Warning: This article contains spoilers for episode 5 ofThe Challenge: All Stars 4.
“I still had control over my own fate,” he says.
So I wouldn’t change my vote, I would just change me not winning that next challenge."
Brandon Nelson and Leroy Garrett battle it out on ‘The Challenge: All Stars 4’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How do you feel this season went for you overall?
BRANDON NELSON:The feedback I’ve been getting has been great and very unexpected.
But overall, for being gone for 10 years, I think I did fairly well.
Brandon Nelson on ‘The Challenge: All Stars 4’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
But it’s not enough for me.
Were you turning down invitations to come on past seasons?
Oh, no, I would never turn down an invitation to come.
Brandon Nelson on ‘The Challenge: All Stars 4’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
They just stopped calling for whatever reason.
I didn’t have a great showing onFree Agents,which was my last one.
But no, it was definitely not a thing of me saying no.
Brandon Nelson on ‘The Challenge: All Stars 4’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
Why was now the right time for your return?
A lot happened in that decade that I was gone, and I was in a bad spot.
I was really down on myself.
It definitely pulled me out of a bad spot, and I’m really, really thankful for it.
It made me feel relevant again.
It’s a blessing.
Did you keep up with watching the show in your time away?
It wasn’t something that I was trying to watch.
I still feel like an outsider toThe Challenge, even though this is my sixth season.
I never really felt a part of it.
I felt more a part of it on this season than I have ever.
What do you think of how the franchise has changed since you were last on?
Man, I did too for a little bit.
But you’ve got the option to’t call your boy back?"
I think it’s good for the exposure, but it has changed a lot.
The new kids, I had no idea who any of those people are.
But luckily onAll Stars,I didn’t really have to deal with that.
What was it that had you feeling differently aboutAll Stars 4?
Well, thank you for saying that.
It just seemed more natural.
There’s so many conversations that don’t make air that I’ve never really had in seasons past.
Everybody that we talk to, they say that they’re worried about you."
I was like, “Oh, well, that feels nice, I guess.”
On this one, I just felt included.
But is that a double-edged sword, now that you’re being seen as a target?
Oh, no, I like it.
I like being the target!
Give me that energy because all I’m going to do is feed off of it.
No big deal."
No, it’s crucial that you be worried.
Now lets get into the Cara vote.
Do you think that directly led to your exit?
[Laughs] That definitely led to me going home.
But I had to make that decision.
I love Cara to death we’re absolutely fine now.
It wasn’t like a betrayal of friendship.
We haven’t talked in eight years.
I can separate [life outside of the show] and the show.
I still love you, but we’ve got to talk, and we never did.
TJ said it’s only going to be a sole winner.
One of them’s got to go.
I don’t know if I can beat you, so you’ve got to go.
You say things are good between you and Cara now, so how did you mend things?
We just talked when she got back.
There was no communication whatsoever [between us before].
I understand she’s busy, she’s arguably the face of the franchise right now.
I’m happy to say, “That’s my friend right there.”
It’s like, “Thanks, friend.
All right, bye,” and then that’s it.
We’re finding a happy medium.
We’re really good now.
[Laughs] Yeah, I know.
What was your reaction when you saw that you were going to compete against Leroy in that elimination?
I’m playing I’m not trying to be in that arena with Lee’s big ass.
Luckily it was something that we both had a chance to win.
What was it like actually competing in that hanging puzzle maze?
That thing weighed about 60 pounds.
And then you have to hold for them setting up cameras and stuff.
Also, it was actually three rounds, it wasn’t just one.
So we were out there for a while.
I got up the next day and I could barely move my arms.
It was terrible, I hated it.
I hate that we didn’t see every round.
Who won each point?
I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell you that, but I won the first round.
He won the second and third.
It was pretty close though.
It doesn’t stop.
Who do you blame for your exit?
I could blame Ryan because we did really well in that challenge.
He had a whole other pouch of water in his shirt.
That could have been the deciding factor if we came in first or not.
If there’s anybody to blame, it’s him, and he knows it.
Was there anything else not shown this season that you wish had been included?
If I hear that earn your stripes s— one more time … shut up.
Rachel and Cara are arguably the two strongest people in this entire house.
You only get one winner for this season.
One of them’s got to go."
Why do you guys let the same people win every season?"
I was like, “See!
That’s what I’m talking about.”
I wish they would’ve showed that, but it’s all good, I know what happened.
It was just like, “He’s cool.
He’ll take it, he’s not worried about the political stuff.”
Now I’m like, “No, f— that.”
I’m going to go for the head every time.
You don’t get to sit comfortably anymore.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
