'The Challenge' Couple Announces Breakup, Ending Year-and-a-Half Engagement

One of the biggest showmances on The Challenge in recent memory, Kaycee Clark and Nany González, have chosen to break up after almost four years together. In the process, the two end their engagement of over a year.

Over the course of two and a half decades, the MTV reality series has garnered a rabid fanbase that follow what many of the veterans do when not on our screens, fighting it out in the sand. Late last week, some had caught onto signs things may not have been completely paradise for the two, as Nany had seemingly purged their social media of all the photos of them. Their suspicions were confirmed when both Kaycee and Nany released a joint statement on Instagram on Jan. 25.

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"After a lot of reflection, Kaycee and I have decided to go our separate ways," the post read. "This definitely wasn't an easy decision, but it's what's best for us. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way–we're both moving forward with love and kindness in our hearts & we ask that you respect our need for privacy at this time."

Courtesy of @nanycarmen on Instagram
Courtesy of @nanycarmen on Instagram

The couple met in 2019 on The Challenge's 35th season, Total Madness. At that point, Kaycee had come off of a win on Big Brother and was looking to capitalize on her athleticism from years as a football player. Nany, who originally debuted on The Real World in 2011, had turned in a number of seasons up to that point. Total Madness showed a kindling of something between the two, despite the fact that Kaycee had a partner at home.

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While the two struck up a connection then, it wasn't until two seasons later in Spies, Lies and Allies that they officially came onto the season as a couple. Their announcement prompted Kaycee's now-ex, Taylor Jiminez, to speak out on X (then Twitter), saying, "Kaycee and I broke up because I discovered disgustingly inappropriate text messages between her and that woman while we were STILL together dating all the way back to December in April."

Despite "showmances" often getting targeted on The Challenge, the two were able to make it to the finals together. Unfortunately, circumstances sent them in against each other in the final elimination of the season, where Nany was taken out by a clearly-emotional Kaycee. It was not all for naught, though, as Kaycee went on to win the very next day, claiming her first champion title.

Shortly after celebrating their two-year anniversary, the pair announced their engagement in September 2023. "From the moment I met this woman, I knew that she was someone special," Nany wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post. "Our paths crossed in the most unexpected way, and I am forever grateful for that chance encounter. My heart is full of love and gratitude for the joy you have brought into my life, Kaycee Noelle."

After competing together once again one season later, both have appeared in recent seasons, albeit separately. Kaycee was a part of the anniversary 40th season, Battle of the Eras, the first time she was playing after being engaged, albeit without her then-fianceé by her side.

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" I started playing this game with Nany, and this was the second time that I've played this without her," she explained to Parade. "And it's different. She is my right hand. She's my fiance. And so I know that not having her on this season, it was different. But I know she was cheering me on from home. So I definitely had to represent both of us. And it's hard being away from her. So playing this game and not having her has been difficult. But, yeah, it's been amazing."

Nany, meanwhile, will be appearing in the upcoming season, The Challenge All Stars: Rivals, premiering Wednesday, Jan. 29. She's partnered with champion Turabi "Turbo" Çamkıran, who she had struck up a friendship with when the two were also partners in War of the Worlds, only for things to go south recently on Ride or Dies. Given the timing of the season, there is sure to be plenty of content of Nany talking about finally getting her coveted win to pay for her upcoming wedding, and take the next steps in her future with Kaycee.

Even looking outside of this season, there is certainly a significant chance that the two will meet up again in another installment, given the unique aspect of The Challenge that has certain players returning season after season. And past iterations have seen their fair share of exes occupy the same space, from regretful hookups to broken engagements to even divorced couples. So, while Kaycee and Nany seem to be taking some time privately to grieve the relationship–Kaycee has even said following her Season 40 elimination that she intends to take a break from the show–it may only be a matter of time until they find themselves back on the series that brought them together in the first place.

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