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Stephenie LaGrossa

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki




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Stephenie LaGrossa
Stephenie LaGrossa.jpg Stephenie LaGrossa.jpg
Born (1979-12-06) December 6, 1979 (age 45)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
💼 Occupation
TelevisionSurvivor: Palau
Survivor: Guatemala (runner-up)
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
👩 Spouse(s)Michael Ward (2006-2007)
Kyle Kendrick (2010-present)
👶 Children3

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (born December 6, 1979) is an American former television contestant of Survivor. She first gained fame for being the last remaining member of the decimated Ulong tribe in Survivor: Palau (2005). She then became the runner-up of Survivor: Guatemala (2005). Since then, she became a restaurateur.

Early life and education[edit]

LaGrossa was born to her father (mail employee) and mother (bank file clerk). She is the youngest sibling and has four brothers.[1] She grew up in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb. She graduated from Archbishop Prendergast High School.[2] She further attended Temple University (Philadelphia) and then transferred to Monmouth University (Long Beach, New Jersey), both of where she played lacrosse as a starter. In Monmouth, she was team captain as a senior, won multiple awards for her athleticism, and earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in 2002.[3]

Survivor: Palau[edit]

LaGrossa, a 25-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative and bartender residing in Toms River, New Jersey, at the time,[4][5] first appeared in Survivor: Palau (2005).[6][7] To form the Ulong tribe, LaGrossa was handpicked by one of handpicked tribe members Bobby Jon Drinkard.[8][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] She was considerably one of physically strongest females in Survivor up to date, but the Ulong tribe lost every tribal immunity challenge to its rival tribe, Koror.[2] In one of tribal immunity challenges that the Ulong lost, a physical one-on-one challenge containing a platform above the water, Stephenie defeated Jenn Lyon of the Koror tribe in both of their matches together.[9][lower-alpha 3]

When Stephenie and Bobby Jon became the only remaining Ulong, the tribe lost Palau's final tribal immunity challenge, which contained a puzzle. Therefore, they both competed at a fire making challenge in the series's first ever one-on-one Tribal Council. Stephenie won the challenge against Bobby Jon, despite his impressive fire making skills, leading to his elimination.[10]

As the last remaining Ulong, Stephenie was officially absorbed into the Koror tribe.[11] After surviving Koror's two post-absorption Tribal Councils,[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5] Stephenie attempted to form an all-female alliance and planned to oust the remaining males.[16] Seen as a fierce competitor, despite her first-day alliance with eventual winner Tom Westman and two other Koror members before tribe formation,[17] Stephenie was unanimously voted out by the Koror, ending the Ulong's existence and making her the third juror of the season.[18] Her Palau appearance made her one of audience favorites at the time.[16]

Survivor: Guatemala[edit]

LaGrossa and Bobby Jon Drinkard, fan favorites who both were the last remaining Ulong members in the previous season Survivor: Palau when ten players remained, returned for Survivor: Guatemala (2005), whose other sixteen players were newcomers.[19][20] Stephenie was assigned to the Yaxhá tribe; Bobby Jon, to the Nakúm tribe. Each tribe contained nine members, including one returnee.[20]

The original Yaxhá won the season's first tribal immunity challenge but then lost two subsequent immunity challenges.[21][22][23] Both tribes were then reshuffled: Bobby Jon was switched to the Yaxhá tribe; Stephenie, to the Nakúm tribe.[24] The newly shuffled Nakúm tribe lost the season's first post-shuffle immunity challenge but then won a couple subsequent ones.[24][25][26][lower-alpha 6]

After both tribes officially merged into the Xhakúm tribe,[29][30] when five players remained, Stephenie won an individual immunity challenge for the first time in her Survivor career, guaranteeing her a position for the final four.[31] After Stephenie, Rafe Judkins, and radio announcer Danni Boatwright became the remaining three players, Rafe and then Stephenie lost the final individual immunity challenge, a balance challenge containing a "wobbly platform" and a "small rope", to Danni. Seeing Stephenie dissolve into tears over the loss, Rafe heartily told Danni to no longer honor the final-two deal that they earlier made together and allowed Danni to decide for herself. As the only player eligible to vote off another player while wearing the immunity necklace, Danni voted off Rafe and took Stephenie to the finals.[32]

Due to her more cutthroat gameplay, multiple betrayals throughout most of the season, and angering the jury,[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8] Stephenie lost the game to Danni by majority votes cast in the Final Tribal Council.[32][34]

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains[edit]

LaGrossa made her third Survivor appearance in Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (2010) with Palau winner Tom Westman, both as part of the Heroes tribe. From the season's second tribal immunity challenge up to the Heroes' second Tribal Council, returnee James Clement repeatedly yelled at and scolded Stephenie. Further at the Council, James attacked her status as the last remaining Ulong in Palau. Stephenie retaliated, and Colby Donaldson and Tom Westman came to her defense. Nonetheless, by majority vote, Stephenie was ousted as the season's second boot.[35]

