It’s coming all the way down to the wire on The Problem 40: Battle of the Eras. With only a dozen gamers left within the sport, the house stretch is nearly in sight, however not everyone seems to be destined to make it to the finals. On Wednesday’s (November 20) newest episode, “The Swinging Period,” the remaining contestants bought to leap from shifting semi vans to the touch a sequence of 12 targets.
Whereas Derek Chavez managed to shock everybody with a convincing victory, Josh Martinez and Cory Wharton have been left to duke it out within the area. In the end, Wharton’s pace allowed him to coast to victory.
So how did Josh Martinez really feel about that ultimate bout together with his former ally? And the place do his different alliances and friendships stand after a lot chaos? TV Insider caught up with him to seek out out.
What does it take to be a member of “The Trip Alliance,” and when did you guys begin taking possession of that identify?
Josh Martinez: Yeah, it’s humorous. We simply have a extremely good friendship. We now have a extremely robust connection. To be sincere with you, it occurred after me and Aneesa [Ferreira] bought eradicated. I related with every particular person inside that alliance individually. Kaycee [Clark] and me — clearly coming from Large Brother — we at all times had a bond that was cemented, after which me and Nany [Gonzales] at all times bought alongside, however me and Devin [Walker] hated one another throughout Double Brokers, after which after we bought eradicated, we’re like, “Rattling, you’re really not that dangerous,” and we related. Similar factor with me and Aneesa. So it simply began from a really real friendship, and simply connecting and being associates.
We bought invited on one model journey to a villa [and] from there, the followers ran with it and began calling us “The Trip Alliance” and saying that we’re making an attempt to recruit folks and the followers and folks inside the present. So we by no means named ourselves that, and we by no means made ourselves this big alliance. It simply occurred like that, and at that time, we simply began taking part in into, “F**ok it, for those who guys are gonna name us that, we’d as nicely personal it,” you understand? Even now, regardless that we’re at odds and we’re not, within the sport, in a great place, I might say I nonetheless have love for these folks they usually’re nonetheless my good associates. So it’s slightly awkward, it’s bizarre, however I do love them.
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Talking of all your folks, clearly, a few of your connections have been contradictory, with you being associates with Tori [Deal] after which Johnny Bananas. How did you navigate that, having so many friendships after which having them be so at odds?
Nicely, let’s make one factor clear, all of us walked in actually good associates. Johnny and Tori are shut, they have been shut. Rachel [Robinson] and Tori, we’re shut as nicely. We lived in Miami, we might see one another each single week, we might practice collectively, we have been coaching collectively to go on [Season] 40. So it was actually bizarre once I noticed that falling out. I really didn’t know easy methods to deal with it, if I’m being sincere with you.
I used to be making an attempt to do probably the most mature factor, and I used to be like, “Hear, the final time that I bought in between a friendship, my greatest buddy went residence. We bought right into a screaming match, threw drinks at one another, and Fessy went residence—put palms on one another, as a result of I bought in between the connection between him and Amber.” So I used to be like, “That’s the very last thing I’m gonna do. I’m gonna keep out of it. I’m gonna allow them to deal with it.” Nevertheless it was actually robust as a result of if it could have been anyone else, the Trip Alliance is aware of that I might have been loyal and stood by their aspect and would have gone towards whoever was coming at us. Nevertheless it being Rachel and Johnny, they knew my ties and my coronary heart and my friendship with them, so it was like, I didn’t assume it was honest, however I gave my respect to Tori as a result of Tori and Johnny, even after they have been at odds, they by no means made me select between them. They’re like, “Josh is staying out of it, and we wish him to remain out of it.” And I really like each of them for that. They by no means as soon as have been like, “It’s a must to work with me.” Johnny by no means did that to me. Tori by no means did that to me. Devin and Kaycee undoubtedly did, however Tori at all times gave me the blessing of like, “You play your sport. You’re right here to make a ultimate. I’m not gonna put you in the midst of this. You’re out of it. “And I really like them for that.
Nicely, one person who form of tried to inform you you have been taking part in either side an excessive amount of was Michele. Do you assume that it was honest that she put a goal on you for that?
No, I don’t. I feel that Michele was actually annoyed. Michele and me play a really comparable sport. And Michele’s very used to having robust ties and form of utilizing these ties to profit her, and that wasn’t her place on this sport. So I feel there was loads of frustration in seeing how well-positioned I used to be, and he or she was lashing out.
