Rob Mariano is weighing in ahead of the highly anticipated finale of Survivor “Survivor 50.”
Better known to longtime fans as Boston Rob, Mariano has closely followed the landmark season, which featured 24 returning contestants battling for a $2 million prize.
Ahead of the May 20 finale, Mariano shared his thoughts on the remaining players, major twists, and the contestant he hopes will walk away with the title of Sole Survivor.
Following Cirie Fields’ elimination at the final six, Mariano admitted the game feels completely open heading into the finale.
“These next couple of challenges mean so much,” Mariano told USA TODAY. “But it’s still anybody’s game.”
The five-time “Survivor” player said success will ultimately come down to who positions themselves best before the jury.
Still, Mariano made it clear he is rooting for Jonathan Young to pull out the win.
Boston Rob Says He Helped Jonathan Young Prepare for ‘Survivor 50’
Mariano revealed he actually worked with Young before filming for “Survivor 50” began in June 2025.
The pair reportedly played tennis together while discussing strategy and gameplay.
“I watched his gameplay, and I told him things that I think he could improve upon, how he could play better, things I would avoid,” Mariano explained.
“And I kind of gave him a little bit of my playbook.”
However, Mariano stressed that he encouraged Young to remain authentic rather than simply copy his legendary “Survivor” strategy.
“I told him, ‘You’re not me, you can’t play like me, but you can play like you. And if I were you, this is how I would play,’” Mariano said.
With Fields now eliminated, Mariano said he believes Young has a legitimate path to winning the game.
The reality television veteran also reflected on Ozzy Lusth’s elimination earlier this month.
Before his blindside, Lusth had been close to tying Mariano’s record for total individual immunity challenge wins on “Survivor.”
Mariano admitted he was actually hoping Lusth would match the record.
“I do feel bad about the way he went out,” Mariano told USA TODAY. “It was kind of tough to see him meet the same fate.”
However, Mariano joked that his daughters were relieved the record remained intact.
“My kids were happy when he was voted out,” Mariano said. “I was sad, but they were happy. ‘Like, daddy, you get to keep your record.’”
The ‘Traitors’ Star Shares Honest Thoughts on ‘Survivor 50’ Twists
During a separate interview with People, Mariano also discussed several celebrity-inspired twists featured throughout “Survivor 50.”
The milestone season included appearances and ideas connected to celebrities like Billie Eilish, Jimmy Fallon, MrBeast, and Zac Brown.
While Mariano praised some of the risks the show took creatively, he admitted not every twist worked for him.
“Survivor takes a lot of swings,” Mariano explained. “Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. I don’t love all of them.”
One twist Mariano specifically questioned involved the Billie Eilish-themed idol.
“I love to hear that Billie Eilish is a fan of ‘Survivor,’ but to not see it play out — or not yet anyway — I almost feel like maybe if it doesn’t play, then leave it on the cutting room floor, right?” he said.
On the other hand, Mariano praised the “MrBeast” coin flip twist that ultimately doubled the season’s grand prize to $2 million.
“I loved the MrBeast one,” Mariano said.
“Taking the risk, taking the chance, flipping the coin, doubling the prize money — that was pretty epic.”
Outside of “Survivor,” Mariano recently appeared on season 3 of The Traitors and continues working on his YouTube series, “Everything’s a Competition,” alongside Dylan Efron.
He also said he is looking forward to spending the summer with wife Amber Mariano and their four daughters.
The “Survivor 50” finale airs Wednesday, May 20, on CBS.
