‘The Challenge’ Season 37: Meet the Rookies Competing on ‘Spies, Lies, and Allies’

The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies is coming in August and will feature a number of fan favorites. Fifteen of the cast members are returning veterans, like previous winners CT Tamburello and Ashley “Millionaire” Mitchell.

There are also 19 rookies in season 37, which makes this cast the biggest in the show’s lengthy history. Let’s meet the rookies competing on Spies, Lies, and Allies.

‘The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies’ will feature an international cast

Host TJ Lavin and the huge 34-person cast filmed Spies, Lies, and Allies in Croatia over the summer. They are bringing back the spy theme from Double Agents, and the season will begin with the American veterans teaming up with rookies from all over the globe. Over the course of 19 episodes, the teams will be competing for a $1 million prize.

The rookies are from Germany, Sweden, Nigeria, Spain, Belgium, Romania, Hungary, the UK, and the United States. The veterans are mostly from America, with the only exception being Brits Tula ‘Big T’ Fazakerley and Kyle Christie.

4 rookies come from international versions of ‘Survivor’

Berna Canbeldek  — Survivor Turkey — Berna is from Berlin, Germany, where she attended the State School of Ballet and Acrobatics. She competed on Turkey’s version of Got Talent, as well as two seasons of Survivor Turkey.

Emy Alupei — Survivor Romania — Emy originally appeared on X Factor Romania in 2016 where she performed as a rapper and singer. When she joined the cast of Survivor Romania in 2020, her loud personality made her a standout competitor.

Emanuel Neagu  — Survivor Romania — Emanuel competed on Survivor Romania in 2020 with Emy, and he ended up finishing in second place. The 24-year-old dancer and choreographer said he signed up for the show because he has a passion for competing and adrenaline.

Logan Sampedro — Survivor Spain — Logan competed in Mister Global España in 2017, and the following year he was the runner up on Survivor Spain 13. In 2019, Logan was involved in a freak accident when a drone hit him in the eye. He didn’t lose the eye, but he did suffer from a loss of vision and has a sensitivity to light.

3 rookies from ‘The Challenge’ competed on the American version of ‘Survivor’

Michaela Bradshaw  — Survivor — Michaela competed in two seasons of the American version of Survivor — Millennials vs Gen X and Game Changers. The Texas native is known for her strong personality, as well as her physical strength in competitions.

Michele Fitzgerald — Survivor — Michele won Survivor: Kaoh Rong and then placed third in Winners at War. She took home the $1 million prize in her first Survivor season thanks to her alliances and strong social game.

Tommy Sheehan — Survivor — Tommy is also a Survivor winner, as he won Island of the Idols in 2019. The 28-year-old school teacher won the vote due to his strong social skills and close bonds with the members of his tribe.

3 rookies come from international versions of ‘Big Brother’

The Nigerian version of Big Brother — known as Big Brother Naija — was the source for two rookie contestants — Tacha Akide and Esther Agunbiade. Tacha is an Instagram influencer known as “Symply Tacha” who was kicked out of the house on day 90 when she fought one of her housemates. During the same season, 24-year-old lawyer Esther was evicted from the house on day 64 and placed 14th overall.

Hughie Maughan is a rookie on Spies, Lies, and Allies who comes from Big Brother UK. The Dublin native was the runner-up on Big Brother 17, and he later appeared on the UK version of Dancing With the Stars and First Dates Ireland.

The majority of ‘The Challenge’ rookies come from international dating shows

The biggest source for rookie contestants turned out to be international dating shows. Eight of the newbies fall into this category. Including the first Challenge contestant from Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle, Kelechi “Kelz” Dyke. Kelz is a model and athlete who plays American football in the UK for the London Warriors.

Paradise Hotel Sweden and Ex on the Beach Norway star Bettina Buchanan is making her Challenge debut in season 37. As is Renan Hellemans from Ex on the Beach: Double Dutch Belgium.

Also joining the cast are Lauren Coogan and Jeremiah White from Love Island, Priscilla Anyabu from Love Island UK, and Tracy Candela from Love Island Germany. There’s also 12 Dates of Christmas star Corey Lay. The final rookie is Gabo Szabó from Warsaw Shore, the Polish version of Jersey Shore.

The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies premieres Wednesday, August 11 on MTV, with a sneak peek episode airing Monday, August 9.