[Warning: The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for The Challenge: All Stars‘ latest episode.]
It’d been 10 years since Brandon Nelson final competed on The Problem, and numerous issues modified in his private life — and his gameplay technique, for that matter — when he returned for All Stars Season 4.
Although he and Cara Maria Sorbello have been two of the few Problem-first gamers (having each joined the present for Contemporary Meat II) — and she or he was solid in each season he’d been on (particularly, Cutthroat, Rivals, Battle of the Seasons, and Free Brokers) — he didn’t really feel compelled to remain loyal to her when it got here to picking a pair for elimination in final week’s episode in opposition to Rachel Robinson. Although she got here again together with her star intact, Cara Maria was nonetheless stung by Brandon’s choice to show in opposition to her, and he knew he’d need to pay for that call in the end. He justified the transfer by noting that she’d been out of contact for a slew of his current life experiences — together with marriage, youngsters, separation, the lack of his father, and two near-fatal accidents — however he nonetheless knew the clock was ticking ’til she exacted revenge.
On this week’s episode, all the contestants competed in a vigorous recreation of Bobblehead racing — a throwback to The Duel 2 — and as humorous because it was to see every of them scramble down in tiny carts with large lampshade-style hats, Brandon wasn’t laughing when he discovered his crew in final place. Worse, Cara Maria was within the center group, and she or he didn’t hesitate to ship him into elimination in opposition to his ally Leroy Garrett.
Brandon, who had a superb exhibiting within the earlier challenges and even earned one of many season’s earliest stars, went in assured that he might win again his star. Nonetheless, within the elimination, titled “Mission: Inconceivable,” Leroy managed to finish the suspension puzzle earlier than Brandon might get his final ball into place, and he needed to go residence.
TV Insider caught up with Brandon Nelson to speak about his selection to start out beef with Cara Maria, how he felt about going through off with Leroy, and the way he got here up with that lovely excuse for going away he used together with his little one.
You got here into this season saying you wished to sort of shed a few of your good man picture. How is that going?
Brandon Nelson: Up to now, so good. I’ve performed the sport just about the identical for the 5 earlier seasons that I’ve been on. After which with this 10-year hole, I’m like, “Okay, possibly I did one thing improper. Possibly I ought to swap it up the subsequent time.” So I used to be all the time saying if I ever received one other alternative, I’d undoubtedly are available with a special mindset, and all the pieces that occurred between Free Brokers and All Stars4 in actual life undoubtedly modified me just a little bit.
You’ve by no means been an enormous drama particular person, so how did you are feeling if you sort of received slipped into that stuff with Janelle and Ayanna and Leroy and Kam?
It was extra of a real-life sort of factor as a result of normally once I’m filming, I’m like in recreation mode. I actually don’t get an excessive amount of into the politics, and there’s probably not numerous drama surrounding me. However I heard what I heard, and I used to be like, “Effectively, let me go and see what I can do with this data.” And I did, and I didn’t comprehend it was gonna flip into what it was. I imply, quite a bit was left on the chopping room ground. However , I really feel like I’m truly part of it now —possibly not in essentially the most optimistic gentle, however I imply, we’re taking part in a recreation, so I really feel like I’m truly getting my toes moist for actual.
Talking of drama, when you and Cara Maria had not gotten into the argument that you just did, do you suppose she would have protected you from elimination?
Oh, yeah, I’m fairly positive she would have. I imply, that was sort of a given. And I feel she thought the identical factor about me as effectively. I imply, both method, on her finish, I felt like she nonetheless would have protected me and issues would have been the identical or completely different.
Have been you shocked in any respect that it was really easy for her to flip that swap and go into revenge mode in opposition to you?
Effectively, from what I learn about Cara, I wasn’t shocked in any respect. I imply, I used to be anticipating it — however as a result of she wouldn’t count on that from me. However then once more, we haven’t talked, after which even in the home, after all we have been speaking, we have been simply speaking about real-life stuff exterior of the sport. We by no means actually talked in regards to the recreation, after which with the distraction of Laurel and Nicole after which Cara’s sort of in that just a little bit as effectively — in a roundabout way — there was by no means actually any recreation speak. So yeah, for her… I do know, I do know. And I felt dangerous about it, however I do know she was harm, after which she goes from being harm to being like, “Okay, I’m gonna kill all people.” And I’m like, “Yeah, effectively, I count on that.”
Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
You talked about all of the life adjustments that you just’ve had, and she or he’s had them, too. Did you guys ever get an opportunity to sort of reconnect on these issues in the course of the recreation, or did that occur afterward?
Afterward, sure, we undoubtedly, undoubtedly talked. And one of many greatest hang-ups that I used to be having was that some very important issues that occurred — not that she was supposed to know, however she wouldn’t have identified as a result of we don’t speak. She would have identified if we did, and I do know folks will say, “Effectively, the cellphone works each methods.” I did ship textual content messages. Generally they might get answered. Generally they wouldn’t. And I do know she’s tremendous busy as a result of as I haven’t been on the present, she’s turning into the face of the present — if not already the face of the present. So I get that, and I’m tremendous glad for her, particularly with all the pieces she’s going by to get so far. So, she’s busy, but it surely was only a disconnect. We undoubtedly figured it out. I understand how she is and what she expects and [she knows] how I’m and what I count on, so we’re effective.
