Dr. Will Kirby Returns to Reality Competition for Season 2 — Meet the 14 Contestants
The battle for briefcases returns!
On Thursday, Oct. 10, NBC announced the next crop of contestants who will head to The Banker’s private island in Deal or No Deal Island season 2 hosted by Joe Manganiello.
Fourteen newcomers will compete in challenges and fight for more than $200 million in prize money hidden around the island. The season 2 participant list includes three reality TV titans: Big Brother winner Dr. Will Kirby, Australian Survivor winner David Genat and Survivor winner and The Traitors season 2 star Parvati Shallow.
Shallow, 42, tells PEOPLE she wanted to come on Deal or No Deal Island after seeing fellow Survivor alum Boston Rob Mariano compete on season 1.
“We have a bit of a competitive nature between us, so I'm like, ‘If Rob did it and he went really far, I could do it. I could win this thing and I could take the crown and that would make me feel like I was on top of the world,’’ she says. “Rob's such a big gambler, he does that in his daily life. I'm not a big gambler, but I'm good at these games.”
Still, Shallow knew Deal or No Deal Island would be unlike any of the previous shows on which she’s appeared. “I knew this would be a different experience to any other game I've ever played because there is that luck element,” the reality star says. “It's strategic and social, but it's not about majority rules. It's more about building up constellations of protection.”
For Kirby, Deal or No Deal Island marks the first reality competition he’s participated in in 20 years. The dermatologist, 51, did it for his children Cash and Scarlett.
“My kids are 11 and 14, and they've never seen me on a competition reality show,” Kirby tells PEOPLE. “They've never seen me do any of that ever, it's just not something we watch. My daughter in particular, we watched Deal or No Deal Island season 1. I won't tell you what it was, but she said, ‘It would be really, really funny if you did this on that show.’ And I said, ‘You know what, sweetheart? I'm going to do that.’ And I did it. I think she's going to watch it and love it, and it's going to be hilarious.”
While Ganet, 44, has had success in Australia as reality competitor and model, he looked to Deal or No Deal Island as a way to break into the American market. “I really came into this wanting to create a relationship with NBC, wanting show them what I can do,” the father of three tells PEOPLE. “I wanted to entertain people at home watching the show, so I wanted to go as big as possible.”
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Season 2 will also see Banker’s Assistants Ben Crofchick and Kamari Love reprise their roles as the keepers of the briefcases.
“We both grew up watching Deal or No Deal, so, we're very familiar with the game,” Crofchick tells PEOPLE. “Everyone on their couch watching it, when they're jumping up or they're getting excited or nervous or they have favorites, me and Kamari have the same exact reaction, just on camera.”
The assistants even play along for their own stakes. “You'll see him and I making deals in the back row when we're on a hold [from filming],” Love says. “We're like, ‘All right, where do you think the $2.5 million is?’ And we'll be betting on the case. I owe him two lattes. I think he owes me one Refresher.”
Read on to find out who will be playing for real on season 2, along with their bios provided by NBC.
Henderson, Nev.
Rock Carlson is a 65-years-young father of three sons and papa to six grandchildren. Rock has spent his life mastering intense social dynamics as a correctional officer and parole agent within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. With 26 years of experience, he’s become an expert at reading people and defusing tense situations – skills he’ll bring to the island to outwit his competitors. As a devoted husband married for 39 years with plans to move to Folsom, Calif., to be closer to family, Rock aims to keep his tough past hidden, presenting himself as a humble landscaper while aiming to win big for his family. Rock is a prankster and big gambler who thrives on taking risks. His plan is to be a non-threat and keep the focus on his fellow contestants before betting on himself to win it all. After years of catching bad guys and investing in his community, this is Rock’s chance to get into the mix and prove he’s still got it.
Greer, S.C.
Southern belle Maria-Grace Cook is much tougher than she looks. As the only female firefighter on her shift, she has worked twice as hard to prove herself. Now as an EMT, she thrives under pressure, and she hopes those skills will help her outsmart and outlast others on the island. A small-town girl at heart, Maria still lives in her childhood home, surrounded by her tight-knit family and 20-pound tortoise, Tortilla. She plans to play up her innocence early on, only to later unleash her physical strength and dominate challenges when others least expect it. She’ll draw on her adrenaline-fueled lifestyle of skydiving, hiking and daily gym sessions to bring out her inner beast when it matters most. With a knack for blackjack, she’s betting big on herself and hoping to win enough to save her childhood home before her parents sell it.
