The Golden God will now start snuffing torches. Australian Survivor names former winner David Genat as new host: 'I won't let you down'

The Golden God will now start snuffing torches.

*Australian Survivor *names former winner David Genat as new host: 'I won't let you down'

The Golden God will now start snuffing torches.

By Dalton Ross

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on August 18, 2025 08:39AM EDT

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David Genat on 'Deal or No Deal Island'. Credit:

Monty Brinton/NBC

The Australian tribe — or network, rather — has spoken, and there is a new host running Tribal Council. Former *Australian Survivor: All Stars* winner David Genat (a.ka. the Golden God) has been tapped to replace Jonathan LaPaglia as host of the show.

The news comes after Genat's torch was snuffed on episode 2 of *Survivor: Australia v The World* by his predecessor LaPaglia. Genat is already back on set in Samoa in his new hosting capacity for *Australian Survivor: Redemption.*

David Genat on 'Deal or No Deal Island'.

Monty Brinton/NBC

*Australian Survivor* fans were shocked when LaPaglia revealed on Instagram on June 29 that he had been fired as longtime host. "*Australian Survivor* has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years," LaPaglia wrote then, "but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me. I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are 'going in a different direction.'"

That different direction comes in the form of Genat, who not only appeared as a contestant three times on *Australian Survivor*, but also won a record $5.8 million dollars on *Deal or No Deal Island* in America. He also has hosting experience, acting as master of ceremonies for the Australian reality competition series *Rush* in 2023.

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Now he will be snuffing torches — perhaps torches belonging to contestants he once competed alongside. It's a huge move for Genat, who has wanted to make the shift into more hosting as opposed to playing, and now will be back on the island where his reality journey first kicked into high gear. "I have so much respect for *Australian Survivor,"* he said on an Instagram post announcing the move. "This game has changed my life. I love the players, I love the community of fans and I love the crew who make it happen. As the new host of *Australian Survivor*, I won't let you down."

That's a direct message to fans who have been up in arms since LaPaglia was fired in June. Even Genat's *Survivor: Australia v The World* castmate Cirie Fields was shocked by the firing, telling **, "When I heard it, you know what I thought? I thought, you know how you see all this crazy stuff on the internet? I had to fact-check it. Like, 'Nah, that's not true.' Why? I still don't know why. Like, I mean, it is what it is."

And what it is now is Genat. His hosting reign will begin in 2026 with *Australian Survivor: Redemption *on Network 10. SVP Content and Programming for Paramount Australia Daniel Monaghan described the move in a statement: "As *Australian Survivor* moves into its 12th season, it's no secret there's been a change at the helm. As we step into this exciting new era, there was simply no better person to pass the baton to — David's track record, not just on *Survivor* but across reality TV worldwide, is unrivaled, and there's no one with more real-time experience and game knowledge to help steer this epic season."

It's seems the Golden God's latest blindside is now complete.

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Source: "AOL TV"

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