In a surprising twist on the reality show Koh-Lanta, la revanche des 4 terres, 24-year-old Adrien Bernaert from Aix saw his adventure abruptly end on the 23rd day after drawing the black ball, which signified the extinction of his flame. This unexpected exit came during the first council of the reunited tribe, where Adrien was eliminated after a tense vote that ended in a tie with fellow contestant Noémie. "I was betrayed, but it's a game. I feel a bit sad for Gaëlle and Céline, who are women I appreciate and admire," he told host Denis Brogniart, reflecting on his sudden departure. He expressed his disappointment, stating, "I didn’t expect to leave so quickly. I had more to accomplish in this adventure. I hold no grudges. I came to have fun, and I did. I arrived with my values and I leave with my values and principles."
However, the drama didn’t end there. On April 29, 2025, during the tenth episode of the season, Frédéric had to leave the competition due to a shoulder injury sustained during an obstacle course challenge. "I am injured in the shoulder; I felt a big discharge," Frédéric said, visibly shaken. Following his injury, it was expected that Adrien would rejoin the competition as per the show's rules, which state that the last eliminated contestant returns to replace any departing member. But in an unprecedented decision, Brogniart announced that Adrien would not return for medical reasons and would also not participate in the final jury. "Frédéric will not be part of the final jury because he must return to France for treatment. Adrien will not return for medical reasons either," the host explained, leaving fans and contestants alike in shock.
This marked a unique moment in the history of Koh-Lanta, as neither the injured Frédéric nor Adrien would be joining the final jury. Production later clarified that each contestant goes through a medical examination immediately after leaving the show and again before any potential reintegration. They confirmed that a medical contraindication was issued regarding Adrien, but specifics could not be revealed due to confidentiality rules. "As these are medical confidentiality matters, no information regarding the contraindications is shared with production," they stated.
In the wake of the surprising developments, Maxime, who had been eliminated earlier, was allowed to return to the game, capitalizing on the situation created by Frédéric's departure. This twist not only impacted the dynamics of the game but also left viewers questioning the reasons behind Adrien's sudden medical disqualification. Was there a hidden health issue that led to this decision? The production team has remained tight-lipped, fueling speculation among fans.
Adrien's journey on Koh-Lanta had initially captured the audience's attention. He had previously expressed his determination to go further in the competition, stating, "I wanted to go further; I had the energy and the determination." Following his elimination, he reflected on his experience during a segment of Les secrets de Koh-Lanta, airing on TF1. "I’ve recovered well from this elimination. I had stopped my Tour de France by bike for Koh-Lanta and resumed it immediately after," he shared.
Despite his exit from the game, Adrien quickly transitioned back to his life in France. On October 1, 2024, he posted a video on Instagram showing his return to France, albeit with a swollen mouth and puffy eyes due to a wasp sting he suffered after a brunch in Luxembourg Gardens. "Everything happened so fast: a brunch, a glass of orange juice, and then, ouch!" he humorously recounted.
Further complicating matters, Adrien revealed that his mother had been battling ovarian cancer during the filming of the show. "She was sick at the time of filming. She continues to fight today. I was also fighting for her when I was there," he disclosed to Brogniart during the show. This personal revelation added another layer to his decision to step back from the competition.
As the season progresses, the absence of both Frédéric and Adrien from the final jury will certainly be felt. Their unexpected exits have not only altered the trajectory of the game's remaining contestants but have also left fans yearning for more clarity on the events that transpired.
With the stakes high and alliances shifting, Koh-Lanta, la revanche des 4 terres continues to deliver unexpected twists and turns. The impact of these departures will resonate through the remaining episodes as contestants navigate the complexities of the game without two of their key players.
As viewers await the next episode, one thing is clear: this season of Koh-Lanta has been anything but predictable, and fans are left to ponder the implications of medical decisions and personal revelations that have shaped the course of the competition.
