SURVIVOR star Abi-Maria Gomes has claimed she got ‘ghosted’ by season 50 producers after a grueling years-long casting process in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
The two-time Survivor player, who became known as the “Brazilian Dragon,” has turned into one of the biggest fan-favorites from her time on season 25 and once again delivered a strong performance for season 31’s Second Chance comeback.
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Due to her fiery personality, strategic gameplay, and entertaining one-liners, Survivor fans widely considered Abi, 45, as a shoo-in to be part of the 50th season.
However, that dream came to a screeching halt last week when host Jeff Probst announced the cast for season 50 with the shocking exclusions of favorites Abi, Jerri Manthey, Rob Cesternino, Carolyn Wiger, and many others.
The news even came as a surprise to Abi herself, who admitted that following a grueling casting process that had lasted years, she found out with the rest of the world that she didn’t make the cut.
“They tried casting me for every other returning season, it didn’t work out. And then again, they called me this past August, [for 50] the day that I got back from Brazil with my boyfriend, and then I went through the whole process.
“And then the rug got pulled off… So it’s just like, is this becoming this toxic relationship?
“I should just literally move on because it’s like I’m clearly giving my all, but you guys are not connecting with me. It’s so sad,” Abi admitted in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
The Goiânia, Brazil native went on to describe the lengthy process she endured: “I haven’t even gotten a true reason [for not being cast].
“I went through the whole process, which is really extraneous because you have to go through the psych tests and then all the questionnaires, and you’re going through things in your life that you left behind so long ago, and you’re digging through that.
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“And it’s just like, you don’t even want to revisit that. So I went through all of that, and then had my Zoom meeting with Jeff and the hierarchy of CBS, which is like male, all the executives there.
“It was a Zoom call, and then just to see all these men’s faces. Jeff was very nice. But with one of the producers, I think they played good cop, bad cop to get little reactions out of you.”
Abi then explained that during the casting process for Survivor 50, she was contacted by NBCUniversal for a potential role on Peacock’s House of Villains.
However, when the NBC producers learned that her “heart was set” on Survivor 50, they pursued different options.
“I was so delusional [about being cast on Survivor 50] because I didn’t have my clarity. I asked the casting department, ‘Can somebody give me an update on what’s happening?’
“They left me on read. They ghosted me,” she confessed.
Although the experience was tough for Abi to go through, she tries to maintain a positive outlook on the show that made her famous.
“It’s not even fair. I mean, I am forever grateful. I don’t want to act like a victim. It has opened doors and created a lot of opportunities.
“But at the same time, it’s like my whole story with being an immigrant. I always have to come with extra.
“It’s always extra. It’s always extra. It’s always more money. Somebody was asking me like, ‘Oh, but you came here legally, right? How was your story?’
“I’m like, ‘It was always extra, I always had to do extra and pay extra money.
“I always had to pay for an attorney. It’s always extra. So it’s like, I always have to give extra for them, and it’s still not good enough.
“So maybe it’s time for me to move on. It’s sad,” Abi said.
Survivor 50 line-up revealed
- Jenna – Season 1
- Colby – Season 2
- Stephenie – Season 10
- Cirie – Season 12
- Ozzy – Season 13
- Coach – Season 18
- Aubry – Season 32
- Chrissy – Season 35
- Christian – Season 37
- Angelina – Season 37
- Mike – Season 37
- Rick – Season 38
- Jonathan – Season 42
- Dee – Season 45
- Emily – Season 45
- Q – Season 46
- Tiffany – Season 46
- Charlie – Season 46
- Genevieve – Season 47
- Kamilla – Season 48
- Joe – Season 48
- Kyle – Season 48
- TBD – Season 49
- TBD – Season 4
Despite not packing her bags to live on the islands of Fiji this Summer, Abi is still thriving in her personal life.
She’s living in Los Angeles with her longtime boyfriend and is finishing up her social and behavioral science degree that includes a major in business management.
The reality star also has a successful history in real estate – and quipped that Netflix should “give her a call” so she can bring the Brazilian Dragon to Selling Sunset.
Abi became one of the most buzzed-about contestants from her debut run on Survivor: Philippines in season 25 and was voted in by fans to be part of the Second Chance cast for Survivor: Cambodia in season 31.
Season 50 of Survivor began production this month and will include 24 returning players, including big names from the franchise like Mike White, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, and Angelina Keeley.
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