AceShowbiz - The "Sia Prize" made a triumphant return during the landmark 50th season of Survivor, and this time, the fans decided the winner. In a live finale that featured both celebration and a notable technical glitch, Survivor legend Cirie Fields was awarded $100,000 from Grammy-nominated singer and superfan Sia, based on a fan vote.

Over elated shouts from the studio audience, Survivor showrunner and host Jeff Probst noted that Fields' win "should come as no surprise." Fields came in sixth place this season, but recently won the first season of The Traitors' U.S. iteration. The Sia Prize is an unofficial, meritorious cash prize the Australian singer awards to her favorite castaways, who often are the season's underdogs.

Across 14 seasons, Sia has doled out over $1 million to 19 different Survivor contestants, including Kaôh R?ng player Tai Trang, who was the first recipient of the prize because he wouldn't let his tribe slaughter a chicken. The "Chandelier" singer last awarded the honor in 2023 during Survivor 45 to three players, including Katurah Topps who received $100,000 from Sia.

However this time around, the Sia Prize has evolved. In the spirit of Survivor 50's theme of putting power "in the hands of the fans," Sia invited the audience to vote for the cash award winner and "the kind of player she always recognizes." Probst said he asked Sia to bring back the prize for the special season. "She loved the idea of fans having a real voice in shaping the game and was very enthusiastic about participating," Probst recently told Rolling Stone. "And the twist on the Sia Prize was actually her idea. She said, 'If this season is truly about the fans having a say, then the fans should choose the winner of the Sia Prize too.'"

Beyond the Sia Prize, Survivor's 50th season was punctuated by several celebrity appearances. Billie Eilish contributed a special "boomerang" Immunity Idol, Zac Brown entertained the castaways during a reward, and Mr. Beast turned the game on its head with a new Super Beware Advantage—and doubled the game's prize money to $2 million.

Tonight's finale was marred by a major technical difficulty during its live broadcast. Before airing the fire-making challenge at the final four, Probst brought out Rizo Velovic and referred to him as the final jury member, spoiling the results of the challenge. Fields pointed this out to Probst, while the crowd erupted into gasps. The moment underscored the high stakes of live television, even as the season celebrated a major milestone for the franchise.

With fans now having a direct hand in awarding the Sia Prize, the show's 50th season has redefined how audience engagement can shape Survivor history. As the series looks ahead to future seasons, the evolution of the Sia Prize may set a new precedent for fan involvement in the game.