Avi Shushan Calls Survivor Stint 'Biggest Mistake' After Brutal Ouster
Following his elimination from Survivor, former PR advisor Avi Shushan opened up about the severe backlash, his clash with Leer Oz, and why joining the reality show was the biggest mistake of his life.
Following his elimination from Reshet 13's reality show "Survivor", media figure and former PR advisor Avi Shushan broke his silence in a comprehensive interview on Eran Suissa's podcast "Suissa + 1" for ForReal in Israeli media. Shushan called his participation "the biggest mistake of my life," admitting he succumbed to financial temptation and the desire to experience the game.
Shushan's stint on the island was marked by severe controversy, culminating in a fierce dispute with "Ahavah Chadasha" alumnus Leer Oz. After the tribe lost an immunity challenge, the verbal altercation escalated, with Shushan using the derogatory phrase "the bitch of the nation" and mocking her as "Julia Roberts for the poor." Shushan revealed that immediately after the outburst, he approached the chief producer and demanded to leave the game, realizing extreme conditions were bringing out a side of him he did not recognize. However, production urged him to stay.
During tribal council, Shushan refused to apologize to Oz despite pressure from host Guy Zu-Aretz, insisting she had targeted him since day one. Ultimately, Lior Zuler used an advantage to take his immunity idol, and the Lupa tribe voted him out. Only after his torch was extinguished did Shushan apologize to Oz. Discussing the aftermath, Shushan shared the heavy personal and family toll the backlash took, noting he spent a week in darkness at home and requested security from Reshet 13 management following direct threats against his daughters.
Addressing other controversies, Shushan clarified remarks from his introductory clip regarding 7 October, explaining he was referring solely to the professional price he paid—losing his role as Ichilov Hospital spokesperson—rather than survivors of captivity. Shushan also confirmed he has returned to his role on the panel of "The Patriots" in Israeli media, encouraged by host Yinon Magal to put the ordeal behind him. Alongside the podcast, Shushan published a lengthy social media post reiterating his apology to Oz and emphasizing that reality TV under extreme conditions can extract unexpected behavior.
