If you’ve spent any time on MTV Twitter or scrolled through the chaotic comments sections of The Challenge fan pages, you know exactly who they are. They are the couple everyone loves to hate, yet nobody can stop watching. For years, fans have been asking: Are Paulie and Cara Maria still together? It’s a valid question. In the world of reality TV, relationships usually have the shelf life of an open carton of milk. One minute you're sharing a bunk in a villa in Thailand, the next you're blocking each other on Instagram and deleting every trace of your "soulmate" from your grid.
But Paulie Calafiore and Cara Maria Sorbello? They’re built different.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. They have survived cheating scandals, massive public backlash, and years of being "blacklisted" from the show that made them famous. While other Challenge couples like Jordan and Tori or Zach and Jenna have gone through messy public breakups or settled into quiet domesticity, Paulie and Cara have stayed in this weird, high-energy limbo of public scrutiny. People keep waiting for the wheels to fall off. They’ve been waiting since 2018.
Still, the rumors never really die down. Every time one of them posts a solo photo or skips a public event, the internet loses its mind. "Where's Paulie?" "Did they break up?" It’s constant.
The Current Status: Yes, They Are Still a Thing
Let’s just get the big answer out of the way immediately. Yes. As of early 2026, Paulie Calafiore and Cara Maria Sorbello are very much still together.
They aren't just "together" in the casual sense; they are still living that shared life out in Montana. If you follow Cara, you know she’s basically become the queen of the mountains. She’s trading the gym for the great outdoors, and Paulie is right there with her. It’s a far cry from the flashy, club-hopping vibes they gave off when they first started dating during Final Reckoning.
They’ve matured. Well, as much as two professional reality TV villains can mature.
The reason people keep asking are Paulie and Cara Maria still together is usually because they don't post each other every single day. We’ve been conditioned by influencers to think that if you don't document your breakfast together, you're headed for divorce court. But these two have taken a slightly different path lately. They’ve realized that the more they put their relationship under the microscope, the more people try to dissect it.
Why Everyone Thought They Broke Up (Again)
There was a huge spike in "breakup" searches recently, mostly because of how they handled their respective returns to The Challenge universe. When Cara Maria returned for All Stars 4 and later Season 40: Battle of the Eras, Paulie was right there with her for the latter. However, they weren't glued at the hip.
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Actually, it was the opposite.
On Battle of the Eras, we saw a version of Paulie that was almost... likable? He was supportive. He was focused. He wasn't the screaming, "I'm the Joker" version of himself that we saw on War of the Worlds 2. Because he was playing his own game and Cara was playing hers, fans assumed there was trouble in paradise.
Social media sleuths also noticed a period where they weren't liking each other's posts as quickly as they used to. In the world of stan culture, that’s basically a death sentence. But you’ve got to remember that they’ve been together for over six years now. Six years! In reality TV time, that’s basically a golden anniversary. They don’t need to perform for the cameras anymore.
The Montana Life and the Move Away From the Spotlight
A big part of why they’ve lasted is the move to Montana. Cara has always been a bit of a loner—the "odd girl out" of the MTV world. Paulie, despite his big Jersey energy, seems to have thrived in the isolation.
They’ve built a compound. They have dogs. They have a gym. They have a life that doesn't involve production crews or 20-year-old influencers trying to start "beef" for a storyline.
It’s interesting to look back at how this started. Remember the Danielle Maltby situation? When Paulie was caught in a "cheat-gate" scandal early on? Most people thought Cara would dump him instantly. She had been through so much with Abram and Kyle; surely she wouldn't put up with more drama. But she stayed. She chose to work through it.
That’s the thing about Paulie and Cara: they are intensely loyal to a fault. They view themselves as an "us against the world" duo. When the fans turned on them, they didn't turn on each other. They doubled down. That’s probably why they are still standing while so many other showmances have crumbled into nothingness.
