Teamwork Makes the Perfect Work w/ Big T

Hey, everyone, it's Devin Simone and guess who's back on the podcast. It's me.

Hey, family, cousin, sisters, brothers, everybody. I'm Davon Rogers and I'm back and this is emptv's official Challenge podcast.

Davon, I'm so happy to have you back. How are you feeling?

I feel good. I feel good. I miss you guys, I miss talking. I've seen the twinter streets. They've been asking, where's day Vine, where's day Vine here? I am so I hope y'all listening.

Yes, you guys. Better for those who are asking about Davon, you guys better be tuned in and listening. I am so excited about this season of the Challenge. I love that we it's a new beginning, We got a new season. What are you most excited to see, Davon? I am excited to see these people come in with all of their hunger.

These I can't even call them newbies, these rookies, you know, new school, the new school challenges, let's go with that. I wanted to see them come in with all of this hunger and this excitement to be the new champ, like it's time for a new name to be up there with the rest of the Chance.

Well, it's interesting because it's like they're not full fledged rookies just because they've all played the game before, so they all have had a taste of what they're getting into. But I can't wait for the twist of they're gonna have to go against some heavy hitters if they want to take that crown. I don't know if you've seen the commercial with CT coming out with what looks like when those ball and chain things and he's like, you

But it makes sense, like if you want to be the champ, you have to beat the Chance, right, so it only makes sense.

It definitely makes sense. I'm excited to see how plays out.

I love it, and we have a front row seat to it all and we are going to be dissecting it all, which is amazing. And to kick it off, I mean, we couldn't do it without the Queen of Piano playing, the Queen of accents, the Queen of cheffery. Cheffery is even a word, but yes, exactly in the kitchen. She also makes you proud and that she has taken my baton of wig wearing on the challenge and has

Absolutely let's get into this episode.

Okay, So this format for this season is basically three sections control, fight for the new money okay, Chaos, protect the money, and then conquest.

You have to win and this season they are not playing.

Okay.

We had our very first challenge of the season and it was called Whole Control and it's basically where the boys. They're gonna bring the poles out of the pit, and then the girls have to solve this puzzle. Pretty simple puzzle if you ask me, but you know, it is what it is. It's not complicated. But then it's also not completed, and so they lose the money. Everybody fifty k down to drain fifty.

K in ten minutes.

You could have did it, but they didn't. So now we have to go to this voting. The votes go to Jessica.

Jessica picks Big Tea, calls her weak and all this other kind of stuff. Big Tea goes down there to the elimination, which is called fallout, and she lets her know, baby, I'm not weak, and watch me fall out on the fallout.

So Big Tea ends up.

Winning, Jessica goes home, and for me, the episode was.

Top top tier, top tier girl. There was so much I don't even know where to start. Actually, I do. Orange was a bold color choice girls, and I don't know where is it Pantone's color of the Year. It's interesting, look go ahead challenge. I appreciate branching out is just a real departure from what we've seen. It's very bold. I'd love to know how you guys are feeling about that, So please DM me and let me know. It's a

Oh my goodness, I was like grab his nack, grab his throat, right, just fallow them up by any means necessary, falling up. It was. That was extremely hard to watch the girls. I don't understand why no one thought to put the puzzle on the ground, right, First do the puzzle on the ground.

And then you can just put the poles up. Ladies, what's happening today?

Everyone wanted to talk. You can't listen when it comes to a group challenge.

Shut up, yep, shut it up, yep?

Okay, like because it's chaos and not in the best way. Like, they didn't protect the money, Devin. They didn't protect the money.

They did they didn't know what they were doing. And now nobody gets a snack. Nobody gets a snack or naptell money because they couldn't get it together. I will say, it's a really interesting dynamic and it's a beautiful cast, you know, which is just amazing. Maybe that's why they put them an orange. I don't know. I'm still wondering about the orange.

But I like the orange.

You know, I just couldn't I I would be worried. I just yes, okay, I have thoughts about the orange. That's what I'm say. I also have thoughts about Berna coming in hot this season, like I don't understand, like I and obviously she's going through some things and that's usually the case on the show. It's a lot, but like Berna was coming in a little too hot in my opinion, especially when she shut poor Colleen the psychologist down. I just it just felt like it was a lot.

Close your mouth, what is this?

That's why nobody wanted a room with her. Like she was given very very.

And I hope she's not offended when she hears this. She was getting very sensitive. She gave very sensitive and very defensive yes, like yeah she was.

She was on gjar yeah, very much.

So.

She was definitely on guard. And her friends tried to tell her that you know, when your friends are trying to sit down and talk to you and saying you're being defensive and you know they're coming from a place of love, and you're still not listening that like, that's probably not going to be in your best interest. Something that will be in your best interest this season though, I know I get on people about showmances, but so far,

Get a guy.

Take out was right, right? I mean that seems like a smart move at this point. What are your thoughts today? Yeah, get you a guy? Would you have done it? Would you have done it?

And this I can't do it and it's so bad.

I need to learn because I didn't learn how to act, like okay, I just I can't do to fake the bunk.

I gotta learn how to fake it.

I make it.

I just I can't do it. I get so irritated, like never.

Mind, yeah yeah, never mind, get off me, get away from me. But still don't vote for me, but get right, but don't vote for me. I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of that as people start to you know, strategize or just familiarize themselves with other people who so far, I know it's been a while since you've done this, so I'm gonna need you to dust off your stars and your time out chair. But uh, who is getting your gold Star of the week and who's getting your time out?

