The Challenge: All Stars season 5

The Challenge All Stars: Rivals
Season 5
Presented by	T. J. Lavin
No. of contestants	26
Location	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
No. of episodes	2
Release
Original network	MTV
Original release	January 29, 2025 (2025-01-29) – present
Season chronology
← Previous Season 4

The Challenge All Stars: Rivals ^[1] is the fifth season of The Challenge: All Stars . The season premiered on MTV on January 29, 2025, following the prior four seasons airing exclusively on Paramount+. The season features twenty-six cast members from The Real World , Road Rules , Are You the One? , Big Brother , Ex on the Beach , Survivor , Shipwrecked , and 12 Dates of Christmas competing for a $300,000 prize. ^[2]

Format

The Challenge All Stars: Rivals features teams made up of partners who have previously had conflict or rivalries with each other. The season features a daily challenge, a nomination process and an elimination round.

• Daily Challenge: Teams compete in a challenge where the winners are immune and receive the power to nominate a team for the elimination round.
• Nominations: Excluding the winners, all teams vote to nominate a team to compete in the elimination round, where the team that receives the most votes will participate.
• Eliminations (The Jungle): At the Jungle, the winning team selects a team to compete in the elimination round against the team nominated by the house. The winners may also volunteer themselves for the elimination round instead. The winners of the elimination remain in the competition while the defeated team is eliminated.

Twists

• Stars: To be eligible to compete in the Final Challenge, teams must possess a Star. The Stars were initially awarded to the top four teams of the "Frenemies" challenge. Throughout the season, teams without a Star can obtain one by winning an elimination round and stealing a Star from another team. The winners of daily challenges are immune from having their Star stolen.

Contestants

Male contestants [2] Original season Finish Adam Larson Road Rules: The Quest Corey Lay 12 Dates of Christmas 1 Dario Medrano Are You the One? 2 Devin Walker-Molaghan Are You the One? 3 Faysal Shafaat Big Brother 20 Frank Sweeney The Real World: San Diego (2011) Leroy Garrett The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Shane Landrum Road Rules: Campus Crawl Steve Meinke Road Rules: The Quest Turabi "Turbo" Çamkıran Survivor Turkey 8

Female contestants [2] Original season Finish Amber Borzotra Big Brother 16 Aneesa Ferreira The Real World: Chicago Ashley Kelsey The Real World: San Diego (2011) Ashley Mitchell Real World: Ex-Plosion Da'Vonne Rogers Big Brother 17 Katie Cooley Road Rules: The Quest KellyAnne Judd The Real World: Sydney Melissa Reeves Ex on the Beach UK 2 Nany Gonzalez The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Nicole Zanatta Real World: Skeletons Sam McGinn The Real World: San Diego (2011) Sylvia Elsrode Real World: Skeletons Tula "Big T" Fazakerley Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands Veronica Portillo Road Rules: Semester at Sea Beth Stolarczyk The Real World: Los Angeles Episode 2 Jonna Mannion The Real World: Cancun Episode 2

Teams

Partner 1	Partner 2
Adam Larson	Steve Meinke
Amber Borzotra	Faysal Shafaat
Aneesa Ferreira	Ashley Mitchell
Ashley Kelsey	Dario Medrano
Beth Stolarczyk	Jonna Mannion
Tula "Big T" Fazakerley	Corey Lay
Da'Vonne Rogers	Shane Landrum
Devin Walker	Leroy Garrett
Frank Sweeney	Sam McGinn
Katie Cooley	Veronica Portillo
KellyAnne Judd	Sylvia Elsrode
Melissa Reeves	Nicole Zanatta
Nany Gonzalez	Turabi "Turbo" Çamkıran

Pre-season rivalry backgrounds

Male teams

• Adam & Steve: Adam voted for Steve to compete in the first elimination round of The Challenge: All Stars 4. Later in the season, Adam voted Steve in again, and after winning the "Shish Kestack" Arena that he faced because of this vote, Steve opted to steal Adam's Star as a result of this decision. ^[3]
• Devin & Leroy: After Devin was voted into the elimination round on The Challenge: Double Agents , Leroy selected Devin's ally Wes Bergmann to be his opponent. ^[4]

