Danielle "Danni" Boatwright Wiegmann is the Sole Survivor of Survivor: Guatemala. She later competed on Survivor: Winners at War.
Self-described "stealth bomber" Danni played an under-the-radar game in Guatemala, using her strong personal relationships to advance in the game. Despite her post-switch Yaxhá Alliance entering the merge with a 6-4 numbers disadvantage and having her allies picked off one by one, Danni finally achieved leverage in the game by obtaining a crucial Challenge Advantage from the Survivor Auction, which allowed her to win the Day 33 Immunity Challenge, forcing the majority Nakúm Alliance to turn on each other. As the ruling alliance crumbled, Danni ingratiated herself with the group enough to maneuver her way into the final three with Rafe Judkins and Stephenie LaGrossa. After winning the Final Immunity Challenge, Danni chose to vote out Rafe, taking Stephenie with her to the Final Tribal Council, where the jury saw her as the less objectionable of the two, winning her the title of Sole Survivor in a 6-1 vote.
Returning for Winners at War, Danni was placed on the Sele tribe, where she aligned with the old-school winners Rob Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and Ethan Zohn. Despite her calm and collected gameplay in Guatemala, Danni found it hard to adapt to the seemingly faster pace of the modern game and subsequently became too paranoid about her position. Driven by angst and unfounded suspicion, she campaigned against Parvati; however, when this backfired, she was forced to scramble. In the end, her plan failed and she was voted out unanimously. On the Edge of Extinction, Danni failed both attempts to re-enter the game, ultimately placing 19th.
Profile[]
Retrieved from CBS.com
Danni Boatwright represented the state of Kansas at the 1992 Miss Teen USA pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi, and was second runner up to the title. She also represented Kansas at the 1996 Miss USA Pageant, where she won all preliminary judging and was first runner up to the title of Miss USA. She was voted one of the "100 Most Beautiful Women." Boatwright has traveled around the world as an international model in Italy, England, Germany, France, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and Tunisia. At the age of 17, she was chosen to be on "Star Search" as a spokesmodel and contestant. She was the youngest ever chosen to appear on the show in this category. Boatwright has also appeared in numerous television and print advertisements With all of her accomplishments, Boatwright's passion has been and will always be sports. Having grown up with seven brothers, she developed a keen competitive edge. Boatwright was a high school athlete who competed in basketball, volleyball, cross country and track where, as a freshman, she help set a record in the two mile relay that still stands today. She continues to be active in sports, having just competed in the Nashville "Music City Marathon." Because of her sports background, she is not only interested in the major sports such as NFL Football, Major League Baseball and NBA Basketball, but also college sports and such diverse sports as rodeo and track. Most recently, Boatwright hosted "Weekend Wrap," a weekly talk show on 610 Sports. Boatwright currently resides in Tonganoxie, Kansas. Her birth date is July 13, 1975.[1]
Hometown: Tonganoxie, Kansas |
Survivor[]
Guatemala[]
Danni started the game on the Nakúm tribe. When it was revealed that Stephenie LaGrossa and Bobby Jon Drinkard were playing a second time, Danni was excited to learn Nakúm would get Bobby Jon. After a grueling eleven-mile hike, the Nakúm tribe reached the better of the two camps first and won flint as well. Despite that, the tribe's strong men were repeatedly vomiting. This weakness showed in the Immunity Challenge, which the Yaxhá tribe won. Danni joined in voting out Jim Lynch, who was seen as the physically weakest of the ailing contestants. Nakúm would bounce back and prove to be the stronger tribe by winning the remaining challenges and earning the tribe fishing supplies and comfort. During the second Immunity Challenge, Danni was able to identify Gary Hogeboom as a former football player.
On Day 9, both tribes went to a Mayan ruin at what was thought to be a challenge. Instead, host Jeff Probst asked both tribes who was most need of nourishment. Danni and Jamie Newton were seen as the hungriest for their respective tribes and both received apples. As the questions continued, both tribes were asked who had the most tribe pride. Nakúm picked Cindy Hall, and Yaxhá picked Brian Corridan. Jeff then announced a tribe switch and that only Brian and Cindy would stay on their respective tribes. Because Nakúm had an extra member, there would be a drawing of buffs to determine who would stay on Nakúm. Danni went first but drew a blue buff, transferring her to Yaxhá. Brooke Struck went next and she would draw the gold buff, meaning that Bobby Jon, Brandon Bellinger, and Blake Towsley would join Danni and Brian on the new Yaxhá, giving Danni a 4-3 majority. Gary and Amy O'Hara would join them soon after. The group won immunity and the next Reward Challenge, earning them a crocodile-proof swimming pool.
