As Survivor gears up for its milestone 50th season, one of its most recognizable competitors is admitting he never expected to be invited back. Ozzy Lusth says he assumed his past work on OnlyFans would permanently close the door on his future with CBS.
Survivor 50’s Ozzy Lusth on getting cast despite past OnlyFans career
Ozzy Lusth, who first appeared on Survivor: Cook Islands in 2006, revealed that he was “surprised” producers welcomed him back after what he described as a “very hardcore” chapter of his life. Speaking candidly with The Sun, he said he believed his adult-content career would be a dealbreaker for the long-running, primetime franchise.
“I’m surprised CBS asked me back after everything,” the fan-favorite challenge beast shared. He acknowledged that he “dabbled in some pretty hardcore stuff.” Lusth further explained that the period coincided with a difficult time personally, adding that he “wasn’t in a good place”. He described it as a darker chapter of his life. Still, he emphasized he has “no regrets.”
The returning castaway admitted he fully expected the network to draw a strict line given Survivor’s broad, family-friendly audience. However, during conversations with the Season 50 casting team, Lusth was reassured that producers were aware of his past and that it would not prevent his return.
Since stepping away from adult content, Ozzy Lusth has redirected his energy into new ventures. It included opening Xolazul, an organic restaurant, cocktail bar, and vinyl listening lounge in Guanajuato, Mexico. He has also remained active in the Survivor community, frequently hosting viewing events alongside fellow alumni.
Lusth’s Survivor résumé is stacked. He finished as the runner-up on the Cook Islands, then returned for Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites. He also battled through Redemption Island on South Pacific, and later competed on Game Changers. Over nearly two decades, he has cemented himself as one of the franchise’s most athletic and memorable players.
Now, with Survivor 50 bringing back a live finale in Los Angeles and assembling a lineup of franchise icons, Ozzy Lusth’s return marks another chapter in his complex history with the game, one he once thought had ended for good.
