The Amazing Race Wiki

William "Will" Jardell and James Wallington are a Dating team and the Official Winners of The Amazing Race 32.

Will & James came into the race as superfans, using their extensive knowledge of the race to effectively game the system, most notably by founding the Mine Five alliance. The alliance went on to dominate the race with their controversial answer-sharing tactics, allowing them to eliminate their competition one-by-one to make it to the final five. Despite Will & James' own struggles with driving and a rivalry with Leo & Alana, their superfan knowledge and controversial but effective tactics allowed the boyfriends to make it all the way to the final three. They established a lead early on in the final leg and never looked back, going on to take the victory. At the Finish Line, Will proposed to James, who accepted.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com[2]

Will Jardell[]

Name: Will Jardell
Age: 30
Hometown: Nederland, Texas
Current Occupation: Public health specialist and dance teacher
Describe what you do: I work at a global health institute within a university on education programs and research projects. I also work as a dance instructor in Los Angeles and direct a competitive dance team.
Three words to describe you: Go-getter, realistic, and fierce.
Favorite hobbies: Dancing, playing board games (and beating James), hiking with our dog Zoey, and watching almost every reality TV show there is, sometimes more than once.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? My relationship with James is something that I'm incredibly proud of. We work so well together and even when we do argue, we are always learning from our mistakes and growing as a couple. James and I have been together for five years and I'm always overwhelmed with joy when I think back on all that we've accomplished together. No matter what life throws at us I know we will always have each other.
What scares you most about traveling? First of all, I'm 6'6" and flying on airplanes is not the most comfortable thing for my back or knees. If there is a leg of the race that requires us to sleep on a plane and I don't get enough quality sleep, I won't be in good shape! I'm also terrified of taxis. I like being in control when I'm traveling and giving up control to a taxi driver terrifies me.
What excites you most about traveling? I'm incredibly fascinated by all cultures around the world and learning about different ways of life. There are so many things I've never experienced and being able to see new places and cultures with James is something that I'm so excited for. Not many people get this opportunity and I want us to soak up every moment.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? It has always been a dream of mine to go to Ireland and see or stay in a castle. I don't know how I began associating castles with Ireland, but it's something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid!
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Amazing Race with your partner (other than winning one million bucks)? Since meeting James in 2014, I've always known that his biggest dream was to run The Amazing Race and to be a part of fulfilling that dream is incredibly humbling. I hope that through this process, I can show James how much I support him in achieving any goal he sets for himself because he has supported me in achieving every goal I have set for myself. He's the best partner and I hope that I can be the best partner for him throughout the entire race.

James Wallington[]

Name: James Wallington
Age: 31
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Current occupation: Event coordinator and social media manager
Describe what you do: I've been coordinating events and weddings in Los Angeles for the past eleven years in addition to working as a social media manager.
Three words to describe you: Passionate, ambitious, outgoing.
Favorite hobbies: I love hosting game nights with friends (especially any board game that involves strategy), traveling, party planning, musical theatre, hiking with our dog Zoey, watching competition reality shows, and going to the movies!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Living out my dream of competing on The Amazing Race! When I was 12 years old, I remember watching episode one of the first season and saying to myself "I'm going to race one day." Fast forward 19 years and nine casting applications later (including Family Edition and various teammates), I'm gearing up for Season 32 with the love of my life. I couldn't be more proud of my persistence in accomplishing this childhood dream… and I can't wait to hear Phil say the words, "The world is waiting…"! #SUPERFAN
What scares you most about traveling? Visiting countries that are dangerous for LGBT travelers, losing my passport, or not being in control of my environment (lost taxi drivers or transportation delays).
What excites you most about traveling? The opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, experience new cultures, and meet new people who challenge my way of thinking.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? I really want to visit Cambodia because it sounds exotic and I would love to explore Angkor Wat, but I've always dreamed of visiting the continent of Africa, whether it be for a safari adventure or volunteering with a wildlife organization!
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Amazing Race with your partner (other than winning one million bucks)? In the words of Bill Murray "if you think someone is the one, travel the world together and if you're still in love, get married at the airport." I hope throughout the race Will and I are able to gain a deeper understanding of who we are as individuals and as a couple; resulting in a deeper love and appreciation for each other that will accelerate our relationship into the next chapter… marriage!

The Amazing Race 32[]

Race History[]

Will & James's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → Trinidad and Tobago No Detour Will 4 of 11
2 2 Trinidad and Tobago → Colombia No Detour Will 6 of 10
3 3 Colombia → Brazil Shelter from Trees / Well Done Please No Roadblock 1 of 9
4 4 Brazil → Paraguay Stack Your Melons / Use Your Melon James 1 of 8
5 5 Paraguay → France No Detour James 4 of 8 [1]
Will
6 6 France → Germany Belt It Out / Belch It Out Will 4 of 7
7 7 Germany → Kazakhstan Great Khan's Spy / Knock Out Guy No Roadblock 1 of 7
8 8 Kazakhstan → India Food App / Number Trap James 3 of 6> [2]
9 India This / That James 2 of 6>
10 9 India → Cambodia Fish / Farm Will 2 of 5
11 10 Cambodia → Philippines No Detour No Roadblock 2 of 4
12 11 Philippines → United States No Detour Will 1 of 3 [1]
James
Average 2.55
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 Yield
< Recipient of the Yield
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: This leg had two Roadblocks and no Detour. The team member who sat out the first Roadblock was required to perform the second one.
2: Leg 8 was a megaleg, with two Detours and two Roadblocks, shown over two episodes. The placement listed in the top row reflect the order teams completed the first half's roadblock.

