We've just begun a new year in Siesta Key, as Juliette Porter tries to pick up the pieces of another failed romance, while Cheyenne Floyd spent a winter vacation in the Caribbean with her Teen Mom sorority just as the dad of her first kid is ready to welcome number #2. Ahead of us, the year in The Challenge will begin with Season 3 of All-Stars on what's now become a must-have for MTV fans in Paramount+, which will also host the third edition of The Real World Homecoming as the cast of the original New Orleans season will reunite down in the Big Easy. P+ will also be the venue for a third War of the Worlds Challenge later this year, as will another star-studded mega-project in All-Star Shore... and we will have all of these shows covered on here between now and then, as will two others.
Something that's been scarce in our MTV coverage here in this time has been the network's twisted take on love, which has become the buzz word of the reality community the past few years. But there's good news coming: earlier this month, Paramount+ announced the pending fall return of a show that we've followed ever since its 2014 debut, Are You The One?, as American and international singles will face the truth booth in a global-themed season 9. Last year, Vinny Guadagnino tried yet again to find his match on A Double Shot at Love... and one of those suitors who were looking for win the heart of the Jersey Shore bachelor the first time around is taking her talents to another of MTV's entry into reality love... and it too is back from a prolonged summer vacation.
Also eight years back, MTV introduced to the world -- albeit the non-U.S. international audience -- what might be the most twisted of all the romantic reality shows out there. Ex On The Beach became a huge hit in the United Kingdom and many other countries before it made its way to our American shores four years ago this spring... and it too has also made its mark on this side of the pond with some of reality TV's biggest stars having to go through hell on the sand watching their past come back into their lives. The last time we got to enjoy the pleasure of finding out "Whose Ex Is Next?" was just before the world turned upside down: Season 4 saw the global franchise's first winter-themed season which hosted its first ever proposal, plus some drama involving those who represent America's fifth pro sport.
Now some two years after we left New Zealand, we have made our way for the first time on our U.S. version of the show to the continent of the European Union: Gran Canaria. the Spanish colony of the Canary Islands, will be our hosts for the return of Ex On The Beach USA. And just as it was when it first made waves on this side of the Atlantic, a few familiar faces to us from having covered the MTV beat here for ten years will be part of the fun... and they'll be joined by those from all around the wide world of reality TV. And after the break, we take our first look at all the drama to come from the beach.
AN EOTB REFRESHER
As it has been a while since we have covered MTV love dating back to the lost summer of 2020, we start by refreshing your memory of what EOTB is all about. And if you happen to be joining this blog for the first time from wherever you are in the world, then you are familiar with it... all thanks to being the MTV format that has been franchised out to more countries than any other -- more than two dozen.
The aforementioned baby news with Cory Wharton and girlfriend Taylor Selfridge earlier this month adds another arc to their love story that began on the first U.S. EOTB. They were followed the very next season by his fellow Challenge Young Buck Nelson Thomas falling in love with Season 1 OG Angela Babicz, which began a public relationship that also saw them meet Dr. Phil. The Big Brother takeover of the channel went straight from their first Challenge to EOTB in seeing Paulie Calafiore start his MTV journey in the Season 1 house in Hawaii, while this show was a tour stop on the road to music video vixen for AYTO alum Nurys Mateo. And just this month, one who was on Peak of Love tied the knot with a Challenger: Season 4 ex Sam Bird recently got hitched to Cory's Challenge ex Kailah Casillas.
The show's format is as simple as making apple pie: every season begins as just another traditional reality dating show with the singles chosen to start it all out moving into the house at the beginning ready to get down and dirty, and to enjoy an experience that they hope will be just as amazing as the paradise they're calling home. That is, the assumption that they receive when they arrive here... and they are anxious to hook up, party, enjoy the sun and all that the Canary Islands have to offer as well as their amazing estate... that is, until reality begins to set in.
