There are few text from Tyler Perry to Jeff Probst inspired an Immunity Idol twist in Survivor: Cagayan, which was named the "Tyler Perry Idol" by fans. Additionally, Jimmy Fallon's idea for a secret spy bunker at Tribal Council partially influenced the creation of Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine's hidden vantage point in season 39. Probst has also consulted Hollywood creator and actor Mike White on several creative ideas, before and after Mike's time as a contestant on Survivor: David vs. Goliath.
Other than the impact that some of its celebrity fans had on its creative trajectory, another key element of Survivor history is the "fan favorite" award. Many Survivor seasons have featured some version of a fan favorite award at the end of a season. The first time such an award was given was at the end of Survivor: All Stars, when "America's Tribal Council" gifted Rupert Boneham a million-dollar prize for being the most popular contestant of the season. Then, in seasons 12 and 13, fans got to vote for their favorite player to win a car. From season 15 to season 26, the fan favorite award was branded as the "Sprint Player of the Season" and delivered $100,000 to the most popular contestant. The Sprint Player of the Season was retired after Survivor: Caramoan, and there hasn't been an official fan favorite vote since.
However, pop megastar Sia's ion for Survivor has led her to step up in an unofficial capacity, to award losing Survivor contestants with monetary prizes, a gesture that the show's fandom refers to as the "Sia Award." The introduction of the "Sia Award" occurred during the reunion of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng in 2016. During that installment, Sia donned her trademark face-obscuring wig, and interrupted the reunion to approach the stage and announce that she would be giving Tai Trang $50,000, and donating $50,000 to a charity of Tai's choice. Sia explained that she was touched by Tai's comion for animals, and was tempted to give Keith Nale a prize in the preceding season, but was too shy to follow through.
She continued with the "Sia Award" after Kaoh Rong's memorable reunion moment, gifting several contestants hefty cash prizes, usually as a result of her being moved by their stories or their actions in the game. The "Sia Award" has become something of a Survivor tradition, and has been acknowledged on the show itself. The pop icon has granted former contestants Rick Devens, Elaine Stott, and Janet Carbin $100,000 each, and offered smaller cash prizes to several other castaways. Unfortunately, the "Sia Award" took a hiatus beginning in 2020, when the singer became embroiled in controversy regarding her reaction to backlash to her feature directorial debut, Music. Sia has come back in full force, though, as the "Sia Award" has reemerged following the finale of Survivor 42. The celebrity Survivor fan surprised Drea Wheeler with $100,000, moving Drea to tears, and adding her to the esteemed list of "Sia Award" recipients.
Since its inception, her award has been a distinguished Survivor element. Though it began as a spur-of-the-moment act from a famous fan, it has blossomed into something that is now a fun and unique aspect of the show. It looks like Sia plans to keep giving out her award in future Survivor seasons.