Former Miss South Carolina Teen USA Caite Upton became the punchline of a joke -- and a viral-video sensation -- when she seriously flubbed a question about geography and education at the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant. She figured what better way to prove herself more worldly and intelligent than to compete in the 16th installment of The Amazing Race, which begins Sunday on CBS. The 20-year-old model, who now lives in L.A., spoke with PEOPLE about her racing partner, her boyfriend Brent Horne, the pageant advantage and her plans for the cash prize. --Carrie Bell
You have to appreciate the irony of the girl known around the world for botching a question about geography being on The Amazing Race.Actually, I’m pretty confident with my geography. Laughing I named a couple of countries in my answer. I was very confident going in and I’m very excited to have the chance to show what I am capable of and to prove that there’s more to me than a mistake I made in a stressful situation when I was a teenager.
Do you think other teams who realized who you are underestimated you?I felt like the definitely underestimated me the first round. They figured I would be your typical pageant girl that wasn’t that bright and might not know too many things. But I think I proved very quickly that I couldn’t be discounted. They realized there’s more to me than a silly question.
Racers often benefit from the help of locals, especially ones with some notoriety like Rob and Amber, the poker girls or the Harlem Globetrotters. Do you think your recognizable face was an advantage?I don’t think it’s unfair. I consider myself an average person. I don’t think of myself as famous and nobody gave us special treatment along the way.
Why’d you want to participate in the show?I’m a huge fan and so is Brent and I constantly talked about applying. I’m so blessed they chose me. It was the greatest experience of my life.
You’ve only been dating Brent, 28, for a little more than a year. Were you worried that the stress of the Race would ruin your relationship as it has with a few past couples?We were friends first. We started dating a year into our friendship and we’ve already been through a lot of crap. I figured doing the Race would take our relationship to the next level and would make it clear whether we are meant for each other. We’re still together. We survived the Race!
Are you encouraged by how well last season's pageant girl performed?Pageant girls from past seasons like Christie Lee Woods and Ericka Dunlap all proved they shouldn’t be underestimated. I looked up to them and the fact that they did well motivated me. There’s more to pageant girls than looks. Maybe the pageant system is good preparation for the show. You’re used to stress, competition and cameras.
What is one trait or skill you possess that helped you on the Race?I’m a very well-rounded person so I don’t think I had just one helpful trait. I might not look like it on the outside but I’m a big tomboy. I’m intelligent, athletic and understanding. I speak a little bit of other languages. I love to win and was prepared to do anything to win.
Was there one that hindered you?I tend to be very impatient, but for some reason, I wasn’t on the Race. One thing that probably hurt us was going too quickly. Both of us have played fast-paced sports and are always on the go, so we would get going and miss things.
What were you most afraid would be a task?My biggest fear is being in a confined space and suffocating to death. Also, I’m not a big eater, so I would make Brent do any task that required that.
If you did win the million, what would you do with it?To tell you the truth, I do love the Maserati so it is up there on my list of things I want. But I would have given $25,000 to my mother, $25,000 to my father, $15,000 to my grandmother, pay for college and divide $100,000 of it between various charities to help animals and . I’m big on volunteering. Maybe I could get Brent to use his half to buy me the Maserati. Hey baby, Valentine’s Day is coming up!
Monty Brinton/CBS
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