An amazing pair of racers
As a lifelong fan of the reality TV franchise, Hamilton Elliott was psyched to make the cut for the third season of The Amazing Race Canada. And as a devoted follower of the show, he knows how badly he screwed up by leaving his passport on the plane after he and his fiancée, Michaelia Drever, landed in Halifax from Argentina. Ruth Myles caught up with the couple (they’re both 19) following their elimination on this week’s episode to talk about their time on the show, and Hamilton’s role as a member of the transgendered community.
Q What the heck were you doing with your passport out of your bag?
Elliott I don’t even know. Drever I understand it. You have to present our passport when you are on the plane, and they have to check it, so he had it out, then he just didn’t put it back. He carried it on and put it in the little seat pocket. And I was, ‘Hamilton, don’t forget that!’
Elliott And I did ... I was so excited. We were home in Halifax (about an hour from their town of Centreville, N.S.). I was, ‘ We’ve got this. This is our leg.’ And then I screwed it up.
Drever And it was our leg.
Q What kind of reaction have you got from family and friends?
Drever Everything has been so positive. Everybody is so sweet. ... Generally, there is a lot of support, but because Hamilton is trans( gendered), it is one of those things where it was either going to be fantastic and the world was going to love him — or the world was going to hate him. We really didn’t know which way it was going to go. Luckily, it’s been nothing but support from literally everybody.
Q Was that reaction a concern, Elliott, about being on the show?
Elliott I actually wasn’t concerned at all. I have really good support with my family and with Michaelia. I really didn’t think of it as a huge deal. I really just wanted to go in and show people what transgendered people are like and that we are really no different than anybody else. I wanted (to show) transgendered people that they can live the life they want to and not let anybody hold them back. I wasn’t nervous at all. I went in knowing I had people to represent and I tried to represent them as best as I could.
Q On the première of I Am Cait, Caitlyn Jenner said she has to represent that community. Was that added pressure for you?
Elliott Oh my gosh, it’s a huge pressure. I am pretty sure that she has more pressure than I do, but it’s a huge weight to carry. It’s a big role to be in. You just hope you can do it right and come out and say the right things. I am working on it. ... I am not a good public speaker. You should have seen me when I first started doing interviews. I wasn’t very good at it.
Drever That was a big thing for Hamilton ... But they created a monster. He won’t shut up! I used to be the talker!
Q The reaction must be positive for you.
Elliott It’s really nice to see people have been really nice and saying kind things. It’s really nice to see. Even when Jon was talking to us on the mat (at the Pit Stop when they were eliminated), it was really nice for him to say what he had to say before we walked off. Drever He got all emotional on us.
Q Has being on the show changed your relationship?
Elliott It has brought us a lot closer. Drever We are very strong together when you work as a team. Being on the Race, you develop this sense of accomplishment for your partner. Whenever he achieves something, it’s the proudest moment of my life.
Elliott I just know that she can put up with me and with so much stuff. She is the best partner and I couldn’t ask to go on this Race with anyone else. She has been through everything with me. I am glad the Race made us even closer.