I really like Michele. I’m Michele’s largest fan. I’ve been Michele’s largest fan since Survivor, however this season, I couldn’t stand her. Even engaged on a group together with her, there have been so many arguments that you simply guys didn’t see the place it was at all times Michele coming at me, and I used to be taking it and taking it from early on, from after we have been working, and I used to be simply taking it and taking it and taking it, and I might vent lots to Kaycee about it. I’m like, “Bro, I can’t stand Michele, like, the place the f**ok is that this ego coming from?” I don’t know if it occurred throughout 30…. Who is that this particular person? After which it simply all got here to a head on the finish, however no, man, it was actually disappointing.
Actually, regardless that I went to Michele and I wished to take it off of her plate — like, “I do know you’re gonna vote for me, so let me simply take your energy away and form of have you ever vote for me” — I’m nonetheless slightly dissatisfied in her as a result of me and Michele at all times performed this sport so intently. Me and Michele at all times work collectively. I’ve at all times been in Michele’s nook. So regardless that I gave her my blessing, I’m hoping that — I do know her and Derek bought actually shut this season, however I’m hoping our friendship means extra to her, and I used to be simply actually dissatisfied that that wasn’t the case. So our friendship undoubtedly had a falling out this season, and it’s simply gonna be attention-grabbing to see, in future seasons, how that unfolds. Actually, that’s one other friendship that — and what’s onerous for folks to know — within the sport, I simply don’t know what’s gonna be our place. If we’re gonna play collectively or we’re not, it’s gonna be attention-grabbing.
So that you guys haven’t talked or caught up because the filming?
Oh yeah, we had a reunion, and that was an absolute s**tshow. I wished to go get readability and closure, and I walked away from it… That is the factor, we’re good, however we’re not in a sport setting but. So as soon as we step foot within the sport, and we’re again in that atmosphere, it’s a complete completely different situation than us grabbing drinks and hanging out and never speaking about video games, you understand? In order that’s what I’m saying. It’s like, yeah, we’re good, however that’s not what’s at hand right here. After we step again foot into that sport, if we do find yourself taking part in collectively, what’s it gonna be like? ‘Trigger I actually don’t know within the sport the place I stand together with her or Devin. Do I really like him? Hell f**ok you, I really like him. I’m their largest f**king supporter, however within the sport, I simply don’t know what our place’s gonna be.
How do you’re feeling about your place with Johnny Bananas now? As a result of I do know that you simply bought right into a row in USA 2, and then you definitely’ve form of been making up for that.
Oh, I really like him. Hear, I walked into 40, and regardless that he performs into, “Aw yeah, guilt journey him,” the fact is Johnny by no means actually guilt-tripped me. And earlier than going into 40, there was a number of instances the place we kicked it and we frolicked, I went to his health club, and we spent loads of time outdoors of the sport, we hang around lots. So there was by no means a second the place he even introduced up what I did on USA 2, however I at all times advised myself, and I do know Johnny, it’s like, you may apologize and apologize, nevertheless it’s like your actions. So I at all times advised myself it’s the day that I get to repay him and do proper by him and present him how dangerous I felt for the transfer that I made on USA 2. I’m gonna do it, and that’s precisely what I did. Did he play into him being a showman, “Yeah, I made him guilt journey” or no matter? I don’t know why the f**ok he did that, however he actually by no means did till we have been in that chamber. However our friendship is extra stable than ever. I really like the man, he’s like an enormous brother to me in that sport. Individuals actually don’t perceive the friendship. They’re like, “The place did this come from?” It’s like, “Dude, I filmed most of my seasons with him, and he’s at all times been someone that’s form of taken me below his wing.” And even when it felt just like the followers or the folks in the home are towards me, Johnny’s at all times seen the nice in me, and that’s one thing that I actually love about him, that he’s by no means been one to brutally choose me. He’s at all times been like an enormous brother to me, so I f**king love the man, and I feel that shifting ahead, I’m at all times gonna have his again.
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Yeah, what about Cory [Wharton]? I do know it was form of worst-case situation you’d should go towards him within the area.
