Survivors never quit: VCUarts alum Tevin Davis dishes on competing on the reality TV hit ‘Survivor’

By Leila Ugincius

As a superfan of "Survivor," Tevin Davis was thrilled when he was tapped to appear on season 46 of the reality TV competition series this year.

Not one for false modesty, he had no doubt that producers would pick him.

"I knew what they were lacking, and I gave it to them: me," Davis said. "First of all, I did my audition outside of a church, on a bench, under a willow tree. I wanted to be close to my faith, and willow trees have profound meaning and such deep spiritual connection. So when I sent that video off, I felt something in my soul that said, 'Oh, this is my blessing.' Each step after that confirmed that very thought."

Davis has been a faithful fan of "Survivor" ever since his Aunt Gogo introduced it to him when he was little. They're still watching it together.

"We even sit in the exact same spots we sat in all those years ago and watch the show every Wednesday," said the 24-year-old Goochland County native, who in 2021 earned his bachelor's degree in theatre performance from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts.

Ironically, during those early years watching "Survivor," Davis probably thought he had a better chance of being on the show than becoming an actor. In fact, the only time acting crossed his mind was when he actively dismissed it.

"I watched 'High School Musical,' and I remember saying to myself, 'If that's what acting is, I never want to do that because that's for weird people,'" he said. "Yes, I actually said that. But what it was is that I never saw someone that looked like me and represented me do it, so I didn't think I could hold space in that world."

But fate had other plans.

"If you know nothing else about me, know that I am Whitney Houston's biggest fan on this earth," he said. Devastated when she died in February 2012, Davis wanted to honor her by singing her hit song "Greatest Love of All" at his school's Black History Month assembly.

He had always been musically inclined and even sang regularly at church, but having never sung before his peers, Davis was nervous. Still, he had a hard time telling people no back then, "so when I was asked the day of, was I still going to sing, I reluctantly said yes."

It's not an overstatement to say it was a life-changing moment for Davis. Neil Burch, artistic director for the Goochland Drama Department, which comprises middle and high school students, helped Davis prepare for the performance and was blown away.

"Although he knew the music by heart, he did not have a backing track, so I purchased one on iTunes and gave it to him," Burch said. "I was stunned after he performed the number in front of the whole middle school. I was taken aback by the beauty and honesty in his voice and was absolutely in awe of his courage and tenacious work ethic."

Burch then asked Davis to be in the ensemble of "Beauty and the Beast," which was already cast.

"Although he was in eighth grade then, I asked him to be part of the high school show because I felt his mature energy would fit well with the cast," he said.

Once he went to the first rehearsal, Davis said, he fell in love with acting. "I did every production from eighth grade to graduation [and] decided this is what I wanted to do with my life."

Tevin Davis called being a "Survivor" contestant "fulfilling and beautiful." (Robert Voets/CBS)

While Davis appeared in every production - meaning rehearsals became part of his weekly schedule - he didn't let that get in the way of an older, more important routine.

"I told [Burch] that Wednesdays I have to be at my Aunt Gogo's by 8 p.m. because 'Survivor' comes on," he said, "and that was something I always abided by."

With the "Survivor" appearance behind him, Davis plans to continue practicing his craft, telling compelling stories that affect viewers.

"God has given me a gift, and I use that gift to its absolute maximum capacity," Davis said. "I have a song coming out soon and many other exciting things. This is just the beginning for me. Stay very tuned."

However, if "Survivor" calls again, Davis would drop everything in a heartbeat. He spoke with VCU News about his experience on the show.

What was the audition process like?

The auditions were a long and laborious process that felt like the game before the game. I stayed true to myself the whole way and never tried to make myself more interesting to impress them. I am who I am, and you choosing me or not is your decision, not mine, because I will always be me.

Why do you think they picked you?

I think they picked me because I have such a unique, bright and authentic presence. They mentioned that they watched only a few seconds of my audition video and were already sold. I think they could see my drive, my joy, my story, my dream and all I had to offer because I proudly wear it in my smile and behind eyes like beams of light.

What was a big takeaway from your time on the show?

Playing "Survivor" was a dream come true and was arguably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life. It looks hard watching from the TV, but it is astronomically more difficult than it even appears on screen, which is saying a lot. It was the most fulfilling and beautiful experience that I will never forget.

Was the experience what you expected?

The experience was what I expected in some regards - but also absolutely not what I expected, which ironically is exactly what I expected because I knew that I had to be prepared to be unprepared. Eighteen strangers coming together to play a game that was built and designed for those 18 people, there's no way that I could've expected much more than being surprised at every turn.

How strenuous was it? Did you ever feel like quitting?

The game was strenuous from beginning to end. It pushes you mentally, socially, physically, and at a certain point you are so depleted you don't even know if you can go on. You do have moments where you feel like this is too much, but I never thought about quitting and would never. I am a survivor, and the only way to get me off this island is voting me off.

What was the worst thing about the show - and the best?

I don't know that any part was worst, because even the most difficult parts of the game make it worth playing. That's what gives the game stakes. Now, the not-eating part was exceptionally difficult. They don't cut the cameras and then come bring us a granola bar - we really subsist on no food unless we win some in a challenge. But even then you hit a point after not eating for so long that you kind of get used to that feeling.

The best thing was proving to myself with every passing second that I was strong enough and instilled with enough tenacity to endure what - I now have confirmed by playing - [turned out] to be one of the most difficult activities that any human being can take part in.

What would you do differently if you could go back?

If I could go back, I would not trust anyone. There was one person that I trusted so much that I disregarded, and in doing so it cost me the game.

How did it feel to get voted off?

It felt surreal. My first response was not sadness or anger to being voted out, but rather excitement because I'm going to grab my torch and have [host Jeff Probst] snuff it and tell me the tribe has spoken, which is an iconic part of the game. So the very first moments, I was proud and excited that I was going to experience this in real life. Afterward, when I had time to think, I did feel a bit of disappointment from not winning, but that lasted only a few moments and I was right back to pride in what I had done. Win or lose, I was always going to be a winner.

Even after years as a superfan, Tevin Davis knew that the rigors of "Survivor" and its series of challenges would be full of surprises. (Robert Voets/CBS)

Did you take anything that happened personally?

I didn't really take anything personally, because we all consented to play a game that was built on deceit and disloyalty. So there is no world in which I would take anything personally.

Would you do 'Survivor' again for an all-stars type of show?

If they called me this second, I would stop midsentence and go pack a bag to get ready to leave.

Are you looking into competing on any other reality competition shows?

Not particularly right now. "Survivor" was a dream of mine and that's what made it worth playing, but at the end of the day, I am an actor and want to pursue that. The danger of participating in many reality shows is being locked into reality TV stardom and getting further from what I want for myself.

Any final thought?

I hope that anyone out there who wishes to participate in the show absolutely does it. Don't let anything or anyone get in your way, because your best self could be waiting on the other side of the experience. There is something that happens during the game in your pursuit of winning, that shows you your true capability, and one of the greatest powers on earth is knowing that capability. Apply today!

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