All right, I'm gonna split my star in half.

Okay.

I don't know if that's how it works, but yeah, uh you get half, you.

Get half in half.

I want to give it to Big T and the rese okay, simply because I am such a fan of and it's probably gonna buy me in a butt if I ever go back, but I don't care.

Get them men out of here.

Like the idea of this, to have this all women final is such a powerhouse idea to me, Like, oh my goodness, And if there was ever a time to do it, this would be it. Usually you're like, you know what, Either we're gonna get the champs out or we're gonna hold out to the champion gave him as a shield. Ain't no Champson, you know, so yeah, a powerhouse female all women casts. Oh my gosh, final like

And Baby, I was with you in the beginning because I thought you were trying to.

Save yourself and then you hooked that left and I don't understand where the where it was going. And then the whole idea of I'm gonna take control and take it into my faith. I wasn't buying that. I think you knew you were going in and you were trying to kind of like save face.

But I didn't get it.

I think she's a great girl, she's gorgeous, but I just I'm put your time out today.

Baby.

I thought, I actually thought, I mean, to your point, you're right again saying with the rascio thing in that the numbers. She already knew she was going in by the time it was like getting to her vote. But I actually respected her being like I'm gonna say myself too, Like I actually was kind of like, all right, I have I have props for you. Uh go check my stats.

Strategic I wave.

It's just not a short smart strategic move because it's like you're now voluntarily to put a target on your back unnecessarily, Like even if he was number two in the voting line, I could get it because you you have potential to turn things around and you're standing on the ground when your number thirty two in a lineup of thirty three. Dude, just just voting the rest of the thing.

I don't know.

And it's like it was Also, it wasn't like you were voting in CT. So what cool, big bad points are you gonna get for voting in Big T.

But no, but Dalcie, this is what I'm saying. It wasn't CT.

But like I said, I feel like a lot of the guys are afraid of Big T. So it kind of was a CT situation, like I'm scared to say their name.

I say it right. That's how I'm fair. That's fair, that's fair. Well, he gets my time out. Go have several seats, several seats, think about what you did, several seats.

She came.

She brought receipts. Okay, if you can picture, if you ever watched Married Medicine, you can picture Mariah walking back through the doors. Do I need to bring these out for receipt receipts? You are not going to want to miss this. It is a lot going on and it's so much fun. A lot of laughs, a lot of behind the scenes inside, some things to watch out for. It is a perfect way to kick off the season.

Hey day, Hi ladies, thank you so much for having me here today.

We are so excited. I just have to tell the people listening she did arrive in a tiara. I'm just gonna point it. You guys can't see it, but just so you know, she is indeed in this moment rocking a tiara.

Because of.

Period, absolutely the season premiere, I've had to show up.

Yes, Yes, love that. So how did it feel to be back, because it's been a while since we've seen you. You were getting like doing training to become a chef over in the UK. So when you got this call, you know, what were your thoughts? What were your feelings?

You know? So I had just graduated from culinary school and you know, I really thought my path was going to go back there. But then I got the call for the challenge and I just thought to myself, Oh, I've really missed the game, and there was something in my heart. I was just like, I follow as this, I haven't completed everything that I want to in this game, and I had to come back.

You got that.

Itch came back, absolutely came back much sooner.

I thought, listen, now this right here, this episode was absolutely insane.

Great way to kick off this season, my goodness.

Okay, before we even get into it, Okay, watching the episode, you already let us know you went in and black some folks, so let us know how that goes.

Who did your black girl? Who did you shut down?

Yeah? So we had to block and unfollow Corey Lea just because of some conversations that we've had in real life. And where he told me he was only plotting against me because he was influenced to do that byan Michelle and Jay, which now having watched an episode I see is not facts and very untrue. So yeah, I had to deal with that situation accordingly.

Okay, got rid of And by the way, you guys, this is why of all the podcasts. I know there's a lot of Challenge podcasts, a lot of really great ones, and shout out to those podcasts, but this is why you want to listen to the official Challenge podcast because this is all happening live in real time. By the way, this is unfolding. Big Tea just realized because she just saw the episode that what she was told was maybe not fully accurate. So this tea is piping hot, so

How do I feel?

Yeah?

I guess sometimes I play this game too emotionally sometimes because I like to take people at face value, and you know, I was. I had a lot of aniosity towards Michelle and j because Corey was just like, oh, it's damn that made me do that. And then watching the episode, I saw he didn't need any prompt he

Now, well, let me tell you something.

You go ahead and wear this badge of honor because from watching the episode, Baby, the men were terrified to you.

Okay, they were terrified to you. They said, we got to get her out of here. Well, he did say that you were smart. Yeah, he said that you were smart. But let's let's back up a little bit at the beginning of this episode, right because it is the season premiere. So you came into the house basically aligned with ninety nine point nine eighty seven percent of the people competing.

I thought it was a good idea because I thought, you know, I was kind of scrambling. I wanted to keep myself safe and Melissa safe, so I was like, let's just make a huge network as big as possible. Now. I was told everybody who's done previous seasons together are going to stick together, which is why I thought, oh, I'm so aligned because I've done the most seasons out of everybody.

So you told you that? Who told you that?

