Bre Tiesi shocks Nick Cannon with Special Forces debut, his reaction revealed

**Bre Tiesi Announces Joining Fox’s Special Forces Season 5, Nick Cannon Responds**

Bre Tiesi has signed on for the fifth season of Fox’s reality competition *Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test*, a program that places celebrity recruits in a grueling version of the U.S. Special Forces selection process. The season is set to debut tonight at 9 p.m.

Eastern Time on Fox, and Tiesi’s involvement has already sparked speculation among fans and industry insiders alike.

Tiesi revealed the reaction of her partner, actor and producer Nick Cannon, during an exclusive interview with Page Six’s Virtual Reali‑Tea. , Cannon’s first comment was simply, “Good luck,” before following up with a more skeptical tone: “Girl, why?

Why do you want to do this?” The exchange underscored the tension between Cannon’s reluctance and Tiesi’s enthusiasm for the physically demanding challenge.

Special Forces pits its celebrity contestants against a series of endurance‑testing obstacles and tactical scenarios, guided by former military operatives. In this season, Tiesi will compete alongside other familiar faces, but she credits her ex‑husband, former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, with convincing her to sign on.

Manziel himself had previously appeared on Season 4, only to voluntarily withdraw during a claustrophobia‑inducing tunnel crawl challenge. The decision to pursue the series was made after Tiesi and Manziel tied the knot in March 2018, separated in 2019, and finalized their divorce in November 2021.

## Background & Context

Tiesi and Cannon have maintained an on‑again, off‑again open partnership for several years, a dynamic that has been described in a 2024 episode of the “Wednesdays” podcast.

Tiesi noted that the couple were “very much together” at the time of recording, though she admitted Cannon has “other partners.” The pair share a four‑year‑old son, Legendary, who was born to them in 2018.

While Tiesi’s marriage to Manziel ended in 2021, Cannon’s prolific family life includes 11 children from relationships with Mariah Carey, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, LaNisha Cole and Alyssa Scott, as well as the tragic loss of son Zen in 2021.

Tiesi’s decision to join Special Forces came after her ex‑husband, Johnny Manziel, encouraged her to sign on for the season. Manziel had first appeared on the series in Season 4, where he voluntarily withdrew from a claustrophobia‑inducing challenge that required him to crawl through underground tunnels.

Tiesi explained that Manziel warned she would “hate” discussing her personal story with the directing staff, yet she persisted. Her choice reflects the growing trend of reality stars seeking physically demanding challenges to showcase resilience and versatility.

Narratives around Cannon’s stance have surfaced from Tiesi herself, who said he would never consider doing Special Forces. When Tiesi revealed his initial reaction, it was a mix of support and skepticism. “Good luck,” he reportedly said, followed by a more pointed question: “Girl, why?

Why do you want to do this?” These comments highlight the contrast between Cannon’s reluctance and Tiesi’s determination to tackle the grueling program.

## What People Are Saying

Tiesi told the Virtual Reali‑Tea that Cannon’s first words were a simple, encouraging “Good luck,” before he quickly followed with a more questioning tone. She noted he had said: “Girl, why?

Why do you want to do this?” The conversation revealed that while Cannon offered verbal support, he remained uncertain about the extreme demands of the program. Tiesi also emphasized that Cannon would never consider participating in Special Forces, a stance she reiterated throughout the interview.

Her comments suggest a clear divide between her desire to test her limits and Cannon’s reluctance to step into such an intense environment.

Manziel, who had previously appeared on Season 4 of Special Forces, encouraged Tiesi to sign on for the fifth season. He reportedly told her: “No, you can do this.” The former NFL quarterback warned that Tiesi would “hate” talking about her personal story with the directing staff, yet she was persuaded to take on the challenge.

Manziel’s own experience on the show—voluntarily withdrawing from a claustrophobia‑inducing tunnel crawl—provides a backdrop for his confidence in her abilities.

Cannon’s extensive family includes 11 other children from relationships with Mariah Carey, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, LaNisha Cole and Alyssa Scott, as well as the tragic loss of son Zen in 2021. While these details are unrelated to the Special Forces program, they contextualize Cannon’s personal life during the discussion.

## What Happens Next

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 5 is scheduled to premiere tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox. Viewers will see Tiesi face the same rigorous training regimen that has challenged former military personnel and celebrities alike.

The show’s producers have not yet released a detailed lineup of contestants, but Tiesi’s participation signals a new chapter in her public persona.

Fans and followers of Tiesi are expected to monitor her progress throughout the series, as her performance could influence her future career options. Meanwhile, Cannon’s reaction—expressed in interviews—may become a point of discussion among viewers interested in celebrity reality show dynamics.

As the competition unfolds, industry analysts will likely assess how participation in a physically demanding program affects a star’s brand and public perception.

With the first episode airing tonight, viewers can anticipate seeing whether Tiesi will endure the grueling challenges and how her participation might redefine her public image.

Only time will tell if Bre Tiesi’s foray into Special Forces will set a new benchmark for celebrity endurance shows.