When David Genat was announced as the new host of Australian Survivor, it sent shockwaves across the country.
Just before the 2026 season aired, he has challenged Jonathan LaPaglia’s claim that he was “blindsided” by his axing.
“I know conversations were definitely had,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Calls were made. It wasn’t, like, an email thing … There was no malice in it. I think it was just time for change. That’s the way showbusiness goes. I’m not sure why people get super upset when millionaires lose their jobs, but he’s gonna be fine.”
While he praised the former host’s legacy in the interview, he said he auditioned for the role twice – once in 2020, and again in 2023.
“So it was something that was on the radar,” he explained. “And then after I won Deal or No Deal [Island], there were some discussions going on. And I screen tested, probably, I want to say of December [2024].”
In the lead-up to the new season, he has also revealed where he stood with Jonathan.
“I wouldn’t say that Jonathan and I were friends,” he told Stellar.
“I didn’t know him that well but we were friendly. Cordial.
“When I was a contestant, I reached out when everything was happening, just to say, ‘Listen, dude, it obviously has nothing to do with me, but I just wanted to tell you, I think you’ve been an amazing host. What you’ve done for this franchise, no one can replicate that.
“I’m just going to try to do my best to pay homage to what you’ve done.’”
The former Australian Survivor contestant revealed that he was leading the show on August 18, after months of speculation.
From contestant to host
David’s casting was announced the same evening as his elimination from Australian Survivor: Australia V The World in episode 2.
While his early elimination from the game came as a shock to many fans, his appointment to the highly coveted hosting gig came as no surprise after the reality star was spotted in Samoa, where the 12th season of the show is currently being filmed.
“I love Australian Survivor. It truly is the greatest game on earth, so getting to come back as host after playing three times is such an honour,” David said in a statement.
“But Survivor is not about me; it’s about the incredible players who put everything on the line to outwit, outplay, and outlast,” he continued.
“I am pumped for the fans to meet the new crop of Survivors next season.”
Widely considered to be one of the greatest (if not THE greatest Survivor player of all time), David first competed on the series in Champions vs Contenders in 2019, where he placed 10th.
Then in 2020, he returned for an all-stars season where he outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed his competitors, and earned himself the nickname ‘The Golden God.’
When news of long-time host Jonathan LaPaglia’s axing became public knowledge in July, fans were devastated.
The 56-year-old later confirmed that he found out he would not be continuing at the helm via a phone call to his manager.
“I didn’t get a direct call, which, I’ll be honest with you, was disappointing,” he shared candidly in an August 2025 interview with Stellar.
“After 10 years of helming their flagship show, it would have been nice to get a direct call from the people at the top, but I didn’t.”
When does Australian Survivor air?
Australian Survivor 2026: Redemption starts on February 23 at 7pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.
You can meet the cast here.
