How Australian Survivor’s ‘jungle rat’ came out on top

The “Jungle Rat” actually did it. Myles Kuah, the “bisexual, biracial, bi-tribal” idol-finding underdog who received more votes against him in a single season than any player in history, has won the title of sole survivor. And he almost did it with a clean sweep of the jury.

Deputy TV editor spoke to Kuah before Monday’s finale aired to reflect on the season, his controversial nickname and the wild gameplay that saw him come out on top. It’s totally unreal. Obviously, being a really big fan, this is the stuff that you dream about.



I didn’t ever imagine that I would win. Being here now, having played the game I did, is totally bizarre. It’s really cool as well, because I feel like I get to represent a few various different groups that are probably underrepresented in superfans, Asians, queers and nerds.

To be that be a big player a winner is just amazing. People are just really happy to see this kind of representation in the media – and especially in such a fun, positive way. There’s a history in Australia of Asian players in the show often getting pretty small edits, or and kind of struggling to get past that.

And sure, I kind of got that – pretty deservingly – but I made it my own thing. I made it my brand. Actually, the funniest group that’s reached out to me a lot, is pole dancers! Pole dancing is often seen as super sexual, very closely associated with stripping and whatnot.

And people say it’s nice to see a goofy, nerdy guy that’s climbing up and down a pole, having fun with it. I think it’s cool. It breaks the stigma a little bit.

I’m going to be the richest person I know. It’s completely unreal. It sets me up for life essentially.

The financial security is incredible. But also, I’m very lucky in that I work in finance, I’m very tight with money ..

. It was never really about the money for me. And I honestly think that really helped me throughout the game: it allowed me to play a bit more freely.

Obviously, now that I’m here though, my mind’s blown. I’m going to do so many shots tonight and I’m going to buy the nicest tequila for it. We’ve got a very big watch party planned with a bunch of the cast and friends.

We don’t get to watch the episodes beforehand, so I’m so excited to see it. My goal was to have a fun time, make an impact and be a fun, quirky character. There are 24 people in there, and there are so many variables you can’t control.

I should have gone home second if Indy hadn’t blown up her game. I should have gone home at final four if the challenge wasn’t essentially built for me to beat Kaelan. I got so lucky: the first section was climbing, and I’m a pole dancer who does bouldering.

The second section was throwing, and I played cricket for eight years when I was a kid. There was so much that could have gone wrong. I just wanted to play the best game that I could, and make good TV as someone people can get behind.

Totally, I was mentally getting ready to be the first or second boot of . Because of that, essentially the rest of the game I felt like I was playing with house money. It gives you a lot more mental freedom to be able to make big moves.

I was just happy to be there. Well, I was on the bottom of the tribe because my social game is not fantastic. There were some of the most charismatic people I’ve ever met out there.

And I am not that – especially with people who aren’t “my people”. AJ and I got along amazingly. Kaelan and I got along amazingly.

But a lot of the others just weren’t the type I would hang out with usually. I know I’m a very big personality, and that can grate on people – especially when you’re living together 24/7. I think my more positive traits shined through over time.

I’m very enthusiastic. I’m very positive. I like to think I’m pretty kind.

And I always kept a good attitude on the bottom. A lot of people came around to me over time. Did it actually? Oh my god! That’s so funny.

I’m so happy that made it in. I loved it. The context that’s missing is that Max and I – while strategically, we were never on the same page – we actually had a really good personal relationship.

I really like Max. So when he came up to me and asked whether it would be all right for him to call me that, I was like, “F--- yes, let’s go! A nickname, fantastic!” He’s a fan, so he understands what that means. I love the name.

And I think it encapsulates my game so perfectly as well. The rat is the ultimate survivor. The most surprising part was just how physically exhausted I was by the end of it.

I was genuinely getting tired from walking. If I walked off to get firewood, I had to lay down afterwards because I was so tired. I also had stress-induced tinnitus for the last week I was in the game.

I lost 12 kilos out there, and I did not have 12 kilos to lose. I knew that it would be brutal physically, but I underestimated just how brutal it would be. Well, the thing is, everyone seems to really like me and everything that I do – so the whole social media thing has been easier for me than for some of the other cast members.

I’m an underdog! Australia loves an underdog. It’s so funny because I think I’m very popular with kids, but I feel like I’m possibly the least child-friendly person on the show. I’m a pole dancer.

I drink excessively in my personal life. And I was bloody making gay sex jokes the entire time and half of them apparently made the show. And yet, the kids love the Jungle Rat!.