"Fanning flames on stuff"- The Challenge 40 star Johnny "Bananas" on how fan pages escalate cast member conflicts

The Challenge 40 introduced a new level of competition with its Battle of the Eras theme, bringing contestants from different seasons together for a shot at a $1 million prize. However, outside the competitive arena, social media has transformed the dynamics of the game.

Seven-time winner Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, in an interview with People Magazine on August 14, explained how anonymous fan pages contribute to escalating cast conflicts. He stated,

“The only purpose they serve is to try and pit people against each other and stir the pot. If somebody tweets something out and they post it on their page, then there's been more fights that have been started by these random tea accounts by fanning flames on stuff.”

Bananas highlighted how social media has made The Challenge a “year-round spectacle,” with contestants engaging in public feuds and alliances even in the off-season.

---

The Challenge 40 star Bananas on the impact of social media

Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio from The Challenge 40 reflected on how social media has fundamentally changed The Challenge. According to him, social platforms now act as an extension of the show, giving fans a way to stay engaged between seasons.

"It used to be like, you do a show, you don't see each other for however many months," he shared. "Social media's definitely changed the game. But it makes it entertaining, gives the fans something to do in between [seasons]."

He also pointed out the role of anonymous fan accounts, calling them “the real culprits” of stirring tension among contestants. These accounts often amplify minor disputes by sharing and commenting on contestants’ posts, creating drama that spills into the game.

Aneesa Ferreira, who has been competing since 2002, shared similar sentiments, noting that players now have “more access to people,” which makes navigating the game trickier. Bananas further acknowledged the double-edged sword of hosting a podcast tied to the series. He said,

“I try and stay as neutral as I can, but sometimes I can’t. And then that turns into something where I got people pissed off at me.”

Despite the challenges, Bananas admitted that the increased drama keeps fans invested, comparing it to the appeal of NASCAR crashes.

---

Recap: The Challenge 40 episode 18

The latest episode of The Challenge 40 saw the eight finalists adjusting to their new home, ominously named "The Sinister." The dimly lit, dungeon-like setting added to the intensity of the finale. Host T.J. Lavin introduced the rules for the $1 million prize, which would be split among the top three men and women.

The Challenge 40 episode 18 featured three key checkpoints:

1) Sandblast – A swim-to-shore challenge where players collected puzzle pieces. Jordan and Michele took first place, while Bananas struggled initially but finished third.

2) Ghost Ship – A memory task where contestants dove under a ship to memorize symbols. Jordan and Jenny maintained their lead, with Bananas and Tori holding steady in third.

3) A Thousand Steps – A grueling endurance test involving a 1,000-step climb and a skull puzzle. Jenny led the women while Bananas pushed through to secure second place for the men.

The overnight challenge tested mental and physical stamina as players alternated between counting coins and singing sea shanties. Despite her earlier dominance, Jenny faltered under strain, opening the door for other competitors to close the gap. Jordan solidified his lead, while the Karma Points system added another layer of unpredictability to the standings.

---

The next episode of The Challenge 40 will air on MTV on Wednesday, January 8, at 8/7c.