# Paramount Corrects Racial Double Standard

> Paramount removes three 'The Challenge' contestants after racial incident, learning from past 'Big Brother' double standard.
- Title: Paramount Corrects Racial Double Standard · OutKick | Shortify
- Summary: Paramount removes three 'The Challenge' contestants after racial incident, learning from past 'Big Brother' double standard. Paramount removed Leo Dionicio…
- Keywords: paramount, the challenge, big brother, n-word, mtv, racial double standard, contestant, disqualification, news, politics, Corrects, Racial
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-analysis/paramount-learns-big-brother-racial-double-standard-challenge
- Author: Dan Zaksheske
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount, the challenge, big brother, n-word, mtv, racial double standard, contestant, disqualification, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.