“Two way street” — Battle Camp star Tony opens up about his connection with Gabi on the show 

Netflix's latest competition series Battle Camp has captivated viewers since its April 23, 2025 debut, bringing together 18 familiar faces from various Netflix productions to compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Among the most discussed storylines from the show was the budding romance between Tony, previously seen on The Mole, and Gabi of Cheer fame.

In a revealing interview with Reality Receipts Podcast released on May 1, Tony shed light on what viewers didn't see of their relationship, suggesting their connection was more mutual than what aired.

"I would argue it was a two-way street," Tony insisted when discussing their interactions, countering the show's portrayal which seemed to minimize Gabi's reciprocation of his feelings.

Their brief but intense connection culminated in emotional moments after Gabi's elimination in episode 4, ultimately contributing to Tony's decision to leave the competition himself. Now, with the cameras off, Tony is sharing his perspective on what really happened between the two contestants during their time at Battle Camp.

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Tony claims unaired Battle Camp footage that supports his claim

According to Tony, viewers missed significant interactions that would have painted a different picture of his relationship with Gabi. He described intimate moments that never made it to screen, particularly on the night of her elimination.

"Maybe I was getting bamboozled the whole time, but, like, there was like a scene-- So the night that she left, I was really emotional because, like, we had spent, like, an hour together hanging out, like, her sitting on my lap, like, we were like hanging out, just like, she was kissing my forehead, like it was very romantic," Tony revealed during the podcast interview.

While acknowledging they weren't "in love," Tony emphasized that their connection was meaningful. He noted that Gabi had expressed desire to "make it together" to the final stages of the competition, creating a bond that went beyond mere strategy.

Tony didn't hold back when discussing how production choices might have influenced viewers' perceptions of his relationship with Gabi. He suggested the show deliberately downplayed their romantic moments to craft a different narrative.

"I think they wanted to paint a picture of Gabi snaking me instead of us having a showmance," Tony explained.

Tony theorized that producers wanted to portray Gabi as "a much more in-depth player" rather than someone engaged in romantic entanglements.

This editing choice, in Tony's view, failed to capture the reality of their interactions. He maintained that regardless of whether Gabi's affection was genuine or strategic, the connection felt real to him at the time.

The Battle Camp contestant described Gabi's departure as "traumatizing," highlighting how the intensity of the competition amplified their emotional connection. When the "Wheel of Misfortune" landed on Gabi's name in episode 4, leading to her elimination despite Tony having received more nominations, it sparked an emotional response that ultimately influenced his own decision to exit.

"To me, I was just going back home. Like, that's, that's what my mindset was. Like, I'm-- my emotions are high, I'm very sad, I don't wanna be here anymore," Tony explained about his self-elimination, which came shortly after Gabi's departure.

He admitted that her exit from Battle Camp was a significant factor in his decision to leave, combined with feeling put off by the game and believing he had acquired more adversaries than allies among the remaining contestants.

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Tony and gabi’s current status of connection

Despite the brief nature of their on-screen relationship on Battle Camp, Tony revealed that he and Gabi have maintained contact since filming wrapped. He mentioned they speak "daily," suggesting their connection extended beyond the confines of the competition.

When asked about Gabi's relationship status, Tony mentioned she had moved on from the boyfriend she had during filming. With a hint of playfulness, before acknowledging that while they had never officially dated, he wasn't opposed to the possibility, he remarked:

"She's a serial dater"

Reflecting on his Battle Camp experience, Tony expressed no regrets about his decision to leave the competition early.

"I didn't lose anything," he stated, suggesting the personal insight gained from the experience outweighed any potential benefits of staying to compete for the prize money.

For Battle Camp viewers who found themselves invested in Tony and Gabi's connection, his revelations offer a new perspective on what transpired between the reality stars.

Whether their brief showmance was genuine on both sides or part of gameplay strategy remains open to interpretation, but Tony's candid discussion provides additional context to one of Battle Camp's most talked-about storylines.

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Battle Camp premiered on April 23, 2025, and all 10 episodes are now available to stream on Netflix.