Christopher Mintz-Plasse Reflects on Early ‘Stars on Mars’ Exit: Health Scare, Reality TV Challenges, and Future Endeavors

In the high-stakes world of reality television, someone always has to be the first to go. For FOX’s ambitious new series, Stars on Mars, that unfortunate distinction fell to actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Known for his iconic role as McLovin in Superbad, Mintz-Plasse became the inaugural celebrity eliminated after the very first mission on the simulated Martian landscape. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, the actor candidly shared his thoughts on his early departure, attributing it to a unique combination of “bad luck” and a concerning health scare that profoundly impacted his experience.

Mintz-Plasse admitted his primary goal going into the competition was to avoid being the first eliminated. “It sucks because in my pre-show interview, I was like, I just don’t want to be the first one gone. Everybody remembers the first one gone. They don’t remember the third or fourth. Everyone remembers the first person,” he lamented. This sentiment highlights a common anxiety among reality show contestants, where the stigma of an early exit can overshadow the experience itself. For an actor who thrives on memorable roles, becoming the “first one out” was indeed a significant disappointment.

The actor expressed his genuine enthusiasm for the show’s concept, particularly its “escape room” aesthetic, which he deeply enjoys in his personal life. After two lengthy preparatory days, the moment finally arrived for the inaugural mission: building a satellite. Donning the incredibly heavy spacesuits, which caused significant back discomfort after hours of wear, the celebrities were eager to finally engage in the core activity. “We put our spacesuits on. They’re super heavy. Our backs are hurting. We’re wearing them for multiple hours, and they’re like, alright, you’re gonna get out there and do the mission. I was like, yes, finally,” Christopher recounted, capturing the anticipation felt by the entire cast. However, this excitement quickly turned to alarm when the habitat doors opened.

“They opened the door, and then there was $20,000 worth of fake red dust blowing straight at our faces. I have chronic asthma, so it sucked,” Mintz-Plasse revealed, describing the pivotal moment that derailed his mission. This unexpected environmental challenge proved to be a severe health risk for him. He detailed his immediate reaction: “I’ve had asthma attacks on movie sets before when there’s a lot of smoke and stuff. I had to stand back, and I was really scared for my health.” The intense dust not only impeded his ability to fully participate but also forced him to prioritize his well-being over the competition. This fear for his health, he believes, was a critical factor in his subsequent elimination. The irony of being sidelined by dust on a simulated Mars, rather than by a lack of skill or strategy, was not lost on him. It was a cruel twist of fate for someone so ready to embrace the physical and mental challenges.

Reflecting on the unfairness of the situation, Christopher later discussed the mission structure with the show’s producers and writers. “I met the writers because after you leave the habitat, you get to meet some of the producers and writers. I was like, can you tell me some of the other missions they’re doing? In the trailer for next week, they’re like rappelling down a giant cliff and shooting flame throwers. I was like, put that first. If you did that first, I’d still be here right now. I got really bad luck that that was the first one.” His frustration is palpable; he felt genuinely prepared for more physically demanding and strategically complex tasks. To be taken out by an unforeseen health vulnerability on the very first challenge was, in his view, simply a stroke of incredibly bad luck.

Joining Stars on Mars wasn’t an immediate decision for Mintz-Plasse. When he first received the offer, he was initially hesitant about participating in a reality show. As an actor primarily known for character roles, the idea of exposing his unscripted self 24/7 was daunting. However, after reviewing the impressive cast list and understanding the show’s unique premise – a heavily funded production blending escape room elements with space simulation – he began to reconsider. “They’re trying to do something different than what’s been done. They’re putting a lot of money into this. It’s got an escape room kind of aesthetic to it, which I really like, doing a lot of missions,” he explained, highlighting the appeal of its adventurous and puzzle-solving aspects. A conversation with his fiancée ultimately swayed him. “I talked to my fiance and I was like, what should I do here? She’s like, take a swing. Do something new. Get out of your comfort zone.” This advice pushed him to embrace the challenge and step into an entirely new realm of performance and public exposure.

The experience of being constantly filmed in the remote Australian Outback, where the Martian habitat was constructed, proved to be an intense adjustment. “It was hard for me to get the hang of being filmed 24/7 all the time. It’s not a world I’ve ever done before,” Christopher admitted. Unlike his usual acting roles where he could “hide behind a character” or rely on pre-written dialogue, Stars on Mars demanded an authentic, unscripted presence. Despite the initial discomfort and the eventual early exit, he remains positive about the decision. “But it was exciting and challenging. I’m glad I did it, and I was the first one gone. It hurts my ego a little bit,” he confessed, acknowledging the personal sting of being the first eliminated while still valuing the unique adventure and the personal growth it offered.

Even with his early departure, Mintz-Plasse had some clear insights into who might go the distance on Stars on Mars. The celebrities still battling it out for survival on the Red Planet include notable figures such as Lance Armstrong, Ariel Winter, Ronda Rousey, and Marshawn Lynch, among others. Christopher specifically championed two individuals for their leadership and physical capabilities.

“Definitely Ronda. She’s got a winner’s attitude, and she’s a good leader,” Christopher confidently told HollywoodLife, referring to mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey. Her competitive background and inherent drive make her a formidable contender in any challenge. He also highlighted the strengths of former NFL star Richard Sherman. “Richard Sherman was great. Anytime someone was getting down, he was kind of pulling his Pete Carroll side out of him, who was his coach in Seattle. He was building everybody up. He’s like, you can’t say you can’t do anything, you can do everything. He was really being a good team leader.” Sherman’s ability to motivate and uplift his fellow contestants, drawing on his experience with a highly successful coaching philosophy, makes him an invaluable asset to the team. Mintz-Plasse summarized his predictions by saying, “They’re both physically beautiful specimens, so they can be the leader side, and they can do the athletic side. I feel like those two have a good chance.” Their combination of physical prowess, mental fortitude, and strong leadership qualities positions them well for a deep run in the competition.

Despite his brief stint on the Red Planet, Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s schedule for the remainder of the year is packed with exciting and diverse projects, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. “I’m doing Trolls 3, which is super exciting,” the actor shared, indicating his continued involvement in popular animated franchises. Beyond voice acting, he’s also venturing into creative development: “I’m trying to develop an animated show with Comedy Central right now, which is super cool.” This move into production underscores his desire to expand his creative footprint in the industry. Mintz-Plasse also channels his artistic energy into music, revealing, “I play bass in my band, which is called Colorvision. We’re getting in the studio soon.” Furthermore, he’s set to join singer-songwriter Ben Kweller on tour, playing bass for him in early July with shows planned in Denver, Oklahoma City, and Texas. The highlight of his musical calendar will be an appearance at the prestigious Austin City Limits festival in October. “So I got some good music stuff coming up,” he concluded, clearly enthusiastic about his various ventures beyond the simulated Martian environment. While his journey on Stars on Mars may have ended sooner than expected, Christopher Mintz-Plasse clearly has a universe of projects keeping him busy and creatively fulfilled. Fans can catch new episodes of Stars on Mars airing Mondays on FOX.