Post-Race[]

James Challenge USA

James' promotional photo for The Challenge USA.

  • Will & James attended the wedding of Maddison McKibbin on August 28, 2021.[3]
  • Will & James got married on December 3, 2021.[4]
  • In 2022, James competed on the first season of The Challenge: USA against other past contestants from The Amazing Race, Survivor, Big Brother, and Love Island.[5] James was eliminated in the third episode and finished 12th out of the 14 male competitors.

Trivia[]

  • Both Will and James previously appeared in other reality competition series.
    • In 2014, Will competed in the 21st season of America's Next Top Model, the second season to feature male contestants. He placed runner-up, losing to Keith Carlos. James was a producer on the show.
    • In 2013, James competed in Capture with his sister Rebecca. They finished 8th.

US Records[]

  • Will & James are the first same-sex team to get engaged on the race.
    • They are also the first team to get engaged at the Finish Line.
  • They are the first all-male team since Dave & Connor to win the race.

External links[]

Interviews[]

  • Joyce Eng at Gold Derby: "'The Amazing Race's' Will and James on their million dollar engagement: 'No matter what place we came in, I was gonna propose'"
  • Mike Bloom at Parade: "The Amazing Race 32 Winners Will Jardell and James Wallington on Their Finish Line Engagement and Alliance Legacy"
  • Nick Caruso at TV Line (12/17/2020): "Amazing Race Winners Will and James Reflect on Their 'Once in a Lifetime' Trip, Reveal 'Perfect' Race Moment"

Social Media[]


References[]

The Amazing Race 32 Teams
 DeAngelo & Gary
Former NFL Stars
 Eswar & Aparna
Siblings
 Hung & Chee
Married Parents
 Jerry & Frank
Father/Son
 Kellie & LaVonne
Former Olympic Hurdlers
 Leo & Alana
Dating
 Nathan & Cody
Best Friends
 Riley & Maddison
Pro Volleyball Players
 Will & James
Dating
The Amazing Race Winners
United States
(flagship)
 Rob & Brennan
Season 1:
Lawyers/
Best Friends
 Chris & Alex
Season 2:
Lifelong Friends
 Chip & Kim
Season 5:
Married Parents
 Freddy & Kendra
Season 6:
Engaged Models
 BJ & Tyler
Season 9:
Best Friends
 TK & Rachel
Season 12:
Newly Dating
 Nick & Starr
Season 13:
Brother/Sister
 Tammy & Victor
Season 14:
Siblings/Lawyers
 Rachel & Dave
Season 20:
Army Wife & Combat Pilot
 Josh & Brent
Season 21:
Goat Farmers
 Bates & Anthony
Season 22:
/Hockey Brothers
 Amy & Maya
Season 25:
Food Scientists
 Laura & Tyler
Season 26:
Blind Dating
 Kelsey & Joey
Season 27:
Dating News Anchors
 Brooke & Scott
Season 29:
#TeamBrooke andScott
 Will & James
Season 32:
Dating
 Kim & Penn
Season 33:
Internet Personalities
 Derek & Claire
Season 34:
Reality Romance
 Greg & John
Season 35:
Brothers/Computer Scientists
 Carson & Jack
Season 37:
Best Friends/Gamers
Asia
 Vince & Sam
Season 3:
Best Buddies
 Parul & Maggie
Season 5:
Beauty Queens
Australia
 Daniel & Ryan
Season 3:
Intensive Care Nurses
 Tim & Rod
Season 4:
Newlyweds
 Heath & Toni
Season 6:
Memory Makers
 Alli & Angie
Season 7:
Mother/Daughter
Brazil
Canada
 Tim & Tim
Season 1:
Father & Son
 Mickey & Pete
Season 2:
Best Friends
 Sam & Paul
Season 5:
Dating Couple
 Courtney & Adam
Season 6:
Engaged First Responders
China
China Rush
 Charlie & Rachel
Season 1:
Flirtatious Friends
 Lily & Jan
Season 2:
Dating Couple
Finland
France
 Anthony & Sonja
Season 1:
Cyber Friends
Israel
 Shay & Guy
Season 1:
Business Partners
 Bar & Inna
Season 2:
Painter & Saleswoman
 Amit & Raz
Season 5:
Father/Son
Latin America
Norway
The Philippines
 LJ & CJ
Season 1:
Celebrity Best Friends
 Matt & Phoebe
Season 2:
Dating Couple
Ukraine
Vietnam
 Lincoln & Tiến Đạt
Season 5:
Hotel Manager/Rapper