‘The Challenge’: Johnny ‘Bananas’ and the ‘All Stars’ Cast Partied Hard at Mark Long’s 50th Birthday Bash
Fans of MTV’s The Challenge adored watching The Challenge: All Stars come to life. Favorites from seasons past joined in to compete for $500,000, and it was all started thanks to Mark Long. Recently, Long had his 50th birthday bash — and he invited a number of famous cast members, including Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio. Here’s who attended.
MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ star Mark Long turned 50
Long is known as the “godfather” of MTV’s The Challenge. He got his start on Road Rules in 1995 and went on to win Real World/Road Rules Challenge and Battle of the Sexes. Most recently, he returned for All Stars. Not only did he compete on the show, but he was the contestant to pioneer the idea and bring together the most infamous cast members from past seasons.
“Once MTV and Paramount decided they’d rather have me on their show as a participant rather than hosting, then all of my intellect and all of my looking behind the curtain was eliminated,” Long explained on the Watch With Us: Challenge Edition podcast, Us Weekly reports. “I didn’t know who the final cast was going to be. I didn’t know any of the challenges. I didn’t know where we were going. I was back in cast mode.”
Long wanted to prove to the young fans that he and the rest of the cast could still compete despite their age — and they certainly did. The final proved just as grueling as anything the younger cast on MTV has seen in the last few seasons.
Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio and other cast members attended his huge birthday bash
Long turned 50 years old in June 2021, and he brought together plenty of favorites from MTV’s The Challenge for his birthday bash. Ayiiia Elizarrarás, a Real World and Challenge cast member from years past, posted video footage of the party to Instagram.
“I’m so excited to be a part of Mark’s 50th birthday,” she noted on her Instagram Stories. “I’m excited. It’s in the Hills, we’re in L.A.”
Elizarrarás Instagram Stories then captured footage of Ruthie Alcaide, Derrick Kosinski, Syrus Yarbrough, KellyAnne Judd, Aneesa Ferreira, Nehemiah Clark, Jonna Mannion, and the winner of All Stars, Yes Duffy. Further footage showed the huge crowds of people celebrating at a mansion that came complete with a nice sound system for music and a pool.
Toward the end of Elizarrarás Instagram Stories, Devenanzio made an appearance. Devenanzio shared more of his experience at Long’s huge party on his own Instagram Stories.
Devenanzio posted a video jokingly showing off the diapers and alcohol he got for Long for his birthday. He also arrived at the party with Morgan Willett and Georgia Harrison.
When Devenanzio arrives at the party, he includes Long in his Instagram Stories. They exchange kind words with each other as Long expresses, “I love you.”
Will Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio come back to ‘The Challenge’?
Devenanzio wasn’t on MTV’s The Challenge: Double Agents. And he won Total Madness, the last season he was on. So, are his days on the show numbered?
“I’m 20 seasons in and I’d be lying if I said that I’m the same person physically and mentally as I was before I started this journey 15 years ago,” Devenanzio explained to People. “I don’t say this lightly, but every season that I go on The Challenge, I feel like a little piece of me dies.”
With that said, Devenanzio never stated he wouldn’t return. And as the competitor who’s won more seasons than any other, fans would love to see him come back. Perhaps he’ll give All Stars a go in the future. We’re sure Long would love to see his friend compete in future seasons alongside him.
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