Genevieve Mushaluk admitted to me that she couldn't practice firemaking before coming out to Survivor because she was too obsessed with Baldur's Gate 3 . But the 33-year-old Canadian has a seemingly unlimited amount of energy that will serve as all the fire she needs to get through the game. The corporate lawyer comes in with a plan to lie about her job, saying she works in a "boring" job involving trademarks. But she's ready to make her own trademark moves on the season, including a bold plot to lead her enemies to Beware Advantages, then sabotaging the tasks.
Read on for my interview with Genevieve, and check in with Parade.com daily for interviews with this season's contestants and other tidbits. Survivor 47 premieres on September 18 with a two-hour premiere on CBS.
Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor 47
Interview with Genevieve from Survivor 47
Hi there! How are you doing right now?
Honestly, tired and overwhelmed, and just ready to go. But I feel like I'm not the only one. [ Laughs .] So that's comforting.
Well, I'll ease you in with an easy question to start. Give me your name, age, and occupation.
Genevieve Mushaluk, 32 years old, and I am a lawyer.
What type of law do you work in?
Great question. I am a corporate lawyer. So deals, negotiations, contracts. I'm in my most comfortable, happy place buried behind paperwork.
I'm hearing deals and negotiations and I think Survivor . Were you thinking the same way? What led you out to Fiji?
Yeah, that's why I wanted to become a lawyer. Because I thought one day I'll get to be on Season 47. [ Laughs .]
[ Laughs .] I mean you just watched Season 45, where there were three of them in the cast! So not too bad of a line to go down.
I know, but three in the top six! So now I have no choice. I have to make up a fake profession, right? And I don't know anything else that well. [ Laughs .] And I'm a terrible liar. So this, it's gonna be great. It's a recipe for success, right? [ Laughs .]
[ Laughs .] Do you have any fake jobs that are top of mind?
I've got a few. The leading idea is something trademark, brand-related. Because that's a type of law I used to do, and so there's something there. I've got to noodle it around. But I've got nothing but time to prepare and picture my fake life and timeline. And then I'll pick a title that's boring enough that people's eyes glaze over when I talk about it, and it sort of kills the conversation.
Well, let's talk about how you can hopefully put your trademark on the game. What's your history with Survivor and why did you decide to go from fan to player?
So I have been watching since I was a young child. I definitely cannot accept the title of superfan, because I don't have this all committed to memory. But I've watched for a long time and casually enjoyed the show. What made me want to apply was, when I started watching, I was a very overconfident young woman. I watched and, of course, was like, "Oh, I could totally do that." [ Laughs .] Like, 11-year-old me looking at the screen, being like, "I could win this. I'd be so amazing at those challenges." Of course, I don't eat fish. I don't camp. I was not athletic at all. But this totally unearned sense of confidence that I could do that. And I got older, but never really lost that. So I applied the night that Canadians could first apply. So it's been a long time coming. And each year I'd get a little bit closer and then rejected, a little bit closer and rejected. But this year I'm out here! Unless Jeff's gonna be like, "Oh, sorry, wrong Genevieve," and take me out last minute. But yes, so that's why. [ Laughs .]
I'm going to test your long-time fandom here. Give me one winner and one non-winner who you identify with the most.
For a winner I identify with the most, let's go with Maryanne. Because when I get out there, I'm going to be buzzing and smiling so big and not able to control my excitement.
I mean, you wrote in your bio that you're "a seven-year-old yourself." So it's clear you have a lot of energy.
Yeah, I've got a lot. I'm a bubbly, bouncy person. Even when I'm sleep-deprived, I'm constantly going at a million miles a minute. So I gotta try and contain that, and not, rub people the wrong way with it. But to answer your original question, the non-winner I identify with the most, I would say a mix of Chrissy and then Lindsay from 42. Depends on the day. I'm a very mood-driven person. [ Laughs .]
Yeah, I saw in your bio that you named a couple of other new era players in Dee and Sydney and said, "I know they are so different but I am moody so I could see my game going either way…" Is it as simple as, "Catch me at the right time, in the right place, I might be two different people"?
Yeah, catch me before and after a meal. Before and after a bad sleep.
Well, I got bad news for you when it comes to Survivor . [ Laughs .]
[ Laughs .] I know, it's gonna be great. And that's such a good point. There are so many women that I could draw from. Actually, there you go. I should have said Dee and Sydney, because that answers your last question too, right? But there's so many good ones to choose from. But no, I think I'm gonna control it and just vibe with everybody else that's out here. Everyone seems really cool. I think they'll be even cooler when they vote for me to win a million dollars and we'll all be friends. [ Laughs .]
What's one life experience you feel has prepared you most for the game?
So picture a giant table and a big Ukrainian family sitting around it. And not just immediate family. Relatives, cousins, grandparents. And when we were young, growing up, that was every holiday, or just a Monday. Any excuse to get together with the whole family. And so from an early age, I was talking to my cousins, my parents, my grandparents, my wacky aunt, my crazy uncle, and you just learn to speak to people of all ages with all different interests. And growing up that way helped me develop a natural interest in everybody, no matter how different or similar they are to myself. And I think that'll that'll help me.
What do you think is your biggest superpower and your biggest piece of kryptonite?
Okay, my biggest superpower would be, if I sense somebody else is struggling or more nervous than I am, I can put aside the way I'm feeling and engage with them, help them, give them the care that they need. Which, in turn, helps me, right? If you were more nervous than I am, I would be like, "It's okay, relax," and then I would be zen here. But that's not the situation. So I think being able to sort of assess what people might need and fill that need will really help me.
