On AXN-Asia tonight, the teams for the 2nd version of the Amazing Race Asia were revealed. Last sesason, fan favorites Zabrina and Joe Jer became the first all-female team to win any version of The Amazing Race. While last season had teams that mostly played nice, it appears this season will be more cutthroat. There will be 10 teams of 2 and the show follows the formula of the US TAR. The first season was wildly successful for AXN and with twice as many applicants for this season than last, it appears we’ll see more seasons of TARA.
Let’s meet the teams. All pictures and bios were culled from the AXN-TARA site.
Adrian and Collin
Friends
Collin (left): Singapore
35, Regional Sales Manager
Adrian: Singapore
27, Business Development Manager
Young, energetic and passionate about their fitness regime, gym buddies, Collin and Adrian from Singapore are in such good shape that they could be the perfect poster boys for being fit and healthy. In fact, one can hardly tell that this team holds a secret which can prove to either be a setback or a huge advantage in The Amazing Race Asia! The jovial pair will proudly tell you, and expressively too, that Adrian has a hearing disability and relies on sign language to communicate with his teammate, Collin.
Having first met in a gym nine months ago, where Collin works as a part-time fitness and pilates instructor, these two fitness fanatics found similar interests in swimming, running and traveling and formed a quick friendship. So when they learned about the second season of their favorite race around the world, it was not hard to decide to sign up together.
While some may see Adrian’s hearing disability as a hindrance in the race, the guys feel that it may reinforce their friendship. As Collin explains, “This is a good opportunity to know each other better. I like the challenges. Even though we are both active in sports, I believe that this race requires more than just physical fitness, to work as a team.”
While Adrian may be younger, he will have you know that he is no pushover to be underestimated. Claiming to be the more adventurous of the duo, Adrian is always on a look out for challenges in his life to conquer.
In fact, The Amazing Race Asia is not his first adventure around the globe. Last year, he took part in a prestigious Clipper Race, an annual round the world yacht race that saw him navigating the seas for three whole months. Not only was he the first deaf Asian person to enter the race, he actually had no sea faring experience to speak of!
Just the same, this team is looking forward to having the race open up opportunities for them to get to know more of Asia. Describing their love of travel as a great passion, both Collin and Adrian profess a great hunger for knowledge about the world and people’s culture and custom.
For their game strategy, both are planning to rely on teamwork, and will not start to blame the other if something does not happen as planned. Collin also promises that his team will always be using ethical ways to win. And if that doesn’t work, they can rely on their uncanny ability to figure things out together. As Adrian describes it, “We think alike in so many ways, usually in unanticipated situations. It’s amazing.”
Brett & Kinar
Dating
Brett: Indonesia
26, Physiotherapist
Kinaryosih: Indonesia
28, Model/Actress
Good looking does not even scratch the surface when it comes to describing the glamorous Brett and Kinaryosih! Sure, her excuse is that she is a rising actress with several TV shows and movies under her belt, but with him, he looks like anything but your everyday physiotherapist. First impressions aside, will this beautiful duo dazzle audiences or outshine the competition, or do both?
Roughing it on The Amazing Race Asia, having to perform obstacles and putting yourself in embarrassing situations is not a regular role one would expect from a model and actress, but both Brett, 26 and Kinaryosih, 28, are putting their love for traveling above everything else. After all, it was a passion for visiting new places that brought the two love birds together two years ago.
And this travel lust is their primary reason for taking part in the race – to take in new sights and experiences. “You never know where your travels might bring you,” reckons Brett, with Kinaryosih nodding her head in silent agreement beside him.
They too like to indulge in travel programmes on television. Explains Brett, “We love to watch travel shows on TV. We always say that would be a really good job, to be paid to travel around the world.” And yes, The Amazing Race is a constant staple on their television set. Other than lounging at home in Jakarta, Indonesia where they both live, Brett is also a surfer who loves working out and going to the movies. When she is not on set, Kinaryosih prefers to take it easy by reading a good book, or taking a long nap.
Admittedly, they do not necessarily have a complete strategy when it comes to the race, except to stay calm under stress, be good to each other and of course, do their best. One thing they did as preparation was to pick a list of potential destination countries they thought the race might hit, and come up with a few strategies around those locations. Would their efforts pay off?
“You’ll find out in the race,” reveals an enigmatic Brett.
This playful side gives a hidden insight on the couple, who admit that there are some individual faults they fear they would have to address during the race. For Brett, it is coming to terms that when it comes to time management. On the other hand, Kinaryosih says she can be impatient, which could cause her hot temper to flare up.
