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Tonya Cooley is a contestant from The Real World: Chicago. She is the champion of The Inferno 3 and was a finalist on The Inferno II. She also competed on Battle of the Sexes, The Gauntlet, Battle of the Sexes 2, Fresh Meat, The Island, and The Ruins.

Biography[]

Retrieved from MTV.com

Battle of the Sexes[]

Strengths: She works hard and she knows pain.

Weaknesses: She's not real good at being part of a team.

Best Known For: Kidney stones and kidney stones and kidney stones.

Crying: *****

Fighting: *****

Hooking Up: *

Outlook: Based on the Chicago reunion, things may have changed but we doubt it. Tonya's going to butt heads with somebody and it'll probably be Aneesa. Old wounds take time to heal.

The Gauntlet[]

Then: Tonya lived in foster care and then moved out on her own at 17. While in Chicago, she spent most of her time on the phone to her boyfriend, Justin.

Now: Tonya recently received a nursing degree and is continuing at UCLA to get her master's degree. She speaks, primarily at foster homes, motivating children to overcome the difficulties they face. Tonya eventually would like to do neo-natal care and work with premature babies.

Relationships: She is now single, deciding against getting back together with Justin.

Best Known For: For her on-going battle with kidney stones and her roommates.

Battle of the Sexes 2[]

High: There weren't many highs for Tonya during her show -- except maybe for putting "Walla Walla" on the map. Since her season, she has moved to L.A., is completing her nursing clinicals and has a fitness DVD coming out soon.

Lows: Her tense relationship with all of her Chicago roommates and her battle with kidney stones.

Relationships: Since Real World: Chicago, Tonya has broken up with Justin and is "VERY single." So far, we haven't witnessed any hookups with her and other cast members. Hey Tonya, the time is now!

The Inferno II[]

The Good: Tonya has proven she will do anything to win. Putting rocks in her mouth? Yup. Fraternizing with the enemy? Check. Eating wasabi like it's chocolate? Yes, sir.

The Bad: Her crazy behavior and partying gets on everyone's nerves. On BOTS2, Tonya had some nasty spats with Tina who's also a "bad ass." Can they get along for the sake of the team?

The Ugly: Tonya is quite the sex kitten. She hooked up with Theo on the last Challenge (and we hear he's not the only one.)

Fresh Meat[]

Tonya has proven she will do anything to win. Putting rocks in her mouth? Yup. Fraternizing with the enemy? Check. Eating wasabi like it's chocolate? Yes, sir. Her crazy behavior and partying gets on everyone's nerves. On The Inferno II, Tonya had some nasty spats with Tina and the "mean girls" and ultimately felt as though she was a big reason they lost the mission. Can they get along for the sake of the team? Tonya is quite the sex kitten . She hooked up with Theo on the Battle of the Sexes 2 (and we hear he's not the only one.) Will her recent engagement put a stop to her flirtations?

The Inferno 3[]

Tonya has proven she will do anything to win. Putting rocks in her mouth? Yup. Fraternizing with the enemy? Check. Eating wasabi like it's chocolate? Yes, sir. Her crazy behavior and partying gets on everyone's nerves. On The Inferno II, Tonya had some nasty spats with Tina and the "mean girls" and ultimately felt as though she was a big reason they lost the mission. Can they get along for the sake of the team? Tonya is quite the sex kitten. She hooked up with Theo on the Battle of the Sexes 2 (and we hear he's wasn't the only one). Will her recent marriage put a stop to her flirtations?

The Island[]

Since winning her first challenge on The Inferno 3, Tonya has moved with her husband to a small town in Nebraska, where she works at a local grocery store. Finding herself in a simpler and happier place, Tonya comes to The Island with a newfound sense of security that she hopes will take her far. However, without the support of her friends and family, Tonya struggles to stay strong and not fall victim to the abrasive and conniving personalities that have tormented her in the past.

The Ruins[]

We first met Tonya during The Real World: Chicago, where she captivated us with her unpredictable personality and troubled past. Always provocative, Tonya has had many memorable moments on her eight Challenge seasons, from throwing Beth's clothing into a pool to tussling with mean girls Veronica and Rachel. Despite the drama, Tonya has proven herself a fierce athlete, taking home the grand prize on The Inferno 3. Tonya arrives in Thailand newly single, after separating from her husband. She is also working to get recertified for her nursing degree. As Tonya explains, "I'm just trying to get my life together." We'll see, Tonya. We'll see...