The signature moment of any EOTB episode is when a certain number of singles are summoned down to what is known as the "Beach of Doom" to come face to face on the beach with their ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends -- it is the absolute total shock of their lives and words do not need to describe the looks on their faces of when they show up on the sand like Jaws. There, the complicated web of love, revenge, deceit and hookups -- not to mention the trademark drama we've come to except from the MTV reality brand -- will all come together as question, "Whose Ex is Next?", is answered.
Those of our British friends who were first to the party know that there is another looming object when it comes to EOTB: the Tablet of Terror. That mobile device will help to determine who goes on Crush dates outside the house, big twists that might come their way, reveal sensitive photos or evidence of wrongdoings in their relationships or what happened before they came onshore, or even give someone a chance to do what those on another dating show love to do: send somebody home on the spot. And unlike other series in the genre, there's no money or prize at stake or even a ring: just the chance to reignite those old flames or hope that the last gasp chance will go away entirely.
MEET THE CAST
When America got a dose of what Ex On The Beach was all about, our version began a trend that the UK show has also followed: have reality stars or celebrities be the star of the show, rather than fill the cast up through the traditional casting queue. And the first four EOTB classes have offered something for everyone, starting with representation from at least one MTV show in every season including from our site's favorite show. In addition to this being a part of Big Brother's rise in MTV circles, those from Bachelor Nation, Love Island and other reality shows have been on this experiment, as has one who caused two Vanderpump Rules scandals. And for our return engagement with this show, there's no exception when it comes to star power -- starting with our headliner.
THE SINGLES
❤️ DA'VONNE ROGERS (Big Brother & The Challenge): Two summers ago, Da'Vonne proved again why she is so beloved: her telling it like it is, her bubbly energy and humor, and her being an activist for the BLM movement in a chaotic year earned her title of America's Favorite Houseguest on Big Brother All-Stars -- following on her two previous trips to the summer house and her two stints on The Challenge. Now for the sixth time, Mama Day will have to leave her young kid back home as her attention on the reality side turns to love... and all we wonder, is the beach ready?
❤️ DERYNN PAIGE (A Double Shot at Love): The last time we covered an MTV love season here, Derynn was on the first two seasons of Double Shot (we covered Season 2 of that in lieu of EOTB on here in 2020), and where her hopes to try and score love didn't net her anything. She's had her fellow East Coast Beast Coast squad on her two summers of love, but this entrepreneur will have to go at it all alone this time around in her third quest to find an honest man. But one thing is for sure: Derynn loves having cats around her, and would love to have someone else to keep company...
❤️ KYRA GREEN (Love Island & America's Got Talent): Last May, reality TV's finest got together for Pepsi & MTV's love experiment, Match Me If You Can... and one of those selected for that crossover event was Kyra, who went on a date with Day's fellow Big Brother houseguest turned Challenger Natalie Negrotti. Kyra has accomplished music on AGT and with Kidz Bop, then went on Love Island... now that she got to explore part of that bisexuality on YouTube she is ready to perhaps explore both sides in the EOTB villa... the question is, will her match be waiting in Spain?
❤️ RAY GANTT (Love Island & Amazing Race): A smooth-talker with a bright smile, Ray is one who loves being the ladies' man wherever he goes -- whether it's a worldwide journey like he just did on The Amazing Race or three years ago on Love Island. It was in Fiji that his appeal got him involved in anyone's favorite scenario on these reality dating shows: a love triangle -- and its with those friendly tendencies that has turned off the ladies he's dated. However, Ray hopes that things will get better this time around... but remember, coming onto this show you cant forget about the past.
❤️ BRYCE HIRSCHBERG (Too Hot to Handle): When the world lost its mind, reality fans found an escape in Too Hot to Handle in seeing how much some hotties can take in love-wise without hooking up. After we saw Harry on Match Me and Kelz on the last Challenge, it's now the turn of Bryce to come to a show that airs ads: this parttime actor, producer, director & writer and who loves to party on a party boat came to Mexico and left paradise with a girlfriend. But after that, it all faded away... but now Bryce has his eyes on settling down with the right one -- that is if his ex doesn't derail his plans.