During this period, Blake annoyed the group by constantly telling them about his college stories. After losing the Immunity Challenge, Brian used this to his advantage to persuade Danni to vote out Blake over Brian. Realizing she was the swing vote, a position which she hated being in, Danni was concerned about losing her numbers advantage. However, her personality clashed with Blake's, so she blindsided him at their first post-switch Tribal Council. At the next challenge, it was revealed that both tribes would go to Tribal Council that night and that the tribes would compete in a Reward Challenge for a feast. Despite Yaxhá's best efforts, Nakúm won the feast. At camp the former Nakúms targeted Brian for being the most strategic and successfully voted him off. Yaxhá won the next Reward Challenge for a chocolate feast and even invited Nakúm over for a pool party because it was Danni's birthday. Unfortunately, Yaxhá lost the next immunity and would enter the merge without numbers. The tribe voted out Amy for her injured ankle. After Amy's elimination, Jeff announced that the tribes had merged.
The former Yaxhá tribe walked to the Nakúm camp and woke them up to tell them of the news. The former Nakúm members did not warmly welcome Danni and the other Yaxhás. Lydia Morales named the merged tribe Xhakúm. At the first individual Immunity Challenge, the castaways had a choice to eat or complete for immunity. Danni chose to complete along with Bobby Jon, Brandon, Cindy, Gary, and Judd Sergeant; however, Danni was the first person out. During the challenge, Jamie irritated everyone with his arrogance by telling everyone that Judd and Cindy were there to protect the former Nakúm tribe's numbers advantage. The Yaxhá tried to convince the others to vote out Jamie over Brandon for his arrogance; plus, the fact that Brandon deserved to be in the game more and the Nakúms would still have the numbers. However, the Nakúms held strong and voted off Brandon and then Bobby Jon. Jamie was voted out next for his increasing paranoia. Danni would stay affiliated with Gary, but she kept her options open. He tried to convince the tribe to vote for Judd for being untrustworthy as he lied about the clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. Danni realized that Gary was next to go and rather than trying to turn things around, she conceded and contributed to Gary's unanimous vote out.
Danni was on the chopping block but was still determined to save herself, confident that the majority alliance was ready to turn on each other. At the Survivor Auction, Danni bought herself an advantage at the next Immunity Challenge. Judd bought time to spend with his wife and chose Stephenie and Cindy to join him with their respective loved ones, sending Danni, Lydia, and Rafe Judkins to the former Yaxhá camp. Danni made connections with Rafe and Lydia, even forming a Final Two deal with Rafe. At the challenge, Danni used her advantage and won immunity. Because of this, she was able to convince Rafe to convince Stephenie to turn on Judd. At the final Reward Challenge, Cindy won a car and was given the option of giving cars to the others at the expense of her own car. Cindy kept her car, which angered Rafe. Danni was spared once more due to her deal with Rafe and Cindy's apparent selfishness. At the final four Immunity Challenge, Danni failed to win immunity. However, Danni convinced Rafe that it was in his best interest to keep her over the much physically weaker Lydia as she would take him to the Final Tribal Council. Rafe agreed and Lydia was unanimously voted out. At the Final Immunity Challenge, Danni won and consoled Stephenie who was crying. Seeing Stephenie's tears, Rafe released Danni from their Final Two pact. Danni chose Stephenie to bring to the Final Tribal Council because she viewed Stephenie as easier to beat and as equally deserving as Rafe.
At the Final Tribal Council, the jury (except for Rafe, who campaigned for Stephenie due to Danni's decision to vote him out) were convinced to vote for Danni by her honest answers, loyalty, and ability to make it this far despite the Pagonging. Because of that, she won the title of Sole Survivor in a 6-1 vote.
Episode | Tribe Affiliation |
Challenge | Challenge Type | Sit-Out? | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nakúm | 11-Mile Hike | Reward | No | Won |
Paddle Battle | Immunity | No | Lost | ||
2 | Web Over Water | Reward | No | Won | |
Dragged Through Mud | Immunity | No | Won | ||
3 | Blind Build | Reward | No | Won | |
Holding Court | Immunity | No | Won | ||
Switched Tribes, Day 9 | |||||
4 | Yaxhá | Rows and Throws | Immunity | No | Won |
5 | Slave to the Grind | Reward | No | Won | |
What's for Launch? | Immunity | No | Lost | ||
6 | Boulder Smash | Reward1 | No | Lost | |
7 | Spooling Around | Reward | No | Won | |
Tomb Raider | Immunity | No | Lost | ||
Tribes Merged, Night 18 | |||||
8 | Xhakúm | Pot Head | Immunity | No | Lost |
9 | Atlatl | Reward | 3rd2 | ||
Bridge It | Immunity | Lost | |||
10 | Mud Slide | Reward | Won | ||
Around the Bend | Immunity | Lost | |||
11 | Shattered Dreams | Reward | Lost | ||
Maya Folklore | Immunity | Lost | |||
12 | Survivor Auction | ||||
Watch Your Step | Immunity | Won | |||
13 | Second Chance | Reward | Lost | ||
Pole Dancing | Immunity | Lost | |||
14 | Maya Maze | Immunity | Lost | ||
Wobbly Boots | Immunity | Won | |||
Sole Survivor, Day 39 | |||||
Notes: |
Episode | Danni's Votes |
Voted Against Danni |
---|---|---|
1 | Jim | - |
2 | Nakúm Tribe Immune | |
3 | Nakúm Tribe Immune | |
4 | Yaxhá Tribe Immune | |
5 | Blake | - |
6 | Brian | - |
7 | Amy | - |
8 | Jamie | - |
9 | Stephenie | - |
10 | Jamie | - |
11 | Gary | - |
12 | Judd | Individual Immunity |
13 | Cindy | - |
14 | Lydia | Lydia |
Rafe | Individual Immunity | |
Jury Votes for Danni |
Bobby Jon, Cindy, Gary, Jamie, Judd, Lydia | |
Sole Survivor, Day 39 |
Winners at War[]
On the Sele tribe, Danni's first strategic decision to target Rob Mariano nearly backfired as Ben Driebergen's loose lips alerted him to this development. To Rob's surprise, Danni came clean to targeting him, which earned his respect. The old-school quartet of Danni, Rob, Parvati Shallow, and Ethan Zohn would then begin working together, deciding between the pairs of Adam Klein and Denise Stapley (who were noticed leaving camp) and Natalie Anderson and Jeremy Collins (who were allies on San Juan del Sur and friends outside the game) to target first. Danni successfully voted out Natalie on Day 2, sending her to the Edge of Extinction.
