BY DC CUEVA
In 2010, for the second time The Challenge got to welcome a new class of Fresh Meat to its roll call for Fresh Meat II. There, Cara Maria, Laurel, Theresa, Mandi and Brandon Nelson all made their debuts in Vancouver alongside the Wes/Kenny rivalry, Darrell, Jenn, Paula and Evelyn. In the end, it was Landon and Carley who took the win in Canada just months after the Winter Olympics were held in B.C., as a bunch of new blood helped infuse new energy into The Challenge.Another member of the Fresh Meat who joined the show eight years ago was Vinny Foti, who as MTV wrote on him had "Bulging biceps, dizzying dance moves and a thick Boston accent" who was penned the "Italian Don Juan." He got close to his partner Sarah in his first go but before they knew it they were on the way out, and on the next season of Cutthroat she turned her back on him and he was also eliminated earlier on. Then came Battle of the Exes: they were paired up and though they were power team in Week 2, a lapse of judgement on his part in the club got the best of Vinny, and he and Sarah were sent home from South America.
Post-MTV, Vinny has become a dad, a husband, a bartender and a sports handicapping enthusiast in the capital of sports wagering and adult pleasure, Las Vegas. But earlier this month came devastating news: he was rushed to the hospital with chest pains, and was diagnosed with a case of heart failure. He was put into the Intensive Care Unit and into a ventilator at a local hospital, where he would spend the next three weeks in a battle for his life. A fever, pneumonia, surgeries would follow as Vinny began the rehabilitation phase of what will be a long road back to recovery.
Not surprisingly, those who've competed with him on his three Challenges have expressed their support and prayers for Vinny. Exes I champ Camila told US Weekly, "Vinny is such a unique guy and always brought a special, unique energy into the shows. I can only imagine what him and his family are going through, and I wish he pulls through stronger than ever. As crazy as our MTV family may be, I am sure we are all hoping to see him making us laugh again."
His wife, Krista Foti, and his family launched a GoFundMe effort that has raised over $4,000 as family, friends, followers, and a few of his fellow MTV alumni pitched in to contribute whatever they can offer out of their own pockets to help a friend in the most important time of need. At the site itself, she and the family have kept updating everyone on Vinny's progress from when he was admitted to the hospital until this past weekend.
And it was on Saturday that the mom of two daughters reported great news: "After Vinny was in the ICU for three weeks and being in the hospital since October 1st. The dr said he would be in there 3days for everyday he was in the hospital bed. He showed them with his strength, determination and finally got discharged. We have physical therapists and nurses that come and help with his recovery but he’s finally home. Thanks again for all the love, support and prayers."
To donate to the ongoing fundraising effort for Vinny for the continuing journey to recovery he will is now embarking on, go to GoFundMe.com/foti-fundraiser. And below, Vinny's colleague on the Vegas football betting site Pro Football Science, Vini Ferreira, posted an Instagram picture earlier this week of him and his friend in his hospital bed. Our thoughts are with Vinny for a speedy recovery.
- I AM DC
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