Emmy Russ and Nam Vo technically left The Challenge because of their disqualification, but Emmy suggested that there was more to the story as she decided to leave the show.
The Challenge returned with its thirty-eighth season themed “Ride or Dies”. Two episodes have been released so far and they have been centred around the abrupt and surprising disqualification of the contestants of this season.
First it was Kaycee and Kenny Clark during the first episode, but they returned in episode two. Then another team left the show surprisingly.
This is as Emmy Russ and Nam Vo were confirmed to have been disqualified ahead of the daily challenge without reason. But Russ has suggested that it was her treatment on the show that resulted in her leaving early.
The significance of Ride or Dies in the departure of Emmy and Nam
Before addressing all the sides to the story of why Emmy and Nam left The Challenge during episode two of season 38, it is important to understand the significance of the theme.
“Ride or Dies” was a first for the hit MTV reality show, in which reality star alumni compete for the grand prize of the show.
This is as for the first time, returning vets could choose their own partners for the show, hence the “Ride or Dies” theme.
Therefore, each contestant could bring someone who does not have previous reality show experience, and some contestants brought their family relatives or siblings, best friends, and partners to be their partners in this season.
Why did Emmy and Nam leave The Challenge?
Nam Vo is regarded as the unluckiest guy to compete in The Challenge. This is as he was also disqualified in his two previous stints on the show. His debut appearance was on “Double Agents”, where he teamed up with former Olympian, Lolo Jones.
Initially starting off on a good footing, this changed quickly as the two could not work together and Jones left, while Nam was medically disqualified due to a back injury he incurred.
He then returned in “Spies, Lies and Allies”, and his time on the show in this season was even shorter, as he was ruled out in the first episode as he had tested positive for COVID-19.
His third-time was meant to be the charm, especially considering the theme of the show. But as it has now played out, this was not the case.
Officially, the show did not go into detail about why Emmy and Nam were disqualified. All that host, TJ, shared was, “Before we get started, we have a little news. Apparently, Emmy can’t take it”.
Which was followed with a clip of Emmy rubbing sand in her hands before the first daily challenge, where it seemed that Nam had already started participating until TJ had shouted, “Emmy. Nam. You’re outta here”. This statement confused and upset the rest of the contestants.
Nam blames Emmy for leaving early
After the second episode aired in which Nam Vo and Emmy Russ were disqualified, The Challenge vet took to Instagram to write a lengthy post about his early departure.
This departure continued the narrative that he was the unluckiest continent on the show. Nam seemed to place the blame on Russ by highlighting his disappointment in the betrayal by Russ.
Moreover, he suggested there was a confrontation after their surprise disqualification on his side, as he added, “I couldn’t believe that it just happened… There are really no words which could describe my disrespect towards her!
Emmy tells a different story about leaving The Challenge
Following the airing of episode two of The Challenge, Germany’s queen of reality television, Emmy Russ, hosted an Instagram Live to explain her version of events.
Apparently, Russ was not aware of the premise of the show before flying to Argentina and quarantining, only to be told that she was an alternate.
She suggested that Nam’s preferred partner declined or was not available, and that they were coupled together due to the fact that Nam and Russ share the same management company.
Moreover, Russ highlighted the mistreatment she felt from the show’s host, TJ, who she referred to as “TC”. Moreover, upon her arrival in the house, she did not feel welcomed by the rest of the contestants.
Emmy explains leaving Nam
Since the new season is themed “Ride or Dies” and the vets were meant to bring someone that they know and trust, Emmy Russ suggested that this was not the case with her partner on her Instagram Live. Instead, she was an alternate and claimed that she did not know Nam that well.
What made matters worse was that upon arriving at the house, Nam did not even try to get to know her, he allegedly simply ignored her and talked to other vets and the rookies.
Feeling unwelcomed by her partner and the show as a whole, Russ decided to leave and bought herself a ticket back to Germany.