The Challenge Cast Hints at a Wild New Season Packed with ‘Steamy’ Hookups
The Challenge: Cutthroat promises intense drama, fierce competition, and possibly some sizzling romances.
“What I can say is that I expected the Love Island contestants to be better at navigating showmances, but they left a lot on the table, which we had to pick up,” Johnny Bananas exclusively revealed to Us on Monday, August 3, while hinting at the upcoming season. “I don’t want to say it was us—maybe just one or two adventurous veterans—showing them how Challenge showmances work. Josh Goldstein, Leo [Dionicio]!”
In the official trailer for season 42, viewers began speculating about potential showmances or hookups when one contestant was heard asking, “Are we on Love Island or The Challenge?”
While fans will need to tune in to discover who kisses and tells, Michele Fitzgerald acknowledged that some cast members were eager to engage.
“I feel like all the new contestants showed up in tiny bikinis ready to wear them, so it was only a matter of time before there was a Love Island vibe,” she teased, sharing that the temptation was plentiful for some cast members. “There were so many attractive people willing to mingle with other attractive people. I think viewers will see many hookups and, thankfully, no face tattoos for me this time, so that’s a win.”
Before finding love with The Challenge star Devin Walker, Michele, 36, briefly dated Emanuel Neagu during The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies in 2021.
Former Love Island star Deb Chubb humorously claimed that she “fell in love with herself” while filming this season, though she wasn’t shocked to see some chemistry develop among the group.
“When you’re in a villa filled with attractive people, you can’t help but get a bit of Stockholm syndrome,” she explained. “Naturally, you’re going to develop feelings for someone.”
Johnny, 44, remarked, “I’ll say this: this cast is quite lively.”
Putting romances aside, this season—streaming on Paramount+—is set to feature numerous twists and surprises.
Twenty-four contestants will reside in a stunning villa in Thailand and will be split into three teams led by captains. The teams will be fixed, and the only way to claim a share of the $500,000 cash prize is to finish together as a unit.
In this ruthless season hosted by TJ Lavin, strategy and performance will be pushed to the limits.
“I think in the past, it felt quite structured—challenge, elimination, interview, challenge, elimination. This time felt much more relaxed,” Tori Deal shared with Us. “There was space for fun. They encouraged us to connect and bond. Honestly, I think I had more enjoyment this season than I have had in a while. Plus, the team dynamic was beneficial since we had a built-in group. I believe more fun can be expected—depending on how it’s edited.”
Catch all the excitement when Season 42 of MTV’s The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres on Paramount+ on Wednesday, August 5. The season kicks off with two episodes, followed by weekly episodes thereafter.
