“It’s petty gameplay.
It’s revenge gameplay, but it’s not smart gameplay,” [SPOILER] says.
Warning: This article contains spoilers about Wednesday’s episode ofThe Challenge: USA.
Laura Barisonzi/CBS
Below, the eliminated duo elaborates on how they’re feeling about what led to their exit and more.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You both had some strong feelings about your elimination in your final interviews.
How are you feeling about it now that you’ve had some time to process it all?
Laura Barisonzi/Paramount
XAVIER PRATHER:Shan, I feel like we didn’t have very strong feelings.
I think we were fine.
SHAN SMITH:[Laughs] I don’t even remember it.
PRATHER:It’s such a blur.
I will say that I don’t think it was smart gameplay on behalf of Kyland and Alyssa.
They were blinded by their revenge and pettiness for Xavier.
I personally did not appreciate being gaslit.
You guys already did that onBB23.
Here’s a new chance for you guys to really show what you’re made of.
It didn’t feel like it was fueled by anything except how they felt about what happened onBB23.
Because onThe Challenge,I had never said Kyland’s name; I’d never said Alyssa’s name.
In fact, as you guys saw, I was willing to go to bat for Alyssa.
Because Shan, who were you partnered with before me?
SMITH:Before you was DX [a.k.a.
But it has to do with Shan, doesn’t it?
SMITH:Just grab your balls and just admit that you’re trying to make a big move.
That’s the thing that irritates me.
Just say you’re trying to swing for theBig Brotherwinner.
Just admit what you were trying to do.
You just were so scared of me, with all my muscles!
You see me say, “If you guys are throwing me in because ofBB23, just do it.
It is what it is.
PRATHER:I didn’t catch wind of it until literally just before the elimination.
Normally there’s about a day in between where you have more time to work your magic.
This was basically the equivalent of aBig Brotherdouble elimination.
It’s like they weren’t thinking.
They’re eating their own.
They still haveSurvivorto contend with.
That’s what the thinking was, just good insurance, right?
These other shows, we can just burn them out.
That’s the thinking, so while I had heard rumblings, I didn’t even take them seriously.
And then they said, “Shan and Xavier,” and “Shan and” sounds like Shannon.
I’m thinking Xavier heard Shannon and thought they messed up the name.
I looked at X, and I said, “No, they’re putting us in.”
And X was like, “Well, we’re going in.”
It was a total blindside, but it just was a dumb blindside.
It’s revenge gameplay, but it’s not smart gameplay.
PRATHER:Strategically, it was upsetting the most because it just didn’t make sense.
That’s what I did onBig Brother!
Why would you not do that same thing?
They’re better than that!
Don’t do that again.
Why would you do that again?
SMITH:Xavier was a threat; he was a target on everybody’s mind.
It’s not like anyone was going to let Xavier slip by; he just won $750,000!
Y’all didn’t have to do that work.
PRATHER:LetSurvivortake the shot at me!
SMITH:She wanted her moment so bad.
She wanted her moment, and here it is.
She better own it.
It’s all she’s going to get.
What is your relationship like now?
PRATHER:Personally, I don’t wish any ill on Alyssa.
I don’t think she’s a bad person.
I disagree with the game move.
I will never talk poorly about her as a person.
Our relationship moving forward, I don’t think I could let someone get that close to me again.
It doesn’t mean that she isn’t lovely.
It’s just that’s what I feel like I have to do.
Shan, you also recently got into some Twitter beef with Alyssa.
What’s your relationship with her like now?
SMITH:Honestly, I don’t know why Alyssa tried me.
It came out of left field.
Why did she come looking for fire?”
It didn’t make any sense.
Yeah, I just let her have it.
Let me get off of this."
I got off of Twitter.
But I don’t know why she did it.
I think a lot of us are confused as to why she did it.
I did have choice words back for her because I think she’s a capitalist.
I just think it was messy.
I don’t have a lot of respect for her as a person.
I don’t wish her anything bad in life, but I don’t really like her.
PRATHER:You’ll never catch me onSurvivor.
My ass will not be on an island.
SMITH:you’re able to expect to see me onBig Brother!
No, I’m just joking.
[Laughs] Never.
PRATHER:If you see me on an island, I’m on vacation.
SMITH:No, you’ve got to playSurvivor.
It’s the best game!
PRATHER:Oh my gosh, you’re so wrong!
The Challenge: USAairs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.
