Candidate Joana has been permanently eliminated from Koh-Lanta All Stars after losing an arena challenge on French television network TF1 on Tuesday night. The 34-year-old hairdresser and masseuse, who works in a private salon in the Paris region, left the competition alongside fellow contestants Moussa, Naoil, and Jacques.
Joana represented the 2025 season titled La Revanche des 4 Terres alongside her team partner Maxime. Their adventure came to an end following a dexterity and endurance trial after six days of isolation on the Isle of the Banished, where Maxime emerged victorious to secure his place in the game.
Koh-Lanta is the French adaptation of the reality television franchise Survivor, broadcast on TF1. In this All Stars edition, returning contestants compete in remote locations, enduring physical challenges and strategic council votes. Under the linked destinies format, contestants are paired together, meaning the fate of one directly affects the other during eliminations.
Early elimination and the Isle of the Banished
The pair suffered an immediate setback at the start of the season when they were voted out during the very first council meeting. That vote sent both Joana and Maxime to the Isle of the Banished, a temporary exile location where eliminated contestants live on probation while waiting to compete for a second chance to rejoin the main cast.
During their six days in exile, Joana explained that the experience was mentally draining despite having enough food to avoid physical hunger. She noted that being isolated with a single partner without scheduled regular challenges left her constantly dwelling on past mistakes and strategic decisions.
Joana stated that living with Maxime became increasingly difficult because he actively engaged in psychological destabilisation. She said he frequently teased her and made sharp comments over several days, which eventually wore down her patience due to their contrasting personalities.
Reflecting on her departure, Joana expressed deep disappointment and felt her time on the show was cut short. She said she had not truly experienced the adventure after competing in only three challenges without ever belonging to a main team tribe.
Friction between team partners
Joana pointed to ongoing tension with Maxime throughout their shared time in the competition. She admitted holding frustration over his initial nonchalance and his reluctance to place trust in her as a team partner.
While acknowledging her own strategic mistakes, Joana stressed that she always owned up to her errors. In contrast, she said Maxime never took responsibility for his missteps, choosing instead to maintain a solitary mindset rather than lifting his partner up.
Despite the personal friction, Joana recognised Maxime's physical strengths in competition. She described the partnership as a mix of promise and difficulty, noting that while he was often absent-minded and self-centred, his athletic abilities made him a strong competitor in challenges.
Fair play in defeat
Following the final arena challenge, Joana maintained a fair-play attitude towards Maxime's victory. She refused to express bitterness or jealousy, stating that he fully deserved the win after delivering a flawless performance in the dexterity trial.
Joana emphasised that Maxime was the sole remaining contestant representing their original 2025 season in the game. She noted that it was important to praise positive results when deserved, even while remaining honest about personal disagreements.
Before entering the arena duel, Joana said she maintained a competitive mindset and gave her maximum effort to leave without regrets. Although she hoped to return to the main game to prove her place, she accepted that her opponent performed better on the day.
Strategic regrets and future ambitions
Looking back at her two appearances on Koh-Lanta, Joana acknowledged that her transparent and direct nature had hurt her strategic position. She explained that being overly honest and forming quick alliances worked against her in both seasons.
If given the opportunity to compete in a third season, Joana revealed she would adopt a different approach. She said she would learn to keep a poker face, master the art of deception, take a step back, and refrain from committing to alliances too quickly.
Despite her early exit, Joana highlighted the lasting friendships she formed during the production. She remains in contact with several fellow cast members, including Moussa, Naoil, and Jacques, who were also eliminated during Tuesday's broadcast.
Regarding her future, Joana expressed an eagerness to return for another season to compete at full strength. However, she added that she remains very happy with her daily life, taking opportunities as they come while living day by day.
