Expect to see TV host Phil Keoghan give instructions to the batch of contestants of "The Amazing Race" season 28 in a different way.
In the previous seasons, all teams began the race in one city. But for the 28th season of CBS's long-running reality game show, all contestants will get the go signal from Keoghan right in the comforts of their home before they start their adventures to win the $1 million cash prize.
The network dropped the sneak peek for the opening minutes of "The Amazing Race" season 28, where Keoghan instructed the 11 teams to head toward the nearest airport and fly all the way to Mexico City to meet him at the Monumento a la Revolución.
For this season, the contestants are composed of pairs of Internet celebrities and their family or friend. The roster includes:
- YouTube celebrities and friends Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl
- YouTube sensations and dating duo Burnie Burns and Ashley Jenkins
- Best friends and YouTube celebrities Erin White Robinson and Joslyn Davis
- Vine star Cole LaBrant and mother Sheri LaBrant
- Vine personality Zach King and wife Rachel King
- Engaged YouTubers and choreographers Dana Borriello and Matt Steffanina
- Friends and Instagram models Jessica Versteeg and Miss Florida USA Brittany Oldehoff
- Star of a viral video Marty Cobb with daughter Hagan Parkman
- YouTube star Blair Fowler and her father Scott Fowler
- Brothers and Vine personalities Cameron Benson and Darius Benson
- YouTuber Brodie Smith and professional frisbee teammate Kurt Gibson
The teams will have a chance to travel for more than 27,000 miles around the world in 21 days to race around 10 countries and 18 cities to bag the grand prize.
The announcement about involving online celebrities in "The Amazing Race" season 28 garnered mix reaction from fans. But the host defended the show's decision to feature "social media influencers" in the cast in a recent interview with TV Guide.
"It seemed like we were steering our way toward this cast, but it wouldn't have worked years ago," Keoghan said. "It only works now because we're at a time where we're fascinated by the idea [that] people can go online and create their own channels. ... These people found a way to connect with a small, passionate audience and now they have a chance to connect with a bigger one."
The premiere episode of "The Amazing Race" season 28 will start on Friday, Feb. 12. Viewers can also catch the show via live stream on CBS All Access.
