Inside Scoop: Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio Dishes on Why He's Swearing Off 'Challenge' Romances - Find Out Why!

Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio is making a return to The Challenge, eager to reclaim his former glory. However, he has firmly decided to steer clear of any showmances this time around.

Reflecting on his past experiences, Johnny, 41, exclusively shared with We on Tuesday, August 8, while discussing his upcoming participation in The Challenge USA season 2: “Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, you’re not gonna fool me again. They say that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is a sign of insanity. Well, call me insane. When it comes to showmances, there are always doubts regarding the true intentions behind them — is it for the sake of the show? Is it for popularity? Is it for personal gain? Sadly, more often than not, it turns out to be just that.”

The MTV personality, who has triumphed in seven seasons of the original competition, further elaborated on the unfavorable consequences of entering into a romantic relationship on camera.

"It presents more problems than I can handle," Johnny expressed. "I already have enough concerns on this show. The last thing I want is to intertwine my personal life with it. It never turns out well, and it only complicates your game because, in most cases, if you engage in a showmance, you also become responsible for the other person's game and are perceived as being in some kind of alliance."

He stated that females might interpret his current relationship as an indication of him and his partner working together, and the same goes for males who might see them as a strong team and want to eliminate them. This is because if their relationship becomes complicated or affects their gameplay, they will be held accountable for the resulting drama. Throughout the years, Johnny has been involved in various intense romantic connections on The Challenge with Morgan Willett, Natalie Negrotti, and Moriah Jadea. However, he now has a laser-like focus on winning the ultimate prize in this competition.

“Once you start getting distracted and lose focus on the ultimate goal, it's bound to end in unfavorable results," Johnny warned Us. "However, I urge everyone else to pursue these meaningless, nonsensical showmances, while I'll be ready to pick up the pieces when everything inevitably collapses."

Courtesy of MTV

Johnny observed Tori Deal and Sebastian Noel's brief fling that was showcased in the season trailer. While Johnny himself is avoiding engaging in a showmance, he acknowledged Tori's inclination towards forming connections on The Challenge. He expressed little surprise at the new pairing, recognizing the strategic move by Sebastian as a rookie to seek protection and generate a compelling storyline by engaging in a showmance with Tori, who is considered a prominent figure on the show. Johnny humorously referred to this tactic as "polidicking," commending Sebastian for his astute choice.

Johnny did not find love on reality TV this year, but he found the competition to be a unique challenge due to the format and the exceptional talent of his fellow contestants. The difficulty level of this season was high, but Johnny saw it as a positive experience. Competing against some of the best and most strategic minds in the game tested his abilities and he thrived in the challenge. Overall, it was a great experience for him.

The Challenge USA season 2 kicks off with a two-part premiere on CBS on Thursday, August 10 at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday, August 13 at 9 p.m. ET.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi