The drama is already heating up before a single episode of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 4 even hits our screens, and the spotlight is firmly fixed on Sister Wives star Kody Brown. The show is set to premiere September 25th, but tensions from the filming set have already spilled into the public—and it’s Kody who’s taking the heat.

Two of his fellow cast members, Brianna “Chicken Fry” LaPaglia and Gia Giudice, haven’t held back their thoughts about him, and the shade is strong. The kicker? The show hasn’t even aired yet, and Kody has managed to become the most talked-about personality in the cast—though not for reasons he might like.

Brianna Chicken Fry Throws the First Punch

Barstool Sports personality Brianna Chicken Fry was the first to speak out, admitting that while filming, she had no idea who Kody Brown was at the time—and frankly, she didn’t care for him either. In a now-expired Instagram story, Brianna reportedly said, “Let’s just say I didn’t know who he was… and we didn’t necessarily get along. You’ll see.”

That blunt remark already hinted at behind-the-scenes friction, and fans are buzzing over what might have gone down during the grueling Special Forces challenges. Considering the format of the show—pushing celebrities to their physical and mental limits—tension and clashing personalities are practically guaranteed. But it looks like Kody’s presence turned that tension up to an entirely new level.

Gia Giudice Adds Fuel to the Fire

If Brianna’s comments were the opening jab, Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Gia Giudice just delivered a follow-up hit. In the August 8th episode of her Casual Chaos podcast—just days after her casting was announced—Gia gave fans a peek into the cast dynamics without naming names.

While she said she generally got along with most people, she admitted that “some people get under your skin a little bit” and teased that viewers would see exactly who she was talking about once the season aired. She didn’t have to mention Kody by name; everyone connected the dots instantly. As Gia herself put it, “You guys have already been talking about him,” referring to the flood of online chatter around Kody’s inclusion in the show.

Kody Brown’s Controversial Casting

Kody’s presence on Special Forces raised eyebrows from the moment it was announced. His appearance comes on the heels of the implosion of his polygamous marriages to Meri, Christine, and Janelle—three divorces in just 14 months. He remains legally married only to Robyn Brown, who joined the family in 2010 through a spiritual ceremony before legally marrying Kody in 2014.

His fractured relationships with many of his 18 children have been a recurring point of discussion among Sister Wives fans, and it’s no surprise that other reality TV personalities—known for speaking their minds—might not hold back in challenging him. The idea of Kody, with his own strong personality, being thrown into a group full of competitive, outspoken celebrities is already setting the stage for fireworks.

A Star-Studded—and Potentially Explosive—Cast

Season 4 of Special Forces boasts a diverse roster, from reality TV veterans to professional athletes. Alongside Kody, Brianna, and Gia, the lineup includes Gia’s mom Teresa Giudice (RHONJ icon and table-flipping legend), Olympic athletes, former NFL stars, country singer Jessie James Decker, and more.

The format will test these celebrities with brutal, military-style challenges in a foreign country, pushing them beyond their physical and emotional limits. The mix of egos, competitive spirit, and pre-existing reputations means conflict is practically inevitable. As one commentator put it, “You put people with big personalities and bigger opinions together in a high-stress environment, and you’ve got TV gold.”

Why Fans Are So Invested

Kody Brown’s casting is particularly fascinating because it places him outside the Sister Wives bubble, where he’s usually surrounded by family and TLC cameras. On Special Forces, he can’t control the narrative or rely on long-form editing to soften his image. He’ll be facing challenges alongside people who have no personal loyalty to him—and who may have already formed strong opinions based on his public persona.

It’s easy to imagine potential conflicts: fellow cast members calling him out for his fractured family relationships, questioning his leadership style, or simply clashing with his personality. With Teresa Giudice in the mix—famous for never holding back—many fans are hoping for at least one explosive confrontation.

Behind-the-Scenes Buzz

While the show’s secrecy rules prevent cast members from revealing too much before the premiere, Brianna and Gia’s comments have already stirred speculation. What exactly happened between them and Kody? Was it a clash of personalities during a challenge? A disagreement over strategy? Or something more personal that struck a nerve?

Adding to the anticipation, both women hinted that their on-screen interactions with Kody would be memorable—and not in a warm, fuzzy way. That’s music to the ears of reality TV fans who thrive on conflict and high-stakes drama.

Why Kody Might Not Last Long

Some fans are already predicting that Kody won’t survive long in the competition. Special Forces is notorious for its intensity, and cast members can be eliminated or voluntarily withdraw if they can’t handle the physical or mental demands. Considering Kody’s sometimes combative attitude and tendency to avoid accountability—at least according to his critics—viewers are betting he’ll tap out early.

That potential early exit, however, wouldn’t necessarily mean less screen time. If the early days of filming were as tense as Brianna and Gia suggest, Kody’s short stint could still dominate the season’s storylines.

Family Reactions and Public Image

Kody’s Sister Wives family hasn’t publicly commented on his new reality TV venture, but fans are speculating about how his wives and children might feel seeing him compete on a physically demanding show instead of focusing on repairing strained relationships at home.

This public appearance could be a double-edged sword for his image: on one hand, it’s an opportunity to show a different side of himself; on the other, it risks reinforcing negative perceptions if the reported conflicts play out on screen.

The Waiting Game Until September 25th

With the premiere date still weeks away, the pre-show drama is only building anticipation. Fans are already dissecting cast interviews, rewatching social media clips, and trading theories about what went down during filming.

Given the personalities involved, it’s almost certain that season 4 will deliver not only physical challenges but also some of the sharpest verbal sparring the series has ever seen. And if the early shade from Brianna and Gia is any indication, Kody Brown might find himself at the center of it all—whether he likes it or not.

Bottom line: Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 4 hasn’t even premiered yet, and Kody Brown has already been slammed by his castmates, become the most talked-about contestant, and fueled weeks of online speculation. The real battles may not be against the elements or grueling military drills—they might be the wars of words and willpower between some of reality TV’s most outspoken personalities.

Mark your calendars for September