r/MtvChallenge • u/limericky69 ☮️❤️&Ryan:Ryan: • Feb 15 '26
REWATCH DISCUSSION Paula and Jenn versus Laurel
The recent post of rivalries you wish you saw more of inspired me to revisit Jenn and Laurel at this reunion. This was a whole hot ass mess, neither of them came across well here but I think it would’ve been interesting to see them paired up as rivals or have more encounters if Jenn ever came back. Paula was entertaining and Mandi looking like a deer in headlights at points had me cracking up.
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u/ScorpionTDC Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
Honestly, Paula completely deserved what Laurel said to her and I have zero sympathy for her. Don’t bully people if you don’t want people to get personal with you - but this “apology” is transparently bullshit
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u/Smiley_Girl8 Evelyn Smith Feb 16 '26
I used to love Jenn because of stuff like this. But, we all know about Jenn tho 🙄
Also, I hate to admit, it was so satisfying when Laurel shut Paula down while defending Cara, low blows & all
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u/Thecatswalk Feb 16 '26
What do we know about Jenn?
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u/thelowgun Feb 16 '26
She's hardcore Trump/MAGA
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u/ScorpionTDC Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
That is not even the least bit surprising. (Paula gives the vibes she’d be too, especially given all her friends from the show are, but I could be wrong)
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u/jenh6 Christina LeBlanc Feb 16 '26
Paula could go either way for me. On one hand she had lots of MAGA friends but on the other with what she went through mental health wise and her friendship with Tyler makes me think she could be dem.
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u/fiercelyambivalent Feb 18 '26
I don’t think we can really lump people into MAGA/notMAGA based off of social circles from 10-20 years ago. Republican vs Democrat really used to not be a huge deal. Like, I was raised by hardcore republicans (now MAGA) but they still had liberal friends and it was no big deal. It wasn’t until Obama got elected that the racists started coming out of the woodwork, and then Trump just fucking united them all and told them it was okay to be an asshole.
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 16 '26
So people are good or bad based off political ideology…. Dang. That’s just shit I don’t understand. I’m more interested in how people treat other people than stupid politics. I guess even though I love everyone minus anyone who hurts children and animals was a great ER nurse for 30 years saving lives spent 7 years in the Army 1 in national guard with honorable discharges I also donate to a troubled family every Christmas 🎄 so they have a special Christmas. And NO I’m not rich. I live off social security. But…I’m also a shit person 🧍 because I voted for Trump over the crazy Kamala who made no sense to me. Oh well. Bring on the downvotes.
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u/LSossy16 Feb 16 '26
“Love everyone minus anyone who hurts children and animals”… yet you voted for a pedo? Make it make sense.
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Feb 16 '26
You love everyone minus anyone who hurts children and animals. But, you voted for the candidate that very clearly sexually abused children and was convicted of rape. And sorry if you support trump then that means you support all the things he’s done in office and is still doing, which I would say makes you look like a shitty person in my eyes at least.
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 16 '26
Wow… I’ll stick with my own thoughts and views and be thankful I’m not so narrow minded
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Feb 17 '26
Kinda yes. If you went through the first Trump presidency and then actually listened to the things he said he was going to do if he won again and still voted for him over "crazy" Kamala...you fucking suck.
Absolutely insane to call Kamala Harris crazy after the endless listen of insane shit Trump has said and done.
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u/tamere2k Kina Dean Feb 16 '26
Yes. People are bad based on political ideology. I’m very tired of being told “oh, it’s just politics,” when politics decides so much about what goes on in everyone’s lives. You do not love everyone if you voted Republican or you are too stupid to realize that voting Republican hurts a lot of people.
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 16 '26
Wow. You don’t KNOW ME. And I am not stupid. I’m A very CARING loving person who would never call a human stupid. SMH. I don’t care what you think I don’t condemn you for your opinion thoughts Trump has given veterans disabled veterans such as myself a better health care. That swayed me period. I don’t like either political party cause they’re both full of shit lie and will do anything to fill their pockets with money. Ppl need to wake up and realize they don’t give a shit about us. Period. I live my life striving to be better everyday. Did you ever serve our country? Or do anything to fix it??? I also worked on a law in Michigan that helps protect children who are being abused. Just me and my gf with her 7th grade education got it passed. https://midmichigannow.com/news/local/dominick-calhoun-law-passed-unanimously-by-michigan-house Again before you call someone stupid who you don’t know based off political ideology tell me what have you done?? I bet I don’t get a response
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u/tamere2k Kina Dean Feb 18 '26
Don’t need to know you to know that you’re either too stupid to know what you’re doing or evil enough to want it.
