The Survivor producers made a mistake by having Sophie Segreti and a Sophi Balerdi on the same season. The ladies have been great for the new season, but having two people with basically the same name created a problem.
As the season progressed, host Jeff Probst was put on the spot to figure out how to distinguish the ladies so that there would be no confusion. That was when the idea was presented that Sophie go by her name and Sophi be referred to as “Soph” for the remainder of the season.
Reflecting on her season, Sophi Balerdi has shared her thoughts. She has been frequently asked about her new nickname, and she shared a video addressing it. It puts everything in perspective.
Sophi Balerdi reflects on being called ‘Soph’ on Survivor 49
“Soph or sophi??? #survivor #survivor49,” reads the caption to an Instagram video from Sophi Balerdi.
“So, Soph or Sophi, which one do I prefer?” Sophi began her video. “I got a new nickname. People keep asking me what I think.”
“It wasn’t my favorite, if you couldn’t tell by my face,” Sophi elaborated. “I did prefer Blue Sophi and Yellow Sophie. Since the beginning of the game, people were already calling me Soph, so it didn’t feel totally unnatural when that was given to me. Also, I feel like when you are on a nickname basis with some people, it means you’re close. Part of me was like, ‘Wait. Am I on that level with Jeff Probst?'”
The video continues with Sophi referencing another player from the past, and how she grew to accept the nickname given to her on Survivor 49.
How would you react if you were given a nickname on a reality competition show that you had never used before? Sophi handled it pretty well, and she continues to play well as the Survivor 49 episodes keep rolling out.
Fans can see her each Wednesday night at 8/7c on CBS. Additionally, past episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+.
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Survivor 50 spoilers reveal two cast members from Survivor 49 are also on 50. These spoilers have distracted many viewers.
Some Survivor fans are upset that players referred to Jeff Probst as “uncle” this season. Is it an overreaction to some fun on the show?
Savannah called herself the “most intense” player on Season 49. Is she right? Can she win the $1 million prize?
