EXCLUSIVE: Parvati Shallow spills on being a part of Jonathan LaPaglia’s final season.

Survivor fans spotted a bizarre detail in Sunday night’s episode that celebrated longtime host Jonathan LaPaglia’s legacy. Photos: Channel 10

Survivor: Australia V The World officially came to an end on Sunday night, with US player Parvati Shallow being crowned Sole Survivor of the World and becoming the third contestant in the show’s history to win twice. While viewers were thrilled the reality TV icon won the season, many described the episode as bittersweet as it marked Jonathan LaPaglia’s final appearance on the show.

The longtime host announced in June that he had been axed by Channel 10, with three-time player David Genat later being revealed as his replacement. Sunday night’s episode made no mention of the fact that it was JLP’s last episode; however, many fans spotted an “insane” detail that celebrated his legacy.

“So it just occurred to me that the final three were Janine, Luke, Parvati, which equals JLP,” one person wrote on social media, while another added, “That’s really crazy that the F3 initials are JLP on JLP’s last season like… the aura that has”.

Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle about the “crazy” coincidence, Parvati admits she feels honoured to have been a part of JLP’s “swan song”.

“He was fun to work with, I really enjoyed it. He really gave us space to breathe and play our game; it was nice. You don’t get that all the time, so I loved it,” she says. “I loved interacting with him on social media as the game was airing. He’s a fun dude, so I wish him all the best, whatever is next for him. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’re going to see of him.”

Parvati was announced as the winner in Sunday night’s finale. Photo: Channel 10

Parvati’s reaction to David being announced as host

Although they didn’t get to play Survivor: Australia V The World together, Parvati and David became friends after competing alongside one another on the recent season of Deal Or No Deal Island. With David set to take over as host for next year’s season of Australian Survivor, which is currently filming in Samoa, Parvati says she’s “so excited” to see him in the role.

“I think he’s gonna crush it,” she shares. “He’s very synonymous with the game of Australian Survivor, and we’ve never seen a former contestant host. So for him to step into that role, I think, is really brave and exciting for me as a contestant. To watch him go from player to host is really exciting, and I think will have an impact on the game, and I’m curious to see what that is.”

Parvati adds that David becoming the second player eliminated from Survivor: Australia V The World was both a blessing and a disappointment.

“I love playing with David. He was so fun to play with on Deal, and I was excited to see him out there this time. But then also I knew he would just increase my threat level, so once he was voted out, I was relieved that I didn’t have to deal with that,” she reflects.

David and Parvati previously competed alongside one another on Deal Or No Deal Island. Photo: NBC

Parvati admits she was confident she would win

Parvati’s run on Survivor: Australia V The World has been described as the greatest fans have ever seen on the show, with the five-time player being on the right side of the vote every time and somehow making it to the end without anyone writing down her name.

The mother-of-one shares that she was determined to win the game as retribution for coming second on Heroes vs. Villains in 2010, and she was extremely confident all the way through.

“I knew I was solid,” she remarks. “I was locked in the entire game from start to finish, and I knew I could stand behind every single move I made, and I had justifications for why they were the right moves to make at the right time.

“I knew that when I burned my bridges with my relationships, I had real reasons for doing that, and it wasn’t just to stir up chaos or to look good or to have a move on my resume. It was because it was a necessary move to make, to put me at the end and to have me with the right case to plead in front of the jury.”

Parvati reveals that fellow two-time winners Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos have yet to congratulate her on her victory, but she’s thrilled to have joined them in the exclusive club.

“I didn’t really play this game for the money at the end, though I’m delighted to have the money. This was really more about being a two-time winner for me and sitting in that club that I belong in,” she says. “Like, that is my club! Me, Tony, and Sandra!”