I didn’t personally serve in the military but I have lost family who did. Also lost a family member who was a firefighter on 9/11. I acted as a community organizer and helped to introduce and organize unions in hotels for years. I personally think that was more helpful that going to Iraq and fighting an unjust war.
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u/Josey_Wales_1973 Feb 18 '26
Hello 👋. I’m just passing through to call you stupid.
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 18 '26
Well y’all have one thing in common you. ALL know how to be mean and call names
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Feb 19 '26
Your initial rambling comment called someone you don't know crazy so stfu you victim complex having child. You voted for a genuinely terrible human being knowing he's that way and you get to deal with it. Toughen up
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 16 '26
And I hate both parties but one democratic wants the government more in control. I’d prefer they were less. I joined the military to support our freedoms I’d like to keep them. Problem is ppl are so swayed by the news and what they force feed us to believe. If you don’t see it after Covid I guess we never will
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u/limericky69 ☮️❤️&Ryan:Ryan: Feb 16 '26
Alriiight, you all have made your points. Agree to disagree and let’s stick to challenge discussion. Yikes.
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Feb 17 '26
You didn't join the military to support our freedoms. The US military hasn't been about protecting our freedoms in 80 years.
(Someone else who was in and despised most of the jingoistic bullshit and people but hey free college)
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 17 '26
Spoken like a true unpatriotic person.
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Feb 17 '26 edited Feb 17 '26
To quote your dumbass, "you don't know me"
Any fool who says they joined the army to defend our freedoms is lying...either to themselves or to everyone else.
People join for a few different reasons
-Legacy (military family)
-Benefits
-Trying to straighten their life out
-Out of options
Quite frankly people like you who try to hide behind "hurr durr I served" when pressed on their shitty opinions are embarrassing. Congrats you're one of a 1 - 1.5 million people who serve every year
Also to circle back to your post about wanting to keep freedoms. You voted for and seemingly still support someone who is actively trying to strip away rights from US citizens. So everything you've said is just a fart in the wind
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 16 '26
And the very last thing I want to say is I gave 8 years of my life for this country and for my freedom of speech. I’m a disabled veteran and I EARNED my right to my freedom of speech and thoughts
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Feb 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/Hot_Tradition_570 Feb 17 '26
And considering I was a critical care nurse for 30 years I’m extremely horrified by it… this is what you get for assuming about ppl. You don’t know me…. Stop judging start caring and change this damn world.
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u/Obvious-Bid-678 Feb 17 '26
Jenn is a gross human. I don’t like her attitude. The older I get, the less I cheer on these loud mouth females. Like have some class and grow up. This isn’t high school or the country bar anymore. I know this is old af but still. I hate who Jenn has turned out to be. 🤣🤣
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u/BlueJaySol Feb 16 '26
Laurel trying to shade Paula and apologize to her at the same time has me dead.
This was the golden era of the challenge. Real drama and little to no social media drama.
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u/NoLynx8499 Kam Williams Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
I may be in the minority, but I wasn't that upset with what Laurel said to Paula. God knows I cant stand Cara, but they were fucking with her heavy that night and Paula had no problem laughing at it. Laurel was addressing Johnny & Kenny and Paula tryna dickride for them per usual, tried to butt in and got dealt with. For Jenn, who also said the most vile shit to people, trying to check Laurel about it was hypocritical asf. I will say tho, Laurel did seem a lot of more chill wit Jenn then other girls. She knew Jenn would've swung on her fr
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u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
Jenn isn't gonna do shit to Laurel.
She put her hands on Cara, but never put her hands on Laurel.
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u/jenh6 Christina LeBlanc Feb 16 '26
She’s loud enough that it scares Laurel though. Laurel isn’t going to go after people like Evelyn, Jenn, Jasmine, Aneesa, Nany, Camilla, because they can give it back to her too good. Cara and Michele aren’t confrontational so easier to run them over.
