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Paloma Soto-Castillo is a contestant from Survivor: Gabon.

Best known for her mutual disdain toward Ace Gordon, Paloma found herself on the outs of the Kota tribe early on. After her tribe's winning streak came to an end, this, along with her general social inactivity, led to her early elimination.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Paloma Soto-Castillo (24)
Hometown: Downey, California
Occupation: Student

Paloma Soto-Castillo has been playing the social game her entire life, one of the skills necessary to succeed in the game of Survivor. Her parents were both missionaries, causing her to move around a lot during her childhood. Growing up with this lifestyle taught her to adapt to any environment and she became a stronger person as a result.

Soto-Castillo was born in Chile and lived there for a large part of her life before moving to Tennessee, Virginia and then settling in California. One day, on a whim, she decided to leave everything behind and move to Kenya…alone, without any group or organization. She lived among the natives and wild animals for three months without any support from family and friends or any modern conveniences. After witnessing the people's suffering first-hand, she says it changed her life and she's certain she'll go back and help change their lives. Soto-Castillo is motivated to win Survivor so she can open an orphanage or elementary school for the children of Kenya.

Soto-Catillo has a B.A. in communication studies from California State University, Long Beach and continues to go to school. She is currently working on her single subject teaching credential and works part time as a waitress. Her hobbies include traveling, camping and reading. In her free time, Paloma loves staying competitive and keeping her mind sharp by playing Texas Hold 'Em.

Soto-Castillo is single. She currently lives in Downey, California with her Shitzu, Sam. Her birth date is August 24, 1984.[1]

Survivor[]

During the Schoolyard Pick on Day 1, Paloma was chosen by Charlie Herschel to join the Kota tribe; she later chose Kelly Czarnecki, who would become her closest friend and ally. She, along with Sugar Kiper, were identified as the weakest members of the tribe and were often sat out in challenges.

Early in the game, Paloma and Ace Gordon developed a dislike for each other. At the Day 7 Reward Challenge, Ace chose Paloma to hang on to the post. However, the Fang members easily overpowered her, leading to their first victory. Despite being assigned this position by Ace, Paloma was blamed entirely for the loss. When Kota lost the next Immunity Challenge, Paloma found herself on the chopping block and tried to run a campaign to vote out Ace. Despite her efforts, only Kelly voted with her, and Paloma was voted out 7-2.

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Kota One for All Immunity1 No Lost
Reward Won
Temptation Valley Reward/Immunity No Won
Lemme Go Rock 'N' Roll Reward/Immunity Yes Won
2 Kicking and Screaming Reward No Lost
Lake Launch Immunity Yes Lost
Voted Out, Day 9
Notes:
^1 This challenge was played for individual immunity at each tribe's next Tribal Council.

Episode Paloma's
Votes
Voted Against
Paloma
1 Kota Tribe Immune
Kota Tribe Immune
2 Ace Ace, Bob, Charlie, Corinne,
Jacquie, Marcus, Sugar
Voted Out, Day 9

Post-Survivor[]

  • On January 9, 2010, Paloma attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party along with all of her Gabon castmates.
  • Paloma said in an interview in 2012 that she had married, was having a son, and currently living in Japan due to her husband's job in the Air Force. She now goes by Paloma Soto-Bemis.

Trivia[]

  • Paloma is the lowest-placing member of Kota.
  • Paloma is the only female voted out of Kota.
  • Paloma is the only female in Gabon to never be a member of the Fang tribe.

References[]

Survivor: Gabon Castaways
 Ace
Kota
S17 ace t
 Bob
Kota
S17 bob t
 Charlie
Kota
S17 charlie t
 Corinne
Kota
S17 corinne t
 Crystal
Fang
S17 crystal t
 Dan
Fang
S17 dan t
 GC
Fang
S17 gc t
 Gillian
Fang
S17 gillian t
 Jacquie
Kota
S17 jacquie t
 Kelly
Kota
S17 kelly t
 Ken
Fang
S17 ken t
 Marcus
Kota
S17 marcus t
 Matty
Fang
S17 matty t
 Michelle
Fang
S17 michelle t
 Paloma
Kota
S17 paloma t
 Randy
Fang
S17 randy t
 Sugar
Kota
S17 sugar t
 Susie
Fang
S17 susie t
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