by Gina Scarpa

 

For some reason on Rivals 2 this season, the female teams were insistent on throwing Derek and Robb into the elimination rounds.  The campaign to vote them in was spearheaded by Emily, who was convinced she couldn't trust them.  The pair sent Tyrie and Dunbar home the first time they were sent in, but weren't so lucky against Knight and Preston last week.  We chatted with Derek in an exclusive interview to talk more about his partnership with Robb, relationship with Marlon, and the teams that worked against him in the game.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is your reaction when MTV calls you each time to do a Challenge?

A. Derek: When I get these calls, I'm like, "This is awesome!" I love doing the competitions, I love being 30 feet above water. Any chance I get, I'm gonna jump. This last one, I was ready for it and I trained really well.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: On a scale of Friends to Rivals, where did you and Robb land?

A. Derek: When we first got there, I would say we were frienemies. We were okay, but there was still some tension and some wounds that hadn't healed out.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Why was everyone gunning for you so hard, instead of Jordan and Marlon, early on?

A. Derek: I don't know! did my first challenge with these veterans and the motto was that rookies go in first. This one, I'm like, "Don't worry Robb, we got this! It's not gonna be a big deal."

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the deal with people saying they couldn't trust you and didn't know where you stood?

A. Derek: I think it was just Emily. I don't know what she had against our time. Jordan kinda had a thing for Emily so she wanted to keep him around. As soon as her and Paul said our names, it's easy to follow suit. It's easier not to piss off people who control he game. I was on the bottom of the totem pole.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You know a lot of these people outside of the game. How do you separate reality from reality tv?

A. Derek: You know, when there's money involved, you'll do anything you can to win it. As soon as we know the money available, everybody changes. We'll be friends after this but right now I'm sending you home. That's the mood.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did the twist, with the girls voting the guys into the elimination rounds, affect your game?

A. Derek: They started saying our names and Robb's like, "Are we gonna go in?" I'm like, "No because the guys don't want to throw us in." When TJ said the twist, it sucked for us because Robb had a girlfriend and fiancé and I'm gay. I can't hook up with any of these people. People are like, "Oh we haven't had communicated with you." That's a lie but that's fine.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: We saw that you and Marlon had a little bit of a thing in Thailand, but during Real World Portland, he was really careful about hooking up. What do you think changed?

A. Derek: He saw that I was comfortable and felt a certain vibe from me. He's a cool kid but I wasn't looking for anything. I didn't know his story at the time. He started putting moves on me and I was like, let's do this. Afterwards, he was telling people it happened but it's because I was into him. I was like, "Someone's way into themselves way too much." He was already comfortable in front of the cameras.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: He got pretty upset with Knight's impression of him. Did it offend you?

A. Derek: No and that's the thing. People are taking it way too seriously. It was definitely a crude joke and intended to be funny. People there took it way too seriously. I think Knight did it because... I'm friends with Knight and that stuff doesn't bother me at all. He says stuff like that to me all the time. I didn't get offended but I can see where Marlon came from. Obviously, you add alcohol into the equation and everyone wants to fight.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Speaking of, is it me or do the fights keep getting worse?

A. Derek: They do! The funny thing is that I thought the fights last season were more intense. It could be because I was involved in them. The CT and Frank one... it started because we were eating grilled cheese and I'm like, "Get out so I can eat my sandwiches!" It's a little scary with these people. The veterans have done this for so long. The fights are just gonna keep coming.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it tough to leave so early on in the competition?

A. Derek: As long as I wasn't the first person to leave. I did not wanna be the first person to leave. It's such a waste to fly out and leave. Last season, I made it right before the final. That was a tougher pill to swallow. To go home right before it... I think me and Jonna could've taken it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Would you compete again? What are you up to now?

A. Derek: I think if they ask me again, I'm definitely going to try to do well again. What's the point of going and not winning? In the meantime, between Challenges, I bartend. It's the easiest job to have while I travel for this show.

 

 

The Challenge Rivals 2 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on MTV.

 

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa