Brandon Hantz
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Born: October 15, 1991
Hometown: Katy, Texas Occupation: Oil Tanker Crewman/Chemical Disposal Seasons: South Pacific; Caramoan Placing: Sixth (South Pacific); Fifteenth (Caramoan) Tribes: Upolu; Te Tuma; Bikal Total Challenge Wins: 11
Days Lasted: 49 Votes Against: 12 Awards: Bamboozled (South Pacific) |
Survivor: South Pacific
Brandon was a member of the Upolu Tribe, which would soon be joined by returning player Coach Wade Within the first three days, Brandon became a member of a majority alliance in Upolu consisting of himself, Coach, Sophie Clarke, Albert Destrade, and Rick Nelson. Brandon hid the fact he was the nephew of former player Russell Hantz (going as far as to wearing his shirt covering the upper portion of his back where he had a Hantz tattoo while he was fishing), but ended up seeing it as too much of a burden to keep to himself, and told Coach on Day 4.
Brandon also struggled with temptation and began to conspire against tribemate Mikayla Wingle. The Upolu 5 managed to control the merge and boot Christine Shields-Markoski (who openly threatened returning players on the first day), Stacey Powell, and Mikayla at the three Tribals Upolu attended. Although Brandon began to unravel and struggle more and more with his personal beliefs, he remained loyal to the Upolu 5. When only the members of the original Upolu 5 remained, Brandon was the target for the Tribal Council, but surprised everyone when he won his first Individual Immunity.
Later on, Albert was called out on his deceit by Sophie, Brandon, and Rick. However, Brandon later made amends with Albert before Tribal Council, and gave up his immunity to Albert, feeling that he owed him. Brandon found himself betrayed by his allies in a 3-2 vote. At the final Redemption Island duel, despite putting up a good fight against Ozzy Lusth, he was beaten and became the seventh member of the jury. At the Final Tribal Council, Brandon was mainly bitter towards Albert, asking him if he knew if he was going home and only wanted a yes or no answer. When Albert said he didn't know, Brandon simply uttered "you lie" and sat back down. In the end, he cast his vote for Sophie to win Survivor: South Pacific. Sophie ended up winning in a 6-3-0 vote.
Brandon also struggled with temptation and began to conspire against tribemate Mikayla Wingle. The Upolu 5 managed to control the merge and boot Christine Shields-Markoski (who openly threatened returning players on the first day), Stacey Powell, and Mikayla at the three Tribals Upolu attended. Although Brandon began to unravel and struggle more and more with his personal beliefs, he remained loyal to the Upolu 5. When only the members of the original Upolu 5 remained, Brandon was the target for the Tribal Council, but surprised everyone when he won his first Individual Immunity.
Later on, Albert was called out on his deceit by Sophie, Brandon, and Rick. However, Brandon later made amends with Albert before Tribal Council, and gave up his immunity to Albert, feeling that he owed him. Brandon found himself betrayed by his allies in a 3-2 vote. At the final Redemption Island duel, despite putting up a good fight against Ozzy Lusth, he was beaten and became the seventh member of the jury. At the Final Tribal Council, Brandon was mainly bitter towards Albert, asking him if he knew if he was going home and only wanted a yes or no answer. When Albert said he didn't know, Brandon simply uttered "you lie" and sat back down. In the end, he cast his vote for Sophie to win Survivor: South Pacific. Sophie ended up winning in a 6-3-0 vote.
Voting History
Episode |
Brandon Voted For |
Voted For Brandon |
2 |
Christine Shields-Markoski |
--- |
4 |
Stacey Powell |
--- |
6 |
Mikayla Wingle |
--- |
8 |
Keith Tollefson Keith Tollefson (Re-Vote) |
--- |
9 |
--- |
|
9 |
Jim Rice |
--- |
10 |
--- |
|
10 |
Whitney Duncan |
--- |
11 |
--- |
|
12 |
Edna Ma |
Edna Ma |
13 |
Coach Wade, Rick Nelson, Sophie Clarke |
|
14 |
For Sole Survivor: Sophie Clarke |
--- |
Survivor: Caramoan
Brandon returned for a second time as one of the ten past players comprising the Bikal Tribe. Brandon developed a close bond with tribemates Francesca Hogi, Erik Reichenbach, and Brenda Lowe, ultimately joining their alliance. After Bikal lost the first Immunity Challenge, Brandon began to gun for tribemate Andrea Boehlke, believing her to be a dangerous player in the game and believing former South Pacific castmates Dawn Meehan and John Cochran to be on their side. However, that was not the case as his ally Francesca was voted out in a 6-4 decision. Angered by the idea of how cold the majority alliance was for voting out Francesca first for a second time, Brandon flirted with the idea of borrowing some ideas from his uncle Russell by sabotaging his tribe by, such as urinating on their rice, but managed to restrain himself. Phillip Sheppard, the head of the Stealth R Us 2.0, adopted Brandon to his alliance, and like everyone from the alliance, Phillip christened him by giving him his code name, "The Conqueror." Brandon and the rest of the Favorites would remain unbeatable in challenges, winning the next five.
