Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho has won the 44th season of Survivor. The salon owner from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, was one of the five contestants going into the season finale on Wednesday night (May 24). He defeated the two other top contenders, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt and Carolyn Wiger, during the final jury vote, 7-1-0.
After the season finale aired, Arocho was excited when his name started trending on Twitter. “This is happening!” Arocho wrote. “Trending Yam Yam! And I think [it’s] not about a casserole!”
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the season finale featured a challenging obstacle course, a puzzle, and a lot of emotion. “In the end, Yam Yam’s colorful personality and superior social game prevailed, and the jury rewarded him as the player most deserving of the Sole Survivor title and the million dollars that goes with it,” wrote EW.
At a viewing party for the season finale, people cheered as Arocho’s name was called over and over again during the final vote. Arocho sat with Lagares-Greenblatt and Wiger as the final vote was read. Lagares-Greenblatt then held up a flag from Puerto Rico when it was revealed that Arocho had won the competition.
Before the season finale, Arocho was given the best odds of winning Survivor at Gold Derby. “Having good social relationships with the remaining contestants as well as the jury, he stands a strong chance to make it to the end and win, but he does have some tough competition,” Gold Derby wrote.
For winning season 44, Arocho takes home a $1 million prize.