It was just word on the street? Okay, yeah, it was like a general street, the streets of Croatia absolutely.

All right, who were you most excited to see going into that?

Do you know what? So my game flan kind of messed up because Melissa and I weren't going to let everyone know that we're best friends because we know that we knew that would be targeted straight away. So going into the house, I was going to be like, oh, me and Melissa don't really get on, but it was I did to see her. I was like, that's my best friend.

You can't Hi, And I couldnot. I cannot not Big Tea spoiling her own game. Day one can not.

Y'all was outside night one, y'all had to sleep outside. It's fine it to us, because girl, what what a bloody disaster?

Did you see what I was wearing. I was wearing my heels and a little like jumpsuit hot pants actually, and we're outside without like a fur blanket or anything, and it was freezing cold, it's raining. I was so fed up. I think you hear him even staying TJ come on, hurry up now?

Yeah, right, and he was running late because where was you at exact?

I mean, this is something that we did not expect. And we're also hungover, but fast.

Yeah, because what happened the night before? Were you guys partying? Like what went down the night before?

Oh my god? We were partying like it was nineteen seventies, like it was Studio fifty four in the Challenge Elimination Ground. Okay, boys to make out with boys, girls who make up with girls? Axes, we're making out in front of other people that, oh, like cool.

Let's get some names in here. Let's get some name. There's a laddier, Let's get some who's making out who?

I don't want a gossip, but Karen and Jessica needs to have that finger thing thing. And then Karen, it is such a gospel.

Look at your face. It's fine. Don't overthink, just over share. That is the motto of the podcast, Big Tea.

So we're playing spin the bottle and Kien spins the bottle and it lands on Raven, so he has to kiss Raven, and Jessica's just like hell to the nub, so she grabs Raven and starts making out. When Hern Everyone's just like, oh, who.

Did you make out with? Big Tea.

I don't really like to kiss people with the tongue when I first meet them, So I just gave Cleen a peck.

Okay, okay, good good. It's very respectable of you, very the real family would be very proud of you, Big So it sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. Wait, is that when Michelle and Calm sort of things started brewing that first night?

A lot was brewing that first night. But yes, I did sneak a peek at Michelle and column people were also really admiring Jessica as well.

Yeah wait, people who as in people who voted her in were admiring Jessica. Okay, so then how how it looked?

Now?

Okay, how did it flip?

Then?

So, but was she like kicking them all off? Like how did she have fans essentially night one in the house and then we get to the point that they all are voting her in?

You know, I didn't know. Maybe that's part of my political master wine shit. You will say, no, no, no, I didn't. I'm jaking. I really didn't actually pot against Jessica. I just didn't want it to be a female. I actually was wanting it to if it had to be a female, I wanted it to be clean. And the other girls were saying Jessica, Jessica, Jessica.

I was like, no, no, no, no, no, I got to be Colleen.

I didn't have a relationship with her at this point in the game, just the girl I spoke to the least, and she had done a previous season with the other girls, and I thought, you know, she'd probably align with them rather than me. So Jessica is somebody who I'd probably be able to trust more.

Didn't you think it'd be good to have a therapist in the house, though, I.

Mean, I feel like we're a lost cause cisde therapist.

Like I mean, we saw her trying to help Berner, and Berne had the audacity to be like, no, I just want to tell you stuff, you know what.

I respect that because sometimes I just need you to be an ear and out of mouth. I just want to talk.

Yeah, but like you got to earn that, right, because like what makes her think that Colleen just wants to hear her nonsense like friends?

Because she said, trying to help a.

Lost soul Burn and needs to stop talking and do some listening and maybe she have a friend or two.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

I understand setting boundaries, but you need to exercise that at home. You can't be out on an island trying to set boundaries. You're gonna fall off the island. That was wild, And Colleen looked at her like, bitch, what that was wild?

I felt bad. I appreciated it. Burner, Oh no, I felt bad for clean.

Because yeah I did too.

Because you know, it's day two or day one. We're just talking this experience. I'm sure clean, has her own anxieties and stresses as well, and so she's actually landing in air trying to give advice and for Bottles to be like, m M, I don't want your advice. I think it is quite.

Harsh lcensed advice. On top of that, this isn't someone who's like, oh I just watched an episode in Nine Day Fiance, I can I can diagnose she like.

This is someone who like is trained with the schools giving trying to help.

You out and burns. I know, A hot mess, A hot mess. Okay, speaking of hot mess, let's get into this daily now. Oh my gosh, a total twist. Were your thoughts when you rolled up to it and you saw that mud pit? And then when you heard that it was going to be a pass or fail grade not so much a winner or a losing.

Or well, you know, when I saw the mud pit, I do love mud pits. I was quite excited. But then when I did see that we're playing as a whole team collectively, I was quite anxious. I was quite worried. I was like, this is going to be a disaster.

Yeah, mud pits? Why why big t what?

You know, there's very cleansing for the skin. When you have like mud and your face dries up poor and all of that, is.

It actually for a certain type of mud, not stepped on challenge mud, And yes, big tee at the spot, they are not grabbing mud out from the back of their house, from the pasture.

It's like.

It's a certain type of mud.

I'm out range. I had no idea. I cannot putting it on my face.

Somebody checks to take big t over here trying to give herself a spa mask in the middle. That's why they didn't win that daily.