My biggest kryptonite would be all the yucky things out here. [ Laughs .] I'm the type of person [where], if I see a spider in my house, I'm like, "Ah! Mark–my husband–can you come get this?" If he's not home, I'm fully capable. I'll grab a piece of paper towel or shoe and kill it. But if there's someone else around me who can help, I will often take them up on that. So the yucky things are going to make me a little uncomfortable. But I have it in me to deal with them. I would just prefer not to.
Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 47
To that point, even if you don't feel like the elements are your thing, what has your preparation been like for this experience?
So lots. I would say I haven't had any caffeine for 45 days.
Sounds like you don't need it! [ Laughs .]
I know, right?! Could you imagine me after an Espresso Martini? It's fun, but it's a lot. So I did that. I was working out. I was not grip strength training for two years, unfortunately; that one slipped by me. But I was working out, trying to eat healthier things. Cut out all the Kit Kats that I would have if I am PMSing or had a bad day. I tried to be like, "Well, you won't have that out there, Genevieve." But unfortunately, one of my friends told me about this amazing video game three weeks before coming out here. I started, and it really derailed some of my Survivor prep. So I meant to practice making fire with flint a little more and research how to build a bamboo shelter. But instead, I played Baldur's Gate for like 40 hours.
I mean, listen, you can craft in Baldur's Gate ! It just isn't as applicable.
Yes, exactly. I feel like I'll have way less items out here. But I will be looting everyone that I can well. [ Laughs .]
Well, let's get into the people out here who will either join your party or who you can loot. As you've been observing your competition in the preseason, who are you getting good vibes from?
Okay, there is an older woman with beautiful, long blonde hair. And she's clearly very fit, and her and I both drank our welcome drink excessively quickly and made eyes at each other. And I was like, "Yes, you!" So I would really love to work with her. There's a man with sort of short, curly hair that, every time he does a lap around the pool, he gives me eyes and a smile, and I give him a smile. And he's also up in the middle of the night; he's a bad sleeper, just like me. So those are two people that stick out on my radar as people that I will get along really well with. Was there also a part two? Did you want me to say who I don't want to work with?
You read me loud and clear. Objection, leading the witness!
[ Laughs .] Oh, you're good. You're hired! You want to trade jobs?
I'll be whatever fake trademark job you want to give me! But, yeah, tell me about some people you're not getting good vibes from.
There's one man with long, curly hair who avoids making eye contact with me like the plague. And, if you can imagine, I can't sit still for eight hours, as they have us sequestered. so I also do laps around the pool like a hamster on a wheel. And every time I'm trying to catch him, he's like…[ Looks away suddenly and puts hand up to head .] He'll turn to stone if he looks at me. So he's on my radar. But I don't know. Maybe he'll be the nicest person ever, and I'll have a terrible read. When you talk to him, see, does he look at you? Maybe it's just me.
I won't be at the pool, so it won't be a one-for-one comparison. Well, let's talk about the pool of advantages that exist in the new era. How do you plan an approaching all the idols, journeys, etc. that come with Survivor ?
I would love to find a Beware Advantage. TBD if I will open it; I go either way on that. I myself am a gambling woman, so, in my nature. I would love to open it. But if there's someone out there who stands out to me as I definitely don't want to work with this person, but I obviously will not show them that, I might lead them to the Beware Advantage, let them open it, and be like, "Hey, I want to work with you so much (not really). I found this Beware Advantage. I'm so risk-averse. Do you want to open it? We can work together." And then when they open it, I'll see what they have to do, and then make it impossible for them to do it so they don't have their vote, and then get rid of them that way.
Interesting, sabotaging the Beware Advantage! What's your hottest Survivor take?
I don't know if this is a hot take. I hate firemaking in the Final Four. It's probably a regurgitated take. I'm sure everybody hates firemaking in the Final Four. I feel like it just forces the players to get out better players early, and then it disadvantages great players, like Jesse, because it all comes down to making a fire. When that doesn't really measure the best gameplay, which is what I would look for as a juror. The best gameplay, as I interpret it. So, yeah, I hate Final Four firemaking. Also, I would suck at it.
Are you just saying that because you played Baldur's Gate 3 instead of practicing firemaking? [ Laughs .]
I'm manifesting. Maybe Jeff hears this and he decides, this year, 47, we're not going to do Final Four firemaking.
What’s your biggest takeaway from the past two seasons of Survivor that you plan to bring into your game?
Great question. I will be looking for those hidden duos or groups. I think that was like a big part of what made Dee, Julie, Austin, and Drew so successful. Charlie and Maria, people seem to not have sniffed out, or at least as far as the last episode that I saw. So I'll be keeping my eyes open for people that seem to move in lockstep without being too socially involved, because that would be a clue to me that there is something that maybe I'm not picking up, or that they're doing a great job of hiding. The other takeaway would be the inverse. I need to find myself a Maria to my Charlie, right? [ Laughs .]
Of course, the lawyer comparison is right there.
Right? I'm not as charming and quick-witted as him or as funny. But we're both brunettes.
Don't sell yourself short! You have more in common than just your hair color. Finally, what celebrity or fictional character would you bring out for a loved ones visit?
Dumbledore. Because I feel like he would know exactly what to say in my seemingly impossible task of winning Survivor , AKA my version of finding a Horcrux. I feel like he'd say something that would inspire me and unlock that, and I'd be like, "Oh, great point. Dumbledore. Yes. Okay."
Next, check out our interview with Survivor 47 contestant Aysha Welch .
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