About this episode
Survivor 49 Preseason Interview: Rizo Velovic Mike Bloom ( @AMikeBloomType ) is here to chat to the cast of Survivor 49! Join us to learn a bit about the 18 new castaways to be tested on the islands of Fiji. Mike Bloom sits down with Rizo Velovic, the self-proclaimed “Riz God,” in this preseason interview for Survivor 49. As the first player of Albanian descent in the show’s history, Rizo brings a unique perspective and infectious enthusiasm to the game. Rizo shares his journey from Survivor superfan to contestant, detailing how his immigrant background and experience raising his autistic brother have shaped his approach to the game. He discusses his strategy of presenting a more subdued version of himself to fellow players while embracing his “Riz God” persona in confessionals. Mike and Rizo discuss: • Plans to leverage his people skills and empathy to form strong alliances • Compares potential tribemates to past Survivor players, including “Canadian Conor McGregor” • Advocates for the return of the “Touchy Subjects” challenge to create organic drama • Aims to play a strategic game worthy of being remembered as a Survivor great • Expresses caution about actively searching for advantages early in the game As Rizo prepares to hit the beach, he’s determined to make his mark on Survivor history. Will his “dream big, dream bigger” mentality propel him to victory, or will his larger-than-life personality make him an early target? Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Rizo Velovic 4:40 Rizo’s Journey to Survivor 8:37 The Birth of “Rizo God” 12:02 Rizo’s Survivor Inspirations 15:10 Rizo’s Albanian Immigrant Background 18:20 Rizo’s Superpower and Kryptonite 22:08 Analyzing Fellow Contestants 26:54 Rizo’s Approach to Advantages 29:21 Rizo’s Hot Survivor Take 31:44 Rizo’s Criteria for Jury Voting 34:18 Rizo’s Dream Loved Ones Visit Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!