Why the shift? In simplest terms, she’s proven more in this season than any other that hard work will get you far, and having heart with get your even farther. Time and time again, she’s been thrown into the elimination rounds either by voting or by the luck of the draw — and time and time again, she’s come back more determined and headstrong. Sure, she’s had her share of emotional moments, but she’s no longer the ā€œAttention Queenā€ or ā€œcomplainerā€ her fellow competitors once pegged her as. Now, Cara Maria isĀ theĀ force to be reckoned with and she’s gotĀ the support of her fellow vet/once most-hatedĀ ChallengeĀ star CT.
Could you imagine if Theresa walked home with the title? Or worse LAUREL. The horror! WithĀ her big face-off with LaurelĀ coming up this Thursday, broken hand and all, we’ve wanted to give a shout to our favorite Challenger. Here’s what we love about our Cara Maria:

SHE HAS AN ETSY SHOP!

In which you canĀ buy original artworkĀ by her and her ex/BFF Abram.

SHE’S A TALENTED ARTIST AND DESIGNER.

This was also co-designed by Abram. You twoooo! It’s also vegan and sells for $159.

SHE DRIVES STICK.

SHE’S A TOTAL PRANKSTER.

Ā @CaraMariaMTVĀ 
Bad Girl Confessional time: This one time…I went out and bought ex-lax “chocolate chips”…. delicately placed the…beamly.com/users/uu18ff25…

The wholeĀ confessional reads, ā€œBad Girl Confessional time: This one time…I went out and bought ex-lax ā€œchocolate chipsā€ā€¦. delicately placed them all over the frosting of a certain delicious chocolate cake….. and took away the toilet paper. He deserved it.ā€

SHE HAS A BETTER SENSE OF HUMOR THANĀ THE CHALLENGEĀ EDITORS LET ON.

YouTube video

SHE’S AN EQUESTRIAN.

Great form.

SHE’S GOT HER OWN FRAGRANCE.

Fittingly called, ā€œVamp Venom.ā€

SHE’S A TOTAL SMARTY PANTS.

She alsoĀ graduated with a psychology degreeĀ and a 3.8 GPA.
Go on with your bad self, Cara. We’re rooting for you!