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Kelsey Gerckens and Joseph "Joey" Buttitta are a team of Dating News Anchors and the Official Winners of The Amazing Race 27.

Kelsey & Joey kept a low profile in the early stages of the race, playing on both sides of the fence in the rivalry between Justin & Diana and Tanner & Josh. This allowed them to not be seen as threats despite them consistently finishing in second place in the latter half of the race until they made their move and used the U-Turn on Tanner & Josh to ensure their elimination, solidifying themselves as the biggest competition to the dominant Justin & Diana. Their consistency allowed them to make it to the final three, where they were the only team who managed to keep their taxi throughout the final leg. This gave them enough of a lead to finally go on and take their only victory in the most important leg of all, winning them the race.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com[1]

Kelsey[]

Age: 25
Hometown: Ventura, Calif.
Connection to your teammate: Dating/co-worker
Current occupation: News reporter at KEYT-TV
Describe what you do: I report and anchor the local news in Santa Barbara and Ventura County. I cover breaking news live on air and turn in daily news stories. I do everything from interviewing to filming, writing and editing.
3 words to describe you: Adventure seeker, competitive and over-achiever.
Favorite hobbies: Travelling, scuba diving and food & wine tasting.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Graduating college early and landing my dream job as a reporter.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Cameron Diaz - fun, outgoing, silly and loves to dance.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Michael Strahan - similar personality, loves sports and hilarious.
What scares you most about traveling? Being in a violent situation where I am unsafe, and driving on the other side of the road.
What excites you most about traveling? Doing things I have never done before, experiencing different cultures and seeing magnificent things with my own eyes.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Patience, Joey loses his patience very quickly. When he loses his patience, he gets really short. I hope he will learn to listen to me and keep his cool.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He is always watching sports. TV is always on sports and he won't let me change the channel.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Paris because I've never been and I would love to see the Eiffel tower. I think it's romantic. Also, Germany because it looks like a fun party country and Spain because there is so much culture and tradition.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I hope Joey and I will realize if we are meant to be together. We are a great "dating" couple, but is it more than that? Should we get married? I hope we can answer that question as we experience the race together.
Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @KelseyGerckens

Joey[]

Age: 26
Hometown: Simi Valley, Calif (Currently lives in Santa Barbara, Calif.)
Connection to your teammate: Dating/co-worker
Current occupation: News anchor
Describe what you do: I'm the morning news anchor for KEYT-TV in Santa Barbara. Bringing headlines, breaking news and what's happening around town to the community.
3 words to describe you: Funny, street-smart and quick.
Favorite hobbies: Golf, reading and working out.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? At 26, I'm at a great place in my career and worked very hard to get here.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Steve Jobs. I love Apple.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Candice Swanepoel
What scares you most about traveling? Ebola and terrorism.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing the world, trying new foods and exploring.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Patience. I have a problem not getting what I want, immediately.
Pet peeve about your teammate: Kelsey takes a long time to get ready when going out.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Italy because my father's family is from there and I love the food.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? We've been dating for a year and I'm in love with this girl! The Amazing Race will allow us to experience more amazing times together.
Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @Joey_Buttitta

The Amazing Race 27[]

Race History[]

Kelsey & Joey's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → Brazil Sand / Sidewalk No Roadblock 8 of 11
2 2 Brazil → Argentina Cartoneros / Fleteros Kelsey 7 of 10
3 3 Argentina Horse / Carriage Joey 3 of 9
4 4 Argentina → Zambia → Zimbabwe Co-Op / Croquet Kelsey 4 of 8
5 5 Zimbabwe Crocs / Canoes Kelsey 4 of 8
6 6 Zimbabwe → France Drops Mic / Bust a Crab Joey 3 of 7 [1]
Kelsey
7 7 France → Netherlands Ship / Skip Joey 2 of 7
8 8 Netherlands → Poland Mine / Music Kelsey 2 of 6
9 9 Poland → India Cans / Candy Joey 2 of 6
10 10 India Bring the Groom / Bring the Fun Joey 2 of 5
11 11 India → Hong Kong → Macau Sam's / Cells Kelsey 2 of 4
12 12 Macau → United States No Detour Joey 1 of 3
Average 3.33
Legend:
     The team finished in first place
     The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race
     The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg
     The team that won The Amazing Race
     The team that crossed the Finish Line second
     The team that crossed the Finish Line third
The team used the Fast Forward pass
ϵ The team used the Express Pass somewhere during the leg
The team used the U-Turn
Recipient of the U-Turn
The team that used the second slot of the "Double U-Turn"
Recipient of a second U-Turn due to the "Double U-Turn" twist

Notes:
1: Leg 6 featured two Roadblocks. The team member who sat out the first Roadblock was required to perform the second one.

