Supreme Court justice ties lessons from reality show 'Survivor' into commencement address

When Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered her commencement address to American University law students on Saturday, she leaned on an unexpected source for life advice: The reality television show "Survivor."

"I am a 'Survivor' superfan," Jackson told graduates of the American University Washington College of Law in her first commencement speech since her elevation to the high court. "That's right. When I say 'Survivor,' I am indeed referring to the reality TV show, where people are stranded on an island and compete to become the last person standing."

The long-running reality series served as the central theme of Jackson's speech as she weaved in certain episodes to teach life lessons on how to survive a legal career.

"If you make the most of the resources you have, use your strengths to make your mark and play the long game in your interactions with others, you will not only survive - you will thrive," she said.

Jackson, who was confirmed to the court last year, barely mentioned her day job during her remarks in Washington, but she did note that May is a "busy time." She also revealed that it has not entirely sunken in as yet that she is a Supreme Court justice.

"I still wake up some mornings confused as to whether this is really happening to me or am I living in a dream," Jackson said.

Her speech detailed her "incredible journey" since graduating from law school. She noted, for instance, that while it is well known that she is the first African American woman to serve on the high court, she also was only the 40th female African American to be appointed to a federal district court, and only the ninth to serve on the federal circuit court.