Who makes likely strategy or was there no strategy for the women who were doing the puzzle, because I was wondering why y'all didn't do it on the ground first?

Well, that was the thing, was just too many cooks, spoiled broth. You know. I did come in and say, guys, like, let's do this, this, this. I did try to have my parts, but then it got to the point where everyone's like here, here, here, and I just stepped back. I was just like, oh, dear, this is just not going to work.

Fifty k in ten minutes.

My gosh, you ever so close. I felt like you were so close.

I do want to know, is Bernard soft spoken or were you guys really just like tuning her out because she made it seem as if no one was paying attention to her.

But she seems really.

Soft spoken, does she? Were we watching the same show Davon? Yeah?

Devon, Yeah, I'm talking about the challenge. In that challenge, she she was.

Like, where has my Davon gone? Right? She's making a face for everybody.

She looks so spocused, So what was it, y'all was just actively ignoring her?

What was She's she's very harsh with her delivery. It's being me harsh. I think people are just blocking her out. They don't want to be insulted or cry.

Ah Okay, did.

She make someone cry in the house?

I mean yeah, I mean she's she's very offensive. I mean my first matt her was very offended. I didn't get that.

I don't know what show you I don't, I don't. I didn't get that. Even the way she told Colleen what she told Colleen, which is fair to set boundaries, but the way she dismissively was like, I like, dude, Colleen's trying to be nice to you when you no one else is listening to you. You could have some great communicate the right and you here like, no, girl, just be quiet.

Huh.

I would have just if I were Colleen, I literally would have just gotten up and walked away. And I would have said nothing else, just.

Gotten up and walked away, dude. But also that you can see that you know she's somebody who you know. I don't want to say the wrong word, tip, but I just feel like to be crying over who in a room with I'm like, come on, yeah, oh, adults, I mean that's a bit much.

Although it was shady shout out to shady production in a good way, but like the montage of everybody having an excuse Michelle, I would, I would, but I'm allergic to the color of this room. And then he was, oh my god, I would. I wanted to room here, as she's sitting in the corner like that was hard to watch, and then she started being noxious, but that part was hard to watch.

Listen, I have people who don't want to be in a room with me. Do you know how much rejection I got. I went onto everything, like person in the room, things. I have a reputation of being messy, which I've.

Already first five minutes of this podcast. Yes, yes, but we it's entertainment and we live for it.

Can't we give a shout out to the we're on the suitcase. I said, that's my girl, that's my girl.

Yes, I love how far we've come, by the way that we can just do that, that is just I love how yeslators, but.

Yeah, so in order people like nobody, I don't want to be in a room with you and then straight off with me. You're messy. I had remancy keep food in your bed under the pillow, and I'm just like, fir enough, Okay, it's fine.

I wait, you play food under the bed and in your pillow, Big Tea.

I was gonna slide past, Big Tea.

What are we doing?

She might want a little nibble in the middle of the night. It's right in a little finger tips.

You never know, Thank you.

I don't know what to do with all this, Tea. I need to take a moment to just sit and think about it. So we're gonna take a break.

We'll be right back after this.

This group seems like a lot of partiers this season, Like, how is this different for you, Big Tea compared to previous seasons.

I have to say, you know, every cast is very gorgeous, but I have to say I felt like this cast was exceptionally gorgeous. Agree. I was looking at all the girls like, holy moly, I agree, everyone absolutely stunning girls, guys, wonderful, wonderful combination. And also, yeah, I mean the fact that you know everybody, no one's champ, A lot of new faces, A lot of people have just done one season or two seasons, so it was different. And did you know what?

Yeah, oh yeah you are. You are messy.

No, That's what I was going to ask you, Like, how much higher was your confidence level coming in knowing that there was no chance the playing field was very even, like no chance to overcome like we hear, How did that feel like your confidence booths?

No, that didn't give me a confidence boost at all, because I don't underrest me anyone because I see potential in everyone to be a champ, genuinely. But I guess from day one. I was confident for the first hour, which was a mistake because I was like, wow, I have a massive alliance.

It was the Big Ta bunch.

I was like, what ar the squares?

I know?

That was cute. That was cute. I loved how they did that. I loved how they did that. And this is your first challenge working as one large team. How would you rate your performance? Big Ta, how would you rate your performance?

I actually thought I did really well, like in that daily challenge. This is the thing which actually irritates me. I feel as if people made their decision against me due to past performances of me, not to do with the performance that I agree because at the end of the day number one, I'm not just saying this because Melissa is my god, but like she was one of the people that got the most to mount of poles from the side to the boys, which is why she's one of the last people to climb up the wall.

I sort of felt like that.

I I found as if, no matter how good or bad my performance was, I was going to be targeted. Absolutely.

I think yeah, I think so. I feel like a part of it was, at least from what we saw in Corey's conversation, around people recognizing that you're smart and that you did have the ability to potentially sway. I mean, he said at one point like I'm afraid that if Big T even gets word of this, the whole house will flip. And so that speaks to your power and what,

Okay, firstly, I don't like the e watt like a senior.

Better, that's okay, No, look, it's fine. Look it never applies in the same way it does to bananas, So you're fine, it's fine.

You were the most bit of the vets.

I'll tell you what. I did not feel like an elder or a senior. But what I did feel was, for the first time in my Chinese experience, I felt like a bat. I was like, wow, I do because I'm always like feel like I'm a forever rookie at all. But now it's just like down. It's I am a bad down.

