The Challenge Season 40 Cast Guide

Summary

• The Challenge has seen many competitors come and go over the years, but some have stood out as fan favorites and fierce competitors.
• The Challenge season 40 will feature 40 competitors all from different eras of the series.
• The cast of The Challenge season 40 is the biggest cast in Challenge history.

The Challenge season 40 will be a battle of the eras, bringing together a cast of Challengers from four different eras of the series to compete for a prize and bragging rights in a milestone season. Beginning as The Real World/Road Rules Challenge in 1998, The Challenge has become a staple of reality TV competition. Creating stars from memorable reality TV faces, The Challenge has changed the game for decades. Originally, the show invited stars from The Real World and Road Rules into a brand-new competition to face off, but over the years, it’s morphed into a different beast.

While The Challenge has been on since 1998, its current format didn’t start until a few years into the competition, when the game became more strategic and repeat competitors started creating new elements to the game. With stars from the original two series mixing in with new competitors over the years from shows like Are You The One?, Big Brother, and Survivor, the show has been able to diversify its cast and build even deeper connections between its castmates. Coming together for a monumental 40th season of competition, The Challenge season 40’s cast has been divided into teams to compete.

Tina Barta

8 Challenges

Tina Barta, who has gotten married since her last appearance on The Challenge, was originally a star on Road Rules: South Pacific. She’s a first-era representative, having been introduced during The Challenge season 7, the first round of The Gauntlet. Tina has competed in 8 challenges, been to 2 finals, and was last seen on The Challenge: All Stars season 4.

Katie Cooley

11 Challenges, 1 Win

Katie Cooley was also a Road Rules star, having appeared on Road Rules: The Quest before her time on The Challenge began. She’s competed in 10 seasons of the series, having gotten her start in the same season as Tina on The Challenge season 7, The Gauntlet. Katie, who has one final and one win under her belt, was last seen on The Challenge: All Stars season 2.

Aneesa Ferreira

17 Challenges

Aneesa Ferreira has competed in 16 seasons of The Challenge, and after appearing on The Real World: Chicago, it’s clear she enjoys pursuing reality TV. Aneesa’s first season on the series was The Challenge season 6, but she’s been a part of nearly 20 other casts and has run 4 finals, though she’s never won the game. Aneesa’s last appearance on The Challenge was during The Challenge season 38, Ride Or Dies.

Brad Fiorenza

13 Challenges, 1 Win

Originally from The Real World: San Diego in 2004, Brad Fiorenza has been competing on The Challenge since shortly after his time on his original series. First appearing during The Challenge season 9, Brad has been on 13 seasons of the show in total. Having been to three finals, Brad has secured one win in the past. He was last seen on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Derrick Kosinski

13 Challenges, 3 Wins

A cast member from Road Rules: X-Treme, Derrick Kosinski is known to be one of the toughest physical competitors on the series. Derrick’s first season of the show was The Challenge season 9, but he’s competed on the series in 13 different seasons after his initial appearance. Having been to three finals, Derrick has won each of the finals he’s made it to and was last seen on The Challenge All Stars season 3.

Mark Long

8 Challenges, 2 Wins

As an original Challenger, Mark Long has been with The Challenge in some capacity or another for the duration of its run. Appearing in the original season of Road Rules USA: The First Adventure, Mark was a sen on The Challenge season 2, when it was still known as The Real World vs. Road Rules Challenge. Having competed in eight seasons, Mark has been to four finals and has two wins under his belt. He was last see on The Challenge All Stars season 3.

Rachel Robinson

8 Challenges, 2 Wins

Another Road Rules star, Rachel Robinson was originally seen on Road Rules: Campus Crawl before moving on to The Challenge season 6. Having competed in eight challenges, Rachel has two wins under her belt coming into The Challenge season 40. Her last appearance on the series was during The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Chris “C.T.” Tamburello

19 Challenges, 5 Wins

One of the biggest names in Challenge history, Chris “C.T.” Tamburello was originally seen on The Real World: Paris before getting his start on the show. C.T., who most recently won The Traitors season 2 with fellow Challenge alum Trishelle Cannatella, was first seen on The Challenge season 8. Since then, he’s competed in 18 other seasons of the show, and has won five finals, two back to back, in total. C.T. has become one of the strongest Challenge competitors in the game.