Staten Island, N.Y.
Seychelle Cordero, a charismatic flight attendant with a flair for customer service, is a true social chameleon ready to shine on the island. Growing up in a vibrant Puerto Rican household, she’s always been the star of her own show, radiating energy and confidence. With her bold personality and a sharp grasp of social strategy from binge-watching every season of Survivor, she’s poised to outsmart her competition. Although the lack of air conditioning and pesky insects give her pause, she’s excited to dive into island living.
Perth, Australia
David Genat, known as the Golden God, is a legendary Survivor player, host and actor and the ultimate thrill-seeker. A two-time veteran of Australian Survivor and the winner of an All-Star season, it should come as no surprise that he possesses unparalleled skills in persuasion and manipulation. Before dominating the reality TV scene, David enjoyed a successful modeling career working with top brands such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, all while juggling life as a father of four. An adventurous spirit at heart, he loves camping, jiu-jitsu and motorcycle trips. Now he’s ready to prove his mastermind gameplay in the U.S. and secure a bright future for his family. For David, it’s all about going big or going home.
Charlotte, N.C.
Courtney Kim, known as CK, thrives in high-stakes environments as a corporate banker and a competitive poker player, boasting two World Series of Poker championship rings. Raised by a Korean immigrant father and a southern white mother, she’s navigated the challenges of fitting in while embracing her unique identity. As a high-profile banker managing million-dollar deals, CK has honed her networking skills to outshine the competition. She plans to unleash her honesty implementing a reverse-bluff strategy on the island, all while aiming to pay off her grandmother’s house as a heartfelt thank you to the family she loves.
Los Angeles
Will “Dr. Will” Kirby is the Chief Medical Officer of LaserAway, the nation’s leading aesthetic dermatology group. While he has built an impressive healthcare career, he’s best known to television viewers by way of his 2001 win on Big Brother 2, where he created the first alliance in the show history, pioneered purposely losing competitions as a strategy and coined the now commonly used term “showmance.” He’s the caretaker of the only bicephalid Sternotherus odoratus (two-headed musk turtle) in the world, his least favorite jellybean flavor is buttered popcorn, and he will respond back to anyone who calls him freakishly handsome on social media. With an unapologetic attitude, he plans to make an electrifying entrance on the island and shock his fellow players with fearless gameplay and decades of reality television prowess.
Louisville, Ky.
At 6-feet tall, Alexis Lete, known as Lete, is an unforgettable force of confidence, blending brains and brawn with a passion for female empowerment. From being her high school valedictorian to earning the title of Miss Indiana and finishing third in the Miss USA pageant, Lete has never shied away from a challenge. She was a Division 1 volleyball player, made waves as a WWE wrestler and now thrives as a free-spirited artist. Lete isn’t afraid to make a quick connection to get ahead and cut ties if it means winning the game. Driven by her competitive spirit, Lete aims for nothing less than first place and dreams of using her winnings to move to New York and further expand her creative outlets.
Eagle River, Wis.
Luke Olejniczak is a private chef and an outdoorsman at heart who thrives in the wild – tracking game, fishing on the icy lakes of northern Wisconsin and training his two energetic scent hounds. He hopes that his problem-solving abilities and physical endurance, honed through distance running and rigorous outdoor activities, will give him a competitive edge. A highly calculated individual, Luke recently took a bold leap of faith by launching his own private chef business in a rural area. As he steps onto the island, he plans to embrace even greater risks to secure his victory.
Redondo Beach, Calif.
Sydnee Peck has been fiercely independent since 16, never waiting for others to act and refusing to take no for an answer. As a teenager, she stepped up as caretaker for her siblings and isn’t afraid to take bold risks, as shown by her decision to move across the country to study behavioral neuroscience at Columbia University and pursue a career in sales on Wall Street. Now a successful financial consultant thriving in a male-dominated industry, she’s no stranger to being underestimated. Armed with sharp analytical skills and undeniable charm, Sydnee is ready to outmaneuver her competition, even if it means bending the truth or playing a few mind games.
Los Angeles
Parvati Shallow is a mother, winner and five-time competitor of Survivor and breakout star of The Traitors on Peacock. She holds advanced certifications in yoga, meditation and breathwork, and is a passionate student of various healing and therapeutic modalities, including structural integration, Somatic Experiencing, acupuncture, nutrition, sound healing, hypnotherapy, IRF, IFS and many more. Her memoir, Nice Girls Don’t Win, will be published by the Dial Press with Random House in summer 2025. She brings almost 20 years of reality competition experience to the island.
