“More than friends”: Johnny Bananas dishes on current relationship status with The Challenge co-star Dee 

Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio is opening up about his relationship with fellow reality star Dee Valladares following his early exit from The Challenge season 41.

The seven-time champion made headlines during The Challenge: Vets and New Threats when he developed a connection with the Survivor 45 winner. Their romance became a talking point throughout the season, especially after Bananas faced elimination challenges and alliance drama.

When asked about their current status, Bananas kept things playful but revealing:

"More than friends, less than lovers," he said.

He added:

"Hey, I've met the parents. How about that? Met mom. I'm not sure what they thought of me. Moms love me. They usually warn their daughters about me and then they end up running off with me."

The veteran competitor shared that their bond has continued well beyond filming, with regular communication and visits between Miami and Boca Raton.

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The Challenge stars Johnny Bananas and Dee Valladares: Relationship status

Bananas' season ended dramatically when he made a costly decision during a Sudoku challenge. He cleared his puzzle board just as time expired, leaving him and partner Leka Sodade with zero correct answers. This move sent him straight to elimination against rookie Gabe Wai.

The strength-based elimination proved impossible for the veteran to win. Despite his experience, Bananas couldn't overcome Wai's physical strength. He called it an "unwinnable" matchup that reminded fans of past elimination upsets.

"I caught a really bad string of luck at the worst possible time," Bananas explained.

Elaborating:

"My puzzle curse once again reared its ugly head, and then I got put in unwinnable elimination."

Despite his early exit from The Challenge, Bananas and Dee have maintained their connection. They stay in regular contact through texting and visits. Both stars live in Florida, making it easier to spend time together. Bananas admitted they both approached the relationship cautiously at first. Past experiences made them hesitant to fully commit during filming.

"I've been traumatized so many times, I just automatically assume the worst," he said.

Adding:

"And I think she felt the same way. We both kind of held back a little bit."

Dee had heard rumors about Bananas' reputation in reality TV relationships. Meanwhile, Bananas knew about her strategic gameplay from Survivor. These factors created initial walls between them.

Their relationship has turned into more than just a TV fling, catching even them by surprise. They stay in touch constantly, even while Dee is off climbing the tallest mountain in Africa. Bananas couldn’t resist making a cheeky joke about her love of being “on top,” showing he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Meeting Dee’s family feels like a big step, but he laughed that moms usually fall for his charm just as quickly as their daughters.

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What lies ahead for the pair?

Their relationship continues to evolve naturally. Neither seems rushed to define exactly what they have together. The "more than friends" description captures their current dynamic perfectly.

Both stars remain focused on their individual careers while maintaining their connection. Their Florida proximity allows for regular meetups without the pressure of long-distance complications.

Time will tell if their The Challenge connection develops into something permanent. For now, they're enjoying whatever this relationship becomes.

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You can watch The Challenge on MTV, Wednesdays at 8/7c, with episodes streaming the next day on Paramount+.