Mark Estes has fully embraced his new romantic journey. Just three months after the Montana Boyz TikTok star first revealed his relationship with fellow influencer Sommer Ray, he shared that being apart from her was the toughest challenge he faced while participating in FOX’s reality series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
"Being away from my friends, family, and especially my girlfriend—that was the hardest part," Mark exclusively told E! News’ Daryn Carp on the show’s red carpet on September 9. "I’ve never been separated from them for so long without being able to even text them. It was incredibly tough."
In May, the 25-year-old—who parted ways with Kristin Cavallari in September 2024 after seven months of dating—officially confirmed his romance with Sommer in a TikTok video brimming with PDA. The clip featured the couple sharing multiple passionate kisses, with Mark even playfully giving Sommer’s behind a few affectionate taps.
Since then, the couple has continued to share similar heartwarming and playful videos documenting their adventures on various getaways. Just as their social media posts radiate joy and affection, Mark is confident that Sommer will be beaming with pride as she watches his performance on season four of Special Forces, which premieres on FOX on September 25. In an interview airing tonight, September 11, at 11 p.m. on E! News, he remarked, "She’s going to be proud."
Beyond earning his girlfriend’s admiration for his time on the show, Mark also found personal fulfillment in the experience of being sequestered from the outside world. "I discovered that I’m mentally tougher than I ever thought," he reflected. "It was pretty amazing to push myself to those limits."
Additionally, Mark forged new friendships among the cast, which includes Brittany Cartwright from The Valley, Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Teresa Giudice and her daughter Gia Giudice, Sister Wives patriarch Kody Brown, and former NFL player Johnny Manziel. "I genuinely liked them all," he said. "They’re all wonderful people."
