Millie & Chuck

Millie Smith and Chuck Shankles are a Dating 12 Years/Virgins team on The Amazing Race 4.

Despite being together for over a decade, their inability to cooperate caused them to question their relationship over the course of the season. In Malaysia, navigational issues and lack of sleep caused them to fall behind and be overtaken by their season-long rivals Kelly & Jon, resulting in their elimination in 5th place.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Millie, 29, works as an Environmental Teacher at the Tennessee Aquarium and describes herself as a motivated, fun, daredevil/adventurer with no fears, except for mayonnaise: she hates the stuff. She holds a BA in Communication Arts from Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, and has lived in Taiwan, teaching English, and traveled to Israel and Russia. Speaks French, conversational Chinese and some Russian. Millie was once on the Tonight Show after Leno bumped into her and her roommate and asked them to "say stupid Baywatch lines in our shower--in bikinis--which we did," so she has a wild side somewhere deep down. She enjoys volleyball, water skiing, rollerblading, snorkeling and swimming, and blows off steam by running, talking (or fighting) with Chuck, praying, and reading the Bible. Millie believes her man Chuck is "hotter than Brad Pitt." On the downside, her man can also be too "anal and meticulous." Millie admits that she's bad with money, too often speaks before she thinks, and that they're both afraid to commit.

Chuck, 28, a self-employed Tennessean, has most recently worked as a valet, hauler, construction worker and personal trainer. A physically active guy, Chuck holds a BS in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and enjoys playing tennis and skiing. Chuck likes traveling, but has only been to Mexico and Canada. He speaks no foreign languages. Self-described as being "random, deliberate and kind." His only fears while traveling are "criminals if I had to sleep outside." Considers himself slower than his teammate, Millie, whom he says is "more fearless" and "less thoughtful" than himself. Chuck tries to remain calm under pressure or if upset, but admits to having a "unique pouting manner."^[1]

How would you describe your previous travel experience?

Millie: I've done a good bit of international travel to Russia, Israel, Taiwan and China. I've always lived to travel and explore.
Chuck: I've taken several road trips, visiting 47 states. Though I've done some international traveling, most has been in the US.

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?

Millie: Being out of your comfort zone. Traveling reduces you to the basis of who you are and reveals much about yourself you never knew. That's also one of the best parts.
Chuck: Time restraints when trying to see as much as you can. Also tight quarters can be awfully challenging when not traveling alone. Then again, this inevitable togetherness is one of the greatest qualities of traveling with others.

What is the most important item in your backpack, and why?

Millie: Pages I ripped out of the Bible verse prayer book. Since I am a Christian I try to read and meditate on verses everyday; it helps me focus on what's important and prioritize. I'll definitely need that on the Race, plus doing this makes me a more tolerable person to be around.
Chuck: The lightest item. A light pack is key to faster time.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?

Millie: A trip around the world while attempting incredible challenges, a chance to see what our Team and relationship is made of.
Chuck: To compete, travel around the world with my best friend and the $.

Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?

Millie: Mainly for vacations, which we have always enjoyed, but nothing as stressful and arduous as this. We both have an adventurous streak, so we've always enjoyed going off the beaten path.
Chuck: We've taken several road trips together and have always thoroughly enjoyed each other. Of course, we have had our share of quarrels while traveling.

What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?

Millie: Losing. Not just the $, but also losing the chance to make it all the way around the world. Compromising who we are and what we believe to win. Being rude or unkind when I'm under stress.
Chuck: Being eliminated and not being able to travel the world.

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

Millie: Experience from the past will hopefully help us. Also, I think I'm a quick thinker and a fast mover; I tend to look for creative solutions and can be resourceful. I'm not a quitter and am intensely competitive. I can also be too hasty and make errors in judgment.
Chuck: My strengths are probably my competitive nature, road trip experience, athleticism and fearlessness regarding adrenalin rush activities. My weaknesses are being too deliberate and analytical, resulting in lost time, and sometimes being too laid-back.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?

Millie: Chuck is very talented physically; he is able to complete any physical challenge with ease. Also, he has traveled a lot on the road, which will hopefully help us in navigation. He is not a quitter and is the most competitive person I know. Chuck can take too much time to make decisions.
Chuck: Strengths: relatively fearless, very communicative and smart with people; international travel experience, fast thinker and never-quit attitude. Weaknesses: So fast sometimes she really doesn't think and is occasionally over-trusting.

What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?

Millie: My family: parents, brothers, sister and seven adorable nieces and nephews.
Chuck: Definitely my mom, dad, sister, all of my family and friends. I'm so blessed!

What languages do you speak?

Millie: A little French, a little Mandarin Chinese, a little Russian. It's been a while since I've spoken any of these.
Chuck: English and pointing (this way or that way?).

What destination are you hoping to visit?

Millie: Africa for the wildlife and diverse terrain.
Chuck: As many countries as possible, and the last Pit Stop!

What country do you feel best prepared for?

Millie: Other than the US, Taiwan. Since I lived there a short while, I feel I would be able to get around more easily than anyone else.
Chuck: Other than my own, any that has a lot of English-speaking people.^[2]

The Amazing Race 4[]

Race History[]

Millie & Chuck's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	United States → Italy	Search / Rescue	No Roadblock	1 of 12
2	2	Italy	Waterway / Pathway	Millie	8 of 11
3	3	Italy → Austria	Mozart / Beethoven	Millie	5 of 10
4	4	Austria → France	Ropes / Slopes	Chuck	2 of 9
5	5	France → Netherlands	Used Fast Forward		1 of 8►
6	6	Netherlands → India	Suds / Duds	Chuck	4 of 7
7	7	India	Baskets / Trunks	Chuck	4 of 6
8	8	India → Malaysia	Net / Trap	Chuck	3 of 5
9	9	Malaysia	Chop / Haul	Chuck	5 of 5
				Average	3.67
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

Post-Race[]

Trivia[]

Mille & Chuck are the first team to be eliminated in Malaysia.
Mille & Chuck are the first confirmed all-virgin team to reach the top five.

External links[]

Interviews[]

Harry Smith on The Early Show (07/25/2003): "Racers on Taking the Long Road"
FansOfRealityTV (07/28/2003): "Our Interview with Millie & Chuck"
Ethan Alter at TV Guide Online (07/29/2003): "Race's Millie and Chuck Speak!"
Phil Kural at RealityNewsOnline (10/06/2003): "At a Crossroads: An Interview with Millie from The Amazing Race 4"
CBS.com (2003): "After the Race"