Toronto competitors have a good track record on the legendary reality-TV show Survivor including back-to-back champions in 2021 and 2022.
Now, local voice actor Ana Sani is stepping out from behind the microphone and into the Survivor fray as one of the castaways on the new season. After more than a decade creating characters such as Strawberry Shortcake, she’s facing a very different kind of performance, one involving relationships, strategy, hunger and sleeping on bamboo. We caught up with her about preparing for Survivor, growing up in the GTA, her love of Toronto and why she’s ready to lie, cheat and manipulate her way through the game.
Watch Survivor 51 on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on Global TV.
What did you do when you found out you’d be one of the castaways on Survivor?
I immediately started jumping for joy. Then it hit me that this was actually happening, and I half-cried. I was excited and overwhelmed at the same time. I also realized I had a lot of preparation to do. I had no physical inclination for anything, so I thought, “I’ve got to join a gym. I’ve got to figure this out.”
How did you prepare?
I went hardcore. I was working out, doing hot yoga to acclimatize to the weather, and fasting. I worked my way up to a 20-hour fast because I didn’t want to be super hungry out there. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I was going all in.
What did you think would be your biggest Survivor skill?
I’m really good at building relationships. I feel like I’m good at connecting with people, bringing people in and finding that warmth. I’m also a voice actor, so I can slip into different characters. I don’t mean just with my voice, but with personalities and adjusting to different situations. I thought that would be really useful out there.
If you could bring one distinctly Toronto food to a Survivor reward challenge, what would it be?
Pizza. It has to be cheesy-crust pizza with mushrooms, jalapeños and, I’m sorry everybody, pineapple. I’m a pineapple girl.
You grew up in Richmond Hill and now live in Toronto. What does the city mean to you?
I love my city. I love the diversity and the opportunity it brings. The only thing I don’t like is the DVP, but we’re working on it when it comes to traffic. I’m a six girl. I love Toronto. I’d die for Toronto.
Where would you take friends visiting Toronto for the first time?
Obviously, we have to hit the CN Tower. But there are really cute spots in Leslieville. I lived there for a few years and loved all the little mom-and-pop shops. That feels like Toronto to me.
What first drew you to voice acting?
Voiceover is amazing because you can step behind a mic and nobody sees you or judges you. You can just let loose and be free. The first time I stepped behind a mic and showed off a character and all these crazy little voices I have in my head, I thought, “This is exactly what I’m meant to be doing.” I took one workshop and thought, “Okay, this is going to be my life now.” I went all in, and I’ve been doing voiceover full time for more than 10 years.
What was it like suddenly having people get to know you rather than one of your characters?
That was the scariest part for me. I’m so used to being behind the mask of my characters, and I get really nervous showing people who I am as Anna. To go out there and say, “This is who I am. I hope you like me,” was scary. I can’t wait for people to watch and see how it all turns out because it’s a really fun season.
Did you approach Survivor as an actor?
Absolutely. I thought, ‘I have these skills of being able to transform myself and bring those acting skills, so why not use them?’ When I landed on that beach, I was thinking, ‘How are people viewing me? How do I view them, and how do I want to present myself?’
What part of the Survivor experience were you most curious about before you lived it?
Sleeping. I was wondering how dark it really was and how people actually sleep on bamboo. Is that real? Are they going to have something for us? Because it’s production, I thought, Maybe they’ll give us something. It’s very real.
Were you the kind of Survivor fan who yelled advice at the TV?
I’m very competitive, so when I attach to people on reality TV, I’m definitely backseat-driving the entire time. I’m like, “Why, Sophie? Why didn’t you do this?” That’s the type of person I am.
Who are some of your favourite Survivor players?
Canadian-wise, I really like Caleb. I really love his game. But in terms of the whole Survivor universe, I’m a huge Tony Vlachos fan. I think he’s chaotic and fun, so it would be a dream to play like him.
What did you discover about yourself through the experience?
When you’re out there, it’s a mirror. You have no choice but to really see who you are and how you’re going to react to specific situations. I learned a lot about myself and came back and did a lot of reflection. It was confronting.
Your mother was a huge Survivor fan. What do you think she would have been most excited about?
She wouldn’t really care about me. She’d be like, ‘Tell me about Jeff.’ She’d want to know what he’s like. Jeff is amazing. He’s such a professional. Incredible host. No notes. My mom would definitely ask, ‘Did you play as hard as you could?’
What do you hope people discover about the person behind all those familiar voices?
I come across as very bubbly, fun and sweet, and with my career, people probably think I’m eccentric and excitable, which I am. But I definitely have layers. I’m a huge competitive gamer and I want to play really hard. I’m going into the show thinking I’m okay to lie, cheat and manipulate. Sorry, guys, that’s how I want to play.
What’s next for you after the season airs?
I’m open to whatever. I’m still working on some voiceover projects, which is really fun. And put me in the game. I’ll do it. Pull me in. I’m competitive, I’m ready and I love games.