Female/male teams

• Amber & Faysal: Amber and Faysal first clashed in a shaky Big Brother alliance on The Challenge: Double Agents, which culminated in Faysal throwing himself into the season's final elimination round to avoid being partners with Amber for the Final Challenge. Faysal then blindsided Amber to go into the elimination round on The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies . ^{[5] [6]}
• Ashley K. & Dario: The two are exes. They first met on The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions and later started dating. They have not spoken to one another in six years. ^[1]
• Big T & Corey: The two had a falling out after Corey claimed he was using game information from Big T against her, and she became the main target on The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion . She felt their personal relationship was affected by this cold reveal and did not fully accept his apology at the reunion. ^[7]
• Da'Vonne & Shane: Da'Vonne and Shane fought on The Challenge: Final Reckoning after Shane threw the "Don't Push Me Around" challenge, thus causing Da'Vonne and her partner Jozea Flores to be voted into the elimination round, which they ultimately lost. This was preceded by an earlier vote where Shane felt Da'Vonne went against her word and during an argument verbally accosted her. ^[8]
• Frank & Sam: The two former The Real World: San Diego (2011) roommates competed together on The Challenge: Battle of the Seasons , where they ultimately won. Frank did not consider Sam a worthy teammate and physically pushed her through the finish line during the Final Challenge. ^[9]
• Nany & Turbo: On The Challenge: War of the Worlds Turbo picked Nany to be his partner. On The Challenge: Ride or Dies , the two had a falling out and Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio and Nany ultimately selected Turbo and his partner Tamara Alfaro for the elimination round. ^[10]

Female teams

• Aneesa & Ashley M.: Aneesa talked poorly about Ashley at a Challenge-related fan event. ^{[1] [6]}
• Beth & Jonna: Entering The Challenge: All Stars 3, Beth did not trust Jonna and implied she was cheating on her husband with MJ Garrett. Jonna was eventually voted in elimination and called out Beth as her opponent. However, Beth withdrew midway through the elimination since Jonna was receiving help from MJ. ^[11]
• Katie & Veronica: The two were teammates on both Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet and Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno . On both seasons, Katie was perceived as the Road Rules team's weak link. After being selected for The Inferno twice by the opposing team, Veronica won the Aztec Life Saver and sent Katie in to replace her both times. Katie won both elimination rounds and ultimately was part of the winning team alongside Veronica. ^{[12] [13]}
• KellyAnne & Sylvia: On The Challenge: All Stars 3, Sylvia used her first sabotage on KellyAnne. Later in the season, KellyAnne selected Sylvia to go into the elimination which she ultimately lost. ^[14]
• Melissa & Nicole: They hooked up on The Challenge: Vendettas . They remained friends until Melissa became friends with Nicole's ex, Laurel Stucky. ^{[15] [1]}

Gameplay

Challenge games

• Frenemies: Teams race to complete three checkpoints before crossing the finish line. The first four teams to finish become the initial Star holders of the season.
  • Checkpoint #1 (Mudbath): Teams must use their bodies to transfer mud from a pit to a bucket until they collect enough to reach a marked line.
  • Checkpoint #2 (Ice Transfer): Teams must use long sticks to transfer ice cubes from a cooler into a cylinder of water until the ball inside rises to a marked line.
  • Checkpoint #3 (Ball-ance Gurney): Teams must balance four balls on a gurney and carry it across the finish line, collecting three sandbags along the way.
  • Winners:Adam & Steve, Ashley K. & Dario, Devin & Leroy and Nany & Turbo
• Edge of Glory: Teams must solve a math equation. Afterwards, one team member is harnessed on a ledge of the Bitexco Financial Tower, and attempt to collect four flags hanging over the edge while their teammate secures them with a rope. Teams' harnesses are connected in a way that if one team member falls off the edge, their partner falls with them. Teams are disqualified from the challenge if a team member refuses to participate, or time-out after 10 minutes. The team that completes the challenge the fastest wins. ^[a]
  • Winners:Amber & Faysal

Jungle games

• Pole Position: Each team has a tube divided into three sections. For five rounds, teams roll a die, and both teammates must move into the section they rolled to complete the round. However, after every roll, teams must insert poles through the tube (starting with one for the first round and increasing by one each round), making it harder to pass through as the elimination progresses. The first team to complete all five rounds wins.
  • Played by:Adam & Steve vs. Beth & Jonna

Game summary

Episode		Winners	Jungle contestants		Jungle game	Jungle outcome
#	Challenge		House vote	Winners' vote		Winners	Eliminated	Star stolen
1	Frenemies	Adam & Steve	—
		Ashley K. & Dario
		Devin & Leroy
		Nany & Turbo
2	Edge of Glory	Amber & Faysal	Adam & Steve	Beth & Jonna	Pole Position	Adam & Steve	Beth & Jonna	—

Episode progress

Contestants		Episodes
		1	2	3
	Adam & Steve	STAR	ELIM
	Amber & Faysal	SAFE	WIN
	Aneesa & Ashley M.	SAFE	SAFE
	Ashley K. & Dario	STAR	SAFE
	Big T & Corey	SAFE	SAFE
	Da'Vonne & Shane	SAFE	SAFE
	Devin & Leroy	STAR	SAFE
	Frank & Sam	SAFE	SAFE
	Katie & Veronica	SAFE	SAFE
	KellyAnne & Sylvia	SAFE	SAFE
	Melissa & Nicole	SAFE	SAFE
	Nany & Turbo	STAR	SAFE
	Beth & Jonna	SAFE	OUT

Competition key

  The team won the daily challenge and was immune from having their Star stolen.

