Tori Deal quickly rose from a rookie on The Challenge to one of the game’s top competitors, with most viewers either loving or hating her.
Each time she appears in a cast for a new season of MTV’s competition show, there are fans celebrating or critics suggesting they’d rather she not return.
That was the case for Season 41, also known as Vets and New Threats, which does not feature Tori among the veteran stars.
Instead, cast members like Cara Maria Sorbello, Ashley Mitchell, and Aviv Melmed appeared as former women’s winners.
Meanwhile, Tori has seemingly rediscovered herself while away from The Challenge, as she revealed in an eye-opening update.
And based on her recent remarks, she appears to be enjoying a life without reality television attached to it.
Tori Deal shares’ life update’ away from The Challenge
Taking to her Instagram Story recently, Tori uploaded a five-slide series of messages about her time away from The Challenge.
According to Tori, she has been able to return to her roots in New Jersey after experiencing a fast-paced life in Miami, Florida, and on MTV.
She said stepping away from The Challenge, slowing down, and returning to those roots has helped her realize her identity isn’t just being a reality TV star.
“I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was becoming disconnected from myself-almost starting to believe that being a Challenger was who I am instead of just something I do,” Tori said on an IG Story slide.
She also mentioned wanting to focus on other interests and passions apart from the competitive nature of MTV’s show.
“I spent all of my twenties trying to get in front of a camera. But now im my 30’s (“i’m 32 btw) I’m more interested in honing in on my crafts and passions,” she wrote.
Is Tori done with The Challenge?
Some of MTV’s stars have decided they prefer a life away from reality television, seeming content to never appear on the competition series again.
For example, Frank Sweeney Fox stepped away from The Challenge for a long time, ultimately returning for All Stars 5.
However, he has since revealed that he has no interest in returning to compete and has a lot more going on in his personal and professional life.
The same seems to be true of new father Wes Bergmann, who appears to have officially retired after The Challenge: USA 2 spinoff on CBS.
Both Frank and Wes have won the show at least once, and so has Tori Deal. She last appeared in Battle of the Eras. Tori defeated Cara Maria in a major elimination round and advanced to the final, but ultimately finished last among the four women.
That season also included her putting aside differences with her rival, Cara, and discovering a new friendship.
Amid her recent absence from The Challenge, she assured fans that her series of messages on IG is no indication that she will no longer appear on MTV’s show.
“P.S. And this isn’t me saying anything about the future. I’m always ready to compete when the time comes (If I’m feeling up for it lol),” she wrote in an IG Story slide.
That’s excellent news for Tori’s biggest fans, as the time away should give her a fresh outlook on the game and a hunger to win another championship.
The Challenge: Vets and New Threats airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on MTV.
