Ashley Mitchell fired shots at Scott Yager and Derrick Kosinski, hosts of the Challenge Mania podcast, this week on Twitter. We’ll run down the entire Twitter exchange, navigating through all the various tangents, and provide an exclusive statement from Scott. It all started at the Challenge Mania Live event that took place in Philadelphia over the weekend. Scott asked the audience if anyone likes Natalie ‘Ninja’ Duran and the audience responded with a deafening silence. A video of the incident was posted to Twitter by an attendee garnering Ashley’s attention. Ashley replied to the video, “I hate that these people just use this platform to bash other people. That’s why I would never. I don’t need to talk about people I’ve never met .”

I hate that these people just use this platform to bash other people. That’s why I would never. I don’t need to talk about people I’ve never met . https://t.co/5FaZ3INBJP — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

This seemed to open the flood gates to a string of Tweets expressing her opinion on Challenge Mania Live as a whole.

Just talk about yourself, the game, the athleticism, the politics, the challenges. You don’t need to drag other people down to stay relevant — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

She goes as far as to say this is a bullying tactic used to hurt cast members who are not present to defend themselves.

I just thinks it’s ugly to try to bring up a person without them there to defend themselves. This is a huge bullying tactic no?? — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

A fan Tweeted this in response to the original video. Ashley responded in agreeance.

Exactly. If she was there to defend herself. Or anyone who has even fucking met her. I wouldn’t care who this was either, is the point — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

A fan insinuated that Ninja deserved the hate for what she did to Turbo last season. A classic Challenge fan take on justice and “KaRmA.” This was Ashley’s reply.

I don’t care who it was. I’m not agreeing with that I just don’t think anyone should be judged within a large group of gathered people without being able to defend yourself — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

She reiterates her confusion for going personal and not sticking to game related topics.

Exactly why do they have to get personal on anyone — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

Why can’t it just be about the game dude — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

She also claims they have done something similar to Amanda at a former event.

I’ve seen them do this with Amanda too!!! They do this at every event!! It’s just crazy to me — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

Initially fans assumed she was referring to the cast members on the panel but Ashley quickly corrected that assumption.

I’m talking more about the host then the panel — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

And I know the panel didn’t bring it up. It’s just the hosts. I think the event itself is to use cast to “drag” other guests when they were not there to defend themselves or have anyone else there that would either — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

That’s why no one in the audience clapped. I’m not saying ninja is the meat popular but I knows bullying tactics when I see it. No one on stage is saying anything nice and most of the crowd agrees, so the people who do feel outnumbered so they just stay quiet — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 14, 2019

The Challenge Mania Live panel was stacked with MTV powerhouses: Aneesa Ferreira, Tony Raines, Marie Roda, Jemmye Carroll and Kailah Nicole. They too assumed Ashley was referring to the panel. Sadly Marie has deleted her Twitter along with all the evidence of her response. If you have a screenshot please email it to saniacpodcast@gmail.com. We do however have Ashley’s response.

didn’t Know you and Scott were bffs. I’ve never fucking liked him, his podcast, or events. If you wouldn’t have just jumped on this idea I was bashing you at 2 in the morning last night you would’ve seen I said it’s not the panel, but the host — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 15, 2019

At this point, Scott caught on to the mess and chimed in with understandable confusion.

Seriously, Ashley. What did I do to you? I legitimately don’t understand. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Ashley…you came on our podcast twice. We had a great time, both times. Or so I thought. We talk about what our guests want to talk about & our audience wants to hear…which is a combination of game, experience, relationships, gossip, news, etc. It’s all in good fun. I promise. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019



According to Ashley the Challenge Mania hosts “get on a bandwagon” when it comes to hating cast members.

You get on a bandwagon then have them bash their enemy which is one thing but then to go in public forums and have people screaming about not liking someone. Fuck are you the next republican candidate?! Why can’t you stick to the fucking show & game play?!? — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 15, 2019







Scott responded clarifying what Ashley may see as “bandwagon” behavior.

We don’t “get on a bandwagon.” We want to have good relationships w/ all of you. Especially people who are entertaining, SPEAK THEIR MIND & win Challenges…like you. We don’t set out to bash anyone. But this “game” involves some trash talk & that’s what some people run with. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

He also points out some hypocrisy in her logic. Do you think her Challenge Mania interviews have gone too far?

