Cristina Coria

Cristina Coria is a contestant from.

Profile
Cristina Coria was born and raised in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in a family of police officers who worked for the Santa Monica Police Department. At the age of 12, Coria lost her father when he was shot and killed in an unsolved murder. After her father died, her mother raised her and her four siblings all by herself.

Coria started her career in law enforcement at the age of 14. She was a Santa Monica police explorer, police cadet, parking enforcement officer, community service officer, Santa Monica College police officer and then Santa Monica police officer. She has also worked as a waitress, sales clerk and as an instructor at the El Camino College Reserve Police Academy. She also volunteered for the Santa Monica Police Activities League and taught dance to kids.

Coria has been a police officer for almost 14 years. During this time, she has gone through two life-threatening experiences. First, she was nearly crushed to death when she was pinned up against her police car by another vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver. Second, she sustained an almost career-ending injury to her left arm after being shot by a murder suspect during a hostage standoff that occurred on the Santa Monica Pier on July 4, 2000. She sustained severe bone and nerve damage and was initially advised by doctors that she might lose her arm. After extensive reconstructive surgery she was told by doctors that she would never be able to have full use of her arm again nor return back to work. Through dedication, determination, faith and perseverance, she beat the odds and regained use of her arm. In 2001, she returned back to work full duty patrolling the streets of Santa Monica. After such hardships, she manages to keep upbeat and continues to have a positive outlook on life.

In addition to patrol duty, Coria has worked as a technical consultant on the movie "Angel Eyes" with Jennifer Lopez. She was also on E! Entertainment for "Red Carpet Confidential" and received a makeover on the show. She appeared on the Discovery Health Channel, a Police Rape Awareness video, MTV's "Y2K Ball" and numerous news programs as a result of being shot on July 4, 2000.

Coria enjoys playing volleyball, dancing, exercising and running. She also loves to swim and recently started to surf. She currently resides in the Los Angeles area. Her birth date is April 18, 1971.

Survivor: Cook Islands
Cristina started the game on the Hispanic-American tribe Aitutaki. She formed a strong bond with Cecilia Mansilla early on. Aitutaki won the first Immunity Challenge. In Dire Strengths and Dead Weight, Cristina's tribemate Ozzy Lusth came up with a plan to throw the Immunity Challenge and eliminate Billy Garcia. Cristina was initially against the idea, but, at the challenge, she went along with Ozzy's plan and Aitutaki lost immunity. Billy, who knew he was in danger, asked Cristina and Cecilia to vote off Ozzy instead of himself. Cristina did not want to vote off Billy, as she felt she should protect him, especially after Billy fell in love with Rarotonga member, Candice Woodcock; nonetheless, at Tribal Council, Cristina voted for Billy, who was voted out.

After the Tribe Switch in Flirting and Frustration, Cristina was picked by Jenny Guzon-Bae to be a member of the Rarotonga tribe. Cristina was joined by ex-Aitutaki member J.P. Calderon. After Rarotonga lost the Immunity Challenge in Ruling the Roost, Cristina was on-board with the tribe's plans to eliminate Stephannie Favor, but, when Rebecca Borman approached her about a possible all-women counter alliance, Cristina had to decide between the two alliances. At Tribal Council, Cristina sided with the women, and J.P. was voted off.

In Don't Cry Over Spilled Octopus, Cristina became a target due to her annoying nature. When the tribe lost the Immunity Challenge, everybody was set on voting for her, but, when Stephannie told Nate Gonzalez that she "wanted some mashed potatoes and gravy", he took it as a sign of weakness and turned the vote against Stephannie. Cristina was saved when, at Tribal Council, Stephannie was voted out instead. Cristina did not escape without a scratch though because, at Tribal Coucil, she was ridiculed for being annoying. Cristina was unaware that the tribe perceived her this way and tried to change her attitude towards the game. After Jeff Probst revealed there would be a Double Tribal Council in Plan Voodoo, Cristina was once again on the chopping block. Cristina was desperate to stay in the game, so she told everybody to give her another chance and vote out Jenny instead. Despite her lobbying, at Tribal Council, only Brad Virata voted with her so Cristina was eliminated, finishing in 14th place.

Trivia

 * Cristina was the oldest female contestant from the original Aitutaki tribe.
 * She is also the highest placing female from the Aitu tribe.
 * Cristina was the last original member of Aitutaki to be voted out, due to Ozzy making it to the Final 3.
 * Cristina once dated Joel Klug of Borneo.
 * Starting with Cristina, every person who was a member of Rarotonga at one point would be eliminated consecutively until none were left.
 * Jenny Guzon-Bae drew criticism for doodling a shooting gun on her vote for Cristina, a police officer who had been shot in the line of duty, on Night 15. Jenny later defended herself on Survivor Live, stating that she meant no ill will and had been putting drawings on everyone's votes.