Yamil "Yam Yam" Arocho is the Sole Survivor of Survivor 44.
After bonding with tribemates Carolyn Wiger and Carson Garrett, Yam Yam secured himself a loyal three-person alliance that maneuvered themselves out of an unfavorable position at the merge to control the end-game. Against all odds, Yam Yam's Tika Three made it to the final four intact and, following Carson's elimination at the fire-making challenge, he was perceived as the strategic helm of the alliance. As such, he was awarded the title of Sole Survivor in a 7-1-0 vote.
Profile
Retrieved from Parade.com
Age: 36
Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Current Residence: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation: Salon Owner
3 Words to Describe You: Fun, loud and caring
Why do you want to be part of SURVIVOR? I want to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing the best game in the world. I've been watching since the very first episode, when I was 13 years old. And I want to prove to me, that I have the physical & mental strength to make my dreams come true, and to win the title & money.
What's one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game? After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, we had no power in my house or work for 90 days. And I had to lead my team of 20+ adults (most older than me) and give them hope, when I felt I had none. Without them I would not be who I am today.
Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? Cirie Fields. She is lovable, caring and fun. She is super intelligent & a strategy genius. I hope to emulate her and win.
What will you value in an alliance partner? Intelligence & commitment. I need to play with intelligent people that want to go far with me.
Favorite Hobbies: Taking care of my plants, going to the beach with my husband, hanging out with my girlfriends and traveling.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Leading a team of cool people, following the steps of my mother. Being married to my husband and creating a home. Getting on SURVIVOR.
What is something we would never know from looking at you? I love to do bearded drag at Halloween.
Who in your life is your biggest inspiration and why? My mother, Sandra, because of her tenacity to always be a better version of herself. And her unconditional help to others.
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I will be the Sole Survivor because the stars have aligned for me, it's my time and because of my social game.[2]
Survivor
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| Episode | Tribe Affiliation |
Challenge | Challenge Type | Sit-Out? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tika | Crate Wide Open | Reward | No | Lost |
| Paradise Lost | Immunity | No | 2nd | ||
| 2 | A Bridge You Must Cross | Reward/Immunity | No | Lost | |
| 3 | Box Car Blues | Reward/Immunity | No | 2nd | |
| 4 | Air Raid | Reward | No | Lost | |
| Leap of Faith | Immunity | No | Lost | ||
| 5 | EOC | Reward/Immunity | No | Lost | |
| Tribes Disbanded, Day 12 | |||||
| 6 | None | No Quarter | Reward/Immunity | Lost | |
| Tribes Merged, Night 13 | |||||
| 7 | Va Va | Audio Slave | Reward/Immunity | No | Lost |
| 8 | Eve 5 | Immunity | Lost | ||
| 9 | Ballin a Jack | Immunity | No | Lost | |
| 10 | Put a Ring On It | Reward | Lost | ||
| Union of the Snake | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 11 | Last Gasp | Immunity | Won | ||
| 12 | Roll With It | Reward | Won | ||
| Take The Reins | Immunity | Lost | |||
| 13 | Lone Palm Express | Reward/Immunity | Invited1 | ||
| Simmotion | Immunity | Lost | |||
| Sole Survivor, Day 26 | |||||
| Notes: ^1 Carson shared his reward with Yam Yam.
| |||||
| Episode | Yam Yam's Votes |
Voted Against Yam Yam |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tika Tribe Immune | |
| 2 | Helen | - |
| 3 | Tika Tribe Immune | |
| 4 | - | |
| 5 | No Tribal Council | |
| 6 | Josh | Brandon, Josh, Kane |
| 7 | Matt | Lauren, Matt |
| 8 | - | |
| 9 | Kane | - |
| 10 | Frannie | - |
| 11 | Danny | Individual Immunity |
| 12 | Jaime | - |
| 13 | Heidi | Lauren |
| Jury Votes for Yam Yam |
Brandon, Carson, Frannie, Jaime, Kane, Lauren, Matt | |
| Sole Survivor, Day 26 | ||
^1 In "I'm Felicia", Josh used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Yam Yam's vote against him.
^2 In "Don't Get Cocky, Kid", Danny used a Hidden Immunity Idol on Frannie, negating Yam Yam's vote against her.
Post-Survivor
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Trivia
- Yam Yam is the first Survivor contestant, and by extension Sole Survivor, to reside in Puerto Rico.
- Yam Yam is the first contestant, and by extension Sole Survivor, to reside in a U.S. territory at the time of filming.
- Yam Yam is the fifth LGBT contestant to become the Sole Survivor, following Richard Hatch, Todd Herzog, Parvati Shallow, and Erika Casupanan.
- Yam Yam is the third Latin American contestant to become the Sole Survivor, following Sandra Diaz-Twine and Chris Underwood.
References
| Preceded by Survivor 43  Mike Gabler |
Sole Survivor Titleholder Survivor 44  Yam Yam Arocho |
Succeeded by Survivor 45  Dee Valladares |
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