Kings County teenagers to star in Amazing Race Canada
Hamilton Elliott and Michaelia Drever, both 19, put their experience as military cadets to the test in the televised competition that, CTV promises, will deliver “edge-of-your-seat challenges.”
“The tasks are very stressful and they’re very time consuming. I think the most challenging was trying to stay positive and trying to keep going,” said Elliott.
“A big thing for us was how much you have to work with your teammate,” added Drever.
Elliott recently proposed to Drever, his partner of three years, under the Eiffel Tower while on a backpacking trip in Europe.
The easygoing East coasters met in cadets six years ago, and were best friends before they started to date. Drever became an important part of Elliott’s support network when he began the transition from female to male at the age of 15.
“We have our own relationship and we connect. It’s not about how you classify yourself, whether you’re straight or gay or trans – none of that really matters. It’s about who you are as a person,” said Drever, who hopes audiences around the globe will see that they are just two everyday people who fell in love.
“I think people will learn that it doesn’t matter what gender you are, (we) have a very good relationship.”
It's anticipated that millions of viewers will watch as the Centreville residents are pitted against 11 other teams vying for the same life-changing grand prize.
The grand prize includes $250,000 in cash, “gas for life” from Petro-Canada, business class flights to anywhere Air Canada flies for one year and two Chevrolet Colorado trucks.
Like their competition, the Valley racers were in it to win it. But Elliott, the show’s first transgendered racer, had other aspirations in mind.
“Being trans, I really wanted to inspire other kids to just be themselves because I know how hard it is,” he said.
Regardless of the outcome of the race, Elliott said he’d be happy to know his story made a difference in the life of someone struggling with gender identity.
“It would have meant the world to me just to help one person,” he said.
Elliott found a loving support network in his family and Drever when he began the transition that brought him out of depression. He hopes others in need of support will reach out and find the strength to embrace their individuality.
“You can love whomever you want to love and you can be who you want to be,” he said.
“I ran the race and I don’t care what anybody thinks of me, and I love who I am today.”
Landing a spot on the Amazing Race was a dream come true for Elliott, who grew up watching the American version of the show with his family.
“It was very life changing, and you learn a lot about yourself when you’re on the race,” said Elliott.
Drever concurred, adding that the sense of accomplishment they shared after a challenge was second to none.
“You feel incredible knowing that you ran this race with someone who you love and care about.”
The third season of Amazing Race Canada premieres July 8 at 9 p.m. ET on CTV.
Source:http://www.kingscountynews.ca/Living/2015-06-22/article-4190372/Kings-County-teenagers-to-star-in-Amazing-Race-Canada/1