And we saw that in your moves as you made sort of this master plan, which I live for because I am smart. Because it seems like the girls weren't even considering that at all, and it wasn't click. You risked yourself to sort of put that, you know, to put it out there like that. So when did this sort of creep into your mind that Okay, we're gonna have to do the girl play offensive against the guys.

Immediately immediately once we lost that first challenge, I just knew because I feel as if in society in general, I feel like men tend to bunch together and they kind of will plant seeds, and women do turn against each other. I just feel like it's unfortunate passing the human natures. I was like, I need to prevent this from happening, because at the end of the day, TJ has not said it's going to regard elimination boy, elimination

Nars was right there with you been at the end, but she came right on in there. She had the same ideas you, and I was like, come on, I need I.

Was like, we're not letting us, you know, turn into did you if the guys had said, if even one or two of the guys had said that they wanted to vote a guy out, would you have backed off that plan or do you feel like you still would have stuck to it needs to be guys versus girls.

No, I mean I wouldn't have backed off because the end of the day, like the whole my whole leg incentive was just to create unity amongst US women and to stay strong because I felt like, you know, this is the beginning. It's that's a president of what you throughout the game, how you start the game. So if we girls stick together, united and strong, and the boys, no, actually there's no weak changes and we can't infiltrate into this strong gal gollpower.

You know, absolutely. We saw a great example of that with USA two recently, with the group I referred to as Desney's child, Mikayla, uh Desi and Chanel. But they really they came out from the jump united af and they stayed united all the way to the end. And they, I mean they looked almost borderline unbreakable, and it was really powerful as rookies what they were able to accomplish in doing that. So you were you were right on target day, What do you think you would have done?

Oh Jessica, baby, what was that about? Like she was I thought she was pleading her case in the beginning, and then.

She took a sharp left turn and I was like, baby, the road is it's end of the Where are you going? I was so confused, so my mind, I'm looking at the guys, I'm sizing them up.

I threw James in here, quick, get him out of here. He got to go, James huge, he got to go.

I don't want to see that in the final get him out of here. But once she started doing all of that talk, and I was like, oh, baby, they ain't even own me. No right, everybody gonna send you it.

Yeah.

And so when Berna it was like a domino effect. I was like, oh my god, which.

We knew what happened right, Like Berner being the first one to set the ground work. It was super easy for everyone. I mean, I feel like this is the most united you've seen the challenge except for harass behind. This was so united. How do you feel about Horacio today, Big Ta, By the way, I adore him.

I really really like him, And you know, I have to say in that moment, I was just like, harassy, yeah, that's why I am salty. I'm honestly like, he's a fishy, not hot to me anymore.

I love that. That was hilarious. But Gina, why do you think he did that big tea? Did you feel blindsided when he said your name?

I was disannoyed because I was just trying to keep her low profile and I wants that name sad on this stage. Was like, don't give me attention right now, harassio.

Yeah.

But to be honest, I really respect him for doing that because he is not a sheep, and I feel like there are too many people who follow suit who are sheep, who are perphaps make big mimes because they're like.

Oh, but was it a big move? Because he knew it already, didn't have the votes, Like, I don't know, it kind of gave pick me energy a little.

I don't know.

I think he wanted to make that known at the very beginning. I don't care what y'all got going on. I'm gonna do what I want to do this yet. So even though she's not going in, but I'm letting you know today moving forward, I'm not going to be that guy, so yeah, but I feel.

Like, but do you need to play those cards so early on, Like anytime you let people know what your stance is going to be, I feel like there's a street strategic time to release that, and at a time when the number wouldn't have gone his way anyway, because she already had nineteen thousand votes. The one vote for Big T wasn't going to change anything. It just felt like, like, I feel like some people want to be different so bad.

Does that make you think at any point that maybe the guys all got together and said, you know what, one PC tonight, we're gonna do big T.

And then once Bernard did her vote, they all flipped for him.

Absolutely, that really showed me that he was obviously just sticking to the plan that was yeah, because I was like, that didn't just come from nowhere. I just feel like Carass wasn't just like pulled my name out of the sky. There was definitely conversations that happened, So he.

Was sticking to a plan that he agreed to with the group, likely a majority, which could be sheeplike behavior. But he didn't cheap okay, cool, just I just wanted to lay that out there that that's how got it, got it, got it? Yeah, it didn't seem to make a ton of sense. Do you think him saying your name in that moment, though, contributed to the likelihood of Jessica then calling you out because your name was the one she had most recently sort of heard in that moment.

Absolutely not, you know, Okay, listen, Jessica. Little is Jessica. I have a problem with this because she is crying throughout the thing, being like, I don't want to be the first one home because everyone under reestimates me because of my size, because I'm small, so people think I'm weak. It's not fair, honey, you're calling me weak. We are the same height. Actually I think I'm slightly shorter than you. Okay, I'm not so skinny anymore, but like.

We are.

Period, but we're put in the same category. So for you to put somebody who's attatch Gris in the same bracket as you and calling them out as Week, I'm sorry, my love, like you are not getting my sympathy. And the fact is she even said there's no bad blood between me and but Tea.

Yes, that was I was.

Speak on my behalf.

Is there still bad blood?

Was we?

