‘The Challenge’: How Old is Aneesa Ferreira? How Old Was She on ‘The Real World’?
Aneesa Ferreira has been playing MTV’s The Challenge for years, and she continues to prove she’s both a physical and mental threat in the game. Prior to The Challenge, she got her start on reality TV with The Real World. So, how old is Aneesa now — and how old was she when she started on her first reality show over a decade ago?
How old is Aneesa Ferreira from MTV’s ‘The Challenge’?
Players on MTV’s The Challenge typically range in age from early 20s to late 30s, and fans have seen Aneesa play through all those years. In 2021, she’s currently 39 years old and turning 40 on Sept. 11. When she first started her Challenge career with Battle of the Sexes, she was around 21.
As for her history with the show, she was a finalist on The Gauntlet 2 and The Duel II, and she’s also competed in seasons such as Rivals, Battle of the Exes, Free Agents, Battle of the Bloodlines, Dirty 30, and Total Madness, just to name a few according to The Challenge Wiki. Now, she’s making it far on Double Agents, but we’ll have to see if she can go the distance and win the final if she makes it there.
Aneesa certainly doesn’t let age get in the way of her competing, either. “I’m showing women at home that you may have gained a couple of pounds and your metabolism slowed down, but you can still get sh*t done and be a badass,” she told TV Line. “Once you get over 35, you don’t have to sit down and die. If anything, your drive goes up.”
How old was Aneesa on ‘The Real World’?
While Aneesa’s still competing on MTV’s The Challenge at nearly 40 years of age, how old was she when she got her start on The Real World? The star was on her first reality series back in 2002 with The Real World: Chicago. She was around 21 years old when filming.
Reality TV has changed a lot over the years, but Aneesa was an icon for many when she first stepped foot on MTV. She was the first bisexual Black woman to be featured on reality TV, and many fans remember her for her positive influence.
“I was helping gay men and anybody come out,” she shared with Nylon. “It didn’t matter what people looked like. I still have people that come up to me, and they’re like, ‘Hey, you were our only representation.’ And these are white, very white, straight-looking men that are like, ‘Thank you.'”
How much does Aneesa make on ‘The Challenge’?
While Aneesa’s never won a season of MTV’s The Challenge, she’s certainly still bringing home a paycheck. Back when she was a runner-up on The Gauntlet II, she reportedly won $8,571. She placed third on The Duel II and won $15,000. And when she placed fourth on Rivals II, she took home an additional $500. And all of this is aside from the paycheck MTV gives veteran contestants.
According to an insider who spoke with Us Weekly, players considered “elite” can bring home around $80,000 just for competing, with some veterans bringing in between $1,000 and $5,000 per week. Rookie players bring in much less, but many have opportunities to keep participating in later seasons. Considering Aneesa’s been playing the game for many years, we’re sure she’s considered elite.
We’re excited to continue watching Aneesa on Double Agents as well as The Challenge: All Stars on Paramount+.
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