‘The Challenge 37’: Lauren Coogan Addresses Assumed Removal; Says She Was ‘Scapegoated’

UK rookie Lauren Coogan mysteriously disappeared from the premiere episode of The Challenge 37, and the network hasn’t acknowledged her absence. Coogan addressed her assumed removal from the competition series the following day, accusing the network of using her as a scapegoat.

Lauren Coogan barely appeared in ‘The Challenge 37’ premiere episode

Spies, Lies, and Allies kicked off with 20 rookies, the most prospects featured in one season. For the opening mission, the international players had to choose an American teammate of the opposite gender to “unlock” and complete the challenge.

Like last season, the winning pair, now called The Agency, can vote in a couple to compete against the house vote, which is decided in deliberation or The Lair.

However, the season 37 twist allows The Agency to select any female and any male to compete in elimination. Again, similar to Double Agents, the winning pair can stay with their current partner, steal someone else, or go rogue.

During the premiere episode, UK-based rookie Lauren Coogan chose veteran and Big Brother 19 winner Josh Martinez as a partner. They performed OK together, finishing the challenge in the middle of the pack.

She addressed her removal from the show

Other than a few glimpses, Coogan was primarily edited out of the episode. Many fans noticed and wondered why she received the “Dee [Nguyen] treatment,” referring to a former castmate the show digitally removed from Total Madness episodes following her firing.

A popular spoiler account, PinkRose, claimed producers removed the Love Island 2 star from the show because she made a racially insensitive comment to veteran Aneesa Ferreira at a party that might feature in the second episode.

However, the network and none of the cast members have publicly confirmed the information yet. Around the time of the premiere, Coogan tweeted a still picture of herself from an episode, captioning it, “Me trying not to say everything I know.” The following day, she posted a thread vaguely addressing her disappearance from the show.

She accused “two major networks” of gaslighting her and using her as a scapegoat, causing her mental health to deteriorate. Coogan continued, claiming reality television stars didn’t “sign up to be role models or politicians,” insisting they are only people attempting to figure life out in the public eye. She closed by encouraging viewers not to “believe everything you hear and watch.” Last season champ, Amber Borzotra, reportedly replaces her.

Coogan originally appeared on ‘Love Island’

Then 29-year-old Coogan from the United Kingdom debuted on CBS’ Love Island season 2 (2020), where she attempted to find love. She entered the villa in Week 2 and connected with 25-year-old Florida-based Tre Forte.

After coupling up for one day, America didn’t vote for them as a pair they viewed as compatible, leaving them vulnerable. The remaining Islanders then deliberated and decided to dump the couple from the island together on Day 14.

During her time on the show, she created a minor controversy for reportedly faking a British accent and lying about her age. Coogan later appeared in an episode of HBO Max’s FBOY Island in early 2021.

Following her assumed dismissal, former castmate Jeremiah White is the only Love Island representation on The Challenge. Spies, Lies, and Allies airs Wednesdays on MTV.