Bay Area Indian American Among CBS’s Reality Show ‘Survivor’ Contestants
India-West News Desk
LOS ANGELES, CA – In a much-anticipated revelation, the 45th season of the enduring CBS reality sensation, “Survivor,” has disclosed the identities of its 18 intrepid castaways, which includes an Indian American. Set against the captivating backdrop of the picturesque Fijian islands, the new season promises extended 90-minute episodes, slated to premiere on September 27 at 8 p.m.
Among the eclectic mix of contestants, a notable addition is 24-year-old singer and composer, J. Maya. The young artist shared her exhilaration on social media, declaring, “Little life update: I got to go on an adventure I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid!!!!! You can watch me this fall on Survivor 45,” on her Facebook page.
J. Maya, whose real name is Krishnan-Jha, who lives with her family in Northern California, first gained recognition for her engaging social media presence, where she captivated audiences with her conversational videos about her life and her love for music and lyrics. She burst onto the TikTok scene in early 2020 with the viral video “Ed Sheeran helped me make pasta today,” quickly becoming one of the world’s youngest pun champs.
In late 2021, this Indian American created a singing duet that went viral, amassing over 3 million views. Her TikTok account, j.mayamusic, now boasts 500,000 devoted followers. On Spotify, her track “Achilles Heel” gained momentum in January last year, accumulating over 700,000 monthly listeners.
J. Maya’s music, often dubbed “nerd pop” due to her lyrical explorations of diverse topics like crossword puzzles, Greek mythology, and literature, has resonated with millions worldwide. In a promotional video for “Survivor,” she shared her excitement, stating, “Millions of people listen to my music, and it is surreal.”
Now, as she steps into the thrilling realm of reality television, J. Maya joins a roster of 17 fresh contestants and one returning player in the upcoming 45th season of “Survivor.”
