Emaciated Waitress on 'Survivor' Sparks Speculation, Debate

Nov. 14, 2007 — -- Courtney Yates, the tough, but emaciated New York waitress who has fought her way to stay on the reality TV show "Survivor," has fans asking: Will she die of malnutrition before the season finale?

Images of the waiflike blond in a bikini have popped up on the Internet with bloggers wondering whether the 26-year-old is anorexic.

"If she makes it past today, I don't see how she's going to live 30 days," said one blogger on a Web site devoted to the topic. "Light as a Feather, Thin as a Rail." "I've seen anorexic girls with more meat on their bones than this girl has."

"What will the producers of 'Survivor' do if Courtney falls down and dies?" asked another.

CBS News has fueled the anorexia speculation on its Web site by featuring the photo of a bikini-clad Yates with links to what viewers think about her weight loss.

Good publicity, indeed. But, according to those who know Yates, there's not a shred of truth.

"It's complete nonsense," said Tom Connolly, who taught Yates in three English classes at Suffolk University in her hometown of Boston. "She looks exactly the same now as in college."

CBS was concerned about Yates' weight when she auditioned for a part on the 7-year-old series, according to Colleen Sullivan, vice president of publicity at CBS.

"We are confident she is not anorexic," said Sullivan. "She came into the game alarmingly thin, and we went through a whole process with mental and physical tests, and she passed every one."

Sullivan admits the demands of the show take a toll on all contestants. "It's the real deal," she said about foraging for fish, boiling water and chopping coconuts for sustenance.

Former contestant Sean Kenniff, who appeared on the first season in Africa, says he lost 32 pounds in 36 days on the show.

Attempts by ABCNEWS.com to reach Yates were unsuccessful. The contestant is prohibited by contract from talking about the show until after the season finale, according to Sullivan.

Filming for "Survivor China" ended Aug. 16, and rest assured, said Sullivan, Yates is now healthy and back to work.