  The team earned a Star in the daily challenge.

  The team was safe from the Jungle.

  The team was nominated for the Jungle and won.

  The team lost in the Jungle and was eliminated.

Voting progress

House Vote	Adam & Steve 9 of 12 votes
Winner's Vote	Beth & Jonna
Voter	Episodes
	2
Adam & Steve	Not shown
Amber & Faysal	Beth & Jonna
Aneesa & Ashley M.	Adam & Steve
Ashley K. & Dario	Adam & Steve
Big T & Corey	Adam & Steve
Da'Vonne & Shane	Adam & Steve
Devin & Leroy	Adam & Steve
Frank & Sam	Adam & Steve
Katie & Veronica	Big T & Corey
KellyAnne & Sylvia	Adam & Steve
Melissa & Nicole	Beth & Jonna
Nany & Turbo	Adam & Steve
Beth & Jonna	Adam & Steve

Star progress

Star	Episodes
	1	2	3
1	Adam & Steve
2	Devin & Leroy
3	Ashley K. & Dario
4	Nany & Turbo

Star holder at the start of each episode.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title  [16]	Original release date	US viewers (millions)
42	1	"A Star Studded Ar-Rival"	January 29, 2025 (2025-01-29)	0.31 [17]
43	2	"Rivals on the Edge"	February 5, 2025 (2025-02-05)	TBD
44	3	"Rivals in the Ruff"	February 12, 2025 (2025-02-12)	TBD

Notes

1. Due to adverse weather conditions, Devin & Leroy, Melissa & Nicole and Nany & Turbo were given the choice of attempting the "Edge of Glory" challenge the following day to beat current leaders Amber & Faysal, or not to compete at all. All three teams elected not to compete.

References

1. Longeretta, Emily (December 18, 2024). "'The Challenge: All Stars' Moves to MTV, Brings Back Fan Favorite 'Rivals' Theme: Meet the Teams". Variety . Retrieved December 22, 2024.
2. Falcone, Dana Rose (December 18, 2024). "The Challenge: All Stars Enlists Fan-Favorite Format for Season 5 as Leroy Garrett, Nany González and More Return". People . Retrieved December 21, 2024.
3. Block, Michael (January 18, 2025). "Old Friends Have Bad Blood on 'The Challenge: All Stars 4'". Collider. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
4. Bucksbaum, Sydney (December 23, 2020). "The Challenge: Double Agents recap: Injuries and an elimination upset". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
5. Bucksbaum, Sydney (September 22, 2021). "Fessy Shafaat talks The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies decision: 'I broke the rules'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
6. The Challenge [@thechallenge] (January 24, 2025). "These issues are PERSONAL #TheChallengeAllStars5: Rivals premieres Wednesday at 8p, NOW on @MTV! ⚔️ (Part 2 of 2)" . Retrieved January 31, 2025– via Instagram.
7. Bucksbaum, Sydney (December 6, 2023). "The Challenge star Big T on being season 39's primary target: 'I don't need to make more friends'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
8. Jacobs, Meredith (September 4, 2018). "Did 'The Challenge' Feature Its Most Brutal Elimination Yet With Think Tank on 'Final Reckoning'?". News Week. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
9. Singh, Amijeet (December 20, 2024). ""Overstepped boundaries" — The Challenge All Stars: Rivals star Frank addresses his past treatment of Sam". Sportskeeda. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
10. Bucksbaum, Sydney (October 19, 2022). "Another vet gets pulled from the game early on The Challenge: Ride or Dies". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
11. Bucksbaum, Sydney (June 1, 2022). "The Challenge: All Stars 3 recap: A villain becomes a hero while another villain quits". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
12. Matthew Scott Donnelly (October 12, 2017). "Remembering Veronica's Greatest Challenge Power Plays". MTV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
13. Matthew Scott Donnelly (August 9, 2018). "Here's What Happened When CT and Veronica Squared Off on The Challenge...14 Years Ago". MTV. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
14. Bucksbaum, Sydney (June 8, 2022). "The Challenge: All Stars 3 recap: KellyAnne gets her revenge". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
15. Norwin, Alyssa (February 1, 2018). "'The Challenge: Vendettas': Melissa Reveals Why She Hooked Up With Nicole Despite Having A BF". Hollywood Life. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
16. "The Challenge: All Stars listings". Futon Critic . Retrieved December 21, 2024.
17. Pucci, Douglas (January 30, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: NBC Tops Prime Time with One Chicago Crossover". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 31, 2025.