by Gina Scarpa

 

Any hopes Wes had of flying under the radar early on in The Challenge: Battle Of The Seasons were over the minute CJ walked in the door. The two had bad blood from Fresh Meat II, with CJ blaming Wes for his elimination. He was able to get some revenge after the Cancun cast won the first challenge and were in power. They put up Austin for elimination against Fresh Meat and Lacey, as a rookie, felt pressured to go in alongside Wes. The two lost in a physical competition and were the first players sent home. We talked to Lacey after her elimination in an exclusive interview to find out how her first experience on The Challenge went.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It's been so long since we've seen you on MTV! What brought you back to do a Challenge?
A. Lacey: I keep joking and say, "They asked me." I was never given the opportunity to do one and I was all over it! No hesitation. Any time my phone rings and it's 818 area code, it's MTV. I was like, "I wonder what they want!" I was super excited they wanted me to come.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you know your former roommates from Austin were going beforehand and what was your reaction when you found out?
A. Lacey: I didn't know for a while but I found out before we left because we all keep in touch. Obviously, you're gonna be like, "I'm going on a a Challenge, what are you up to?" I was personally really excited. It was scary going into The Challenge as a rookie. It's like being the new kid at school. It's really overwhelming.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have you been watching the seasons of The Challenge? What did you think going in?
A. Lacey: I always watch them when Wes is on because I support him. Usually, he has me watch them so I can tell him if he really is an idiot or not. I definitely thought it was daunting for what they were gonna make us do. And every time, they kind of up the ante so I was kind of scared. But I'm not a quitter! I wouldn't quit but I'd probably pee my pants.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How would you describe the vibe on the Austin team? Were you all close or was it awkward to be back together?
A. Lacey: It wasn't awkward for me! I was fine! I think Danny and Melinda were maybe slightly awkward because they haven't seen each other. But we're the kind of friends where even if you don't see each other for a while, you pick up where you left off. I think we get along better now than we ever did. I wasn't close with Danny and Melinda on my season but now time has passed. We've grown a little bit.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The first night in the house, things got pretty crazy! What did you think of the way Frank, in particular, was behaving?
A. Lacey: I think Frank's reputation precedes him so I was not surprised. I was a little disappointed for him because I think he's better than that. He falls into a pattern pretty easily and people egg it on. I think with time, he'll evolve a bit. I think he's a good person.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You made a good point about people egging each other on but of course, you stay out of the drama. How was it to be in the house with all the craziness?
A. Lacey: I get a headache! It's too loud. It's like sensory overload and everyone is a shout talker. I'm thinking, "You guys are microphoned, they can hear you talk!" I get that it's entertaining. What people don't understand or maybe they do... we sit there all day long and there's nothing going on. There's no tv, no music, sometimes you can have cards... but watching people fight is entertaining. If Frank wants to throw something at Wes, people are going to like it. I don't blame people; it's kind of par for the course.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did Cancun really have a problem with your team or was this just CJ making it personal and going after Wes?
A. Lacey: I think it was CJ making it personal. I think he's a good leader so they went with what he said. If I have to be unbiased, I think they made the right decision. Obviously Wes is a big player. I just hate that I had to go along for the ride. They all apologized to me, that I was collateral damage for Wes's behavior. I wish they went with the new kids but they were there to win.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was there any talk of Melinda going into the elimination round instead of you or was it a done deal from the beginning?
A. Lacey: It was pretty much a done deal. I was at the bottom of the totem pole. Wes said I should because I didn't perform as well as Melinda and then when I watched it on tv, I was like, "Hey we're at the same point! She wasn't ahead of me!" I did just as good, I wasn't terrible! In a way, I understood and realized I had to pay my dues. I thought it would be a team challenge though.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Looking back, is there anything you could have done better to try and defeat Cara Maria in "Hall Brawl"?
A. Lacey: I think I probably should've stayed lower. I've never played football and I've never had to run head on into anybody. I wasn't expecting her to run as fast into me as she did. She seemed nervous before the elimination. I assumed we would hit each other, and then it would be a grappling thing, but she pretty much clotheslined me.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it tough for you to leave after the first challenge?
A. Lacey: I was really upset. I really was. I was disappointed. I have a full-time job, I own a hair salon. I cut out a chunk of my time to come there and experience as much as I could. I guess I could be like, "I came to win," but i just wanted the experience.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Tell us a little more about your hair salon!
A. Lacey: I opened my hair salon six years ago, shortly after I came home from The Real World. We're opening a brand new location that has a full spa. It's pretty awesome! It's in Tallahassee, FL and it's called Tryst.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Seasons airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on MTV.

 

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa