The Unfiltered Truth: Inside the Grueling Living Conditions Endured by 'Special Forces' Cast Members

The stars of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test have realized that harsh living conditions can be as challenging as the actual tests. Celebrity participants are pushed to their limits through military training on the Fox competition series. Season 1 was filmed in the arid deserts of Jordan, while season 2 unfolded in the bitterly cold environment of New Zealand.

During an interview on Jana Kramer's "Whine Down" podcast in October 2023, season 2 contestant Kelly Rizzo disclosed that there were no toiletries provided, including shampoo, conditioner, combs, and brushes. The only items allowed were deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. As a result, Rizzo had to improvise by using a metal fork to comb her hair. Moreover, she had to resort to sleeping with paper towels in her ears due to the loud snoring of her fellow castmates since earplugs were not allowed.

Keep scrolling to find out what else the Special Forces cast has said about the show’s living conditions:

Absence of Luxury

In a January 2023 interview with Hollywood Life, Kenya Moore, a star from season 1 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, revealed that they were subjected to starvation, following an 800 calorie a day diet. She also mentioned the physical toll, working and exercising for approximately 16 hours a day, while being deprived of sleep and being abruptly awakened for challenges. The conditions they endured included sleeping on cots in the Middle Eastern desert, enduring temperatures of 130 degrees, and living without proper plumbing. Kenya emphasized that her experience on Special Forces was even more challenging than giving birth, noting that she had a near-death experience during childbirth.

Nothing But Dirt

"We found ourselves in a tent that consisted solely of dirt. The temperature inside would skyrocket, reaching a scorching 108 degrees during the daytime. The intention was to unwind and unwind, but there was absolutely no chance for relaxation. The cot, if you can call it that, was so minuscule that the other guys were likely falling out of it. This revelation was relayed exclusively to We by Bachelorette alumni Hannah Brown, recalling the experiences of the first season cast's sleeping arrangements in January 2023."

She continued: "The pillow was absolutely filthy, as dirty as a book in size. It was a terrible sight. ...I resorted to using the pillow to brush the sand off my bag and then slept on it, so you can only imagine how my skin felt after the show. But exhaustion overpowers cleanliness, and you simply drift off to sleep. The shower facilities were disappointing, with only a feeble trickle of water; cleanliness was far from achieved. We were not allowed to bring razors, so all we had were a bar of soap, deodorant, and a toothbrush accompanied by toothpaste."

Tara Reid Pete Dadds/ FOX

Not-So-Sanitary Bathrooms

Brown disclosed to Us that she had to seek medical attention during the show because she refused to use the outdoor bathroom provided. "They warned me that I might get sick," she explained. "The conditions were so repulsive that I couldn't even relax enough to use the bathroom. As soon as I sat down on the toilet, I would be swarmed by 50 flies."

In one episode of season 1, Mel B was thoroughly disgusted when Dwight Howard entered the stall next to hers to use the bathroom. "You cannot do your business beside me!" the Spice Girls singer exclaimed before quickly leaving her own stall.

Tight Quarters

During the filming of season 2 in New Zealand, Rizzo and her fellow actors had to sleep in close quarters. In an interview on Kramer's "Whine Down" podcast, she shared that their cots were positioned just 18 inches apart, lined up in a row.

Shower Struggles

While contestants had the option to freshen up, Rizzo expressed dissatisfaction with the shower arrangement. "They provided a shower, but the inconvenience of using it wasn't worthwhile," shared the lifestyle blogger. "You had to manually collect water from a trough, which was either icy cold or scorching hot. Additionally, after showering, you had to traverse the outdoor distance back to the barracks. It became an overly cumbersome process."

Rizzo, on the other hand, revealed that she refrained from taking showers while filming. "To my knowledge, there were only two individuals who actually bothered to shower during my time there," she remarked. "Those two were Tyler Cameron and Savannah Chrisley, and it seemed like quite the event for them."

JoJo Siwa, Tom Sandoval and Bode Miller. Pete Dadds/ FOX

Dealing With Dehydration

During Season 1, Dr. Drew Pinsky, a star of the show, shared that the cast members would face consequences if they did not keep up with their fluid intake. In an interview with CinemaBlend in January 2023, he confessed that he was constantly drinking water, yet he never made sure his fluids were adequately replenished. He chose not to admit when he needed more water in order to protect the group from punishment. As a result, he realized he had fallen behind on his fluid intake without even realizing it.

After Pinsky was eliminated from the show due to heat exhaustion, he revealed that he required "five liters of IV fluid" in order to regain enough strength to stand on his own. He described the experience as "pretty crazy."

Freezing Temperatures

Filming Special Forces season 2, Cameron spoke to The Palm Beach Post in October 2023, emphasizing that despite feeling cold, miserable, and physically exhausted, the mind's tendency to urge one to quit can be overridden by the body's untapped potential. He believes that the mental aspect always plays a significant role, regardless of the circumstances.

In this article

Dr. Drew Pinsky

Hannah Brown

Kelly Rizzo

Kenya Moore

Mel B

Tyler Cameron

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test