‘The Challenge’: Michele Fitzgerald Called Dealing With Drama a ‘Learning Experience’
Survivor champ and The Challenge 37 rookie found herself at the center of drama involving her romantic connections with co-stars Emanuel Neagu and Fessy Shafaat. At the reunion, Michele owned up to her wrongdoings, including directing her anger at Tori Deal instead of Emanuel. Veteran Amanda Garcia stepped in and called Michele fake as she felt the rookie pursued Fessy Shafaat after the show, although they reportedly had a friendship. Shortly after the reunion aired, Michele admitted the drama slightly ruined her desire to return for another season but implied she wanted to compete again, believing the “good outweighs the bad.”
Michele Fitzgerald called getting caught in drama a ‘learning experience’
During The Challenge 37, rookie Michele Fitzgerald fell for Romanian native Emanuel Neagu and spent time with Fessy Shafaat in their hometowns after the season.
As the guys were also romantically involved around the same time, she found herself in drama and addressed it during the reunion.
A month after it aired, a follower asked if the “toxicity” she dealt with had ruined her desire to return to the show. Michele admitted it did “a little.” Referring to it as a “learning experience one where and who I give my energy,” the Survivor champ went on to explain she has grown from the ordeal.
Although it’s “been painful,” the 31-year-old implied she would return because “the good outweighs the bad.”
She had a thing with Emanuel Neagu and Fessy Shafaat
At the beginning of The Challenge 37, Michele found herself in multiple eliminations as she immediately started on the bottom.
Throughout her short-lived time on the show, the Survivor champ spent the majority of her time with Emanuel. After her elimination, he publicly declared his love for her.
As Emanuel remained in the competition, he developed a fling with veteran Tori Deal, eventually telling her he loved her as well. Following her time in the house, Michele hung out with Fessy Shafaat in his hometown when he invited her to visit Harry Potter World at Universal.
He also spent time with her in her native New Jersey. While she seemingly had feelings for him, nothing came of it as he pursued a relationship with Amanda Garcia instead.
Michele’s romantic connections got her caught up in drama during ‘The Challenge 37’
At the reunion, Michele admitted she held a “grudge” against Tori for developing a connection with Emanuel after she left the house, considering the runner-up her friend.
Noting her double standard at getting mad at Tori but not Emanuel, she has since claimed she’s no longer upset. However, the rookie explained she got upset with the situation because she felt the Romanian native was her “person.”
After their reconciliation, Amanda jumped in and called Michele out for being fake, accusing the Survivor champ of pursuing Fessy as soon as she had the chance, even though the ladies are supposedly friends. She revealed the Harry Potter trip and claimed the rookie lied to her about hooking up with Fessy.
However, Michele claimed she didn’t know about their relationship and insisted she previously privately apologized to Amanda for the miscommunication. The Challenge airs on MTV.
