that, they all had different strategies while moving forward in the competition.

"I actually felt like I was losing it in that moment as I'm seeing the jury laugh with her and connect with her. And I'm just sitting there like, Oh my gosh. Like, I hate that my best friend is so likable right now," added Savannah.

Survivor star added that it was "so cool" to go against such great competitors in the finale. The host asked what the finale was more about. Whether it was about the final fire-making challenge or the answers she shared during the final Tribal Council.

"And I will say, when you look at the people on the jury, who didn't vote for me, I feel like, it may have been a little personal, which is totally fine. Like, Kristina, I don't think it was ever gonna vote for me, and like, that is totally cool."

She noted that one of the great things about Survivor was that the jury members had the freedom to choose who they wanted to. Savannah also discussed Sage and Jawan's connections and that he voted for her.

She also recalled MC getting impressed by Soph's performance at the final Tribal Council.

"I can't fault any of them for voting the way they did. I don't think either of them or any of them were persuaded by fire. Maybe some people gave me more votes because of fire, but I think, ultimately, like, my performance before then also spoke for itself," said Savannah.

She added that MC voting for Sophi was a surprising vote for her. While talking about MC, Savannah recalled the time when she tried to steal her advantage. Later, she realized that that didn't sit well with MC and that she "took it to the heart."

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To know more about the show's finale and the final Tribal Council, fans can stream Survivor Season 49 on Paramount+.

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