Why Aren’t Parvati Shallow and Amanda Kimmel Friends?

It was one of the most dramatic moments in Survivor history, and yet, the once inseparable bond between Parvati Shallow and Amanda Kimmel has since unraveled. Despite teaming up to outwit their competition in Survivor: Micronesia, the duo found themselves on opposite sides of the emotional spectrum, raising eyebrows among fans wondering why they aren’t friends today.

Parvati Shallow recently shared insights into their complicated relationship during an interview with Us Weekly. She speculated that Amanda’s hurt feelings after losing to her friend in a nail-biting finale might be a significant factor. “For anyone, it would be really difficult,” Shallow reflected. “We played so tightly together, and for me to win while she didn’t understand why—it felt like an emotional blow, especially since it wasn’t a landslide victory.”

Things didn’t improve when Amanda left the show dating her Survivor co-star, Ozzy Lusth, who happens to be less than fond of Shallow due to a previous blindsiding. “She had Ozzy, who was not a fan of mine, and I think that drove a wedge between us,” Parvati explained. “There was definitely some resentment: ‘Why her, not me?’”

The tension escalated when the two met again on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains the following year, only this time, they were on separate teams. Shallow described the experience as “a bummer,” noting that their friendship never quite recovered after the fallout from Micronesia. “I think she’s really special and incredibly good at Survivor,” she admitted.

Parvati’s fondness for Amanda remains palpable. “I loved Amanda,” she recalled. “We had this sweet friendship, and I can’t help but feel emotional when I see edits of us together online. We were so affectionate and genuinely cared for each other during Micronesia.

A notable competitor in her own right, Amanda Kimmel not only made it to the finals twice but is also remembered for her unyielding spirit. In her debut season, Survivor: China, she snagged third place, and in Micronesia, she was this close to winning, losing by a narrow 3-5 vote against Shallow. Fans had hoped to see either Kimmel or Shallow return for the landmark 50th season of Survivor, set to air in 2026. However, Parvati revealed she wasn’t contacted, and rumors suggest Amanda was cast but dropped out last minute, stirring further intrigue among the fan base.

With Shallow’s new book, Nice Girls Don’t Win, on the horizon with a release date of July 8, 2025, intrigue around these Survivor legends continues to grow. Although they may no longer share the same bond, their history keeps fans reminiscing, and who knows what future twists may emerge in their story?