While watching The Challenge USA, fans of MTV’s Challenge are missing some of the competitors they’ve come to know over seasons of the show because this show’s cast only pulled from CBS reality shows Big Brother, The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Love Island. Every competitor is a Challenge rookie this season, leaving fans wishing there was more experience on the cast as far as strategy and competition goes.
Many recent Challenge competitors began their reality TV experience on CBS, so USA could have pulled from some of these competitors, keeping the CBS-centered cast. Between them and some Challenge veterans, the cast could gain experience from those who know the full Challenge experience.
Da’Vonne Rogers
After her two seasons of Big Brother, Da’Vonne transitioned to The Challenge, competing on Final Reckoning and War of the Worlds. Da’Vonne quickly became a fan favorite through her hilarious confessionals.
Not only did fans connect to her humor, but they also wanted to see her win for her daughter and loved watching her strategize to make big moves in the game. As a former Big Brother player, she could have mentored more of the USA players and become a major leader in the cast.
Nany Gonzalez
While she has never appeared on a CBS reality show, Nany is one of the MTV challengers with the most experience as she has been one of the contestants on the most Challenge seasons.
Nany has shown to work well with the Big Brother alliance on the Challenge with Kaycee and Josh. This social strategy would likely follow suit on USA, where she would be welcoming to new players while keeping the show’s trend of alliances being defined by shows.
Michele Fitzgerald
As the Sole Survivor of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, Michele went on to be the most deserving finalist who didn’t win Survivor: Winners at War before making her first appearance on The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies.
With only one Challenge under her belt, Michele doesn’t have much experience, but USA could have been a chance for Michele to prove herself more as a challenger. With the Survivor alliance dominating USA, Michele, as a former winner, would have been a clearly powerful player.
Kaycee Clark
Since winning Big Brother 20, Kaycee has gone on to be a major player in The Challenge, making it to the final every season she’s competed and winning the most recent one, Spies, Lies & Allies.
As a challenger who deserves more respect, Kaycee is someone who knows the game and the right moment to take a big move, which the current USA cast seems to struggle with. Kaycee could take her successful strategy from The Challenge’s Big Brother alliance to USA’s Big Brother competitors, taking them to the final.
Jay Starrett
Originally a competitor on Survivor: Millenials vs. Gen X, Jay moved on to The Challenge, competing on Total Madness and Double Agents. In his rookie Challenge season, Jay made his mark in one of the show’s most iconic eliminations, where he defeated CT in “Take Shelter” before being medically disqualified.
Jay has yet to make it very far in The Challenge, so USA could have been another chance for him to compete in a competition he is passionate about with more Survivor players to work with than he has had before.
Natalie Anderson
Having competed on Amazing Race 21 and All Stars, winning Survivor: San Juan del Sur, and competed on Survivor: Winners at War, Natalie went on to compete on The Challenge: Double Agents.
On Double Agents, Natalie discovered she was pregnant, disqualifying her from the competition. She was competing well, and her strategy in the game appeared to be working. However, she never fully showcased her ability on The Challenge, so USA could have been a big opportunity for her to return and connect all her reality show experiences.
Paulie Calafiore
From Big Brother 18, Paulie went on to compete in three seasons of The Challenge: Final Reckoning, War of the Worlds, and War of the Worlds 2. Fans have seen Paulie as a retired Challenge veteran who should return, and as someone who loved working with previous Big Brother players on The Challenge, USA could have been the right setting for his return.
Known for his strategic skills and ability in physical competitions, Paulie would have contributed a lot to USA as he would have worked to build entirely new alliances with a clean slate.
Ashley Mitchell
A major critique of USA has been its lack of drama, and one person always willing to stir the pot is one of the best villains from The Challenge, Ashley. As a Challenge competitor through and through, Ashley has proven herself to be a powerful figure in the game. She creates strong bonds with people and is extremely loyal to her friends.
As a wildcard in the USA cast, Ashley would have shown the USA audience everything the MTV Challenge gives its audience.
Devin Walker
Although Devin is originally from Are You The One, and it’s not a CBS show, it’s similarly underestimated on The Challenge like Love Island. After targeting Big Brother for seasons, Devin agreed to work with the alliance recently on The Challenge, so on USA it wouldn’t be obvious who he’d work with.
While not universally cheered on by fans, Devin is recognized for his strategic gameplay. In a season where the audience is saying not much is going on, Devin would have done what he always has, as he makes moves and stirs the pot.
Josh Martinez
As the winner of Big Brother 19, Josh moved onto The Challenge where he has competed for five seasons so far. During his time on The Challenge, Josh has always emphasized the Big Brother alliance and has been told he only plays a “Big Brother-like” game.
USA could have been the time for him to show he could bring a Challenge strategy to the game among people playing with Survivor and Big Brother strategies. Josh could have done something among all the rookies on the season to show how far he’s come as a competitor.