Battle of the Sexes[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1/2 Sergeant Says Women SAFE
3 Dead Man's Drop SAFE
4 Tree House SAFE
5 Breath-Hold Bungee SAFE
7 Seven Rings of Saturn SAFE
8 Freeze Your Butt Off SAFE
9 People Mover SAFE
10 Battle of the Opposite Sexes OUT

The Gauntlet[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1 Snake Soup Real World SAFE
2 Masquerade SAFE
3 Mud Bath OUT

Elimination History[]

Episode Elimination Opponent Result
3 Perfect Fit OUT

Battle of the Sexes 2[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1/2 Dangle Drop Women SAFE
3 Snake Pit Poker SAFE
4 Melt with You SAFE
5 Bombs Away SAFE
6 Junk Boat SAFE
7 High Noon SAFE
8 Fill 'Er Up SAFE
9 Sa Wing SAFE
10 Electro Shock SAFE
11 Pop Culture Bike Jump SAFE
12 The Shredder SAFE
13 Cast a Spell OUT

The Inferno II[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1 Surf Torture Bad Asses SAFE
2 Juice It Up SAFE
3 X Marks the Spot SAFE
4 Run for Your Money SAFE
5 Shirt Off My Back SAFE
6 Dodge Yer Balls SAFE
7 Fill in the Gaps SAFE
8 Zip Up SAFE
9 Never Ending Climb SAFE
10 What a Drag SAFE
11 Riddle Me This SAFE
12 Time to Ride ELIM
13 If Memory Serves SAFE
14 Crab Grab SAFE
15 Heart Rate Bungee ELIM
16 Montezuma's Revenge LOSER

Elimination History[]

Episode Elimination Opponent Result
12 Patch Work WIN
15 Spinner WIN

Notes[]

  • Tonya received $10,000 from the Bad Asses team bank account.

Fresh Meat[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Partner Result
1 Stuck on Me JohnnieFMIcon
Johnnie
SAFE
2 Bushwhacked SAFE
3 Hang On SAFE
4 Jail Break SAFE
5 Climber's Paradise SAFE
6 Rollin' in Oats SAFE
7 Crossed Paths SAFE
8 Incredible Deflating Kayak OUT

Elimination History[]

Episode Elimination Partner Opponents Result
8 Forest Course JohnnieFMIcon
Johnnie
WesFMIcon CaseyFMIcon
Wes & Casey
OUT

The Inferno 3[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1 Unbraided Bad Asses SAFE
2/3 Ladder Race SAFE
3 Battering Ram SAFE
4 Wrap and Roll SAFE
5 Rope Burn SAFE
6 Reversible Climbing Wall SAFE
7 Grape Smash SAFE
8 Steady as You Go WIN
9 Leaps and Bounds SAFE
10 Dog Day Afternoon SAFE
11 Hand Car SAFE
12 Giraffic Park SAFE
13 Captain's Chair SAFE
14 Hook Me SAFE
15 Nothin' but Net SAFE
16 The Big Five WINNER

Notes[]

  • Tonya received $40,000 from the Bad Asses team bank account.

The Island[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Face-off Vote Result
1 Leaning Tower OUT

Elimination History[]

Episode Elimination Opponents Result
1 Leaning Tower LOSE

The Ruins[]

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Team Result
1 Chain Gang Champions ELIM
2 Swing on By SAFE
3 Repo Race SAFE
4 Burning Bridge DQ

Elimination History[]

Episode Elimination Opponent Result
1 Shoots and Ladders WIN

Notes[]

  • Tonya was disqualified from the competition after she slapped Veronica multiple times during a heated argument.

Post-Challenge[]

  • Tonya attended The Real World Awards Bash in 2008.

Controversy[]

  • In October 2011, Tonya filed charges that she was raped with a toothbrush while passed out by Evan Starkman and Kenny Santucci during filming of The Ruins. The case was settled in an out of court settlement on October 24, 2012. The details of the settlement have not been made public.

External Links[]

The Inferno II Contestants
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The Inferno 3 Contestants
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