Overview
- Host T.J. Lavin announced during the Sept. 16 episode that Josh Goldstein, Leo Dionicio and Nelson Thomas were disqualified for violating the show’s code of conduct without showing the incident on air.
- Nelson Thomas posted on X that he “let my emotions take over” and damaged kitchen items, and he said he received a private apology from Josh Goldstein.
- Leo Dionicio has publicly disputed that he deserved removal, said he was upset by what was said, and described himself as Black/Afro-Latino.
- Josh Goldstein has not issued a public statement confirming the allegations that he used a racial slur, and production has declined further comment about the removals.
- Fans and several cast members have criticized the decision to cut the footage and silence details, noting The Challenge’s history of race- and conduct-related controversies and pressing Paramount+ for accountability.