“Jesus, help me.
I try not to be!”
“They were shocked when they saw me, that’s for sure.
Ashley Mitchell, ‘The Challenge’.Credit:Paramount+
I didn’t tell a dang soul.
“God, TJ, where’s Hunter when I need him?”
she says with a laugh, adding that she’s up for round two with herFinal Reckoningpartner.
‘The Challenge’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
“Oh my God, that would be terrifying, but Hunter is a great competitor.
I would love to take the money from him again.”
Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Did you get the call for season 40?
Aneesa Ferreira and Ashley Mitchell, ‘The Challenge’.Paramount+
I don’t think I did, no.
Were you shocked that you weren’t invited for such a big season?
I had put the whole reality TV thing behind me.
Why did you want to come back for this season?
I’m addicted toThe Challenge.
But anytime that TJ gives me the call, girl, I’m going to show up.
There’s a thousand reasons why I love it, and also I hate it at the same time.
I’m a masochist.
Your exit from your last season was pretty controversial, since we didnt see it happen onscreen.
How did that affect you going into this season?
I thought this time maybe people will have an actual reason to be mean to me.
But we’ll see.
When I walked in the house, there wasn’t an animosity and I felt like I could breathe.
I felt like I had friends, I had Sylvia and Shane.
I don’t think there’s really much more to say besides [there was] an argument.
But it really was just an argument that got out of hand.
It’s just hard.
What was your reaction when you learned this season wasRivalsand Aneesa was your partner?
This must be punishment from sins in my former life.
Why have I come back this season?
I was not prepared.
Not that I wasn’t training, but I was just not the best I have been.
I’m only getting older, and I was not prepared for the phone call.
I was a little shocked.
What do you think is going to surprise your fans about how this season goes for you?
You’re not going to get over some of the s— we’ve done to each other.
At some point, it’s all going to bubble up.
I don’t think that anymore.
So it’s going to be a really good season.
No showmance this season.
All the boys had girlfriends and wives, and so that was kind of whack.
Who’s at the top of that list?
[Laughs] I’ve got to put Mark Long up there since he createdAll Stars.
I’ve got to give him the props.
[Laughs] Oh goodness.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
