"They're really disappointed in me" — The Challenge 40's Josh Martinez reflects on his status with fellow vacation alliance members

The Challenge star Josh Martinez isn't sure about where he stands with the vacation alliance or if he'd work with them in future seasons.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, published on November 20, Josh was asked about his status with his fellow alliance members after it nearly crumbled in the recent season.

Josh didn't have the exact response to the question. However, he said that regardless of what happened between them in The Challenge 40, he loved "every single person in the Vacation Alliance outside of the game."

"They are very special people in my life. I appreciate their friendship so much, and that's never going to change," he continued.

He shared that he was "really disappointed" based on their situation in the game. He added that his vacation alliance members were also disappointed in him for not taking a stance and offering support when needed.

"Now, in the game, moving forward, I'm really disappointed. They're really disappointed in me for not taking a stance and not having their back how they wanted me to," he said.

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"I don't know. If moving forward there is a Vacation Alliance for me" - The Challenge 40 Josh Martinez says that he is taking a "step back" from the alliance

Josh Martinez made his return to The Challenge franchise with season 40. He was part of Era IV and managed to stay in the game till episode 14, titled Swinging Era.

During the episode premiered on November 20, 2024, Josh finished last in the initial daily challenge and was scheduled to compete against Cory Wharton in the Coming from Behind arena game. After the elimination challenge, Cory emerged victorious, and Josh had to leave the show.

After his elimination, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Josh reflected on The Challenge 40 journey and further shared his thoughts on whether he'd work with vacation alliance members in the future seasons.

Josh shared that his fellow alliance members were disappointed in him for not offering them the support they needed. He admitted feeling hurt and slighted both during his time in the house and while watching the season back.

He mentioned that he was affected by how some of his alliance members spoke to him, which deepened his disappointment.

"I don't know. If moving forward there is a Vacation Alliance for me. I know that there is a friendship outside of the game, but I don't know if I see myself playing the game as closely with them anymore," he continued.

The Challenge season 40 contestant added that he later entered the reunion hoping for closure and a sense of "understanding of everything." However, he left with a "bitter taste" and didn't receive the reception he thought he would get.

"Nothing was clarified. I mean, the love is there and that's what's hard. I don't know where we stand as a group or as an alliance or as a team moving forward. For me personally, I'm taking a step back, to be honest with you, in the game," he later admitted.

Later in the interview, Josh was asked to identify a specific member of the Vacation Alliance he felt he wouldn't be working with moving forward.

He responded that he felt "uneasy with" Devin. At the same time, Josh noted that he was still close to Devin and wasn't sure where he stood with him in terms of the game.

The Challenge 40 star added that he didn't "feel good" about how his fellow alliance members moved in the recent season. While he clarified that he had no intention of targeting or going after Devin, he admitted uncertainty about whether their relationship could remain as close as it was while competing together.

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The Challenge season 40 episodes are available on Pramount Plus.