On the flip side though, Brett maintains that Kinaryosih is very much down to earth, cheerful and daring… so don’t discount her as being content with playing the role of the damsel in distress. But to get to know the real Brett and Kinaryosih, the best way is to tune in to the race!
Paula & Natasha
Childhood Friends
Paula (left): Thailand
24, Actress/VJ/Model
Natasha: Thailand
24, Public Relations/Brand Consultant
One works as a VJ in Bangkok, Thailand, and is a rising, hot starlet, having appeared in several Thai movies since 2002. The other is more than likely a sight for sore eyes at the mining company where she works at, dealing with, well, explosives. What Paula Taylor and Natasha Monks have in common, besides turning 24 this year and in possession of sizzling good looks, is a lifetime of friendship and the intent to win The Amazing Race Asia.
What sets these two girls apart from the millions of The Amazing Race fans around the world is that they are more than just armchair fans who point to the goggle box and say they can do better if given half the chance. Instead, they grasped the chance and signed up. Says Paula, “Whenever we watch it, it’s one of those things where we go, we can do that. Now we have the chance to prove it to people.”
Born three months apart, the two best buddies were clearly destined to be more than mere friends. Both their mothers were best friends so it was no surprise that both girls grew up close to one another each other. Even when the girls got separated when their families started shuttling between Thailand and Australia, their friendship held strong across the seas.
One reason for that is because both are the easy going sort. “We get along with others easily and are always happy. Plus we react to situations the same way,” notes Paula. In fact, both say they are soul mates, having gone through life together and always doing things the same way. And these childhood gal-pals are quick to point out too that their mutual love for travel and meeting new people would be their edge in The Amazing Race Asia. “It’s always fun meeting new people where ever they’re from because people are only foreign until you get to know them,” says Natasha, a self- described single girl who is happy “playing the field”. Even Paula says her friend reminds her of Samantha Jones, from TV series, Sex and the City.
And Paula is more than willing to let her outgoing friend take on the lead during the race. Paula notes, “Natasha finds it easy to talk to new people whereas I’m more reserved and shy.”
But not so shy to want to prove to her viewers back home what she is capable off, which is one of the reasons why she took part. “Being a public figure I have a certain image that people assume of me so I would like to add another dimension to ‘Paula Taylor’.”
Natasha is also more than happy to rise to the defense of her friend. “Paula is a lot more girly than me and everyone loves her for some reason. You put up with it because she has a pretty smile.”
And should the girls do something mean for the race, though both won’t admit to planning anything, it will be up to Paula to save the day. Noting with a sly smile, “If we ever do anything mean, I’ll make sure we’ll smile the whole time,” adds Paula.
And if nothing else works? “Well, we’re very fun people. And we will entertain you!” she promises.
Sawaka & Daichi
Sister & Brother
Sawaka: Japan
28, Singer, Interpreter
Daichi: Japan
26, Interpreter
Like all kids at that age, Sawaka and Daichi, from Tokyo, Japan, enjoyed doing everything together, even fighting over toys and games. But did you know… this mild-manner pair came to blows once in an unforgettable fight that even resulted in blood being drawn?
“It started with a really silly reason. I bumped into his video game machine and all the data was gone. He was very mad and we got into a fist fight. We were even bleeding at the end,” recalls a sweet Sawaka, who works as a singer/songwriter and interpreter.
Nonetheless, the siblings both grew up very close and often played sports together (both love soccer and basketball). And even though Daichi holds a black belt in Karate, Sawaka was always keeping a lookout for her younger brother.
“She was so caring that I got embarrassed in front of my friends,” he jokes of her sometimes overprotective nature.
So how did these two siblings who have so much in common let things fall apart? A few years ago, Daichi chose to get married without informing his family. When it was discovered, this secret union was a big blow to Sawaka and the start of some unhappy memories to follow. But both are keen to put their discord behind them and race for the grand prize.
The race could be the perfect solution for the both of them to get back on as a team, especially since they will be using special skills that they picked up while growing up in various cities around the world (Mexico, China, and United States) for almost two decades. Besides being fluent in English, Japanese and Spanish, Sawaka and Daichi have a wealth of experience surviving in countries where they are out of sync with the local culture and language.
As for their reasons for taking part, Sawaka has long been a fan of reality television shows and couldn’t resist applying when she found out that Japan residents were also allowed to enter. More importantly, the singer also sees the show as a stepping stone in getting her music beyond Japan. “This is a chance for many people to listen to my music,” she says.
