Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher are a Blind Dating team on The Amazing Race 26.
Among the blind dating teams, Bergen & Kurt were the first to realize their incompatibility upon seeing each other for the first time, reasoning that they looked too much alike. Their motivations also contrasted—Kurt simply wanting to find love as he was already well off, while Bergen wanted both love and the million dollars—affecting their ability to work together. This all came to a head in the fifth leg when they realized that neither of them could drive a manual transmission well, leading to Kurt getting them to abandon their car, much to Bergen's dismay. This decision practically ended their race as the leg included a lot of self-driving, including a task that required their car (for which they received a two-hour penalty). After several hours of walking and taking public transportation left them way behind the other teams, host Phil Keoghan finally eliminated them in 8th place.
Profile[]
Retrieved from CBS.com[1]
Bergen[]
Name: Bergen Olson
Age: 23
Hometown: Sunnyvale, Calif.
Relationship Status: Single
Current occupation: Human Resources Project Manager
Describe what you do: I work for a tech start up in the Silicon Valley, leading the implementation of our company's Human Resources Information System.
3 words to describe you: Energetic, driven and empathetic.
Favorite hobbies: Watching and playing sports, especially volleyball. I love to cook and bake - my favorites include chocolate chip cookies, meatballs, pasta and mashed potatoes! So naturally, I love eating all of my favorites! I also love to travel, even though I haven't done much of it!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Not to sound cliché, but coming out and being proud of who I truly am to my friends and family, especially in a conservative Minnesota county, was one of my proudest accomplishments. I'm also really proud of where I am at with my career at only age 23.
What scares you most about traveling? I think what scares me most about traveling is the language barrier, as well as getting lost and not knowing where I am is a little unsettling.
What excites you most about traveling? I can't wait to see different cultures and experience the different ways that people live all over the world! To me that will be truly unforgettable, as it will open my eyes to things I haven't experienced before!
How many serious relationships have you been in? It really depends how you consider "serious." I have been in 5 relationships, but none have gone longer than a year. Hopefully that will change soon!
What are your deal breakers in a relationship? I can't date anyone that smokes, does drugs, has poor personal hygiene or has a tendency to cheat and lie.
What are the top 3 qualities you are looking for in a mate? A good personality, has a good sense of humor and someone who makes me feel special and loved. I love nothing more than for my partner to make me laugh and smile each and every day!
What are 3 turn offs or pet peeves in a mate? Smoking/bad breath, poor personal hygiene and bad kisser.
Who is your celebrity crush? Can't just pick one, so... Channing Tatum, Tom Daley and Zac Efron. I may be gay, but Jennifer Aniston is on the list too!
What famous person reminds you of yourself? A mix between the following: Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah and Melissa McCarthy! Just wait till you meet me and the answer will explain itself!
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? This is such a hard question, but one that tops the list would be Bergen, Norway! Anywhere in Europe or Australia too!
Kurt[]
Name: Kurt Jordan Belcher
Age: 24
Hometown: Butler, KY
Relationship Status: Single
Current occupation: Pageant consultant
Describe what you do: Anything from coaching, directing, judging, hair and managing production! I've done it in 8 states now from local, to state, to National Level Pageantry.
3 words to describe you: Gifted, abrasive (sometimes) and funny.
Favorite hobbies: Karaoke, volleyball and pageants.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Honestly, probably coming out as a gay man in high school. I'm from a very small town.
What scares you most about traveling? Flying! What excites you most about traveling? Being somewhere where you have never been before is very exciting. There is a lot of beauty and charm in the world & it's a basic human desire to explore it. Plus, Once your trip is over you get to go back to good ole' home sweet home.
How many serious relationships have you been in? I have actually never been in a relationship. While I am picky, I have not had the best of luck.
What are your deal breakers in a relationship? Controlling and lazy! I want somebody that's loving and a hard worker.
What are the top 3 qualities you are looking for in a mate? Family oriented, funny and stability.
What are 3 turn offs or pet peeves in a mate? Personal hygiene - stay clean! Being lazy and not motivated. If they care about me, they better show it! Dedication!!
Who is your celebrity crush? Bradley Cooper- yes please!
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Carol Channing
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Rome - "The Eternal City." Not only is it beautiful and has a romantic atmosphere but it's the Capital of Italy & I LOVE Italian Food.
The Amazing Race 26[]
Race History[]
| Bergen & Kurt's Race History | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Leg | Destination(s) | Detour Choice (underlined) |
Roadblock Performer |
Placement | Notes |
| 1 | 1 | United States → Japan | Syncing Steps / Samurai Sake | No Roadblock | 6 of 11 | |
| 2 | 2 | Japan | Share / Chair | Bergen | 5 of 10 | |
| 3 | 3 | Japan → Thailand | Ski / Tree | No Roadblock | 7 of 9♥ | [1] |
| 4 | 4 | Thailand | Wheel / Water | Bergen | 1 of 9 | |
| 5 | 5 | Thailand → Germany | Did not perform | 8 of 8 | [2] | |
| Average | 5.40 | |||||
Legend:
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Notes:
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Post-Race[]
- Bergen & Kurt separated immediately after their elimination and have not spoken since the race.
- Kurt has blocked Bergen on Twitter.[2]
Trivia[]
- Bergen & Kurt are the first team to win the Date Night ticket and give it to another team.
- Bergen & Kurt are the only same-sex and all-male blind date team on The Amazing Race 26.
External links[]
Interviews[]
- Joyce Eng at TV Guide (04/06/2015): "Amazing Race's Kurt and Bergen: We Did Not Quit"
- Elizabeth Kwiatkowski at Reality TV World (04/2015): "Exclusive: 'The Amazing Race' blind-date couple Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher talk" (Parts 1 & 2)
- Murtz at Insider Pulse (04/08/2015): "Murtz On The Scene: Exclusive Interview With The Amazing Race 26's Bergen Olson & Kurt Jordan Belcher"
- Sherly Block at CTV.ca (04/06/2015): "Bergen and Kurt say leaving the car behind was their 'kryptonite' on 'Amazing Race'"
Social Media[]
Bergen's Facebook: /bergenolson
- Kurt's Facebook: /kurt.j.belcher
- Bergen's Instagram: /firstnamebergen
- Bergen's X profile (formerly Twitter): @bergenolson
- Kurt's Instagram: /kurtjordan9
References[]
| The Amazing Race 26 Teams | ||||||||||||
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