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John Kenney Jr., a popular former Branford High School athlete, was named this week as one of the 18 contestants that will face off this fall on CBS's popular hit show Survivor: Vanuatu. Kenney, 22, was selected from a crop of thousands of applications submitted to the show after applying early in 2003.
"It has been an amazing and nerve racking last few months," said Catherine Kenney, John Jr.'s mother. "This is a wonderful thing for John because he is just so people friendly. He is just comfortable being a people person."
Kenney graduated from BHS in 2000, where he played a wide range of sports, including baseball, lacrosse, basketball and football his freshman year. In fall 2000, Kenney enrolled at Northwestern University, only to quit school right before graduation to pursue his dream of being a model.
"I have always pushed with my kids that the money doesn't matter as much as being able to say that you love your job," said Catherine. "There isn't a lot of money in what John is doing, but he really doesn't look at it like a profession. He looks at it like an adventure."
In early winter 2002, Kenney moved to Los Angeles, where he immediately began landing modeling jobs at major publications. So far Kenney has had tremendous success modeling for such magazines as Abercrombie and Fitch, and the profession has allowed the 22 year-old to travel the world.
"He went to Korea, he has traveled in Europe and every time he comes back he tells me how lucky we are to have what we do," said Catherine. "He has an amazing appreciation for what it is to be an American citizen."
Now, Kenney will be vying for the ultimate jackpot; a $1 million prize to the person who can survive the physical and mental challenges of one of America's favorite realities shows. Though the series has already been shot and the winner decided, don't expect the Kenney family to divulge any information.
To ensure that no secrets are revealed ahead of time, CBS forces both contestants and family members to sign a series of confidentiality agreements prohibiting what they can and cannot say, even to friends. If anyone violates those agreements they can be sued by the producers for up to $50,000.
Due to that, the family, which includes Kenney's father John Sr., an East Haven police officer, brother's Mark and Craig, and Catherine, has been hesitant to talk with anyone about the show.
But even without that agreement, Catherine would be tight lipped. She has no idea what happened on Vanuatu and she doesn't want to know.
"I just wanted to know whether he was physically and mentally okay," said Catherine. "Besides that, I didn't want him to tell me anything. We are just going to watch it on TV and be as surprised as anyone. We are really excited."
Kenney's whereabouts will be kept secret until he is removed from the show or the show ends, but Catherine did say he is planning on going back to school.
Now, however, all eyes will be focused on the television screen and what could happen.
"We are obviously very excited. Everyone will be watching to see what happens, including me," said Catherine. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for John and we know he made the best of it."
The first episode of the show will air on Sept. 16 and is set to run through the winter.
