Far too often, seeing a Nashvillian in a national news headline is followed by something at best cringeworthy and at worst totally humiliating. (Certain lawmakers and country stars come to mind.) So it was refreshing to see the nation take note of a non-embarrassment in Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen. While he didn’t become the Sole Survivor, he certainly made his mark on the competition. From lying about his fruit virginity to pulling off the infamous Operation Italy and one of the most intense firemaking challenges in franchise history, Phalen made Nashville proud. He was a team player, a fierce competitor and — unlike aforementioned lawmakers and country stars — not a bigot.Â
Best Reality Star
Sam Phalen
Sam Phalen at Radnor Lake
