The Challenge: Cutthroat is going to bring drama, competition and maybe even some red hot romances.
“Here’s what I will say. I would have thought that the people who had been on Love Island would have actually been better at being in showmances, but they left a lot on the table, and it was up to us,” Johnny Bananas exclusively shared with Us on Monday, August 3, when teasing the new season. “I don’t want to say us — some or maybe one wild vet — to teach them how Challenge showmances were. Josh Goldstein, Leo [Dionicio]!
In the official trailer for season 42, fans started speculating about who may experience a showmance or hookup when one contestant was overheard asking, “Are we on Love Island or are we on The Challenge?”
While viewers will have to tune in to see who kisses and tells, Michele Fitzgerald admitted some costars were down to play.
“I feel like all the new blood came in with little tiny bikinis and a want to wear them, so it was a matter of time before there would be a Love Island aspect,” she teased, revealing there was no shortage of temptation for some stars. “I think there were a lot of hot people willing to hang out with a lot of hot people. I think you’re gonna see a lot of hookups and no face tattoos this time for me, so that’s a win.”
Before falling in love with The Challenge star Devin Walker, Michele, 36, had a brief romantic showmance with Emanuel Neagu during The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies in 2021.
Former Love Island contestant Deb Chubb joked that she “fell in love with herself” while filming this season. At the same time, she wasn’t surprised to see some sparks fly in the group.
“When you’re in a villa with a lot of hot people, you kind of get Stockholm syndrome,” she explained. “You’re obviously gonna fall in love with someone.”
Johnny, 44, added, “I will say this was a very horny cast.”
Romance aside, this new season — streaming on Paramount+ — promises to bring plenty of twists and turns to the cast.
Twenty-four contestants will live in a beautiful Thailand villa and be divided into three teams chosen by three captains. The teams are permanent and the only way to take home a share of the $500,000 cash prize in the end is to cross the finish line together as a unit.
Strategy and performance are pushed to the limit in this merciless season hosted by TJ Lavin.
“I think in the past, it’s very regimented, like challenge, elimination, interview, challenge, elimination. This was so much more open,” Tori Deal told Us. “There was room to have fun. They wanted us to get along and to vibe. And actually, I feel like I had more fun this season than I’ve had since. Also, the team dynamic was helpful because it felt like you had a built-in group, obviously. I think there should be more fun — depending on how it’s edited.”
Watch all the fun unfold when Season 42 of MTV’s The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres on Paramount+ Wednesday, August 5. The season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter.
