A few months ago, I got to introduce RFT readers to one of my favorite musicians and all-around Renaissance women, Annie Davis of Trashy Annie. This Austin-based musician continues to astound me with everything she does on and off stage, and today’s update just proves me right in my belief that there’s nothing she can’t do. CBS recently announced their cast for the 49th season, and Annie Davis is one of the cast members. But wait, there’s more! She’s also releasing a brand-new album a month later on October 31st.
In case you missed my first article about Trashy Annie, she’s an outlaw alt-rocker who picked up a guitar and became a rock star in her 40s, because why the hell not? Her songs are anthems for those who recklessly pursue being themselves with open hearts and arms. “Born Pretty” is a fierce clapback for anyone who has ever felt like they’ve had to apologize for the way they look, and “Bama” is the soul song for anyone who’s ever had to remind their audience that the best way to support them is to just freaking pay them. Annie Davis chose the name Trashy Annie for the band as a whole when armchair critics tried to tell her that her get-up was too young and “trashy” for someone her age. Annie said “bet,” leaned into tutus and sequins even harder, and basically said, “thank you, this is mine now,” to the “trashy” allegations.
I won’t rehash Annie’s journey to becoming a musician here; just know that she fought with her whole being for every last drop of musical knowledge and know-how you see in her onstage. She’s also a warrior in her own right and started competing in triathlons simply because she decided that putting it all on the line was the best way to learn how to swim. Annie’s the living, breathing embodiment of “do it scared.”
Well, it’s a good thing Annie’s spent so much time learning to swim, bike, and run like a mountain goat on a mission, because she’s a cast member for season 49 of Survivor. Annie and her fellow castaways will compete in Fiji for the chance to win $1 million, and a strut across the stage this will not be. The castmates will be expected to, well, survive in a remote location with very few supplies provided to them. They’ll be in competition with one another but also expected to work together to keep going on the island. After every cycle of the game, there’s a meeting of the tribal council in which one cast member is voted off the island. The competition gets intense, and alliances get 30 different kinds of sticky. When it comes to Annie, though, I have no doubt that my iron-clad belief in her ability to adapt and make friends wherever she is will be proven valid. She doesn’t need sequined cat ears and a tutu to get people to listen to her — even if that is the way she presents on stage when not on the island.
Because Annie Davis never does anything half-assed, the newest Trashy Annie album drops on October 31st. Happy Halloween to one and all — I will absolutely be streaming that bad boy from the minute my preferred streaming service (team Spotify, here) grants me access. Trashy Annie’s music never fails to leave me energized, feeling seen, and remembering what it feels like to be my truest self.
So how do you think Annie will do on Survivor? I think she’ll do what she does with everything: jump in with both feet and figure it out as she goes, with the kind of strength and style that leaves everyone around her needing to pick their jaw up off the ground. We won’t know until season 49 airs, so tune in September 24th to watch Annie take Survivor by storm.
