So Lauren and Duke, last night was the airing of
your final trip on The Amazing Race. How are you two reflecting on your experience? Duke: The experience is so difficult to
articulate, you actually have to live it, there are no
words to explain it really. We are very fortunate and
grateful to have been on the show. The friendships we made
with all the other team members were just
priceless. Lauren: I had a truly amazing
experience traveling with my dad, encountering new
cultures that I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.
And even though we didn't win that
million-dollar prize, I know that together we came out
on top. Had it not been for the show, we might not have had
the opportunity to bond in the special way that we did. The
memories we made together are priceless, and they will
stay with me forever. Our relationship can only get
better from here and I'm really excited for us
to learn from one another and continue becoming friends. He
will always be my dad, but he's no longer just
my dad, he really is a friend.
Do you have any regrets about the show? L: I guess last night when we were together with
all the other contestants and asked for directions to
find the coal [part of the show's Detour
challenge]. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed like they
vanished into thin air. So, we weren't able to
find the coal before we stumbled upon the bird cage.
Despite that, we completed the task and worked really
well together, as we did with every other task. We were both
very supportive and helpful to each other and we never
argued during tasks since that really doesn't
get you anywhere. D: We worked really well as a
team. I was always impressed by her and I think that
came through on the show. L: We endured some of
the most stressful situations that anyone could ever
face. So it's been great to take home that knowledge
that I can work with my dad through those difficult
situations
What made you decide to audition in the first place? L: Well, I had originally applied for
Survivor, and since I made it through many rounds
of interviewing, they learned how my dad and I were just
recently starting to end our estrangement and work on
our relationship. Then [CBS officials] approached me
and suggested we apply for The Amazing Race together
to see if the race could bring us any closer. So I
called my dad and told him what they had told me, and
since we were both big fans of the show there wasn't
much to consider. It was really the opportunity of a
lifetime.
How much of the estrangement was due to your coming out? L: I'd say about 95% of it. My dad just
had a really hard time coping with and accepting my
being gay. And it was really difficult because we went
years without talking to each other and going to family
functions without seeing each other. But I understood
that he had his own process for dealing with it that I
couldn't change, just like I had to go through
my own process when I came out to myself. I always hoped he
would come to accept it and not just see me as Lauren
his lesbian daughter, but as his daughter Lauren, who
happens to be a lesbian.
So how has your relationship changed since doing
the show? L: It has changed dramatically; it's
really been amazing. We've really bonded and
become incredibly close, and if it weren't for the
race we probably wouldn't have had this time to
work on and strengthen our relationship. And it really
did pay off for us.
Duke? D: I completely agree with Lauren. It took me a
long time to come to terms with things, but the race
literally brought us closer together. I'm so
happy and grateful that it did. All of my previous issues
are really behind me now and I'm glad I can
keep them there. L: I think this opportunity has
inspired us to enjoy life's journey and
appreciate things in the present tense rather than
concentrating on issues from the past. We have started
living life to the fullest and we now appreciate each
other much more as people.
Of the teams left on the show, whom are you rooting
for? Who do you think will win? D: I think we're both rooting for Peter
and Sarah; we became good friends with them on the
race and think the world of them. L:
They've got what it takes; they're very strong
both physically and mentally. D:
It's no secret, though, that we thought we would be
in the final three with them and Tyler and James.
Do you think Peter and Sarah will pull through? D and L: We hope so!