Survivor contestants had access to swimsuits for about 18 years. Following Ghost Island, which ran from February to May 2018, participants were only seen wearing swimsuits in promotional material and did not have access to them during the real competitions that took place in the water.
Players have only received a single pair of attire since that season. That still holds true for the current season, Survivor 41.
Survivor 41 Backlash Over Health Risks Of Wearing Wet Clothes
After a few squabbles over the duration of 41 seasons, the latest Survivor controversy revolves over changing the show's swimsuit rule. Fans and contestants alike have expressed concern that the lack of swimsuits on the show is harmful to the players.
Insider has previously written on the potentially life-threatening repercussions of wearing the same clothes and underwear for an extended length of time.
Players don't have the option of changing out of their wet garments into something else because they don't have swimsuits or a spare outfit.
The players on Survivor: David vs. Goliath were shown competing in every challenge in their underwear. Many contestants have had severe urinary tract infections on the show after the guideline was implemented, shocking viewers.
After being forced to wear damp and dirty underwear for almost a month, some Survivor participants have been hospitalized. Back then, players could dry their clothes and underwear back at camp when they were issued a swimsuit, reducing the risk.
When Authenticity Becomes Forced
The new swimwear requirement not only puts the participants' health at risk but also makes them uncomfortable. Parvati Shallow, a fan favorite, has filed many complaints about the policy, according to Insider.
Before Survivor: Winners at War, she had just given birth and felt more at ease in a swimsuit. The producers insisted on preserving the policy since it added to the show's realism, but many fans thought it was hypocritical.
Many users on Reddit agreed with her, saying that swimsuits don't even go against the "stranded on an island" idea because they're in tropical locations where it's just practical to pack a swimsuit.
Though Survivor is meant to test the players' resilience, many viewers are outraged that they are being subjected to unnecessary harm for the sake of entertainment. Viewers recall how unhappy the players were during the days-long rainstorms that soaked their outfits.
Despite the fact that players understand the nature of the game, the swimsuit policy is an avoidable decision that would improve everyone's well-being on the show while still offering all of the drama spectators crave.
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