'Survivor' 2016 Cast: Can YouTube Star Mari Takahashi Excel On The Island? [POLL, VIDEO]
YouTube celebrity Mari Takahashi is probably the most recognizable new castaway on Survivor this season, but can her social media success translate to a strong social game?
Mari is one of 20 new castaways set to play in the upcoming Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X. As a member of the YouTube generation, Mari is clearly on the Millennial tribe, having racked up millions of fans and followers as a member of the popular Smosh community.
The 31-year-old is hoping to use her strong social media presence and her skills as a gamer to her advantage in the game of Survivor.
"I am tenacious. I love winning. I play to win," Mari says in her CBS bio. "I compete every single day. Video games keep my mind sharp, my hand-eye coordination on point, and constantly hungry to get that W."
Mari also talks about her background in ballet, stating, that those skills "will shatter everyone else's chance of dominating in any balance challenge. My social game is calculated and precise. Social strategy is what I do. One doesn't accrue over 35 million fans across the internet by chance; it's strategic, calculated, technical, smart, and is exactly how I will play and win 'Survivor'."
As for the former Survivor castaway she is most like, she compares herself to Survivor: Cook Islands winner Yul Kwon, noting that he "was fiercely smart and two steps ahead of everyone the entire game. To be in so much control as to not have to play his idol at all was awesome. I'd also like to keep in mind Kelley Wentworth's gameplay in 'Second Chance'."
Over anything else, Mari wants to be on Survivor to play the game and claim the title of Sole Survivor.
"First, for glory. I love to win. I want to win 'Survivor'. I'm a natural-born competitor and I will play hard because I want that W. To be able to say I've conquered 39 days of mental and physical mayhem and came out on top would be the biggest win for me. I would wear that title so proudly."
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
