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 Australian Survivor history, has won the title of sole survivor. And he almost did it with a clean sweep of the jury.

Deputy TV editor Meg Watson 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.

MW: Congratulations! You literally just found out you won. How are you feeling?

MK: 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.

I think everyone was really cheering for you. It’s so fun to get behind a big player – a fan – who’s taking big swings and making great moves.

It’s really cool as well, because I feel like I get to represent a few various different groups that are probably underrepresented in Australian Survivor – superfans, Asians, queers and nerds. To be that and be a big player and a winner is just amazing.

What kind of feedback have you had from those groups (whether from fans or past players)?

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 getting the “sneaky” label, 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.

You’re also one of the youngest winners of Australian Survivor. What does the win – and the money – mean to you? You’re 24, right? No one (other than 2016 winner Kristie Bennett) has $500,000 at 24 years old.

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.

“I was never going to beat Kaelan in [this] final endurance challenge,” Kuah says.Credit: Nigel Wright

If you never expected to win and weren’t playing for the money, what was your goal going into the game?

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.

Kuah: “I was playing with house money … I was just happy to be there.”Credit: Nigel Wright

That attitude was probably also helped by the fact you were on the bottom from the start – you didn’t have much to lose! You had a worse case of “severe bottomness” than Simon Mee (the “tragic hero” from 2023’s Heroes v Villains).

Totally, I was mentally getting ready to be the first or second boot of Australian Survivor. 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.

It did seem like people were quite demeaning at points, though. There’s a clip in the finale showing how rough the road was for you around camp early on, one contestant called you “dish boy” and talked about “putting [you] to work”. What do you put that down to? Why were you on the bottom of the tribe so consistently?

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.

That quote in your final tribal council where you talk about playing up the role of “the poor little bottom boy” made it through the cut – so that pretty much sums it up.

Did it actually? Oh my god! That’s so funny. I’m so happy that made it in.

I also have to ask you about the nickname, the ‘Jungle Rat’. A lot of people watching those early episodes with Max felt it was a pretty loaded term, and that you were being bullied. I know you’ve since said you gave him permission to use the name ahead of time, and you’re now selling merch with it – so you’re obviously leaning into it. But how did you feel about the name, and watching it all on screen?

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 Survivor 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.

Myles and his closest ally, AJ. For the record, Kuah says, “AJ played one of the best games in the history of the show.”Credit: Nigel Wright

You’re such a superfan and knew so much about the show going in. But what surprised you the most actually being out there?

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.

Some of the other cast members have spoken ou about how hard it is during the broadcast, too. You’re making all these gameplay decisions in isolation and then months later the whole country (and fans internationally) are criticising you. Is that hard to watch?

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 pretty sick to have someone like you make it all the way to the end, pole dancing on the shelter in Australian primetime.

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!

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What did you think of Myles’ win on Australian Survivor? Tell us in the comments below.

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.