5 Shocking Twists In The Trishelle And CT Dating Saga: The Truth After The Traitors 2

The relationship between reality TV legends Trishelle Cannatella and Christopher "CT" Tamburello has been one of the most speculated-upon dynamics in the genre's history, and the rumors exploded again in 2024. Following their shocking co-win on the hit Peacock series The Traitors 2, fans immediately started asking if the two long-time frenemies had finally crossed the line from complicated friendship to romance. The answer, however, is far more complex and involves a major public denial, a "hard launch" of a new partner, and a decades-long history of tension and trust issues that made their victory so compelling.

This article dives deep into the most current and updated information as of December 2025, confirming that while the chemistry was undeniable on screen, the pair are definitively not dating. In fact, the post-show drama saw Trishelle addressing intense "affair rumors" while CT surprised the world by going public with a new girlfriend, Catalina Hager, an event that completely shut down any hope of a "Trishelle and CT" coupling.

The Complete Biography of Reality TV’s Most Complicated Duo

To truly understand the dynamic between Trishelle and CT, one must first look at their respective journeys in the reality television universe. Their careers have mirrored each other, constantly intertwining across multiple series over two decades.

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Trishelle Cannatella: The Southern Belle with a Poker Face

• Full Name: Trishelle Cannatella
• Born: November 4, 1979
• Birthplace: Cut Off, Louisiana
• Career Highlights: Trishelle first rose to fame on The Real World: Las Vegas (2002). She quickly became a staple on The Challenge, appearing in seasons like The Gauntlet and Rivals II. Beyond MTV, she has worked as a model (including for Playboy), an actress, and a professional poker player. Her biggest recent success came as the co-winner of The Traitors Season 2 in 2024.

Christopher "CT" Tamburello: The Challenge GOAT

• Full Name: Christopher Michael Tamburello
• Born: July 16, 1980
• Birthplace: West Roxbury, Massachusetts
• Career Highlights: CT began his career on The Real World: Paris (2003). He cemented his legendary status on The Challenge, where he is widely considered the greatest competitor of all time (GOAT), winning multiple championships, including Rivals II, Invasion of the Champions, War of the Worlds 2, Double Agents, and Spies, Lies & Allies. Like Trishelle, he also co-won The Traitors Season 2 in 2024.

The Complicated Timeline: From Frenemies to Co-Winners

The "Trishelle and CT dating" rumors are not new; they are rooted in a decades-old, on-again, off-again friendship that has often been described as strained and lacking trust. Their history is defined by a lack of close connection outside of the competition environment.

The MTV Years: A Strained History

Trishelle and CT first crossed paths on the MTV reality show circuit. While they were both part of the "Team Real World" alliance on early seasons of The Challenge, their personal connection was never smooth. Sources indicate that before their 2024 reunion, the two had not spoken for almost a decade, and their last interaction was not positive. This long-standing distance and lack of a solid friendship made their dynamic on The Traitors 2 all the more fascinating.

Their relationship was more transactional—a professional rivalry and alliance of necessity, rather than a deep bond. Trishelle even publicly "trashed" CT in the past, highlighting the underlying tension that always existed between the two powerful veterans. This history of mutual distrust is what made their ultimate alliance on *The Traitors* such a stunning strategic move.

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The Traitors 2: The Alliance That Sparked the Rumors

The entire narrative around their dating status was rewritten during their time on *The Traitors* Season 2. The pair, along with other veterans like John "Johnny Bananas" Devenanzio, formed a powerful, albeit sometimes shaky, alliance. By the finale, CT and Trishelle were the final two "Faithfuls" standing, successfully identifying and banishing the last Traitor, Kate Chastain, to split the $250,000 prize. Their strategic cohesion and celebratory hugs led many fans to believe their complicated history had finally blossomed into a full-fledged romance.

The on-screen chemistry was undeniable. Their mutual respect for each other’s gameplay, combined with a shared history that no one else in the castle could fully understand, created a powerful narrative. The image of the two reality TV OGs winning together after years of rivalry was the perfect fuel for the dating speculation. They even tried to split the final money with MJ Javid before the final banishment, showing a new level of trust and cooperation.

The Definitive Truth: Trishelle’s Denial and CT’s New Girlfriend

Despite the fan fervor and the intense on-screen connection, both Trishelle and CT have put the dating rumors to rest with clear, public statements and actions in 2024.

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Trishelle Addresses the 'Affair' Rumors

Following the conclusion of The Traitors 2, Trishelle Cannatella was quick to address the rampant speculation that she and CT were having an affair. She firmly denied any romantic involvement. Trishelle clarified that their relationship, while close, was purely a strategic and platonic one built on necessity and mutual respect for a shared goal—winning the game.

For Trishelle, the focus was on the game and their shared history as veterans of the genre. She was not interested in reigniting any old flames or starting a new one, especially given the public nature of their lives. Her denial was a clear attempt to manage the narrative and protect the integrity of their strategic partnership.

CT Hard Launches New Girlfriend, Catalina Hager

The most definitive end to the "Trishelle and CT dating" speculation came in September 2024 when CT Tamburello "hard launched" his new relationship on social media. After his divorce from his ex-wife, Lilianet Solares, CT went public with his new girlfriend, Catalina Hager.

The announcement was a surprise to many fans who were still holding out hope for a romance with Trishelle. Catalina Hager is a well-known internet personality and OnlyFans model, and CT has been very public about his happiness in the new relationship. This public declaration of a new romantic partner completely closed the door on any possibility of a post-Traitors romance with his co-winner.

Topical Authority: The Challenge vs. The Traitors Dynamic

The reason the dating rumors persist lies in the unique dynamic between the two shows. On The Challenge, relationships often form out of close quarters and high-stress environments, leading to many famous showmances. The transition of these veteran players to The Traitors, a game of high-stakes psychological warfare, amplified their connection.

Their alliance on The Traitors 2 was a masterclass in strategic trust. They leveraged their shared history and understanding of reality TV competition to form an unbreakable bond against the "Traitors" and other non-MTV players. Entities like MJ Javid, who was a Faithful alongside them, even expressed lingering resentment towards CT, further highlighting the tight, exclusive nature of the CT-Trishelle bond. Ultimately, their story is not one of romance, but of two seasoned veterans who, despite a complicated past, found a way to trust each other at the exact right moment to walk away with a quarter of a million dollars.