Three contestants were abruptly removed from MTVs long-running athletic reality competition series “The Challenge” this week following a reported racial incident that the show chose not to air.
At the beginning of Wednesdays episode of “The Challenge: Cutthroat,” host T.J. Lavin entered the house without Leo Dionicio, Josh Goldstein and Nelson Thomas present.
“Leo, Nelson and Josh all broke the code of conduct here on ‘The Challenge,’ so they’re all gone,” Lavin told the remaining contestants.
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The show did not air the incident that led to the three disqualifications or provide any additional details.
Page Six reported that Dionicio, who is Black, used the N-word during a game and Goldstein, who is White, repeated it. According to the report, Thomas became angry over Goldsteins use of the word and later damaged the kitchen. Production then removed all three contestants.
The Paramount+ original is the 42nd season of the long-running MTV franchise. “The Challenge” is generally classified as reality television, but the modern version is built around athletic competition. Contestants run, swim, climb, wrestle, carry heavy weight and race through obstacle courses that test strength, endurance and mental toughness. Seasons typically end with a grueling final that can stretch across multiple days and resemble an adventure race more than a reality show.
The controversy also bears a striking resemblance to one Paramount faced three years ago on another reality competition show. The company appears to have learned from a racial double standard it applied back then.
Thomas subsequently confirmed at least part of the reported account.
“I let my emotions take over, broke dishes, destroyed [the] kitchen and violated the code of conduct,” Thomas wrote on X. “Thats on me.”
Thomas also claimed that Goldstein apologized to him privately and urged Goldstein to address the situation publicly.
“Saying you have Black friends doesnt give you a pass to use the N-word,” Thomas wrote.
Dionicio, meanwhile, discussed his removal during an appearance on fellow “Challenge” competitor Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzios “Death, Taxes and Bananas” podcast.
At the beginning of the discussion, Devenanzio said they had been instructed “from the top” not to reveal the specifics of the incident. Despite that, Dionicio argued that he did not deserve to be included in the mass disqualification.
“I was really, really upset because what was said was super ignorant,” Dionicio said. “I thought the hand I was dealt was pretty messed up considering I didnt really do s— wrong.”
Dionicio said he believed one contestant should have been fined, another should have been removed and he should not have been punished at all.
Johnny “Bananas” pushed back on Dionicios argument.
“I think whats understood is that they have to have a rule, and it has to apply to everybody equally,” he said.
Later in the conversation, however, Dionicio acknowledged that every contestant had signed the same agreement.
“I know we all signed the same contract,” Dionicio said. “Its just frustrating because I didnt really think th
