Mary Zheng Responds to Backlash After Her ‘Survivor’ Exit

“Survivor” fans are known for being passionate. We live for the blindsides, the backstabbing, and the emotional breakdowns in the rain. But every now and then, someone takes it too far. And for recently eliminated contestant Mary Zheng, that’s exactly what’s happening this season. After her dramatic exit from “Survivor” 48, Zheng revealed that her fellow castaways have been receiving death threats (yes, actual threats) because of her elimination, per People.

It’s a game. A cutthroat, emotionally charged, life-changing game, sure; but a game nonetheless. Zheng’s message? Chill.

They Don’t Deserve That

In a recent interview Zheng addressed the dark side of “Survivor“ fandom following her departure, according to People. While she’s been blown away by the outpouring of support for her own journey, she’s also been disturbed by how far some viewers are taking their disappointment.

“I think everybody brings into the game everything from their past. Their strengths, their traumas, their egos. Everyone is literally playing the best that they can,” she said. “Nobody should be getting death threats.”

And she’s right. Fans might not agree with the vote, but Zheng made it clear that her elimination wasn’t personal; it was gameplay. Strategic, messy, and maybe even heartbreaking, but it wasn’t malicious. “Everybody was just trying to make the moves that they thought were best for them,” she added.

What’s even more heartbreaking is that some of these players are now dealing with real-world consequences for fictional island politics. Zheng acknowledged the emotional toll the game already takes and urged fans to show grace, not hate.

“I have a lot of grace for myself, but that means I also extend that grace to the people I played the game with,” Zheng said. 

Let’s Bring The Humanity Back

Her post-elimination comments aren’t just about defending her friends… they’re a reminder that reality TV contestants are, well, real people. They’re not villains or heroes. They’re just folks who signed up to compete, share their stories, and maybe win a lot of cash.

The online hate? That’s not strategy. That’s just cruelty. Instead of tearing people down, it seems like Zheng is hoping the fandom will redirect that energy into something more meaningful.

So maybe the next time a tribal council goes sideways, we yell at our screens, meme it to death, or rant to our group chats. But death threats? That’s never the move. Zheng may be out of the game, but she’s still playing: choosing kindness, advocating for others, and reminding us all why we fell in love with “Survivor” in the first place.

Are we rooting for a Mary to make comeback in a future season? Absolutely.