What happened between Special Forces: World's Toughest Test costars Cam Newton and Kayla Nicole? Feud explained

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test season 3 premiered on FOX on January 8, 2025. It introduced a fresh lineup of celebrities as they faced some of the most grueling Special Forces challenges.

The 16 contestants' limits were put to the test as they competed against one another in some of its most demanding challenges inspired by the real Special Forces selection process.

Before participating in the FOX reality show, costars Cam Newton and Kayla Nicole had an indirect feud over the internet. Nicole had criticized Newton's opinions on women knowing how to cook, while the latter claimed his comments were taken out of context.

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Special Forces: World's Toughest Test star Kayla Nicole criticizes Cam Newton's comments on women's role in society

The exchange between Special Forces: World's Toughest Test costars Cam Newton and Kayla Nicole began when the former appeared on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.

On the April 11, 2022, podcast episode, Newton shared his opinions on how women should act in society. He said that, for him, a woman is someone who can handle her own needs while also knowing how to cater to a man's. He also implied that women should know how to cook, "when to be quiet," and allow a man to lead in a relationship.

Nicole wasn't a fan of Newton's remarks on women. On April 13, 2022, she indirectly criticized his opinions in a Twitter (now X) post.

“The obsession with women being able to cook is truly comical. Cause it’s like if your palate is so superior date a Michelin star chef then bozo. Pretty sure the average woman is capable of making edible food. How do you think she’s survived thus far?” the Special Forces: World's Toughest Test star tweeted.

In the post's comments, she added that it's not a matter of whether a woman can cook but rather whether she wishes to cook for someone's "hungry hippo a**."

According to TMZ Sports, the Special Forces: World's Toughest Test star later addressed the situation on her Instagram Live. She shared that it's foolish to keep having the same tired conversation about what makes a woman of substance.

Nicole also took a shot at Newton's comments, without mentioning his name, and said:

"This man said that you need to be able to cook and to be quiet because that’s what his mama did. Like boy, go date your mama then.”

According to Us Weekly, she clarified a day later that she had no "beef" with anyone. Rather, she had a problem with the "ideation that reduces a woman’s worth to what’s being put on a dinner plate.”

She further noted that the narrative was publicly shared on a podcast, so it was important for her that it was also publicly denounced.

Newton released a video on his YouTube channel on April 22, 2022, explaining his comment on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. In the video titled "Triggered...Let Me Explain My Comments," he claimed that he was unfairly “scrutinized” at the time.

“You can’t expect so much from a person and give so little. … I should have said on top of what I also said and mentioned that not only should a woman know when to be quiet, a man also should know when to be quiet,” he said.

The Special Forces: World's Toughest Test contestant continued:

“Whether it’s being whatever you need to be as a human being — man or female — you should be that. And I think not going into depth like I should have cost me.”

The NFL star shared that he had daughters, and when the day comes for them to look back at his comment and ask, "Damn dad, what did you really mean about that," he said that he wouldn't cower away and claim it was taken out of context.

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New episodes of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test season 3 air every Wednesday on FOX.