Post-Race[]

  • Kelsey and Joey got engaged on December 15, 2015.[2]
  • Kelsey & Joey competed on an Amazing Race primetime special edition of The Price is Right that aired on May 25, 2016.[3][4] Kelsey & Joey, along with their contestant, Samantha, were unable to make it past Contestant's Row.[5]
  • Kelsey and Joey got married on August 25, 2017.[6]
  • On February 24, 2019, the couple announced on Kelsey's Instagram that she was pregnant.[7] She gave birth to the couple's first child, Everett, on August 16, 2019.[8]
  • On October 19, 2021, Kelsey announced she was pregnant with their second child.[9] Their second son, Joseph Trey, was born on April 25, 2022.[10]
  • On December 6, 2023, the couple announced Kelsey's third pregnancy on Instagram.[11] Their third son, Brady, was born February 5, 2024.[12]
  • Kelsey and Joey competed on an episode of Let's Make a Deal, which aired on January 22, 2020. Kelsey noted she was three weeks away from her due date. The couple won $1,000.

Trivia[]

  • When Logan & Chris said if they could run the race with a different partner, both said they would have chosen Kelsey.[13]

US Records[]

  • Kelsey & Joey are tied with Kisha & Jen for the highest race average of a team who won the race without winning any previous legs, at 3.33.

External links[]

Interviews[]

  • Jodi Walker at EW (12/12/2015): "How The Amazing Race winners finally ran their perfect leg"
  • Elizabeth Kwiatkowski at Reality TV World (12/14/2015): "Exclusive - The Amazing Race winners Kesley Gerckens & Joey Buttitta talk" [Parts 1 & 2
  • Rob Cesternino at RHAP (12/14/2016): "Amazing Race 2015: Exit Interview with the Winners of Season 27"
  • The Amazing Race Fans (Facebook Group) (12/15/2016): "TAR 27 Q&A"
  • Sheri Block at eTalk.ca (12/17/2015): "Amazing Race winners Kelsey and Joey on getting the elusive first place (and beating Justin and Diana)"
  • Nataly Tavidian, Desola Balogun, & Dan Babic on AfterBuzz TV (04/17/2017): "The Amazing Race After Show w/ Joey Buttitta & Kelsey Gerckens, Season 29 Episode 3"

Social Media Profiles[]


References[]

