"He’s owned that mistake”— The Challenge star Cory Wharton comments on Nelson Thomas’s car accident

In response to the recent backlash regarding MTV’s portrayal of Nelson Thomas’s drunk driving accident on The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, Cory Wharton addressed the issue with clarity. He acknowledged that Nelson had made a serious mistake, yet has fully taken responsibility for it.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on December 11, Wharton emphasized that it’s not his responsibility to influence what is shown on the network. He shared,

"I know Nelson has made mistakes, and I think he's owned that mistake."

This statement comes amidst criticism that The Challenge’s coverage of the incident downplayed key details, including the fact that it was a drunk driving accident. Cory Wharton further remarked that as a human being, everyone makes mistakes, and Nelson is paying the price for his, while also recovering and learning from the experience.

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The Challenge 40's Cory Wharton opens up about the drunk driving accident and the fallout from MTV's coverage

The backlash over MTV’s portrayal of the accident

Former The Challenge competitor Nelson Thomas was involved in a car accident in September 2023, which led to significant life changes. He was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.178, more than double the legal limit. As a result of the accident, Nelson had to have his right leg amputated in March 2024.

MTV focused on his recovery and positive outlook during a video call with Cory in the Battle of the Eras season, though they did not highlight the DUI aspect of the incident. Wharton, who appeared alongside Nelson in The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, explained that he had no control over how the network decided to portray the situation.

"I don't get to pick what the network puts on there. I don't have any say in any of that." he told Entertainment Weekly.

As argument marred the scene, Cory reminded everyone of the perspective by explaining that Nelson was held responsible for his conduct, and more importantly, this was what mattered from all the learnings to take away from the episode.

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Cory Wharton’s perspective on mistakes and redemption

In his discussion of the incident, Cory Wharton also highlighted the broader human experience of making mistakes and learning from them. He stated,

"One thing I can say is as a human being, I've made mistakes throughout my life. We're just thankful that no one else was seriously injured in that accident, and he's paying the price for that."

For Cory, the strength of life is in how one bounces back at mistakes, which he shared during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He said that Nelson would have learned a lot from what happened, and Cory was thankful that no one seriously got hurt in the accident. Cory wanted Nelson to have his chance to move past the incident, saying,

"I'm glad he can smile, be happy, live his life, and learn a big lesson throughout the process."

He underscored that everyone has their journey of growth and recovery, underscoring the significance of redemption in the aftermath of a mistake.

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Moving forward

Cory expressed his desire to move beyond the negative aspects of the situation and allow Nelson to focus on his recovery.

He also emphasized the importance of their friendship. Their bond is far greater than the challenges they have encountered. Cory also underscored his moments on The Challenge that showed commitment to personal growth and resilience, not just in the game, but in life.

"I’m thankful that I was able to go to Vietnam and compete and just be able to do the challenges," Cory said in the same interview.

Cory highlighted that his approach to the situation underscored the importance of focusing on the future and the lessons that can be learned through adversity. He explained,

"I know how bad Nelson wanted to be there, and I know all the backlash and this and that. Long story short: I think Nelson realizes he made a mistake, and he learned from that mistake. That’s what life is about."

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Tune in and witness all the action on The Challenge: Battle of the Eras! New episodes drop every Wednesday on MTV.