Ludacris Puts a New Spin on MTV’s ‘Fear Factor’ Reboot
For six seasons, Fear Factor was the show to watch if you wanted to see people eat grotesque animal parts and pick up chicken feet out of a tub of rats. The show was shocking, terrifying and totally addicting. After a five-year hiatus, the Fear Factor reboot premieres tonight (May 30) at 10 p.m. on MTV with its new host Ludacris. The show will feature new stunts inspired by urban legends, popular scary movies and viral videos. When Ludacris landed the opportunity to host, he couldn't wait to hop on-board.
"My first thought was, when I heard about that [opportunity], I was definitely a fan of the original show and I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie myself, which is something a lot of people don’t know," he tells XXL over the phone. "What better way for me to actually do some of these stunts my damn self than to watch people do it firsthand. If I’m going to [be the host] of the show, I’m going to put a spin on it and make it new."
According to Luda, he wants to help people squash their fears as host. "Technology has changed and it even skews to a younger audience," he shares. "As we both know, a lot of fears for younger people are losing their phones. They lose their whole life if they lose their phones. I [became the host] for numerous reasons but those are the main ones and to also encourage people to overcome their fears."
Some of the show's best moments in its' history featured contestants eating wild things like sheep eyes, buffalo testicles and an African cave-dwelling spider. While contestants on the Fear Factor reboot may have to digest similar delicacies, viewers won't see Luda taking part in the act.
"Eating crazy shit is where I draw the line my guy," the rapper adds. "The craziest shit I ever ate I was probably in Australia and eating like a kangaroo or an alligator. When people had to eat crazy stuff and I could smell it. I can’t name what they were eating, you have to watch the show, but dude it’s definitely some nasty stuff."
Besides serving as the Fear Factor host, Luda is also a motivational coach of sorts. "It happened a couple times where contestants were like, 'I just can’t do this' and they were ready to quit and I was able to tell them that you can do this and don’t forget what you came here for," he reveals. "You’re here to overcome your fears, you’re this close to winning this money, do it for your partner."
Watch Ludacris kick off Fear Factor on MTV tonight.
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