Domenick Abbate

Domenick Abbate is a contestant from.

With his aggressive personality and rivalry with Chris Noble, Domenick found himself as a target on the old Naviti tribe but managed to form a long-term alliance with Wendell Holland and find Andrea's Hidden Immunity Idol. While he and Wendell found themselves on the bottom shortly after a Tribe Switch, he managed to obtain the Legacy Advantage, and they managed to form relationships with former Malolo's Donathan Hurley and Laurel Johnson. At the merge, he successfully took out Chris. Shortly after Chris's elimination, Domenick and Wendell began working with Donathan and Laurel and controlling the game. At the final six, he made a huge strategic move by playing David Wright 's fake idol, but bluffing that it was real which allowed him to escape elimination. He managed to win the Final Immunity Challenge which guaranteed himself a spot at the Final Tribal Council. Despite being commended for his aggressive game-play, he was criticized for his aggressive personality. In a Survivor first, both he and Wendell tied with five jury votes each which required Laurel to cast the deciding vote. He ultimately lost and came in second place after Laurel voted for Wendell to win.

Profile
Retrieved from CBS.com

Age: 38

Hometown: Nesconset, New York

Current residence: Nesconset, New York

Occupation: Construction Supervisor

Hobbies: Crossfit, poker, and skiing.

Pet peeves: Fake people, small talk at parties, and judgmental people who are convinced they are better than me.

Three words to describe you: Calculated, intuitive, and empathetic.

What's your personal claim to fame? My greatest personal accomplishment came when my first daughter was born in 2008. Before her birth I was very overweight, smoked cigarettes, dabbled quite a bit at the craps table and would most likely be sitting down at the poker table on any given day. I recall a specific moment when my daughter was about a year old and she wanted me to take her outside on the swings. It was chilly that day so I had to dress warm. While putting on my shoes, I recall panting from being out of breath from the simple act of tying my own shoes.

It was at that moment that I knew I had to make a change so that I would be around a long time for her and my other children that were soon to come. In the last seven years, I quit smoking, dropped 65 pounds and even though I can still occasionally be found in a poker room, I have dramatically prioritized where my income goes and where most of my money is spent, which is primarily bills and workout clothes for my wife.

Who or what is your inspiration in life? My father. He raised nine kids on a construction salary, taught his boys to be men and his daughters to be ladies.

If you could have three things on the island, what would they be and why? A photo of my wife, a picture of my rugrats because they're awesome, and an antihistamine, which I will spike in somebody's drinking water if they are relentlessly annoying me and/or the group on the island.

Which Survivor contestant are you most like? I know you are looking for one, but I am going to split this in three. Mostly Cirie, because I think she is masterfully empathetic with other players. She has an amazing ability to disable people. I hope I can do what she has done in the game. Second is Cochran. He wins in the emotional intelligence category that allows him to morph into whatever he needs to at the time. He also understands the importance of stroking other people's egos when he needs to. This is something I hope I am capable of doing. And finally Rob Mariano, for the simple fact that we both come from Italian families with a background in construction. But more importantly, he sees the game big picture which is critical and I hope I can maintain.

What's your reason for being on Survivor? Obviously this is the opportunity of a lifetime to play this game, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a forced break from real life. And I don't mean that I am happy to leave my family or my job, but this game will force me to be away from my life for a set period of time which I hope will open my eyes to what's important when I get home. Oh yeah, and that money is mine!

Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor? I grew up in a house with eight siblings. Lack of food, clothes, and showers are something I'm accustomed to. This game should be a walk in the park.

Voting History
In Fear Keeps You Sharp, Domenick used the Legacy Advantage, but did not negate any votes against him. In The Sea Slug Slugger, Michael used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Domenick's vote against him. In The Finish Line Is in Sight, the vote ended with a 2-2 tie between Laurel and Micahel, forcing a revote. Domenick did not change his vote on the revote. In Always Be Moving, the vote ended with a 3-3 tie between Donathan and Kellyn, forcing a revote. Domenick did not change his vote on the revote. In It Is Game Time Kids, Domenick used a Hidden Immunity Idol, but did not negate any votes against him.

Trivia

 * Domenick is the first person to simultaneously hold the Legacy Advantage and a Hidden Immunity Idol.
 * Domenick is the first person to use the Legacy Advantage before the final six.
 * Domenick was the last person to receive their first vote in.
 * Domenick received the most jury votes of any runner-up, with 5.