Paulie Calafiore, the competitive reality TV star known for his appearances on Big Brother and The Challenge, has audiences not just with his athletic prowess but also with his complex and highly publicized relationship with fellow Challenge competitor Cara Maria Sorbello. Their love story, which began in 2018, has been anything but conventional, featuring open relationship arrangements, temporary breakups, public reconciliations, and a recent period of healing that has fans wondering about their current status.
The 35-year-old New Jersey native has become one of reality television’s most talked-about personalities, partly due to his fierce competitive nature and partly because of his unconventional approach to love and relationships. His journey with Sorbello has been marked by transparency about their struggles, growth, and commitment to making their unique dynamic work despite public scrutiny and personal challenges.
As of 2025, Calafiore and Sorbello appear to be in a rebuilding phase of their relationship, taking things slow and focusing on personal growth while maintaining their deep connection. Their story offers insight into modern relationships, the challenges of dating in the public eye, and how two people can continuously choose each other despite unconventional circumstances. Understanding their current dating status requires examining the evolution of their relationship, their recent challenges, and what the future might hold for this reality TV power couple.
The Beginning: Meeting on The Challenge
Paulie Calafiore and Cara Maria Sorbello first crossed paths in 2018 while filming The Challenge: Final Reckoning. Their initial connection sparked during the intense competition environment, where both contestants were known for their competitive spirits and strategic gameplay. The attraction was immediate, and their relationship quickly developed beyond the confines of the reality show.
Before meeting Sorbello, Calafiore had been involved in other high-profile relationships within the reality TV sphere. He previously dated Zakiyah Everette from Big Brother in 2016-2017, and had a brief relationship with Bachelor Nation’s Danielle Maltby in early 2018. However, his connection with Sorbello proved to be different and more lasting than his previous romantic endeavors.
Their relationship continued to develop after filming concluded, with both contestants choosing to pursue their connection in the real world. This marked the beginning of what would become one of reality television’s most scrutinized and discussed relationships, characterized by its ups and downs, public nature, and unconventional arrangements.
The Open Relationship Era
One of the most distinctive aspects of Calafiore and Sorbello’s relationship has been their decision to maintain an open arrangement. In October 2021, the couple publicly discussed their unconventional relationship structure, with Sorbello explaining their dynamic in detail.
“We’re open, and people are confused about that. They’re like, ‘Well, they’ve got to be f–king everybody and cheating,'” Sorbello shared, clarifying that their arrangement worked for them despite public misunderstanding. She emphasized that they had reached “such a good place” mentally and emotionally, describing their connection as strong across multiple dimensions: “The sex is good. The love is good. The friendship is good. This is my person.”
The open relationship structure allowed both partners to maintain their individual identities while building something together. This arrangement reflected their commitment to honesty and communication, even when it meant facing public criticism or confusion from fans and family members who didn’t understand their choices.
Personal Growth and Coming Out
A significant development in their relationship occurred in August 2023 when Calafiore came out as bisexual during his appearance on The Challenge: USA. This personal revelation added another layer to their already complex relationship dynamic, but Sorbello proved to be one of his biggest supporters during this journey.
Calafiore described feeling “so much anxiety” leading up to his coming out, but found tremendous support from Sorbello, who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The experience brought them closer together and demonstrated the strength of their bond beyond traditional relationship expectations.
“I would say I’m very fortunate. I feel like a lot of the conversations and questions that might be a little difficult in that situation for a lot of people just weren’t,” Calafiore reflected on how his coming out affected their relationship. This period of personal growth and authenticity seemed to strengthen their connection and mutual understanding.
Recent Challenges and Reconciliation
In June 2024, speculation about their relationship status reached a fever pitch when Sorbello unfollowed Calafiore on Instagram and removed several couples photos from her social media accounts. This social media activity sparked widespread rumors about a potential breakup, leading to intense fan speculation and media coverage.
Their representatives addressed the situation by confirming that the couple was “working through something privately” and were “taking a little space from each other while working things out.” This period of separation allowed both partners to focus on individual growth and reflection about their relationship’s future.
However, by August 2024, sources revealed that the couple was actively working on their relationship. They were spotted together in Paris, filming a new project related to the Olympics with other reality stars and Olympians. This public appearance marked their first time being seen together since the split rumors began circulating.
Current Dating Status: A New Beginning
As of 2025, Paulie Calafiore and Cara Maria Sorbello are officially back together, but their approach to their relationship has evolved significantly. Sources close to the couple describe their current dynamic as essentially “meeting and dating for the first time again,” with both partners taking things slow and maintaining privacy about their renewed connection.
“They’re taking things slow and being very private,” an insider revealed, noting that Sorbello is “seeing growth” in Calafiore that she’s “always wanted to see.” This suggests that their time apart allowed for personal development that has positively impacted their relationship.
Their representatives have described this current phase as “an era of healing,” with both partners choosing not to label their relationship status while they focus on rebuilding their connection. This approach reflects their maturity and commitment to doing the work necessary to create a healthier dynamic.
Future Prospects: Marriage and Family
Despite their recent challenges, both Calafiore and Sorbello have expressed strong desires for marriage and children. In a June 2023 interview, Calafiore stated, “We want kids and we want marriage,” while acknowledging their unconventional approach to relationships.
Sorbello has been equally vocal about her commitment to Calafiore, declaring, “I absolutely would love to marry [Paulie]. I’ve never said that before, but [Paulie is] the person that I see for the rest of my life.” These statements indicate that despite their ups and downs, both partners see a long-term future together.
Their families and friends expect them to potentially surprise everyone with a spontaneous wedding announcement, given their tendency toward unconventional choices. “I think they expect us to randomly last minute be like, ‘Hey guys, we just got married,'” Calafiore noted about external expectations.
