Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Hannah Shapiro studied the game ofSurvivorbefore she actually playedliterally.
Hannah took aSurvivorclass at Northwestern University taught by another futureSurvivorcontestantSurvivor: Worlds Apart’s Max Dawson.
Hannah Shapiro on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
HANNAH SHAPIRO:When my 15 seconds of fame started to fade, I mostly felt relief.
The first thing I did after the airing of weeks on national television was to recover.
I’m also exploring other podcasting adventures!
Hannah Shapiro, Ken McNickle, and Adam Klein on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.CBS
Different fromSurvivor, in the podcast world, I control the telling of my story.
I also worked as an entertainment journalist for a variety of online publications.
This Covid year, like it has for many, threw everything out of sync.
Hannah Shapiro on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images
Also I rescued a puppy, Lil Cacao, and she is the goofiest.
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
I wrote my college common app essay, explaining that I would be on the show.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
That’s in code because I’m not naming names.
And I wouldn’t necessarily want everything to be different.
But if you could make it through that training, the life lessons are sound ones.
Except I do regret not washing my face.
Seriously, it was always so dirty.
I was like, “Sweet, I won!”
Turns out the challenge was defective.
Not only did we have to start over, but everyone had to be wiped clean of their paint.
Or the 10 immunity necklaces I won in a row that were cut out of the show.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
The edit of eachSurvivorseason tells the story it needs to tell.
I’m thankful I got to add my voice to a wonderful season.
When the season wraps, every player believes that they are the protagonist.
You’ll hear cast members say, “Just wait till you see me burp on day five!”
But the truth is, only the winner is the protagonist most seasons.
I learned more about storytelling from my edit and the produced show overall.
You live out a month-and-a-half long experience and then you observe how TV professionals tell that story back.
We all want to be the protagonist but there mostly can only be one.
Plus, only Jeff Probst ends up on the Emmy billboards anyhow.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
I was at Hertz rental with my dad and I suddenly exclaimed, “Wait, Prince died?”
The lady looked at me like where have you been?
And all the things that happened in the real world felt unimportant for a time.
I had to convince myself that life outside torches and immunity challenges had value.
I definitely had a lot of regrets, but going on the show was never one of them.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
I still keep in touch with a handful of folks from my season.
I remember sitting in Ponderosa before the game when Probst helicoptered in (a pretty badass move).
We’ll always have Fiji!
Mari is wildly talented and incredibly humble for being so damn cool.
Sunday is such a kind-hearted, empathetic human and she’s loved by everyone in our cast.
She’s currently battling cancer and we’re all behind her.
I started withCook Islands,so many of that cast will always hold a place in my heart.
I loveMicronesia: Fans vs. Favoritesand the domination by the ladies.
In recent seasons, there was just something magical about season 40. Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
She’s been my favorite sinceThe Dragonztook over the music industry.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
The show benefits and we all benefit from a more diverse cast and crew.
Many former players ripped their hearts open in the hopes that it would be better for future contestants.
Storytelling will only improve if production becomes more diverse.
More female editors, just!
I’ve been pleased that changes are coming to address these issues.
I respect all those who pushed for these changes, and spoke to CBS executives and Probst.
My other proposal for change would address post-show support and care.
I am incredibly thankful for my cast members who helped me as I struggled to maintain my sanity post-show.
But it shouldn’t have ever been their responsibility.
Mental health support following the show would benefit all those in theSurvivorcommunity.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
I want to play again when I’m 80 and really ruffle feathers as the grandma archetype.
