South Middlesex Times

Teeny Chirichillo, a 2022 graduate of Rutgers-New Brunswick, is a contestant on the CBS reality show Survivor. When Teeny Chirichillo tunes in to the 47th season premiere of Survivor on CBS at 8 p.m. Wednesday, they will be fulfilling a dream.

After faithfully watching every episode of the show since the fifth grade, Chirichillo will no longer be watching just as a fan of the iconic reality television hosted by Jeff Probst. The 2022 Rutgers graduate will be watching the show as a contestant.

Chirichillo is starring as one of the show’s latest 18 “castaways” competing for the title of “Sole Survivor” and $1 million in prize money.

“Just getting on the show was beyond my wildest expectations,” said Chirichillo, who identifies as nonbinary and graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s School of Communication and Information with a bachelor’s degree in communication and creative writing.

“Stepping out of the boat onto that beach in (the Mamanuca Islands of) Fiji and meeting Jeff and my castmates felt like stepping out of a daydream I’ve had every single day of the last 24 years of my life,” they said.

Anyone who thinks Chirichillo is exaggerating has not met the gregarious 24-year-old who works as a freelance writer and lives in Manahawkin. Introduced to Survivor by their mom, Chirichillo said the show’s competitive nature – members vote each other off the island one by one – instantly resonated with them.

“The first time I saw the show I was just obsessed with the social politics and how strangers have to make alliances and deals,” they said. “I’ve always been extremely outgoing and social, and I thought, ‘What they are doing in Survivor is what I’m doing in fifth grade!’ I know how to scheme and get people to like me and tell me their crushes.”

Chirichillo said their gender identity journey gave them an edge when shooting the audition video and later as a competitor.

“Growing up closeted, I had to learn to socially maneuver and keep attention off myself, which is a skill important for Survivor,” they said. “My secret weapon is having masculine and feminine attributes, which help me to blend and get along with everyone.”

Their “gender process” has been gradual, with Chirichillo slowly coming out by their senior year at Rutgers. Though a proud member of the LGBTQ community, they said they are not attached to specific pronouns and made it clear they were comfortable when fellow castmates and Probst referred to them as “she,” “they” or “he.”

Chirichillo has always found ways to apply Survivor tactics to everyday life. Before running for class president in high school, they joined theater programs to cozy up with thespians crowding tried out for sports teams to get acquainted with jocks—joining many social groups possible for votes.

“Even at Rutgers, I had friends in Greek system; around people presenting themselves differently than me,” they said. “All exposure different people best preparation getting on show.”

Chirichillo considers transferring Rutgers from University Rhode Island during sophomore year January 2020 best decisions life cannot help talk up scarlet pride anyone listen.

“The very first week spent at Rutgers felt sense community never experienced," they said." New Brunswick College Avenue campus village diverse group undergrads smart cool much going there could walk classes friends’ houses little heart city love Rutgers."

As communication major took classes including "Communication Social Change" "Communication Relationships," Chirichillo found ways tie nearly every lesson Survivor.

“People talk about applying major job work do,” said.“Information Power Points classes literally tips bring island.”

So experience all dreamed more? Does lifetime preparation translate success actual competitor?

“As superfan degree course expectations high,"said.“But how could not reach expectations?”

Chirichillo can’t offer spoilers but reveal plan game activate ability connect everyone make want around

Experience win lose left new level self-confidence feels propel toward new dream: becoming published author Specifically goal write collection essays queer experience growing up

“Now accomplished dream getting on Survivor cleared brain space allow go after other goals.”