Mimi Thompson

Emmaline "Mimi" Thompson is a contestant from Survivor: Trinidad.

Profile
Name (Age): Emmaline "Mimi" Thompson (42)

Current Residence: Omaha, NE

Occupation: Neurosurgeon

Claim to Fame: Bouncing back from abysmal high school grades - I’d say about a 1.3 average during the first year or two - and putting in the hard work and dedication to get into my dream school, medical school, and, finally, to become a neurosurgeon. Dyslexia and an unstable home environment made it especially challenging, but I was able to pull through and find success in my life.

Inspiration in Life: Marie Curie. That’s the generic “smart girl” answer to this question, but goddamnit, it’s true. She really is inspirational to me. Ever since I was a little girl and my dad bought me this book about her, I was fascinated. As silly as it sounds, I thought it was taboo for a girl to be a scientist or do anything in healthcare besides being a nurse, so learning about Curie and other women in science and also women in healthcare taught me otherwise.

Hobbies: You know, I love a good game of poker every once in a while. There’s something so thrilling to me about having to lie on top of having to lie about lying, but it’s all through facial expressions and the occasional word. For a game that has a good amount of luck of the draw involved, the level of strategy and knowledge that goes into it is fascinating. I watch my fair share of professional poker when I can, but most people think I’m crazy for it. (laughs)

Pet Peeves: I think it takes a special kind of asshole to talk badly about somebody else’s interests. I mean, sure, there are certain hobbies, shows, or games that I just don’t understand, but they’re not for me and I can accept that. People who think others are greater than or less than for what they like to do are nothing short of elementary school bullies in my opinion.

3 Words to Describe You: Curious, methodical, & open-minded

If you could bring 3 things on the island with you, what would you bring and why?: I’m thinking a picture of my husband, but framed in a vibrantly colored heart-shaped frame topped with pounds of glitter. I mean, I will miss him a lot while I’m gone, but I also want to mess with him by embarrassing him on national TV. (laughs) My other two things would probably be sunscreen for my pasty white self and a deck of cards, so I can show the others how poker is actually supposed to be played.

SURVIVOR Contestant you are most like: Easy one! Sarah Elkies from Seychelles captures exactly how I want to play the game. I think she and I are both kind-hearted girls at heart, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be innocent out on the island. I’m planning on using her strategy of forming close bonds with a lot of different people and using those bonds to get my way. I’d love to have a Michelle in my back pocket if I can get one, too.

Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: I mean, I don’t have a good reason, to tell you the truth. I’ve been a casual watcher of the show since it started way back when I was in medical school, but I’m not really a superfan. I just thought it’d be cool to see how far I can get and maybe win the whole thing despite being over 40. My career is at a point where I can afford the long break, and my kids are old enough where they don’t need me to stay back home to take care of them, so… I think a better question to ask is why I wouldn’t be on the show. (laughs) It’s going to be fun!

Why you will be the Sole Survivor: I have the charisma and the patience to bond with people regardless of their age or background, and I’m able to say and act in ways that convinces people that I trust them and they can trust me back, even if that’s not the case. I honestly just think I’m a good liar, and my ability to think on my feet that I’ve developed from the surgeries I’ve performed, which are hard to predict, will help me with the whole lying aspect. Will I be a snake out there? Absolutely, but that’s how you get the win in Survivor. (shrugs)