Darrell Taylor

14 Challenges, 4 Wins

A major competitive threat, Darrell Taylor started off on Road Rules: Campus Crawl alongside Rachel. Having joined the show during The Challenge season 7, Darrell is known for his physical abilities and has been able to show off what he can do in 15 different challenges. Having won five finals, Darrell was last seen on The Challenge World Championship.

Jodi Weatherton

5 Challenges, 2 Wins

With her first appearance on MTV alongside Derrick on Road Rules: X-Treme, Jodi Weatherton was familiar with The Challenge style competition when she joined the show in The Challenge season 10. Having since competed in 5 different seasons of the series, Jodi has proven herself by taking home two final wins. Jodi was last seen on The Challenge World Championship.

Derek Chavez

5 Challenges

With his original MTV appearance on The Real World: Cancun, Derek Chavez is representing the second era of Challengers. His original appearance on The Challenge season 20, branded as The Challenge: Cutthroat, was the first of five appearances he’s had on the series. He’s been to one final in the past, but has yet to win the game. Viewers last saw Derek on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Nehemiah Clark

7 Challenges, 1 win

A part of the cast of The Real World: Austin, Nehemiah Clark has been a huge personality on The Challenge in the past. Having began his time on The Challenge season 13, he’s been a part of seven other seasons of the series. Having been to two finals, Nehemiah only has one win under his belt and is looking for another. His most recent appearance in the franchise was on The Challenge All Stars season 3.

Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio

23 Challenges, 7 Wins

Arguably the most famous Challenge cast member of all time, Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio has been known for his involvement with The Challenge for years. Originally appearing on The Real World: Key West, Johnny’s first Challenge wasn’t until The Challenge season 13, where he struggled to compete. Since his first appearance, Johnny has competed in 25 seasons, and has won an impressive seven finals. His most recent appearance was on The Challenge USA season 2.

KellyAnne Judd

7 Challenges

A cast member of The Real World: Sydney, KellyAnne Judd has been part of the Challenge family since The Challenge season 16. Having competed in seven different seasons of The Challenge over the years, KellyAnne has been to three finals in the past, though she’s never managed to secure the win. KellyAnne’s most recent appearance was on The Challenge World Championship.

Ryan Kehoe

7 Challenges

As one of the first Challengers not to come from The Real World or Road Rules, Ryan Kehoe got his start on The Challenge season 12, branded as The Challenge: Fresh Meat. This season invited players outside of the MTV universe to apply and be cast for the season. Ryan has competed in seven seasons of The Challenge in total, and though he’s only run one final in the past, he’s been a formidable competitor. His most recent appearance was on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Aviv Melmed

1 Challenge, 1 Win

Another Challenger from the Fresh Meat season of The Challenge, Aviv Melmed was originally paired with Darrell during her first season. While she’s a formidable competitor in her own right, Aviv’s abilities and Darrell’s direction pushed her to secure a win in her only season of The Challenge. Having never returned to the series after The Challenge season 12, Aviv will be experiencing an entirely different show when she comes back for The Challenge season 40.

Brandon Nelson

6 Challenges

A cast member originally seen on The Challenge season 19, the second iteration of Fresh Meat, Brandon Nelson has been part of the Challenge world after his initial season. Brandon hasn’t had the best track record during his time on The Challenge, but he’s a capable competitor nonetheless. Having competed in six different seasons of The Challenge, Brandon has never run a final. He was most recently seen on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Emily Schromm

3 Challenges, 1 Win

An alum of The Real World: D.C., Emily Schromm is one of the only competitors who came from an original show in era 2. Emily’s Challenge history is interesting. She first competed on The Challenge season 20, but has only returned a few times after her initial season. Having been to two finals in her four seasons of The Challenge, Emily has one win under her belt. Her most recent appearance was on The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars season 1.

