‘The Challenge’ Star Nurys Mateo Says MTV Call Left Her ‘Shocked’

After three straight seasons on MTV’s “The Challenge,” Nurys Mateo has become a familiar face in the franchise. But despite her growing experience, her most recent run on “Battle of the Eras” was also her shortest—leaving fans surprised when she was eliminated early.

Nurys Mateo Was ‘Shocked’ to Get a Call for ‘All Stars: Rivals’ Just Days After Being Eliminated

Following a breakout debut and a runner-up finish, Mateo returned for season 40 with high expectations. But in a surprising twist, she was eliminated in just the second episode after facing off against former rival Olivia Kaiser.

Although her time on the season was brief, her boyfriend and fellow castmate, Horacio Gutiérrez, lasted a bit longer before being eliminated himself. After his exit, Horacio admitted he was unsure about returning to the show.

Interestingly, neither Mateo nor Gutiérrez received a call to return for season 41. But Mateo did get a surprising offer—just not for the main series.

While appearing on the “Challenge Fandom Podcast,” Mateo revealed she received a call just three days after her season 40 elimination—this time, for a spin-off. Based on the questions production asked during the call, she suspects it was for a Rivals-themed “All Stars” season. Mateo admitted she was completely “shocked” by how fast the call came, especially after such a short run on “Battle of the Eras.”

Mateo Hinted MTV Was ‘Punishing’ By Not Calling Her After Outspoken Reactions to Horacio Gutiérrez’s Elimination

Gutiérrez’s elimination on season 40 stirred controversy among fans and cast members alike. After losing to Derrick Kosinski in a challenge riddled with confusion over rules and editing, both Mateo and Gutiérrez publicly questioned the outcome.

Mateo was especially vocal on social media, accusing production of misleading them and suggesting Kosinski was given an unfair advantage. There was so much confusion that production later held a Zoom call with both competitors, where unedited footage was shown to clarify the rules had indeed been explained. On that call, Gutiérrez acknowledged he had overlooked a key part of the instructions, he explained on Kosinski’s “The Challenge Mania Podcast.”

Still, the lack of calls for season 41 to Mateo, Gutiérrez, and fellow contestant Kyland Young—who also questioned the elimination—raised eyebrows. On the podcast, Mateo speculated they were being “punished” for speaking out.

“If I’m being punished, I kind of get it—I have a big mouth,” she said. “But I don’t understand why Kyland didn’t get a call. Maybe they lumped him in with me and Horacio.”

Despite the drama, Mateo seems ready to move forward. In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, she acknowledged the situation was intense at the time but said, “I hope everything’s good now.” And judging by that unexpected spin-off call, it just might be.

New episodes of “The Challenge All Stars: Rivals” air Wednesday nights on MTV. 

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