The Challenge has assembled the franchise's most epic lineup of heavy hitters for the milestone season 40 cast. There are a few iconic champions missing, however, from the Battle of the Eras lineup, including three-time winner Evelyn Smith. But it turns out that's not for a lack of trying.

Season 40 cast member KellyAnne Judd reveals that producers did invite Evelyn for Battle of the Eras, and even went so far as to ask KellyAnne to try and help bring Evelyn back into the Challenge family after 13 years.

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"She did get asked for season 40," KellyAnne said on Wednesday's episode of Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio's podcast, Death, Taxes, and Bananas. "They even reached out to me to try to convince her to do it. She's too busy."

After Evelyn won her third season of The Challenge — 2011's Rivals with partner Paula Meronek — she went on to get a degree from Harvard Law and began a career working on political campaigns, as well as holding other positions in government.

"I do keep in touch with Evelyn, to an extent, and she's doing great," KellyAnne, who was among the first eight contestants eliminated in season 40's second episode, said. "So busy. She's the most interesting person. Smartest, most unique person I know. I miss her so much."

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Evelyn first debuted on The Challenge during 2006's Fresh Meat as The Real World: Austin alum Danny Jamieson's draft pick. The pair was the first to be eliminated that season, but Evelyn returned and swiftly made a name for herself as one of the franchise's best female competitors.

Evelyn immediately won her next season, The Inferno 3, and later won The Island and Rivals, making her the second woman to win three seasons (Veronica Portillo was the first to earn that achievement). No other woman has been able to win three times.

Evelyn also proved herself to be a daily challenge threat and formidable elimination and political presence. Plus, she holds the record for being the youngest Challenge winner at only 19 years old.

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, on MTV.