When you came on our show, I let you speak your mind, have your fun, do the very dragging you are now saying isn’t appropriate. And to the best of my knowledge, all that upset you was that people told you in the outro I mentioned I thought you had maybe gone a bit too far. No? — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

@RyanJohn___ prompted this response from Scott by Tweeting, “Scott, don’t waste your time on her! Everyone that was at the event on Sunday knows the real story. Ironic that the head of the lavender ladies bully brigade wants to talk about being nice to others.”

I think it sucks that she has this opinion of me. I genuinely wish she didn’t. I really liked having her on our show. I dig her energy and thought we had a lot of fun. And it makes me sad that I somehow upset someone to this degree so unintentionally. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019







Scott was taking shots left, right and center last night with a fan even claiming he is bias towards the very people fans are claiming he was bullying at Challenge Mania Live.

I’m having trouble following…I am biased towards certain cast-members (Cara, Ninja, Paulie, whoever people say)…but am also taking shit for allowing other cast-members to “drag” THOSE cast-members on our live show? Which is it? Because I am just trying to give cast a forum. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Scott defending the bias claims against him.

When cast “drag” cast on #ChallengeMania, I always try to stop it from becoming gratuitous. In fact, last year someone came on & spent the whole 2hrs bashing someone they’re now friends w/. And since in outro I added a “that might have been a bit much” they won’t come on anymore. https://t.co/hwS3s9cWGy pic.twitter.com/I7dXHnLGqs — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 14, 2019

So you think I am “starting shit” with Ninja? I don’t understand. Am I starting shit w/ Cara? Or on behalf of Cara? If I am biased towards anyone it is my audience. Those 300 people are going to be entertained regardless of who they like or dislike. That’s my goal. Every time. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019







Fans even had him on the defensive about his cast selections for the panels. Coordinating cast can be a pain in the behind. It makes no sense to assume Scott hand picks the cast based on his own biases. It makes much more sense to assume Scott maximizes the cast he has available based on location, scheduling and every other finicky detail that goes into event planning.

Cara/Paulie were literally on our show together, a month ago. People who want to do our live shows & make it easy, do our live shows. I don’t sit here cherry-picking my favorite people to do shows. If we go to Vegas, Kailah’s gonna do it. If we go to PA when she’s in PA, same. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

While Ashley went off to dinner, Scott provided some much needed receipts from his episode with Ashley last year.

In case anyone wants to relive Episode 71 of #ChallengeMania from last year.📲https://t.co/On1Hq8OIJq — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Some fans called Scott out for being “shady” by posting this episode. He responded by clarifying his intentions and recapping relevant parts of the episode.

I just went back & listened to it to see if I was crazy. It doesn’t sound like someone who hates me. She was a great guest. She came to Brew the Stew and did. She seemed to have a lot of fun talking game and more with us. What is shady about it? — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

There are probably tons of people reading this…who think she has genuinely “always hated me and my show”…people don’t always know how to find old episodes. This one has suddenly become relevant and timely. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Honestly posting it because she clearly enjoyed herself, had fun talking to us & brought the same brand of content she is now accusing us of prying out of people. I thought it was a good ep, then & now. And no, I don’t think Challenge fans are “slow”. Honestly, might be too fast. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Yup, because I said something eerily similar to what she is saying now. I said I found some of her insults to be a bit malicious. That they attacked her as a person & not her game, actions. Which is exactly what she is accusing me of promoting on/at our shows. There’s some irony. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

She said “why can’t you stick to the game”…which she, nor anyone strictly does..and also said “I’ve never liked him or his podcast.” Which clearly wasn’t the case the 2 times she came on. Which is why I am presenting that episode for anyone who missed it or doesn’t remember it. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019







The fans did not relent and continued ripping into Scott. @mtv_truth Tweeted “Pretty disappointed @SHOTOFYAGER used his platform to stand up there and do this. It’s his platform though, if that’s what he wants to do with it, then he can. Just seemed out of character for him. Not just Twitter fingers at that point…let’s get a whole damn crowd. SMH.” This turned into a back and forth and here are Scott’s responses.

