Paulie Calafiore from The Challenge and Big Brother has confirmed his breakup with fellow reality TV star Cara Maria Sorbello.
Many online rumors had suggested that the couple was done, but Paulie has now confirmed and addressed the breakup.
Paulie was on Big Brother 17, following in the footsteps of his brother, BB16 runner-up Cody Calafiore. He would later appear on many seasons of The Challenge, finding lots of success with the show.
Cara was a Fresh Meat entrant on The Challenge, where she proved herself to be a beast. May Challenge seasons later, she has become one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise.
Cara was also recently seen on 99 to Beat.
The former couple met in March 2018 when they began filming The Challenge: Final Reckoning. It led to a relationship, but the couple is now pursuing other things.
Paulie Calafiore speaks about the breakup
It has been reported that Paulie and Cara Maria broke up in 2025.
Paulie confirmed this on The Zach Nichols Podcast. Zach is a fellow Challenge alum.
“I am single. As a Pringle,” Paulie recently stated.
“It’s tough for me to even talk about, um, you know, just because there’s always been a lot of love there. And you know I’ve loved that girl since the day I met her, you know? I gave everything to that girl in the relationship,” the Big Brother alum added.
Later, he really got into it.
“I did have some hiccups. I did have some mistakes. I’ve taken accountability for that. And I feel like, for the most part, I put my best foot forward. Um, you know, as a man, that’s all you can really do. And, you know, it just — I don’t know. This is a tough one to talk about and kind of let go of because it’s almost like turning the chapter on something. And, you know, this person’s been my best friend for seven years,” Paulie elaborated.
Some ill feelings between Paulie and Cara Maria?
When asked if Paulie would appear on a new season of The Challenge with Cara Maria, he was very succinct with his answer.
“Absolutely f****g not,” Paulie stated.
“If I ever play the game with her, she’s the first one I’m targeting to send home, 100%. Because yes, she’s my best friend, but she is awful for my game. I don’t think I could win, ever, if she’s in there playing with me. Truly. I would feel for her, I would have her back if anybody tried to yell at her, get in her face, be mean to her. I would 100% have her back. But as far as playing the game with her, I would not play the game with her,” The Challenge vet elaborated.
Did Paulie Calafiore go too far? He doesn’t think so
Paulie had more to say, and he used X to do it.
“If you think I regret saying anything I said, you’re nuts,” he posted on X.
“I was very respectful and said exactly why I left. That’s my right. If you think I care about a few reactions from emotionally immature and self projecting people trauma dumping in a comment section. I don’t. I could have said so much more and I didn’t… maybe one day I will so people really have something to b***h about,” his post continued.
More from Big Brother and The Challenge
Here is the cast list for The Challenge 42. It features Cara Maria Sorbello as a player.
Big Brother and Challenge alums star on the new American Gladiators. The show has been resurrected for this spring.
A Big Brother alum is now Playboy’s Miss March 2026. She says this was an effort to take back her power.
