Big Brother and The Challenge are well represented on the new American Gladiators.
A new version of the competition show debuts soon, with many reality TV stars in tow.
The classic version had people competing in challenges each week to advance and win cash prizes.
Standing in the way of the Contenders are the Gladiators. The Gladiators are people who work for the show and try to defeat the Contenders in various games.
“Each episode of the fan-favorite competition features amateur male and female Contenders from across the nation stepping into the Arena to face 16 powerful new American Gladiators. From classic events like Joust, Powerball, Hang Tough, and The Wall, to high-impact new events including The Ring and Collision, every showdown demands strength, strategy, and pure grit. Only one man and one woman will conquer the Arena, claim $100,000, and earn the title of American Gladiator Champion,” reads the press release from Amazon Prime.
Who will host American Gladiators?
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin and Rocsi Diaz are the hosts.
The Miz started on The Real World: Back to New York who then competed on The Challenge. He has since become a very notable wrestler on television.
Rocsi Diaz is an Emmy award-winning TV host.
Gladitors from Big Brother
“BREAKING NEWS… The arena is calling. A new season of #AmericanGladiators premieres April 17th, only on @PrimeVideo!! SOOO EXCITED!!! DON’T MISS IT!!!,” posted Jessie “Mr. Pec-tacular” Godderz
Jessie was on Big Brother 10. He finished in 10th place that year.
Jessie returned for Big Brother 11, where he finished in ninth place.
“A”BIG NEWS 🚨I am officially an American Gladiator!! Finally able to talk about it, this one’s been on the low for a while. No voting, no politics, no alliances. Just power, speed, and straight head-banging action in the arena,” wrote Faysal Fessy Shafaat.
Fessy was on Big Brother 20, where he finished in ninth place. He is infamous for some missteps that season.
Fessy has also appeared on many seasons of The Challenge. He was a finalist on Total Madness, Double Agents, and The Challenge: USA 2. Fessy also competed on Spies, Lies & Allies, Ride or Dies, and All Stars: Rivals.
More people from American Gladiators 2026
Below is a list of all the Gladiators from the new show.
- Abigail Lay (fitness coach)
- Dani Means (bodybuilder and rugby player)
- Dani Speegle (CrossFit athlete and gymnast)
- Emily Nelson (trainer and athlete)
- Jessica Roden (wrestler and softball player)
- Kailey Latimer (wrestler and bodybuilder)
- Lu Faustin (bodybuilder)
- Sydney Hunter (runner and powerlifter)
- Ayinde Warren (fitness coach and model)
- Drew Aggouras (fitness coach)
- Eric Bugenhagen (wrestler and YouTuber)
- Faysal Shafaat (football player and reality TV star)
- Jason Peele (athlete)
- Jessie Godderz (wrestler, bodybuilder, and reality TV star)
- Joseph Hall (football player and bodybuilder)
- Michael Wardlow (wrestler)
American Gladiators debuts with three episodes on Friday, April 17. Amazon Prime will drop three more episodes on April 24, and then debut the final four episodes on May 1.
More news from reality TV
The full cast list for The Challenge 42 was recently confirmed. Filming has already begun in Thailand.
Additionally, Playboy’s Miss March 2026 is a former Big Brother winner. She said she wants to take her power back after spending a full summer on TV.
Elsewhere, a Big Brother alum went viral from a video of her encountering a tornado. She shared the intense video online.
