Ex ‘Big Brother’, ‘Challenge’ player comes out

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‘Bachelor’ alum Demi Burnett reveals she’s been diagnosed with autism
Reality star Amber Borzotra revealed Wednesday that she was recently diagnosed with autism.

“It’s been so hard, and I’ve had to figure out why I am this person and why my whole life, I’ve felt the way I’ve felt and I am this way,” the 35-year-old shared on Part 2 of the “The Challenge” Season 38 reunion.

“It’s difficult finding out later also in life,” she added. “I wish I would have found out sooner because I’ve struggled with my identity for 34 years.”

Borzotra shared that some of the difficulties she experienced while filming MTV’s reality competition show led her to seek help from a medical professional

“I struggle in social settings and this pressure has been so much on me, and I’ve taken meds for depression and anxiety in this game,” the model said. “It was embarrassing for people to make it seem like it wasn’t working, so it was something deeper.”

Borzotra said her doctors were able to come to the conclusion that she was autistic because she exhibited behaviors found in those with the disorder such as “mirroring” and “masking.”

“Basically, I camouflage myself to fit in,” the TV star, who first rose to fame on Season 16 of CBS’s “Big Brother,” explained. “So, if I see someone doing something, I feel I have to mirror that.”

She added, “Like I ‘stim’ a lot. I don’t know if you guys know — I, like, rub my hands or I bite my lip or twirl my hair.”

Borzotra concluded by sharing that being outspoken about her diagnosis has given her the “chance to embrace this amazing person I am.”

She said, “I want to just be a good influence to other neuro-divergent people out there. You can do whatever you want. I mean, I’m here. It feels good to be myself and I just want you guys to know that this is me.”

Borzotra has competed on three seasons of “The Challenge,” and walked away with the first-place prize of $450,000 on “The Challenge: Double Agents” in 2021.

The Challenge champ Tori Deal revealed other castmates didn’t believe Amber Borzotra when she announced her autism diagnosis at the season 38 reunion. Some viewers took exception to her publicly sharing that information, resulting in Tori apologizing for “poorly” delivering her message.

Double Agents champ Amber Borzotra revealed a pregnancy and autism diagnosis at the Ride or Dies reunion. Following the episode, season 38 winner Tori Deal shared on the MTV’s Official Challenge Podcast that some castmates questioned her diagnosis because they don’t get along with her.

The addition rubbed some viewers the wrong way as they didn’t understand why Tori needed to include it, especially as it could upset Amber.

She addressed the backlash in a series of Instagram stories. Tori explained she never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings and didn’t mean to imply that she didn’t believe her castmate. She admitted her comments might have “come out wrong” and wanted to explain that no one has the right to question Amber.

Additionally, she posted her response to a direct message from a fan who wondered why she mentioned the disbelief. The New York native explained that some viewers accused her of using her depression diagnosis as a storyline and wanted to share that others shouldn’t question anyone’s truth. She also apologized for “poorly” delivering the message.

Other castmates, including Nelson Thomas, Nany González, and Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, vocalized their support for her. However, Tori later revealed that some questioned the Double Agents champ.