MTV’s ‘The Challenge’: Jenn Lee Tells Us About Her Time on the Show and What She Learned About Herself
Showbiz Cheat Sheet chatted with MTV’s The Challenge star Jenn Lee. Here’s what the former Amazing Race contestant had to say.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Can you explain to our readers who have never seen the show what The Challenge is about?
Jenn Lee: The Challenge is a highly competitive show that mixes extreme mental and physical challenges, social strategizing, and politics all in one. There is truly nothing like it, because not only are you competing against each other, you are also all living together.
CS: Why did you decide to join this show?
JL: Growing up, I’ve watched The Real World and The Challenge. I always thought to myself, “Wow, what a badass show. How cool would it be to be on it and be able to compete in these extreme, once-in-a-lifetime challenges? So, obviously when the opportunity was presented to me, I jumped on it and was game!
CS: What was your most challenging obstacle?
JL: I think the most challenging obstacle was the fact that I’ve never experienced this before, and also the fact that I came in completely solo with no ties to anyone. Most of the other rookies came from the MTV family or came from the same season of another TV series. I came into this completely on my own. I was at a disadvantage since I had no one on my team and had to try my hardest to make alliances. I would say social strategy and inexperience with this environment were the most challenging obstacles.
CS: How did you prepare mentally and physically for the show?
JL: To prepare for the show, I started training extra hard. I started doing two-a-days and took every fitness and cardio class ever. However, I came to realize while on the show, that rather than focusing on cardio, I should have been weight training.
CS: What did you learn about yourself after being on The Challenge?
JL: After being on The Challenge I learned that I can only tolerate shrew behavior for so long. I’m not a confrontational person. I majored in psychology, and if someone is being rude, I always try to put myself in their shoes and see why they might be acting that way. I would say I’m a pretty fair person and pretty easy-going.
However, from my experience on The Challenge, I learned that once I hit my breaking point and feel backed into a corner, I will do what it takes to defend myself. This isn’t my usual character, but I realized sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself, especially when pushed to the limit when you’ve done nothing but try to accommodate the other person.
Stay tuned for part two of our chat with Jenn Lee.
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