Joseph Li

 is a contestant from Survivor: Trinidad.

Profile
Name (Age): Joseph Li (21)

Current Residence: Spokane, WA

Occupation: Recording Artist

Claim to Fame: Getting signed to a pretty major record label at the age of 20. Growing up, I loved signing, but I never thought that’d, like, actually become anything. (laughs) I’m also the first transgender person to be signed to this specific label, which I think is super amazing! Singing is a lot harder when you also have to take hormones and essentially go through puberty twice, so it’s fantastic to start seeing some success. (smiles)

Inspiration in Life: My uncle Scottie. When he first came out to the extended family as gay, pretty much everybody except for my father cut contact with him. See, my family’s, uh, pretty traditional, so that stuff doesn’t fly with a lot of ‘em. (sighs) So, when I came out as a guy, he was one of the few people that didn’t react harshly, and he even took me under his wing while my mom and siblings took their time to come around. (smiles) Everything’s good now, but it’s because of Scottie that things ended up working out.

Hobbies: When I’m not making my own music, funny enough, I’m enjoying the hard work of others. Seeing the absolute greats in concert - Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, and, best of all, Carly Rae Jepsen - is an unmatched experience, but I also like to listen to music to calm my mind and help me to take a load off after a long, busy day of recording.

Pet Peeves: People who don’t take the emotions or opinions of other people into account and only care about how they feel in a situation. I think if people thought more about how their actions affect others, the world would be a much better place.

3 Words to Describe You: Patient, empathetic, & energetic

If you could bring 3 things onto the island with you, what would you bring and why?: My headphones so I could listen to music whenever I get stressed with the idea of being kicked off, my adorable puppy Hayden, and a steak, since I’m going to get hungry out there. (laughs)

SURVIVOR Contestant you are most like: I think I’ll be like Johannes Wilkins from Upolu. I feel like I’m a pretty laidback guy like him, and I do have a strategic side that people might not initially notice.

Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: Although I’m pretty content with resting at home on my off time, I’ve been itching for a new opportunity or something totally different to do, and SURVIVOR is just that - different, and crazy! (laughs) It’s also a show that Scottie really loved to watch back when I lived with him, so I have a lot of fond memories of the show because of that, even if I haven’t seen it in a while.

Why you will be the Sole Survivor: I’m naturally a pretty friendly and easygoing person, so I think people are going to want to keep me around and not really see me as a threat. I mean, I’m not that good in challenges, but I’m not terrible enough where I’d become a target from it. Plus, I’ve got a pretty active mind at times, so hopefully, all of these qualities will come together and I’ll end up on top!