As part of The Challenge’s worldwide tournament leading to The Challenge War of the Worlds on Paramount+, loved contestants from past CBS reality shows compete for the opportunity to represent the USA.
Contestants from Love Island, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother are randomly partnered according to TJ’s algorithm to compete weekly, making the social game difficult at times. While gaining popularity in the house started with first impressions based on which show someone originally competed on, a contestant’s popularity among the audience can be seen through their Instagram followers.
Javonny Vega – 107K Followers
Javonny from Love Island USA season 3 is best known for trying his best to spark a romance with Olivia Kaiser on the show while bringing a lot of energy and humor into the villa.
As someone fans rooted for in the villa, they followed him on Instagram. Javonny posts about his life in real estate and travel. The real estate investor is also athletic, as he has boxed, ran, and played football in the past, leaving expectations high for his ability to perform in physical challenges.
Shan Smith – 123K Followers
From Survivor 41, Shan solidified her place as a strong competitor as he convinced her tribemates to give their advantages to her, giving her more power in the game.
As one of the Survivor players who should play again, Shan took the humor she brought to the game as she hummed “The Shanthem” on Survivor to social media, where she grew her fanbase through comedic reels. After her gameplay in Survivor, Shan was viewed as a major player in The Challenge: USA cast.
Derek Xiao – 154K Followers
On Big Brother 23, one of the show’s best seasons for fans of strong alliances, Derek returns to compete on The Challenge: USA. His time on Big Brother showed him always working with the majority of the house and made him the fourth houseguest to win the first two Vetoes in a season.
Derek posts a lot of lifestyle content with many vlogs on his Instagram, so people can continue to keep up with the fan-favorite houseguest. As someone used to playing a strong individual game and competing to win, Derek is set up well for The Challenge, and fans are excited to see him back on their screens.
Melvin “Cinco” Holland Jr. – 236K Followers
On USA 3, Cinco found himself in two Love Island couples that started strong but crashed and burned. His time on the show is known for his love triangle with Cashay Proudfoot and Trina Njoroge, and fans were highly invested in his relationship with Cashay.
As a fitness trainer, Cinco frequently makes fitness-related posts, which he became known for on a large scale with Love Island as he exercised with others in the villa. He may not have been the most decisive on Love Island, but he put his heart into everything, and the audience wanted him happy.
Shannon St. Clair – 323K Followers
Love Island season 3 introduced the audience to one of the most chaotic Love Island USA contestants, Shannon. She was outspoken, honest, and confident, knowing exactly what she and other women in the villa deserved in partners.
In one of the most solid couples from the season, Shannon and Josh left early, and fans wanted to see more of their relationship outside the villa. Shannon posts about her modeling and life with friends and family, including Cashay from Love Island.
Angela Rummans – 326K Followers
Big Brother 20 showed Angela as a strong competitor as she won the Head of Households and 2 Power of Vetos in the season. Many considered her to be the villain, but she continued to form many close relationships within the house, especially Tyler, who fans loved.
Angela was a houseguest that fans loved to hate, as they wanted her to lose but couldn’t help but admire her strategy and performance. Angela promotes her vegan cooking, books, and modeling on her Instagram, showing fans another side to her than the cutthroat competitor.
Cashay Proudfoot – 360K Followers
Cashay was a clear favorite on Love Island USA 3 to the point she was recognized by the audience as one of the CBS stars who should compete on The Challenge.
Known from her season for her romance with Cinco, Cashay’s bubbly personality couldn’t help but fill the villa with good energy, leaving fans rooting for her and wanting to follow her life outside the villa, as well. Cashay often posts about her life as a dancer and actress, with her fitness journey and friends intertwined, showing fans exactly what they loved about her personality within the villa.
Kyra Green – 365K Followers
From Love Island USA 1, fans cheered on Kyra in her journey to find love as she figured out her relationship with Cashel. Kyra’s beauty was highly recognized by others in the villa as well as fans.
Kyra posts about her modeling and singing career on Instagram, so fans can follow her successes. However, she also gives fans a genuine look into her life with “honest talks” and appreciation posts for those who support her. Kyra spent her time on Love Island being true to herself, and she hasn’t stopped even in her time on The Challenge USA.
Justine Ndiba – 419K Followers
Justine was a fan favorite on Love Island USA 2 in her friendship with Cely and her partnership with Caleb, as the two became the first Black couple to win in franchise history.
Recognized for her fashion from Love Island, Justine uses her Instagram to post fashion, fitness, lifestyle, and dance content. Everything fans loved about her coming up with dances on the show can also be found on social media. Justine’s Instagram also lets fans see updates on one of the best relationships to leave the villa—her and Cely.
Cely Vazquez – 467K Followers
Love Island USA 2 introduced another fan favorite from the franchise, Cely. She wore her heart on her sleeve and brought smiles and laughs to everyone in the villa.
From singing little “good morning” songs in the villa to waking others up, Cely's Instagram is focused on promoting her singing career, fashion, and lifestyle. As someone fans fell in love with for being herself, she shows through social media that she was entirely herself on the show with her bubbly personality and positive outlook on life.