Winner of Survivor Natalie Anderson unexpectedly left The Challenge: Double Agents during the January 13 episode. The abrupt exit shocked both fans and Anderson’s fellow competitors because the two-time Survivor castaway had an amazing chance of making the final and winning the game. Competitors often referred to her as a competition beast and routinely praised her athletic ability. The rookie challenger previously competed on two seasons of Survivor, as well as two seasons of The Amazing Race.
Anderson quickly made a name for herself on this season of The Challenge. She earned one elimination win by the end of the first episode and received a coveted golden skull, the ticket to competing in the final. During the thirty-sixth season’s fifth episode, entitled “Skyfall,” host TJ Lavin shocked the challengers when he revealed he had to deactivate an agent right before the main challenge. The news became even more shocking once it was revealed Natalie would be the agent leaving the game. The show did not reveal the unusual circumstances that led to front-runner’s exit. So, why did she leave?
The reason for Natalie's departure was that she was pregnant. Natalie revealed in an interview with Us Weekly that a conversation with her sister prompted the discovery. “I was just joking because she’s trying to get pregnant with her second child” said Anderson, “And I was, like, ‘Oh, my God, my period’s late. Maybe we’ll get pregnant, and we’ll have babies together when I get back. I was totally joking, but that triggered production to have me take a pregnancy test.” The test obviously came back positive, meaning Natalie wasn't cleared to compete in the competition. The news was certainly upsetting to the cross-fit trainer’s fans; she had this competition in the bag. “For me, the money was basically in my pocket, the check was already written” said Natalie. “I was literally just waiting for the final to get there, so I could just cross everybody else and take the money.” A theoretical victory at the end of the tunnel, plus a natural love for competing, made the discovery bittersweet for the Survivor: San Juan Del Sur champion. However, once she arrived home from Iceland, she said she was ready for the journey of motherhood.
The pregnancy, unfortunately, ended in a miscarriage. “I went through a miscarriage and it was really difficult,” admitted the Survivor: Winners at War runner-up, “I was dreading the show airing because it would remind me of everything I’d gone through.” The New Jersey native says she is now in a better place and she has made peace with the situation. The journey even made the bond with her boyfriend, Devin Perez, even stronger. “I think it definitely was a make or break for us because it was so much emotion and I’m just really proud of coming out of this,” continued the fan-favorite.
Fans of the television personality knew she was physically strong, but this tragic loss certainly shows that Natalie Anderson is emotionally strong as well. TJ Lavin told Anderson the show would certainly see her again, so fans can get excited about future Natalie appearances on The Challenge. Natalie’s departure is not all bad news because her exit allowed the show to bring back two-time champion Ashley Mitchell to take her place. The Challenge: Double Agents still looks like it is going to be a top tier season of the MTV reality competition! We wish Natalie the best.
The Challenge airs Wednesdays at 8 pm ET on MTV.
Source: Us Weekly