The pandemic affected "The Amazing Race" filming in big ways, and not just its filming schedule. According to LuLu and LaLa Gonzalez, everything was suddenly trickier, and not only because they had to follow public health protocols. "When we came back, it was totally different," LuLu told us. "We had to get tested every other day, which was a challenge in itself because it was very clear that if anybody tested positive, that's it. You're done. You're eliminated." 

The stress of potentially getting eliminated was only the tip of the iceberg. "We were also flown private. There was no more taking public transportation — no buses, no cabs..." LuLu added. This meant that the contestants no longer had any idea where they were headed next, with the crew not telling them anything. "You're looking out the window trying to guess, like, what ocean is this? What are we flying over?" LaLa explained. After all, they'd also typically be able to ask random people about their location, but contact with others was restricted.

This — and no physical contact — made the mental aspect of the race even more challenging. "When we first came together and then the cast was there, it's not like, 'Oh, it's good to see you' [with a hug]," LaLa added. "It's those little things that people take for granted, but that was the major changes." 

Still, LuLu assured us that everyone was safe. "We had to wear our masks when cameras were not rolling and if we had to go up to people and ask for directions, that was different," she explained.

You can catch Season 33 of "The Amazing Race" every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.

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