Activities outside Survivor[edit]

In September 2006, LaGrossa became one of in-arena hosts of the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey games.[36] As of 2010, she is the restaurateur of GIGI Restaurant & Lounge (Old City, Philadelphia).[37]

Personal life[edit]

In July 2006 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, the same place where they first met, LaGrossa married her fiancé Michael Ward, whom she dated for eight years before their engagement on December 24, 2005 (Christmas Eve).[38] She and Ward divorced in 2007, one year later.[39]

One year after their engagement in 2009,[40] on November 13, 2010, LaGrossa married Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick in Napa, California.[37] As of August 2022, they have resided in Dunedin, Florida, since 2010s and have three children.[41]

Filmography[edit]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Survivor: Palau Contestant Eliminated; 7th place
2005 Survivor: Guatemala Contestant Runner-Up
2010 Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains Contestant Eliminated; 19th place
2022 Snake in the Grass Contestant

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ The first female immunity winner of Survivor: Palau Jolanda Jones, a 39-year-old lawyer, became the first member of the Ulong tribe. For the tribe, Jolanda first handpicked Bobby Jon, who then handpicked Stephenie LaGrossa. Then LaGrossa → Jeff Wilson → Kim Mullen → James Miller → Ashlee Ashby → Ibrehem Rahman → Angie Jakusz.[8]
  2. ↑ Palau's first male immunity winner Ian Rosenberger, a dolphin trainer, became the first member of the Koror tribe, Ulong's rival. For the tribe, Ian handpicked Katie Gallagher, who then handpicked the season's eventual winner Tom Westman. Then Westman → Janu Tornell → Gregg Carey → Jenn Lyon → Coby Archa → Caryn Groedel → Williard Smith.[8]
  3. ↑ In the one-on-one physical platform challenge, one of Palau's tribal challenges seen in the episode "Sumo at Sea", Coby Archa of the Koror tribe defeated James Miller of Ulong in a tiebreaker match, leading to Ulong's fourth consecutive immunity challenge loss.[9]
  4. ↑ In Koror's first post-absorption Tribal Council, Coby Archa, after sharing the politics of Koror with Stephenie, was voted out and then became the first jury member of Palau.[12]
  5. ↑ In Koror's second post-absorption Tribal Council, in order to spare Stephenie from being voted off, and feeling indifferent to her own fate in the game, physically and mentally weaker Janu Tornell decided to quit the game.[13] Laura Dempsy of Dayton Daily News credited the Survivor host Jeff Probst's "prob[ing] and prodd[ing] and question[ing]" as an effort to save Stephenie and prompt Janu into quitting.[14] Before her quit, Probst halted the taping for the production to decide on Janu's eligibility to be a juror. Janu was allowed to become the second juror of Palau.[15]
  6. ↑ The newly shuffled Nakúm tribe was the only tribe to compete in an individual immunity challenge after winning a tribal reward challenge. Rafe Judkins of the newer Nakúm tribe won the challenge by solving a word puzzle.[27] Then Rafe selected Gary Hogeboom of the Yaxhá tribe to receive another immunity necklace. In the double-elimination Tribal Council, two players were eliminated from their own tribes. The newer Nakúm tribe ousted Margaret Bobonich off the game, and the newer Yaxhá tribe ousted Brian Corridan.[28]
  7. ↑ When six players remained in Survivor: Guatemala, radio announcer Danni Boatwright persuaded Stephanie into believing that Judd Sergeant, an aggressive player whom Stephenie aligned with throughout most of the season, would betray Stephenie, despite his loyalty toward her and apparent unwillingness to break it. By majority votes, including Stephenie's, Judd was ousted in a Tribal Council and then became one of jurors.[33] In the Final Tribal Council, Judd confronted Stephenie for the betrayal and backing out her promise to Judd's wife.[34]
  8. ↑ After her very first individual immunity win in the final five of Survivor: Guatemala, Stephenie was persuaded by Rafe Judkins into voting off Cindy Hall.[31]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Gray, Ellen (2005-04-14). "She 'got a little scared' for her Survivor daughter". Philadelphia Daily News. Local section, p. 9. ProQuest 1906201072.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gray, Ellen (2005-03-16). "Local Stars Shining: 3 Women, Youth Compete in 'Reality' Shows". Philadelphia Daily News. Local section, p. 2. ProQuest 1905743266.
  3. ↑ Martin, Patti. "Monmouth University grads vying for Survivor prize". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. 1-D. ProQuest 437704903.
  4. ↑ Strachan, Alex (February 16, 2005). "Survivor gets serious". Ottawa Citizen. p. D1. ProQuest 240816361.
  5. ↑ Gray, Ellen (2005-05-02). "Stephenie scrubs Palau away". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 45. ProQuest 1906221884.