No? Absolutely, not the games again. But but I will be honest in that moment, I was because don't don't do that. Don't be upset about being called week and then called others week. It doesn't make sense, Jessica. And alongside the whole I don't care about winning the money and that whole speech I'm like, that was a.

Mess that I would just give it away anyway. But then I'm like, that was I just I mean, I really wanted someone to just be like Jessica just sit back and just just sit back.

I mean that was wild.

That was But see, who did you who did you think she was going to pick?

I thought she was going to pick Olivia or Nourice?

Really why.

Because I had a conversation with her and no, no, because she's she before this speech, she said I could go for the people who were plotting against me, but instead I'm not going to take revenge. I'm going to go and help the team and take out the weakest player.

Wait that's literally what she said. See that's so shady. And she called you week in front of the whole group. But then you just proved the weakest player was the one who lost.

So yeah, I mean took her out. That hammer came up so quick.

It was quite fun.

Come on myself. Yeah, she'd been cooking in the kitchen, in and the gym. Come on, it is, it's so wild, big t. I want to get your take on.

So we see you mentioned before that on the night before when you guys were all partying and then had to sleep outside like bagbones that you started to see a little bit of the blossom or the beginning the seeds planted for Michelle and Callum. Right, what are your thoughts? And day I want to hear yours too when we see Michelle do the right thing. Props to Michelle on this, which is do you have a girlfriend?

Yes?

Or no?

You know, like she's like, let me know what's happening. Let's get clear. We see Michelle and I appreciate that they left that moment in there because they could have easily not shown us that. But I appreciate that it's clear Michelle's trying to do the right thing. And he says no, he said the situation shit and then we see him talking to this girl now production shitty shit. Production definitely labeled it Callum's girlfriend, but then talking about

Okay, firstly, I wish Michelle had shared with us that she knew that Colin had someone on the outside, because that's not how she was approaching the situation. Yeah, she didn't. She she well to me personally because I was one of her roommates. She never disclosed to me that Calum was honest to her about the situation. She was just like, I heard from somewhere that, you know, maybe there's someone outside. And I said, yeah, there is. I heard it too, and yeah, and I felt bad because I thought I

Seemed like she didn't know the degree, if we're being fair, that he had made it. He made it seem like.

It was some that's a girlfriend to her.

Yeah, I said, oh, you told her girlfriend, absolutely, because I had. But he didn't.

Though.

On the show, he says, no, she explicitly asked, and he said, and I wonder if that conversation happened after she had spoken to you or before. But she explicitly asked, girl like yes or no?

Yes?

And he says no.

All right, right, that's quite anol of him.

Yeah, not you trying to blame Michelle.

She he lied.

He lied, that was on top of it. That's not on camera.

I didn't think that's fair on Michelle.

MTVS can't write.

He's gonna come back and.

Then talking about I love you, love you, love you, I miss I want to go home and see you.

I was shocked at that, to be honest, I didn't yet the fact that she was the phone call home was just.

Like yes, wild And then in confessional that he said, but Michelle, but you didn't tell me Michelle was gonna be here. She's one of one. I mean, perhaps to Michelle for being recognized as one of one, but that is so shady to his girl back home. The girlfriend is gonna see that and be like, well, what number I might number gone number black number, do not call back.

That was not a smart way from his parts at all. But but but you know, it seemed genuine. You know, Michelle is a beautiful woman. I feel like he was genuinely attrapped to her, you know. And I'm not saying what he did was right at all. It's completely wrong, but yeah, at least I feel like he genuinely must have been confused.

That does not make it better that Challenge House.

You just start making bad decisions in the Challenge House. You just make all these bad decisions. Because he not the first one to get caught up. He ain't gonna be the later it was like.

But that's just a whole, assthmath, it's just literally a whole, just a whole, I mean to blatantly be like, no, I'm curious to see. I'm curious to see though, how that all plays out and where that goes.

I'm not saying anything.

And there's more. We're gonna see more of it.

You know. It's a lot of kissing and you know, googlely eyes going on. You know so far this season?

Were you googly eye? And anybody this season?

You?

Yeah, Victim? We remember you back in the Logan days in bed uh learning Spanish or whatever he might Shakespearean? Yes, yes, girl, who are you canoodling with this season? Or who should we keep an eye out for?

You're gonna have to find out. You'll be surprised. You will be surprised.

So wait, how surprised will I be? Victim? Now? I really wouldn't know.

You base. Literally, it's gonna play your socks off. You're not gonna see this one coming.

Ooh did your socks get blown off?

Big d while you're in one one of them kept blowing off just slid okay, a.

Little off the pick it up just a little bit all right, all right. So one thing that was a good I don't know if I would to call a surprise whatever it was, though it was joyful, was the way you kicked button this elimination when you found out what you had to do. Were you automatically feeling confident like when TJ explained the rules or were you like, oh god, like, what did you think the odds were before you?

Guys?

Actually, you know, before TJ blew the horn to say go, do you know what?

I wasn't even thinking about Jessica Ashwall. All I was thinking in my head was CT's advice actually from previous seasons, which is stay calm. And I was thinking about my past eliminations where I had gone wrong because the moment that blows that horn, I was just literally like in the past and elimination against Amanda, I remember I had to turn these cogwheels. Instead of being strategic, I was literally just turning these cog wheels as fast as I can,

And I was waiting when you were competing or before he blew the horn, before he blew the horn. Oh yeah, you guys should think.

