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Thursday, September 16, 2004
Gorham native joins castaways on 'Survivor' premiere tonight
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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Maine's first "Survivor" contestant will be among viewers glued to their TV sets tonight to see how Gorham native Julie Berry fares during the premiere of the reality show's new season. "I can't wait to see the show," said Zoe Zanidakis, a longtime commercial fisherman and charter boat captain from Monhegan Island, who participated on the show in 2002. Zanidakis, who was voted off the South Pacific Island of Nuku Hiva after nine of the 12 episodes, said viewers can expect to see Berry and the 17 other contestants face lots of surprises from the show's producers. "You have this preconceived notion of what the experience will be like, and all they (the producers) are trying to do is mess that up," said Zanidakis. "Survivor: Vanuatu - Islands of Fire," the ninth edition of the reality series, kicks off at 8 tonight on CBS. Berry, a 23-year-old youth mentor, will compete with other castaways as they build shelter, gather and hunt for food and compete in numerous challenges on the remote island. Berry's mother, Judith Berry, said the family has received many inquiries from the media and, as a result, changed their home phone number. "We don't know how she did," said Judith Berry. "Obviously it's a well-kept secret." CBS prohibits contestants from speaking with the media about the show until the episode in which they are voted off the island is aired. Each week, one contestant is voted out by other people in their "tribe." Eventually, the sole survivor collects a $1 million prize. Berry, who was born in Lewiston, is an American Indian from the Maliseet tribe. Judith Berry, a lawyer who specializes in adoption, and her husband Les, an engineer with the firm BH2M, adopted Berry when she was 4. Berry also has an older brother, Chris, who is 27 and lives in North Carolina. Judith Berry said her daughter has an "honest smile" and "an infectious laugh," which may help her build alliances with the other castaways. Staff Writer Selena Ricks can be contacted at 91-6451 or at:
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