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The Challenge: USA debuts this summer, and the cast includes some of the best players in the history of Big Brother, including incredible competitors, iconic all-stars, and legendary members of the historic first-ever all-Black alliance, The Cookout, whose master plan dominated Big Brother 23. These former Big Brother houseguests will compete against each other and celebrated cast members from Survivor, The Amazing Race and Love Island to win the $500,000 grand prize. The competitors will also be vying for a spot on The Challenge: Global Championship (working title), which will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
There are 28 reality television show alumni competing on The Challenge: USA. The Big Brother contestants will face competitors from several shows. From Survivor, they include Domenick Abbate (season 36), Tasha Fox (seasons 28, 31), Tyson Apostol (seasons 18, 20, 27, 40), Ben Driebergen (seasons 35, 40), Sarah Lacina (seasons 28, 34, 40), Danny McCray (season 41), Shan Smith (season 41), and Desi Williams (season 35). This group features three winners including Tyson (season 27), Ben (season 35), and Sarah (season 34). The Amazing Race alumni include Cayla Platt (season 33), Leo Temory (seasons 23, 24, 31), and James Wallington, who won season 32. The Love Island cast members include Kyra Green and Cashel Barnett from season 1, season 2 contestants Cely Vazquez and winner Justine Ndiba, and, from season 3, Melvin “Cinco” Holland Jr., Cashay Proudfoot, Javonny Vega, and Shannon St. Clair.
Hosted by T.J. Lavin, The Challenge: USA debuts on Wednesday, July 6 with a special 90-minute premiere, beginning at 9:30 p.m., after the premiere of Big Brother 24. Pairing the two shows is only natural considering how intertwined the franchises have become over the years. The Big Brother houseguests appearing on The Challenge: USA have an outstanding chance at winning the competition as they are some of the most legendary and powerful competitors in the show’s history.
Alyssa Lopez, 25
Big Brother 23 houseguest Alyssa placed 7th on her season. She was the last contestant to survive The Cookout’s reign, defying the odds against her for weeks. She was a strong competitor with a fighting spirit and great social game. Alyssa was fiercely loyal to Xavier, whom she thought was her final 2 partner. She won two vetoes during her time in the house. Alyssa was also known for her short-lived showmance with Christian Birkenberger.
Angela Rummans, 30
In 2018, Angela placed 4th on Big Brother 20. As a member of the dominant Level Six alliance, she won three Head of Household (HOH) competitions and two vetoes. Angela got engaged to her fellow Level Six member Tyler Crispen on January 31, 2021.
Azäh Awasum, 31
Known for being sweet and kind, Azäh placed 3rd on Big Brother 23. As one of the more docile members of The Cookout alliance, she was known for laying low and had an impeccable social game that came from her genuine desire to play the game with loyalty, trust, and integrity. Azäh came in third after winning a crucial HOH competition near the end of the game.
David Alexander, 32
David was evicted early on Big Brother 21, but, the following year, he was given a second chance to play on the all-stars season, Big Brother 22, during which he placed 8th. Although David did not win any HOH competitions or vetoes during the all-star season, he was nominated four times for eviction and managed to escape being ousted three times before his demise.
Derek Xiao, 25
Derek placed 10th on Big Brother 23, but he was a fan-favorite due to his intelligence, personality, and strong physical game. He won one HOH and the first two vetoes of the season. Derek was backdoored from the competition, proving that his physical and social game were hard to beat.
Enzo Palumbo, 44
Enzo’s acclaimed Big Brother career began on Big Brother 12, when he was a member of the iconic alliance, The Brigade, and placed 3rd. He was never the HOH on that season, but he did win one veto competition. The Meow Meow returned for the all-stars season, Big Brother 22, and made it all the way to the end with his final 2 partner Cody Calafiore, placing 2nd. Enzo won two HOH competitions and one veto during this season. During his HOH reign, he backdoored legendary player Kaysar Ridha. Impressively, Enzo made it all the way to the end without ever being nominated.
Kyland Young, 30
Big Brother 23 houseguest Kyland was one of the fiercest competitors in The Cookout. He won three HOH competitions and three vetoes and was nominated for eviction five times. He placed 4th in the game, and was an integral part of The Cookout making it to the end. Kyland is a neurodivergent person and worked to bring awareness about neurodiversity.
Tiffany Mitchell, 41
As the mastermind behind The Cookout’s master plan, Big Brother 23 houseguest Tiffany became one of the most revered competitors to ever play the game. Her outstanding physical and social game has gone down in Big Brother history as one of the most impressive and near-perfect triumphs. The master plan consisted of each one of The Cookout alliance members having a plus one who protected them throughout the game, but who also could be evicted before the six core members. Tiffany won two HOH competitions during the season. Although she placed 6th when the alliance had to turn on each other when there were the only ones left in the game and they saw her as a threat, she won “America’s Favorite Houseguest,” taking her place as a Big Brother legend.
Xavier Prather, 28
Big Brother 23 competitor Xavier made history as the first Black winner of Big Brother and took home the $750,000 grand prize. He played an impeccable game, competing with dignity, loyalty, and respect. He won three HOH competitions, three vetoes, and was nominated five times. Xavier’s strategy was to be low-key for the first half of the game, and then unleash his inner competition beast for the second half. Xavier proved himself to be one of the greatest players in Big Brother history, and won the game with a unanimous vote.
The contestants on The Challenge: USA will face some fierce competition from the former Big Brother houseguests. They are some of the greatest players that the game has ever seen, and many of them are hungry for another chance to prove their physical and mental prowess. As they take on legends from the other reality competition shows, this will certainly be an exciting summer.
Source: Alyssa Lopez/Instagram, Angela Rummans/Instagram, Azäh Awasum/Instagram, David Alexander/Instagram, The Challenge/Instagram, Enzo Palumbo/Instagram, Kyland Young/Instagram, Tiffany Mitchell/Instagram, Xavier Prather/Instagram
