It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since Colleen Haskell captivated audiences on the very first season of the hit reality show Survivor. With her girl-next-door charm, intelligence, and athleticism, Colleen quickly became a fan favorite and helped launch Survivor into a pop culture phenomenon when it premiered in 2000.
However, after her stint on the show and a brief foray into acting, she seemed to step away from the public eye. So what happened to one of Survivor’s very first sweetheart?
Early Life
Colleen Marie Haskell was born on December 6, 1976, in Bethesda, Maryland. She pursued her college education at the University of Georgia in Athens. Her academic journey took an exciting turn when she secured a six-month internship with the London Film Festival, providing her with the opportunity to study abroad in London, England. After completing her degree, she embarked on a cultural exploration, spending two months in Ghana, West Africa, and following it up with a two-month travel experience in France.
Survivor: Borneo
Haskell first came to public attention as a contestant on the inaugural season of the American reality show Survivor in 2000.
She was a member of the Pagong tribe, which primarily consisted of young adults, in contrast to the relatively older Tagi tribe. In the early stages, Colleen was often associated with fellow contestant Greg Buis, and Jenna Lewis, another member of Pagong, speculated that their friendship had developed into a romantic relationship. However, both Colleen and Greg vehemently denied any romantic involvement, although Colleen playfully remarked that “it was all about the sex.”
Following the merger of the two tribes into the Rattana tribe, the Pagong members were taken aback by the strategic approach of the Tagi tribe, systematically eliminating them one by one during Tribal Council. Colleen was the final former Pagong member to be voted out. Just before her torch was extinguished, she imparted a message to the remaining castaways, urging them to “be nice” and “play fair.” Richard Hatch, upon her departure, expressed his admiration, describing her as “a wonderful person.”
Initially, Colleen had intended to cast her vote for Richard during the Final Tribal Council. However, his unsatisfactory response to her question and Susan Hawk’s infamous “rats and snakes” speech influenced her decision, leading her to vote for Kelly Wiglesworth instead. In the end, Kelly fell short, and Richard emerged as the victor in a 4-3 vote.
Post-Survivor Career
Following her stint on Survivor and the subsequent media frenzy, Colleen Haskell completed her first year at Miami Ad School. She then relocated to San Francisco to intern during her second year at the school, while also considering various opportunities in the entertainment industry that were being presented to her. In 2001, she made her film debut as Rianna in “The Animal,” starring opposite Rob Schneider.
Haskell’s acting career continued with a guest appearance on “That ’70s Show,” and in 2002, she portrayed Olivia Castle on the show “Maybe It’s Me.” In 2003, she transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role, working as an assistant producer on “The Michael Essany Show.” Notably, she declined a $100,000 offer to pose for Playboy, indicating her preference for maintaining her personal privacy.
What is Colleen Haskell Doing Now?
Haskell worked as an assistant producer on The Michael Essany Show in 2003 before leaving the entertainment industry. Since then, she has maintained a low profile and has largely stayed out of the public eye.
Currently, Colleen Haskell resides in New York with her husband, Alan Hampton. Hampton is a multi-talented musician, known for his work as a bassist, composer, and singer. He has collaborated with a diverse range of leading artists across various genres, including Robert Glasper, Andrew Bird, Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens, Gretchen Parlato, and Meshell Ndegeocello. His original music has been featured in numerous records, films, and TV shows.
The couple have been together since 2012 and are blessed with two daughters, Catherine and Jane. Despite her early fame, Haskell has managed to lead a relatively private life, away from the glare of the media spotlight.
Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity, you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.