Chase DeMoor is a lot of things. He's a professional football player. He's a boxer. He’s a TikTok star with millions of followers. But to most of the world, he is forever the guy who caused absolute chaos on Season 2 of Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle.
He walked onto that beach in Turks and Caicos with a massive grin and a 6'5" frame that immediately put a target on his back. Not a bad target, mind you. The women were interested. The guys were wary. But by the time the season wrapped, Chase from Too Hot to Handle had become one of the most polarizing figures in the history of the franchise. Some people loved the confidence. Most people on Twitter? Not so much.
Let's be real. Reality TV thrives on people like Chase. Without someone willing to break the rules, pivot between romantic interests with zero warning, and deliver deadpan lines during workshops about "emotional growth," we’d all just be watching people tan for ten episodes.
The Pivot That Defined Chase from Too Hot to Handle
The moment everyone remembers—the one that cemented his reputation—was the Carly Lawrence situation. They were the "it" couple early on. It felt solid. Then, almost overnight, Chase decided it wasn’t working. He moved on to Tabitha Clifft.
It was fast. It was brutal. It was great television.
But what people get wrong is thinking this was just a guy being "messy" for the sake of it. If you look at Chase’s background in professional sports, specifically his time in the Indoor Football League and the Spring League, he’s a competitor. He approaches social situations like a game. On Too Hot to Handle, the game is "don’t touch," but the secondary game is "stay relevant." Chase knew exactly how to stay in the center of the frame.
He didn't just stop at one Netflix show, either. Most reality stars fade away after their 15 minutes. Chase doubled down. He showed up on Perfect Match, where he played the villain role even harder. He was the guy everyone loved to hate, and honestly, he seemed to be having the time of his life doing it. He understands the "heel" dynamic in a way most reality contestants don't. While others are crying about their "edit," Chase is leaning into it.
Life Outside the Villa: Football and the Ring
Before the cameras, there was the turf. Chase played college ball at Central Washington University. He wasn't just a body on the field; he led the NCAA in blocked kicks at one point. That’s a specific kind of skill. It requires timing, aggression, and a complete lack of fear regarding physical contact.
He took that athleticism into the boxing ring.
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Influencer boxing is a weird world. It’s half-circus, half-legitimate sport. Chase has been right in the thick of it, fighting on Misfits Boxing cards. He’s had wins, he’s had controversial disqualifications (like the infamous "hitting a guy while he's down" incident against Stevie Knight), and he’s had losses.
The disqualification against Knight is a perfect example of the Chase DeMoor experience. It was chaotic. It was arguably unsportsmanlike. It trended for three days. Even when he loses, he wins the attention economy. That is the core of his brand. He’s a disrupter.
Why the Villain Label Sticks (and Why He Doesn't Care)
Most people who go on Too Hot to Handle are desperate to be liked. They want the fashion brands to call. They want to be the "sweetheart" who found love despite the odds. Chase saw a different path. He saw that the "nice guys" are forgotten by the time the reunion airs.
He chose to be the guy who starts the fire.
In Perfect Match, he was caught in a web of his own making, allegedly having a girlfriend back home while filming a dating show. Was it true? Was it a plot point? In the world of high-stakes reality TV, the truth often matters less than the reaction. The reaction to Chase is always visceral.
The TikTok Machine
You can’t talk about Chase from Too Hot to Handle without talking about his digital footprint. He has over 2 million followers on TikTok. That’s not just a hobby. That’s a business.
His content is a mix of:
- High-production gym edits
- Comedy skits that often poke fun at his own reputation
- Behind-the-scenes looks at his training camps
- Collaboration videos with other massive creators
He’s savvy. He knows that being the "reality TV guy" is a ceiling. Being a "creator" is a floor. By diversifying into sports and short-form content, he’s made himself uncancelable. You can hate what he did to Carly in 2021, but if you’re a fan of influencer boxing in 2026, you’re still buying the PPV to see him get hit—or to see him win.
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The Reality of Reality TV "Growth"
The whole premise of Too Hot to Handle is the "retreat." Lana, the little robot cone, wants everyone to become deeper, more emotional human beings.
Chase’s journey on the show was... let's call it "non-linear." He participated in the workshops. He did the breathing exercises. He looked into the eyes of his partners. But did he actually change?
Probably not in the way the producers wanted.
But he did learn how to navigate a room full of egos. That’s a different kind of growth. He learned that in a vacuum of 10-12 people, the one who controls the narrative controls the house. He’s been accused of being manipulative, but in the context of a game show where the prize money is constantly shrinking because people can't keep their hands off each other, is "manipulation" just another word for "strategy"?
What Most People Get Wrong About Chase
People think he’s just a "clout chaser." It’s right there in the name, right? People love that pun.
But the reality is more complex. Chase grew up with a difficult family background. He lost his father at a young age. He’s spoken openly about how those early traumas shaped his "tough guy" exterior. When you see him on screen acting detached or moving on quickly from a relationship, it’s easy to judge. It’s harder to realize that for many athletes, emotional detachment is a survival mechanism.
He’s a guy who was told his whole life to be the biggest, fastest, and strongest. Then he’s dropped into a show where he’s told to be the most vulnerable. That’s a massive psychological pivot.
The Business of Being Chase DeMoor
If you want to understand how he stays relevant, look at his partnerships. He’s not just doing "fit tea" ads. He’s working with tech brands, sports equipment companies, and major promoters.
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He treats his life like a franchise.
- Phase 1: Establish the look and the athletic pedigree.
- Phase 2: Blow up on Netflix.
- Phase 3: Pivot to a niche (boxing) that rewards a "villain" persona.
- Phase 4: Monetize the hate-watchers and the loyal fans equally.
It’s a blueprint many try to follow, but few have the physical presence or the thick skin to pull off.
The Longevity Factor
Will we still be talking about Chase from Too Hot to Handle in five years?
Maybe not the show version of him. But "Chase DeMoor the Athlete" or "Chase DeMoor the Media Personality" has staying power. He’s shifted from being a contestant to being a character. Characters don't age out of the industry as fast as contestants do.
Look at someone like the Miz from WWE. He started on The Real World. Everyone hated him. He was the "annoying reality guy." Now? He’s a legend in his industry because he knew how to take that initial spark and turn it into a career. Chase is clearly following a similar playbook.
Practical Insights for Navigating the "Chase" Era of Media
If you’re watching these shows and wondering why people like Chase get so much screen time, or if you’re a creator trying to figure out how to build a brand, there are a few things to take away from his trajectory.
- Lean into the "Heel": If everyone is trying to be the hero, the villain gets all the lines. Chase realized early on that being liked is optional, but being watched is mandatory.
- Diversify Early: He didn't wait for Netflix to stop calling. He started boxing and building his TikTok while the episodes were still airing.
- Athleticism as a Safety Net: Having a real-world skill (football/boxing) gives him a legitimacy that many "lifestyle" influencers lack. When the drama stops, he’s still an athlete.
- Control the Narrative: Use your own platforms to comment on the "mainstream" media's portrayal of you. Chase is constantly reacting to his own clips, which keeps his fans engaged with his version of the story.
Chase DeMoor is a product of the modern attention economy. He is loud, he is confident, and he is unapologetic about his choices. Whether you find him charming or frustrating, he has successfully turned a stint on a dating show into a multi-faceted entertainment career. In the world of reality TV, that’s the ultimate win.
If you want to keep up with his actual career rather than just the edited drama, his YouTube channel and boxing press conferences offer a much clearer picture of the man behind the "Lana-defying" persona. Watch the fights, ignore the scripted dates, and you’ll see the real competitor.