Jessica Michele Kiper (born February 22, 1979) is an American actress,[2][3] best known as a contestant from Survivor: Gabon where she placed third. She was more commonly known to the viewing audience during her run on Survivor by the nickname "Sugar". She returned to Survivor to compete on the show's 20th season, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, as part of the Heroes tribe, and was the first to be eliminated.

Jessica Kiper
Kiper attending the Beverly Hills Film Festival in October 2010
Born (1979-02-22) February 22, 1979 (age 45)
Other namesSugar Kiper
OccupationActress
Years active1999–present
TelevisionSurvivor: Gabon (2nd runner-up)
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
SpouseNicholas Critelli (2016–present)
Children1

Early life

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Kiper was born in Florida,[1] and has lived in Rhode Island, Baton Rouge, San Francisco and Los Angeles.[4][non-primary source needed][5] Her acting career began at a young age with one of her first major jobs as Amber on NBC's For Your Love.[6] During her appearances on Celebrity Rehab, which documented her recovery from addiction, Kiper indicated that her sister Rena was her "closest sister", and that they also have a younger brother.[7]

Survivor

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Gabon

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Kiper competed on the reality television show Survivor: Gabon, the seventeenth season of Survivor, which began airing on September 25, 2008. She was referred to throughout the season by her nickname "Sugar."

Kiper found the Hidden Immunity Idol very soon after arriving on Exile Island, beating the late lawyer Dan Kay who got the same opportunity the previous episode, and she played it during Episode 12 to save fellow contestant Matty Whitmore, thus negating two votes cast against him and ensuring the elimination of athlete Crystal Cox. She ended the series in third place, losing to teacher Robert Crowley and hairdresser Susie Smith. She was also the second choice for the 'Sprint Survivor of the Season' award, losing again to winner Crowley.

Kiper also holds a unique Survivor distinction of reaching the Gabon final with no votes ever cast against her, but also not receiving any votes to win. Thus, she never once had her name written down during the run of the game at Gabon.

Survivor host Jeff Probst commented on Kiper, saying, "She is in an excellent spot to make it to the final vote. I'll give her credit. She has done a very good job of staying in this game and staying out of the way. She's survived a record number of days on Exile, she handled the power of the immunity idol beautifully, and she has earned her right to be in the final five."[8]

Heroes vs. Villains

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Kiper was a contestant in the 20th season of Survivor, entitled Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. She was a member of the Heroes tribe. She was the first to be voted out, after being perceived as weak, and her emotions and flirtatious behavior irritating her tribemates. She finished the season in 20th place.

Personal life

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Kiper currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, photographer Nicholas Critelli, and daughter.[9] She has five siblings: three older sisters and one older brother on her dad's side and one younger brother on her mom's side.[citation needed] She has fourteen nieces and nephews and believes family to be one of the most important things in life.[citation needed] She grew up with a special bond to her father, being his youngest child.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 Alien Arsenal Female Student No. 3
2000 Therrio Boy Girl in Pool
2002 Sorority Boys Tri Pi
2004 The Gold Necklace Kiki
2005 Formosa Anne-Marie Silver
2007 Sex and Death 101 Precious/Carlotta Valdes
Beyond the Quest Grazyna

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 For Your Love Amber
2000 Undressed Zia
2001 Titus Prom Date
2002 Gilmore Girls Shane 4 episodes
Angel Nick
2003 Judging Amy Teenage Girl
2008 Survivor: Gabon Contestant 3rd
2010 Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains Contestant Eliminated; 20th place
2011 Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Herself
2011 Law & Order: Los Angeles Big Rock Mesa 1 episode
2012 Weeds Roller Derby Referee 2 episodes

Video games

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Year Title Role
2011 L.A. Noire Candy Edwards

References

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  1. ^ a b Kiper, Jessica. "untitled". Twitter. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  2. ^ "'Survivor': 30 Hottest Castaways". Entertainment Weekly. December 4, 2010. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2010. Survivor: Gabon — Earth's Last Eden
  3. ^ Dalton Ross (August 27, 2008). "'Survivor: Gabon': Meet the Players!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 4, 2010. Meet the 18 men and women who'll attempt to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other on this fall's Survivor – with exclusive video clips and Jeff Probst's thoughts on each
  4. ^ Kiper, Jessica. "Twitter". Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  5. ^ "Survivor: Redemption Island Cast – Jessica". CBS. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  6. ^ For Your Love, March 17, 1998, retrieved February 19, 2016
  7. ^ "Family Weekend". Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Season 5. Episode 6. July 31, 2011. VH1.
  8. ^ "Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Gabon' (episode 13)". Entertainment Weekly. December 12, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  9. ^ Helling, Steve (February 18, 2016). "Survivor's Sugar Kiper is Married – and Has a New Baby Girl!". People. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
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