'The Challenge' Star Suffers Heartbreaking Loss: 'A Part of Me Went With Him'
A star of MTV's The Challenge has suffered a heartwrenching loss.
The Challenge star took to Instagram on Friday, June 27, to share with her friends and followers that her father has died after a long, painful battle with Alzheimer's.
"With the heaviest heart, I share that my dad has passed away," writes Aneesa on her Instagram stories. "He left this world peacefully, free from Alzheimer's at last. I imagine him whole again — dancing among the stars."
She continues, "He left this world peacefully, and I find comfort in believing that he's now somewhere beyond the reach of Alzheimer's — a place where his mind is clear, his body is whole, and he has a smile on his face."Even with that comfort, my heart feels broken. The world feels quieter without him. A part of me went with him when he left.
"Losing a parent is a pain unlike any other — a quiet ache that lingers in everything. I will miss my dad every single day, but I know this isn't the end. I believe we'll meet again, in some beautiful way, someday. I love you, daddy."
Aneesa has been candid about her father's experience with Alzheimer's. Just 12 days before he died, she wrote a poignant Father's Day post about how "heavy and sad" this year was because of his late-stage dementia.
"As some of you know, my dad has late-stage Alzheimer's dementia. Watching someone you love go through this cruel disease is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. He can no longer walk or speak, and seeing him like this is heartbreaking," wrote Aneesa. "This Father's Day hits different. It's heavy and sad. If you're going through something similar, or if you've lost a parent, please know — I see you, I feel you, and my heart is with you today."
The comments were flooded with her fellow Challenge competitors offering their support.
"Dad love 🙏💙," wrote Derrick Kosinski.
Tori Deal wrote, "Sending you so much love, nushy!"
"❤️ Hang in there, sister. You got this," wrote Tina Barta.
Josh Martinez wrote, "Love you so much Neesi ❤️."
Cara Maria Sorbello wrote, "Sending love nees ❤️."
Aneesa is the most prolific female Challenge contestant, having appeared on 18 seasons of the long-running MTV competition series — though she is still chasing that elusive win. The only Challengers who have been on more seasons than Aneesa are Johnny Bananas (22) and CT Tamburello (21).
She can next be seen on season 41, which premieres Wednesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, though a kick-off episode airs Wednesday, July 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
'The Challenge' Star Suffers Heartbreaking Loss: 'A Part of Me Went With Him' first appeared on Parade on Jun 28, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Little House on the Prairie' Star Melissa Gilbert Suffers Heartbreaking Family Loss
'Little House on the Prairie' Star Melissa Gilbert Suffers Heartbreaking Family Loss originally appeared on Parade. Little House on the Prairie star recently suffered a heartbreaking family loss, the former child star revealed on social media. On Saturday, June 7 the actress, 61, took to Instagram with a sad update for her followers. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "Terrible, sad day today," Gilbert wrote in her post. "A raccoon broke into our coop and killed our three chickens. Didn't even eat them. Just killed them and left." She added, "We feel awfully sad. Rest in Peace Betty-Jean, Coco and Peep. We really loved you," also including emojis of a chicken and a broken heart. In the comments, Gilbert's fans shared their condolences for her loss. One Instagram user wrote, "That's so sad. I am sorry. I'm sure the time they had with you was wonderful. ❤️." Another shared, "Oh my just horrible and I'm so sorry. One of my chickens died last week. We don't know what happened but it was devastating." Young and the Restless star Tracey Bregman echoed, "Oh no! I'm so so sorry 💔." Meanwhile, yet another follower commented, "Ugh! I don't think there is anything more heartbreaking than losing an animal." Although Gilbert didn't share photos of her beloved chickens when they were alive in the post, she has previously shared about her flock. In 2022, the actress posted an Instagram snap of her husband, Timothy Busfield, with four baby chicks on his chest, writing, "This is my Valentine. He's a real chick magnet." Next: 'Little House on the Prairie' Star Melissa Gilbert Suffers Heartbreaking Family Loss first appeared on Parade on Jun 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert Sends Bold Message Fans Say 'Should Be Written on Our Flag'
'Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert Sends Bold Message Fans Say 'Should Be Written on Our Flag' originally appeared on Parade. Little House on the Prairie star sent a bold message on social media that one fan declared "should be written on our flag." On Tuesday, July 1, the former child star, now 61, took to Instagram to repost a video from an inspiring woman named . 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "This! This is so important. 'Better not bitter,'" Gilbert captioned her update. "This is what courage looks like. This is what love looks like. The fact that this extraordinary woman shared this with the world proves what a loving heart she has." The When Calls the Heart actress continued, "In these days where so many are angry, so many are lashing out, it is so moving to see real courage, love and beauty. This gives me hope for humanity." In the video, Orgill Brown, a motivational speaker, explained that she's had 25 surgeries, the right side of her face is paralyzed and she can't see out of her right eye. "But today, I showed up anyway," she shared. "Sixteen years ago, a brain tumor paralyzed the right side of my face, and I lost the hearing in my right ear. But just six days ago, my eye was sewn shut. But today, I decided was the day to start finding my new normal." Orgill Brown added, "I ventured out of my house on my own and even went to the store and showed up in front of people for the first time. It was hard. It was a little I did it. And I realized I've made it through every challenge thus far in my life and I know I can make it through this one too." She then shared the tidbit of wisdom repeated by Gilbert, saying, "I get to choose whether I become bitter or better from this experience. And I am determined that I am going to become better for it." In the comments, Gilbert's followers reacted to the perspective-shifting message. One Instagram user wrote, "🙌 Courage, hero, strength through adversity. Thank you for reminding us. Better not bitter ❤️🙌." Another shared, "Better not bitter! Should be written on our flag! God bless her beautiful soul! 🙏💛🙏." Someone else echoed, "Amazing courage and determination. I salute you 🩷🌷 I hope your way forward is filled with strength and blessings 🙏." Meanwhile, yet another follower commented, "God bless. Wish most of us could choose to be better, and not bitter." Next: 'Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert Sends Bold Message Fans Say 'Should Be Written on Our Flag' first appeared on Parade on Jul 1, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Little House on the Prairie' Star's Kids Send a Bold Message About Reboot Series
'Little House on the Prairie' Star's Kids Send a Bold Message About Reboot Series originally appeared on Parade. Little House on the Prairie star 's son, , sent a bold message about the upcoming reboot series. Recently, Michael Jr. and his sister, Leslie Landon Matthews, spoke with The National Desk about their father and the upcoming Netflix reimagining of the beloved series. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 'I wouldn't touch that series myself,' Michael Jr. admitted of Little House on the Prairie, which originally aired from 1974 to 1983. He continued, 'Personally, I wish them the best of luck because it's family entertainment, and it potentially could be great storytelling. But I personally loved what my father did. I know Leslie does too, and, yeah, I wouldn't touch perfection.' Meanwhile, Leslie spoke of the "environment" her father created that "felt like family" on the set of the popular Western drama series. Landon died in 1991 at age 54 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. "You had people that had been working together for umpteen years, because there was no reason to leave that particular crew, because everyone just worked so well together and took care of each other,' she told the publication. 'And it was a special cast. was at our house all the time. Our families traveled together. We just, we were all very, very close. It was, it was a very special, special place to be.' Recently, Landon's other son, Christopher Landon, sent a blunt message of his own regarding the Little House reboot. Gilbert—who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder—also weighed in on the series after a new actress was tapped for the iconic character. Next: 'Little House on the Prairie' Star's Kids Send a Bold Message About Reboot Series first appeared on Parade on Jul 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
