The Challenge’s Michele Fitzgerald is sharing a glimpse into her romance with Devin Walker as they celebrate more than two years of dating.
“I mean, it’s fun. I don’t know. I don’t think we have any pressure to do anything,” Michele, 36, exclusively told Us on August 3 of her relationship while promoting The Challenge: Cutthroat. “We’re both pretty independent people, so we’re just moving through life, having fun. He keeps me laughing constantly. He knows exactly what I need before I even know that I need it.”
Michele — who won Survivor in 2016 before joining The Challenge franchise — connected with Devin, 37, after competing on The Challenge: Battle of the Eras in 2024. Two and a half years later, the pair are prepared to take the next step in their romance as they search for a potential, shared apartment.
“He’s coming down to spend a weekend with my family,” she said of the Are You the One? alum. “I don’t know. We always have something going on, and we’re looking to move.”
This season on The Challenge: Cutthroat, Michele is facing intense competition solo — or at least without her boyfriend, who will be watching from home when the show airs.
Without throwing shade at her man, Michele said it helps her become a fiercer competitor when her boyfriend isn’t part of the intense adventures.
“I cannot have him on a show with me. I don’t think that that would work well for anybody involved,” she told Us with a laugh. “We have two very separate ways that we would play, and two very different ways that we navigate. We both think that we’re right all the time, so it’s better to not play together.”
Michele added, “But it’s definitely harder, like, emotionally to not have him there. But yeah, you don’t want to see that tug of war.”
This season on The Challenge: Cutthroat, 24 contestants will live in a beautiful Thailand villa while divided into three teams chosen by three captains. The teams are permanent and the only way to take home a share of the $500,000 cash prize in the end is to cross the finish line together as a unit.
The new format brings about new twists and surprises for everyone, including the franchise’s veterans.
“I think in the past, it’s very regimented, like challenge, elimination, interview, challenge, elimination. This was so much more open,” Tori Deal told Us. “There was room to have fun. They wanted us to get along and to vibe. And actually, I feel like I had more fun this season than I’ve had since. Also, the team dynamic was helpful because it felt like you had a built-in group, obviously. I think there should be more fun — depending on how it’s edited.”
New episodes of The Challenge: Cutthroat drop on Paramount+ Wednesdays.
