Warning: This article contains spoilers forThe Challenge: USA 2episode 5, “Operation Hat Trick.”
All it took was one random vote to endAlyssa Lopez’s time onThe Challenge: USAseason 2.
“I had one vote,” Lopez tells EW.
Tiffany Mitchell, Michele Fitzgerald, Josh Martinez, Chanelle Howell, Cory Wharton, Dusty Harris, Wes Bergmann, Tyler Crispen, Alyssa Snider, Michaela Bradshaw, Monte Taylor, Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, Desi Williams, Faysal Shafaat, Tori Deal, Sebastian Noel, Cassidy Clark, Chris Underwood, and Alyssa Lopez.Jonne Roriz/Paramount
I definitely didn’t do as good physically this time.
I did the exact opposite of what I should have done.
But now I know!
Alyssa Lopez.Jonne Roriz/Paramount
It’s only been two seasons and I’m learning what to do.
Plus you’re always prepared to have like one, so I wasn’t surprised.
And knowing the luck I have in life, I wasn’t surprised my one got picked.
I was just laughing.
Even though the odds were totally in your favor?
I knew it was going to happen.
Is it unlucky or is it lucky?
I don’t know.
Tell me about that confrontation and why you wanted to gaslight her in that moment.
[Laughs] I’m a very direct person.
I mean, obviously itwasabout her.
Let’s be real.
Obviously we wanted her out!
So I had to.
It’s the game.
Did you know it was from her?
When I saw the vote, I thought it wasSurvivorbecause the line had started to be drawn.
And I voted in aSurvivor, Chanelle, so I thought it was aSurvivorgirl who threw me in.
I did not expect Tori.
When I found out it was Tori, I thought it made sense strategically.
I wanted her out, we weren’t working together.
And then to find out it was just a bunch of pieces of paper?!
That’s not a strategic plan.
Did you know the vets were planning their “operation hat trick?”
No, I found out later on.
We all hang out, obviously, so I did find out a month or two after the show.
But I had no idea until then.
The whole time I thought it was aSurvivorperson or Dusty.
Chris was trying to figure out where the votes came from.
That’s how it happened.
you’ve got the option to’t think too long term.
What was it like competing in that elimination against Cassidy?
It was really hard.
I was happy for her.
I would have to jump and throw my whole body into it and be rolling in this crate constantly.
It was pretty painful.
I wish I could have gotten my momentum sooner and then maybe I could have gotten there before her.
But by the time I got there, I could not reach the sign.
How close was it?
It was really close.
She definitely had a good lead but she also couldn’t reach it.
So while she was doing what I had to deal with, I caught up.
Do you have any new rivalries after this season?
Oh, I’m sure.
The confessionals are kind of like my venting sessions about these people.
I mean, imagine living with them?
They’re like free therapy.
But I’m sure I do.
I heard Dusty didn’t like me very much, but that figures.
What’s your relationship like with Tori after this season?
I haven’t spoken to her once.
I don’t take this game personally, it’s literally a game.
So once I leave, I’m checked out.
Things that happen in the game don’t upset me in real life.
Do you want to return for future seasons?
I’m ready to take a break.
[Laughs] And then come back when I can have the time to mentally and physically train.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
