by Gina Scarpa

 

Davis Mallory didn't have much time to get comfortable on The Challenge: Rivals before being thrown into the jungle for elimination. He and his partner, Tyrie, took on Kenny and Wes in a wrestling match and lost three rounds in a row. Today, we talked to Davis about his friendship with Tyrie, why they were singled out, and what's next for him.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the status of your relationship with Tyrie, prior to going on Rivals?
A. Davis: I heard it was rumored that this challenge was going to have a rivalry concept. We started talking in the airport. We weren't enemies. We made up on our season. There really was no rivalry.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you found out that he was going to be your partner this season, were you excited? What were you feeling?
A. Davis: Honestly, I wasn't really excited about it. I've watched these shows for years and years. People that succeed are either long distance runners in an incredible... or... actually, that's my answer. I knew Tyrie wasn't that. When we were on Real World, we had to hike up mountains and he was always at the back of the line. These shows always end with running up a mountain.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You said, in this past episode, that Tyrie doesn't know how to play this game. Do you mean socially? I'd agree with you on that one!
A. Davis: Um, I mean, I also don't know how to play the game. I'll be honest. I don't kiss up to people and be their best friend. I'm pretty real with people. I can't be your friend if I don't like you. I wasn't gonna hang out with people just so they wouldnt vote for me. I don't really know how to play the game either.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Why do you feel that Kenny and Wes singled you out over Mike and Leroy?
A. Davis: Wes had told me that if he had his way, he'd have me and Tyrie in the finale because he knew he could beat us. But I don't think he expected to lose that driving challenge. He wanted CT and Adam to go in. They deliberated privately and Kenny threw out the idea that it should be me and Tyrie. He wasn't feeling as confdient. I, like you, wonder why he wouldn't pick the rookies. Maybe they were kissing up a little bit more. For whatever reason, Wes caved.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I think somebody at MTV had a sense of humor with this driving challenge. It was pretty hilarious watching Nehemiah bounce around on Evan's lap. Did you get a kick out of watching the episode?
A. Davis: I totally did. I had Tyrie sitting on MY lap, for whatever reason. We picked whatever we thought we'd be better at, mechanically. It was not fun.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The wrestling challenge in the jungle seemed like it was made for Tyrie. What happened?
A. Davis: If you add myself and Tyrie's weight up, we had an advantage in that kind of competition. I feel like my endurance ran out within the first set and mentally, afterwards, I was like, "I can't keep doing this over and over again." We were put at a disadvantage and Tyrie felt Wes was tripping him.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Even though only two episodes have aired, we didn't see much of you in the house. Were you staying out of the drama?
A. Davis: Day to day, I often snuck out and went illegallly into the backyard... I was known for being out of the drama and conversations. I could leave the property, not be noticed, and lay out on the beach. I'd exercise. It wasn't on tv but I really enjoyed my time there!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Who were you closest to on the challenge?
A. Davis: Going into the challenge, Evelyn and I talked almost daily about who was rumored to come, where we were going, and that we were excited to see each other. Once I got there, I really enjoyed the company of Sarah and a lot of the girls. I feel like, since the challenge, I've stayed closest friends with Mandi.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can we expect to see more of you?
A. Davis: I don't want to put it out there that this is my last challenge and I don't want to say I'll do one more. I'm currently interviewing for jobs and I wouldn't take on a challenge if I was working.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Davis: It's funny. I auditioned for The Real World not because I wanted to get on MTV, but because I wanted to work for MTV. I thought I could at least throw a casting director my resume. I did throw it in and I looked into working at MTV three or four years ago. They were going through massive layoffs. I worked in Chicago, in a music related field. I became a music journalist and now I'm back in New York, interviewing again at other companies.

 

Follow Davis @Davis_Mallory and check out his writing on AfterElton.com!

 

The Challenge: Rivals airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on MTV.

 

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!