Jacob Derwin

Jacob Derwin is a contestant from Survivor: Ghost Island.

At the start of the game, Jacob made the fatal error of playing too hard too early as an idol hunt turned his tribe against him. When he became the first person to be sent to Ghost Island, he received a Legacy Advantage which he willed away. Upon his return, Jacob attempted to pull off a fake idol and build an alliance with Stephanie Johnson, but this was all for nought as he was taken out for his untrustworthiness.

Profile

Retrieved from CBS.com

Age: 22
Hometown: Merrick, New York
Current residence: Brooklyn, New York
Occupation: Music Teacher
Hobbies: Songwriting and performing those songs, telling stories—be that on stage or just to friends—and cooking with my mom. Shut up, it makes me happy! Also, I listen to a ton of podcasts, attend as many concerts as I possibly can, and spend a great deal of time panicking over current political events.
Pet peeves: When people let little discomforts spoil an entire experience. When people feel a need to complain constantly, even when there's nothing to complain about. The worst, though? When people don't have a sense of humor. Laugh, dammit!
Three words to describe you: Self-deprecating, charming, and affable—though others would say "punchable."
What's your personal claim to fame? Nothing feels better than hearing your own music for the millionth time and still enjoying it. And even better, when other people hear your music for the first time and it makes them cry. You can't fake those kinds of responses. It's the best. Cheesy? Maybe. True? You bet, man.
Who or what is your inspiration in life? I have a few but I suppose Robin Williams is the most well-known one. When I was a little kid, Genie from Aladdin was my entire sense of humor. That wild, a-hundred-jokes-a-minute pacing, all the voices and wackiness completely dazzled me. As I got older, I got to appreciate all his other amazing roles and unabashedly nutty stand-up routines. I'm often told I'm too loud. I blame that entirely on Robin Williams.
If you could have three things on the island, what would they be and why? First would be my guitar because it gives me something I can focus on outside of the game. Next, one of those daily joke calendars because not only is it great for keeping track of time, but if your situation isn't providing many laughs, it's good to have a reliable way to find some. Finally, beard oil. I bought my first vile of this stuff about a year ago and it's the best feeling thing ever. Plus, it's really fun to respond to "Are you wearing cologne?" with "No, just beard oil."
Which Survivor contestant are you most like? I've always felt like I related most to Stephen Fishbach, though I see a lot of David Wright in me as well. I'm a funny, nerdy, neurotic Jewish guy trying to make it in the entertainment business. I'm logical and smart (I like to think), but I've spent plenty of time crying in private.
What's your reason for being on Survivor? I've been dreaming of doing this for well over a decade. At this point, above all else, it's to prove I can do what I've been saying I could do since I was a kid: Win Survivor. Part pride, part sticking it to the kids who tortured me growing up. It's a "What have you accomplished?" kind of thing. I promise I'm not usually so vengeful!
Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor? This sounds stupid, but I'm really easy to talk to. I want to set up my situation so everyone knows they can come to me to chat and get support despite any problems they're having personally or socially in the game. I'm a teddy bear, y'know? On top of that, I'm not a weakling. I can haul firewood and follow instructions when it comes to building shelters. I know how to make fire and untie knots and all that.^[2]

Survivor

As a potential physical liability on Malolo, Jacob quickly found himself on the outs, prompting him to search for a Hidden Immunity Idol. While the tribe had pegged him as the first to leave, the Malolo tribe's loss at the Day 3 Immunity Challenge allowed the rival Naviti tribe to exile one member from Malolo to Ghost Island. Believing he would be voted out, Jacob successfully goaded the Navitis into sending him to Ghost Island to make himself immune. At Ghost Island, Jacob discovered the authentic Legacy Advantage originally owned by Sierra Dawn Thomas in Survivor: Game Changers, with the rub that he would have to will it to a member of the rival tribe. Jacob chose Morgan Ricke to be the advantage's recipient. He then proceeded to fabricate a fake idol in an effort to stave votes off him.

Jacob returned to Malolo the next day and put his lie in motion, but was caught immediately by Brendan Shapiro, as he could not produce the note that came with the idol proving its authenticity. Following Malolo's second immunity loss on Day 6, Jacob tried to approach Stephanie Johnson with a plan to vote out Michael Yerger, who was a physical threat who was also tight with Brendan. Despite her considerations, Stephanie ended up siding with the rest of the tribe in voting out Jacob in a 5-2-1 vote.