Interesting! Watch out for this feisty yet fun duo as they possibly fight or talk their way through the race to the finish line… and there Sawaka might just belt out a song or two!
Edwin & Monica
Dating
Monica: Hong Kong
28, Actress/Model/Student
Edwin: Hong Kong
26, Event Organizer
Drama has always been the spice that drives the lives of this team. Monica is an actress who knows the subject all too well in her day job, while Edwin has been nicknamed “Drama King” by his friends.
Both also look to drum up the drama in this race, by calling themselves to be the Rob and Amber (from the US version) of this race. But unlike the infamous duo, these two just want to instill fear in the other teams as they bring their A game onto the race, and create something worth watching. Proudly declaring the teams from first season of The Amazing Race Asia to be boring, can both create another irresistible on-screen racing duo?
These high school sweethearts and former Toronto, Canada residents believe so. Edwin exclaims, “I think we would bring heat and excitement to the viewers. We would make it a better show.”
Monica certainly has the chops for it, with 17 Hong Kong movies under her belt as well as several Hong Kong television dramas. A model turned actress since taking home the Miss Chinese International Pageant title in 1997, Monica has acted across th
e likes of Hong Kong heartthrob Daniel Wu, to Hollywood action star, Steven Seagal. The pressures of her day job should be comparable to taking on nine other teams in a race towards the finish line.
While they are confident of their standing, Edwin and Monica think their friends will not believe their ears when they hear that they are in The Amazing Race Asia, because of a huge fiasco that happened when they were dating. Edwin was late in meeting Monica in Amsterdam for a holiday once, because he overslept and missed the flight.
So to all their dismissive friends, this chance to participate in The Amazing Race Asia offers them an opportunity to show their buddies otherwise. “We have to prove it to them that we are the best team and we’re going to win,” says Edwin.
All bravado aside though, Monica is hoping that this experience will solidify her relationship with Edwin. “We have been dating on and off for 10 years and I want to take it to the next level.”
Perhaps in response to a topic he is all but familiar with, Edwin merely gives a sardonic smile and says, “Let’s try to stay on topic here.”
But despite his silent protests, Edwin confesses that the worse time of his life was when Monica returned to Hong Kong, while he still had three years of school left in Toronto. The first thing he did after graduation was to follow her halfway across the world back to Hong Kong.
And in his own words, Edwin also hopes “to build a more special bond with my partner” during the race… Need we say more?
Sophie & Aurelia
Ex-Housemates
Aurelia (left): Hong Kong
27, Model
Sophie: Hong Kong
27, Writer
Both in the prime of their life, Hong Kong residents, Sophie and Aurelia are attractive, outgoing, and personable but any other noticeable similarities stop here as both cannot be as different as night and day when it comes to their personalities.
A former writer in an advertising agency who had to quit her job to take part in the race, Sophie is the more serious and reflective of the two. She hopes her participation in the race will one day lead to her lifelong dream of becoming a TV presenter and travel writer.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is Aurelia, a bubbly and chatty model who loves meeting interesting people of other cultures and places, has jet-set around the world and touched the land of 44 different countries. Ever the independent woman, Aurelia left Provence, France when she was barely 18, and moved to various cities like Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, and now Hong Kong.
Both girls met two years ago through a mutual friend when Aurelia was looking for a place to stay. Sophie offered to let her crash in her apartment for a few days that turned into several months and the rest is history. While things started off well, it soon became obvious that each had their own dominant personality that clashed when put in the same room.
The things they have in common are enjoyable ones like shopping, spa treatments and partying, but it ends there. Calling what they have a love/hate relationship, Aurelia notes that Sophie is “the neatest person I ever met”, while admitting that she is the messiest person Sophie knows.
Yet, when both found out that each was interested in participating in The Amazing Race Asia, it was decided that competing together would make more sense than competing against each other.
Aurelia also admits that this race might also provide her with some maturity, which her teammate is more than willing to point out she lacks. But together, the girls have seen all previous seasons of The Amazing Race and have compiled together a list of rules that makes up their game plan.
Rule 1: Use the people around you, especially the locals. Don’t be afraid to ask them for information or take them with you. Rule 2: At the airport, never ask for the first plane to depart but for the first one to land. Rule 3: Do not hesitate to pay a taxi to lead the way. Spare money is useless when you’re last.
