The dust has barely settled on Carson and Jack's triumphant win in Thursday's finale of The Amazing Race Season 37, but it's comments from third-place finishers Ana and Jonathan that have set social media ablaze.
Following the May 15, 2025, conclusion of the globe-trotting competition, Ana boldly claimed that despite their visible conflicts throughout the season, she and Jonathan had done "so well at working together." This assessment raised eyebrows among viewers who had witnessed weeks of tense interactions between the couple.
Ana's insistence that their frequent arguments were "just normal" and evidence of their strong bond struck many fans as disconnected from the reality they watched unfold on screen.
The reaction was swift and pointed across social platforms, with viewers questioning not just Ana's perception of healthy teamwork but also Jonathan's claims that The Amazing Race had increased his "tolerance" and "resilience" – assertions that many in the audience found difficult to reconcile with his televised behavior.
The Amazing Race fans react to Ana’s defense of Jonathan’s behaviour throughout the season
The Amazing Race viewers pulled no punches in their assessment of Ana and Jonathan's post-finale comments. The overwhelming sentiment across social media platforms rejected Ana's claim that the couple worked well together, with many expressing alarm at her characterization of their arguments as "normal.":
“Yay for Jack and Carson. We'll deserved win. Jonathan and Ana are both delusional after those finale comments. She thinks they work well together and he thinks he learned something. Wrong on both accounts,” one fan commented on X.
“No Ana, Jonathan’s behavior towards you should not be “normal,”’ another fan said.
“Ana saying arguing with Jonathan is “normal” shows how blind she is to his mistreatment and gaslighting! He is a horrible human being. Ana deserves so much better…you can tell she has an amazing heart," a fan tweeted.
“Shut up Jonathan...& Ana you dont work well together, she's deluded,” a viewer remarked.
Fan reactions largely centered on concern for Ana's welfare, with many suggesting she was blind to Jonathan's treatment of her throughout the competition. Terms like "mistreatment," "gaslighting," and "verbally abusive" appeared repeatedly in The Amazing Race viewer comments about Jonathan's behavior. Many urged Ana to reevaluate the relationship entirely.
Jonathan faced additional criticism when viewers learned he had referenced an "undiagnosed autism" explanation in separate interviews – a justification fans dismissed as an inadequate excuse for his conduct. Viewers particularly objected to his claim of personal growth, with many suggesting his behavior showed no signs of improvement throughout the season:
“We could not stand watching Jonathan be soo verbally and emotionally abusive to Ana!! So insulting and mean! Even their final interview Ana excuses it saying how well they work together despite hard times! Thats not normal to talk that way!! Get out!!,” another fan commented.
“Ana girl, blink if you need some help! Jonathan the sore LOSER probably fussed her out and blamed her for losing the game the whole way home,” another tweet read.
“This girl saying: it’s a good thing when your partner stands beside you…blah blah blah. Ma’am! We’ve only seen him on this season of #amazingrace but if he’s THIS disrespectful on tv…we can only imagine what he does in private. Toxic,” a tweet said.
“Ana just said "you're gonna see us fight, and that's JUST NORMAL" I'm so truly GLAD they didn't win," another fan wrote.
The reaction highlighted a profound disconnect between the couple's self-perception and the audience's interpretation of their dynamic. Rather than seeing a functioning team overcoming normal challenges, The Amazing Race viewers witnessed interactions they deemed troubling enough to spark this passionate response.
Behind the finale comments
During the post-finale interviews of The Amazing Race, Ana doubled down on her positive assessment of their partnership. She acknowledged their visible struggles but framed them as evidence of their deep connection rather than as warning signs. Her characterization of Jonathan as "her person" contrasted sharply with the interactions viewers witnessed throughout the competition.
Jonathan, meanwhile, focused on personal growth in his remarks. He claimed the race had enhanced his adaptability in challenging situations — a perspective that many fans found at odds with his consistent behavior patterns across multiple episodes.
The controversy intensified when reports emerged that Jonathan had referenced an "undiagnosed" condition in separate interviews to contextualize his behavior – an explanation many viewers dismissed as inadequate.
As Carson and Jack celebrate their well-earned million-dollar prize after winning The Amazing Race, the conversation surrounding Ana and Jonathan highlights broader questions about relationship dynamics in high-pressure competitions.
The discrepancy between how contestants perceive themselves versus how viewers interpret their actions remains one of reality television's most fascinating psychological aspects. Ana and Jonathan's post-The Amazing Race reflections serve as a reminder that participants and audience members often walk away from the same show with entirely different experiences.
You can watch The Amazing Race Season 37 live on CBS every Wednesday, with episodes available for streaming on Paramount+ after airing.