Who Is Sam Phalen? Meet the ‘Survivor’ 47 Contestant Who Was Part of Epic ‘Operation Italy’ Blindside

Sam Phalen helped pull off one of the most epic Survivor blindsides of all-time with just seven players left on season 47. After previously being on the bottom for several weeks, he teamed up with Andy Rueda and Genevieve Mushaluk to target the majority alliance with “Operation Italy.” Now, he’s one of just six players left hoping to win the $1 million prize and title of Sole Survivor.

What Is Survivor’s Sam Phalen’s Job?

Sam is a sports reporter for the Tennessee Titans. “I’m a beat reporter, so I am boots on the ground in the locker room, getting my microphone in with different players, side conversation, schmoozing the quarterback to get the latest update about an injury, reporting the news to all the fans out there,” he explained to Parade. “And then firing off articles, podcasts, my takes about what’s going on in the sports world.”

He also said that being a sports reporter helped prepare him for Survivor. “Dealing with professional athletes, you’re a professional ego stroker,” he explained. “You are making people feel good about themselves. You are asking the right questions to get information, you are capitalizing on information. And to get information, you have to build solid relationships with a player, an agent, a coach, an executive, whoever it is.”

Before embarking on his current career, Sam studied sports communication at Bradley University from 2018-2019. He then transferred to Lipscomb University and graduated in 2022 with a bachelor of arts degree in sports media. Sam also worked for Rivals.com, where he covered the men’s basketball team at Vanderbilt University.

Survivor’s Sam Phalen Is a ‘Theater Kid’

Even though Sam is a big sports guy, he’s also a self-proclaimed “theater kid.”

“I played sports growing up, but I was also a theater kid growing up,” he told Parade. “I did a lot of musical theater. I did drama. I did Scholastic Bowl. I wrote slam poetry. My childhood and high school experiences were very much like, ‘Alright, I can hang with the athletes. I can hang with the theater kids. I can hang with the choir people.’ I found my way to fit in and have friends in each of those pockets.”

He also added in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, “I’m smarter than I look.”

Are ‘Survivor’ 47 Stars Sam and Sierra Dating?

Sam and Sierra Wright formed a close alliance at the beginning of season 47. In fact, the two were so chummy that even players from opposing tribes noticed how close they were, which sparked dating rumors on the beach. However, Sam and Sierra were never involved romantically. Actually, both reality stars are engaged to other people.

“This is ridiculous,” Sam said on the show. “I am engaged. Hannah, babe, if you’re watching this, I am not in a relationship with Sierra on Survivor. It is a strict strategic relationship. I promise you. I’m thinking about you the whole time and I’m talking about you every day.”

Who Is ‘Survivor’ Star Sam Phalen’s Fiancee?

Sam is engaged to Hannah Brothers. He proposed in October 2023 after more than three years of dating. Their wedding date is March 23, 2025, according to their online registry.

“You are the most graceful and captivating person I’ve ever met. I can’t wait for forever with you. Thank you for saying yes,” Sam wrote on Instagram after the engagement. Meanwhile, Hannah gushed, “Samuel, there is no better than you. I am so blessed to have the rest of our lives loving you and being loved by you. You and me officially always. I love you.”

Sam and Hannah seemingly met in college, as they both attended Lipscomb University and both graduated in 2022. Hannah works as a full-time caregiver “for a child from infancy through developmental milestones,” according to her LinkedIn.