Kyle Fraser wins Survivor season 48, taking home $1 million

Survivor Season 48 has crowned its newest champion: Kyle Fraser, who walked away with the $1 million grand prize after an emotional and competitive season.

Fraser appeared on News On 6’s Six In The Morning to talk with anchor LeAnne Taylor about the experience, reflecting on the highs, the challenges, and what lies ahead after the life-changing win.

‘It Feels Incredible’

Fraser opened the conversation with his signature humor and gratitude. When asked how he feels to be a millionaire, he said:

“It feels incredible and even better is not having to lie about it,” Fraser said. “Now my cousins can finally ask me for a little bit more money. It's perfect.”

The win, he added, symbolized much more than money—it highlighted personal growth and deep relationships forged through 26 days of gameplay.

A Season Built On Bonds

Season 48 stood out for its emphasis on connection, with players forming emotional ties that were prominently featured.

“You know, I think the show did an incredible job of showing our relationships, but there's only 90 minutes, right?” Fraser said. “The people that I went to the end of the game with—Joe, Eva, Kamilla, Mitch—I had very close relationships with each one of them. They were family to me out there, they're family to me now.”

Fraser acknowledged how difficult it was to compete against those friendships, knowing only one player could win.

Thinking About Home

As the final votes were revealed, Fraser said he was focused on the people who helped him reach that moment.

“Yeah, I was thinking about my family. It's as simple as that,” he said. “I went to the end with two people who were absolute competitors, and I'm proud of myself for betting on that. But I was thinking about the people back home the entire time I was out there.”

Eva received two votes, Joe received one, and Fraser earned the remaining votes to secure the win.

Facing Off With The Best

Fraser credited his fellow finalists for delivering powerful final pleas to the jury.

“Eva's a sister to me,” he said. “She was crunching numbers. I knew there was something she was hiding, but I didn't quite know. And you know, she's an incredibly impressive human being.”

“I've heard Joe speak, you know, Joe's not all muscle. He's got away with words. And it was scary, but that's what competing is all about,” Fraser said. “I went up against two of the most incredible, impressive people that I've ever met. And by the way, Kamilla and Mitch are no slouches either. I won the season of threats.”

Comeback Story

Fraser didn’t start strong in challenges, but his determination carried him through.

“The first day out there, I lost challenges. I thought that I was somebody who came into the game overconfident, but I failed, right,” Fraser said. “I felt what it was like multiple times to be this close to winning immunity. But 2 T's are backwards or the blocks all fall.”

In the end, he won a key immunity challenge and earned his place in the final three.

“Literally the game where you have to not drop the ball. I won that and took myself to the final three because of it. And I'm proud of myself.”

The Fire-Making Moment

Fraser said he was ready to take on the fire-making challenge but chose to let Eva step into that moment.

“Oh, absolutely. I was ready to,” he said. “But here's the thing about Eva. The moment that I told her that she was going into fire, there was not going to be anything in the entire world that would not let Eva do it herself.”

“She is the strongest person I know, and it was her decision after that. And I'm so proud of her and thankful for her. Because I've learned so much about myself from being friends with her.”

Life After Survivor

Since filming ended, Fraser said he has already begun his next adventure—married life.

“I got married a month and a half after the game. I started a life with incredible human being,” he said. “My wife Maggie, she's the smartest, most beautiful person I know and. I'm going to contribute to the life that we're going to start together and I'm going to take care of my family.”

“My parents have done everything, my brother has done everything for me. So now it's my turn and I'm excited about that.”

Fraser’s win wrapped up a heartfelt and emotional season of Survivor, with fans already eager to see what unfolds in Season 49.