She grew up watching this show with her father. Now they’re both on it. 👀

HOUSTON — A Houston dad and his daughter are packing their bags for a trip around the globe, and they’re bringing CBS cameras along with them. Anuar Tager, 58, a developer, and Andrea Tager Ballesca, 25, a medical student, are among the 26 contestants set to compete on season 39 of “The Amazing Race,” according to a cast announcement from the network.



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The Houston pair is one of four Texas teams on this season’s cast, and they’re clearly still riding the high of the experience. Andrea posted about it on Instagram.

“Over one year in the making and I still can’t believe I get to say this: I ran THE AMAZING RACE with my dad!”

Season 39 launches with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1, both from 8:30 to 10 p.m., before settling into its regular Wednesday slot on Oct. 7 8:30 to 10 p.m. on KHOU 11.

Andrea said watching the show together as a kid made actually competing on it feel surreal.

“I grew up watching The Amazing Race with my dad, never imagining I’d one day be racing around the world beside him. This was truly the most incredible experience of my life. Every mile pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, and getting to go through that with my dad gave us something that I don’t think either of us will ever fully be able to put into words.”

She also gave a shoutout to her fellow racers.

“Spending so much time with strangers under that kind of pressure allowed me to walk away with special bonds and memories that are going to last a lifetime. I couldn’t have asked for better cast mates, thank you for making it unforgettable.”

She wrapped up her post with a simple invitation to tune in.

“Catch it all starting September 30 on CBS. The world is waiting.”

The other Texas team is a pair of brothers from Dallas: Zach Johnson, 30, a car salesman and co-founder of Pipley, and Nate Johnson, 27, a director of sales.

This season’s 13 duos raced across five continents and nine countries over 12 legs while chasing a $1 million prize. Filming ran from September 22 to October 17, 2025, kicking off in Vancouver and winding through Canada, Spain, Morocco, Albania, Sri Lanka, Laos, Australia and New Zealand before wrapping up stateside in Honolulu.

Phil Keoghan returns as host.

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