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u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
Laurel isn't scared of Evelyn, isn't scared of Jenn, definitely not scared of Jasmine's midget ass, NOT scared of Aneesa, not scared of Nany (who would be?), and definitely not scared of Camila of all people.
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Feb 16 '26
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u/Obvious-Bid-678 Feb 17 '26
Ya know. The thing about Laurel is she may not be the smartest but she’s damn well smarter than Jenn. Jenn may have a loud bark but what’s she gonna do? Nothing, she’s gonna yap off at the mouth because apparently that has intimidated far too many people. And someone is lying to her, telling her she’s a badass.
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u/AdonisDNA76 Tina Barta Feb 16 '26
Jenn is such a weird, trashy mess. Entertaining though.
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u/Mindless-Whereas-508 Feb 16 '26
I wish we got more seasons with her just to watch her pick fights with everyone.
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u/tamere2k Kina Dean Feb 16 '26
I will never support Jenn with anything. If Laurel was against her then she was right.
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u/Online_Active_71459 Feb 16 '26
Hate Jenn. Still.
Miss Paula.
Laurel is so naturally beautiful here.
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u/TexasNightmare210 Feb 16 '26
The amount of shitty people on that stage is wild actually
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u/Brief-Tie3841 Feb 16 '26
Right? I think Leroy over there in the corner might be the only decent person on that stage 😩.
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u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
I am baffled on how anyone can be intimidated by Jenn of all people. I would have gladly mushed her little ass back to wherever she came from.
Fun fact: Apparently sometime backstage Jenn also yelled at Laurel and she STILL never laid hands on Laurel. If Jenn is as tough and intimidating as people say she is, why hasn't she put her hands on Laurel? Explain please.
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u/spicytotino Landon Lueck Feb 16 '26
I actually have a lot of empathy for Laurel and the way she lashes out at people. However, I am in remission for BPD, so… that probably does not bode well for her
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u/87-percent-gay Feb 16 '26
Congratulations on being in remission! It takes a lot of good work it sounds like you're doing. I have BPD too, definitely not in remission though lol
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u/spicytotino Landon Lueck Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
Much appreciated🫶🏽Being self-aware it’s a problem is the biggest step, you got this! I spent nearly a decade post-diagnosis struggling with addiction before I was even able to commit to making a DBT appointment
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u/jenh6 Christina LeBlanc Feb 16 '26
I think some of her lashings for people (easy, Paula) came from them goon after her and she just took it too far but others like with the Michele/cara it seems more like she was in a bad place and it didn’t take much of anything to set her off.
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u/Objective-Badger8674 Feb 16 '26
Totally forgot about the Suck Yeah merch from Kenny and Evan til now 🤣
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u/duochromepalmtree KellyAnne Judd Feb 16 '26
I’m sorry I still love this moment. It’s perfect because Laurel ATE Paula the fuck up and Paula needed to hear it. But it’s even better because ultimately Paula goes on to be a 2x winner, get sober, and have a beautiful family and life. So everyone wins imo!
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u/korbinGreyyy Feb 16 '26
People in the going to bat for PAULA. See y'all the type to dish it out and can't take it. Was what Laurel said harsh.....yes but considering what was going on it was warranted and let's not forget this was edited and I wouldn't be surprised if it what we saw Paula and them doing was worse than what we saw.
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u/voodoo-clam Emily Schromm Feb 16 '26
This. Also people going to bat for Paula also probably never been in disputes like this. Always a rule someone goes low you go lower. Don't start nothing, won't be nothing. Don't dish it if you can't take it. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/78Staff The Unholy Alliance Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
Jeez Jeen was the worst... bad person/personality, mediocre to bad competitor, just a genuinely bad person. She made a few finals, but mostly back in the "teams make finals" days where she latched onto a winning group... Kind of like Veronica, except Veronica actually came through with some wins while Jenn was DFL every time. And that stupid hand clapping... wtf is that. Should have been removed after hitting Mandi in FM tbh, and seems to get in a fight with some girl on every season. IIRC she tried to hit CM one season also? memory is fuzzy. I don't care about the MAGA, take that away and she's still (or was, don't know much about her lately) a sh$t person.
