'Survivor' Star Fires Back at Autism 'Sympathy' Claims

'Survivor 48' Star Eva Erickson Denies Autism Influenced Her Game Play Eva Erickson, who finished second on the recent season of 'Survivor 48', is addressing online comments questioning her success. Some viewers suggested that her autism led to other players being hesitant to vote her out, fearing potential backlash. However, Erickson vehemently denies this claim. "These people respected me as a competitor," Erickson stated in a video posted to social media. "Anyone who is saying that they were keeping me in the game because I had autism and they were afraid of the backlash, they do not understand who I am and who these people are." Erickson highlights her strong social game and strategic alliances as the reasons for her success. She emphasizes that she built relationships that kept her in the game until the very end. The video concludes with Erickson expressing her frustration at the insinuation that her achievements were due to anything other than her own merit. The controversy surrounding Erickson's success highlights a broader discussion about representation and fairness in reality television competitions. It also raises questions about the potential for unconscious bias in competitive settings.