Dealing with the "Blacklist" Years
For a long time, neither Paulie nor Cara were getting calls for the main show. There was a lot of speculation as to why. Was it their politics? Was it Paulie’s erratic behavior? Was it Cara’s clear burnout?
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Regardless of the reason, that period of time would have broken most couples. Imagine your entire livelihood is tied to being a "character," and suddenly the phone stops ringing. Most people would blame their partner. They would say, "Your reputation is hurting mine."
They didn't do that.
Instead, they leaned into their weirdness. They did photoshoots. They did independent projects. They focused on fitness. By the time they were welcomed back into the fold for The Challenge 40, they seemed more solid than ever. Paulie even spoke openly about his sexuality and his personal growth, and Cara was his biggest cheerleader throughout that process. That’s not the behavior of a couple on the rocks.
The Reality of Reality TV Relationships
We have to talk about the "Instagram vs. Reality" of it all. People often ask are Paulie and Cara Maria still together because they expect a fairytale. But if you listen to their interviews—specifically their appearances on podcasts like Challenge Mania or Paulie’s own social media rants—they admit it’s not perfect.
They fight. They’ve had breaks. They’ve had moments where they probably didn't like each other very much.
But they have a shared history that is hard to walk away from. They have both been the "villain" of the story. They both know what it’s like to have a stadium full of people booing them. When you have that kind of shared trauma (and yes, reality TV can be traumatic), it creates a bond that’s hard to break.
What’s Next for the Duo?
So, if they are still together, what does the future look like?
- More Challenge Appearances: Now that the "ban" is clearly over, expect to see them as a package deal on future seasons. They are better TV when they are together, even if they aren't on the same team.
- The "Power Couple" Branding: They are leaning back into their roles as the veterans of the game. They aren't the young rookies anymore; they are the elder statesmen who know where the bodies are buried.
- Low-Key Lifestyle: Expect fewer "staged" romance posts and more rugged, outdoor content. They’ve found a niche that works for them.
The truth is, Paulie and Cara Maria have outlasted the haters. They’ve outlasted the producers who tried to freeze them out. And they’ve outlasted the fans who bet against them on Day 1.
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If you’re looking for a breakup announcement, you’re probably going to be waiting a long time. They seem to have found a weird, chaotic, perfect-for-them balance that works.
How to Keep Up With Them Without the Rumors
If you want to know the actual status of their relationship without falling for clickbait, stop looking at "insider" tea pages. Those pages thrive on drama. Instead, look at the small details.
- Check their workout tags. They often train in the same facility even if they aren't in the same frame.
- Watch Cara’s stories for the dogs. Paulie is usually the one handling the leashes in the background.
- Listen to their tone when they mention each other. There’s a level of comfort there that’s hard to fake after six years.
Honestly, in a world where everything is manufactured for likes, there’s something almost refreshing about how stubbornly they stay together. They don't care if you like them. They don't care if you think they’re "toxic." They’re just... Paulie and Cara.
Final Thoughts on the Paulie and Cara Maria Saga
The obsession with whether Paulie and Cara Maria are still together really stems from our own fascination with redemption and villains. We want to see if the "bad guys" can actually find a happy ending. Or, conversely, some people are just waiting for the inevitable crash so they can say "I told you so."
But as of right now, the "I told you so" crowd is losing.
They’ve moved past the point of being a "showmance." They are a long-term, committed partnership that has survived more pressure than most marriages. Whether you find them inspiring or incredibly annoying, you have to respect the longevity.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see their latest dynamic in action, go back and re-watch the Battle of the Eras reunion specials. Pay close attention to how they interact when the cameras aren't directly on them. You'll see a lot of whispering, hand-holding, and genuine support. Also, keep an eye on Paulie’s fitness ventures; Cara is almost always involved in the branding or promotion in some way. Their lives are so intertwined at this point that a breakup would be more than just a relationship ending—it would be a total brand overhaul for both of them. For now, the King and Queen of Montana are safe on their throne.