Too Hot To Handle Season 2: 5 Players Who Deserved To Win (& 5 That Didn’t)

Season 2 of Netflix’s mega-popular reality dating game show Too Hot To Handle just concluded its 10-episode run, declaring French model Marvin Anthony as the ultimate winner. Over the course of four weeks, Marvin bested 14 other horny housemates who were challenged to remain as celibate as possible while engaging in genuinely meaningful romances. The two runners-up included second-place finisher Cam Holmes, and third-place finisher Carly Lawrence.

Despite breaking Lana’s cardinal rule, Marvin won the game by showing the most personal growth in his relationship with Melinda Melrose. However, he had several worthy competitors that could have won as well, and some unworthy ones who never had a chance.

10 Emily – Deserving

As one of the original contestants to survive all 10 episodes en route to a spot as a finalist, British model Emily Miller deserved to walk away with the prize money. The primary reason why was her unwavering loyalty to Cam, the cheeky model from South Wales with whom she became an official couple at the end of the show.

Although she was the first to break Lana’s kissing rule with Cam, she never strayed from her true feelings for him, even when his wandering eye went towards Christina and Tabitha.

9 Joey – Undeserving

It’s hard to consider any player who entered the game during Episode 6 as worthy of winning. Moreover, Miami playboy Joey Joy only pursued a serious relationship with Canadian model Carly when his first option, Melinda, friend-zoned him in favor of Marvin.

However, once he forged a bond with Carly, it became clear that the two of them shared a legitimate romance. As such, they ended the show as one of the better couples. Still, with very limited time to test his long-term celibacy, the other players endured far more painful sacrifices than Joey did.

8 Larissa – Deserving

By being the only contestant to leave the show of her own volition, New Zealand lawyer Larissa Townson proved she deserved to win in a roundabout way. After forging an apparently meaningful romance with British stripper Nathan Webb, he accused her of being more interested in the prize money than getting physical with him.

Instead of sticking around and angling for the money, Larissa decided to leave the show knowing that her only shot at true love was with Nathan. She proved that she was serious all along, much to the rueful dismay of Nathan.

7 Tabitha – Undeserving

As another short-lived player who only appeared in the last four episodes, Londoner Tabitha Cliftt hardly deserved to make it as a finalist, much less win the whole shebang. To find a genuine romance, Tabitha unapologetically home-wrecked the budding romance between Chase and Carly.

Once Tabitha entered the villa, she and Chase found an instant mutual attraction. Chase left Carly to be with her, at which point Tabitha had zero qualms about flirting with Cam in the shower.

6 Carly – Deserving

Although she seemed to kiss every contestant under the sun at one point on the dating game show, once Carly settled down with one person, she showed tremendous loyalty and a sincere willingness to get serious. After Chase dumped her for Tabitha, Carly ultimately rebounded with the more suitable Joey.

Carly still harbored feeling for Chase when she and Joey began talking, but over time, Joey proved to her that Chase was the absolute wrong guy for her. In the end, Carly showed enough growth in the eyes of Lana to take home a respectable third-place finish.

5 Nathan – Undeserving

While his feelings were understandable at the time, Nathan’s bad misreading of his situation with Larissa backfired in an inglorious fashion. While he was right to wonder if Larissa was more interested in money than love, he was wrong to leave her in the cold and begin pursuing Elle Monae without talking to her to express their feelings.

When Larissa proved money was not the goal by leaving the show on her own, Nathan felt awful but still remained coupled with Elle. Unfortunately, after being one of the strongest players in the first half of the season, Nathan ended with a whimper.

4 Melinda – Deserving

Considering her partner took home the top prize on the guilty-pleasure dating show, it’s obvious that Melinda Melrose could have just as easily been named champion. At no point in the show did Melinda waver in her undying passion for Marvin. She had legitimate feels for him from day one to the finale.

Although she could have swayed when she was pursued by Peter early on and later by Joey, Melinda never hesitated to remain faithful to Marvin. While she did break the ultimate no-sex rule, which incurred a $20,000 penalty, Lana knew that Melinda and Marvin were serious enough to avoid elimination. In the end, Marvin and Melinda became boyfriend and girlfriend.

3 Cam – Undeserving

Although the rebellious rulebreaker Cam earned a second-place finish, he’s lucky to have not been evicted in the early going. Cam was the first male to break the no-kissing rule, the first to masturbate in the house, and the one who encouraged others to follow his lead to break more rules.

Cam ultimately came around to realize what a special thing he had with Emily, despite an early date with South African model Christina Carmela and a brief shower flirtation with Tabitha. Considering all he put her through, Emily was much more deserving to win the game.

2 Marvin – Deserving

The dashing and debonair Frenchman Marvin Anthony was the clear player to beat on Too Hot To Handle 2. He entered the villa and immediately swept the women off their feet, but always remained loyal to his instant attraction, Melinda.

After breaking Lana’s cardinal no-sex rule, Marvin and Melinda actively took their relationship to the next level, including a heartfelt sunset scene in which Marvin spoke about his romantic past, his love for his mother, and how he views Melinda as family. With eyes for nobody else, Marvin won the prize money and Melinda’s heart in one fell swoop.

1 Chase – Undeserving

For the first half of the season, semi-pro football player Chase DeMoor showcased one of the most magnetic personalities on the show. However, once he left Carly in the dust for the newly arrived Tabitha, he showed his true colors.

After leaving Carly when things got stale, Chase did make a concerted effort to take things more seriously with Tabitha. He became a finalist as a result, but at no point demonstrated the kind of commitment to be named a winner. He even narrowly avoided eviction in Episode 4.