Biggest ‘Amazing Race’ Scandals and Controversies Through the Years: Broken Rules, Alliances and More

Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Peter Brooker/Shutterstock

Biggest 'Amazing Race' Scandals and Controversies Through the Years: Broken Rules, Alliances and More

Ready for their greatest adventures! The Amazing Race aired its first season in September 2001 — and has had its fair share of shocking moments in the decades since. The CBS game show follows teams of two as they race around the world completing various tasks and mental challenges in hopes of winning $1 million. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, the reality series has earned 13 Primetime Emmy Awards (10 of which were in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program category). Ahead of the season 32 premiere in October 2020, the New Zealand native officially logged one million miles traveled throughout the series. "There was no hoopla. There was no champagne. There were no fireworks," the Tough as Nails host joked to Us Weekly exclusively, comparing the achievement to "going to the moon and back, twice." At the time, the producer hinted at the "really good mixture of teams" competing on season 32, which aired two years after filming due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Like all of our Amazing Race family, they all get very, very close. ... I assure you there’s some good dynamics right out of the gate," he told Us. [jwplayer KBWRAaHk-zhNYySv2] However, some of the teams got too close for viewers' comfort. Eventual season 32 winners James Wallington and Will Jardell, who were the first LGBTQ+ couple to get engaged on the competition series, sparked backlash for their rock-solid alliance with other pairs. "It wasn't something that we were super committed to or thought was like a long-term situation," Will exclusively told Us in January 2021 after the emotional season finale. "We thought it was just that one leg in Bogota, where in actuality, none of us even helped each other. So it wasn't even like an alliance. ... I think it's just all the teams recognized that social strategy was important relatively early." James agreed, noting that the teamwork strategy "was only supposed to be short-term." Instead, James told Us, "It was more so to find two teams that felt very like-minded in their approach to the competition." The couple, who wed in December 2021, weren't the only contestants to have bothered viewers by assisting other teams. When influencer Tyler Oakley appeared on season 28, he was criticized for giving hands-on help to his competitors. However, co-executive producer Elise Doganieri denied that the "Psychobabble" podcast host was cheating. "There is no rule preventing participants at a Roadblock from helping one another," Doganieri told The Wrap in 2016 as fans fumed over the game plan. "They can offer as much or little help as they want to other participants. The only rule is: Non-participants may not help their partner [who is performing the task]." Scroll down to relive some of the most controversial moments from the show's 30-plus seasons: [podcast_block]

Credit: YouTube

Tara and Wil Competing While Separated

The season 2 pair were in the midst of splitting up during their time on the series — and Tara was often seen getting flirty with other competitors throughout her Amazing Race journey. After ending the season in second place, the twosome finalized their divorce.

Credit: YouTube

Danny and Oswald Using Locals for Help

Season 2 certainly wasn't short on controversies. These best friends raised eyebrows when they asked townspeople to share their local knowledge in order to give the duo a leg up on the competition. While some viewers saw this strategy as cheating, the race's rules allow for the help of community members for navigating, "unless otherwise stated by the clues" for a given task.

Credit: Peter Brooker/Shutterstock

Jonathan Shoves Wife Victoria

The married entrepreneurs had a rocky race during season 6, which came to a head in Germany when Jonathan pushed his wife as they came short of a first place Pit Stop win. They were eliminated after leg eight.

Credit: YouTube

Brian and Greg Flip Their Car

While driving in Botswana during season 7, the brothers lost control of the vehicle and flipped upside down. The cameraman riding with them suffered an injury, but the siblings made it out safely and made sure the crew member received medical attention. (A rule was later implemented to require professional drivers to help teams across challenging terrain.)

Credit: YouTube

The Hanoi B-52 Memorial

When the competitors visited Vietnam in season 22, the series was criticized for bringing the teams to a B-52 memorial that depicted a wrecked American plane from the Vietnam War. Amid the backlash, the subsequent episode included an apology.

"Parts of last Sunday's episode, filmed in Vietnam, were insensitive to a group that is very important to us: our nation's veterans," the statement noted. "We want to apologize to veterans, particularly those who served in Vietnam, as well as to their families and any viewers who were offended by the broadcast. All of us here have the most profound respect for the men and women who fight for our country."

Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Tyler Oakley Helping Other Teams

The YouTuber competed on season 28 with his friend Korey Kuhl. At one point in a roadblock challenge, Tyler physically helped other contestants to try to ensure that the team that was the furthest behind didn't catch up.

Credit: YouTube

Dan and Jordan's First-Class Flight

The siblings, who eventually won season 16, were criticized for flying first class — and for seemingly using a cheat sheet during a memory challenge before their big victory. However, the show's rules state that racers can upgrade their plane tickets after initially purchasing economy seats and can use notes prepared ahead of time in certain challenges.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Will and James' Alliance

The season 32 winners sparked a debate among fans about whether alliances are good for the game. The "Backpack Boyfriends" worked closely with a handful of other teams throughout the season, even comparing notes and blatantly giving away answers to some of the race's puzzles.

"We just really enjoyed racing with each other," Will exclusively told Us of the alliance in January 2021. "The competitive nature of the three teams was exciting to be around. And so it started more so as like a close friendship and then just turned into this alliance that honestly helped all three of us make it to the finals."