Cara Maria Sorbello needs a vacation from The Challenge. A staple on nearly every season of the popular MTV show, Sorbello recently announced that she's taking a step back from the franchise. Given her constant arguments and obvious dislike for other members of the cast, her decision isn't entirely surprising.
Cara Maria first appeared on The Challenge: Fresh Meat II in 2010. Although she was eliminated almost immediately, she returned for the next two seasons and finished second both times. Since then, she's won the entire competition twice and made it to a final consistently for the last five seasons. While she was once beloved by fans for her role as the plucky underdog, public opinion has shifted since her relationship with fellow Challenge competitor Paulie Calafiore took off. On War of the Worlds 2, the most recent Challenge season, Cara seemed wholly unhappy. She made snarky comments after Jordan Wiseley's engagement to Tori Deal and focused entirely on supporting Paulie's agenda. Though the couple made it to the final, their decisions throughout the season and Paulie's inability to keep up cost them the win. As a result of her behavior, Cara has been brutally attacked, both by other members of the cast and by her own fans.
Since her debut in 2010, Cara Maria has competed on at least one Challenge every year. Now, she's ready for a vacation. In a photo posted to her Instagram following the reunion episode, Cara Maria stated that she's taking some time off The Challenge. "What a tv show! 5th final in a row," she wrote in the caption. "[I'm] officially tuckered out so [I'm] taking a vacation." She went on to mention her 30-year-old thoroughbred horse, Garnett, stating that the animal is the reason she keeps trying to win. "Keeping a 30 yr old thoroughbred with a chronic cellulitic leg healthy takes some $$. She takes care of me. I take care of her," Cara said. She then went on to break from the bitterness she displayed throughout the season by congratulating the winning team, and even showing some support for Jordan and Tori. "It couldn't have turned out any more perfect unless the engaged couple were celebrating together in the end," Cara said, referencing Tori's elimination before the last leg of the final.
Cara Maria's need for a vacation backs up recent comments she and Paulie made on the Watch With Us podcast. According to Us Weekly, both stars expressed a need to take a step back from the franchise. "I needed a little break for my own sanity and my own happiness, just finding what makes me me again and get my light back," Cara said. However, she also threw a little shade at her role as the season's villain, saying, "I’m freakin’ fantastic, so I’m gonna have a little break so they can make someone else the bad guy this next season because I’m not going to be on it!" However, both competitors made it clear that while they're not competing on the next season, they're certainly not done for good.
Over the course of the last nine years, Cara Maria has competed in 14 seasons of The Challenge. Unfortunately, her public image has recently taken a serious hit. While fans can be overly critical and extremely harsh, there is some truth to the accusations. Cara simply doesn't seem happy anymore. Whether it's her relationship or her constant appearances on The Challenge, the competitor doesn't seem to be in a healthy headspace. While taking one season off might not be enough to truly fix things, it's probably time for Cara to take a break and focus on herself, however short that time may be.
Source: Cara Maria Sorbello, Us Weekly