Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Maestro Fresh Wes is set to compete on Season 12 of The Amazing Race Canada, which returns July 7 on CTV. The Juno-winning rapper, known for the 1989 hip-hop anthem "Let Your Backbone Slide," will team up with two-time Guinness World Record holder Duane “D.O.” Gibson for the race across Canada.
Maestro Fresh Wes Takes on a New Challenge
“I’m excited about doing something I’ve never done before,” Maestro said. “This, right here, I ain’t done nothing like this before.” The duo will compete for a grand prize including a trip around the world, $250,000, and the title of Amazing Race Canada champions.
Maestro follows in the footsteps of other musicians on the show, such as “Canada’s Queen of R&B” Jully Black, who competed in Season 8 with her friend Kathy Hunter but was eliminated in the first week.
Full Lineup of Teams for Season 12
Other teams competing this season include Toronto-based content creators Michele and Matteo Bruzzese; Alberta sisters Chyana and Chayla; Calgary couple Filipe and Clara; Vancouver pals Keshia and Nova – who won Miss Universe Canada in 2020; Manitoba brothers Sacha and Sebastian; Hamilton twins Tina and Liz; Toronto YouTubers Eamon and Bec; Cedar Valley founders Ameen and Surria; and mother-daughter duo Dana and Cordelia.
Season Premiere and Format
Hosted by Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery, the show will kick off atop Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, as the destination celebrates its 60th anniversary. Like previous seasons, racers will explore Canadian regions, highlighting local people, traditions, and industries.
Speaking to Postmedia in 2022, Montgomery emphasized the importance of showcasing Canada: “People know it and want to see it. People want to know about these regions and explore them. The more we can celebrate Canada, the more we’ll come together as a community.”
Last Season's Winners and Their Plans
Last year’s winners, Vancouver friends Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun, earned $250,000, a trip around the world, and two 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS vehicles. Harink said he planned to use his winnings to take his mother on Cher’s farewell tour, while Braun aimed to buy a home and publish a children’s book titled The Fuzzy Grey Mouse.
