Reality show Survivor returns for a 23rd season with “Survivor : South Pacific”. This edition of SURVIVOR will feature a new twist when, for the first time, castaways who have been eliminated from the game will have an opportunity to seek redemption and return for a chance to win the million dollar prize. Each week at Tribal Council when a castaway is voted off, they will be sent to an isolated island called “Redemption Island,” where they will live alone in exile. To stay on Redemption Island, they will need to compete in a duel against the next person eliminated at Tribal Council and sent to the Island. The winner of each duel earns the right to continue fighting for an opportunity to return to the game and the chance to compete for the title of Sole Survivor; the loser is sent home.

The battle unfolds in Nicaragua where the 18 castaways will be divided into two Tribes of nine: the Ometepe Tribe and the Zapatera Tribe. The tribes are comprised of individuals from all different backgrounds with the same ultimate goal: to be the Sole Survivor. While 16 of the contestants are new to the competition, two are former castaways who will be given another chance to compete for the million dollar prize and one last shot at redemption.

There are a pair of Asian American females (Edna Ma and Elyse Umemoto) competing to be the last remaining survivor. Here’s more on them.

Name (Age): Edna Ma (35)
Tribe designation: Upolu
Current residence: Los Angeles­
Occupation: Anesthesiologist
Personal claim to fame: I was the first in my family to finish college. I subsequently went onto complete medical school and am board certified in anesthesiology.
Inspiration in life: Oprah. She overcame poverty, abuse and numerous other challenges/adversities to become one of the most influential women in the world.
Hobbies: Traveling, learning new things and going to new restaurants.
Pet peeves: Idleness, liars and deception.
3 words to describe you: Self-starter, adventurous and ambitious.
SURVIVOR contestant you are most like: Mick Trimming for his diplomacy.
Reason for being on SURVIVOR: It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I want the experience!
Why you think you’ll “survive” SURVIVOR: I’m a critical thinker and I’m good at tasks and building a team.
Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: I’m determined and I believe I can achieve anything I set my sights on.

Edna Ma profile

Name (Age): Elyse Umemoto (27)
Tribe Designation: Savaii
Current Residence: Las Vegas
Occupation: Dance Team Manager­
Personal claim to fame: I was the second runner-up to Miss America and I raised my three younger sisters.
Inspiration in life: My Grandma, Viola. God rest her beautiful soul. She taught me three of the most important things I’ll ever learn: how to read, how to pray and how to appreciate music.
Hobbies: Baking cupcakes, amassing useless trivia and quotes and reading memoirs.
Pet peeves: Professional athletes with bad attitudes, wet laundry that doesn’t get moved to the dryer immediately, pretty girls wearing ugly shoes and people who drink decaf.
3 words to describe you: Enchanting, indomitable and spunky!
SURVIVOR contestant you are most like: Brenda from Nicaragua and Parvati. They know what they want and how to get it. They truly understand the social game.
Reason for being on SURVIVOR: I thrive on challenge and the rush of competition. I always push the envelope and my limits. There’s no better avenue to do this than “Survivor.”
Why you think you’ll “survive” SURVIVOR: I’m engaging, personable and a master at reading people. I’m controversial in many ways and I embrace that I’m a “character.” I’m naturally athletic and can seamlessly blend into a group. I radiate confidence and always compete to win.
Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: It’s not just my character traits that make me a winner. It’s literally in my blood to survive. My Japanese grandfather spent his childhood in an internment camp. My German grandmother’s family has strong, long-standing ties with the government and fled immediately before the war. My Native American grandfather was the son of a deaf mute who learned English as a second language on the reservation by age 9. I have a passion for competition and I am the product of generations of TRUE survivors- their strength and resilience are a natural part of who I am.

Elyse Umemoto profile