Johnny Bananas addresses showmance with Dee, past drama with Olivia, and new twists on The Challenge

The Challenge: Vets and New Threats returned with new dynamics, familiar rivalries, and evolving alliances.

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly published on July 29, 2025, veteran cast member Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio opened up about his season 41 experience, including his showmance with Survivor winner Dee Valladares and tensions with fellow challenger Olivia Kaiser.

Johnny revealed that he met Dee before filming began, through mutual friend Josh Martinez at the Challenge season 40 finale party.

Although the show’s launch episode made it seem like their first meeting was during Dee’s on-screen interrogation with host TJ Lavin, Johnny clarified they had connected earlier.

“We chatted back and forth a little bit before leaving, just kind of being like, ‘Let’s get together, let’s work together this season,’” he said.

Despite their early bond, Johnny admitted he wasn’t fully sure of Dee’s intentions.

“It’s very difficult to really get to know a person... especially with my reputation,” he explained.

He also addressed ongoing drama with Olivia from season 40, noting, “She immediately went to work the second she got there.”

As season 41 continues, shifting partnerships and unresolved conflicts hint at a season filled with strategy, mistrust, and unexpected moves.

Dee and Johnny's early connection raised questions in The Challenge

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Johnny Bananas (@johnnybananas)

Johnny Devenanzio confirmed that his relationship with rookie Dee Valladares began before The Challenge season 41 filming.

While many assumed the showmance sparked during filming, Johnny explained they connected at the season 40 finale party and agreed to work together, partly due to their shared friendship with Josh Martinez.

“Since we have a mutual friend in Josh, that was the understanding,” he noted.

However, both players carried doubts into the game. Johnny described their situation as the "Spider-Man meme," each uncertain of the other's intentions.

He said Dee didn’t play a completely honest game on Survivor, which made him cautious.

“I’ve been burned in this game so many times by relationships,” he said, explaining that his paranoia made it hard to fully trust her.

Johnny also addressed Dee’s reputation for forming strategic bonds on Survivor, saying he heard warnings but wasn’t sure if they were sincere or just attempts to divide them.

When asked about her Survivor storyline, Johnny admitted, “Even what I wasn't aware of, I was being told by people.”

While their partnership had potential, the added pressure of gameplay and outside opinions created uncertainty throughout the season.

The Challenge season 40 fallout influences Johnny's early clash with Olivia

Johnny also spoke about unresolved tension with Olivia Kaiser, which resurfaced early in season 41 of The Challenge.

According to him, their season 40 issues were already in the past, but Olivia carried over resentment related to her elimination.

“As far as I was concerned, Olivia was collateral damage in 40... I considered that dead,” Johnny explained.

He was surprised when she immediately started working to turn new cast members against him.

He said Olivia’s ties to the UK players and her relationship with Theo helped her gain influence.

“They were able to gather numbers pretty quickly and convince them that I am devil incarnate,” he added.

Johnny believed her plan wasn’t subtle, claiming he knew his name was being discussed before the first challenge.

The situation also strained his connection with Theo, who Johnny said tried to stay neutral.

“In general, in a situation like that, the girlfriend wins out,” he noted.

When Johnny confronted Olivia about her actions, she reportedly denied trying to turn others against him.

He shared that her explanation was unclear and, in his view, didn’t make much sense.

Despite the conflict, Johnny hinted that perceptions may shift later in the season as alliances evolve and truths come to light.

Stay tuned for more updates.