From OutKick · Dan Zaksheske · · 1m 40s
Paramount Corrects Racial Double Standard
Paramount removes three 'The Challenge' contestants after racial incident, learning from past 'Big Brother' double standard.
In brief
Paramount removes three 'The Challenge' contestants after racial incident, learning from past 'Big Brother' double standard. Paramount removed Leo Dionicio and Josh Goldstein from 'The Challenge' after both used the N-word, following a similar 2023 'Big Brother' incident where a Black contestant received no…
Three contestants removed from The Challenge
Three contestants were abruptly removed from MTV's long-running athletic reality competition series 'The Challenge' this week following a reported racial incident.
Host announces disqualifications
Host T.J. Lavin entered the house without Leo Dionicio, Josh Goldstein and Nelson Thomas present, stating they broke the code of conduct.
Incident details reported
Page Six reported Leo Dionicio, Black, used the N-word during a game while Josh Goldstein, White, repeated it, leading to Nelson Thomas damaging the kitchen.
Nelson Thomas confirms actions
Nelson Thomas admitted to breaking dishes, destroying the kitchen and violating the code of conduct, claiming Goldstein apologized privately.
“I let my emotions take over, broke dishes, destroyed [the] kitchen and violated the code of conduct”
Leo Dionicio's podcast comments
Leo Dionicio argued he did not deserve disqualification despite being upset by ignorant comments and believing he should not have been punished.
Johnny 'Bananas' responds
Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio pushed back, stating rules must apply equally to all contestants regardless of race.
“I think what’s understood is that they have to have a rule, and it has to apply to everybody equally”
Paramount's past double standard
Paramount faced a similar controversy in August 2023 when CBS removed a White 'Big Brother' contestant after he used the N-word, while a Black contestant received no punishment.
Paramount corrects double standard
Paramount appears to have learned from its racial double standard on 'Big Brother' by enforcing the rule equally on both contestants this time.
At a glance
Paramount removed Leo Dionicio and Josh Goldstein from 'The Challenge' after both used the N-word, following a similar 2023 'Big Brother' incident where a Black contestant received no punishment.
