The Surprising Revelations of Derek from The Amazing Race About His Wife Shelisa (Exclusive)

The Amazing Race Derek and Shelisa Open Up

Yuri Hasegawa/CBS

Derek and Shelisa Williams, contestants on season 36 of The Amazing Race, enjoyed seeing their interactions on TV. Derek, 57, revealed that he was surprised by Shelisa's blunt nature and the teasing she does behind his back. They spoke exclusively to We on Thursday, April 18, the day after their elimination from the CBS show.

Shelisa admitted, "I didn't realize that what I think in my head, I actually end up saying out loud. But I find it amusing. It's just being honest, not trying to deceive anyone."

Derek and Shelisa, with more than 30 years of marriage behind them, always speak their minds about each other's performances on The Amazing Race. In the latest episode on Wednesday, April 17, Shelisa playfully teased Derek about his throwing skills, jokingly suggesting they switch detours after his attempts at a moving target missed the mark. She also commended Derek for persevering through a puzzle, only to find it herself and feel it was too easy to take so long to solve.

Shelisa shared with Us that she always values honesty, even if it comes across as a bit harsh at times. She believes that being straightforward is important, like when she feels the need to say, "This isn't working. We need to move on."

Derek mentioned that he enjoys teasing others on the show, but he admitted that his wife is even more of a playful teaser than he is.

"He thinks this girl loves to laugh at him," he mentioned. "Perhaps I'm just an easy target for jokes." Shelisa pointed out that she wouldn't tease Derek if she didn't believe he could handle it.

"Derek is quite self-assured, which is why I enjoy teasing him a bit to humble him," she joked.

Despite teasing each other during the competition, Derek and Shelisa found joy in the extra time they were able to spend together.

"We had a lot of time together. It allowed us to reconnect and appreciate each other more," Shelisa shared. "After being married for almost 35 years, you tend to overlook things. But being stuck together during the show, we had the chance to play games and just enjoy each other's company. It was a much-needed break for us to regroup."

The Amazing Race Derek and Shelisa Open Up

Kit Karzen/CBS

Derek, meanwhile, felt a renewed sense of admiration for his wife during the competition.

“Going through it, I was like, ‘I really love this girl.’ That was really, really cool,” he said.

Derek and Shelisa were eliminated on Wednesday because they were behind the other teams and didn't reach the final detour. The detour involved choosing between identifying cuts of meat and finding a fingerprint at a fake crime scene. As retired police officers, Derek and Shelisa were disappointed to miss out on a challenge that played to their strengths.

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"When we realized it was the fingerprint activity, we were excited because it reminded us of our past experiences. We were eager to participate," Derek expressed.

"I was confident that we would excel at fingerprinting when we saw the task. It brought back memories and I was ready to tackle it," Shelisa shared.

Derek shared that he felt proud of how he and Shelisa performed on the show, despite not winning. He mentioned, "We didn't embarrass ourselves. People may have laughed at us, but we didn't embarrass ourselves."

The Amazing Race airs on CBS Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the dynamics of Derek and Shelisa Williams, a couple who competed on season 36 of The Amazing Race. Despite being married for over 30 years, they maintain a playful and honest relationship, with Shelisa's blunt nature and Derek's self-assuredness providing a balance. Their interactions on the show revealed their mutual respect and admiration for each other.

Derek and Shelisa's experience on The Amazing Race allowed them to reconnect and appreciate each other more. They enjoyed the extra time together and used it to play games and simply enjoy each other's company. Despite their elimination, they remained proud of their performance and expressed confidence in their abilities. They emphasized the importance of honesty and being straightforward, even if it comes across as harsh at times. Their journey on the show demonstrated the strength of their bond, built on mutual respect, humor, and a willingness to be open and honest with each other.