Austin, Texas
Phillip Solomon puts his whole heart into everything he does. He has two master’s degrees, a background as a middle school teacher for more than 10 years and is a fitness instructor and choreographer. Growing up as one of the only minorities in his graduating class of over 700, Phillip learned to embrace standing out, striving to be the best in every arena he enters. Always an individual willing to rise to any challenge, he has continued to break barriers as one of the only Black educators in his former school district and the first Black male instructor in Texas at one of the top fitness brands in the country. With his mix of intellect, charisma and resilience, he’s ready to bring the heat to the island.
Austin, Texas
Storm Wilson is an all-American charmer with a passion for fitness. Born with what his parents believed resembled a lightning-shaped birthmark, he was given the name Storm and has embraced it ever since. As a project manager for a tech client, he’s mastered the art of sealing deals with his natural charisma. Outside of work, he’s active on the lake, wakeboarding and captaining boats full-time, and hitting the gym twice a day to stay in peak physical shape. With a competitive spirit and a strong athletic background, Storm is a formidable contender on the island. However, he’s also open to a showmance, fully aware the right lady might be his ultimate weakness in the end.
Wood River, Ill.
Dickson Wong is not your typical Gen-Z. A self-proclaimed free-spirited nerd with very little social media presence, he’s passionately dedicated to his community and serves as a vital force in his town’s Parks and Rec office, where his energy and charm shine. Dickson was born in New York and moved to a small town where he would meet his American family. Eager to embrace new experiences and take risks in this exciting chapter of his life, he’s ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, hoping his love for competition shows will guide him to the finish.
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bubbly La Shell Wooten has found her groove in North Carolina, but her heart still beats with that unmistakable New York flair from her upbringing. As a devoted mother of two and recent empty nester, she effortlessly exudes southern hospitality, drawing people in with her warmth and wisdom. This natural charm shines in her job as a social worker, where she has a knack for reading people and uncovering what truly drives them. La Shell is excited to harness these talents for success on the island, but don’t let her sweetness fool you, she’s ready to put her master’s in human behavior to work, gaining competitors’ trust and skillfully playing with their emotions to stay ahead of the game.
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Deal or No Deal Island season 1 is currently streaming on Peacock.
s Parvati Shallow 'Cannot Shake' Black Widow Reputation Ahead of Season 2 (Exclusive)
Parvati Shallow made a name for herself on Survivor for putting together the all-female Black Widow Brigade alliance that helped her win Survivor: Micronesia in 2008.
After competing on five seasons of Survivor and season 2 of The Traitors, Shallow, 42, tells PEOPLE that her reputation as the Black Widow who blindsides male contestants to get further in the game proceeded her when she entered Deal or No Deal Island season 2.
“I cannot shake my reputation as the Black Widow no matter what or how I operate,” Shallow says. “People will always think of me as the girl who brought the women together and slit all the men's throats and got Erik [Reichenbach] to give up the Immunity Necklace. It was like 15 years ago, but it feels like it was yesterday in people's minds.”
At this point in her reality TV career, Shallow doesn’t think she could do anything to reverse viewers or her costars’ perception of her.
“I can't play timid,” she says. “That's my role that I play. I'm like, ‘I'm definitely going to come in here and shake things up.’ And it's not because I intentionally want to do that. I'm not a Dr. Will [Kirby], who comes and wants to cause chaos. I just have a way of relating to people and building rapport and maneuvering people through human emotion and psychology that it stirs things up. I'm a catalyzing force, and I've come to accept that.”
On Deal or No Deal Island season 2, which premieres Tuesday, Jan. 7, Shallow competed alongside other reality stars, including Big Brother winner While Kirby, 52, and Australian Survivor winner David Genat, who she says “nobody knew” except for her.
“I knew who he was instantly when we hit the beach and I was like, ‘This is my guy. This will be my partner, and if I keep his secret, then the trust between us is cemented,’” Shallow says. “So I was willing to be the front-facing threat and just have him be in the shadows working the other end of the beach.”
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Shallow decided to see how the Black Widow fared on Deal or No Deal Island season 2 because fellow Survivor alum Boston Rob Mariano competed on season 1 and “we have a bit of a competitive nature between us,” she says. “So I'm like, ‘If Rob did it and he went really far, I could do it. I could win this thing and I could take the crown and that would make me feel like I was on top of the world.’”
