As one half of the Race's first father/son team - and the first team from Kentucky - Andrew was the youngest Racer thus far (excluding Family Edition) at having just turned 21 during the interview process, and touted as "liberal, openly gay and a college cheerleader." Viewers were led to expect fireworks between him and his conservative, Southern Baptist dad, but the reality was far different from the expectations. And the two of them had a great time along the way.
Andrew says, "I originally thought it was an awesome concept for a show. My dad, Dennis, and I had seen only one episode and applied the very next day. I had never been outside the U.S. and I guess it seemed like the ultimate challenge. I'm ridiculously competitive and wanted to try the toughest competition I could find. The Race is definitely that."
His favorite task? "I loved swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel although I obviously didn't get the chance to relax and enjoy it! I also would have loved to go hang gliding as they did in Season 2. I wanted to see Africa so badly. Our season touched base in Morocco after I was eliminated, but I wanted to see more of the elephant/safari Africa, as in season one."
His best memory of the Race is "getting to know my Dad better. He and I hadn't had a deep or serious discussion in a long time. We had avoided the 'Gay' topic and thus it rocked having to rely on each other and work as a team without the constriction and biased influences in our everyday lives." As a teammate, Andrews thinks his "Dad was perfect. We had a great combination of brains and brawn between the two of us. We were eliminated due to an airport 'bad luck streak,' not a mistake on a challenge or getting lost. That was frustrating."
The most positive outcome of his participation in the Race was "taking my Dad and turning him into my best friend."
Andrew says that he'd run the Race again "in a heartbeat, although I would probably be more nervous the second time because I know how tough it can get!" Andrew is an avid fan of the show and says that "anyone that cries and breaks down amuses me. I used to think those teams were obnoxious, but now that I have done it, I understand their tears and frustration. I had a couple of low moments myself."
For anyone who wants to be on the Race, Andrew says, "if you have ever considered applying, DO IT! We NEVER thought we would actually get a call. I thought our audition tape was lame. But, you never know."
Since appearing on The Amazing Race Andrew has spoken at the New York City Pride Rally, been the Grand Marshall or Emcee at large events and Parades such as Pride Night at Paramounts Kings Island. Andrew has also hosted events for Fox, Mello Yellow and appeared in two Independant films now available on DVD. "Don't expect to see much of me in Into The Woods, I was the brought in, has been, Reality TV Personality and went the way of Drew Barrymore in Scream...meaning I last about five minutes."
Today, Andrew lives in Dayton, Ohio and works in HIV Testing and Counseling and as an Educator. "I am working full time with the young gay community in Central Ohio. I work on getting young people involved in organized sports, community service, philanthropy, educational seminars, and more. I work with about 40 young gay and bisexual men, trying to provide an alternative to bars and other less desirable forms of social interaction." Most recently Andrew has begun filming a new Travel Series focused on the GLBT Community. This web based series has Andrew traveling around the country visiting Gay and Gay-Friendly destinations. The series in linked to Travelocity.com and will provide Gay Travelers a new and welcoming place to book their travel arrangements through. www.TakeOnTravel.com (This site opens in the Spring of '08.)
Andrew is in a relationship and owns a miniature Dachshund named Lucky, and in his free time enjoys cheerleading, competitive dance, wakeboarding, reading, weight-lifting and running. He describes himself as "outgoing, upbeat and kind-hearted." Andrew also loves meeting new people and is often found on www.MySpace.com/AndrewHyde
