HOWELL, NEW JERSEY: After his emotional elimination on August 17, Thursday's episode of 'The Challenge: USA', star Paulie Calafiore officially came out as bisexual on Friday.
Before exiting the show, Calafiore had opened up about his sexuality for the first time in conversation with a contestant and admitted that he felt like he had to "repress who [he] was, sexually," due to his athletic background.
Now, it seems like Calafiore is ready to stand proud in his identity as he made the confession and thanked fans for all their support.
Calafiore opened up in a candid Zoom interview with GLAAD's Anthony Allen Ramos. He said, "I feel good about finally being able to talk about this."
The interview came after Calafiore was eliminated in a one-on-one challenge with rival competitor Johnny Bananas, but there were no hard feelings between the two. In fact, Calafiore posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he felt "humbled and grateful" and was excited to return to the competition in the future.
Paulie Calafiore reveals sexuality amid emotional exit from 'The Challenge: USA'
In Episode 3 of the show, Calafiore had a conversation with fellow contestant Tori Deal that hinted at what he later told Ramos in greater detail.
"I came through athletics, so that forced me to repress who I was, sexually," he admitted to Deal. "I didn't know if I was attracted to women, attracted to men, or if it was just like an energy thing."
He added that this caused him to experience aggression, saying, "I'd be like, 'I need to prove that I'm the most alpha human in the world'."
Once his time on the competitive reality show 'The Challenge: USA' came to a close, Calafiore’s statement shared to X (formerly known as Twitter) further corroborated the story after he claimed he didn’t expect to disclose “such personal attributes about who I am and my sexuality.”
Paulie Calafiore receives widespread support as he comes out as bisexual
As Paulie shared a screenshot of the news coverage by GLAAD over his sexuality, he added a long, heartfelt caption on Instagram. He said, "So many emotions right now I haven’t even had a chance to process. My heart is bleeding with gratitude. My soul is burning with humility."
Then, talking about the show, he added, "I’m so sad I had an early exit but I am so happy that I was able show you another layer to myself and my journey. To all the new friendships I’ve made, to all the old friendships repaired."
He went on to say, "I love all of you and I can’t wait to show you how much stronger I come back. The support is so beautiful. I want to thank @thechallenge and the whole fam from @cbstv to @mtv to @bunimmurray for believing in my return."
He then talked about the conversation with Anthony, concluding, "A special thank you to @anthonyramosah & @glaad for helping me share my story! I appreciate the support through the years @shaunt & @frankiejgrande . I finally feel seen and free."
Mark Long, who is a TV personality and host for 'The Challenge: All Stars', came out in his support, commenting on the post, "They say sharing your truth is like stepping out of lead shoes. I’m happy you feel a bit more free now brother! Season 40 is a must for you."
Alex DeJohn, an athlete and soccer player, also came to his support and wrote, "My guy! Proud of you my G."
Morgan Lolar, who made her reality TV debut in 'Temptation Island' Season 1, commented in support of him writing, "Paulie!!!! I already had tons of respect for you but I respect you so much more for being true to YOU and for doing it in such a way that will bring strength to others who may be in the same position."
Another user wrote, "Congratulations, Paulie! Always be yourself! Hearing you speak about working on yourself and making amends with your past has made me see you in a different light. You are a great competitor, and I was sad to see you leave. Looking forward to seeing what you do in the future on The Challenge! Take care!"
One user also commented, "Mad respect for you this season! You’ve always been such an amazing ally for the community and love seeing you apart of it now." One Instagram user also said, "Beyond proud of you. There’s no better way to live life than being true to who you are."
Why did Paulie Calafiore exit 'The Challenge: USA'?
Paulie Calafiore became the third contestant eliminated from 'The Challenge: USA' following his loss to Johnny Bananas Devenanzio in the arena.
In the game 'Fire & Ice', each man was tasked with standing on a block of ice while holding one hand up in the air attached to a bucket of fish guts. With fire burning beneath them, it was simply a contest of endurance.
In the end, Bananas pulled off the win, leaving Paulie covered in muck and emotional over his defeat.
Who is 'The Challenge: USA' star Paulie Calafiore?
Paulie Calafiore is a reality TV star who is best known for his appearances on shows such as 'Big Brother' and 'The Challenge: USA.' He was born on November 13, 1988, in Howell, New Jersey, and grew up in a conservative Italian-American family.
Calafiore first rose to fame in 2015 when he appeared on the Season 18 of 'Big Brother.' He quickly became a fan favorite and went on to compete on several seasons of 'The Challenge: USA,' a spin-off show that pits former reality TV contestants against each other in physical and mental challenges.
In addition to his reality TV career, Calafiore is also a fitness enthusiast and has worked as a personal trainer. He has a large following on social media, where he shares workout tips, motivational messages, and glimpses into his personal life.
Calafiore coming out as bisexual is a significant moment in his personal journey and has been met with widespread support from fans and fellow reality TV stars. He has been praised for his bravery in sharing his story and for being a positive role model for others in the LGBTQ+ community.
Overall, Paulie Calafiore is a talented and charismatic personality who has made a name for himself in the world of reality TV. His coming out is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-discovery and acceptance, and his story will undoubtedly inspire others to embrace their true selves.
