Why was Jay Mitchell "shocked" about being on The Challenge: All Stars season 4? Details explored

Season four of The Challenge: All Stars, a spin-off of the reality show, is currently airing on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. The show features former cast members and fan favorites, with T.J. Lavin hosting the reality series. Lavin has hosted The Challenge spin-offs, including All Stars, USA, and World Championship.

The latest episode saw Jay Mitchell get eliminated after he went up against Steve in an elimination challenge. Jay Mitchell, who previously appeared on Battle of the Exes season 2, is known as one of the "worst finalists" after he refused to take part in a food challenge, costing him a victory.

He spoke exclusively to Parade Magazine about being given a second chance and described his journey as "a tale of two seasons." Jay recalled not believing that he was getting a second chance when the show's producers called him and wondered if they had the right number.

"I'm on those lists of the worst final and worst exit and worst player and all this. So I was shocked. I did not expect to get a call as an all-star based on my performance in the final and what was shown. I don't believe I'm an all-star. No one believes I'm an all-star. So I was shocked," Mitchell said.

Despite the shock, Jay was ready to be on the show and let people and critics know what he was capable of.

The first ten episodes of The Challenge: All Stars season 4 are available to stream on Paramount+.

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"I belong here": Jay Mitchell opens up about returning to The Challenge during All Stars season 4

Jay Mitchell, who was a contestant on Battle of the Exes season 2, has made a return to reality shows with The Challenge: All Stars season 4. He recently spoke to Parade Magazine about his elimination from the show and how he was ready to show people what he could do.

Mitchell wanted to step out of the reputation that he had developed for quitting the show during the finale. Adding that he knew people would bring it up, the reality star said that it was his chance to prove himself.

"This is my chance to show people who I am. Show them that they're wrong, that I can compete. I am athletic, and I belong here. So I just took the opportunity and was like, "Let's do this!" Mitchell said.

He was asked about the change in his perspective and how he went from the weakest link to being considered one of the "strongest" people on the show. Jay Mitchell said that while he didn't do great initially, his co-star Brandon mentioned being afraid of him, which helped Jay's confidence. With the confidence boost due to Brandon's comment, Mitchell started winning challenges back-to-back.

The Challenge: All Stars season 4 contestant added that slowly, everyone wanted to team up with him for challenges. This included Brad Fiorenza, who was credited as one of the "legends" to come out of the franchise.

"So it got to the point where I told Nicole, "You got to just box everybody out. I'm not gonna sit here and pick partners every week. I'm not gonna fight with everybody. Just tell them all it's you and me, and that's it," Jay stated.

He described it as "an awesome feeling," but knew that it was a game at the end of the day, and he knew what he had to do. Jay also discussed his elimination, as he volunteered to go up against Steve.

He explained that he didn't have a star, which, according to the show's format, was mandatory to be able to compete in the final. The former Battle of the Exes contestant claimed that he didn't think he would get another chance and wanted to play his hand.

Jay Mitchell was eliminated from Wednesday's episode of the show. The Challenge: All Stars will return next week with another episode on June 12, 2024. The first ten episodes of the show are available to stream on Paramount+.