The Amazing Race 27 Teams
 Alex & Adam
Cousins
S27 AlexAdam
 Cindy & Rick
Newlyweds
S27 CindyRick
S27 DeniseJamesEarl
 Ernest & Jin
Brothers
S27 ErnestJin
 Jazmine & Danielle
Athlete Friends
S27 JazmineDanielle
S27 JustinDiana
 Kelly & Shevonne
TMZ Co-Workers
S27 KellyShevonne
 Kelsey & Joey
Dating News Anchors
S27 KelseyJoey
 Logan & Chris
Dating Paparazzi
S27 LoganChris
 Tanner & Josh
Best Friends
S27 TannerJosh
 Tiffany & Krista
Former Cheerleaders
S27 TiffanyKrista
The Amazing Race Winners
United States
(flagship)
 Rob & Brennan
Best Friends/Lawyers
S1 RobBrennan
 Chris & Alex
Lifelong Friends
S2 ChrisAlex
 Flo & Zach
Friends
S3 FloZach
S4 ReichenChip
 Chip & Kim
Married Parents
S5 ChipKim
 Freddy & Kendra
Engaged Models
S6 FreddyKendra
S7 UchennaJoyce
 Linz Family
Siblings
S8 LinzFamily
 BJ & Tyler
Best Friends
S9 BJTyler
S10 TylerJames
S11 EricDanielle
 TK & Rachel
Newly Dating
S12 TKRachel
 Nick & Starr
Brother/Sister
S13 NickStarr
 Tammy & Victor
Siblings/Lawyers
S14 TammyVictor
S15 MeghanCheyne
 Dan & Jordan
Brothers
S16 DanJordan
 Nat & Kat
Doctors
S17 NatKat
 Kisha & Jen
Sisters
S18 KishaJen
 Ernie & Cindy
Engaged
S19 ErnieCindy
 Rachel & Dave
Army Wife & Combat Pilot
S20 RachelDave
 Josh & Brent
Goat Farmers
S21 JoshBrent
 Bates & Anthony
Hockey Brothers
S22 BatesAnthony
 Jason & Amy
Dating
S23 JasonAmy
 Dave & Connor
Father/Son
S24 DaveConnor
 Amy & Maya
Food Scientists
S25 AmyMaya
 Laura & Tyler
Blind Dating
S26 LauraTyler
 Kelsey & Joey
Dating News Anchors
S27 KelseyJoey
 Dana & Matt
Engaged
S28 DanaMatt
 Brooke & Scott
#TeamBrooke andScott
S29 BrookeScott
S30 CodyJessica
 Colin & Christie
Life Partners
S31 ColinChristie
 Will & James
Dating
S32 WillJames
 Kim & Penn
Internet Personalities
S33 KimPenn
 Derek & Claire
Reality Romance
S34 DerekClaire
 Greg & John
Brothers/Computer Scientists
S35 GregJohn
Asia
 Joe Jer & Zabrina
Co-Workers
ASS1 JoeJerZabrina
 Adrian & Collin
Gym Buddies
ASS2 AdrianCollin
 Vince & Sam
Best Buddies
ASS3 VinceSam
 Parul & Maggie
Beauty Queens
ASS5 ParulMaggie
Australia
AUS1 TylerNathan
 Daniel & Ryan
Intensive Care Nurses
AUS3 DanielRyan
 Tim & Rod
Newlyweds
AUS4 TimRod
 Heath & Toni
Memory Makers
AUS6 HeathToni
 Alli & Angie
Mother/Daughter
AUS7 AlliAngie
 Darren & Tristan
Uncle/Nephew
AUS7 DarrenTristan
 Emma & Hayley
Sisters
AUS7 EmmaHayley
Brazil
BRS1 PatríciaSane
Canada
 Tim & Tim
Father & Son
CAS1 TimTim
 Mickey & Pete
Best Friends
CAS2 MickeyPete
 Gino & Jesse
Brothers
CAS3 GinoJesse
CAS4 StephKristen
 Sam & Paul
Dating Couple
CAS5 SamPaul
 Courtney & Adam
Engaged First Responders
CAS6 CourtneyAdam
CAS7 AnthonyJames
 Catherine & Craig
Best Friends
CAS8 CatherineCraig
 Ty & Kat
Dating
CAS9 TyKat
China
CNS1 ZhongHanliangJackie
 Geng & Xin
Friends
CNS2 HanGengWuXin
CNS4 JiaJingwenXiuJiekai
China Rush
 Charlie & Rachel
Flirtatious Friends
CRS1 CharlieRachel
 Lily & Jan
Dating Couple
CRS2 LilyJan
France
 Anthony & Sonja
Cyber Friends
FRS1 AnthonySonja
Israel
 Shay & Guy
Business Partners
ILS1 ShayGuy
 Bar & Inna
Painter & Saleswoman
ILS2 BarInna
 Talia & Koby
Newlyweds
ILS3 TaliaKoby
 Shay & Shani
Friends
ILS4 ShayShani
 Amit & Raz
Father/Son
ILS5 AmitRaz
ILS6 EvelinTohar
 Tia & Fay
Models
ILS7 TiaFay
 Yael & Yosiel
Cousins
ILS8 YaelYosiel
Latin America
LAS1 TamaraMatías
LAS2 CarlosMauricio
LAS4 DanielCésar
 Giovanni & Juan Carlos
Brothers-in-Law
LAS6 GiovanniJuanCarlos
Norway
 Morten & Truls
Brothers
NOS1 MortenTruls
 Omar & Bilal
Brothers
NOS2 OmarBilal
The Philippines
 LJ & CJ
Celebrity Best Friends
PHS1 LJCJ
 Matt & Phoebe
Dating Couple
PHS2 MattPhoebe
Ukraine
 Valeria & Bohdana
Beauty Queens
UAS1 ValeriaBohdana
Vietnam
 Hương Giang & Criss
Singer/Athlete
VNS3 HươngGiangCriss
 Ngọc Anh & Nhật Anh
Diving Coaches
VNS4 NgọcAnhNhậtAnh
 Lincoln & Tiến Đạt
Hotel Manager/Rapper
VNS5 LincolnTiếnĐạt
LeHangHHenNie
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