2 Angelenos Among New 'Survivor' Contestants

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A West Hollywood woman and a Venice man were among the 18 contestants named Wednesday by CBS for the next season of "Survivor."

Host Jeff Probst described Christina Cha as a really smart person and a student of the game.

"That's a deadly combination," Probst said. "If you're really bright and you really do understand the dynamics of `Survivor,' you can get a long way into this game."

Cha, a 29-year-old career consultant, said, "I know when to attack, kind of like that little jaguar who's seeing what's going on. When it's time to attack, I'll attack."

Bill Posley, a 28-year-old who described himself as "a struggling, starving stand-up comedian," pledged to take unprecedented action, although admitting, "I don't know what that move is yet."

Posley said he had "never really seen" the series until its 20th season, "Survivor: Heroes Versus Villains," when "I absolutely fell in love with the show."

"From the minute that those guys came flying in on Blackhawk helicopters, I was like `I have to figure out a way to be a part of this," Posley said.

Posley said he served about six years in the Army, including a tour of duty in Iraq.

"A lot of people don't peg me as a military person," Posley said. "My competitive advantage is the fact that I do have some survival skills that people don't know about.

"I physically have put myself to the test and have been put to the test more than most who are here. I know how to make sure to get my body and my mind to a point that I can push through any type of ailments, mental fatigue, emotional fatigue, physical fatigue."

The cast also includes Nina Acosta, a 51-year-old retired Los Angeles Police Department Officer who now lives in Clovis in Central California.

"It's never too late to chase your dreams and do something outside your comfort zone," she said. "I want my daughter to look back and say, `My mother did this."'

The teams for "Survivor: One World," will be separated -- men versus women. For the first time, both teams will live on the same island, forcing contestants to decide whether to share their resources with each other or leave the opposing tribe to fend for itself.

The 24th edition of the Emmy-winning series is scheduled to premiere Feb. 15. The winner will receive $1 million.

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