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Fans watching MTV’s The Challenge Season 37 have a number of questions regarding what went down this season. Production filmed the season at the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and early reports suggested at least one player would have to leave due to coronavirus protocol. According to The Challenge Season 37 cast member Michele Fitzgerald, veteran player Nam Vo contracted the virus, which is why he was deactivated from the game.

[Spoiler alert: Spoilers at the end of the article regarding MTV’s The Challenge Season 37 winners.]

Why did Nam Vo leave ‘The Challenge’ Season 37? Initial spoilers suggested he had a scheduling conflict

MTV’s The Challenge Season 37’s Nam Vo was a fan favorite to win the season. Nam started reality TV on Ultimate Beastmaster and proved himself as a powerful physical threat and all-around nice competitor. Unfortunately, he had to leave The Challenge Season 36 early due to an injury — and he hoped to redeem himself in Spies, Lies, and Allies. Early on in the game, host T.J. Lavin announced Nam was deactivated, though, meaning he went home.

So, what happened to Nam? Early The Challenge Season 37 spoilers suggested Nam had a scheduling conflict due to the cast quarantining a second time, leading him to leave the game. The rumors noted filming had to temporarily halt in April 2021 after either a cast or crew member contracted the virus.

After Nam left, rookie player Ed Eason took his place. The show never addressed Nam’s reason for exiting.

Did Nam Vo get coronavirus? Michele Fitzgerald confirmed he did via Instagram Live

Michele Fitzgerald, a contestant from MTV's 'The Challenge' Season 37 who recently spoke about Nam Vo's exit, smiling on 'Survivor'
Michele Fitzgerald on ‘Survivor’ | Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images

So, did Nam Vo get coronavirus while competing on MTV’s The Challenge Season 37? According to Michele Fitzgerald, a rookie who made her debut on Spies, Lies, and Allies after competing on Survivor twice, he did.

Michele spoke on Instagram Live on Aug. 13, 2021, with fellow veteran players Ashley Mitchell and Amanda Garcia. The three women talked all about the show, including secrets fans didn’t know about. And it seems Michele let it slip that Nam did, indeed, get coronavirus while on the show.

“One person literally had to leave the game for it,” Amanda said regarding coronavirus. “That just goes to show — you can be strong, big, healthy as f—, but everybody’s body’s different. And if you get covid, you may be that one unlucky person ….”

“Pour one out for Nam right now,” Michele then stated. “It’s so sad what happened to him last season and this season. Like, when I found out that he had covid — he had told me the day before we were going back in the house — I was like, first off he’s had it this whole week and he didn’t tell me. … I cried myself to sleep. I had a full mental breakdown. … I was just not in the right headspace when Nam left, I felt so alone.”

‘The Challenge’ Season 37 winners haven’t spoken about the coronavirus protocol

Related

‘The Challenge’ Season 37: Twists Allegedly Added to End of Season to Speed Up Production

MTV’s The Challenge Season 37 spoilers suggest the all-veteran alliance continues to dominate the game. The final is ruled by veteran players, and it’s allegedly Kaycee Clark who takes home the win for the women and CT Tamburello who brings it home for the men. So far, neither winner appears to discuss what occurred with the coronavirus protocol on the show.

While on Instagram Live with Michele, Amanda and Ashley continued to dish on the coronavirus news. Ashley statedf The Challenge Season 37 cast had to quarantine for a total of 21 days.

“That was so taxing on our mental state,” Michele added.

ViacomCBS did not return a request for comment regarding Nam Vo’s alleged coronavirus by the time of publication.

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