Vinny from The Amazing Race Clarifies Misunderstandings About His and Amber's Fights

The Amazing Race’s Vinny Says His and Amber’s Fights Were Taken ‘Really Out of Context’

CBS

Engaged couple Amber Craven and Vinny Cagungun were shown fighting a lot on season 36 of The Amazing Race. However, they want to clarify that the show didn't show the whole story.

Vinny explained that he learned about "frankenbites," where the show edits clips together to create a different narrative. He mentioned that the conflicts shown on TV were surprising to him because their actual experience during the race was very different.

Vinny admitted that the edit didn't accurately show his disagreements with Amber, but he did learn a lot from watching himself on TV. He confessed, "I have a hard time listening. During the race, I tried my best to listen to her, but there were many instances where I couldn't hear what she was saying, whether it was because of her tone or lack of it. I was so focused on the race that I had tunnel vision, and my racing mindset took control."

Amber, who cried over her fights with Vinny during several episodes, also found it illuminating to watch the show back.

The Amazing Race’s Vinny Says His and Amber’s Fights Were Taken ‘Really Out of Context’

She mentioned that she learned a lot about herself during their relationship. She realized that sometimes her way of talking to him could come off as confrontational. Initially, she was unaware of this tone in her communication. He would point out, "Why are you speaking to me like that?" This made her reflect on improving her communication style and the tone of her voice.

Since their season premiered in March, the couple has received outside opinions about their relationship. However, instead of weakening their bond, the noise has actually made them stronger.

Vinny expressed gratitude for their strong relationship, stating that without it, the online bullying and harassment they faced could have potentially broken them. He emphasized that their relationship is their rock and nothing can shake its foundation.

The Amazing Race’s Vinny Says His and Amber’s Fights Were Taken ‘Really Out of Context’

Amber Craven and Vinny Cagungun. Yuri Hasegawa/CBS

Amber mentioned that watching the race in person has helped them grow a lot. She believes that dealing with negativity on social media is easier when they support each other and stay true to themselves as a couple. This has made her confident that they can overcome any challenges in life.

While joking that the negative comments actually motivate her, Amber also expressed her desire for people to understand more about Vinny.

"He has a really big heart and people who know him understand how he may come across or his communication style, but they know his intentions are good," she shared. "He was the one who actually suggested that I assist [Amazing Race competitor] Angie [Butler] at the roadblock, although this wasn't shown. He said, 'You can't leave Angie.' Some may label him as a narcissist, but I disagree. A narcissist wouldn't act with that level of empathy. I've witnessed his kindness towards strangers on the street, colleagues, his patients, and I wish others could see that side of him."

Vinny expressed his desire to be genuine on the show to highlight the common challenges that couples face.

The Amazing Race’s Vinny Says His and Amber’s Fights Were Taken ‘Really Out of Context’

CBS

He expressed, "The most beautiful part of this journey and our team is our desire to showcase our true selves. We want the world to see that we're not perfect all the time. Things can get messy."

During the season finale, Vinny surprised Amber with a proposal right after being told they were eliminated by host Phil Keoghan. (Ricky Rotandi and Cesar Aldrete eventually won the $1 million grand prize in that episode.) Throughout the competition, Vinny kept his grandmother's diamond ring, a family heirloom, hidden in their shared backpack.

Vinny expressed his determination throughout the entire race, saying, "I don't know when I'm going to do it, but I do know that I am going to do it." He acknowledged his own commitment issues and past failed relationships, which led him to realize the importance of creating structure in his life to avoid bailing out as he had done before.

The couple is set to tie the knot in Cabo in November, with the entire season 36 cast expected to attend the wedding.

“It’s going to be such a celebration of love,” Vinny said. “We’re really, really excited.”

Editor's P/S:

Vinny and Amber's experience on The Amazing Race illustrates the complexities of reality television editing. The couple acknowledges that the show's "frankenbites" technique can distort the narrative, creating a perception of constant conflict that differs from their actual experiences. This highlights the importance of critical media consumption and the need to consider the perspectives of those involved in reality shows.

Moreover, Vinny and Amber's journey showcases the growth and resilience that can result from confronting challenges together. Despite facing criticism and harassment online, their relationship has emerged stronger. They emphasize the importance of mutual support and staying true to themselves. Their experiences also highlight the value of empathy and the need to look beyond superficial impressions to understand the complexities of individuals.