/ Survivor

12:51 PM CST on Friday, March 4, 2005

Tom Planchet / WWLTV.com

Local bartender Angie Jakusz of New Orleans is without a doubt the feel-good story of Survivor Palau so far.

CBS.com

Angie Jakusz

The self-described “freak” adorned with tattoos and body piercings – think a female version of Dennis Rodman - Angie nearly didn’t make it through the first episode.

With 20 players instead of the usual 18, two Survivors were left out as sides were chosen based merely on first impressions.

Angie and Wanda, the older, high-spirited camper who got on everyone’s nerves with her incessant singing, were the final two women left and Angie was selected, eliminating Wanda.

A few minutes later Angie narrowly escaped tribal council and only because of Jolanda’s big mouth.

Physically strong, Jolanda was let go only after ordering her tribemates around.

Even at that night’s council, Angie expressed that she may well be gone and afterward acknowledged that she was probably next.

What has happened since is the stuff of legends – at least in the Survivor world.

Angie, has become a folk hero and will obviously be featured by producer Mark Burnett and host Jeff Probst in upcoming episodes.

So how’d she make the transformation? First, on episode two, with a reward up for grabs, she ventured onto an obstacle course that was knocking people off right and left and traversed it like Richard Gere in First Knight. Her performance was the main reason Ulong won the prize and everyone in her camp acknowledged as much.

From nearly gone in week one, to not receiving a single vote in week two, Angie had arrived.

If there was any doubt of her status in the tribe, it ended Thursday night when she paired with the hulky Bobby Jon to battle two members of the other tribe in the reward challenge.

Angie obliterated an unsuspecting Janu right off the bat and then she stunned Gregg of the opposing team by repeatedly dunking his head under water to allow Bobby Jon to take home the prize.

Her aggressive play drew a surprised response from host Jeff Probst and had her teammates on the sidelines squealing with delight.

“She was a killer,” said Lisa Keiffer, a Survivor analyst for WWL-TV and a former participant. “I was laughing when she dunked the men. She was relentless. I would have been afraid of her.”

From the chopping block in week one, to exalted status by week three, Angie not only had no worries about being voted off, she was even consulted by others as to who should go.

“If she was at the bottom of the totem pole before, she’s not now,” said analyst John Raymond on WWL-TV’s Eyewitness Morning News.

Angie was always a fan favorite in New Orleans, but she’s becoming the fan favorite nationwide.

In a poll conducted after week two on CBS.com, Angie had jumped to the 3rd pick as sole survivor behind Tom and Ian, a position that is likely to improve after Thursday’s performance.

In reality, Angie does have a tough road to climb. She is on the tribe that now has six members to the other tribe’s nine. She also likely riled some feelings of the other tribe by manhandling Janu in the water.

Still, she had no chance to remain for long if she didn’t make a move, and make one she has.

In a show based on characters and personalities, hers is emerging in a big way, making her a winner whether or not she becomes the ultimate Survivor.