It's so mad. I was just absolutely locked in. Also, I was terrified, you guys. I was just like, I have come back from retirement. I can't be the first one to go. I'm that here I have And for myself, I was just I really want to build myself esteem, my confidence. I have to win an elimination and it's just so long.

Did it build yourself a scene in confidence winning that elimination?

I would say it made me less fearful of going down as the elimination brand, and to win one. I was just like, Okay, did.

You see her polls? When she fail in a row?

I was the cutest. I like, you better enjoy that girl? Yes? So good? Do you feel like it was actually good because it showed for all the chatter that was about you being weak? Right? Do you feel because not only did you win this elimination? I mean, it seemed like you pretty much dominated it. Did you like? What was the time difference on that? By the way, do you know?

I mean not to blame my own trumpet, but yes, I finished very early. The elimination didn't last very long.

I love how I guess should see the key pace she's making.

Love that? So do you feel like it's in a message though, to those who are doubting you and maybe weren't so familiar with your game that like, no, no, no, you're not just smart, you're not just charismatic, but you're also you can kick guess.

You know. I would love that to be the message. But I think to change one's reputation, you have to win more than one elimination, you know, And I think you probably have to go up against a champ or something and when to fully get people's attention, because a reputation doesn't get changed overnight.

You're not where I do want to ask you this, what is your definition of the term challenge champ.

And what does that mean to you?

Oh, that's an interesting question. I think you're really champion when you're champion of your own heart, when you are proud of yourself because people can call you a champion, but maybe you might feel like the win wasn't fair, or you knew you could have done that. You might have won by ten seconds, but you knew you could have won by twenty seconds, so deep down you're like, wow, I didn't do my best. I think the term champ for me is when you literally put your blood, sweat

You said you took notes after watching this episode. We saw you with your pin and paper. Are there any notes that we missed that you wanted to get off your chair there?

Yes, Actually I do have some notes that we have not discussed. Firstly, I would like to say I feel like the boys really really actually blamed the girls. But you can see on it both parts. There was some you know, komfuffle, and I think equally like, yes, I know the puzzle part went to the shambles, but I mean the getting over the wall wasn't exactly the smoothest

I think she was targeting you too, because I.

Think people were very threatened by Melissa's a nice friendship because at end of the day, like I think, when you come in with such a strong alliance. I mean, maybe tiny, just Melissa and I mighty punt, it's still a strong A strong friendship is a strong friendship, and I think people in the Challenge house to find that intimidating actually, which I know and you know, which is why initially we did not want to show how close we were coming into the season.

So that was nice to held that for about ten minutes. Big Team would second to speaking of secrets, Oh go ahead, day.

I just wanted to know how did it feel hearing watching the episode and hearing the girl say that Melissa was your crutch?

And do you know what?

I found that very interesting And it's fine. Let them not understand this relationship that I have with my friend. Keep underestimating me and not understanding my situations, because that is how you are going to get tripped up by Moir, So keep doing it. I'm fine with it. I love that.

I love that, speaking of underestimating, So you guys are in this house, TJ. Lets you know that there are no rookies there, but there are also no champs there, so you guys are probably feeling good. There's none of the usual suspects that we see now the viewers, we've already gotten a preview of the fact of what and who is to come and what it's going to take to win this season in terms of having to be

Absolutely not. However, so as you can see on the first I guess no elimination, the first challenge we kind of did when we sleepover in the elimination bround, you see names on the ground and all the names the names of champs. So we're just thinking, why are these champs names? But we had no idea what that had to do with, but we just knew had something to do with that, so that was more shadowing.

I like it production.

I like it absolutely sure. When I saw cet that on that trailer, just I.

Was just like, so so good, Okay, big t. I want to know before we before we go what so far And I know we're only one episode in, but so far, what would you say you're the least proud of that you've done in the game? And then I want to know what you're most proud of that you've done so far?

In the game overall, in my entire challenge experience, no.

In this season.

Least proud of.

And it could be something we didn't see. It could be behind the scenes least.

Proud of being naive and thinking I'd come into the game with such a huge web of alliances.

You know.

I think that was probably overconfident in my part and silly, so I think it got a bit comfortable too early on. And I'm most proud of winning that elimination. In the time that I did. You guys have felt so good. I was so right through that ahammer.

I was like, oh my god.

And also because I'm terrified of heights as well, and that glass box is going up and up. I was just like, no, tea to not be scared of heights right now, don't do it.

Yes, I love that so much, love that so so much.

Yeah, but I al say just to say all my notes as well, I just want to say thank you so much. And was such a wonderful Villa because that was the most gorgeous Challenge house ever. It was very to my standards. It's very to my standards.

Good job on production form making it to Big T's standards.

They listen to my request. So very happy and grateful, Big T.

I'm so happy you back.

I'm like, I'm so proud of you for you know, saying, you know what, I'm gonna take a Break'm gonna focus on school, graduate and then you know, living your best life. But then also coming back seeing you play and just the person you are, your personality is very contagious even through the screen, and so like, I'm just I'm so happy that your energy is back in that house and I'm excited.

To watch you this season absolutely much.

You know, I'm so grateful to have opportunity to come back. And you know, it was such wonderful feeling because it's so weird because you know, you retire and I come back into the house and I she just felt like I'm home. I know, it's a bunch of faces that a lot of them majority I didn't recognize, but I

I love that.

