ARE YOU READY FOR A NEW CHALLENGE?

 

MTV’S THE CHALLENGE: CUTTHROAT PREMIERES AUGUST 5 ON PARAMOUNT+

 

 

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NEW YORK, NY - (July 15, 2026) - Get ready for the ultimate test of grit, strategy, and teamwork. Today, Paramount+ announced the premiere date for Season 42 of MTV’s The Challenge: Cutthroat, unveiling the official trailer and first-look images for the highly anticipated new season beginning on August 5.

 

This new chapter, taking place entirely in the vibrant, and lush landscape of Thailand, features a mix of legendary veterans and fearless newcomers for the franchise’s most intense game yet. Each test will push the 24 fierce titans past their breaking points in a ruthless battle for a share of the $500,000 grand prize. In this bold new era, the Challengers will be divided into three teams and the only way to take home a share of the cash prize, is to cross the finish line together as a unit. To win, nominated captains must balance their hunger for dominance with the need for loyalty, or risk losing their power while solo players must prove they can be team players or lose their chance at the winnings.

 

Meet the Challengers:

 

Brad Fiorenza, @bradfiorenza  – OG Vet Brad’s only Challenge Championship comes from

the original Cutthroat and now he’s looking to leverage that experience and lead his team to victory, again.

 

Cedric Hodges, @officiallyced  – Big Brother alum Cedric had a breakout freshman season;

evading almost every elimination until the Final, where he took home the bronze. This

time,Cedric expects a perfect run all the way to a Challenge championship.

 

Chris “CT” Tamburello, @_famous4nothing – Five-time Challenge champion CT has stolen the

hearts of America for more than twenty seasons, but he’s looking to erase his poor

performance on Vets & New Threats and remind everyone why he’s one of the most feared Challengers.

 

Chris Underwood, @chris.under.wood  – Winner of both Survivor: Edge of Extinction and The

Challenge: USA 2, Chris anticipates continuing his undefeated winning streak, but this

time, with less elimination appearances.

 

 Cory Wharton, @corywharton_ig – Known for being one of the best to never win, a girl dad and

Teen Mom cast member Cory Wharton returns for his 12th season, striving to finally add

Challenge Champion to his resume.

 

John “Johnny Bananas” DeVenanzio, @johnnybananas  – Self proclaimed GOAT, Johnny

Bananas, hasn’t taken home a championship since Total Madness and after an early

exit from Vets & New Threats, he’s looking to defy the odds end his slump, and bring

home an illustrious eighth victory.

 

Josh Goldstein, @_josh.goldy_  – Love Island alum Josh is excited to get his hands dirty on

his freshman season, and prove he’s more than just a pretty face and that his leadership skills make him a serious competitor… and, still, a great catch. 

 

Justin Hinsley, @jushinsley_  – After proving everyone wrong in the first elimination of Vets

& New Threats, but falling just short before the Final, Justin’s coming in hot for his

sophomore season with his eyes on the prize… and a bit of revenge.

 

Keanu Soto, @keanureysoto  – Keanu had his back up against the wall on Big Brother 27,

narrowly missing out on a victory but with strategy and athleticism, won the hearts of

America with a personality as big as his biceps. He is looking to channel what he learned

about his social game into a successful Challenge run.

 

Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio, @leonardo_dionicio – Leo caused a ruckus in the house on Vets & 

New Threats with his cunning strategy and expects to use that same tactic, along with

his Love Island charm to add champ to his name.

 

Nelson Thomas, @_nelsonthomas  – After a devastating car accident that changed the

trajectory of his life, Nelson makes his long-awaited return to The Challenge ready to

prove he is still a fierce competitor, hoping for his first win, and, more importantly,

hoping to inspire other amputees out there.

 

Will Gagnon, @itsjustwilltoday  – Will proved to everyone he’s one to watch out for with his

brute strength and emotional outbursts on Vets & New Threats but the stake-a-claim twist tanked his almost near perfect run, something he plans to erase from

the records and replace with a Challenge championship.

 

Adrienne Naylor, @adriennenaylor  – Adrienne was sent into four eliminations on Vets & New

Threats, escaping them all victorious, but had to bow out in the middle of the Final early,

taking fourth place. This season, there’s no quit in her – and her drive to win is

stronger than ever.

 

Alexis “Lete” Lete, @lexlete  – A former WWE NXT performer and Miss Indiana USA

2020, Lete makes her Challenge debut and hopes to change her title of Runner-Up on

Deal or No Deal Island, to Challenge Champion.

 

Anna Leigh Wilson, @thebucketlistvagabond  – Known for being the uber-competitive half of the

daughter/dad duo on The Amazing Race 35, Anna Leigh comes in solo for her freshman

season and anticipates using her Challenge knowledge to dominate the game.

 

Cara Maria Sorbello, @misscaramaria – Two-time Challenge Champ Cara Maria returns, after

stepping away from the game last season to be with her mother, in

hopes of adding a historic third Championship to her resume; something

few women in the game have done.

 

Cassidy Clark, @cahleesi  – The runner-up of Survivor 43 saw The Elimination Arena

four times on The Challenge USA 2, losing out on the chance to make it all

the way just before the Final. Cassidy has put that loss in the rear view and is laser

focused on a title win this time around.

 

 Deb Chubb,@debchubb  – A fan favorite from Love Island USA Season 4, Deb was

beloved for her humor, authenticity, and infectious personality and plans to use those

traits to lull her competition into underestimating her abilities all the way to a win. 

 

Isabella “Izzy” Fairthorne, @izfairr  – The Too Hot to Handle alum quickly found love and elimination on her debut in Vets & New Threats. She returns to The Challenge house hungry for a win, but her plate may, once again, be too full of boys and drama.

 

Michele Fitzgerald, @mich_fitz  – Michele has been was so close to achieving, what few

Survivor alum have done, win a Challenge Championship, after dropping from first to

third due to karma points on Battle of the Eras. This season she refuses to let the same thing happen twice and leave her fate up to others.

 

 Nurys Mateo, @nuryskmateo  – Breakout Battle for a New Champion runner-up Nurys is

looking to bring a different energy into this season. Now that she is single, she can

focus on playing the game, not her relationship drama, plus she has her Ride or Die

bestie Nelson to have her back. 

 

Reilly Smedley, @reillysmedley  – After winning the first Head of Household on Big Brother

25, Reilly’s seat at the top was quickly toppled, getting her sent packing second from the

house. She’s hoping her first time in the Challenge house will be much longer and more

successful.

 

Sydney Segal, @queensydney – Survivor alum, Sydney made her Challenge debut on Vets &      New Threats, narrowly missing out on victory in the home stretch of the Final. The brash

runner-up and Rookie of the Year has no problem reminding everyone she is the best –

period.

 

Victoria “Tori” Deal, @tori_deal  – Despite making it to the Final on Battle of the Eras,

Tori took fourth and left empty handed, but the Ride or Dies champ has put in the work

during her time away and shows up ready to take home the whole bag. 

 

Follow MTV’s The Challenge on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, subscribe to The Challenge on YouTube, and use #TheChallenge42 to join the conversation!

 

MTV’s The Challenge: Cutthroat was created for MTV by Bunim/Murray Productions, part of the media and entertainment group, Banijay Entertainment.  Julie Pizzi, Justin Booth and Jacob Lane serve as Executive Producers for Bunim/Murray, with Diego Amson, Brad Tiemann and Joe Awgul serving as Co-Executive Producers, and Margaret Morales as Supervising Producer. Benjamin Hurvitz and Melissa Tallerine serve as Executive Producers with Angela Liao serving as Executive in Charge of Production for MTV.

 

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