Ever wondered what would happen if you mixed travel, reality TV, and a dash of “where the heck am I?” confusion? Well, that’s basically NBC’s new show *Destination X*. Contestants bounce around Europe in a blacked-out bus (talk about a road trip from hell), trying to figure out where they’ve landed while competing for a cool $250,000. Jeffrey Dean Morgan—yep, Negan from *The Walking Dead*—plays host to this geographical guessing game.
The show’s concept is pretty simple, even if the challenge isn’t: contestants use landmarks, local artifacts, and their own detective skills to pinpoint their location. Each episode ends with them heading to the Map Room, where they literally point to where they think they are. The person furthest off? They’re sent packing. And since contestants can’t use phones, maps, or any tech (brutal!), they’re forced to rely on their wits and some questionable alliances—all while trying to throw each other off the scent.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan: The Host With The Most
Jeffrey Dean Morgan isn’t just hosting—he’s executive producing and clearly having a blast as the show’s mischievous gamemaster. Most of us know him as bat-wielding Negan from *The Walking Dead* or papa Winchester from *Supernatural*, and he’s recently popped up in *The Boys* too. On *Destination X*, he’s the guy dropping cryptic hints, introducing challenges, and probably enjoying watching contestants squirm as they try to figure out if they’re in Barcelona or Berlin. Morgan has said he fell for the show’s mix of “travel, mystery, and gaming,” which honestly sounds like what convinced him to sign that contract.
Peter “Pilot Pete” Weber: The Sky Guy
Remember “Pilot Pete” from *The Bachelor*? The guy who couldn’t make up his mind to save his life? Well, he’s traded roses for maps as a contestant. Being a commercial pilot actually gives Pete a pretty unfair advantage here—the dude literally navigates the world for a living. Coming from Westlake Village, California, his knowledge of flight paths and global geography might just make him the one to beat. Plus, after surviving the drama of *The Bachelor*, strategic gameplay probably feels like a walk in the park.
JaNa Craig: Fresh Off Love Island
JaNa Craig just wrapped up *Love Island USA* where she and Kenny Rodriguez snagged third place, and she’s immediately diving into another reality show adventure. This Las Vegas entrepreneur used to be a day trader, so she’s no stranger to high-pressure situations. What might really set JaNa apart is her language skills—she speaks Japanese and Spanish fluently, which could be huge when trying to decipher signs or chat with locals across Europe. If you watched *Love Island*, you might remember her as part of the “PPG” trio with Leah and Serena—girl knows how to form alliances while keeping her eyes on the prize.
Josh Martinez: The Reality TV Veteran
Josh Martinez is basically reality TV royalty at this point. He was the first Latino winner of *Big Brother* and has competed in multiple seasons of *The Challenge*—so the guy knows his way around a competition show. The Miami native was actually surprised by the cast makeup, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I was expecting for there to be more TV vets… I went absolutely crazy” about the show’s living situation. Josh has been known for his emotional outbursts in previous shows, but it sounds like he’s hoping to show a different side of himself this time around—while still using all those years of strategic gameplay to his advantage.
Kim Conner: Empty Nester On An Adventure
While some contestants are chasing fame, Kim Conner from Kaneohe, Hawaii seems to be after something different. As a social worker whose kids have flown the nest, she saw *Destination X* as a chance to have her own adventure. Her background in social work probably gives her some serious people-reading skills, which could be clutch for spotting who’s lying about location clues. Kim brings a mix of life experience and genuine curiosity to the game—sometimes the competitors who aren’t there just for Instagram followers end up being the most surprising.
Ally Bross: The Travel Guru
If there’s a contestant who should absolutely crush this competition on paper, it’s Ally Bross. This Austin-based travel influencer has been to 32 countries across all seven continents—that’s more stamps in her passport than most of us will ever see. She can probably identify a Spanish cathedral from a French one blindfolded, which seems pretty relevant to the whole concept. Beyond her travel know-how, Ally apparently has some gaming chops too. She’s likely the one everyone will be watching closely—both as a threat to win and as someone who might actually know where the heck they are.
