When you admit to still being a fan of long-running reality TV game show Survivor, most people will respond to you with a "That show's still on?" or "You know it's fake, right?" But Survivor fans can count among them Sia, the platinum wig-clad pop star, who has occasionally used her profile to financially support her favourite contestants.
Last night (May 23), at the live finale of Survivor: Ghost Island, the show's 36th season, host Jeff Probst informed contestant Donathan Hurley that the pop star was going to give him $10,000 after being moved by his life story. The 26-year-old caretaker frequently spoke about growing up openly gay in eastern Kentucky.
Later that night, Sia took to Twitter to announce that she was increasing her gift to $14,000, the maximum amount she could donate tax-free.
Though Sia didn't appear on the program itself, she was in attendance, revealed Hurley to Entertainment Weekly. After Probst's announcement, Hurley was taken to privately meet with the singer.
"After I got off stage, it kind of hit me. I was just like, bawling and stuff. They took me down to see her, and I was just like, amazed," said Hurley. "She's just like, one of the best artists that's out this decade, and I'm just so overwhelmed. I got a hug, I got a picture, she said she's going to tweet it out, and I'm like, 'OK girl, you do that!' But I was just bawling, I was just crying, I couldn't help it."
This isn't Sia's first donation to a Survivor contestant. Two years ago, at the finale of 32nd season Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, Sia made an on-screen appearance to donate money to contestant Tai Trang. During the game, Trang, a 51-year-old gardener, spoke about animal rights, even domesticating a chicken that his tribe had won in a challenge.
Sia gave Trang $50,000 for himself, along with an additional $50,000 to an animal charity of Trang's choice.
In musical news, Sia has teamed up with Diplo and Labrinth for a new supergroup called LSD.
No news yet on who she'll be supporting for Survivor's upcoming 37th season, Survivor: David vs. Goliath, which premieres on CBS in the fall.
Last night (May 23), at the live finale of Survivor: Ghost Island, the show's 36th season, host Jeff Probst informed contestant Donathan Hurley that the pop star was going to give him $10,000 after being moved by his life story. The 26-year-old caretaker frequently spoke about growing up openly gay in eastern Kentucky.
Later that night, Sia took to Twitter to announce that she was increasing her gift to $14,000, the maximum amount she could donate tax-free.
@donathanhurley babe! I found out I can gift you $14 k tax free, so that's what I'll do! It was lovely meeting you. 🌷
— sia (@Sia) May 24, 2018
Though Sia didn't appear on the program itself, she was in attendance, revealed Hurley to Entertainment Weekly. After Probst's announcement, Hurley was taken to privately meet with the singer.
"After I got off stage, it kind of hit me. I was just like, bawling and stuff. They took me down to see her, and I was just like, amazed," said Hurley. "She's just like, one of the best artists that's out this decade, and I'm just so overwhelmed. I got a hug, I got a picture, she said she's going to tweet it out, and I'm like, 'OK girl, you do that!' But I was just bawling, I was just crying, I couldn't help it."
This isn't Sia's first donation to a Survivor contestant. Two years ago, at the finale of 32nd season Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, Sia made an on-screen appearance to donate money to contestant Tai Trang. During the game, Trang, a 51-year-old gardener, spoke about animal rights, even domesticating a chicken that his tribe had won in a challenge.
Sia gave Trang $50,000 for himself, along with an additional $50,000 to an animal charity of Trang's choice.
In musical news, Sia has teamed up with Diplo and Labrinth for a new supergroup called LSD.
No news yet on who she'll be supporting for Survivor's upcoming 37th season, Survivor: David vs. Goliath, which premieres on CBS in the fall.