Meet ‘The Challenge’ Season 42 Contestants
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Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
Game on. Paramount+ has revealed the full line-up of contestants who will appear on The Challenge Season 42, the flagship show’s first streaming-only debut.
The new season, which is themed “Cutthroat,” brings back some of the series’ all-time greats, along with some of the most impressive “New Threats” from last season, and some recent reality show standouts.
The Challenge Season 42 premieres next month, starting August 5, so before the new season launches, get to know all of this season’s Challengers, below.
The Challenge, Season 42 Premiere, August 5, Paramount+
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Chris “CT” Tamburello, @famous4nothing – Five-time Challenge champion CT has stolen the hearts of America for more than twenty seasons, but he’s looking to erase his poor performance on Vets & New Threats and remind everyone why he’s one of the most feared Challengers.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- John “Johnny Bananas” DeVenanzio, @johnnybananas – Self-proclaimed GOAT, Johnny Bananas hasn’t taken home a championship since Total Madness, and after an early exit from Vets & New Threats, he’s looking to defy the odds, end his slump, and bring home an illustrious eighth victory.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Cara Maria Sorbello, @misscaramaria – Two-time Challenge Champ Cara Maria returns after stepping away from the game last season to be with her mother, in hopes of adding a historic third Championship to her resume, something few women in the game have done.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Victoria “Tori” Deal, @tori_deal – Despite making it to the Final on Battle of the Eras, Tori took fourth and left empty-handed, but the Ride or Dies champ has put in the work during her time away and shows up ready to take home the whole bag.
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- Brad Fiorenza, @bradfiorenza – OG Vet Brad’s only Challenge Championship comes from the original Cutthroat and now he’s looking to leverage that experience and lead his team to victory, again.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Nelson Thomas, @nelsonthomas – After a devastating car accident that changed the trajectory of his life, Nelson makes his long-awaited return to The Challenge, ready to prove he is still a fierce competitor, hoping for his first win, and, more importantly, hoping to inspire other amputees out there.
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- Cory Wharton, @corywharton_ig – Known for being one of the best to never win, a girl dad and Teen Mom cast member Cory Wharton returns for his 12th season, striving to finally add Challenge Champion to his resume.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Michele Fitzgerald, @mich_fitz – Michele has been was so close to achieving what few Survivor alum have done, win a Challenge Championship, after dropping from first to third due to karma points on Battle of the Eras. This season, she refuses to let the same thing happen twice and leave her fate up to others.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Chris Underwood, @chris.under.wood – Winner of both Survivor: Edge of Extinction and The Challenge: USA 2, Chris anticipates continuing his undefeated winning streak, but this time, with less elimination appearances.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Nurys Mateo, @nuryskmateo – Breakout Battle for a New Champion runner-up Nurys is looking to bring a different energy into this season. Now that she is single, she can focus on playing the game, not her relationship drama, plus she has her Ride or Die bestie Nelson to have her back.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Isabella “Izzy” Fairthorne, @izfairr – The Too Hot to Handle alum quickly found love and elimination on her debut in Vets & New Threats. She returns to The Challenge house hungry for a win, but her plate may, once again, be too full of boys and drama.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Anna Leigh Wilson, @thebucketlistvagabond – Known for being the uber-competitive half of the daughter/dad duo on The Amazing Race 35, Anna Leigh comes in solo for her freshman season and anticipates using her Challenge knowledge to dominate the game.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Deb Chubb,@debchubb – A fan favorite from Love Island USA Season 4, Deb was beloved for her humor, authenticity, and infectious personality, and plans to use those traits to lull her competition into underestimating her abilities all the way to a win.
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- Alexis “Lete” Lete, @lexlete – A former WWE NXT performer and Miss Indiana USA, 2020, Lete makes her Challenge debut and hopes to change her title of Runner-Up on Deal or No Deal Island, to Challenge Champion.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio, @leonardo_dionicio – Leo caused a ruckus in the house on Vets & New Threats with his cunning strategy and expects to use that same tactic, along with his Love Island charm, to add champ to his name.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Adrienne Naylor, @adriennenaylor – Adrienne was sent into four eliminations on Vets & New Threats, escaping them all victorious, but had to bow out in the middle of the Final early, taking fourth place. This season, there’s no quit in her – and her drive to win is stronger than ever.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Keanu Soto, @keanureysoto – Keanu had his back up against the wall on Big Brother 27, narrowly missing out on a victory, but with strategy and athleticism, won the hearts of America with a personality as big as his biceps. He is looking to channel what he learned about his social game into a successful Challenge run.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Will Gagnon, @itsjustwilltoday – Will proved to everyone he’s one to watch out for with his brute strength and emotional outbursts on Vets & New Threats, but the stake-a-claim twist tanked his almost near-perfect run, something he plans to erase from the records and replace with a Challenge championship.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Cedric Hodges, @officiallyced – Big Brother alum Cedric had a breakout freshman season, evading almost every elimination until the Final, where he took home the bronze. This time, Cedric expects a perfect run all the way to a Challenge championship.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Justin Hinsley, @jushinsley_ – After proving everyone wrong in the first elimination of Vets & New Threats, but falling just short before the Final, Justin’s coming in hot for his sophomore season with his eyes on the prize… and a bit of revenge.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Josh Goldstein, @josh.goldy_ – Love Island alum Josh is excited to get his hands dirty on his freshman season, and prove he’s more than just a pretty face and that his leadership skills make him a serious competitor… and, still, a great catch.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Cassidy Clark, @cahleesi – The runner-up of Survivor 43 saw the Elimination Arena four times on The Challenge USA 2, losing out on the chance to make it all the way just before the Final. Cassidy has put that loss in the rear view and is laser-focused on a title win this time around.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Sydney Segal, @queensydney – Survivor alum, Sydney made her Challenge debut on Vets & New Threats, narrowly missing out on victory in the home stretch of the Final. The brash runner-up and Rookie of the Year has no problem reminding everyone she is the best – period.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
- Reilly Smedley, @reillysmedley – After winning the first Head of Household on Big Brother 25, Reilly’s seat at the top was quickly toppled, getting her sent packing second from the house. She’s hoping her first time in the Challenge house will be much longer and more successful.
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
T.J. Le
Jonne Roriz / Paramount+
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