“Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing” Season 3 premiered on May 18, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET on the Discovery Channel. As we near the end of the season, with the finale airing on Sunday, July 13, we are reflecting on what has happened, how the survivors have fared, and who remains.
The season has reached the point where there are the final three contestants. But how do fans feel about one of these potential survivalists winning the $100,000 cash prize? Do they deserve it, and have they played a good game, putting their bushcraft skills to the test?
The Final Three in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 3
This season is set in the Australian Outback, which is known for its harsh weather conditions and multitude of plants and animal life that can cause harm. The conditions include “deadly threats and game-changing opportunities — from the highly lethal taipan snake, whose bite has enough venom to take down 100 humans, to 250-pound wild boars that could provide an ample food source to skilled hunters,” the season synopsis states, People reports.
The show also teased “the most shocking elimination ever seen in the franchise.”
We saw Laura Zerra stumble upon what appeared to be an “animal nest” (although there is some uncertainty about whether an animal had made it). Medics have been called after an injury involving hot coals and a sapling, and Ky Furneaux’s journey ended prematurely when she was medically evacuated due to abdominal swelling. To say it has been an interesting season would be an accurate statement, but which survivors have outlasted their competition?
When the series first aired, there were 14 seasoned contestants. All have previous experience with the franchise and proven skills in the wilderness. They were: Matt Wright, Laura Zerra, Jermaine Jackson, Trent Nielsen, Cheeny Plante, Jamie Frizzell, Kaiela Hobart, Darrin Reay, Patrick French, Max Djenohan, Ky Furneaux, Suzänne Zeta, Trish Bulinsky, and Kaila Cumings.
Going into Episode 7, four contestants remained: Matt, Patrick, Cheeny, and Darrin.
Fans React to the ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Contestants
Patrick was eliminated, leaving the final three as Matt, Cheeny, and Darrin. These results may have come as a surprise to some because the PSR rankings (out of a perfect 10.0 Primitive Survival Rating) going into the episode were as follows: Matt with 9.7, Darrin with 9.6, Patrick with 9.1, and Cheeny with 9.0.
In an Instagram post on the “Naked and Afraid” page, posted on July 7, fans reacted to the news of the finale three. The consensus is that these survivalists deserve their spot in the final three. “I could not be happier with the final 3!!!!!” a comment reads. “Such a good final 3! They’ve all earned it! And Cheeny is an inspiration!” another shared.
Other reactions include, “Always rooting for Matt,” “I want Darrin of these 3… would be happy if Cheeny also,” “Cheeny, you making me proud gurl,” and “Such a great episode! The primitive fire challenge was a nail-biter!!!
Who will win?
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Fans React To Naked & Afraid Last One Standing Finale: ‘They’ve Earned It’