  6. ↑ "Survivor: Palau castaways revealed". Today. Associated Press. January 13, 2005. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Gensler, Howard (January 14, 2005). "No sooner had we survived Survivor". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 32. ProQuest 1905672665.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kwon, Wade. "Democracy has spoken on Survivor: Palau". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. Bay Area Living section, p. 1. ISSN 1068-5936. ProQuest 351907580.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Crean, Ellen (2005-03-10). "Survivor: Brawn Over Brains?". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  10. ↑ Morales, Tatiana (April 8, 2005). "No Fire For Bobby Jon". CBS News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ Morales, Tatiana (2005-04-14). "Survivor: The Glazed Temptation". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  12. ↑ Morales, Tatiana (2005-04-15). "Coby Archa: Better Not Bitter". Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  13. ↑ Lagorio, Christine (2005-04-21). "Survivor: Showgirl Opts Out". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  14. ↑ Dempsey, Laura (2005-04-22). "Janu decides to call it quits". Dayton, Ohio. p. A2. ISSN 0897-0920. ProQuest 254649146.
  15. ↑ Jicha, Tom (2005-06-26). "Scandals Great and Small Could Tarnish Reality Shows". Sun-Sentinel. Arts/Entertainment and Television (AE&TV) section, p. 3. ProQuest 389887674.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Crean, Ellen (2005-04-28). "Survivor: Superwoman Defeated". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  17. ↑ "Ulong Tribe Survives No More". Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 2005-04-30. p. 4A. ProQuest 389997112.
  18. ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (2005-04-29). "Stephenie Ends Her Run on Survivor: Palau". People. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  19. ↑ Heinrich, Jim (2005-09-15). "Oh Maya! In Toughest Season Yet, Probst Praises Local Survivor Contestant". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Arts & Entertainment section, p. W-37. ISSN 1068-624X. ProQuest 390848529.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Cuprisin, Tim (2005-09-16). "Survivor has-beens get another chance". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. B8. ISSN 1082-8850. ProQuest 263558211.
  21. ↑ Smith, Stephen (2005-09-15). "Frenzied Races, Flurry of Vomit". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  22. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2005-09-21). "Survivor: Let the game-playing begin!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  23. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2005-09-29). "Survivor: A show about nothing". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Ross, Dalton (2005-10-04). "Survivor: The tribes get all shook up". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  25. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2005-10-13). "Survivor: The backstabbing continues". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  26. ↑ Feder, Jessica (2005-10-23). "Survivor: See ya, Yaxhá!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  27. ↑ "Survivor competition rages on". Times & Transcript. Moncton, New Brunswick. 2005-10-21. ISSN 1706-6204. ProQuest 422891704.
  28. ↑ "Next top model won't be Coryn". USA Today. 2005-10-24. p. D-4. ISSN 0734-7456. ProQuest 408997146.
  29. ↑ Fonseca, Nicholas (2005-11-03). "Survivor: The meanest alliance ever". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-08. The source's date "November 02, 2005" may be incorrect. The said date was one day before an episode "The Hidden Immunity Idol" originally aired.
  30. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2005-11-17). "Survivor: The alliance breaks down". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Smith, Stephen (2005-12-08). "Car Curse in Cruise Control". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Smith, Stephen (2005-12-12). "Danni Wins Survivor: Guatemala". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  33. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2005-12-01). "Survivor: The jury gets angrier!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Slezak, Michael (2005-12-11). "The Survivor finale: Two sporty women face off". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  35. ↑ Ross, Dalton (2010-02-19). "Survivor recap: More Like Heroes vs. Heroes!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-09. The source's incorrect publication date says "February 28, 2015".
  36. ↑ Parent, Rob (2006-09-14). "Thriving after Survivor". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E-6. ISSN 0885-6613. ProQuest 1909438597.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Wihlborg, Ulrica (2010-11-14). "Survivor's Stephenie LaGrossa & Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Kendrick Marry". People. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  38. ↑ Tan, Michelle (2006-07-07). "Survivor's Stephenie LaGrossa Gets Married". People. Archived from the original on 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2023-04-09. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  39. ↑ Eames, Tom (2010-11-14). "Survivor's LaGrossa marries Kyle Kendrick". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  40. ↑ Klein, Michael (2009-07-16). "Off the field". The Philadephia Inquirer. p. D-2. ISSN 0885-6613. ProQuest 287680646.
  41. ↑ Calise, Gabrielle (2022-08-26). "Dunedin's Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, of Survivor fame, returns to reality TV". Tampa Bay Times. ISSN 2327-9052. ProQuest 2707697713. Retrieved 2023-04-19.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Katie Gallagher 		Runner-Up of Survivor
Survivor: Guatemala 		Succeeded by
Danielle DiLorenzo



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