Luke Toki captured the hearts of Australia during his two stints on Australian Survivor – in 2017 and 2019 – sharing how, if he won, he’d use the prize money to help his two sons with autism and his daughter with cystic fibrosis.
But when Luke finished only fourth in the 2019 season, fans rallied to his aid, creating a GoFund Me that raised more than $550,000.
“If it wasn’t for that GoFund Me, I wouldn’t be able to do these things [The Traitors],” Luke tells TV WEEK. “It completely changed my life.”
The 36-year-old has three children with his wife Mary – Lennox, Nate and Madeline. Having the financial relief has helped Luke transition from fly in, fly out work as a mining technician to the real estate industry.
Luke became a favourite on Australian Survivor in 2017.
(Credit: Channel 10)
It has also enabled him to participate in more reality shows, such as Big Brother VIP, where he won $100,000 for his nominated charity, the Perth Children’s Hospital, and The Traitors.
“Who can do a midlife career change when you have mortgages and kids?” Luke says with a laugh.
“I’ve got three kids and had two dogs die this year, but this has helped put me in a position where I can be present with my family and have these experiences.”
Would he do another reality show? “Aren’t people sick of seeing me on their televisions?” Luke says with a laugh.
(Credit: Channel 10)The Perth local draws from these personal challenges and says they’ve helped build resilience, which has in turn enhanced his game play throughout The Traitors.
“I thrive in high-pressure situations,” Luke reveals. “It was a mentally exhausting game, because you’re overthinking constantly, and by yourself a lot, which makes your subconscious go wild. But I’d never played a murder mystery before, so I still had a lot of fun.”