While the new-school players became increasingly concerned with Rob and Parvati attempting to run the show, Danni noticed her alliance having a conversation without her, which to her signaled that they were targeting her. Danni mistakenly revealed to Ben the old-school alliance in a conversation with him and Ethan, which visibly shocked Ethan. Danni tried to downplay it and began targeting Parvati, thinking it was necessary to save herself. She included Rob in the plan, to which Rob seemingly agreed. However, this just confirmed to Rob that he could not trust Danni, and he began rallying the numbers against the Guatemala winner. The result was a unanimous vote against Danni on Day 6. Danni bequeathed her Fire Token to Denise and headed to the Edge of Extinction.
Danni earned a Fire Token during the log effort task, allowing her to purchase an advantage in the first re-entry duel; however, Danni was unable to win her way back into the game, so she continued to live on the Edge. In the post-merge phase of the Edge, Danni and Parvati found the 50/50 Coin, which was sold to Michele Fitzgerald for four Fire Tokens. In the second effort task, Danni was among the contenders to complete it and receive two Fire Tokens. However, she fell in the final heat which confirmed Wendell Holland would be the last person to complete the task. Danni entered the second re-entry duel with no Fire Tokens: and, upon losing, her time in the game as an active player came to an end.
Danni's role in Final Tribal Council came at the end where she commended the finalists for their gameplay. She voted for Tony Vlachos to win the title of Sole Survivor, which he ultimately did in a 12-4-0 vote.
Episode | Tribe Affiliation |
Challenge | Challenge Type | Sit-Out? | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sele | Marooning | Reward/Immunity | No | Lost |
Blue Lagoon Bustle | Immunity | No | Won | ||
2 | Draggin' the Dragon | Reward/Immunity | No | Lost | |
Voted Out, Day 6 | |||||
8 | Sele | Back in the Saddle | Re-entry | Lost | |
14 | Don't Call It a Comeback | Re-entry | Lost | ||
Eliminated, Day 35 |
Post-Survivor[]
- Danni married Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann. They have two sons: Bo (born October 8, 2007) and Stone (born November 1, 2010).[3] Danni was previously married to country singer Wade Hayes. They divorced in 2003.
- Danni currently owns a sports shop in Kansas City.
- In the summer of 2009, Danni, along with the other first eighteen Survivor winners, appeared on a TVGuide special "Survivor Millionaires: Where Are They Now?"[4]
- Danni was considered for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, but she turned down the offer, stating that she would only return for an "all-winners" season, which she eventually did.
- On January 9, 2010, Danni attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party.
Trivia[]
- Danni's 30th birthday was on Day 17 of Guatemala.
- Danni is the first contestant to purchase a Challenge Advantage at a Survivor Auction.
- She is also the first contestant to buy such an item and win the actual challenge.
- In Winners at War, Danni became the first contestant to obtain a Challenge Advantage in two separate seasons.
- Danni is the first first-time contestant to defeat a returning player at the Final Tribal Council. She would be followed by Sophie Clarke and Denise Stapley.
- Danni is the second winner to be on every tribe in her season, after Vecepia Towery in Marquesas.
- Danni lasted the longest without receiving elimination votes in Guatemala. The first and only vote cast against her was from Lydia Morales on Day 37.
- Danni lost 30 lbs. during Guatemala.[5]
- Danni is the only first-time player from Guatemala to return for another season.
- Danni lost 20 lbs. during Winners at War.[6]
- Both seasons to feature Danni followed two seasons won by a person named Chris and a person named Tom.
References[]
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20220930072831/https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/cast/20969/
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20230825191532/https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/cast/216303/
- ↑ http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/241749.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhO_KICa7Is
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHPpXSVUZiU&feature=youtu.be&t=332
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij6WXsag3h0
Preceded by Palau Tom Westman |
Sole Survivor Titleholder Guatemala Danni Boatwright |
Succeeded by Panama Aras Baskauskas |
Survivor: Guatemala Castaways | |||||||||||||||||
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