The Ultimate Roster: Every Celebrity Cast Member Of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (Seasons 3 & 4)

The FOX reality series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test has cemented its status as the most brutal celebrity competition on television, pushing famous faces to their absolute breaking points. Unlike other reality shows, there are no votes, no prize money for the winner, and no soft exits—only the terrifying choice to voluntarily withdraw or be medically terminated by the Directing Staff (DS).

As of December 2025, the show continues to generate massive buzz, especially with the recent conclusion of a grueling Season 4 and the already-announced, star-studded cast for the upcoming Season 3. The show’s unique appeal lies in stripping away the celebrity persona, revealing the raw mental and physical fortitude of its recruits under the relentless pressure of former special operators.

The Complete Roster: Special Forces Season 4 and Upcoming Season 3 Cast

The show’s premise is simple: a group of celebrities are put through a condensed version of the actual Special Forces Selection process. They are known only by their assigned number, and their performance is judged by a cadre of elite, no-nonsense former Special Operations operatives. This section details the participants from the most recently aired season and the highly anticipated upcoming season.

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Season 4: The Final Recruits and Winners (Aired 2024)

Season 4 concluded in November 2024, proving to be one of the most physically and emotionally taxing courses yet. The final phase saw a small group of recruits endure intense interrogation and escape challenges. Only two celebrities ultimately passed the grueling selection process.

The Full Season 4 Cast (Recruit Number & Background):

• Andrew East (#1): Former NFL long snapper and podcast host.
• Brianna LaPaglia (#2): Barstool Sports personality (Brianna Chickenfry).
• Brittany Cartwright (#3): Reality TV personality (Vanderpump Rules).
• Chanel Iman (#4): Supermodel.
• Gia Giudice (#5): Reality TV personality (The Real Housewives of New Jersey). (PASSED SELECTION)
• Jussie Smollett (#6): Actor and singer.
• Kody Brown (#7): Reality TV personality (Sister Wives).
• Mark Estes (#8): Reality TV personality (Summer House: Martha's Vineyard).
• Mark Walberg (#9): Television host.
• Mark-Paul Gosselaar (#10): Actor (Saved by the Bell).
• Eva Marcille (#11): Model and actress.
• Randall Cobb (#12): NFL wide receiver.
• Shawn Johnson East (#13): Olympic gold medalist gymnast. (PASSED SELECTION)
• Teresa Giudice (#14): Reality TV personality (The Real Housewives of New Jersey).
• Tom Sandoval (#15): Reality TV personality (Vanderpump Rules).
• Tyler Cameron (#16): Reality TV personality (The Bachelorette).

The Season 4 winners, Shawn Johnson East and Gia Giudice, demonstrated exceptional mental resilience, surviving the final, high-pressure interrogation phase—a testament to their ability to endure psychological warfare.

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Upcoming Season 3: The Shocking New Lineup

While Season 4 recently aired, the cast for the next season, referred to as Season 3 in production, has been announced and is set to air in 2025. This season promises another explosive mix of celebrities from the worlds of sports, reality TV, and Hollywood, all ready to face the world's toughest test.

The Announced Season 3 Cast:

• Nathan Adrian: Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer.
• Stephen Baldwin: Actor and Producer.
• Alana Blanchard: Professional Surfer.
• Landon Donovan: Soccer Legend.
• Carey Hart: Motocross Legend and Freestyle Motorcyclist.
• Brody Jenner: Reality TV Personality (The Hills).
• Marion Jones: Former Track & Field Olympian.
• Ali Fedotowsky-Manno: Former Bachelorette star.
• Cam Newton: Former NFL MVP Quarterback.
• Denise Richards: Actress and Reality TV Personality.
• Christy Carlson Romano: Actress (Even Stevens, Kim Possible).
• Kyla Pratt: Actress (The Proud Family).
• Golden Tate: Former NFL Wide Receiver.
• Trista Sutter: Original Bachelorette star.
• Kayla Nicole: Sports Reporter and Influencer.