❤️ DAVID BARTA (Paradise Hotel): Last year, it was Bettina -- now its David who heads to MTV by way of a stay in Paradise Hotel... whose season was hosted by Laguna queen Kristin Cavallari. He's a former baseball player who didn't find love in the reality dating entry of Shore EP Sally-Ann Salsano, and where all of his exes are now taken with a ring. Now, David is headed back to paradise for another shot at love as he hopes that what he loves to call "Big Dave Energy" will land him his match... and the last time he was in love, he fell for a someone else from your favorite summer house.
❤️ ARISCE WANZER (Strut on Oxygen): Since season 2, the LGBTQ community has been part of EOTB -- a unique facet of the global franchise which began with Day's Final Reckoning partner Jozea. Following on him and Adore of last time, it's Arisce from a show on a pre-true crime Oxygen channel called Strut -- and you guessed it... she's a supermodel, only here she is also trans. She's modeled since age 17 on runways and magazines, and who's been become a social advocate as well. Arisce comes to Europe looking for love after a relationship with an ex that's tailor made for this type of show.
❤️ JONATHAN TRONCOSO (World of Dance): Someone who danced on national TV also comes here looking for love: Jonathan appeared on J'Lo's entry into the dance competition genre, World of Dance, and also having no limits on who he chooses to be his partner on the dance floor and in bed. With almost twenty world titles, he's also been a trendsetter in his field in having a same-sex dance partner, which has made his dating life that much more complicated. Jon does have the right moves when it comes to dancing, but the question now is... does that apply to love too?
❤️ ALAIN LORENZO (reality debut): Fitting the mold cast by Tor'i, Victoria and the late Chris Pearson of Season 1 in having no prior reality experience before coming here, Alain is a Miami native who loves sports, loves talking about sports, loves to swim and has a law degree... and we may see him on a future Challenge. But for now, he's also been dealing with something related to love: him breaking hearts along South Beach... but now that he's free once again he now has his eyes on love -- provided that the one he met in a bar doesn't infringe on his quest.
❤️ RANIN KARIM (reality debut): If not for all these CV's, then this is the one story with the biggest public intrigue: one who's part of an ongoing scandal bring brought forth to this show. That's what accompanies Ranin, who immigrated from the Middle East to the U.S. to create jewelry and recreate vintage fashion, and who had a 2-year marriage with an ex-husband. But it's her being part of one of the many high-profile scandals that's rocked the Hillsong Church that has brought her to the forefront... and Ranin hopes to escape this enigma with a fresh start -- even if it's having to make peace with the ex.
THE EXES
(Except for a few, for the suspense exact pairings are not revealed)
💔 RICKY ROGERS (Double Shot at Love - Derynn's ex): While Pauly & Nikki rekindled things as did Vinny & Maria in Vegas two years ago, there was something else on Vegas Shore Double Shot: a Chippendales performer getting it on with our resident cat lover. Ricky and Derynn hung out aplenty on DSAL Season 2 and after the rest of her cast flew home, but their attempts to make a long-distance love affair work went by the wayside. Time has passed and both are older, but will that mean that sparks will fly once again for #Dericky?
💔 MIKE MULDERRIG (Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club): Two years ago this month was the last time we saw Mike: him taking off his pants in the company of the Geordie Shore mates cost him his job working for Lindsay Lohan at her beach club. But that's only part of a unique over-the-hop personality that's seen him become a YouTube star, a podcaster and a bartender who even dressed up as Cookie Monster. And judging from what we've seen beforehand, Mike might be saving his best stuff for this beach, and with him and his ex -- anything can happen.
💔 CARO VIEE (Love Island & The Amazing Race - Ray's ex): If you watched the recently-aired 33rd season of The Amazing Race, then you saw Caro begin on that global journey with Ray before the pandemic brought it to a halt. Their relationship began on Love Island three years ago, continued for a bit to when they came to the start line with Phil Koeghan, but ended a few months after doing what is always a no-no when it comes to any budding relationship. And now, will Caro fully regret having Ray's name getting tattooed?
