‘The Challenge’: Jenny West Slams Rumors That She Split the Money With Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio’

Roommates Jenny West and Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio were allies during The Challenge: Total Madness and both won, taking home $500,000 apiece. Throughout the season, a couple of former cast members and many fans have accused the production crew of “rigging” it so the veteran would get his seventh win. However, host T.J. Lavin, Devenanzio, and now West have all denounced the reports.

Jenny West and Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio won ‘The Challenge 35’

After getting eliminated before the finals last season, two-time competitor Jenny West and veteran Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio returned for Total Madness.

The Survival of the Fittest champ got off to a fast start as she won the first daily challenge. She then obtained arguably the easiest red skull of the season by single-handedly defeating rookie Jennifer Lee with the help of ally Dee Nguyen.

After realizing that Nguyen thought about turning on her and throwing her into elimination, the British native and Devenanzio targeted her first. Therefore, they blindsided her and sent her into Purgatory against Mattie Lynn Breaux. However, the Australian-native won, returning to the house and foiling the bunkmates’ plan.

Devenanzio already earned his red skull against Wes Bergmann, so both were qualified for the finals, but the British native’s poor social game landed her in Purgatory against Nguyen.

The bodybuilder pulled out the win and went on to the finals, where she finished in first place. Cory Wharton sent the veteran into the last elimination in the middle of the finals.

Still, Devenanzio defeated Rogan O’Connor, continuing in the competition where he placed first for the males. The bunkmates took home $500,000 each.

Rumors circulated that production ‘rigged’ the season for Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio

Before the season began, veterans Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore claimed they were not on Total Madness because of the 38-year-old. They insisted production wanted them out of the way because they knew the couple were going to gun for the veteran as they did in War of the Worlds 2.

Sorbello also accused people behind-the-scenes of the competition series of rigging the season so the veteran would win his 20th season.

According to Challenge insider Gamer Vev, finalist Kyle Christie claimed the rules changed from one winner taking all to the top male and female so Devenanzio could get his seventh win.

He also reportedly stated that production asked West if she would split the million-dollar prize with her ally to include the 38-year-old as another winner, and she agreed. However, the British native denounced the rumors several times after the finals.

Jenny West slams rumors she split money with Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio

In the middle of celebrating her first win on Twitter, the bodybuilder acknowledged the reports of rigging. She rhetorically asked why she would share her winnings with Devenanzio if she won the full million, noting she’s “nice but not stupid.”

West claimed, “someone who hates Johnny” started the rumors and insisted “there is no way it was edited out.” In a follow-up tweet, she said it’s “disgusting” that her ally isn’t receiving credit because he worked hard this season.

Additionally, she claimed the show always intended for the male and female winners to split the million-dollar prize. The British native also refuted the reports in an Instagram Question and Answer she did after the finals.

Host T.J. Lavin and Devenanzio have both denounced the rigging rumors as well. The Challenge 35 reunion airs on July 22, 2020, at 8 p.m. EST on MTV.