Survivor Australia Star Reveals Shocking Cheating Tactics
Felicity Palmateer, a well-known figure from the reality TV series Survivor Australia, has made a startling admission about breaking the rules during her time on the show. The 33-year-old, who competed in the 2021 and 2023 seasons, shared this confession in a social media video titled "another unhinged story, reality TV edition."
How Palmateer Smuggled Banned Items
In her video, Palmateer detailed how she secretly brought three personal items into the game: chapstick, an eyebrow twirler, and tweezers. She explained, "I decided that I would want three things in the game: chapstick, eyebrow twirler and tweezers, because you know, you might get the odd ingrown hair, you might want to pluck it out." To avoid detection, she duct-taped the items together, double-bagged them in a condom, and concealed them inside her body.
Palmateer then described navigating the show's security checkpoint, stating, "Stripped down into my undies, little did they know I had a little secret thing in nature’s pocket, played the whole first challenge with that inserted inside of me." After the challenge, she retrieved the items and used them for bartering with other contestants throughout the game.
Public Reaction and Viral Video
The confession originally went viral in a 2024 video that garnered over 1.1 million views. A recent retelling has amassed more than 11,000 views and sparked a flood of comments from viewers. One person remarked, "That’s so orange is the new black of you!" while another expressed confusion, commenting, "I’m so confused on why you needed to do this."
Palmateer's Survivor Journey and Personal Challenges
Felicity Palmateer's status on Survivor was solidified during the 2021 'Brains V Brawn' season, where she reached the final three as part of the Brawn tribe. Her participation was marked by personal tragedy; on Day 34 of filming, she learned of her mother's death from early-onset dementia. Despite this devastating news, Palmateer chose to continue the game in her mother's honor, showcasing her resilience and determination.
Career Beyond Reality TV
Beyond her reality TV fame, Palmateer is a professional surfer who has transitioned into a big-wave specialist in recent years. A significant milestone in her career was being invited to the prestigious 2024/2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay, Hawaii—an event that only occurs when wave heights consistently reach 40 feet. Additionally, she serves as a leading commentator for the World Surf League and is set to commentate at the 2026 Margaret River Pro in Western Australia next week.
This revelation adds a new layer to Palmateer's public persona, blending her adventurous spirit from surfing with the cunning strategies she employed on Survivor. Her story highlights the extreme measures some contestants take to gain an edge in competitive reality shows, while also underscoring her multifaceted career as an athlete and media personality.
