Jon Weiss

Hugh Jonathan Weiss is a contestant from Survivor: Taiwan - Exile Peak.

Profile
Having been described as opportunistic and ambitious since his college days, Hugh Jonathan Weiss has only recently decided to go by a shortened version of his middle name. When asked in interviews about the change, he has insisted that a short, common name is far more marketable as a radio personality. Every word exits his mouth with a noticeably over-affected Southern twang, and he gives a smug grin to the camera upon finishing each sentence.

During his time in university, Jon earned a business degree, and spent much of his career trying to start business after business. With each failed venture, Jon’s ambition only increased. “At every turn, people were tryin’ to tell me my idea ain’t profitable, but I never listened. They ain’t got the same drive I do.” Although sure of himself, he proceeds to list his various business ventures, of which none ring a bell.

“I didn’t have the success I wanted,” Jon explains, showing perhaps his first sign of humility for the entire interview. “As more ‘n’ more projects went South, er, I prayed for guidance on what to do next. I was a big ol’ atheist back then, it was all selfish.” Jon laughs in an over-the-top fashion, shaking his head before continuing his story. “But, y’know, practice makes perfect, ‘n’ I started goin’ back to church. With time, I was ‘bout the most religious person I knew.”

With Jon’s newfound religion, he also studied up on American politics, realizing that he has more conservative beliefs than he originally thought. He eventually decided to combine his religiosity with his politics, hosting a conservative radio talk show in his upscale residence in Pigeon Forge. With time, his show became the most popular political radio show in all of Tennessee.

Jon swears to take his ambition, opportunism, and drive into the game of Survivor. Having seen a few seasons of the show, he knows that, in order to win, one has to make strong moves at the right time instead of being too scared to take advantage. Jon promises he’s not playing passively, swearing that, even as he approaches the age of 60, his brain hasn’t lost any of its sharpness. While he admits he won’t excel physically, he believes his strong strategic gameplay and ability to relate to others will get him the win in the end.