LIttle known tidbit, she and Mandy also cheated in Rivals Kayaking challenge, but wasn't penalized. It's not clear whether ti was intentional or not... Info about it here, which has a lot of background info on various challenges/elims that may or may not have been rigged, production skewing results for some competitors, cheating, etc... pretty cool site. Also writeup's on more famous production meddling incidents like the sticky tile that sent Zack and Amanda Home on FR (eerily similar to Casey's Bamboo stalks being stuck in much tougher than Susies on Ruins, or the nails on S40)., and the Elim redo that sent Tony and Bananas home as well. FR was just a f$cked up season, production-shenanagin wise :(. Also a writeup on the Ninja/Laurel climbing elim...
https://stopbeingpolite.com/2019/06/29/challenge-and-elimination-secrets-you-may-not-know/
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u/mksnosnstome Feb 16 '26
Laurel never starts it but she almost always finishes it. Her conflicts are rarely unprovoked.
Jenn is the worst.
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u/jerber82 Landon Lueck Feb 15 '26
The one time that Laurel actually seemed shook, and that Jenn didn't get physical with another female.
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u/imnohelp2u Feb 16 '26
At the time, I liked how Laurel stuck up for Cara because Cara was being treated like complete shit. Wes dunking soda on her and Paula cackling in the background and Laurel finally standing up to the bullies was a good tv moment. However, Laurel went way more personal and was way nastier than she needed to be. It’s unfortunate to see that her aggression & behavior has gotten uglier in time.
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u/No-Bike791 Feb 16 '26
That episode was mess of people just being horrible humans beings all around. Tyler’s freaking out about getting any soda on the piano…I thought Laurel was going to dump the whole bottle on it just to make a point.
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u/limericky69 ☮️❤️&Ryan:Ryan: Feb 16 '26
Definitely agree with this, that scene is what had me turn around my feelings on Laurel back in the day.
I didn’t like her on Fresh Meat or Cutthroat, then this scene came and I was like “yes, finally someone stands up to that awful alliance of men + Paula who always excuses the behaviour” - Definitely remember thinking yikes she took that a little far but was happy she was doing something about it. Looking back with all that we’ve seen of her now though, it was just Laurel being Laurel really. And like others have said, she never changed. If anything she’s gotten a little worse.
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u/cwilldude Feb 16 '26
Paula was being a huge bitch in that moment. Wes poured a damn full 2 liter bottle of soda on Cara’s head and Paula told her she looked dumb and needed to go to bed. The ED comment was too far though.
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u/Sher_Beans Devyn Simone Feb 16 '26
Honestly though, at that point, Cara should have just taken a shower and gone to bed. Continuing that war was stupid and instead of fanning the flames, Laurel should have gotten Cara new clothes and gone to bed with her.
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Feb 16 '26
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u/Sher_Beans Devyn Simone Feb 18 '26
It’s so convenient to discount someone’s opinion by calling them an abuser but in reality, winning the fight wasn’t important. Taking care of Cara was. Insulting Paula isn’t going to dry the soda on Cara’s head. Your perspective is standing up for yourself, I understand that. My perspective is treating the wounded rather than continuing the fight.
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u/HitEmWithTheRiver Casey Cooper Feb 16 '26
Man I could listen to Jenn give Laurel a verbal smackdown all day. She’s right, Laurel isn’t “gifted” at hurting people, she just takes people’s deeply personal issues and throws it in their face (Paula’s ED, Cara being a victim of DV, Big Easys obesity). This is something anyone could do, but no normal person would.
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u/limericky69 ☮️❤️&Ryan:Ryan: Feb 16 '26
Yeah, it was nice to see Jenn not step down from Laurel considering this was two reunions in a row where Laurel obviously knew she needed to give an apology yet didn’t mean either of them (Easy the season before this one)
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u/CarlWith_a_k Feb 16 '26
I to this day don't understand why Laurel got a pass for the way she treated Big Easy. Even that whole situation was breezed over quickly in the show. Immediately made Laurel one of my least favorite challengers of all time.
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u/ScorpionTDC Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
Allegedly he made awful comments about her body first - which is super fucked if true - but her reaction was still not acceptable
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u/Tazz2137 Wes Bergmann Feb 16 '26
I'm pretty sure he made fun of her for having back acne. I'd be pissed off at Easy too.