And last of all, use their God given gifts. Says Aurelia, “Smiling always works better than getting angry, especially when you’re a woman.”
Let’s wait and see!
Marc & Rovilson
Best Buddies
Marc (left): Philippines
31 (35?), TV Host and Model
Rovilson: Philippines
30 (34?), TV Host and Magazine Editor
No Amazing Race show can be without its hunk factor and that is where Marc and Rovilson from the Philippines come in. This is one team with the two flamboyant individuals, who dish out a mixture of comedy and ego with a ton of sass. Both TV hosts by day, Rovilson also works as a magazine editor while Marc is a model, whose face, and rather well toned body, has graced the cover of many magazines.
From the get-go, the combination of Marc and Rovilson, is a potent mixture that cannot be taken seriously. Otherwise, you will miss out on the constant ribbing dished out by the friends of four years, as they lovingly slam each other with put down and insults, all in the name of friendship.
Even before the race, Rovilson is very sure that his Aussie buddy will do something disappointing during the competition while Marc is deathly afraid that his American friend will show his true nature in the competition, which happens to be constantly late for everything.
“But I’ve learned to accept him as a friend, even with his faults. Plus, I tell him to turn up an hour before he actually needs to be there,” Marc quips.
At the same time, Rovilson happily describes his friend as someone who lets his female co-host do all the dirty work on television, and also hosts beauty pageants for a living.
Such is the basis of a friendship that started with a mutual friend 4 years ago, which showed both men that they were not that different, as both love a good laugh, and share an equally wicked sense of humor. So what exactly is the biggest difference between them both?
As Marc puts it with a straight face, “I’ve got hair.”
Marc is looking forward to the joy of hamming it up with his buddy on screen, and challenging themselves to win. In fact, this is his main reason for competing on the show. “We are the most competitive when we are giving each other a hard time,” he points out, subtly revealing that it is not purely about the fun and games when it comes to the top prize.
So, given their sharp wit, outgoing personality and an ability to dish out as well as they can take, who is the better TV host between the two of them? A laughing Marc believes he has that title in the bag.
Pointing to his partner, “Even if I have to lug
your lazy fat arse all over television, people will get to see who the best TV host is.”
A sly Rovilson counters, “As long as you promise not to bring your stunt double.”
And Rovilson makes this promise to viewers of the show, “We promise you the most animated, exciting, lovable, huggable and most fun team on The Amazing Race Asia.”
Henry & Trinidad
Married
Henry: Philippines
48, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer (Ret.)
Trinidad: Philippines
44, Housewife
When it comes to the discipline, dedication and effort placed in getting things done, nothing prepares you quite like the military and after over 20 years of serving his country, retired United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Henry Reed, together with his wife, Terri, is taking all he knows about travelling around the world and putting them into competing in The Amazing Race Asia.
“After 20 years in the military, traveling does not scare me but provides a refreshing adrenaline rush,” explains the 48 year old American, who is now residing in the Philippines with his Filipino wife of 13 years, Terri.
His intention is to use the race as a backdrop to spend some quality time with his wife while learning about different parts of the world. Of course, the prize money is an added bonus should they win.
A fitness fanatic who has been shot off an aircraft carrier (this is something you have to check with him), ridden a bicycle at over 100 kilometers per hour and played his favorite sport of lacrosse in sold out venues, this adrenaline junkie is hoping the race will bring him a new level of excitement that would match, if not surpass his expectations.
But don’t let the tough guy exterior fool you because he admits to be extremely gullible and trusting and does not like it when people take advantage of it. On the other hand, Mrs. Reed just wants to have some quality time with her husband, who she feels has been neglecting her recently.
“I want to have a chance again to be with my husband against the world,” says Terri, 44, who is hoping that the travel adventure will rekindle the spark they once shared.
And watching them together, it is not hard to see why these two, as Henry puts it, are “borderline dysfunctional”. Before anything happens, they talk, and then they argue, then smile, laugh and talk, then argue again. After that, the cycle repeats itself.
Their game plan for the race even has something to do with the ability that Terri has, which Henry seems to have been subjected to a lot of over the years.
“One of my wife’s biggest strengths is the ability to influence people and get them to do what she wants while having them believe they are doing what they want,” he says as a matter of fact.
“We’ll also try and make sure our opponents believe that we are a lot nicer and likeable than we really are. Make no mistake, this is a race and we plan to destroy our competitors one by one by any legal means necessary,” he promises.
