‘The Challenge’: Another ‘Big Brother’ Rookie Likely Joining the Season 36 Cast
[SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers ahead regarding rumored ‘The Challenge 36’ cast]
The Challenge 35 experienced a massive surge in viewership, resulting in the renewal of a new season. The casting crew for the popular show has already started reaching out to numerous potential candidates, and another Big Brother star seems likely to join the cast.
‘The Challenge’ renewed for season 36
The 35th season of the MTV competition reality series experienced a 10% increase in viewership, likely due to the introduction of the red skull elimination twist and COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, ViacomCBS renewed the popular show for another season.
Even though The Challenge 35 didn’t include fan-favorites such as Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore, it featured four rookies or prospects from Big Brother 20 who proved themselves to be tough competitors.
Additionally, veteran Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio took home his seventh win after not making the finals for six seasons in a row. Popular British contestant Jenny West finished before anyone, and they both a half of the million-dollar grand prize.
The casting crew has already begun calling potential candidates for the upcoming season, but everyone’s up in the air as they haven’t established a theme yet.
Contestants rumored to return for ‘The Challenge 36’
According to The Challenge insider PinkRose, Aneesa Ferreira (13 seasons, 0 wins), Ashley Mitchell (7 seasons, 2 wins), Kam Williams (4 seasons, 0 wins), Nany González (9 seasons, 0 wins), Tori Deal (4 seasons, 0 wins), Tula “Big T” Fazakerly (2 seasons, 0 wins), Cory Wharton (7 seasons, 0 wins), Fessy Shafaat (1 season, 0 wins), Jay Starrett (1 season, 0 wins), Kyle Christie (5 seasons, 0 wins), Leroy Garrett (11 seasons, 0 wins), Nelson Thomas (6 seasons, 0 wins), Wes Bergmann (13 seasons, 2 wins), as well as returning champs Devenazio (20 seasons, 7 wins), and West (2 seasons, 1 win) will likely compete in the upcoming season.
Additionally, fan-favorites including Cara Maria Sorbello (14 seasons, 2 wins), Laurel Stucky (6 seasons, 1 win), Tony Raines (6 seasons, 0 wins), and Paulie Calafiore (3 seasons, 0 wins) might return.
‘Big Brother’ star Analyse Talavera reportedly joining ‘The Challenge 36’ cast
23-year-old college star Analyse Talavera competed on Big Brother 21 last summer. She got into a showmance with Jack Matthews relatively early into the game, and they were a part of the majority alliances such as Unde9able, Gr8ful, and Six Shooters.
The two were also in a smaller alliance with another showmance, Holly Allen and Jackson Michie. During Week 5, the exposure of Kat Dunn and Allen’s pre-existing relationship broke up the alliance.
The following week, her boyfriend and Michie were nominated alongside each other, and she voted against the latter in an attempt to save her showmance. However, he became the first member of the Jury.
Two weeks later, she ended up on the block and survived before getting evicted the following week. Despite her past success as a college athlete, the 23-year-old is the only jury member of the season that never won a competition.
Other rookies poised to join the cast include Billy Reilich from Ex on the Beach 3 and Morgan Lolar of Temptation Island fame. No one is confirmed yet, and anyone listed could drop out at any moment or become alternates. The new season is scheduled to begin filming in September 2020.
