Rob Mariano Relates toDeal or No Deal IslandShowmance Since He Wasn't 'So Focused on Winning'SurvivorEarly On (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Amber Brkich Mariano and Rob Mariano at the premiere of Survivor’s 20th Season at ArcLight Cinerama Dome on Feb. 10, 2020 in Los Angeles.Photo:David Livingston/Getty

David Livingston/Getty

So when Mariano, 49, saw a showmance forming between Maria-Grace Cook and Storm Wilson early on in season 2 ofDeal or No Deal Island, for which he’ll host the season 2 after show following his participation in season 1, he had some thoughts about the budding relationship.

“I wish them luck,” Mariano, who’s since welcomed four kids with his 46-year-old wife, tells PEOPLE. “They look like they’re into each other. And I can see how it would help them in the game.”

‘Deal or No Deal Island’ season 2 contestants Maria-Grace Cook and Storm Wilson.Monty Brinton/NBC

Monty Brinton/NBC

But, unlike inSurvivor, where a jury vote determines the winner, Mariano thinks that forming alliances inDeal or No Deal Islandmight be unwarranted.

“Deal or No Deal Islandis different in that there’s no vote,” the six-timeSurvivorplayer says. “So ultimately, a lot of these relationships and alliances are unnecessary, which is kind of crazy to say or think about. The alliances help you to a degree, but they will not keep you safe. There’s a degree of luck and control that you can’t have unless you get lucky.”

Amber Brkich and Boston Rob Mariano on ‘Survivor: Winners at War’.Robert Voets/CBS/Getty

Robert Voets/CBS/Getty

And with over $200 million in prize money in play onDeal or No Deal Island, Mariano thinks everyone should be concentrated on the competition. “It’s tough to come into something like this and not be focused,” the Massachusetts native says. “And I can relate to it. I was 24 the first time I played [Survivor], and I wasn’t necessarily so focused on winning.”

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8, Mariano will sit down with the week’s eliminatedDeal or No Deal Islandplayer to break down gameplay, discuss drama on the Banker’s Island and debut never-before-seen footage from the show.

Boston Rob Mariano on ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ season 1.Monty Brinton/NBC/Getty Images

Monty Brinton/NBC/Getty Images

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“What’s wild to me is doing this after show and having everybody come in here and almost double down on the moves that they made, even though I’ll show them why they were incorrect,” Mariano, who will also compete on the upcomingthird season ofThe Traitors, says. “Despite the result, they still sit and say, ‘I would do the same thing over again.’ It just speaks to people wanting to be right or happy about what they did, and they try to avoid looking at it objectively. And that’s interesting to me.”

Mariano believes players likeSurvivoralums David Genat andParvati Shallowwill “have an uphill battle” to succeed onDeal or No Deal Islandseason 2. “They have big advantages, but also really big targets,” theAmazing Racealum says. “Those two are definitely two competitors that, before this game starts, if I have to place a bet, I’d put it on them.”

Genat, 44, winning the Australian version ofSurvivormay work in his favor a bit more, according to Mariano.

“The anonymity combined with his experience and knowing how to manipulate the game in his favor is beyond a shadow of a doubt a huge advantage,” the father of four speculates. “Someone like David who I know has the acumen to play the game but is kind of unknown to everyone else, that’s someone that I would work with long term for sure.”

However, if Mariano found himself competing on this season, “I would try to avoid Parvati,” he says. “I like Parvati, she’s a friend of mine, but I think people would see that as too big of a threat.”

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Deal or No Deal Islandseason 2 premieres Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com