'Survivor' season 47 features Rachel LaMont, contestant from Southfield

From a graphics designer from the Detroit region to a construction worker from Northern Michigan to a — *checks notes* — former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, the 47th season of “Survivor” that kicks off with a two-hour premiere Wednesday night promises to be another edition chock full of lively contestants.

Jon Lovett, a host of the “Pod Save America” and “Lovett or Leave It” podcasts, is the White House veteran who will test his skills at outwitting, outplaying and outlasting in the reality competition arena.

Kyle Otswald, a construction worker, hails from Cheboygan. The 31-year-old dad boasts skills on living with minimal luxuries from his past adventures living and traveling in a van.

Representing metro Detroit is Rachel LaMont; her hometown is Dexter and she currently lives in Southfield. The 34-year-old graphic designer will bring persistence to the CBS challenge that takes place on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. A user interface designer, LaMont was an alternate for last season’s "Survivor," which also was filmed in Fiji.

Lamont, who described herself to Entertainment Weekly as “down-to-earth, bubbly, determined,” started following the series after her husband randomly turned to it on TV. As she told Parade, “And I just remember setting the vacuum down and sitting down on the couch and being like, 'How the hell have I never seen the show before?!' I was so hooked. And I feel like, from the start, it was just this idea of like, 'I think I could do this.'"

Married with two fur babies, dog Eva and cat Maeby, LaMont outlined her winning strengths to Entertainment Weekly this way: “I make fast friends and tend to gain people's trust quickly, and I’m sort of a goldilocks, not too weak but not too physical, smart but not the smartest in the room. I’m socially well off but never the leader or figurehead. I’ll ride the middle to victory.”

Message to the rest of the "Survivor" cast: Never underestimate Midwest friendly.

Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.

"Survivor" season 47 premiere

8 p.m. Wednesday, CBS

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New season of CBS' 'Survivor' features Rachel LaMont of Michigan