{"id":317523,"date":"2026-06-24T00:10:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/317523\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T00:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:10:09","slug":"um-senior-lauren-barnwell-has-officially-been-cast-in-season-2-of-destination-x","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/317523\/","title":{"rendered":"UM senior Lauren Barnwell has officially been cast in season 2 of \u2018Destination X\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Lauren Barnwell via NBC<\/p>\n

NBC\u2019s globetrotting reality TV show \u201cDestination X\u201d revealed the cast of season 2 this week. University of Miami senior Lauren Barnwell was named among the 10 contestants set to compete when the Peacock series returns.<\/p>\n

\u201cDestination X\u201d strands contestants on a blacked\u2011out bus somewhere in Europe. Players then complete challenges, solve puzzles and attempt to guess their location on a map \u2014 a hybrid of \u201cSurvivor\u201d and \u201cThe Amazing Race.\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The contestant whose guess lands furthest from the true location is eliminated, and at the end the winner takes home $250,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barnwell, a rising content creator with more than 500,000 followers across social media platforms, told The Hurricane she is \u201cvery excited for viewers to see what\u2019s coming,\u201d but emphasized that she cannot discuss gameplay, filming details or travel destinations due to NBC\u2019s promotional restrictions.<\/p>\n

Season 2\u2019s cast includes several familiar reality TV names, including Kaylor Martin and Nic Vansteenberghe of season 6 of \u201cLove Island USA.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their addition ties into UM\u2019s own recent reality TV streak. Sincere Williams, a UM track athlete, currently appears on the newest season of \u201cLove Island USA,\u201d continuing the university\u2019s growing presence in the genre.<\/p>\n

Season 1 of \u201cDestination X\u201d drew modest ratings, but viewers took more notice when Jana Craig, a former \u201cseason 6 Love Island USA\u201d cast member, appeared in the initial lineup. Craig\u2019s presence helped introduce the series to Peacock\u2019s loyal reality TV audience, and Season 2 appears to be building on that momentum with a more recognizable cast.<\/p>\n

This new cast includes stars from \u201cBig Brother,\u201d \u201cBelow Deck,\u201d \u201cSurvivor,\u201d \u201cThe Traitors,\u201d and of course, \u201cLove Island USA.\u201d It\u2019s a noticeable shift from last season\u2019s lineup of mostly non\u2011influencers and everyday players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barnwell falls into the TikTok star genre with 6 other cast members filling out the remaining spots, making this season more well-known.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barnwell said she expects a range of reactions from students once the season airs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019ll be a little bit of, \u2018oh, another one,\u2019\u201d she said when asked whether she anticipates people commenting on yet another UM student entering the reality TV world. \u201cBut I love to entertain. This isn\u2019t a cash grab for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the cast reveal, Barnwell said her phone has been flooded with messages \u2014 not just from friends, but from people she hasn\u2019t spoken to since high school.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cParents of kids I haven\u2019t talked to in forever are texting me,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone suddenly wants to know everything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barnwell described the reaction as overwhelming but exciting, a reminder of how quickly visibility spreads once a name appears in a national cast announcement.<\/p>\n

The opportunity, she said, has already shaped her sense of what\u2019s possible after graduation, reinforcing her long\u2011term goals in entertainment and media.<\/p>\n

As for what she hopes viewers take away, Barnwell kept it simple \u2014 and very on brand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cancel that subscription after Love Island ends,\u201d she said. \u201cPeacock\u2019s coming back at you with another banger \u2014 with your girl, represent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Season 2 of \u201cDestination X\u201d is expected to premiere in 2027. NBC has not yet announced an exact release date.<\/p>\n

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