The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines—Where Are The Winners And Controversial Cast Now?

Eight years after its premiere, The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines (Season 27) remains one of the most polarizing seasons in the franchise's history, not just for its unique and controversial twist, but for the dramatic personal journeys it launched. Airing in 2015, this season brought a fresh, high-stakes dynamic by pairing veteran Challengers with their actual family members—their "bloodlines"—forcing them to compete as a duo for a massive prize in a stunning setting.

The core concept of the "Bloodline Twist" was simple yet explosive: every veteran had to rely on a non-reality TV family member, from siblings to cousins, who had zero experience in the cutthroat world of The Challenge. This created immediate friction, unexpected alliances, and some of the most memorable eliminations ever seen. With the season long over, the burning question remains: what happened to the winning duo, and where did the most infamous bloodlines go after their brief but intense moment in the spotlight?

The Ultimate Bloodline Challenge: Season Summary and Winners

The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines took place in the exotic and challenging locations of Bodrum, Turkey, and Berlin, Germany. The season introduced a total of 13 pairs, comprising 12 veterans and their family members, plus one pair of rookies. The format was a chaotic blend of individual and team dynamics, where the veterans had to navigate the political game while simultaneously coaching their inexperienced bloodline through grueling daily challenges and terrifying elimination rounds.

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The season was defined by a few key storylines. The powerful alliance led by Johnny Bananas and his cousin, Vince Gliatta, dominated the early game, utilizing their numbers to target rivals. Meanwhile, the tumultuous relationship between Cara Maria Sorbello and her cousin, Jamie Banks, was a central focus. Cara Maria, a veteran who had been competing for years without a win, was initially hesitant about her cousin's presence, but their bond grew stronger as the competition intensified.

The Final Challenge and The Unexpected Champions

The grueling two-day Final Challenge tested the pairs' endurance, puzzle-solving skills, and, crucially, their ability to work together under immense pressure. The final leg saw four teams competing: Cara Maria & Jamie, Cory & Mitch, Jenna & Brianna, and Johnny Bananas & Vince.

In a stunning upset, the duo of Cara Maria Sorbello and Jamie Banks emerged victorious, securing Cara Maria's first-ever championship title after years of coming close. This victory was a defining moment for Cara Maria, proving her ability to win and cementing her legacy as a top-tier competitor in the franchise. Jamie Banks, her cousin, became one of the few "Bloodlines" to ever win a season, making an indelible mark on the show despite his lack of prior reality TV experience.

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Where Are They Now? The Bloodlines Cast in 2024

While the season concluded nearly a decade ago, the lives of the most memorable cast members have continued to evolve, with some remaining in the reality TV spotlight and others stepping away entirely. Here is an update on the key figures from Battle of the Bloodlines, providing the freshest information available today.

Cara Maria Sorbello and Jamie Banks

Cara Maria Sorbello: Following her win on Bloodlines, Cara Maria went on to become one of the most successful and polarizing figures in The Challenge history. She secured a second championship on Vendettas and reached numerous other finals. In recent years, Cara Maria has taken a step back from the main show, with her last appearance being in 2019. She has focused on her relationship with fellow Challenger Paulie Calafiore and has been active on social media, occasionally hinting at a potential return to the franchise, though she has also discussed a period of "retirement."

Jamie Banks: As Cara Maria's winning "bloodline," Jamie's reality TV career was brief but impactful. He did not return for any subsequent seasons of The Challenge. Jamie has largely kept his life private since his win, focusing on his personal and professional life outside of television.

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The Most Notorious Bloodlines and Veterans

Johnny Bananas and Vince Gliatta: Johnny Bananas continued his legendary career, winning multiple seasons, including Rivals III and Total Madness, solidifying his status as the most decorated male Challenger. He has since expanded his career into hosting and podcasting. His cousin, Vince Gliatta, did not return to the show after Bloodlines. Vince's brief stint was marked by his intense loyalty to Bananas and his infamous rivalry with other cast members.

Tony Raines and Shane Raines: Tony Raines went on to become a frequent and popular competitor, known for his dramatic personal life and his later pairing with his brother, Shane. Tony was forced to leave Bloodlines early due to a severe stomach illness, a dramatic moment that remains a key memory of the season. Tony's career saw him reach a final on Vendettas. Both he and Shane have largely stepped away from the main competition show in recent years to focus on family.

Leroy Garrett and Candice Fowler: Leroy, a Challenge veteran, was paired with his cousin, Candice Fowler. Their time was cut short when Candice was disqualified due to a medical issue. Leroy continued to be a beloved figure on the show, reaching several more finals before officially retiring from the main series. In a recent update, Leroy and his partner, Kam Williams (a Challenger from a later season), have built a solid life together, had two children, and even returned for a special appearance in 2024 as a "power couple," showcasing a successful post-show life.

Jenna Compono and Brianna LaCuesta: Jenna, a veteran, and her cousin Brianna made it all the way to the Final, a testament to Jenna's consistent performance. Jenna later continued her Challenge career and is now married to fellow Challenger Zach Nichols. The couple has three children, and Jenna has stepped away from competing to focus on motherhood. Brianna, her bloodline, has occasionally provided updates on her life, including her own wedding plans and the birth of her son, demonstrating a happy transition to life outside of reality TV.

The Legacy of the Bloodline Twist and Its Impact on The Challenge

The "Bloodline Twist" was a major gamble for The Challenge franchise. It introduced a large influx of new, inexperienced players—the "bloodlines"—who were not part of the established reality TV ecosystem. This led to a season that was heavy on personal drama and internal conflicts, often overshadowing the physical challenges themselves.

The Problem of the Bloodlines

Despite the high drama, the season is often viewed retrospectively as having a "messy" format due to the difficulty of integrating the non-TV-savvy family members into the complex political game. While some bloodlines, like Jamie Banks and Nicole Ramos (Nany’s cousin), proved to be competitive and engaging, many others struggled to keep up with the veterans, leading to a perceived imbalance in the competition.

The season highlighted a fundamental casting issue: where did the show find new talent? While the Bloodlines concept was a creative attempt to inject fresh faces, the franchise ultimately moved away from this specific family-pairing format. The show later found greater success casting new players from other reality shows, such as *Are You The One?* and international versions of *Big Brother*, rather than relying on contestants' relatives.

A Stepping Stone to Modern Challenge Eras

However, Battle of the Bloodlines cannot be dismissed. It served as a crucial stepping stone in the evolution of The Challenge. It marked the first championship win for Cara Maria Sorbello, who would go on to define the next era of female competitors. It also featured the early careers of key players like Tony Raines and Cory Wharton, who became mainstays of the show for years to come.

Ultimately, The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines is remembered as a unique, chaotic, and necessary experiment. It proved that family ties could be both a strength and a weakness, and while the format was short-lived, the personal and competitive legacies of its cast members—especially the first-time champion Cara Maria Sorbello—continue to shape the narrative of The Challenge even today.