Boise Man to Appear on Survivor [VIDEO] + Two Other Reality Shows Where Idahoans Have Found Fame
First it was the American Ninja Warrior, then The Lowe Files and now? Boise's bravest is about to become a household name during the upcoming season of CBS's Survivor.
A few weeks ago, my fiance told me that his friend Kelly's husband was selected to go on the new season of the reality show but couldn't give me anything else to go on. Well, now that the official CBS cast bios for the "Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers" season are out, I can introduce you to Ben Driebergen!
Ben is a 2001 Capital High grad who went on to serve the country as a Marine. After returning home from Iraq, he felt himself floating from place to place...eventually ending up in Texas for a period of time. While in Texas he tasked himself with the extremely difficult task of hand delivering one of his friend's dog tags to his mother. The fellow Marine was killed while he and Driebergen were serving in Iraq and Driebergen felt that it was his duty to make sure the dog tags made it back to the family.
He credits Kelly with helping him turn his life around after he got out of the service. The couple has two beautiful children and Ben now works at a grocery warehouse in Boise. If he wins this season of Survivor he plans to put the money toward the family ranch and buy a new truck.
Don't look for him to be a villain though! Driebergen says he's a pretty peaceful guy who doesn't have time for drama. Get to know him in his cast video above and catch the new season when it premieres on CBS, September 27th!
Other Idahoans in Reality TV
The Gem State's had a lot of contestants come through reality shows over the year. Salmon's Lance Pekus has been a fan favorite over the past few seasons of American Ninja Warrior. Competing topless and wearing a cowboy hat, he's earned the name "The Cowboy Ninja." This season, Pekus was joined by fellow Idahoan Tammy McClure. If that name seems familiar, it's because she's one of the co-owners of Indian Creek Winery in Kuna! McClure competed on Monday night but fell early in the course.
Over on ABC, Bachelor Nation seems to love Idaho as well! Joshua Albers, an industrial welder from Kuna competed for Kaitlyn Bristowe's hear during Season 11. In 2008, Bachelor Matt Grant took the women on dates in Sun Valley.
And he was brought back into the spotlight when President Trump was back on the campaign trail...Troy McClain, founder of Boise's McClain Cos. appeared on the series in 2004.