Cara Maria Sorbello

15 Challenges, 2 Wins

Another Fresh Meat alum, Cara Maria Sorbello has become synonymous with The Challenge in recent years. Though she got her start on The Challenge season 19, having partnered up with Darrell during her inaugural season, Cara Maria has become a huge threat in her own right in subsequent seasons. Cara Maria has competed in 16 different seasons of the series, and taken home the three wins during her time on the show. Most recently, Cara Maria was seen on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Laurel Stucky

8 Challenges, 2 Wins

Laurel Stucky

Having come into The Challenge during the same Fresh Meat season as Cara Maria, Laurel Stucky has also become a huge name in Challenge history. Known for being highly competitive and, at times, devoidof emotion, Laurel has been a part of eight seasons of The Challenge in the past. Her original Challenge season was The Challenge season 19, and since then she’s run three finals with two wins under her belt.Laurel was most recently seen on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Tori Deal

9 Challenges, 1 Win

During the third era of The Challenge, cast members began to get plucked from MTV’s Are You The One? along with The Real World, which is how Tori Deal got her start with the network. Original from AYTO? season 4, Tori’s first season was The Challenge season 30. Since, she’s competed on 11 seasons of the show. Tori has run five finals and secured one win. Her most recent appearance was on The Challenge USA season 2.

Amanda Garcia

7 Challenges

Another AYTO? cast member, Amanda Garcia got her start on AYTO? season 3 before moving over to The Challenge. Originally appearing on The Challenge season 28, Amanda came into the competition with something to prove. Having competed in seven different seasons of the show, Amanda has yet to run a final or win the game. She was last seen on The Challenge USA season 2.

Leroy Garrett

13 Challenges

A cast member from The Real World: Las Vegas 2011, Leroy Garrett came into the game with a personal vendetta. Competing on The Challenge season 21, Rivals, Leroy knew he had to work with his Real World castmate Michael Ross during his first season, where he made it to the final. Since his original appearance, Leroy has been on 13 seasons of The Challenge and made it to 6 finals. He was most recently seen on The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Jonna Mannion

10 Challenges, 2 Wins

Originally part of The Real World: Cancun like Derek, Jonna also came into the game with a rival during The Challenge season 21. Competing alongside her The Real World: Cancun castmate Jasmine Reynaud, Jonna struggled, but enjoyed the game enough to come back. Jonna has appeared on 10 seasons of The Challenge, having run 2 finals and won both. She was most recently seen on The Challenge USA season 2.

Nia Moore

4 Challenges

Nia Moore was originally on The Real World: Portland before coming to The Challenge. Having originally appeared on The Challenge season 25, Nia has only competed in three seasons of the series in the past. She made it to the final during The Challenge All Stars, but has yet to secure a win. Most recently, Nia was seen on The Challenge World Championship.

Tony Raines

7 Challenges, 1 Win

Originally, Tony Raines was a part of the cast of The Real World: Skeletons before moving into The Challenge world. He first appeared on The Challenge season 27, branded The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines, alongside his brother Shane Raines. While Tony has been in and out of The Challenge due to injuries, he’s been a part of seven seasons of the series, having secured one win during his time on the show. Tony was most recently seen during The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Averey Tressler

3 Challenges

Another cast member from The Real World: Portland, Averey Tressler joined The Challenge shortly after her appearance on the original show. Having first competed on The Challenge season 26, Averey hasn’t been able to show off her full skillset during her appearances on the show. Averey has been a part of three seasons of The Challenge, but has yet to run a final or secure a win. She was most recently seen during The Challenge All Stars season 4.

Devin Walker

7 Challenges, 1 Win

Originally a part of AYTO? season 3, Devin Walker has proven himself to be a strong competitor on The Challenge in the past. Devin’s first appearance was on The Challenge season 28, but he has since competed in eight seasons of the series. Having run two finals and won the game once, Devin is known for his mental strategy. His most recent appearance was on The Challenge season 38, which he won alongside Tori.

Cory Wharton

10 Challenges

Cory Wharton got his start on The Real World: Ex-plosion before moving on to The Challenge. Despite having some complicated personal histories with many of the other competitions on the show, Cory has worked hard for his Challenge appearances. Originally appearing on The Challenge season 27, Cory has been on 12 seasons of the show and competed in five finals. Though he’s never won, Cory is always trying his best to secure a win. He was most recently seen on The Challenge USA season 2.

Jordan Wiseley

10 Challenges, 4 Wins

Another cast member from The Real World: Portland, Jordan Wiseley has been a fierce competitor during his time on The Challenge. Originally appearing on The Challenge season 24, Jordan has been on 10 seasons of the series and run six finals, winning three times. Most recently, Jordan was on The Challenge World Championship, having taken the win.

