Gavin Whitson was a contestant on Survivor: Edge of Extinction, the 38th season of Survivor, a competitive reality television show on CBS in the United States. Whitson used his social game and relationships to maintain a good position throughout the competition, even making it to the Final Tribal Council without receiving a single vote against him, despite his quiet nature. However, he was unable to contend with Chris Underwood’s deep personal relationships established while on the Edge of Extinction, finishing second in a 9-4-0 vote. A Survivor superfan, Whitson almost did it all on his season of Survivor: Edge of Extinction: individual immunity was granted to him, he was able to see his beloved, and he made it to day 39 of the challenge, but he subsequently lost to someone who had been voted out on the eighth day.

Whitson holds himself responsible for his defeat, blaming himself in particular for being too quiet every time he went to Tribal Council. As a result of his bold moves after returning from the Edge, Chris Underwood was awarded the victory and a million-dollar check. Although Whitson’s Tribal Council success may have been too safe, he was apparently devious and manipulative enough to enrage one of his victims, revealing a scene that never aired on television in which he was called out by none other than Aubry Bracco. Whitson keeps up with fans on Instagram, where he boasts over 17,000 followers.