Jonny Fairplay talks "dead grandma" lie, faith, and life after 'Survivor'

Updated: Oct 28, 2021

Jack is joined by Survivor Hall of Famer and reality TV legend Jonny Fairplay. Jonny tells the full story behind one of reality TV's biggest moments, his "dead Grandma" lie (for those unfamiliar - he created a lie that his Grandmother died in order to gain sympathy from his fellow Survivor contestants, which his competitors bought hook, line and sinker).

What was the public's reaction to the lie and how did people react to seeing Jonny on the streets? Hint: it wasn't good. Jonny details the creation of his reality TV persona "Jonny Fairplay" and tells of what his goals were going on to Survivor. What happened to Jonny on Survivor: Micronesia? Why did he leave the in the show's first episode? Later, Jonny tells Jack about how he became a born-again Christian in the years after Survivor, when he got baptized, and how God has recently changed his life. How did Jonny go from being someone that made fun of Christians, to a Christian himself? Tune in to find out!

Check out other Survivor contestants on the Jack Vita Show:

1) Survivor: China contestant Leslie Nease on her Christian faith and reality TV (October 28, 2019)

2) Jonny Fairplay talks "dead grandma" lie, faith, and life after 'Survivor' (February 18, 2020)

3) 'Survivor' Contestant Reem Daly on the 'Edge of Extinction', 'Winners at War', and social distancing (April 6, 2020)

4) Former 'Survivor' contestant Albert Destrade previews ALCS, NLCS (October 12, 2020)

5) 'Survivor's Jay Starrett on 'The Challenge' 36, 'Survivor' 33 (February 13, 2020)

6) What if 18 MLB players competed on 'Survivor'? (Feat. Albert Destrade, 'Survivor: South Pacific') (February 20, 2021)

7) 2021 MLB preview: Survivor's Albert Destrade previews the NL East (March 25, 2021)

8) Survivor: South Pacific's Albert Destrade talks Braves, Cubs, MLB trade deadline, injuries (August 4, 2021)

9) Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick talks 'Survivor', life and Philly sports (September 21, 2021)

10) Orestes Destrade, Albert Destrade recap ALDS, NLDS; preview ALCS, NLCS (October 15, 2021)

11) Survivor: Africa's Teresa "T-Bird" Cooper on Braves, World Series (October 26, 2021)

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(Photo via CBS)