Pam & Van
Sisters
Pam (left): Malaysia
24, Professional Dancer
Vanessa: Malaysia
29, Artiste Manager
When it comes to The Amazing Race Asia, there is an unspoken pressure for Pamela, 24, and Vanessa, 29, to bring home the top prize. Yes, both Malaysians realize that there is a lot riding on them to perform well, since the winners of the inaugural The Amazing Race Asia were Malaysian and also an all female team!
But trumping nationalistic pride is a simple matter of family pride as well. Four years ago, their brother, Vince, proved to be a winner by emerging victorious over 11 others in a nationwide reality singing competition.
Artiste manager Vanessa, who now manages her brother’s rising singing career, recalls that watching their brother win formed one of the high points in her life. But aside from price, there are also other factors that will be pushing both women to victory.
“I love adventure and I want to see how far we can push ourselves,” says Pamela, a professional dancer and assistant dance choreographer.
Surprising enough, elder sister Vanessa admits to being the more timid one compared to Pamela, who she describes as more outgoing. In fact, Vanessa credits Pamela for saving her life once, when out for a drive one evening, their friend fell asleep at the wheel. It was Pamela who woke up and alerted the driver, but not before the car began spinning out of control. It was also Pamela’s idea that they both take part in the race. Of course, it was an idea that Vanessa jumped at as it was an opportunity of a lifetime.
“Plus I love traveling and love an adventure. I was to see how far I can push myself in different situations,” says Vanessa. For Pamela, choosing her sister as a partner was an easy choice to make as “she’s always been there for me.”.
In anticipation of the grueling experience, the sisters started increasing their workout sessions and also developed strategies, such as deciding who would be a better fit for the different tasks dished out in the show. But as Pam puts it, there is only so much you can account for especially when watching someone performing a task on television and having to tackle it head on.
“Each task and situation varies so vastly that you can’t seem to apply a strategy that you’ve learnt from a prior task,” she notes.
And also expect a certain mean streak inherent in the sisters but not in the way one can expect. The sisters have perfected an evil, insidious laugh, and coupled with the fact that their voices are identical, it certainly bumps up the scare factor when they laugh in unison.
In other words, when the two are laughing together, the other teams better be on the lookout.
Ann & Diane
Dancing Mums
Ann (left): Malaysia
40, Business Owner
Diane: MalaysiaMarketing
33, Manager/Teacher
You can call them the desperate housewives of Malaysia – housewives who are desperate for new challenges and adventure that is. And what better way to discover excitement than to pack their bags and take off on The Amazing Race Asia. These two longtime dancing buddies are trying to prove that after family commitments, everything else they undertake should be as easy as performing hip hop or funk jazz.
Having met through their common love for dancing and physical activities, Ann, 40, and the mother of three children, ages 16, 13 and 2, together with Diane, 33, mother of a 10 and 2 year old are more than prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Race. And that is to dump their husbands and children aside to realize their dream of taking part in The Amazing Race Asia.
In fact, as Diane puts it jokingly, this is not something they are just merely willing to do. “We are also looking forward to leaving our husbands and children for a month to win the race,” she says in a half jesting, half serious manner.
“We have given so much time to our families, this is something we want to do for ourselves.”
And just because they are mothers, and thus, a little older than the competition does not mean that it is any sort of a disadvantage. Just the opposite, they want to show everyone that there is excitement for mothers, and you just have to search, like they did with taking part.
Complimenting her teammate, Ann adds, “We want to encourage all mothers that their lives do not end after the birth of their children, because we are really sexy moms on the go!”
Aside from dancing, both women are also outdoor fanatics, and entrepreneurs. Both have businesses of their own – Ann runs a children’s activity studio cum café, while Diane handles the marketing for an online t-shirt shop which she set up with her sister-in law. And in their leisure time, both competent moms enjoy organizing the occasional playgroups for their children and going swimming or clubbing. But they work best when they are on the dance floor, strutting their stuff for all to see.
In fact, it was the more excitable Diane who convinced her more business-minded friend to drop everything to take part in the Race. “When she told me about it, I thought why not?” recalls Ann.
“We are always looking for new challenges. I know Diane and she is totally reliable and she has never let me down, ever. If Diane can do it, I can put my life in her hands.”
She is just as confident of her own abilities as she is of her teammate’s. “I am rather fit and fairly intelligent and used my mental and physical abilities to focus on each challenge as best as I could and of course, working well with my teammate.”
You can see the video trailers for the show here. We’ll keep track of this show as well.