💔 KAT DUNN (Big Brother): And the Big Brother invasion continues: Kat was on the same Season 21 cast that gave us plenty of controversy three summers ago. The Texan stood out in the camp house with her over-the-top personality and ways of scheming... and she also happens to know the ultimate tea spiller when it comes to gossip about roses in Reality Steve. Kat just so happens to be an ex to one of these singles, which began like some reality relationships as a social one that turned into more... that may mean trouble could loom once they meet up here.
💔 EMILY SALCH and SHERIBEL "SHER" SUAREZ (Love Island): It may not be as huge a hit as in the UK (in fact, it's changing channels as Season 4 goes over to Peacock), but our U.S. Love Island will still have a big presence: Emily met Kyra that first summer in Fiji where they had a big connection down under, and where their relationship resumed upon season's end but never went deep. And Sher was on Vegas Love Island in 2020 who showed an outgoing personality and then went into the arms of one of the exes... and it came as a shock for that to come crashing to an end.
💔 NICOLE O'BRIEN 🇮🇪 (Too Hot to Handle - Bryce's ex): Last time out at the Peak saw our first non-U.S. castmates on EOTB USA in Georgia & Callum, and now someone from next door in Ireland will make a small plane hop to the Islands. Nicole met up with Bryce in that Mexican THTH villa, where they clicked while they had to try to not resist that temptation in Lena's company... but when it became a long distance one after they flew back to their homes it did not turn into much more. But with this familiar setting, will #Brycole become a thing once again?
💔 JAMAR LEE and MINH-LY NGUYEN-CAO 🇨🇦 (Big Brother Canada): EOTB now welcomes our second foreign country to this US experiment as two houseguests from Big Brother Canada head south of the border. Jamar from Ajax, Ontario met one of our singles well before he came to Season 8 and was the first one evicted prior to the season being cut short at the pandemic's outset. Minh-Ly of Montreal was Jamar's biggest ally in that brief stay there, but she might be looking for some payback considering that there may be more to him than just what appears on the surface.
💔 DANI COCO (Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?): Yes you got that right, Dani was once on that 2000's game show where young kids outsmarted adults over conventional trivia in front of Jeff Foxworthy. Here she is about a decade later in the same spot Allie DiMeco was on Peak of Love in reemerging into the spotlight as an adult, where she became a fitness queen and where she had a relationship with a fitness king as personal trainers working at the same gym. But will Dani and her ex find themselves in love once again?
💔 ALEXIS CHRISTINA, NICOLE AMELIA, ELIAS and JOELLE BRIAN: And we can't forget about these other exes too... and we'll leave the guessing of who their exes are to your curiosity.
Whether you live here in America and watch our version, or lucky enough to watch the overseas version for a change, then you might agree that this is the kind of romantic reality show that those who produce those other shows in the genre just wish they would have this kind of drama. As the brief musical look-ahead below attests to, there will sure be plenty of drama to come our way. Welcome back to paradise...
“LETS TALK ABOUT EX BAY-BEE” 🎵 Yup, this song is now living in your head rent free! 😂 DON’T MISS the RETURN of #ExOnTheBeach THURSDAY MARCH 31st at 8/7c on @MTV pic.twitter.com/eIkDHqguNO
— Ex On The Beach (@ExOnTheBeach) March 21, 2022
🏝️ 🏝️ 🏝️
As the blog site of record for the MTV Reality fandom over the past decade, DCBLOG has covered the whole run of Ex On The Beach in the U.S., along with having also followed the journeys of Da'Vonne, Derynn and Mike on their MTV debuts. It will be no different as we'll be covering the whole thing from when the singles move into the house a week from now until the final act in the Canary Islands come summer. And we'll be bringing you the weekly Pulse of the episodes with Twitter reaction and more on here every weekend, along with our recaps of Siesta Key and Season 3 of The Challenge All-Stars in May, plus our signature offerings of ExtraTime with our trademark stories that go beyond the episodes. And we'll see you here throughout the weekend as we cover the end of #JAM down in Florida.
- I AM DC
#DCBLOG
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