At EVERY. SINGLE. SHOW. we ask the crowd their opinion on people, couples, incidents. It happened 3-4x THIS show & happens EVERY show. You happened to see a video clip of a time in which the crowd reacted negatively when asked. We do an interactive show w/ the crowd. EVERY TIME. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Frustrating to hear I “dragged someone”…when at our shows, I often ask the audience what they think of someone. Who here is Pro so and so…who here isn’t…It’s their way to have their voice heard, as fans. No one ever cares. It’s a live show. It’s the video. It’s the caption. — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Give Ninja a chance? Dude…all I do is talk about how I like Ninja & think the way she’s talked about & treated is off putting. It’s come up on like the last five podcasts. We just had HER on. I gave Zach the “Dishonorable Discharge” in this weeks War Room for SPLASHING her. 😔 — Scott Yager (@SHOTOFYAGER) October 15, 2019

Ashley, having returned from dinner, logged onto Twitter to see this video Tweet from a fan account.

SHES COMPARING HER TWITTER FOLLOWERS TO A MILLIONAIRE LMAOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/MYfgLfsOLu — Julian (@Caramariastea) October 15, 2019

Her response:

I just saw this but I’m sorry I’m not responding or going to fight with grown ass(drunk) women who are looking to argue about literally nothing!!! I said multiple times I was NOT addressing them but it seems they’re looking for someone to be angry at, so….go off sis 😬🙄🙄 — ashley brooke (@MTVASHLEYBROOKE) October 15, 2019

After all the dust settled, we reached out to Scott for the exclusive and here’s what he had to say.

“It’s unfortunate that she feels that way about me and claims that she always has. I really enjoyed her two appearances on our podcast in 2018 (episodes 30 and 71) and have fond memories of our times speaking, both on the air and briefly off it when scheduling, etc. I apologize to our audience, because our chats were always fun and lively & it appears it’s something I said during the outro of her last appearance that has lead to at least the majority of her ill will towards me. I truly had no idea just how harsh these feelings were until reading her Tweets this weekend. I texted her the second the Final Reckoning Finale aired, even though I also consider Hunter a friend, and said Congrats. Regarding CML [Challenge Mania Live] Ninja Clip: What’s sad about this particular instance, with the Ninja clip, is that it made a lot of people think that I was trying to purposely get the crowd to react negatively. Not only would I not do that to Ninja, but when I ask and involve the crowd in our shows it’s not to get a certain reaction. It’s genuinely to get their opinion. I don’t know what that opinion is, what the breakdown is among the crowd, or how it’s going to audibly come through until I ask. We do this at all of our shows and ask about 3-4 different people or events per show. This wasn’t some new thing. That’s what our shows are. They are an interactive experience where the fans can have a voice for once and participate in a discussion with cast-members. I have no idea how they are going to respond and sometimes they boo or stay silent when asked about people that I like and respect very much. That’s part of their right to their opinion. It doesn’t matter that I think Ninja is great for the show and that I have a good relationship with her. When I asked the crowd, that’s how they reacted. That’s not us “dragging her” or even the crowd dragging her. The audience there gets that. The problem with taking a clip and adding the caption “dragging Ninja” is that it creates that false narrative. That this was some plot between all of us to drag her. Our panel guests have opinions about Ninja and the other 30 people who came up on Sunday. Our crowd has an opinion on everyone as well. Ninja has been a featured cast-member on the last two seasons, who won S33 if you ask me and had the biggest elimination moment on S34 so far. She’s also become fairly polarizing. We host a podcast and do live shows providing a forum for people to share those opinions and weigh in on these moments and the cast. I am sorry that this clip offended people and also gave the wrong idea of what our live shows are or what our intention is with the discussions we have. There is never malicious intent and if it ever strays into that territory, I do my best to intervene or call a person out for it. In fact, some might say that is precisely what I did during episode 71 of our podcast and what ended our relationship with that episode’s guest [Ashley]. I also reached out to the person [Ninja] who is referenced in the clip from Sunday because I wanted to make sure she didn’t take it the wrong way. Without going into detail, because it was a private back and forth, her response was exactly what I would have expected from someone with her character, positive attitude and refusal to allow online negativity impact her life. She supports what we do as much as we support what she does. I hope this clears up some of this for you. I have certainly learned from this whole ordeal and will be making some adjustments on my end. Every show is a learning experience. This one was no different. Thanks for reaching out.”

I have nothing to add but: “Well said, Scott.” It seems even Ninja agrees. What do the Saniacs think about all this? Are you #teamscott or #teamashley?

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