Natalie Glebova Amazing Race

 Natalie Glebova in the "Amazing Race - Asia 3"

No Amazing Race season is without its resident eye candy but with leggy beauties Pailin and Natalie, their team has one credential none of the previous good looking teams in race history ever had – being in a Miss Universe pageant and winning one! 

25 year old Pailin Rungratanasunthorn was the first runner up in 2006 Miss Thailand Universe and represented her country as Miss Thailand Earth 2006 as well. 

As for her good friend Natalie Glebova, the 26-year-old actually was a Miss Universe. Natalie took home the gleaming crown and title from the competition held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2005. The Russian Canadian beauty originally from Tuapse, Russia represented Canada in her winning event and is the second Canadian to claim the title. 

It is no wonder that beauty pageants are part of their blood, having met in the 2006 Miss Thailand Universe pageant and becoming fast friends after that. Pailin was also one of Natalie's bridesmaids when she married Thailand's highest ranked tennis player, Paradorn Srichaphan, in November 2007. 

But beauty is not the only thing that links the Thailand team together. Both have acute business sense as they are running their own business. Pailin's company makes toys, t-shirts and gifts for sale online, while Natalie's company sells beauty products across Thailand. 

Describing herself, Pailin notes of her decision to participate in The Amazing Race, "I am really competitive and I want to do something where I can put my energy in it." 

Agreeing, Natalie adds, "We're both very competitive and cannot stand to lose. We love to travel, love to do adrenaline like things, love to experience new cultures and learn." 

And with both their credentials, travelling has become second nature to them. Pailin has travelled to Japan, China, South Africa, and Egypt while Natalie, other than gracing beauty pageants around the world, has attended the G8 Summit in New York, and as a HIV/AIDS awareness advocate, has travelled extensively to India and Africa. 

Having spent their formative years in the beauty circuit, the damsels know a bit about what it takes to stay ahead. And having seen the show on television, the duo is also gunning to experience the thrills and tumbles that only the race can deliver. Exclaims Natalie, "We love to try new things. Give us bungee jumping, parachuting, paragliding and parasailing any day!" 

She adds, "We are competitive, we're in shape and we're going to kick ass." 

The girls have started preparing for the trek around the world based on what the previous Amazing Race Asia seasons were like. Surprisingly, their strategy for winning is to be the underdog and "fly under the radar". "Let's hope that no one will take us too seriously so we won't be recognized as a threat until it's too late!"

Asia has been eagerly anticipating the return of The Amazing Race Asia on AXN since the thrilling second season that brought viewers many exciting moments. It was also the program to tune-in to for close to 19 million viewers across Asia. So gear up for an absolutely intense third installment of The Asian edition of the 15-time nominated, five-time Emmy Award winning reality travel competition that debuts exclusively on AXN, 11 September, every Thursday 10pm.

Expect a whole lot more drama and adrenalin-rushing excitement as The Amazing Race Asia 3 unfolds “The Toughest Race”. Ricky Ow, Senior Vice- President and General Manager of SPE Networks – Asia, the parent network of the AXN channel explains, “It will be the toughest race ever as there will be many challenges the contestants will not expect and be mentally prepared for. The teams will have shorter resting time, the journey will be harder, and the speed of the race will be faster and more intense. This combined with the new cast, you can expect many dramatic moments, tears, twists and turns, and an overall thrilling ride for viewers!”  

The Amazing Race Asia 3 has a totally new and exciting cast to look out for. Besides the first Korean team joining the race, season 3 also has the highest number of family relationships in all seasons of The Amazing Race Asia. And unlike their predecessors, many of the contestants are not used to the demands of high adventure. Yet this vibrant and spirited group of contestants is simply brimming with energy and an eagerness to win. They are definitely just as colorful and competitive as the previous season’s; and under the toughest race’s intense conditions, they will provide many valuable TV moments and a whole lot more drama.

Up for this tough challenge are 10 diverse teams from India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand,

Singapore, Korea and the Philippines that guarantee to turn heads, not just because some are the best looking people around. 

The contestants are: 3 beauty queens counting a former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova and wife to Thailand’s highest ranking (and once world #9) tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan; the first-ever Korean team made up by sporty brothers; famous Malaysian faces - Bernie Chan who pairs up with her brother, and actress Ida Nerina (Serpet) with her heiress pal Tania Khan; a comedian who can’t help but crack jokes on-and-off screen with his teacher buddy; a beautiful ex air-hostess and cousin from India; and a dramatic father and son team with theatrical antics. 

AXN is proving to be the leading original content creator in the region with two successful past seasons of The Amazing Race Asia under its belt. The Amazing Race Asia 3 is also boosted by leading global brands, Caltex, MASkargo Nokia, Singha Corporation, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific and Standard Chartered Bank.

Ricky Ow notes, “The Amazing Race Asia is a mega production and we have only been able to create this world world-class production because of the faith of our valuable partners.  Many like Sony Electronics Asia Pacific, Caltex, Nokia and Standard Chartered Bank are long-time supporters of Asian franchise, and we are proud to bring in our new partners Singha Corporation and MASkargo to the Race.”

Get to know the new contestants of The Amazing Race Asia 3 when the season premieres on AXN this September! For more details about the race, visit the official website http://amazing-race-asia.axn-asia.com, and watch the special Racers Revealed episode to find out more about the teams. Racers Revealed will debut on AXN 4 September, Thursday  9pm.

The Amazing Race Asia 3 debuts exclusively on AXN

Posted in: Natalie Glebova