Leilani Sen is a contestant from Survivor U.K. (2023).
Leilani started the game on the Caleton tribe, where she was initially a target because of her perceived physical weakness in challenges. This perception led to Leilani being voted to swap over to the La Nena tribe, where she was able to survive thanks to multiple tribal immunity wins and a divide within La Nena that arose over suspicions that Ren Elvidge had a hidden immunity idol. Ultimately, through perceptions of her challenge weakness, lack of win equity, and bonds with original Caleton members, Leilani was able to get to the Final Tribal Council, where her lack of strategic acumen was heavily criticised by the jury; as a result, she was mostly overlooked and came joint second, only receiving the vote of Tinuke Oyediran to win the title of Sole Survivor.
Profile[]
Retrieved from bbc.co.uk
Age: 45
From: Hertford
Occupation: Barista and cleaner at a yoga studio
What made you want to be a contestant on Survivor? A friend saw the application and said I should apply, I was at a crossroads in my life and looking for a new direction so it came along at the perfect time.
What qualities did you think you'd bring to the game? Tongue in cheek humour, general immaturity and ignorant bliss mixed with lots of love, cuddles and unity.
How did you prepare yourself mentally and physically for taking part? I practice yoga and I go to the gym. I did struggle mentally to leave my son so I just had to take it day by day.
Did you have a strategy of how you were going to play the game? I haven't watched Survivor so I didn't realise there was a psychological aspect to the game. I thought it was just about living right on the beach and competing in physical challenges, so I had no game plan whatsoever!
How competitive are you? I didn't think I was competitive, my fella says different...
What kind of challenges were you most looking forward to? I thought I would be fine at the challenges but oh my god, they are on an insane level of difficulty.
How did you cope with living on a beach with no home comforts? I didn't mind at all living with no comfort, it's a beautifully simple existence which I have always wanted to experience and I'm very grateful for being given this opportunity. I will say though that your bum constantly hurts from sitting on trees, rocks and rolls of bamboo though!
How did you cope with the hunger? I imagined I would cope better with the hunger however with absolutely no other distractions its all-encompassing and every day you last your huger becomes more and more compounded. All you do is fantasise about food.
What did you learn from being on the show or what is the biggest takeaway? I learnt just how resilient and adaptable I am. My mental strength is super strong to be able to bear the pain of leaving my child at home during filming. I left Survivor a much more powerful woman.[1]
Survivor[]
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| Episode | Tribe Affiliation |
Challenge | Challenge Type | Sit-Out? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caletón | The Marooning | Reward | No | Won |
| Dead Weight | Immunity | No | Won | ||
| 2 | By Any Means | Reward | No | Won | |
| The Raft and the Furious | Immunity | No | Lost | ||
| 3 | Hot Pursuit | Immunity | No | Lost | |
| 4 | Trench Run | Reward | No | Lost | |
| Discy Business | Immunity | No | Won | ||
| Switched Tribes, Day 14 | |||||
| 5 | La Nena | Sumo at Sea | Reward | No | N/A |
| High and Mighty | Immunity | Yes | Won | ||
| 6 | Shoulder the Load | Immunity | No | Lost | |
| 7 | Chain Reaction | Reward | No | Won | |
| Cell Block Sea | Immunity | Yes | Won | ||
| 8 | When It Rains | Immunity | No | Won | |
| Tribes Merged, Day 19 | |||||
| 9 | Calena | Survivor Auction | |||
| A Leg Up | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 10 | Last Gasp | Immunity | Lost | ||
| 11 | Shut Your Trap | Reward | No | Lost | |
| Get a Grip | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 12 | Hold Up | Reward | Lost | ||
| On the Ropes | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 13 | High Step Back | Immunity | Lost | ||
| 14 | Mud Run | Reward | Lost | ||
| Beam Me Up | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 15 | Pinball Wizard | Immunity | Lost | ||
| 16 | Hand on the Idol | Immunity | Lost | ||
| Co-Runner-Up, Day 34 | |||||
| Episode | Leilani's Votes |
Voted Against Leilani |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard | Richard |
| 2 | Caletón Tribe Immune | |
| 3 | Caletón Tribe Immune | |
| 4 | Mock Vote1 | |
| 5 | La Nena Tribe Immune | |
| 6 | Ren | Lee |
| 7 | La Nena Tribe Immune | |
| 8 | La Nena Tribe Immune | |
| 9 | Lee | - |
| 10 | Ashleigh | - |
| 11 | Doug | Christopher (x2) |
| 12 | Christopher | - |
| 13 | Pegleg | - |
| 14 | Christopher | - |
| 15 | Pegleg | - |
| 16 | Hannah | Hannah |
| Jury Votes for Leilani |
Tinuke | |
| Co-Runner-Up, Day 34 | ||
Post-Survivor[]
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Trivia[]
- Leilani is the oldest member of the original Caletón tribe.
- Leilani is the first Survivor U.K. contestant to be sent to a different tribe in a mock vote.
- Leilani is the highest-placing woman on Survivor U.K. (2023).
- Leilani is the first Survivor U.K. runner-up, along with Christopher Haul, to receive any jury votes.
References[]
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