Image Credit: Disney
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via CBS

A beloved former ‘Survivor’ contestant is dating host Jeff Probst’s niece, so that’s not weird

What does uncle Jeff think?

Love is in the air in the Survivor community — and this time, it includes longtime host and showrunner Jeff Probst. But, it isn’t Jeff who’s happily entangled in a new romance — his niece is — and she’s with a popular former castaway.

Recommended Videos

Okay, let’s cut the suspense.

Austin Li Coon of Survivor 45 fame is dating Amanda Probst. And if you’re thinking, “Isn’t that the long-haired jacked guy who linked up with Dee Valladares,” then you’d be spot-on. Before placing as the runner-up behind Dee, the two engaged in a flirty showmance that seemed destined to follow them out of Fiji. Well, that ended, and Austin’s moved on.

The 27-year-old revealed his tie to Miss Probst on social media ahead of Survivor 47’s premiere. He shared a slideshow of their 10-month relationship, which included several photos of them together with big ol’ smiles. Take a gander:

According to the Instagram post, Austin and Amanda first met in November 2023 when Survivor 45 was airing. Apparently, a “casual meet-up to talk about Survivor” has led to “10 months of cross-country flights to visit each other.”

“So this happened… just as shocked as you are,” the ex-Reba tribe member wrote.

Although they’re in a long-distance relationship, Austin wrote that the “vibes” are so good, they “can’t just drop it.” “She’s amazing and has made this year the most fun I’ve ever had,” Austin gushed.

He also addressed one of the elephants in the comment section — his prior relations with Dee. Without diving deep into what happened between them, Austin clarified that the filming for Survivor 45 wrapped in the spring of 2023, “and everything since happened in a respectful way.”

In a December 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dee somewhat threw cold water on the status of her relationship with Austin but still alluded to them seeing each other.  “This has been a whirlwind of emotions and we have decided to keep it low-key for now,” she said. “It’s been too crazy and it’s getting crazier. So we’ve decided to keep it low-key for now, only because it’s been insane.”

If Survivor fans have kept up with the rumors, they likely wouldn’t be too surprised that Dee and Austin parted ways. Things looked like they went south a while ago, judging by the lack of social media posts together. But, the fact that he’s dating a Probst is shocking — and fantastic for Survivor lore.

Amanda’s life has been out of the public eye, so not much is known about her. However, she did drop the “L” bomb on Instagram a few days after Austin hard-launched them. “My turn! I love you [Austin],” she wrote, sharing more photos of them embracing being Survivor’s newest couple.

Now we’re anxiously awaiting Probst’s comments on the two. But, it’s hard to imagine the host being anything but fully supportive and excited for them. And who knows? With Survivor 50’s all-star season fast approaching, maybe we’ll see Austin back, and Uncle Jeff bantering with him about Amanda.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Stephen McCaugherty
Stephen McCaugherty
Hailing from British Columbia, Stephen McCaugherty has been exercising his freelance writing chops since 2019, and he does his best work when he's kicking back in a hostel somewhere around the world — usually with terrible internet. Primarily focusing on reality competition shows, movies, and combat sports, he joined WGTC as an entertainment contributor in 2023.