Fresh from returning to Survivor for a second run — and still not any nearer to the $2million prize pot he helped inflate — Rick Devens has opened up about several pivotal moments from the series, including scenes viewers never got to see.
Devens was voted out in episode 12, which aired on May 13, not long after a lucky coin flip against Mr.Beast doubled the season’s top prize.
Across much of the season, Devens played a major role in keeping the action moving — from the fake idol planted at tribal council to his on-screen rivalry that escalated into a feud with fellow contestant Joe Hunter.
In a recent interview, Devens shared details from a day that didn’t make the final cut, revealing how he spent time at camp when there were no challenges to prepare for.
He recalled: “There was a day where we had no challenges – we’re just hanging out at camp the whole day. And so I really wanted to take the boat out because I’d never done that in all my time on Survivor.
“ So I ended up going out in the boat with Ozzy and Jonathan and Emily and then Ozzy and Jonathan were out there fishing trying to see who could come with the most fish and Emily and I were in the boats being like our chaotic selves laughing about how ridiculous the games we’re playing are.
“It was really just like a fun time almost away from the game where the four of us were just having a good time and living that Fiji lifestyle and It was a really great memory that I’ll hold on to.”
Although it’s a standout memory from the island, Devens said his return for the show’s 50th season also meant confronting familiar obstacles — including challenges that had tripped him up the first time around.
“They brought back so many challenges for the season that I failed on my first season. I was so annoyed when I walk in and go ‘hey there’s that challenge I’m bad at. They know I’m bad at it, why is that up here?’” He explained.
“Like the door one, the balancing the ball on my head one, the string on a rope one that we had last night – I failed all of those on my first season, so that was tough.
“During the first season, the way I got to the end was finding immunities, playing immunity idols, winning immunities. You know, I won four of them.
“And this time I got to seventh place and only had one real immunity idol in my hand the whole time. I had to use it right away because people don’t let me slip through with immunities like that.
“So it was it was a whole different sort of challenge trying to find a new game and new ways to creatively get myself just through one vote.”
Devens first played seven years ago, and said it was an honour to be asked back for the landmark 50th season — one that brought even more strategy, surprises, and pressure than he anticipated.
He experienced plenty of memorable moments during his run, but one highlight rose above the rest: being the person who helped secure a $2million prize pool for the remaining players.
“The best time was probably flipping the Mr. Beast coin because it doubled the pot to 2 million. So not only was I super ecstatic because I was safe and I had this big moment and Mr. Beast is there,” he confessed proudly.
“All of the people, even the ones that were after me, were also super excited and happy because the money just doubled to two million so it was just this fun moment that even the jury was into! It was awesome and will always stand out in my mind.”
But the toughest point, he said, was watching close ally Christian Hubicki get eliminated in April 2026 — after Hubicki became the first contestant forced to vote for himself due to the “One in the Urn” twist.
“The worst moment was probably Christian getting voted out. Oh yeah. I hated to see Christian go. I was worried it might happen, but it was still kind of a surprise. And it was just such a bummer because I had so much fun up to that point playing with him.”
Despite leaving without the prize money, Devens suggested he hasn’t ruled out another return — and hinted that a third appearance could be on the table if he gets the call again.
“My first two seasons I kind of felt like I’d have a rough go out of it,” he admitted. “After my first season you never know and it’s been such a gift – I think I’d go out one more time. I guess I love pain!”