‘The Challenge’: ‘Big Easy’ Banks Addresses Rumor He Threw Elimination for Devyn Simone
The Challenge star Eric “Big Easy” Banks competed in several seasons throughout his six-year career, making it to the finals once. Almost a decade later, the memorable player returned for spinoff All-Stars, where he won an elimination and advanced to the finals.
Following an episode, Big Easy appeared on the official after-show, hosted by his ex-girlfriend Devyn Simone, who asked him about the infamous elimination he quit last time he competed in Battle of the Seasons. When questioned if he threw the elimination to her, the six-time competitor finally revealed his actual reasoning behind refusing to finish the challenge.
Big Easy Banks competed on six seasons of ‘The Challenge’
In 2006, Kentucky native Eric “Big Easy” Banks debuted on Fresh Meat alongside Katie Cooley.
The two performed reasonably well together but were eliminated shortly before the finals. He returned for The Duel (2006) and won his first daily mission and elimination but again went home before competing for the grand prize.
Big Easy then competed alongside the Veterans squad in The Gauntlet 3 (2008), where he had his best season yet, making it to the finals. However, he infamously collapsed during the last mission, costing his team the win.
The Kentucky native also returned for The Duel 2 (2009) and Cutthroat (2010) but went home relatively early into the competition.
He previously dated Devyn Simone
Before taking a nearly decade-long break, Big Easy last appeared on Battle of the Seasons (2012) alongside three of his Fresh Meat co-stars. They were the most dysfunctional team on the season and appeared in nearly every Arena, making their team the first eliminated from the competition.
He fell for Team Brooklyn’s Devyn Simone during the season, and the two began a fling in the house. However, they got into an argument when she refused to reveal the age of the oldest person she dated, upsetting him.
Big Easy later admitted he pushed her away due to his insecurities, and the two reunited before they had to face off against each other in the Arena.
During the elimination game, the Kentucky native had a hard time communicating with his partner and holding himself underwater. Therefore, he chose to quit. Many viewers thought Big Easy forfeited to give his then-girlfriend the win.
Big Easy on throwing elimination for Devyn
Following the show, The Challenge stars attempted to make their relationship work, but ultimately it didn’t, and they split. Neither returned to the series after their breakup until Big Easy returned for All-Stars.
Even though he received a few nominations throughout the season, he ended up in one elimination and made it to the finals. During an episode of the official after-show hosted by Devyn, he finally addressed the actual reasoning behind his decision to quit.
The Kentucky native insisted he didn’t choose to leave for her but would have if she wanted. Although he didn’t, two-time champ Mark Long admitted he did throw an elimination during an after-show.
He explained he cut a deal with Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio during Battle of the Exes, who went on to win the season. The Challenge: All-Stars airs Thursdays on Paramount+.