The inclusion of major sports figures like Cam Newton and Olympic champions alongside reality TV veterans like Denise Richards and Brody Jenner suggests a season driven by intense physical competition and high-stakes personal drama.

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The Directing Staff: The Elite Operators Who Run The Course

The true heart of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test lies with the Directing Staff (DS), a team of decorated former Special Operations soldiers who bring decades of real-world military experience to the show. They are the constant, unyielding force that tests the recruits' limits.

The DS operates without emotion, maintaining the same standards used in actual military selection. They do not coddle the celebrities, often using psychological warfare to break them down and rebuild them.

The Core Directing Staff (DS):

• Rodolfo “Rudy” Reyes: Lead Instructor, former United States Recon Marine. He is the face of the DS and known for his intense, philosophical approach to training.
• Mark “Billy” Billingham: Former SAS (Special Air Service) Sergeant Major and a decorated veteran of numerous conflicts. He is known for his stoic and uncompromising demeanor.
• Jason “Foxy” Fox: Former Royal Marine Commando and Special Boat Service (SBS) operative. Foxy often serves as the tactical voice, providing sharp observations on the recruits' performance.
• Jovon “Q” Quarles: Former U.S. Navy Seal. Q is the newest member of the core DS team, bringing his own unique brand of tough love and high standards.

Their collective experience in the world’s most elite military units gives the show its authenticity and ensures that the challenges are rooted in genuine Special Forces training protocols.

The Most Grueling Challenges and Intense Moments

The series is defined by its extreme challenges, which are designed to simulate the physical and psychological stress of a real Special Forces selection course. These tasks go beyond mere fitness; they test leadership, teamwork, and the will to survive under duress.

The Physical and Mental Grind

Recruits in Season 4 faced a relentless barrage of tasks. One of the most infamous challenges involved a grueling mountain climb where recruits were forced to carry heavy loads—tires, ropes, and chains—up a steep incline, pushing several to their physical breaking point.

The course is not just about physical strength; it is a mental war. The DS constantly employs tactics to induce anxiety and sleep deprivation. The final stage of Season 4, which involved intense questioning and isolation, was cited by winners Shawn Johnson East and Gia Giudice as the hardest part of the entire course, highlighting the psychological toll of the selection process.

The Shocking Exits

The show’s intensity is further underscored by the number of recruits who voluntarily withdraw (VW) or are medically terminated. The emotional pressure often proves too much, with celebrities like NFL player Randall Cobb quitting just hours before the finale in Season 4 due to an anxiety-inducing challenge, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the mental breaking point.

This high failure rate—even among elite athletes—demonstrates that the Special Forces course is a true test of character, not just celebrity status or physical conditioning. The constant fear of the unknown, the lack of control, and the relentless screaming from the DS are all tools used to find the recruits who possess the necessary mental toughness to pass Selection.

Topical Authority: Why This Show Resonates

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test has captured a massive audience because it offers a rare, unscripted look at the human spirit under extreme duress. The show’s topical authority is built on two key pillars: the authenticity of the DS and the genuine vulnerability of the celebrity cast.

The DS, with their verifiable backgrounds in the world's most elite military units, ensure that the training is legitimate and the standards are non-negotiable. This authenticity sets it apart from other celebrity competitions.

Furthermore, the show's focus on personal growth—where celebrities confront their deepest fears and past trauma—provides a compelling narrative. Whether it’s a former athlete trying to regain a lost sense of purpose or a reality star seeking to redefine their public image, the course acts as a crucible for self-discovery. The physical pain is temporary, but the mental scars and the lessons learned are what truly define the experience for those who make it to the end.

With the announcement of the Season 3 cast, including controversial and high-profile names, the series is poised to continue its reign as the most intense and revealing celebrity reality show on television, forcing stars to face the ultimate question: Do they have what it takes to survive the world’s toughest test?