Seeing the name of Abi-Maria Gomes among the Survivor 2015 Second Chance cast members is likely not much of a surprise for avid fans of the series. The beautiful blond vixen was one of those ‘villains’ you love to hate on Survivor Philippines, and not easily forgotten. She played hard and loose, willing to flirt and fight her way to the top with every breath on the show.
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During Survivor Philippines, Abi-Maria was a member of the Tandang (yellow) tribe and quickly maneuvered her way into a powerful alliance that greatly helped her early game. The tribe itself was a powerhouse, dominating the other tribes in immunity challenge wins, which also helped keep Abi-Maria safe for a long way down the road.
For Survivor Cambodia Second Chance, Abi-Maria Gomes will be part of the Ta Keo (green) tribe, along with Jeff Varner, Kelley Wentworth, Kelly Wiglesworth, Peih-Gee Law, Shirin Oskooi, Spencer Bledsoe, Terry Deitz, Vytas Baskauskas, and Woo Hwang. (Full Survivor Second Chance cast list.)
During her time in the real world, Abi-Maria has been busy making a name for herself as an entrepreneur, launching an alcoholic beverage company specializing in upscale drinks. Her ready to drink product Xi Acai won a gold medal at the 2013 Los Angeles International Spirits Awards. Negotiating the ins and outs of the business world isn’t easy, and this new savvy in dealing with the sharks of the beverage industry might just help her out in her return to Survivor 2015.
Despite ending up as an outcast in her tribe on Survivor Philippines, after making too many enemies (even among former ‘friends’), Abi-Maria never quit working the game. With a bit of luck, skill, and clever lies, she pushed her way all the way to the final five. Of course, the fact that she made it so far and was such a manipulative player could work against her, if the other Survivor Second Chance castaways decide she’s too dangerous to stick around for long.
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A dual citizen of both the United States and Brazil, Abi-Maria is most proud of traveling the world on her own and securing her American citizenship. She also believes in Steve Jobs’ motto of “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
According to her CBS profile, Abi-Maria thinks that her assets as a Survivor Cambodia Second Chance cast member include strong social skills, being a good team worker, motivating others, and being charming. She also hopes to bring a “very positive energy” to her tribe this season.
For Survivor Cambodia Second Chance, Abi-Maria tells Entertainment Weekly that she wants to “keep my emotions in check and allow strategy to drive my game” rather than letting her emotions get the best of her.
While Abi-Maria doesn’t see anything wrong with being “feisty” at times, she hopes to be “more calculated” about her relationships with the other castaways, especially “the way I treat my fellow competitors.” She no doubt hopes she won’t end up on the outside looking in once again when it comes down to those final few tribal councils.
We’ll see if this former ‘villain’ can make good when Survivor Cambodia Second Chance debuts on September 23, 2015.
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Photos: CBS, and Abi-Maria Gomes Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
