‘Survivor 45’ preview: Sean Edwards has learned ‘grit and mental tenacity’ as a gay man in Utah [WATCH]

“Survivor 45” contestant Sean Edwards is asking the important questions as he heads to Fiji: “Is there such a thing as loyalty when it comes to Survivor?” But the 35 year old school principal from Utah is mostly just excited to be part of the show that inspired him to live more openly. Watch their full CBS interview below.

Sean describes trying “everything to live a faithful Mormon, straight lifestyle” before making the “decision to live as a proud gay man.” He says the choice to live authentically is “when the world really opened up for” him and now bring “diversity, equity and inclusion into [his] community” as an elementary school leader. He says that living in the “conservative environment” of Utah has taught him “grit and mental tenacity” and “those are the attributes that you need to have on ‘Survivor’ to be successful.”

SEE Everything to know about ‘Survivor 45’

At the time that “China” aired in 2007, Sean points out that he “didn’t know who [he] was” and so seeing Todd Herzog, who was also raised Mormon, play and win showed him someone that he’d “want to be.” With Todd’s journey in mind, Sean is “so happy” to be part of the new era on season 45. “Let’s go!”

Don’t miss Sean compete as an original member of the Lulu tribe sporting this season’s yellow buff when “Survivor 45” premieres on Wednesday, September 27. The new season features 18 new players divided into three tribes: Belo, Lulu, and Reba. Do you think Sean will be the newest champion?

Be sure to make your predictions to influence our reality TV racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the next episode airs on CBS. You’ll compete to win eternal bragging rights and a spot on our “Survivor 45” leaderboard. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.

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