The mom of 6-year-old daughter Alma asked Mariano, 49, for advice before heading to the Banker’s Island — but he didn’t arm her with much of a strategy.
“He said, ‘The whole game was luck. It's not social, it's not strategic. Just play the Banker every chance you get and take your fate into your own hands,’” Shallow recalls. “But I think Rob had a very different experience than me. He was targeted No. 1 and really couldn't shake that.”
Shallow believed her love of competition games, as well as “my enthusiasm and passion for adventure” would serve her well on Deal or No Deal Island.
“I'm good at challenges,” Shallow says. “I'm very adaptable and this game is the most unpredictable game I've ever played. I see the comparison between this and Survivor in that there are challenges and it's set on a beach. And there's the social dynamic of it. But the thing that makes it really different to Survivor is you don't want to blindside and backstab your friends. You want to build relationships and have people that you really trust on your side, and you don't want to cut them at the end because you need their help.”
But Shallow also acknowledges the truth in what Mariano told her. “There's no real plan that you can put in place,” she says. “It's just like, ‘Okay, let's see how the deck gets reshuffled after this challenge, and then I'm going to play with the cards that I'm dealt.’ It really is a gambler's paradise out here.”
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Deal or No Deal Island season 2 premieres with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Joe Manganiello Says “Deal or No Deal Island” Season 2 Winner Scores 'Most Money Anyone Has Ever Won' on TV (Exclusive)
The show's host says in the first trailer for season 2, which premieres Jan. 7, that the new episodes will have the "most dramatic and unpredictable twists" yet
Don’t expect to see Dr. Will Kirby hustling on Deal or No Deal Island season 2.
In the PEOPLE exclusive premiere of the trailer for the new season, the Big Brother winner, 51, makes his return to competition television after 20 years — but his tactics haven’t changed since Kirby made his Big Brother debut in 2001.
“I’m the best Big Brother player of all time,” Kirby says in the trailer. “Lie, mislead, that’s my strategy.”
And he’ll take his sweet time doing it. “Peasants run, the king doesn’t run,” Kirby later declares.
Host Joe Manganiello says in the trailer that Deal or No Deal Island season 2 will have the “most dramatic and unpredictable twists” yet, which includes Australian Survivor winner David Genat competing among the new contestants without anyone knowing his true identity.
“I’m not telling anyone that I’m the greatest Australian Survivor player of all time,” Genat, 44, says in the trailer. “I am deep undercover.”
While the 13 other competitors might not recognize Genat, many of them clock castmate Parvati Shallow early on as a Survivor winner and competitor from The Traitors season 2.
“Parvati gains the trust of men and squeezes them until they die,” Phillip Solomon says.
Shallow, 42, admits, “I could be a cult leader if I want to.”
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With more than $200 million in prize money hidden around the Banker’s Island — and a new female banker — the 14 contestants will have to find a way to work together to grow the final pot total as large as possible.
Manganiello teases in the trailer that Deal or No Deal Island season 2’s winner walks away with “the most money anyone has ever won in the history of television.”
Two contestants seem to be competing for something possibly more valuable than money. “I’m playing Deal or No Deal Island and I’m playing Love Island together,” Maria-Grace Cook says in the trailer, which shows her smooching fellow contestant Storm Wilson.
Wilson, 25, tells PEOPLE that “aside from winning millions and millions of dollars,” he saw Deal or No Deal Island as a “dating opportunity.”
“I haven't had any luck with my girlfriends in the past, but I did find a cute island girl while out there on Banker's Island,” he says. “It did make the time on the island a bit nicer.”
Cook, however, “didn't come into this game looking for a boyfriend,” the 21-year-old tells PEOPLE. “I came in for the money.”
But Wilson caught her attention during the initial boat ride over to the Banker’s Island. “As soon as we were sat next to each other on the boat, I was like, ‘He's so attractive. I can't get involved with him,’” Cook says.
The EMT has no regrets about partnering up with Wilson, though. “We had a good time,” she says. “We had some good little dates and we had a good conversation, so I don't think I would regret anything with him.”
Wilson says he and Cook “dabbled” with trying to keep their romance going beyond the Banker’s Island. “She wants to figure out what she's going to do for work, but we've had discussions of visiting each other from time to time,” he says.
Cook adds, “He definitely wants me to come visit Austin, so I think that's going to be in the works.”
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Deal or No Deal Island season 2 premieres with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
