Which Survivor season had Dee Valladares as its winner before Big Brother 28? Survivor 45 had Dee Valladares as its winner. She defeated Austin Li Coon and Jake O’Kane in the finale, receiving five of the jury’s eight votes.
Survivor 45 premiered on September 27, 2023, and concluded on December 20, 2023. Valladares played throughout the season as part of the Reba alliance, which became the dominant strategic force after the tribes merged. Her relationships with Austin and Julie Alley, combined with her control over several votes, helped carry her to the final three.
The final jury vote was 5–3–0: Valladares received five votes, Austin received three, and Jake received none. That result is why the season is associated with Valladares rather than with Austin, who was the runner-up. The neighboring seasons can cause confusion: Survivor 44 preceded it and was won by Yam Yam Arocho, while Survivor 46 followed it and was won by Kenzie Petty. Valladares later returned for Survivor 50.