Mineola Native is 'Castaway' to Reality TV Stardom

Next Wednesday, Christine Shields Markoski will step into the national spotlight when she becomes known as Survivor Christine on the season premiere of “Survivor: South Pacific.”

Will the 39-year-old Merrick resident, mother of 2, and (where she grew up) - be the sole survivor - and claim the $1 million prize on the hit CBS reality show, Survivor: South Pacific?

To do so she must withstand the challenges, the tribal council, and survive the 17 other contestants over 39 grueling days. And since everyone involved has been sworn to secrecy and I don’t have a crystal ball, you’ll just have to watch the new season to find out.

But one thing’s for sure – Markoski certainly doesn’t lack the confidence. And after spending a short time talking with her about her
experience in the South Pacific, I’m tuning in and throwing my support firmly behind our own Long Islander contender. She’s smart, she’s tough and she says she calls it like it is.

“I don’t mince words,” she said. “I’ll tell you exactly how I feel. That’s good and that’s bad.”

And that’s good… for reality television.

Over summer vacation, Markoski flew halfway across the world, on a quest for reality TV survival…and of course, there are a million other reasons to compete.

“Being a part of it is a huge motivation,” she said. “Another motivation is showing my kids that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. Of course the million dollars is nice too. And I can really use the money.”

For Markoski, the challenges of life on a deserted island is something she’s no stranger to. She says life on “Survivor” is like most of the vacations she takes. (Note to self: do not accept a travel invitation from the Markoskis).

“I go to secluded underdeveloped countries, sleep on the
beach, find cheap hotels that don’t have toilet paper or running water…”

Survivor Christine, as she will be known from here on in, is
ready for the spotlight. But how did she ready herself to compete? Running, cycling, swimming and practicing tying knots - lots of them.

She also went to the library and studied books on zero sum game theory. She prepped physically and mentally. But did she practice eating bugs? “No bugs”, says Christine. “I ate chicken wings.”

This really needed a follow up question. Is the secret to Survivor success hidden somewhere in the chicken wings? What’s the connection?

With her husband, an NYPD detective, her children and colleagues at The in Mineola firmly behind her… stay tuned. Survivor Christine just might turn out to be the one to watch! The premiere of the show’s 23rd season is this Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBS.