“The Challenge” star Chris “CT” Tamburello looks back on his early days of reality TV fame and when his mother thought he was making money as a drug dealer.
The 46-year-old MTV veteran recently appeared on the “Creators Inc. Podcast” with host Andy Bachman, where he discussed his first paychecks after appearing on “The Real World: Paris.”
At the time, CT made money through nightclub appearances, but explaining his new income to his mother wasn’t easy.
“It wasn’t like I had bad credit. I just didn’t have any,” CT explained. “And then mom thought I was a drug dealer.”
The reality star said he had been advised to send his checks home and use cash, something he now considers “arguably the worst financial advice I ever got.”
CT Tamburello Says His Mom Refused His ‘Blood Money’ From Nightclub Appearances
After appearing on “The Real World: Paris,” CT started earning money by making paid nightclub appearances, including at McFadden’s in Boston.
However, his mother wasn’t convinced that people were actually paying him just to show up at bars.
“You know how hard it was to tell my mom that people were paying me to show up at nightclubs?” CT recalled.
According to CT, his mother reacted strongly when he tried to explain where the money came from.
“I had to do this with your older brothers. Don’t bring that blood money here,” she told him.
These days, CT has found a different way to connect with fans while earning money.
He now participates in BuzzStar, a live video platform Bachman founded that lets fans pay by the minute for one-on-one conversations with celebrities.
“One thing I do love about BuzzStar is that it gives me a safe place to actually engage with everybody,” CT said.
“Instead of doing like a pre-recorded video or something, I get to actually engage with people and talk with them.”
Other celebrities on the platform include Johnny Bananas, Ray J, Aubrey O’Day and NLE Choppa.
‘The Challenge’ Legend’s Romance With Phaedra Parks Makes Headlines Amid Divorce
CT has also been making headlines for his personal life.
Earlier this month, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks confirmed that her relationship with CT turned romantic after the two connected while competing on “The Traitors.”
The couple made their red-carpet debut at the Creative Arts Emmys, and CT recently told Us Weekly that their relationship is “in a good place.”
He also said Phaedra “just brings peace” to his life.
Meanwhile, CT’s divorce from estranged wife Catalina White continues.
According to a September 29 TMZ report, the former couple is scheduled to attend private mediation in October after their divorce proceedings made little progress in recent months.
CT is also appearing on “The Challenge: Cutthroat,” which premiered August 5 on Paramount+.
Tell us! Do you think Phaedra and CT are the real thing? You know how we feel if you listen to the pod. Regardless, let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Podcast 230: Tracy’s download from the Virtual Reali-Tea Awards; Whitney Rose files; Vicki is mad at us; Phaedra and CT