5 reasons why Jojo and Nicky Scarlotta deserved to win The Circle on Netflix

Over seven seasons, we've laughed, cried, and screamed at our TVs collectively as 8-12 strangers competed to win $100,000 in Netflix's first competition reality show, The Circle. While the bond the cast of season 1 formed cannot be topped, and let's face it, most of us would like to forget the singles season ever existed, we have sat by eagerly with popcorn and wine, waiting to find out if our favorite players would prevail, or the most devious catfish would triumph. This season, maybe it was a bit of both. Spoiler alerts ahead!

This season of The Circle was unlike any other in that the players were the most cutthroat we've ever seen. The alliances were so loose if a player claimed someone was their #1, they were pretty much doomed from the start, with one exception. Finalists Gianna, aka the Scarlotta twins Nicky and JoJo, and catfish Rachel, aka Deb, bonded over their mutual hometown, Staten Island. That got them all to the end of the game, and ultimately, handed the twins $100k to...wife up Gianna? And help their family out, of course. But let's look at how they got there.

1. Expert levels of manipulation

I, admittedly, am not the Scarlotta boy's biggest fan. I have grown up around the New York bro types, and while it was a fun phase, I have no plans to foster any more boyfriends from the Northeast. Which brings me to the manipulation. Even as Gianna, JoJo and Nicky could sweet talk the habit off a nun. While K Fern was definitely gullible, it didn't take much for "Gianna" to work her magic as an influencer and with her alliances to spin things into the best outcome possible.

Kevin volunteered to throw himself under the bus not once but twice when blocking players when he absolutely did not have to. Nicky and JoJo even somehow worked their magic to get Kevin to block his strongest alliances. This is truly astonishing, and even I can admit, impressive.

2. Genuine ride or dies

Unlike other players who enjoyed backstabbing each other or creating conflict for fun (I'm looking at you, Madelyn), when the Scarlotta twins found common ground with Rachel, aka Circle momma Deb, they rode with her until the end.

They had the very noble intentions of helping their family with their winnings and possibly, but probably not any time soon, rewarding Gianna for her participation in their gameplay with some bling. Nicky, or was it JoJo? They didn't seem too enthusiastic about the idea, but they're still young. Maybe a diamond necklace is an acceptable prize for now? Don't do it, girl!

3. Record breaking super influencer status

I can't remember the last time the same set of players became super influencers, not once, not twice, but thrice. Even when the other players tried to stack the deck by intentionally ranking their competition opposite of what they wanted, the twins and Kevin still won power in the game repeatedly. While they may not be everyone's favorite players, you must admire the gameplay.

4. Flying under the radar

I'm not sure how players like Kevin and Madelyn didn't go after Gianna after seeing how the ratings continued to play out. They had an alliance, which I know isn't saying much this season, but they did step up for each other a number of times. And for a player like Madelyn, who had no problem spinning up lies to try to win the game, to not block Gianna is insane.

I'm going to agree with Rob from Rob Has a Podcast on this one. Right before the finale, when it really counts, instead of blocking the player voted most likely to win (Rachel), breaking her alliance with Kevin, or the smartest move, throwing Gianna to the wolves, she blocked Jadejha. Make it make sense! Jadejha didn't have any real alliances left. Her Circle husband, Darian, and her Circle bestie, Garret, were blocked by Kevin. The word alliance didn't mean much this season.

It was a huge mistake for someone to rock the boat as much as Madelyn did and not take the secret opportunity to block one of her two biggest competitors. She didn't have any loyalty to Gianna. Did we miss something behind the scenes?

5. Nobody wanted this

OK, maybe that's an exaggeration. The Scarlotta twins did manage to win over quite a few fans as the season went on. As both season 6 winner Brandon Baker and I have discussed at length, though, they didn't give us anything to root for. We didn't see any true connection or glimpse into the boys' emotional side. I binged the entire season and still have no clue who is who.

They certainly aren't universally loved like Brandon or some of the other winners, like season 1's Joey Sasso (also from New York but way more lovable), or season 3's James Andre Jefferson, Jr. While I personally would have preferred Cat Daddy Garret to win, maybe it was finally time for a change. We love to root for our favorites, but JoJo and Nicky definitely played the best game, and that deserves recognition.

Congrats to Nicky and JoJo Scarlotta, the winners of season 7 of The Circle! I hope you treat Gianna to a well-deserved night out.

Who were you rooting for on this season of The Circle?