Sixteen new threats have entered the competition to begin a “new era” of The Challenge. They have to climb a mountain, which will determine their order when picking their partners. As they compete, we see a montage of TJ interrogating the cast, and the veterans asking them canned questions.
Since this isn’t a formal episode from the season, here are the things you need to know about the New Threat leading into the premier on July 30.
Adrienne Naylor
After being on Married at First Sight, Adrienne says she’s not fazed by anything. She’s been training to get on the show, which has been an extension of her weight loss journey. In addition to this motivation, she claims she brings a “touch of glam.”
Partner: Rogan
America Lopez
This self-described Big Brother underdog has been practicing multiplication tables and puzzles to prepare for the Challenge. She might not be the strongest person, but she knows how to binge a show — she watched 30 Challenge seasons to prepare for this season.
Partner: Turbo
Ben Davis
This sports broadcaster has been preparing for the Challenge for a few months, but he knows he’s not the most jacked. He claims he’ll fight until he’s dead — and if a few months of CrossFit hurt his back, the Challenge may actually kill him.
Partner: Nany
Blue Kim
Eager to meet TJ, Blue called him “girl” while describing her potential. She claims she did well on Big Brother, and she’s been training to be on the Challenge. She hopes to win this season to support her sick mother and so she can get a boob job.
Partner: Derek
Cedric Hodges
Coming from Big Brother, Cedric was very enthusiastic when meeting TJ. He was an intelligence analyst in the US Marines, and he thinks these skills will adapt to the Challenge.
Partner: Olivia
Dee Valladares
This Survivor winner calls herself a team player, but she won the show by manipulating people — which she claims she’ll do on the Challenge. She wanted to avoid Bananas coming into the show, but her success on Survivor caught his eye. Apparently, Bananas has also been shot by Cupid’s “empanada.”
Partner: Johnny Bananas
Gabe Wai
This former rugby player and WWE wrestler claims to be a little bit of a freak. His background also includes a stint in the military and growing up as a chubby kid, which got him bullied, but now he owns the “freak” title.
Partner: Ashley
Izzy Fairthorne
Izzy claims to be an athlete, a hockey player, and a trainer — she even did a few puzzles to prepare for The Challenge. She’s from Too Hot to Handle and Perfect Match, and she might not be fully detached from the dating world. She quickly catches Rogan’s attention — so he “polidicks” with her by making out in the kitchen.
1st place female. Partner: Theo
Jake Cornish
Though he comes from Love Island UK, Jake attributes his abilities to boxing, “football,” and everyday training. He hopes to push himself to the limit on the Challenge.
Partner: Cara Maria
Justin Hinsley
Coming from Cheer, Justin feels he has resilience and mental toughness from his time as a competitive cheerleader. He wants to represent the sport by proving someone from that world can excel on the Challenge.
Partner: Nia
Leka Sodade
This competitor from Canada’s Ultimate Challenge said she was feisty, a villain, and a slew of other words. As a “child of God” she seems to have a lot of faith in her abilities on the show.
Partner: Derrick
Leonardo Dionicio
Coming from Love Island, this competitor describes himself as “unserious” and believes being on a dating show will be an asset. He thinks he’ll play with his emotions, but he’s trained in the gym for the Challenge and he’s “been swimming.”
Partner: Aneesa
Sydney Segal
From Survivor, Sydney claims she’s a good swimmer. She graduated law school and was a D1 cross-country runner, so she feels she didn’t have to “get ready” for the Challenge. She feels she’ll bring her “LA lifestyle” to the show and believes the audience is blessed to see her compete.
Partner: Leroy
Tay Wilcoxson
From Big Brother Australia, Tay credits her social game as her biggest asset. She’s on the Challenge to prove to herself that she can do it.
Partner: CT
Will Gagnon
Coming from Are You the One 9 (the season on Paramount that no one watched), Will says he’s entering the game solely as himself and without baggage. He wants to prove he’s a team player who’ll stand behind people who stand with him.
Partner: Michaela
Yeremi Hykel
This Amazing Race competitor is a former marine and an ultra marathon runner. He describes himself as positive, and he feels he can adapt to individual and solo games.
1st place male. Partner: Aviv
Stop Being Polite 