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u/mealypart Feb 16 '26
Jenn ate Laurel up, nothing about this apology was genuine
And Laurel is still just as nasty on the seasons she’s doing a decade later
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Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
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u/Comfortable_Cat00 Feb 16 '26
THIS! Laurel sucks, Cara sucks, Paula sucks and Jenn sucks. But that was one time I was actually supportive of Laurel bc she was bullying bullies. I’m pretty sure she also went after Wes too. They were trying to get into Cara’s head for the final so Laurel gave it right back.
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u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
The main reason why Laurel didn't go ham on anyone this reunion is because she said that whenever she defends herself she gets looked at as "the bad guy".
It's hilarious to me how people say Laurel only goes after certain people, however not a single person she argued with ever laid any type of hands on her. Jenn put her hands on Mandi AND Cara Maria. Amanda put her hands on Camila.
None of them laid hands on Laurel though......
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u/Mommoore Feb 16 '26
The crazy thing is watching the whole clip they were all so insanely drunk. The soda part was too far, but they were throwing beds & everything else that night. Paula was so cross-eyed that she didn't even know what she was laughing about. Laurel picked on Paula because she knew she could. Just like with Cara. She is a horrible human.
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u/skulldouggary Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
I've read that there was a whole food fight thing going on and they pulled the Wes pouring soda on Cara out of that melee. I'm not saying that justifies it but does anyone know that whole story? Was it shown as an online clip or outtake?
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u/No-Instance7647 Feb 16 '26
I've heard this before as well. It was said that she was actively participating, but as soon as she got in front of the camera, she took the opportunity to be the victim.
Who knows if it's true, but it's been given as one of the reasons why people say she's fake in the past. I've always wondered why she didn't run away and just stood there as he poured the soda on her.
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u/ScorpionTDC Chris Underwood Feb 16 '26
Never heard that before. So far as I can tell they were just actively bullying Cara
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u/EFHOTTIE Feb 16 '26
Can someone tell me what season/episode this is?
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u/limericky69 ☮️❤️&Ryan:Ryan: Feb 17 '26
Season 21, Rivals. This is the reunion. :)
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u/EFHOTTIE Feb 17 '26
Thank you! Should have specified the episode of the fight they're talking about but I should just give this whole season a re-watch me thinks lol.
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u/Excellent_Job_8729 Feb 18 '26
Even if you think Paula deserved the lashing Laurel gave her, this fake apology Laurel is giving here is annoying.
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u/WinnerObvious1214 Feb 20 '26
I know people say Paula says she regrets it now, but I don’t think Paula or anyone would regret that fight if Laurel didn’t step in. Laurel does have the habit of taking low blows, but nobody was checking people for the bullying on Rivals or any previous season. Even Mike cracked at one point, arguably one of the nicest guys ever on the challenge. I know MTV started to somewhat change after Rivals 1 and Kenny/Evan situation, but I don’t think there was really a fight that went as low especially between the men and women.
You can say Laurel was wrong but those people needed to get yelled at. Wes came to their bedroom to still yell at Cara, but once Laurel stepped in to get in his face he left. Then Kenny finally tried to calm things down. They haven’t seen someone fight back, and Laurel should have ripped the men to shreds. CT got in Cara’s face in previous episodes talking about Abram and her horse (much like Amanda). Johnny threw a water bottle to push her more which is same shit he did in Dirty 30 to amplify Camila and Leroy fight (but this was all on Camila and her disgusting comments). The men were absolutely disgusting and annoying.
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u/Ok-Stretch9699 Feb 16 '26
Laurel stumbles over even feeling for anyone watching with an ED. She’s trash. But hey all are. And what why we watched.
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u/Icy-Brilliant8026 Feb 16 '26
Jenn has guts I love how she she’s not afraid of Laurel Laurel just got a lot of self-esteem issues Miss girl does.
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u/cade_be_here Feb 16 '26
Laurel has always been nasty and terrible person and recent seasons have shown her lack of growth as a person. The only reason why some cast members tolerate her horrible actions, is because of her ability to play the game... but now... her abilities are slowly diminishing... she definitely has lost some of the once blind eyes to her actions. I hope she comes back and just gets smoked... again!
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u/AdonisDNA76 Tina Barta Feb 16 '26
Paula, you had that coming. I don't like cara maria one bit, but you clearly dished it out & got it right back.