It was on Monday August 12 that the first Swedish edition of The Challenge Sweden premiered.
The competition format has had a full 29 seasons in the USA and is classified as one of the toughest competition programs available. In the Swedish season, they have gathered a group of colorful reality participants who have been in, among other things, “The Farm”, “Robinson” as well as “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette”.
And it all started quickly.
The competitions have been tough to say the least and several of the participants have injured themselves, not yet seriously.
READ MORE: TV4 about the sex in The Challenge: “It was…”
The Challenge Sweden. Image source: TV4
And in addition to the challenging competitions, it is, like many other competition programs, very promising.
From day one, the participants began to team up with people from their own programs. Naturally, those from Robinson made pacts with other Robinsons, the Farmers with other Farmers and the Bachelor/Bachelorette profiles who stood out and mingled with everyone.
Two who, despite their great alliance, were voted into a duel each Isabella Resmark and Fabian Thingwall. This as they chose not to vote as the group in a previous duel vote.
But then Joshua Akena voluntarily chose to leave, Fabian, to everyone’s surprise, returned during Thursday’s episode. He then had to team up with Izabella Andersson Acimovic.
READ MORE: The Challenge Sweden: It happened between Elvira and Viktor
But everyone was far from satisfied.
TV4’s competition was criticized by the participants
As Fabian was well aware that he was in a precarious situation before the upcoming voting, he knew that he would have to give the iron in the immunity competition.
But the other guys knew that too.
Before the competition, several of the guys therefore agreed to do everything to prevent Fabian from winning.
The competition involved all male participants running to a pit where a stick with different numbers and colors stood. After memorizing everything, you would then run to a booth where numbers and colors would be calculated, which would then lead to a lock being picked.
“It was like being thrown back to middle school,” said Fabian Thingwall. Image source: TV4
During the competition, however, there were others who also smoked together. Among other things, one participant strangled another.
The competition ended in tears. Image source: TV4
Afterwards, Fabian broke down.
– It takes you straight back to elementary and middle school when you were ostracized by the boys, Fabian said in sync.
Several of the participants came afterwards and comforted Fabian.
– This was not ok, I am really so damn sorry because it feels like bullying. It’s like my whole damn upbringing. Me against the rest of the guys, says Fabian as he walks away with tears in his eyes.
READ MORE: TV4 stops the recording of Berget: “Packing up and leaving”
The host Pischa Strindsted asking after the competition if everyone is feeling okay. Then said Homayon Sytes that the boys showed their absolute worst sides this day.
Homayon Sytes took the tone. Image source: TV4
– I think that we boys could have done better today. The girls show each other much more respect. We guys have to learn from them here,” Homayon said.
– The Challenge is a tough competition, there is no doubt about that. But respect is something you all have to have with you, Pischa replied.
But how did the girls do?
Significantly better. They set up the competition in a completely different way. Which TV4 chose to cut out.
To News24 reveals a participant that the girls, after seeing the debacle the guys went through, secretly talked to each other.
– All of us girls saw what the boys were doing and decided together to put the stick down so everyone could see. So we would collaborate. We didn’t say this to the production so they wouldn’t stop our idea as it’s not very good television, she says.
The girls entered the competition in The Challenge Sweden in a different way. Image source: TV4
– Jennifer was the first to come forward and put the pole down so we could all watch and avoid wrestling like the boys. It was so damn good, said Helen Fransson in sync.
When Nyheter24 reaches Fabian, he says that there were more scenes that were cut.
– The reality for my part was much worse than what is seen in the episode. I completely broke down and had to leave the set and sit by myself on a chair out in a field. Then the production came one by one and heard how I was doing. But couldn’t stop crying as it was a very strange feeling, he says and continues:
– I felt most humiliated. The production also did not break during or after the competition when I asked them to. So the cameras rolled until I basically had enough. The same applies to Homayong who was strangled.
Did people apologize in the house?
– I spoke to Cruise in the house immediately after who apologized. So most of them did it after the event. Then I have no contact with most of the guys today. Some have contacted us now that the episode has aired, but otherwise a few messages here and there, concludes Fabian.
The Challenge is broadcast on TV4 Play and TV4 on Mondays and Thursdays.