When you spend over a decade competing on MTV's grueling reality franchise The Challenge, your private life rarely stays private. Few cast members know this better than Cara Maria Sorbello. Her journey from quirky rookie to multi-time champion played out alongside some of the most intense, heavily scrutinized romances in reality television history. Fans didn't just watch her fight for printed prize checks; they watched her fall in love, endure bitter public breakups, and navigate high-profile showmances that blurred the line between game strategy and genuine emotion.
Understanding Cara Maria Sorbello's relationship history requires looking past the edited television cuts to examine the actual timelines. From her early, volatile years with Abram Boise to her brief entanglements and her multi-year relationship with Paulie Calafiore, her romantic life has heavily influenced her trajectory on the show.
The Abram Boise Era: Where It All Began
Cara Maria debuted on The Fresh Meat II in 2010, but her romantic footprint on the franchise truly started during her second season, Cutthroat. That is where she crossed paths with Abram Boise, a legendary and intensely eccentric competitor known for his fierce competitive drive and unpredictable energy.
The two bonded over being alternative outsiders in a house often dominated by traditional jocks and social cliques. What started as a shelter from the political storm of the game turned into a long-term, on-again, off-again relationship that spanned multiple years.
- The Dynamic: Abram's passion and intensity were a double-edged sword. While it created a powerful bond, it also manifested in severe emotional turbulence.
- The Breaking Point: The relationship finally fractured definitively around the era of Bloodlines, where underlying tensions and off-screen stress caught up with them. Abram's intensity, combined with the pressures of competing together and apart, proved unsustainable.
Their split marked the end of Cara Maria's early-era narrative, pushing her into a phase of individual growth where she began winning finals and establishing herself as an independent titan of the game.
The Thomas Buell Interlude and Kyle Christie Entanglement
Following her separation from Abram, Cara Maria's love life experienced several turbulent chapters during the mid-2016 to 2018 era of the franchise.
During Battle of the Bloodlines, a flirtation with fellow competitor Thomas Buell created massive fallout with Abram, who was brought into the game unexpectedly as her partner. Though that brief connection fizzled out quickly, it set a precedent: Cara Maria's romantic choices were now central storylines on the show.
Later, on Vendettas and Final Reckoning, she entered into a messy, much-discussed relationship with UK import Kyle Christie.
- The Showmance: The relationship with Kyle was characterized by heavy game strategizing, jealousy, and conflicting priorities.
- The Fallout: Kyle's tendency to play multiple sides of the house caused deep friction. Cara found herself emotionally invested while Kyle viewed the situation through a more casual lens. This mismatch ultimately led to a bitter rivalry that spilled over into subsequent seasons, proving that mixing showmances with high-stakes prize money rarely ends well.
The Seven-Year Partnership With Paulie Calafiore
Cara Maria's longest and most consequential relationship began in 2018 when she met former Big Brother star Paulie Calafiore on The Challenge: Final Reckoning. What started as a controversial connection quickly solidified into a permanent partnership that lasted nearly seven years.
For a long stretch, Cara and Paulie functioned as an inseparable unit, both inside the reality television bubble and in their life outside of it in Montana. They took a simultaneous break from the franchise after War of the Worlds 2 before both returning for landmark seasons like Season 40.
- An Open Dynamic: In 2021, the couple revealed they maintained an invite-only open relationship, emphasizing strict boundaries, transparency, and shared rules regarding outside attractions.
- The Breakup: Rumors began circulating when fans noticed social media unfollows. Paulie formally confirmed the split, explaining that the separation stemmed from fundamental disagreements about long-term futures, specifically regarding marriage and children. Despite the end of the romance, both parties maintained a cordial working dynamic and mutual respect, noting that their foundational friendship survived the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore still together?
No. After roughly seven years together, the couple separated. Paulie publicly confirmed the breakup, citing differences in long-term goals such as starting a family.
Did Cara Maria ever win The Challenge?
Yes. Cara Maria is a established champion. She won Battle of the Bloodlines alongside Jamie Doyle and has consistently finished as a finalist across numerous other seasons.
Who was Cara Maria's first major reality TV boyfriend?
Her first major relationship featured on the show was with Abram Boise, whom she met during The Challenge: Cutthroat in 2010.
How long were Cara Maria and Paulie together?
Their relationship lasted for approximately seven years, beginning when they met on set in 2018 and concluding prior to Paulie's public confirmation of their split.