Sorry, No, it's okay.

Wait did you cook it all in the Challenge House since you're a chef?

Now, I did cook and everyone loved it.

I bet, I bet they have a psychologist this season. They have a chef this season. There, I mean serious, right right, like this is the season, Like this is the season to be on.

I'd be booking time with Big T and Colleen all season.

Wild. All right, big T, you've given us so much tea already, but can you give us some names to look out for for the rest of the season and don't tell us what happens. Just tell us some names that we need to look out for.

Guys.

I mean, you know, I don't like to gossip, but it's just us, Okay, Corey definitely, mm hmmm, oh mm hmm. Do you know what? I actually don't know too many names, but I think also from what I've been hearing, Waden Street, Olivia m that's the street I thought. I don't know why, but I've been hearing.

Wait, are those the same streets that said people who did the same show together are going to be sticking together because.

There's so street.

He's a more reliable street.

Okay, okay, I just I just needed I just need a picture. Should we be looking out for you as well? Because I saw in the little preview for coming up it looks like I don't know.

Is there some Yeah, definitely a lot of tea containing me involving me. Yeah, always look out for me.

I go to find out who blew that one socker, or at least who took it off a tell. So right, A lot to watch for those who want to keep watching this season, but watch along with you in real life? Where can they find you on social guys?

You know you can check me out on Instagram, which is Big Tea Faz. And I'm also on Twitter now. I love doing Twitter lies even though none of you actually come on them to the og Big Tea, so please follow me. I actually had to buy my followers embarrassing, so I cannot Big.

Tea God, I love you you always. We got a random are so hilarious? Okay, wait, text me next time you're doing a live and I'll join. I'll be day and I'll be in the group, right, Okay, I'll hold you to you that I will. I will I promise a cinder text. Cinder text will be there. Thank you so much, Big Tea for coming on. We are so so so happy to have you back and to see you in action and all the okay web and watching you.

Ladies.

Thank you so much for having me like, it's been so much fun having a chat with you, and I've got a bit emotional in the end, but you know, this is such a wonderful journey. It's such a fun experience and you know what it's like, and yeah, that's amazing, Big t. I love you, guys.

The Tea was hot, piping hot. Okay, my tongue it's still on fire. I can listen here. I'm burned.

I'm barn, Devin, I'm burnt. She was such a good guess. I'm so glad Big Ta came to hang.

Out with us.

Man, So now where can the people hang out with you?

I'm mean find you day. I'm not spelling the kind of tea big T speeling, so I would just you know, I want to give full disclosure there, but you know, we still do some fun stuff over there. You can go to my website that's devinsimone dot com. That's Devin with a Y Simone with an I dot com. If you're single, hey, hit me up on that website and maybe I'll match you, because that's my real life job as I'm a matchmaker. You can also find my socials

I am actually back on the YouTube. Okay, hey, when when did you post last post? Oh? Any videos up there? I posted a short last week.

Okay, we'll take it.

We'll take it. We'll take it. So you can find me on YouTube at Davion Diane.

You can find me on Instagram at Davi Davion Diane Switzer Day, Davion Underscore TikTok day Diane.

Just find me everywhere. I'm out here. Okay, I'm out here people.

My favorite place of mind, Davion actually is in memes that other people use. When I'm scrolling social media, I love seeing the gifts and the memes of Davon's reactions to like things that have nothing to do with the Challenge.

It.

Literally, I've had to stop myself so many times from screenshotting and just sending you every time I see that. I love it, live for it. Also, before we go, you guys know we're big proponents of mental health here on the Official Challenge podcast, so we wanted to share some info from MTV's ASK initiative with you.

Yes, now, have you ever.

Had a friend come to you with a problem and felt like you had no idea how to help them? Or you're definitely not alone. MTV's mental health is Health just did a study and found that while people are most likely to turn to a friend or family member when they're struggling, nearly seventy percent.

Of us don't feel like we know how to help. That's a huge.

Problem, then, isn't it, especially with mental health issues on the rise.

So MTV worked with Active Minds, a leading mental health nonprofit, and came up with a super simple way to help a friend or a loved one when they need it. ASK. It's an acronym that stands for knowledge, Support, and keep in touch a sk.

Now Here's how it works.

One acknowledge, acknowledge the person's feelings, and recognize the courage it took to come to you.

Support support by asking how can you help?

By sharing resources for coping methods, or assist them in finding professional help, and keep in touch to show you really care.

Ask is a valuable tool that can really make a difference in the lives of the people you love most. So go to ask tohelp dot com. That's ask too, help dot com to learn more, because the best way to help a friend is to ask.

Exactly all right, I'm glad we could share that with you.

Guys.

Thanks for joining us for the season premiere of the challenge Battle for a New Chance. Yes, and remember, if you liked this episode, make sure you rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and tell a friend y'all miss my song.

You miss my song?

To your mama, your daddy, your sister, your brother, the doctor, the lawyer, the preacher, the teacher, the mailman, the banker, the chef. Oh, we had a chef today.

We did have a chef. We did have a chef today. When you're done seeing that song, you can catch new episodes of The Challenge Battle for a New Champion on MTV.

Yes, and we'll see you back here right after for a brand new episode of MTV's official Challenge Podcast.

Do I need to bring the receipts?