The Amazing Race’s Aubrey Ares and David Hernandez Reveal They Were Alternates, Announce Engagement Before Premiere

usmagazine.com:

From alternates to racers! Aubrey Ares and David Hernandez weren’t supposed to be on the final cast for The Amazing Race season 34 but they got two hours’ notice before they were on their way to Europe to compete for the $1 million prize.The dance studio owner and helicopter mechanic, both 29, who met while he took one of her dancing classes six years ago, exclusively reveal to Us Weekly that they were originally alternates for the long-running CBS series.

After following up on an Instagram message they received from a producer – and going through the entire casting process – they were told they didn’t make the final cut.“We went through so much work.

We went through so many auditions. It was very intense,” David exclusively tells Us, with Aubrey adding, “And nerve-wracking because you’re literally sitting in front of all these CBS producers … but come to find out, we actually didn’t make the final cast, but they asked us if we would like to be alternates.”She didn’t love that idea at the time. “She was having a little moment,” David says. “She was like, ‘No, I don’t want anything to do with it anymore.

We didn’t make it. It’s over.’ And I was like, ‘No, we already went through the process. We’re already here.’”A few weeks later, they got a call while they were on their way out of town and “in the middle of LA traffic,” Aubrey explains. “And I was like, ‘David, turn around, turn around!’”Since they weren’t expecting to be racing – and had just a few hours before they had to travel to the starting city of Munich, Germany – the couple “had to stop at Target to pick up last-minute things,” Aubrey says. “We didn’t have a watch.