Downey’s Joslyn Davis cast in newest season of ‘The Amazing Race’

Erin Robinson, left, and Joslyn Davis.

DOWNEY –  If you didn’t believe before that all roads lead to Downey, here’s a new reason to trust the hype.

Another Downey native was chosen this year for the cast of a primetime CBS reality show -- but this time, it’s “The Amazing Race.”

“It was an unbelievable experience,” said Joslyn Davis, who teamed up with her best friend Erin Robinson for  the chance to win $1 million. “You feel like you have what it takes, but it’s harder than you can even imagine.”

Davis, 33, is the fourth person from Downey in the last nine years to compete in either “The Amazing Race” or “Survivor.” It’s a statistic that Davis attributes to the Downey upbringing. 

“My family still lives in Downey and were so excited about me being on the show,” said Davis, who attended what was formerly South Middle School (now Sussman) and later, she graduated from Downey High School. “My parents are used to me doing things outside of the box, but they’re so supportive.”

Davis said she always desired to go on the highly-rated show, and got her chance when co-worker and best friend Erin Robinson, 31, was approached about auditioning. Robinson selected Davis to interview with her.

“We lucked out that the theme this year was social influencers,” she said. “We got interviewed six-eight weeks before the race.”

Davis and Robinson both are hosts on the popular YouTube channel Clevver TV, which covers the latest in entertainment and celebrity news.

“I started working there when it began in a garage in West Covina. That was in 2008 and now we have five million subscribers and eight studios in Beverly Hills,” Davis said. 

In addition to YouTube stars, this season of the “The Amazing Race” will also feature other internet celebrities, including dancers, stunt artists, models, magician, podcast makers.

Filmed in November and December of last year, Davis said the 21-day journey to accomplish tasks and missions was grueling, spanning 18 cities and 10 countries like Columbia, Georgia, and Armenia. 

“We were tired, hungry, and disconnected. No cell phones, computers, or internet,” Davis said. “And for us working in the digital space, that’s hard.”

Nonetheless, Davis said the entire cast was phenomenal -- in it for the race itself, not the money.

While she couldn’t reveal who wins this season, Davis did encourage locals to tune in to see new locales, emotional meltdowns, and hilarious contestants.

“I’m just like all of you. Downey played such a huge role in the opportunities I had and I think being on this show is a cool way to share my experiences,” she said.

“The Amazing Race” premieres on Friday, Feb. 12 on CBS at 8 p.m.