David Genat officially replaces Jonathan LaPaglia as host of Australian Survivor
Former contestant David Genat will take the reins as host of Australian Survivor, with filming for Season 12 already underway.
The announcement was made official by 10 on Monday night. It followed weeks of speculation after long-serving host Jonathan LaPaglia announced he would not be returning.
LaPaglia made it clear the decision to depart was not his own, and fan speculation soon began that Genat may replace him.
Former host Jonathan LaPaglia
10 said new host Genat is “considered to be one of the greatest players worldwide”. He first competed on Australian Survivor: Champions V Contenders in 2019 where he placed 10th. He returned to win Australian Survivor: All Stars in 2020. This year he also appeared in Survivor: Australia V The World, the final season hosted by LaPaglia. Genat was voted out on Monday night.
Survivor, however, was not Genat’s only foray into reality TV. He won the third season of Search for a Supermodel in 2002. Earlier this year, he also appeared on the US show Deal or No Deal Island, where he won US$5.8 million ($8.93 million).
10 said in the 12th season of Australian Survivor in Samoa, dubbed Australian Survivor: Redemption, Genat will “be at the helm, commentating every challenge and tribal council as castaways battle it out”. He is also “ready to snuff the torches, deliver the iconic one-liners, and crown the next Sole Survivor”.
Daniel Monaghan, senior vice president of content and programming at Paramount Australia, said there was simply no better person for the job.
“As Australian Survivor moves into its 12th season, it’s no secret there’s been a change at the helm.
“As we step into this exciting new era, there was simply no better person to pass the baton to – David’s track record, not just on Survivor but across reality TV worldwide, is unrivalled, and there’s no one with more real-time experience and game knowledge to help steer this epic season.
New Australian Survivor host David Genat
“Survivor has always been about the players who pour their heart and soul into every moment, and this new batch of castaways certainly have their work cut out for them, as we introduce our thrilling new theme: Redemption – giving everyday contestants a chance to rewrite their story for a shot at greatness.”
Genat said it’s not about him.
“I love Australian Survivor. It truly is the greatest game on Earth, so getting to come back as host after playing three times is such an honour,” he said.
“But Survivor is not about me; it’s about the incredible players who put everything on the line to outwit, outplay, and outlast.
“I am pumped for the fans to meet the new crop of Survivors next season.”
Australian Survivor: Redemption is filming now, and will air in 2026.
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