Sia Revives Survivor Prize at $100,000 as Fans Vote Winner in Season 50 Finale

11 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · May 20

$100,000 will go to a fan-selected "Sia Prize" winner during Wednesday's Survivor 50 finale, reviving the unofficial award after Jeff Probst had previously halted it.
Probst said he approached Sia once Season 50 adopted its "In the Hands of the Fans" theme, and she pushed the twist further by insisting viewers, not she alone, should choose the recipient.
The prize began in 2016 when Sia gave $50,000 to a contestant and eventually expanded across eight seasons to more than $1 million for 19 players whose stories moved her.
The finale's return of the award adds a second cash spotlight to a season already ending with five finalists competing for Survivor's $2 million grand prize.
Season 50 has also leaned into celebrity fandom more broadly, with Zac Brown appearing in a reward challenge and Billie Eilish and Billie Joe Armstrong tied to other season elements.

As the live finale ends again, what does this signal for the future of the 'Survivor' franchise?

Will the jury reward the best game or the biggest threat in tomorrow's high-stakes 'Survivor 50' finale?

Can an unknown from an unaired season outplay legends for the historic $2 million 'Survivor' prize?