These 'Survivor' Stars Are Your L.A. Neighbors

SANTA MONICA, CA – Some of your Los Angeles County neighbors are starring on the 35th season of "Survivor," which begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening on CBS. A Los Angeles firefighter and North Hollywood celebrity assistant are among the 18 contestants, which are divided for the first time by "positive traits most often associated with them by others," host and executive producer Jeff Probst said. The three tribes are: heroes, hustlers, and healers.

John "JP" Hilsabeck, a 28-year-old Los Angeles firefighter, is on the "Levu" (Heroes) tribe which consists of people known for their "courage, achievements, [and] ideals for which you stand," Probst said.

Probst said he thought Hilsabeck "is a little intimidated."

"He might feel the burden of all of what he brings with him – young, thick, good looking, a fireman," Probst said. "You've got a lot to live up to."

Alexandrea “Ali” Elliott, a 24-year-old North Hollywood celebrity assistant, is on the "Yawa" (Hustlers) tribe whose members "must earn respect from others," Probst said.

"Elliott has a really amazing energy," Probst said. "I think Ali is going to be in it for a long time, I would be surprised if she's out early. I think she's way too bright for that. It wouldn't surprise me to see her at the end."

The hero tribe also has Alan Ball, who played cornerback for four NFL teams from 2007 through 2015; and Katrina Radke, who finished fifth in the women's 200-meter butterfly in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Ball "is a really likeable guy," Probst said. "He's got a bright smile and an amazing energy."

Radke's biggest drawback is her personality, Probst said. "She's a little quirky and she shares."

Radke acknowledged that she tends to be "a little blunt."

Probst said she hopes Radke "can read the room and say `Let me back off,' because she's a really likeable person and the longer she stays, I think the more people will realize what a good person she is."

"There's a lot of stuff in `Survivor' that you have that normally (you) don't want to be doing, but you got to get it done," Elliott said. "I'm used to doing the job that nobody else wants to do."

The "Soko" (Healers) tribe members "receive gratitude for their work," Probst said. It includes a nurse practitioner, wilderness therapy guide, physical therapist and urologist.

"Survivor" was shot in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji for the third consecutive edition. The winner will receive $1 million.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Main photo: Timothy Kuratek/©2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc.