Yam Yam Arocho

Yamil "Yam Yam" Arocho is the Sole Survivor of Survivor 44.

After bonding with tribemates Carolyn Wiger and Carson Garrett, Yam Yam secured himself a loyal three-person alliance that maneuvered themselves out of an unfavorable position at the merge to control the end-game. Against all odds, Yam Yam's Tika Three made it to the final four intact and, following Carson's elimination at the fire-making challenge, he was perceived as the strategic helm of the alliance. As such, he was awarded the title of Sole Survivor in a 7-1-0 vote.

Profile[]

Retrieved from Parade.com

Age: 36
Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Current Residence: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation: Salon Owner
3 Words to Describe You: Fun, loud and caring
Why do you want to be part of SURVIVOR? I want to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing the best game in the world. I've been watching since the very first episode, when I was 13 years old. And I want to prove to me, that I have the physical & mental strength to make my dreams come true, and to win the title & money.
What's one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game? After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, we had no power in my house or work for 90 days. And I had to lead my team of 20+ adults (most older than me) and give them hope, when I felt I had none. Without them I would not be who I am today.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? Cirie Fields. She is lovable, caring and fun. She is super intelligent & a strategy genius. I hope to emulate her and win.
What will you value in an alliance partner? Intelligence & commitment. I need to play with intelligent people that want to go far with me.
Favorite Hobbies: Taking care of my plants, going to the beach with my husband, hanging out with my girlfriends and traveling.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Leading a team of cool people, following the steps of my mother. Being married to my husband and creating a home. Getting on SURVIVOR.
What is something we would never know from looking at you? I love to do bearded drag at Halloween.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why? My mother, Sandra, because of her tenacity to always be a better version of herself. And her unconditional help to others.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I will be the Sole Survivor because the stars have aligned for me, it's my time and because of my social game.^[2]

Survivor[]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it.

Episode	Tribe Affiliation	Challenge	Challenge Type	Sit-Out?	Result
1	Tika	Crate Wide Open	Reward	No	Lost
1		Paradise Lost	Immunity	No	2nd
2		A Bridge You Must Cross	Reward/Immunity	No	Lost
3		Box Car Blues	Reward/Immunity	No	2nd
4		Air Raid	Reward	No	Lost
4		Leap of Faith	Immunity	No	Lost
5		EOC	Reward/Immunity	No	Lost
Tribes Disbanded, Day 12
6	None	No Quarter	Reward/Immunity		Lost
Tribes Merged, Night 13
7	Va Va	Audio Slave	Reward/Immunity	No	Lost
8		Eve 5	Immunity		Lost
9		Ballin a Jack	Immunity	No	Lost
10		Put a Ring On It	Reward		Lost
10		Union of the Snake	Immunity		Lost
11		Last Gasp	Immunity		Won
12		Roll With It	Reward		Won
12		Take The Reins	Immunity		Lost
13		Lone Palm Express	Reward/Immunity		Invited¹
13		Simmotion	Immunity		Lost
Sole Survivor, Day 26
Notes: ^1 Carson shared his reward with Yam Yam.

Episode	Yam Yam's Votes	Voted Against Yam Yam
1	Tika Tribe Immune
2	Helen	-
3	Tika Tribe Immune
4	~~Josh~~¹	-
5	No Tribal Council
6	Josh	Brandon, Josh, Kane
7	Matt	Lauren, Matt
8	~~Frannie~~²	-
9	Kane	-
10	Frannie	-
11	Danny	Individual Immunity
12	Jaime	-
13	Heidi	Lauren
Jury Votes for Yam Yam	Brandon, Carson, Frannie, Jaime, Kane, Lauren, Matt
Sole Survivor, Day 26

^1 In "I'm Felicia", Josh used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Yam Yam's vote against him.
^2 In "Don't Get Cocky, Kid", Danny used a Hidden Immunity Idol on Frannie, negating Yam Yam's vote against her.

Post-Survivor[]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it.

Trivia[]

Yam Yam is the first Survivor contestant, and by extension Sole Survivor, to reside in Puerto Rico.
- Yam Yam is the first contestant, and by extension Sole Survivor, to reside in a U.S. territory at the time of filming.
Yam Yam is the fifth LGBT contestant to become the Sole Survivor, following Richard Hatch, Todd Herzog, Parvati Shallow, and Erika Casupanan.
Yam Yam is the third Latin American contestant to become the Sole Survivor, following Sandra Diaz-Twine and Chris Underwood.

References[]

Preceded by Survivor 43 Mike Gabler	Sole Survivor Titleholder Survivor 44 Yam Yam Arocho	Succeeded by Survivor 45 Dee Valladares