CBS ANNOUNCES THE 16 CASTAWAYS TO COMPETE ON "SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS - THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS"

18th Installment of the Hit Television Series Premieres in High-Definition on Thursday, Feb. 12

CBS today announced the 16 castaways who will compete on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS � THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS, when the 18th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Feb. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS will prove to be one of the most rugged locations ever visited and the only relief from these harsh conditions will be a river oasis known as the Rio Novo. Left stranded in the majestic interior of Brazil for 39 days, these castaways will battle scorching temperatures, torrential downpours, and dangerous wildlife all in an effort to outwit, outplay, and outlast one another in order to win the title of Sole Survivor.

This season, the castaways will be divided into two separate tribes from the very beginning and these diverse individuals must immediately begin their game based solely on their first impressions of each other. In advance of any formal introduction and before the castaways speak their first words to each other, one person from each tribe will be chosen to remain behind and will not continue with their group on the journey that lies ahead. Will this mean the end for these two individuals or will they get a second chance to make a first impression?

Castaways competing on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS � THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS (in alphabetical order separated by tribes) are:

JALAPAO TRIBE TIMBIRA TRIBE

SANDY BURGIN TYSON APOSTOL

Age: 53 29

Hometown: Louisville, Ky. Hometown: Lindon, Utah

Occupation: Bus Driver Occupation: Professional Cyclist

JOE DOWDLE DEBRA �Debbie� BEEBE

Age: 26 Age: 46

Hometown: Austin, Texas Hometown: Auburn, Ala.

Occupation: Real Estate Sales Occupation: School Principal

SPENCER DUHM ERINN LOBDELL

Age: 19 Age: 26

Hometown: Lakeland, Fla. Hometown: Waukesha, Wis.

Occupation: Student Occupation: Hairstylist

CAROLINA EASTWOOD SIERRA REED

Age: 26 Age: 23

Hometown: West Hollywood, Calif. Hometown: Los Angeles

Occupation: Bartender Occupation: Model

STEPHEN FISHBACH JERRY SIMS

Age: 29 Age: 49

Hometown: New York Hometown: Rock Hill, S.C.

Occupation: Corporate Consultant Occupation: Sgt. � U.S. Army

TAJ JOHNSON-GEORGE CANDACE SMITH

Age: 37 Age: 31

Hometown: Nashville, Tenn. Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Occupation: Former Pop Star Occupation: Attorney

JAMES �JT� THOMAS JR. BRENDAN SYNNOTT

Age: 24 Age: 30

Hometown: Samson, Ala. Hometown: New York

Occupation: Cattle Rancher Occupation: Entrepreneur

SYDNEY WHEELER BENJAMIN �Coach� WADE

Age: 24 Age: 37

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Hometown: Bolivar, Mo.

Occupation: Model Occupation: Soccer Coach

SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS � THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS is hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Jeff Probst and produced by SEG, Inc. Mark Burnett is executive producer and David Burris and Leisa Francis are co-executive producers.

For more detailed information on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS � THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS and the 16 castaways, log on to www.cbs.com/survivor.