2 months ago
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Aviv Bruno’s (née Melmed) journey on The Challenge: Battle of the Eras came to an end during the Wednesday, December 4, episode. After 18 years away from the show, Aviv found herself in the powerful “Johnny’s Angel’s” alliance – led by Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio – this season and exclusively tells In Touch how the group formed.
“Jenny [West] and I had become friends really early on,” Aviv, 40, explains, noting that both she and the season 35 winner came in without many connections in the house. “We had kind of hung out at the pool and just started talking and she also wasn’t super into the drama. So I think we just clicked. Johnny and I were on a team [Era 2] together, so that’s how we sort of met. [The whole team] was all sleeping in the same room and the longer you’re there and the more time you spend together … I think we just organically became friends that way.”
The alliance was completed with Rachel Robinson, who became the only Era 1 player left standing after the rest of her teammates were eliminated. Once the format then shifted into an individual game, Aviv says she got “really, really close” to the OG.
“I sort of felt like I had my own relationship with each [member of the alliance],” Aviv admits. “Jenny and Johnny were already aligned and friends and then Rachel sort of came into that circle. It was really organic. I think it became branded as ‘Johnny’s Angels’ when Rachel mentioned it in her interview and then came and told everyone and we were kind of laughing about it.”
The group’s fixation on their feet was played up on the show, leading to a now-viral scene that showed Aviv and Johnny, 42, seemingly playing footsies on the bus after a challenge. The whole thing probably would’ve gone unnoticed … except for the fact that Michele Fitzgerald called them out on it, ultimately blowing the situation out of proportion.
“I came home and told my husband right away, of course,” Aviv laughs. “I was like, ‘There’s this really weird thing, I don’t know how they’re going to show it …’ But I’ve been with my husband for, like, 20 years. We met in college. So more than anything it’s funny. … Anyone who knows me [knows] I’m super goofy. I’ve got sort of a childish sense of humor, which is probably why Johnny and I get along. … But anyway, it ended up being really funny.”
Why were you ready to come back to The Challenge after so many years away? It just so happened that they called at a time where I was having some transitions in my life that allowed me to go. My kids were a little bit older and a little bit more independent. I had just recently left my job and was sort of taking a couple of months. We had some stuff going on at the house and I was sort of figuring out what my next step was. It was like everything aligned.
Did you have any relationships coming into the house besides [your Fresh Meat] partner Darrell [Taylor]? I didn’t. Even Darrell and I … it had been 18 years. We were pretty much just liking each other’s stuff on social media. I’d reconnected with some people [through the “Challenge Mania” podcast] and that was kind of fun. But no, I really didn’t come in with any solid relationships, so that was my biggest obstacle coming in.
You and Michele had a nice conversation after the bus debacle – where do you stand now? We left on good terms. Actually, I think we’re on better terms after the show. The show makes it really difficult. Once you’re in an alliance or group, it’s like you can’t even really talk to that person [on the other side]. It just becomes really weird, especially as you get closer to the end of the game. Her and I never had anything personal. It was her and Johnny because [her boyfriend] Devin [Walker] and Johnny did. That’s why none of us wanted to get involved because it was friends that are fighting and going through a thing, you know? So that moment was never about me. I think I just more wanted my closure with her. It felt uncomfortable afterwards and for a while. … Now we kind of just laugh about it or whatever. And I think watching the show now, I actually feel for her. I guess I didn’t realize what a tough time she was having.
Could you see yourself returning to the show in the future if you’re asked? I know everyone’s like, ‘We do it for the money,’ but you can make a lot of money elsewhere regularly. This is the thrill of it. This is the adventure. This is putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, feeling that anxiety and overcoming it. So 100 percent. I’m not back in my full-time corporate world yet. I’m trying to put that off for a little bit. So I’m available at this point and we’ll see what happens.
English (US) ·