Elisabeth Hasselbeck Breaks Silence On 'Survivor' Season 50 Casting Rumors

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is making it crystal clear that she’s not returning to "Survivor" anytime soon.

Over the weekend, the former "The View" co-host took to Instagram Stories to address growing speculation that she would be part of the upcoming "Survivor" Season 50 cast.

The milestone season, expected to feature an all-star lineup of returning contestants, has had fans buzzing about potential comebacks, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s name was high on the wish list.

The "Survivor: The Australian Outback" alum was quick to set the record straight.

“No, I'm not doing 'Survivor,'” she said with a laugh, per PEOPLE. “That is funny though. I'm not doing that. I'm gonna be back there with, like, snacks instead.”

The 46-year-old then panned the camera to a peaceful poolside scene before adding, “I'll be gardening ... and working on some fun projects which I'll tell you about, but it does not include Fiji or 'Survivor.' I'm not doing that. I wanna be with my family and a burger in the backyard.”

Hasselbeck originally competed on the second season of "Survivor," dubbed "The Australian Outback," which aired in 2001. She placed fourth and quickly became a fan favorite for her resilience and tenacity in the harsh outback conditions.

Her reality TV breakthrough led to a successful broadcasting career, including a decade-long run as a co-host on "The View" from 2003 to 2013.

The wait is almost over for fans eagerly anticipating the cast of the historic 50th season of "Survivor."

During the "Survivor 48" finale on May 21, 2025, longtime host Jeff Probst revealed that the full list of returning castaways for "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans" would be officially announced on May 28, 2025, live on "CBS Mornings."

The milestone season, set to premiere in February 2026 following the conclusion of "Survivor 49," promises to be one of the most interactive seasons in the show’s history.

Titled "In the Hands of the Fans," the season has allowed viewers to vote on everything from team colors and immunity necklace designs to more game-changing elements like tribal swaps and the return of a live finale.

One of the biggest questions still up for debate? Whether or not to include immunity idols, which has been a staple since "Survivor: Guatemala," but was absent in "Survivor: Palau "back in 2005. Jeff encouraged fans during the "Survivor 48" finale to cast their final votes on the topic, noting that fan input will directly shape the course of the upcoming season.

With a cast made up entirely of returning players from across the show’s 24-year legacy, "Survivor 50" is shaping up to be a true celebration of the franchise, and one where fans hold more power than ever before.

While "Survivor" may look like pure chaos on-screen, there's a carefully crafted system behind the scenes to ensure contestants are prepared and protected.

According to executive producers Jeff Probst, Matt Van Wagenen, Kahaia Pearson, and Jesse Jensen, players are required to sign a contract once they’re officially cast. “Contestants don’t have to sign anything to apply, but there is a contract they have to sign if they end up on the show,” the team told PEOPLE.

Physical preparedness is also a major consideration. “There isn't a formal checklist of physical requirements,” producers said, “but you have to be able to handle living in a real jungle and be agile enough to handle the various elements you see in challenges.” While swimming isn’t mandatory, basic water safety is a must, especially for ocean-based tasks like spearfishing.

The show also coordinates with contestants’ doctors to ensure any pre-existing conditions won’t pose a risk. “We take the health and safety of the players very seriously,” they emphasized.

Before the game begins, every cast member attends what's known as Survivor School, which is a crash course led by one of the show’s most seasoned producers. There, players learn how to build shelter, start a fire, identify poisonous plants, and manage jungle hygiene.

But don’t mistake it for a survival guarantee. “It’s only a basic overview,” the producers explained. “It’s one thing to be shown how to do it. It’s another to then go do it yourself.”