A Tomboy at Heart: An Interview with The Amazing Race 4’s Tian

Models Tian & Jaree did well on The Amazing Race 4 considering that many had pegged them to be one of the first teams gone. They had their ups and downs, but in this interview, Tian explains why they happened, how the Race pushed her, and what she is up to these days.

RealityNewsOnline: When I read your profile on the CBS official show website, it said that the two of you had traveled quite often with each other in the past. I figured that would mean you would have no problem getting along. What happened that made you two clash in almost every episode?

Tian: It was freezing... and there was no stress on our vacations, but we overcame our personalities and became a team.

RNO: In the beginning of the Race, the two of you were not exactly my favorite team. However, over the course of the Race, I found myself rooting for you more and more, and eventually you became one of my sentimental favorites. I can admit my first impressions were based on the two of you being models and being “too pretty” to last long in the Race. Do you usually feel that this is a handicap?

Tian: Nothing is a handicap unless you make it so. We didn’t misuse anything to get anywhere on this trip; we just tried to stay focused.

RNO: If you had the option to move to any of the countries that you visited, where would it be and why?

Tian: I love those Italian men. WOW! Hehehehehe.

RNO: This is more of a production question: since you have a camera crew following you, do you have to buy train/plane tickets for them as well? We always see teams asking for two tickets, but how does the crew get theirs? Do they have to buy them separately?

Tian: Yes. They have a credit card; we just don’t say numbers on camera.

RNO: Was it a tough pill to swallow knowing that if you had remembered the cargo on the elephant, you probably would have still been in the Race? (Of course, this is only assuming.)

Tian: I didn’t see it like that at all; I felt it was the bulls that put us behind. I take full responsibility for losing the Race.

RNO: Do you feel that you may have pushed Jaree too much considering that you seemed to be in better physical shape than she was?

Tian: No - she handled herself well and doesn’t let anyone run over her. Although I am sure she wanted to run over me a couple of times!

RNO: I think one of the most importation things about The Amazing Race is realizing what your limits are and pushing them even further. Do you feel that you did this?

Tian: I wish I could push them even further! That is the real reason of life for me - besides finding the love of my life, my poodles, family, and Thai food, of course!

RNO: When you were told to go to the front of the line in Episode 4 and Steve told you to “check your tires,” did you think that he was serious, or did you let the other teams go ahead only to be fair?

Tian: He was deadly serious about being pissed, but I think he would have only used it as a threat, not a promise.

RNO: I’m not quite sure who said it, but on the train in India, one of you compared it to “a train used to transport people to the gas chamber.” After receiving emails from several people asking me to inquire on this, did you feel that it was a bad choice of words?

Tian: I never heard this said.

RNO: Even at the point when you were eliminated, both of you still scurried to the pit stop. Was there ever a time that you didn’t feel like rushing and just wanted to throw in the towel?

Tian: When we were fighting. I was finally over it and didn’t want to fight with my best friend anymore.

RNO: So what are the two of you up to now? Anything special we should know about or be filled in on? What about the future - any big plans?

Tian: I’m doing a film called Dark Queen and have another called Pure doing the circuit. I’m moving to L.A. in a month to find some real waves to surf and some high hills to ride on my Ducati. Going to miss you girl! ( Jaree)

RNO: Which was worse - digging in the poo or being dragged in the mud?

Tian: Freezing smelly poo or hot smelly poo... pretty much the same for me; loved them both!

RNO: Would you say that The Amazing Race is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments, or is it something you would want to do again?

Tian: I would love to do it again and would never think of doing it with anyone else then Jaree. YOU GO, GIRL!!! Tazmanian BIAGE!

RNO: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Tian! Good luck with the movies and moving out to L.A.!

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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