Australian Survivor heartbreak as favourite Luke Toki voted out

Pia Miranda says it “tore her apart” to vote out Survivor favourite Luke — but it’s nothing compared to what she’s copping from some viewers.

Nick Bond

@bondnickbond

3 min read

September 17, 2019 - 9:33AM

Australian Survivor star Luke Toki fell just short of the finish line, unanimously voted out by his three remaining tribemates in Monday night’s penultimate episode of the season.

And one of those who voted him out, actress Pia Miranda, has been hit with a fierce backlash over her decision to vote out her last remaining ‘Champions’ ally.

Miranda spoke out after the episode aired, writing on Instagram that “this game is brutal.”

Pia, Luke and Baden react to Luke being voted out.

“I didn’t expect to have to make a decision that tore me apart like this but Survivor will do that to you. At the end of the day we are all out there playing to change our lives and Harry, Baden and I made a choice that was strategically right but morally painful. So send me all your snake emojis and know that I get it,” she wrote.

Pia’s certainly been copping some flak overnight — but has also been passionately defended by Survivor fans keen to remind viewers she was doing what she had to to try and win the game:

#SurvivorAU the people in Piaâ€™s Instagram comments are disgusting. Do something better with your time than harass someone for something they did on TV. pic.twitter.com/xeWTHeRH81
— Ben (@pompkinsooup) September 16, 2019

Well I just bought a Creepin T-shirt and itâ€™s a much better way to say â€œI wanted @luk3_toki to win for his family!!!â€ than sending hate to Pia for playing the game. ðŸ¤™ðŸ»ðŸ¤™ðŸ»ðŸ¤™ðŸ» #SurvivorAU
— Stephanie Marie (@stefinitely85) September 16, 2019

I guess I'm naive but I did not predict the barrage of abuse that Pia would receive after this vote. Some fans are so dumb and rude #SurvivorAU
— Michael McDermott (@FakeMichaelMcD) September 16, 2019

I swear to god, if Pia votes against Luke after this speech, I'm going to leave a scathing review of Looking for Alibrandi on rotten tomatoes #SurvivorAU
— Kayla Joiner (@_kayjoi) September 16, 2019

The level of vitriol directed at Pia is absolutely gross. Itâ€™s a game, she made the best move for herself. Harry and Baden also voted for Luke but not one nasty comment directed at them. You salty people need to check yourself #SurvivorAU
— Matt (@MaRoMc79) September 16, 2019

australia literally doesn't deserve their own survivor if they're just going to attack any woman who plays the game... #survivorau pic.twitter.com/kgfxRRAIh2
— xHalix (@BritishHali) September 16, 2019

Really sad to see Luke go, but some of the comments towards Pia for making the best move strategically for her game are disgusting. #SurvivorAU
— Joel Richardson (@_joelric) September 16, 2019

This. If anyone is trolling Pia, please point them in our direction and we'll be sure to roast them. Don't be a dick (unless you're bullying Matt in a light-hearted way then that's totally fine ðŸ˜œ) #SurvivorAU https://t.co/Gn640qvfGI
— Australian Survivor (@Survivor_AU) September 16, 2019

Toki has been the runaway favourite among this season’s Survivor contestants, attracting 70% of votes in a recent news.com.au reader poll asking who should win the game (Pia came a distant second with 15%).

A masterful game player with a cheeky sense of humour, Toki is also a father of three young children, each of whom lives with specific challenges. His two boys are both on the autism spectrum, while baby Madeline, born just six weeks before Survivor started filming, has cystic fibrosis. Overnight dozens of GoFundMe pages have been set up to raise funds for Toki’s young family, the biggest so far raising more than $60,000.

But this super dad’s popularity among the public did not always extend to his fellow contestants, who viewed him as the game’s biggest remaining threat.

“He has the charisma, he has the resume, he has this backstory — and to top it all off, he’s played far and away the best game,” said Harry early in Monday’s episode, admitting that his only chance to get to the final three lay in defeating Luke at the next immunity challenge.

And win Harry did — devastating Luke, who knew it would now take a miracle for him to make it to the final.

Luke was gutted after he lost the challenge.

A player to the end, Luke knew Harry and Baden would both vote for him, so made a desperate pitch to sole remaining ally Pia as tribal council approached.

As he explained, if both he and Pia voted for Baden, it would force he and Baden to a fire-making tie-break — a challenge Luke would undoubtedly win, keeping him in the game.

Pia wept as she promised she’d consider his proposal carefully. “I really wanted you to win the money if I didn’t … cos I know that you need it,” she said.

Pia and Luke break down as they discuss his limited options.

Privately, Pia admitted she had to decide between voting with her heart — giving Luke a lifeline — or voting with her head — getting rid of the game’s best player.

At tribal council, Luke laid out the plan he’d concocted, telling host Jonathan LaPaglia that it would only work with Pia’s participation.

“If Pia doesn’t want to vote that way, that’s fine too. Don’t think that you need to save me for any reason,” he told her. “I’ll take it on the chin if she wants to go with the boys …. But if she goes with me, I’ll be forever grateful.”

Pia broke down as LaPaglia noted that the pitch was “a lot to digest.”

Pia looks stricken as she considered her options.

“I know how much the money would mean to Luke — to know that that rests on my shoulders is really tough,” she said. “There’s a lot for me to think about, and I’ve been thinking all day. Tonight, my head and my heart are in a complete mess and I feel really stressed out.”

“Potentially what I write down tonight will change Luke’s life. that’s a lot of responsibility. You’re taking away a life-changing opportunity.”

Pia looks heartbroken after casting her vote for Luke, once more breaking down as it was announced he was leaving. With a reassuring hug, his parting words to her: “That’s alright … go in there and smash it.”