Paulie Calafiore

4 Challenges

In the most recent era of The Challenge, competitors from various shows across the reality TV competition spectrum were brought into the game to change things up, including Big Brother 18’s Paulie Calafiore. Having competed in four different seasons of the series, Paulie’s first season was The Challenge season 32. He’s run two finals in the past, though he’s come up short for the win. Paulie was most recently on The Challenge USA season 2.

Theo Campbell

3 Challenges

An alum of Love Island UK season 3, Theo Campbell came to The Challenge hoping to prove himself. His first appearance was on The Challenge season 33, which brought together cast members from different series all over the world to compete together. Theo has competed in three different seasons of The Challenge, and been to two finals in his time on the show. He was last seen on The Challenge World Championship.

Kaycee Clark

5 Challenges, 1 Win

A cast member of Big Brother 20 originally, Kaycee Clark joined The Challenge to show off her competitive side. Originally appearing on The Challenge season 35, Kaycee has been on five seasons of the show overall and has competed in three finals. Kaycee has taken home one win during her run on the show, and was most recently seen on The Challenge World Championship.

Michele Fitzgerald

4 Challenges

Survivor 32 competitor Michele Fitzgerald was a two-time Survivor, having appeared both on Kaoh Rong and Winners At War before moving over to The Challenge. Her first appearance on The Challenge season 37 showed off her strategic prowess, and she went on to appear on four seasons of the show total. While she’s never been in a final or won a season, Michele has been able to prove her status as a competitor. Michele was most recently seen on The Challenge season 39, Battle For A New Champion.

Horacio Gutiérrez Jr.

2 Challenges

Horacio Gutiérrez Jr. was originally on Exatlon Estados Unidos season 5, but his time on The Challenge has proven that he’s a fierce competitor. Horacio first appeared on The Challenge season 38, paired with Olivia Kaiser. Having made it to the final, Horacio and Olivia placed fourth after a harrowing injury took her out of the game. Having competed on two seasons of The Challenge, Horacio has run one final but has yet to win the game. He was most recently seen on The Challenge season 39, Battle For A New Champion.

Olivia Kaiser

2 Challenges

Olivia, who was Horacio’s partner on The Challenge season 38, originally appeared on Love Island USA season 3. After making her way to The Challenge, Olivia proved herself as a competitor, visiting elimination nearly every week she was eligible throughout the season. Though she was taken out by an injury that broke her nose during The Challenge season 38, she returned for the next season to give it another try. She was most recently seen on The Challenge season 39, Battle For A New Champion.

Josh Martinez

6 Challenges

The winner of Big Brother 19, Josh Martinez has been a polarizing figure on The Challenge since his initial appearance. Josh started his Challenge career during The Challenge season 33, where he competed with fellow Big Brother alumni and wound up putting a major target on his back. While Josh has appeared on six seasons of The Challenge, he has yet to run a final or take home a win. He was most recently seen on The Challenge USA season 2.

Nurys Mateo

2 Challenges

Originally on Are You The One? season 6, Nurys Mateo is new to The Challenge, but has been able to establish herself as a competitor. Originally appearing on The Challenge season 38, Nurys has been on two seasons of the series in total, and has made it to one final. Though she has yet to win, Nurys has done well in showing off her skillset. She was most recently seen on The Challenge season 39, Battle For A New Champion.

Jenny West

2 Challenges, 1 win

Originally a cast member of Survival Of The Fittest, Jenny West came to The Challenge to continue to try and use her physical prowess to compete and win. First appearing on The Challenge season 34, Jenny as been on two seasons of the show thus far. Having taken home a win, Jenny has been a great competitor to watch. She was most recently seen on The Challenge season 35.

Kyland Young

2 Challenges

A cast member from Big Brother 23, Kyland Young chose to put his competitive prowess to the test and join The Challenge. Having first appeared on The Challenge season 39, Kyland has just one season of the traditional Challenge under his belt, though he also competed on The Challenge USA. With no finals run and no wins yet, Kyland is hoping to make it far on The Challenge season 40.

Sources: Tina Bridges/Instagram, Ryan Kehoe/Instagram