Over the course of his time on the island, he developed a rivalry with Phillip, after the latter referred to him as "middle management". Brandon retaliated by saying that Phillip was the biggest bully he had ever met in front of the other tribe members. On Day 13, the rivalry between the two came to a head when Phillip and Brandon got into an argument following their Reward Challenge win. Brandon apologized to Phillip for losing his cool. However, shortly before the Immunity Challenge, Brandon confronted tribemate Andrea and learned that Phillip was still considering voting him out, despite making amends. Phillip and Brandon got into another argument, resulting in Brandon pouring out Bikal's rice and beans as a way to legitimise his elimination, much to the shock of his tribe mates. Though Erik attempted to take the bag of beans away, he was ignored by Brandon, who began taunting Phillip to fight him as he walked away. Dawn Meehan also tried to calm Brandon down, but to no avail.
Appalled by Brandon's mercurial personality, Phillip and the other Favorites leaned towards forfeiting the upcoming Immunity Challenge outright so they can vote Brandon out. At the Immunity Challenge, Brandon launches a tirade against his tribemates, telling the Fans that he was their "second chance" before taking the opportunity to continue bashing Phillip, telling the fans about Stealth R Us and that the code names Phillip had given everyone were demeaning. Brandon also insulted Corinne Kaplan for trying to be nice to the Fans, when they clearly didn't respect them. Jeff called Brandon over to him to cool Brandon down after manifesting intentions to physically harm anyone. However, he got into another argument with Phillip, prompting Jeff to calm him down again. Regardless, Bikal forfeited the challenge anyway, and right there and then, the Favorites verbally voted Brandon out, 8-1.
Over the course of his time on the island, he developed a rivalry with Phillip, after the latter referred to him as "middle management". Brandon retaliated by saying that Phillip was the biggest bully he had ever met in front of the other tribe members. On Day 13, the rivalry between the two came to a head when Phillip and Brandon got into an argument following their Reward Challenge win. Brandon apologized to Phillip for losing his cool. However, shortly before the Immunity Challenge, Brandon confronted tribemate Andrea and learned that Phillip was still considering voting him out, despite making amends. Phillip and Brandon got into another argument, resulting in Brandon pouring out Bikal's rice and beans as a way to legitimise his elimination, much to the shock of his tribe mates. Though Erik attempted to take the bag of beans away, he was ignored by Brandon, who began taunting Phillip to fight him as he walked away. Dawn Meehan also tried to calm Brandon down, but to no avail.
Appalled by Brandon's mercurial personality, Phillip and the other Favorites leaned towards forfeiting the upcoming Immunity Challenge outright so they can vote Brandon out. At the Immunity Challenge, Brandon launches a tirade against his tribemates, telling the Fans that he was their "second chance" before taking the opportunity to continue bashing Phillip, telling the fans about Stealth R Us and that the code names Phillip had given everyone were demeaning. Brandon also insulted Corinne Kaplan for trying to be nice to the Fans, when they clearly didn't respect them. Jeff called Brandon over to him to cool Brandon down after manifesting intentions to physically harm anyone. However, he got into another argument with Phillip, prompting Jeff to calm him down again. Regardless, Bikal forfeited the challenge anyway, and right there and then, the Favorites verbally voted Brandon out, 8-1.
Voting History
Episode |
Brandon Voted For |
Voted For Brandon |
1 |
--- |
|
5 |
Trivia
- Brandon was the youngest contestant on Survivor: South Pacific.
- Brandon is the first relative of a former contestant to compete on Survivor as a first-time contestant, by virtue of Russell Hantz being his uncle. Brandon is the only relative to do so outside of a Blood vs. Water season.
- Along with fellow South Pacific contestant Jim Rice, Brandon set the record of holding 240 lbs. on his shoulders in the Water Torture challenge.
- Brandon lost 30 lbs. during his 36-day run on South Pacific.
- In an interview in Rob Has a Podcast, Brandon's uncle, Russell, said that he believed his nephew gave up the Immunity Necklace because he wanted to quit. Brandon's father (and Russell's brother) Shawn, who appeared during the South Pacific Loved Ones Challenge, claimed that during his time with his son, Brandon had already visibly checked out of the game.
- Brandon was the youngest male contestant and the youngest returning player on Survivor: Caramoan.
- Brandon in Caramoan is the second person to be verbally voted out, without a formal vote taking place, after Ian Rosenberger from Survivor: Palau. They were followed by Jeff Varner in Survivor: Game Changers.
- Brandon was banned from attending Caramoan's Reunion Show, making him the first person in Survivor history to be excused from the live show; and one of three contestants to not attend a Reunion Show in person, along with Brenda Lowe, who couldn't make it because of her pregnancy, and Vytas Baskauskas, who was also banned from attending his Reunion Show in Survivor: Cambodia.