The Challenge: Cutthroat Cast: All 24 Contestants in Season 42

The Challenge: Cutthroat brings the three-team format back for Season 42 with 24 competitors drawn from The Challenge, Big Brother, Survivor, Love Island, The Amazing Race, WWE NXT and other reality franchises. TJ Lavin returns as host, while champions such as CT, Johnny Bananas, Cara Maria and Tori face a large group of rookies.

Several contestants come from dating and social-strategy shows. See our Love Island Season 8 cast guide and related Big Brother coverage for more reality-TV names.

The biggest returning veterans

CT Tamburello and Johnny Bananas remain the most decorated names in the lineup. Brad Fiorenza, Cory Wharton, Cara Maria Sorbello, Michele Fitzgerald, Nurys Mateo and Tori Deal also bring extensive Challenge experience.

Nelson Thomas returns

Nelson Thomas returns to competition after a serious 2023 car accident and subsequent leg amputation. His participation is one of the season’s most closely watched stories and adds an emotional dimension beyond the usual rivalries.

Survivor players

Chris Underwood returns after proving himself in competition television, while Cassidy Clark and Sydney Segal make their Challenge debuts. Michele Fitzgerald enters with both Survivor-winning credentials and previous Challenge experience.

Big Brother players

Cedric Hodges, Keanu Soto and Reilly Smedley represent different Big Brother seasons. Their social-game backgrounds may help with alliances, but Cutthroat’s team format also demands physical consistency.

Love Island and dating-show rookies

Josh Goldstein, Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio and Deb Chubb come from Love Island USA. Adrienne Naylor arrives from Married at First Sight UK, while Izzy Fairthorne is known from Too Hot to Handle.

Other rookies to watch

Alexis Lete brings a WWE NXT background, Anna Leigh Wilson competed on The Amazing Race, Justin Hinsley comes from Cheer and Will Gagnon appeared on Are You the One? These recruits give the cast a wider range of athletic and social experience.

How the Cutthroat format works

The 24 players are divided into three teams. Team performance matters, but individual survival still depends on alliances, voting and elimination results. The structure encourages loyalty while making it possible for strong players to be targeted by their own side.

What is the prize?

The contestants compete for a share of $500,000. A major strategic wrinkle is that the winning captain has influence over how the prize is divided, which may make leadership as dangerous as it is valuable.

Where was the season filmed?

Season 42 was filmed in Thailand, including Bangkok and Chonburi. The setting provides the heat, water and large outdoor spaces needed for physically demanding team missions.

Where to watch

The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres on Paramount+, with same-day MTV airings announced for the launch period.

For another competition lineup, check the latest Dancing with the Stars 2026 cast.