ExclusiveThe Challenge’s Tori Deal Teases ‘Growth’ in Relationship With Cara Maria on Season 40 After Feud

The Challenge fans may very well see the end of Tori Deal and Cara Maria Sorbello’s feud on season 40. In an exclusive interview with In Touch, Tori admitted there’s “potential for growth” in her relationship with Cara.

“Honestly, anything’s possible,” Tori, 31, teased.

Tori and Cara’s rivalry began during War of the Worlds 2 in 2019. At the time, Tori was in a relationship with Jordan Wiseley and they were on the same team as Cara, 38, and her boyfriend, Paulie Calafiore. The two couples were working against each other, leading Jordan, 33, and Tori to switch teams when given the opportunity.

The ladies’ fractured relationship was put on display again earlier this year when they both appeared on the reunion show for season 39 of The Challenge. Although neither woman was a cast member on Battle for a New Champion, they both showed up to compete in one elimination each, and then returned for the reunion.

While giving advice to the new era of competitors, Cara urged the players to only look out for themselves rather than rely on alliances, which prompted Tori to point out that Cara’s use of alliances on WOTW2 was what got her to the final without ever seeing an elimination. Cara then accused Tori of conspiring to get her and Paulie eliminated from the beginning of the season so there wouldn’t be another “power couple” on the show, which Tori denied. The conversation was left unresolved.

Meanwhile, Tori and Jordan have since broken up, but have gotten to a good place as friends over the past year. “I was just at a dinner with him and his girlfriend. It’s such an amazing place to be,” Tori said. “I wish I could describe it more than it just feels like family. The love I have for him as a person is so deep rooted.”

She also confirmed that she and Jordan will “always support each other” and admitted that she’s “proud” of the place they’re at now. “It’s one of my favorite things to come from this whole experience,” Tori added. “That I could’ve fallen in love with somebody, got engaged on the show, to then having a traumatic breakup and finally being at a place where we can really support one another from a distance … it’s unbelievable.”

One relationship that she hasn’t repaired, though, is with Amanda Garcia. The rivals’ history was highlighted during the season 40 premiere when Tori won the first challenge and Amanda, 30, was at risk of elimination. The single mom had to plead her case to Tori about why she shouldn’t be voted in. She pointed out that they have a lot of the same allies in the game and urged Tori to consider that it might be beneficial for them to try and use that to their advantage.

“It just felt like a lie,” Tori said. “If I’m friends with somebody and they want to be friends with somebody else, that’s on them. I’m not going to base my friendships with people because I’m friends with this person and so is this person. If you have been not great to me, then I’m not going to be your friend.”

The Challenge airs on MTV Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.