You either love her or you're yelling at your TV screen, but there’s no denying that Rachel from Amazing Race is one of the most effective casting choices in the history of CBS. Most people know her as the fiery redhead from Big Brother, but her transition to The Amazing Race is where she actually cemented herself as a competitive beast.
Honestly, the "Rachel Reilly" experience is a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s full of glitter and unexpected tears. But if you look at the raw numbers, she isn’t just a "character"—she’s a statistical anomaly in the racing world.
The Record-Breaking Run of Rachel From Amazing Race
A lot of casual viewers think she just showed up to cry about "Brenchel" and her hair extensions. Wrong. Rachel holds a massive record that most people overlook: she has completed 32 legs across her seasons. For a long time, she held the record for the most legs ever run by a female contestant in the U.S. version of the show.
She didn't just participate; she survived.
In her first outing during Season 20, she and her then-fiancé (now husband) Brendon Villegas fought their way to a 3rd place finish. They weren't exactly the most popular team on the tarmac, mostly because of their intense "us against the world" mentality. They returned for Season 24, an All-Stars edition, and managed to secure 3rd place again. Think about that for a second. That is back-to-back finale appearances.
Most teams can’t even handle one season without a total meltdown. Rachel and Brendon became the first team to ever complete every single leg of the race on two separate seasons. It’s hard to overstate how physically and mentally draining that is.
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Why Season 31 Changed Everything
By the time Season 31 rolled around in 2019, Rachel was a veteran. This time, she wasn't racing with Brendon. She teamed up with her sister, Elissa Slater. This season was a "Reality Showdown"—Big Brother vs. Survivor vs. The Amazing Race.
It was a different vibe.
Elissa was way more of a "zen" presence compared to Brendon. She sort of acted as the anchor when Rachel started to spiral. But the social game was a nightmare. They got into a massive feud with Big Brother "allies" Nicole Franzel and Victor Arroyo after trying to warn them about a U-Turn. It backfired spectacularly. The sisters ended up being the ones U-Turned by a group vote in Switzerland.
They were eliminated in 7th place during Leg 8. It was actually the first time Rachel had ever been eliminated from the show before reaching the finish line.
The "Fun and Good" Controversy
You can't talk about Rachel from Amazing Race without mentioning the "it was supposed to be fun and good" moment. If you haven't seen it, it's basically the quintessential Rachel Reilly clip. During Season 20, while struggling with a task in Italy, she broke down in tears, lamenting that the race was supposed to be enjoyable.
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It became an instant meme.
But here is the thing: Rachel cares. Like, she really cares. That’s why she’s great TV. In an era where everyone is trying to be "curated" and "brand-safe," Rachel is raw. She wears her heart on her sleeve, even if that sleeve is covered in green sequins.
Breaking Down the Stats
Let's look at the cold, hard facts of her three seasons:
- Season 20 (with Brendon): 3rd Place. They won two legs (Leg 3 and Leg 5).
- Season 24 (All-Stars): 3rd Place. They won three legs, including a massive win in Leg 8 that bagged them $10,000 each.
- Season 31 (with Elissa): 7th Place. Their average placement was 6.13.
What People Get Wrong About Her Strategy
Critics love to call her "whiny," but they ignore her physical stamina. Rachel is a chemist by trade. She’s smart. She handles the navigation and the high-pressure roadblocks better than most "alpha" male competitors who have appeared on the show.
The U-Turn is another area where she’s aggressive. Rachel has U-Turned a team in every single season she’s competed in. She’s not there to make friends; she’s there to win. While none of the teams she U-Turned actually got eliminated on those legs, it shows her willingness to pull the trigger.
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She knows the game. She knows that being a "villain" often keeps you in the race longer than being a wallflower.
Beyond the Mat: Rachel’s Reality Legacy
As of 2026, Rachel hasn't slowed down. She’s popped up on The Traitors, Snake in the Grass, and even made a return to the Big Brother house in 2025 for Season 27 as a "mystery guest."
Her impact on The Amazing Race is her longevity. She proved that "moms" (she had her kids Adora and Adler between seasons) can still be top-tier athletes. She changed the narrative that reality stars from other shows were just "filler" contestants.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Rachel Reilly or want to improve your own competitive edge, here's what you should do:
- Watch Season 24: If you want to see Rachel at her most "refined," this All-Star run shows her and Brendon at their competitive peak. It’s less about the drama and more about the grit.
- Analyze the "Sister Dynamic" in S31: For anyone interested in team psychology, the contrast between Rachel/Brendon and Rachel/Elissa is a masterclass in how partner choice changes your performance.
- Follow the Records: Keep an eye on the "Legs Completed" leaderboard. While Leo and Jamal eventually surpassed her for the total leg record, Rachel’s 32-leg run remains a benchmark for female racers.
Rachel Reilly isn't just a contestant; she’s a professional competitor. Whether she’s crying in a gondola or winning a $10,000 prize in the Swiss Alps, she remains the gold standard for how to be memorable on The Amazing Race.
Next Steps: You can check out her latest appearances on Paramount+ or follow her social media to see her commentary on current seasons—she’s never shy about sharing her opinions on how new teams are handling the pressure.