Jonah Evarts: The Bookish World Traveler
Jonah Evarts brings an interesting mix to the table. He’s a fantasy book writer from Manhattan, Kansas who also taught English in Asia, giving him both historical knowledge and international experience. Growing up as a military kid probably exposed him to different cultures too. While some contestants might rely on their social game, Jonah’s strength seems to be his ability to connect historical facts with physical locations—spotting a Gothic architecture style or recognizing a regional food might be second nature to him. He comes across as the thoughtful type who might fly under the radar until suddenly revealing he knew exactly where they were all along.
Shayne Cureton: Model Behavior
Indianapolis model Shayne Cureton probably has a photo portfolio that doubles as a passport. His modeling career has taken him around the world, giving him firsthand experience with different cultures and locations. Shayne’s betting big on his social game—he’s likely the type to charm information out of other contestants while giving away very little himself. In a competition where alliances matter almost as much as actual knowledge, his charisma could take him far. Plus, when you travel for work, you tend to notice details others might miss.
Rachel Rossette: History Buff With A Plan
Orlando’s Rachel Rossette is bringing her history degree and sales experience to the competition—a combo that could prove deadly. Her history background gives her the knowledge to identify European landmarks, while her sales career has taught her how to read people and negotiate. Rachel seems to have one of the clearest strategies going in: build relationships, gather intel, and use her historical knowledge to pinpoint locations. She’s also playing for something beyond just cash—she dreams of starting a large family, adding some emotional fuel to her competitive fire.
Tai Lowry: The Career Switcher
How many people leave a law career to become a flight attendant? Tai Lowry from Prince George’s County, Maryland did exactly that, following her travel passion over a traditional path. That kind of risk-taking attitude might serve her well in a competition where you sometimes have to go with your gut. Her legal background suggests she’s analytical and persuasive, while her flight attendant experience has probably exposed her to dozens of destinations. Tai seems ready to use her natural charm to build trust with competitors while quietly plotting her path to victory.
Rick Szabo: The Bird Man
The competition’s lone Canadian, Rick Szabo from Picton, Ontario, brings a seriously unique perspective. As a professional international birdwatcher, he’s probably been to places most tourists (and other contestants) have never heard of. While everyone else might be looking at architecture and street signs, Rick might be the guy who identifies their location based on a specific species of sparrow flying by. His approach seems to combine his specialized travel knowledge with a friendly demeanor to build alliances. In a game where noticing small details matters, his birdwatching eye could be his secret weapon.
Christian “Biggy” Bailey: The Numbers Guy
Chattanooga’s Christian “Biggy” Bailey might not have as many passport stamps as some others, but as a sports bettor, he knows all about calculating odds and taking risks. His job as a content creator has probably honed his communication skills too. Biggy seems to be banking on his outgoing personality and persuasive abilities to compensate for any gaps in travel experience. In a game where sometimes you have to make educated guesses, his knack for analyzing probability might come in surprisingly handy. Plus, the guy clearly doesn’t mind a gamble—he’s literally made a career of it.
Mack Fitzgerald: The Legal Eagle
Austin attorney Mack Fitzgerald brings both legal training and travel experience to the table. Her law background probably means she’s detail-oriented and a strong negotiator—both useful when you’re trying to figure out where you are while navigating complicated group dynamics. Mack seems to have a methodical approach to the game, planning to use her education and strategic thinking alongside her travel knowledge. When it comes to the Map Room showdowns, her analytical mindset could give her an edge in pinpointing exact locations when the pressure’s on.
How The Game Works
*Destination X* has a pretty clever format that combines travel challenges with some serious mind games. Each week, contestants face new challenges that offer clues about their location, but there’s always room for some strategic deception. Can you really trust what that person told you about spotting a German beer hall? The elimination format keeps everyone on edge—contestants head to the Map Room to mark where they think they are, and whoever’s furthest from the actual spot gets sent home. The whole thing plays out Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes hitting Peacock the next day for anyone who prefers their reality TV with fewer commercials.
The show honestly feels like what would happen if you blindfolded a bunch of competitive people, spun them around Europe, and told them the last one standing gets a quarter-million dollars. And really, who wouldn’t want to watch that?
