Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers spotlight: Meet Simone Nguyen (and learn why she’s dangerous)

Could Simone Nguyen be a threat on Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers? What we know is that she feels very strong about her abilities in the game, and she wants to use information to her advantage. Some of her plans are actually rather diabolical, and she apparently has “innocent voice” planned out going into the game.

Overall, Simone is a player you really hope can go far in a season like this. She will play hard, not suffer fools, and compete in a way that many great players do. Even if she doesn’t make it far, she’ll go down swinging and will probably be pretty popular among the fans who watch the show on the basis of strategy.

Age – 25.

Location – New York City, though she is originally from Worcester, Massachusetts.

Bio – She works as a diversity advocate, fighting to support representation and encouraging team-building and training. Her job is very much one of inclusion and giving people voices, and we do think there is some carryover to the game since you want everyone to feel involved and included with what is going on. She’s a part of the Hustlers tribe, but her skill set is a little more subtle than that of some of the other players. She may be okay being more in the background.

Past Survivor comparison – She compares herself to Tai and Michaela from this past season, but based on what we’ve seen from her we don’t actually see either of them. We actually see (and we rarely make this comparison) a little bit of Parvati in how she talks about the game. She’s ruthless, but at the same time lighthearted. She understands what needs to be done and she’s not afraid to manipulate or create a certain perception of herself to do it.

Strengths – She’s incredibly smart, and she clearly understands the value of self-awareness and how other people see her. She’s going to be able to enable alpha males to be even more obnoxious, and be a swing vote who can then pawn it off on someone else. We like that she’s thought about her plan to a great degree, but isn’t necessarily firm to such an extent that it will make her inflexible while she’s out there.

Weaknesses – Is she going to be a huge challenge beast? Probably not, and she may also need to be aware that if she creates a perception of herself as sweet and innocent that it does not become reality. She talks about playing a risky game, one that could get her exposed and voted out early … but also one that could get her to the end.

Pre-show prediction – Simone could win. She has to know when to make a big move and win to hold back, but we do think that most of the necessary skills are there for her. Unfortunately, it’s not a guarantee that she makes the merge since she may not be the biggest asset around camp; if she does get there, though, you better watch out. She’s a good All-Star candidate now matter how she fares if she plays the game as she advertises it.

How well do you think that Simone Nguyen is going to do on Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers? Let us know in the comments below!

Also, click here to see some of our other CarterMatt spotlights on this season. You can get more between now and the start of the season by also visiting our Facebook. (Photo: CBS.)