‘I’ve had a rocky couple of seasons there,’ the returning vet tells EW.
Cory Wharton is ready to get back into the ring onThe Challenge.But now, he’s a changed man.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: It’s been a couple of seasons since fans have seen you compete on this show.
Credit: Riccardo Giardina/MTV
What have you been doing in your time away to prepare for your return?
CORY WHARTON:I’ve been shootingTeen Mom OG!
[Laughs] I did like three seasons of that.
But this season I wanted to come in a little bit better cardio shape.
I wanted to attack this one with a different mentality.
What did you learn from your most recent seasons that changed how you approached this season?
I learned: Don’t order pasta at the bar.
That’s one thing I’ll never do is order pasta again.
1 thing that I learned is don’t let these people throw you off.
You’re playing this game not only for you but you have Ryder at home.
You have Taylor who’s pregnant.
This is life-changing money this season.
It’s not like my previous seasons where you know the winner used to only get $150,000.
Have you been watching the seasons you havent played?
You know, this is where I’m different than some of the other castmates.
When I take a break fromThe Challenge, I take abreak.
I didn’t really watch the previous two seasons, but I enjoyed my break!
Total Madnessis introducing a new twist where players must win an elimination to qualify for the final.
What was your reaction when you found that out?
Welcome to my world, Challengers.
I mean let’s be honest, I’ve been thrown into elimination every season I’ve done.
So for me, I’m not scared to go into elimination.
I’m gonna give it my all.
If I lose, this is gonna suck.
People are gonna tell me I’m terrible.
And if I win, even better.
So for me, the twist was great.
I never really have the numbers on my side.
I’m usually fighting the uphill fight.
There’s never been a season like this one.
People have to go in and prove themselves.
[Host] T.J. [Lavin] is sick of that.
This season youhaveto come in and prove yourself.
So how did that twist shake up how everyone played the game?
Are people going to volunteer themselves?
Are people fighting to get into elimination now instead of staying out of elimination?
There are so many ways that it can go and the cast literally hits every single way.
It’s going to be good.
TYB is me, Nelson, and Hunter.
Hunter didn’t do this season.
And honestly, me and Nelson didn’t really talk for two months before coming onto the show.
We were like, “Okay, obviously we’re gonna rock with each other.”
You still have to go and make other relationships with other people, too.
What can you tease about some of the in-season alliances you made as the season progressed?
You guys can count on me working with Nelson.
I’ll say that much.
And I will tease this: Maybe TYB recruited a new member.
I can’t say too much!
I didnt really know who to trust and who not to trust.
Over time, you figure it out.
We have someSurvivor, Amazing Racepeople The Challengeis literally grabbing from every reality TV show now.
And from there on we didn’t have any trouble.
I’m here for the money.
You guys know I got something good going on back home so I’m strictly here for gameplay."
And they agreed with me and it’s cool.
I’ve had a rocky couple of seasons there.
Honestly, the last full season I did wasDirty 30, which was two years ago.
And this was definitely different.
And then being placed in a bunker, it was crazy.
What is going to surprise longtime fans about how this season plays out?
People’s relationships are going to be different.
Some people who have never worked with each other, they’re now working with each other.
This game is dirty.
People are lying behind each other’s backs.
All these people would lie to you for a million dollars.
It gets intense, and the best of the best will survive.
The Challenge: Total Madnesspremieres Wednesday, April 1, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
