Alabama Couple Will Compete on The Amazing Race Season 39
Dalton Hamby and Daisha Wilks represent Alabama in the upcoming season of the hit reality competition show.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Romance
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Jacksonville State University graduates Dalton Hamby and Daisha Wilks will appear as contestants on the 39th season of The Amazing Race. The couple is set to compete when the show premieres on CBS and Paramount on September 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The show intentionally selects participants to test their relationship dynamics under extreme pressure and long-distance travel conditions. Producers use these high-stakes scenarios to see how couples navigate complex challenges while competing for a $1 million prize.
The 39th season involves 13 teams traveling 25,000 miles across nine countries. Only 0.03% of all applicants are successfully chosen to participate in the show.
The players
Dalton Hamby
He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University and co-owner of the video production company DHamby Productions.
Daisha Wilks
She is a Jacksonville State University graduate who runs DHamby Productions alongside her fiancé.
CBS
The major American television network that broadcasts The Amazing Race and manages the show's season premiere schedule.
The details
Hamby and Wilks, who operate the Alabama-based video business DHamby Productions, submitted a five-minute audition video in September 2024 to secure their spot. The duo began their journey during the first day of filming on September 22, 2025, a process that eventually concluded with a finale in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Timeline
September 2024: The couple submitted their audition video.
September 22, 2025: The first day of filming for the season occurred.
November 2025: Dalton Hamby and Daisha Wilks became engaged.
September 30, 2026: The two-night season premiere begins on CBS.
Culture Shift
This participation reflects the enduring popularity of reality competition shows that capitalize on the intersection of travel, personal endurance, and relationship testing. The format continues to highlight individual journeys against the backdrop of global tourism and physical challenges.
Residents of Alabama can track the couple's progress throughout the 39th season to see how local contestants handle the global travel requirements of the show. The premiere serves as a major viewing event for the community beginning on September 30.
The takeaway
The experience highlights how auditioning for major reality competitions requires both a compelling video submission and a strong rapport between team members. Aspiring contestants often find that these opportunities require months of preparation before the actual filming begins.
Further reading
Learn more about local couples and relationship news in the Romance section.
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