There was such a cute second the place you had satisfied your daughter that you just have been working in Wakanda. Are you able to speak about the way you got here up with that concept? And what did she say if you got here again?
As a result of, like I mentioned, I’ve been eliminated for like a decade, and also you’d by no means know the place you’re going till you get there, this was one of many few instances the place it sort of leaked the place we have been going prior. So earlier than I used to be leaving, I used to be like, “I’ve to go work. I’m gonna be gone for a short while.” She was like, “The place are you going?” And Black Panther is certainly one of our favourite films, so I used to be like, “I’m going to Wakanda to do some work.” And he or she goes, “Wakanda eternally.” She’s cute. So once I received again… she was like, “When are we going to go?” And I used to be like, “Effectively, I didn’t pay for it this time. So I gotta avoid wasting cash to return to Africa.” However we’ll go sooner or later.
Talking of the placement, what was it like so that you can go there? I imply, it looks as if numerous solid had a extremely robust connection to the world.
It was superb. I don’t know what it’s in regards to the African air, but it surely’s like as quickly — as a result of we landed in Johannesburg after which we flew to Cape City from there — however like even after we’re going by customs in Johannesburg, a few the those who have been working on the airport, they got here as much as me and so they have been asking if I used to be Zulu. So I must look into that as a result of they’re like, “No, you appear to be you’re Zulu. That you must look into that you just is likely to be royalty and never even comprehend it!” However for essentially the most half, man, your complete solid was identical to, “It was one of many [best].” Often, if you’re in a home, you’re simply anxiety-ridden. You don’t have your cellphone. You’ll be able to’t simply stroll down the road. You’ll be able to’t go anyplace. You’ll be able to’t even learn a e book if you wish to. However simply one thing about being there was cool. It was relaxed. We felt like we have been sort of simply chilling on the home till it was time to compete, however there wasn’t numerous stress or anxiousness. And for the primary time, I felt comfy.
Whenever you have been up for elimination, there was a second when it regarded like Derek would have the chance to go in opposition to you or Leroy. Have been you shocked in any respect that he wouldn’t go in opposition to you to make it a rematch?
Oh, I imply, it’s nonetheless fairly early within the recreation. So I don’t suppose anyone’s going to be taking that likelihood to run down there. However I imply, the wonderful thing about this season is that you just get to see the elimination, after which you’ll be able to select if you wish to go down. However no, I wasn’t shocked that they didn’t come on down … I imply, you may need had a shot, so that you by no means know.
Whenever you discovered that you just have been going in opposition to Leroy, was that like worst-case situation for you?
It was undoubtedly worst-case situation entering into in opposition to my boy. We used to reside collectively in Vegas. We’re like brothers exterior. We speak on the cellphone like, “Hey boy.” It’s like my brother for actual. I knew it was coming although due to the connection that Kam, Leroy, and Cara have had on earlier Challenges that I hadn’t been on after which with simply me and Cara’s relationship — or on-and-off relationship, I ought to say — so I knew as quickly as she received the prospect, she was gonna go for me and Leroy. And I used to be like, “Why did it need to be [Leroy]?” It’d been higher if we have been on the identical crew as a result of she must choose certainly one of us or if I simply wasn’t within the area to be voted for. I don’t know, there’s so many various eventualities — or it’s just like the earlier episode, “Don’t vote Cara in, possibly do it later.” However you’ll be able to’t cross up that chance to place Rachel and Cara in opposition to one another.
In her confessional, Cara mentioned she was rooting for you as a result of she thought when you got here again and Leroy was gone, then possibly you guys might work collectively. Do you suppose that was true?
Completely. I imply, at the same time as we went in, I used to be simply second-guessing my choice, however then I used to be like, “No,” and held true to what I mentioned I used to be gonna do earlier than I even received there. So I didn’t really feel dangerous in regards to the choice. I simply felt dangerous for our scenario, our relationship. … As a result of her and Rachel are most likely within the prime 5 of people that might win this complete factor as I’m taking a look at it, and I used to be identical to, “Yeah, I’ll come again. I received numerous explaining to do, and I’ll ask forgiveness.” Nevertheless it was nothing that I didn’t suppose we couldn’t patch up, so I used to be trying ahead to hopefully getting again in the home after which going again and crawling to her and saying, “Oh, I’m sorry, it was simply one thing I needed to do,” after which we’d have been effective.
Whose star would you’ve taken when you had gained?
I don’t know. I imply, I’d have needed to make a strategic choice. I do know that Steve took mine — if he nonetheless has one proper now [in the game], I’d most likely return and take it from him.
How would possibly your technique change in your subsequent look on The Problem?
So if I’ve the luxurious and the blessing and alternative to look on one other Problem, I’d undoubtedly nonetheless take the identical mindset. My greatest factor was simply to have enjoyable, loosen up, but in addition, do you. You’ve received to have some tunnel imaginative and prescient on this factor, and you must be just a little egocentric. Finally, you wish to win. Don’t go into it pondering that anyone else has your greatest pursuits in thoughts. You’ll be able to’t suppose like that. You may not wish to pull the set off too quick, however when you have the chance, you must take it since you by no means know if you’re gonna have one other alternative. So if I’m gonna go into one other Problem, I’m undoubtedly gonna maintain that very same mindset. And , possibly shoot just a little in another way. I’m not gonna go too far off the bull’s eye as a result of I gotta let these folks know I’m right here to play.
