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- Accusations fly: Hodges says Justin Hinsley turned on him
- How their prior alliance unraveled
- Why Hodges respects Sydney Segal’s move
- The unseen mistake that helped seal his fate
- Elimination showdown with Johnny Bananas: respect amid defeat
- Key takeaways from Hodges’ interview
- When to catch new episodes
Cedric Hodges says he was blindsided by a betrayal from a former ally after his exit from The Challenge: Cutthroat. The Big Brother 26 alum opened up about fractured friendships, tough game choices and a high-stakes elimination that ended with one of the series’ most recognizable veterans.
Accusations fly: Hodges says Justin Hinsley turned on him
Hodges, 23, explained to reporters that he expected camaraderie from Justin Hinsley. The two had bonded on the prior season and even talked about training together before Cutthroat began.
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Instead, Hodges claims Hinsley arrived with a grudge. He says the Cheer star told him privately he wanted Hodges eliminated because of an earlier loss that left Hinsley embarrassed.
Hodges says he felt betrayed by Justin Hinsley but acknowledged one small thing in his favor: Hinsley admitted the motivation.
How their prior alliance unraveled
Both men were part of the late-season alliance on Season 41. Hodges says they kept a group chat and were aligned with another castmate, Will.
- They discussed challenges and strategy before filming.
- Hodges believed the trio was “locked in” going into Cutthroat.
- He was surprised when Hinsley shifted from ally to antagonist.
This change, Hodges said, felt personal rather than purely strategic.
Why Hodges respects Sydney Segal’s move
When Sydney Segal sent Hodges into the opening elimination, he accepted it as part of the playbook. Hodges praised her for making a clean, tactical decision.
He has no hard feelings toward Sydney and even suggested he respected her more than Hinsley for sticking to game logic.
The unseen mistake that helped seal his fate
Hodges also revealed a behind-the-scenes moment many viewers did not see. During a top-eight contest, he deliberately underperformed on a puzzle in the airport segment.
That choice cost him a shot at becoming a captain. He called it an unfortunate error and a costly lesson about intentionally losing events.
He now plans not to throw challenges again after learning how quickly a single move can change the arc of a season.
Elimination showdown with Johnny Bananas: respect amid defeat
In the elimination, Hodges faced veteran Johnny Bananas. Though Hodges lost, he expressed admiration for Bananas’ record and legacy on The Challenge.
Hodges described Johnny Bananas as the GOAT and said that losing to a legend softened the blow of the exit.
Key takeaways from Hodges’ interview
- Hodges felt blindsided by a former friend’s vendetta.
- He accepts strategic eliminations from opponents who play openly.
- An unseen decision to throw a puzzle challenge proved pivotal.
- Facing Johnny Bananas gave Hodges a measure of pride despite the loss.
When to catch new episodes
The Challenge: Cutthroat releases new episodes on Paramount+ every Wednesday. Fans can follow developments as alliances shift and tensions rise throughout the season.
