The 7-1-0 Victory: How Rachel LaMont Mastered The New Era To Win Survivor 47

The question of who won *Survivor 47* has a definitive and dominant answer: Rachel LaMont. In a season that aired its finale on December 18, 2024, Rachel LaMont was crowned the Sole Survivor in a near-unanimous 7-1-0 jury vote over her fellow finalists, Sam Phalen and Sue Smey. This victory cemented her place as one of the most impressive winners of the show's "New Era," demonstrating a masterful blend of social finesse and bold, innovative strategic gameplay that secured the $1 million prize. The *Survivor 47* finale was a thrilling conclusion to a highly competitive season, but the Final Tribal Council became a masterclass in jury management and self-advocacy by LaMont. As of today, December 10, 2025, her game is still being analyzed by fans and former players alike for its unique strategic highlights, particularly her groundbreaking use of a major in-game advantage and a shocking confession that sealed the deal with the jury.

Sole Survivor Profile: Rachel LaMont's Biography and Game Facts

Rachel LaMont, the triumphant winner of *Survivor 47*, played a game that was as compelling as her personal backstory. A 34-year-old graphic designer from Dexter, Michigan, LaMont brought a unique perspective to the game. * Name: Rachel A. LaMont * Age (During Season): 34 * Hometown: Dexter, Michigan * Occupation: Graphic Designer * Starting Tribe: N/A (The season featured new tribes and dynamics) * Final Vote Count: 7–1–0 * Runner-Up 1: Sam Phalen (1 vote) * Runner-Up 2: Sue Smey (0 votes) * Unique Fact 1: She was born in Thailand. * Unique Fact 2: She originally joined the cast as an alternate, a fact that speaks to her preparedness and determination. * Key Alliances: Rachel was known for her strong social connections, forming key bonds across tribal lines that protected her through the merge and into the endgame. Her journey was not without its early challenges, including an incident involving rice that cast a shadow on her early game. However, LaMont quickly rebounded, using that adversity to fuel a focused, strategic approach that impressed the jury.

The Strategic Moves That Secured the $1 Million Prize

Rachel LaMont’s victory in *Survivor 47* was defined by a series of high-risk, high-reward moves that showcased her ability to think outside the box, earning her the respect of the jury. Her game was a clinic in leveraging the tools of the modern *Survivor* era.

The "Brilliant" Shot in the Dark Play

Perhaps the most talked-about move of the season was LaMont’s innovative use of the Shot in the Dark advantage in Episode 8, "He's All That." Traditionally, the Shot in the Dark is a desperate measure used to save oneself from an imminent vote, sacrificing one’s vote for a 1-in-6 chance of safety. Rachel, however, deployed the advantage not to save herself, but to intentionally create a tie vote. By choosing to use her Shot in the Dark die, she became ineligible to vote, reducing the total votes at Tribal Council and forcing a deadlock among the remaining players. This move successfully flushed out a major threat without her having to commit to a side, allowing her to maintain her key alliances. Host Jeff Probst himself called the move "brilliant," acknowledging that LaMont had fundamentally changed how future players might view the risky advantage.

Planning Her Own "Funeral" and Endgame Mastery

LaMont’s endgame strategy was centered on a concept she later referred to as "planning her own funeral." This involved preemptively managing the jury's perception of her game, ensuring that her strategic moves were understood and appreciated by the people she had voted out. In the final stages of the game, she made a critical, strategic decision at the Final Four Fire-Making Challenge. By winning the final Immunity Challenge, she earned the power to choose who would compete in the fire-making duel. This choice was instrumental in shaping the final three, demonstrating her control over the endgame narrative.

The Final Tribal Council: A Calculated Confession

The Final Tribal Council is where the Sole Survivor is truly made, and Rachel LaMont’s performance was one for the history books. Facing off against Sam Phalen and Sue Smey, LaMont delivered a powerful argument that highlighted her social bonds and strategic cunning. The pivotal moment came during the jury's questioning, specifically from castaway Gabe Ortis. In a shocking, calculated risk, Rachel LaMont revealed a major lie she had told during the game. The lie concerned her alliance with fellow finalist Caroline Vidmar. By confessing that she had deceived the jury about the true nature of their relationship—a strategic deception—she showcased her willingness to be transparent about her cutthroat gameplay. This move, which could have backfired spectacularly, instead demonstrated her confidence, ownership of her game, and the level of strategic depth she had been hiding. It was a final, bold stroke that solidified her dominance.

The Final Vote Breakdown

The jury's decision was a resounding endorsement of Rachel's all-around game, which seamlessly blended social connections with aggressive strategy. * Rachel LaMont (7 Votes): The majority of the jury was convinced by her social game, strategic risks, and compelling Final Tribal Council performance. She was seen as the player who had the most control over the game's outcome. * Sam Phalen (1 Vote): Sam, a Lipscomb alum, finished as the runner-up and received one solitary vote. He was praised for his own game, but ultimately could not match LaMont’s narrative of control and innovation. Sam later spoke about the "raw emotion" of the Final Tribal Council, acknowledging the difficulty of competing against Rachel’s strong case. * Sue Smey (0 Votes): Sue Smey, despite making it to the final three, was completely shut out by the jury, receiving zero votes. She admitted afterward that being shut out "sucked," highlighting the difficulty of making a winning case against two strong opponents. Rachel LaMont became the first woman to beat another woman (Sue Smey) at the Final Tribal Council since Michele Fitzgerald in *Survivor: Kaôh Rōng*. Her 7-1-0 victory is a testament to the fact that in the New Era of *Survivor*, a dominant and well-articulated strategic game, backed by strong social bonds, is the surest path to the title of Sole Survivor.