‘The Amazing Race’ cast includes Alabama videographers
A 2020 graduate of Gadsden State Community College will soon appear on national television as a contestant on the upcoming season of CBS’ “The Amazing Race.”
Read more Leon Children’s Services Council could lose $4M if Amendment 3 passes
Dalton Hamby, a Weaver native and professional videographer, and his fiancée, Daisha Wilks, were selected to compete on Season 39 of the long-running reality competition series, which premieres Sept. 30.
Wilks is from Flat Rock, an unincorporated area in Alabama’s Jackson County. She also attended Jacksonville State.
Hamby earned an associate degree in science from Gadsden State in 2020 after beginning his college studies through dual enrollment while attending Weaver High School. He later continued his education at Jacksonville State University.
Today, Hamby and Wilks co-own Dhamby Productions, a video production company that creates content for businesses, weddings, organizations and social media. The couple also documents their travels and lifestyle through social media platforms and their YouTube channel, “Daisha & Dalton.”
Hamby said his time at Gadsden State helped lay the foundation for his career in videography and storytelling.
While attending the college, Hamby participated in an Alabama Community College System scholarship program that allowed him to create vlog-style videos highlighting campus events and activities. The experience gave him opportunities to engage with the college community while developing video production skills.
“Looking back, that opportunity definitely helped shape what I’m doing today,” Hamby said.
He said exposure to a diverse student body, including international students, broadened his perspective and sparked a greater interest in travel and experiencing other cultures.
Since graduating, Hamby’s work has taken him around the world. Together, he and Wilks have built a business centered on travel, storytelling and digital content creation.
Their path to “The Amazing Race” began after Wilks’ mother encouraged them to submit an audition video following one of their trips. The couple filmed the audition in their front yard and submitted it in September 2024.
Months later, while traveling in Laos, they received an email from the show’s casting team.
“At first, we genuinely thought it was a scam and had to make sure it was actually legitimate,” Hamby said.
The email led to a series of interviews and an extensive casting process before the couple learned they had been selected for the show.
Read more El Niño is stifling hurricanes, but it could trigger winter tornadoes
“We went from being two people from small-town Alabama who love to travel and make videos to being told we were going to race around the world on national television,” Hamby said.
Although contestants are prohibited from revealing the outcome of the competition before the season airs, Hamby said years of traveling together helped prepare him and Wilks for the challenges of the race.
“We’ve learned a lot about each other through all of our trips, including how we handle stress, unexpected situations and things not going according to plan,” he said.
Hamby said the experience also reinforced the importance of supporting one another during difficult moments and maintaining mental well-being under pressure.
For the couple, appearing on “The Amazing Race” is about more than competing for the grand prize. Hamby said they hope their appearance on the show highlights their Alabama roots and encourages others to pursue ambitious goals.
“You don’t have to come from a big city or have everything figured out to go after something big,” Hamby said. “We always say, ‘Don’t wish for it, work for it.’ “
As the season premieres, Hamby said he and Wilks are eager to watch the experience unfold alongside family, friends and supporters in their hometown communities.
The couple plans to continue producing travel and lifestyle content through their business, YouTube channel and social media platforms after the show airs.
Reflecting on his journey, Hamby said he hopes current and future Gadsden State students understand that they do not need to have their careers mapped out when they begin college.
“When I first went to Gadsden State, I honestly didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Hamby said. “I was just trying to figure things out and take advantage of the opportunities in front of me.”
What began as a dual-enrollment opportunity at Gadsden State has since led Hamby to a career in videography, international travel and a spot on one of television’s most recognizable competition shows.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: ‘The Amazing Race’ cast includes Alabama videographers
Read more Ballet and the Beasts takes the stage at new-look Montgomery Zoo
Reporting by Staff reports, The Gadsden Times / The Gadsden Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published September 21, 2026 at 5:04 AM.
Post Comment