Reality TV Couples
‘Survivor’ Couples Ranking: Who’s the Best Duo That Met on the Show?
The beaches of Survivor have set the scene for several reality television showmances over the years. Some of those romances have gone on to become real-life relationships, with the pairs tying the knot and starting families back in the real world.
For other lasting Survivor couples, the relationships began back at home after filming ended (in some cases, several years after). But either way, these duos have made their love work after meeting, thanks to the CBS competition show, which will air its 49th season in the fall.
So, what’s the best pairing to come from Survivor? We rounded up all the couples who are still together and ranked them from worst to best. Scroll down to check out our ranking and make sure to let us know in the comments section below if you agree. Who’s your favorite Survivor couple? Are there any duos that broke up that you wish could have made it work?
6. Elizabeth Beisel & Jack Nichting
I’m sorry, but Season 39 of Survivor was so forgettable, that I simply cannot rank Elizabeth Beisel and Jack Nichting two any higher. Super happy for them, though, and glad to see they’re thriving (they tied the knot in September 2024)
5. Joe Anglim & Sierra Thomas
Although Joe Anglim and Sierra Dawn Thomas first played Survivor together during Season 30, their romance didn’t begin until years later. They’ve since gotten married and had two children.
A few years ago, I might have ranked these two a bit higher, but their relationship has been plagued a bit because of some of the online controversy he’s been involved in.
4. Whitney Duncan & Keith Tollefson
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t so great that Whitney Duncan and Keith Tollefson’s Season 23 Survivor showmance began while she was still married to someone else at home.
But they’ve proven that they were meant to be with more than a decade of marriage under their belts (they tied the knot in 2014). While the Tollefsons are a bit more obscure than other Survivor couples, they’ve built a sweet life (with two kids) together.
3. Katurah Topps & Sabiyah Broderick
Survivor’s first queer black couple, Katurah Topps and Sabiyah Broderick, came from Season 45, and they debuted their romance in honor of Pride month two years after their season filmed.
Interestingly enough, Topps and Broderick never actually played the game together (they were on different starting tribes, and Sabiyah was voted out before the merge), which makes this story even more romantic. They were still able to find one another and fall in love!
2. Frannie Marin & Matt Blankinship
Frannie Marin and Matt Blankinship are just two Survivor nerds (their words, not mine!) who fell in love. Their romance began on the beach during Season 44, and she ended up moving from the East Coast to San Francisco so they could be together.
You truly couldn’t NOT fall in love with these two as they awkwardly navigated their feelings for each other on television. So pure. So sweet.
1. Rob & Amber Mariano
If you read our feature about why Boston Rob and Amber Mariano are the best reality TV couple of all time, this won’t come as a surprise.
Having met on Season 8, Rob and Amber are the OG Survivor couple. Critics thought she was just using him to get ahead in the game, but they totally proved the haters wrong by getting engaged at the live finale and going on to have a marriage that’s now lasted more than 20 years. They have four adorable daughters together.
