CT Tamburello and Phaedra Parks may not be together every day, but “The Challenge” star says that could actually be one of the secrets to making their new romance work.
CT, 46, opened up about his relationship with “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star while speaking with Us Weekly on the UFC 331 red carpet on Paramount+ in Los Angeles on September 19.
“I’ll say — I don’t want to jinx it — but I’ll say we’re in a good place,” CT said.
Phaedra, 52, recently confirmed that her longtime friendship with CT had officially turned romantic. After keeping fans guessing about their relationship for years, the pair made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on September 5.
Their relationship is mostly long-distance for now, but CT says that setup might actually work in their favor.
CT Tamburello Says Being Away From Phaedra Parks Is ‘Probably for the Best’
Phaedra and CT Tamburello at LAX. They don’t give AF what y’all talking about LMFAO #rhoa #rhugt
Source: @TMZ pic.twitter.com/av9J4tvcBe
— Rhoareceipts (@RHOAreceipts) September 6, 2026
CT joked that Phaedra might not want him around every single day.
“I know I’m crazy in my own right. It’s probably for the best if I’m not around her every day, to be honest,” he said. “But she’s amazing. She really is. The way I would describe it is like Paula Abdul, ‘Opposites Attract.’ You remember that old video? That’s us, you know?”
A source previously told Us Weekly that CT and Phaedra have made the distance work by traveling to spend time together.
“Most of their relationship has been long-distance so far, but they have made it work and travel to see each other,” the source said.
CT and Phaedra first met while filming season 2 of “The Traitors” in 2023. Their chemistry quickly became a talking point among viewers, especially after Phaedra gave CT his memorable “castle daddy” nickname.
At the time, however, the relationship remained platonic.
“He always had a bit of a crush on her and was interested, but he really valued their friendship and never wanted to cross that line,” the source said. “After his marriage ended, he and Phaedra started talking a lot more, and their relationship naturally grew from there.”
CT married Catalina White in 2024. White filed for divorce in January before requesting to dismiss the case. CT later filed his own divorce petition in June, claiming their marriage “is irretrievably broken.”
CT Tamburello Reveals What He Loves Most About Phaedra Parks
This is the exact moment CT fell in love with Phaedra…. pic.twitter.com/rKJY4bgLvy
— clappable material™️ (@uhhhhwillow) September 5, 2026
Although CT is opening up about Phaedra, he has also learned that he doesn’t need to share everything about his relationships publicly.
“I mean, contrary to popular belief, I do learn,” he joked. “Maybe a slower learner, but I do learn, and some things are better left unsaid and I think oversharing can be a bad thing.”
There is one thing he has no problem sharing: what Phaedra brings to his life.
“With her, she just brings peace,” CT said. “It’s easy to just stay calm around her.”
A source previously described their relationship as “the real deal” and said the two reality stars were “really smitten with each other.”
“They became really close on ‘The Traitors,’ but CT never thought he actually had a chance with Phaedra,” the source told the outlet.
Tell us! Do you think CT and Phaedra are endgame? Let us know in the comments below.
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