Yeah, like I mentioned, there’s loads of friendships that [struggled]. Whereas loads of friendships turned stronger for me on Season 40 that I’m grateful for, like Rachel and Johnny, even Tori, together with her permitting me to play my sport, I feel that there was loads of relationships that have been hindered after which I misplaced, and that I simply don’t know the place we stand. I don’t assume me and Cory will ever, ever, ever, ever play this sport collectively. So do I respect him outdoors of the sport? Do I respect his reasoning? I f**king love that. I really like Cory outdoors of the sport, and I feel that’s what’s so complicated for folks. They’re like, “Nicely?” It’s like taking part in a sport, whenever you go on the sector and also you go to compete, I might be associates with the opponent, nevertheless it’s like, “I’m gonna beat you,” and that’s simply how it’s. Transferring ahead in The Problem, I most likely won’t ever work with him. He most likely won’t ever wish to work with me. Granted, honest, I did cross you, however within the sport, I’m completely happy for him. Even him profitable and him shifting ahead, he’s had an incredible season, and I give him his props, and he’s such a robust competitor within the area, and I’m glad that if I needed to exit to anyone, it was him. So yeah, it’s robust, however that friendship, I don’t even know the place I stand with Cory. It was terrible, and he was f**king throwing jabs left and proper, and also you guys will watch that, nevertheless it was similar to, I actually don’t know the place our friendship stands, however I’m at all times gonna root for his success, if that is sensible.
Have you ever heard something about the way forward for the present? As a result of I do know Kaycee and Tori have indicated they’re not returning for some time.
Hear, I don’t assume this present has any plans of slowing down. I feel that this present is likely one of the greatest reveals on this planet. I imply, you see different reveals making an attempt to copy, and I’m simply very blessed that I get to be a part of The Problem. I can’t actually get into a lot particulars about that. The truth is, I’m ready proper now at 30 years outdated, I’ve put in loads of time into this, and due to The Problem, they’ve been a part of opening these doorways for me, however I’ve been hit up for each main f**king present you may consider on the market proper now, and had loads of gives, and for the longest [time], I’ve been very [hesitant]. I feel what the distinction between all these different tasks and The Problem is is that The Problem has develop into such an enormous a part of my life, and I really gained a lot with every season that I do, that personally, if it’s my selection, I’ve no plans on strolling away from the present. We’ll see what occurs sooner or later, if I do come again, however I wanna proceed to develop into a greater competitor, a greater challenger, and I haven’t received. I haven’t made a ultimate, so I’m able to make that occur. And whereas all these alternatives have been offered to me, my loyalty is at all times gonna be with The Problem. However yeah, I feel in 2025 you’re going to be seeing loads of me. I’ll simply put that on the market, so we’ll see what occurs. I don’t plan on retiring, however my associates do — or are taking a break. I don’t have any plans of slowing down.
Why is there a lot spillage on-line? The newest is with Laurel Stucky beefing with Nurys Mateo and Horacio Gutierrez? There’s this entire factor, so why have been the sentiments so onerous this season?
It’s robust. We spend a lot time collectively, and loads of us, we return to again to again seasons, and that’s why I feel it’s essential to take a break. I didn’t take a break. I used to be pressured right into a break as a result of I didn’t match the theme for 39, and 38, I didn’t need my sister on the present, so I took that into my very own palms. I used to be like, I’m not gonna placed on my household, so that they made me an alternate, however that break was the largest blessing of my life, and a few of these folks that you simply talked about — not Horacio and Nurys — I feel that particular person wants a break. I feel that that particular person wants it — and that is coming from a spot of affection. I feel that seeing somebody like that spiraling, and seeing all of the hate and every little thing, a break is wholesome. It’s not a nasty factor, and also you’re in a position to simply join slightly bit and get again to actuality, and now for me personally, even speaking about my very own private expertise, I’m in a position to play this sport and never let it eat my life. That was my actuality after we filmed 40, from there, I filmed two different reveals. I’ve been touring, I’ve been with my household, so it’s like, I’m not consumed by it, however that break allowed me to have a look at it with a unique perspective. And I feel for lots of people, it feels heavy as a result of there isn’t any disconnect. It’s like, you may have three or 4 months and also you’re thrown again in, and it’s fairly unhappy, man. This present is the largest blessing in loads of our lives, however for those who don’t take the reins, and for those who don’t take breaks and defend your psychological well being, it is going to destroy you. And it’s unhappy that I really feel like that’s what’s taking place proper now with Laurel.
The Problem, Wednesdays, 8/7c, MTV