After months of intense preparation and audition, the 12-episode reality TV show “Shanghai Rush” will kick off its shooting tomorrow (March 12). 20 contestants from eight countries / regions will be accommodated in the five-star Hilton Shanghai and are eager to start off their month-long odyssey around the city.

At the press conference held by ICS this afternoon, we were formally introduced to the 20 lively and enthusiastic participants and ICS’s secret weapon-the programs’ host Brian Yang.

Meet the Contestants

• Team 1: Fernanda Amaral and Rodrigo Lepera from Brazil
  New to Shanghai and new lovers. They have been dating for just six months. This Brazilian pair is young, fun-loving and adventurous.


• Team 2: Justin Rocamor from Holland / Spain and Matti Pyyvaara from Australia
  Met at school here in Shanghai, studying Chinese together. They are Shanghai newcomers who explore the city together and enjoy every moment of it.


• Team 3: Melanie Der and Marilyn Li from U.S
  Best friends from college, “M and M” as they are known, are often mistaken for sisters. When asked why they came to Shanghai, the two Chinese Americans answer “Ummmm, we’re Chinese.”


• Team 4: Muzi Lin from U.S and Helmut Heuser from Germany
  This pair has been together for two years. According to Helmut, they’re engaged. But Muzi says, “He wishes!” Helmut has been in Shanghai longer than Muzi and claims he knows the city better than most.


• Team 5: Alice Lin from Hong Kong and Richard Lin from U.S
  This married couple met while studying at Dartmouth College and are both very successful MBA graduates. Look out for this couple’s competitive spirit.


• Team 6: Nic Anderson and Liz Fredrick from U.S


• Team 7: AJ Chen from Shanghai and Rebecca Jane Miller from U.K
  When they first met, they dated but it didn’t last long. She’s a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and former opera singer. He’s a hip-hop dancing Shanghaiese boy. They are our youngest team and could be the show’s most spontaneous duo.


• Team 8: Norma Crosetto and David Bowman from U.S
  The only mother / son team of the show. Norma is outgoing and tough. She describes her son as a sweetheart who could be a little tougher. She hopes this show and experience will bring out the tiger in her son.
  
• Team 9: Hudd Huddleston and Anna Gordon from U.S This newly wed couple came to Shanghai with a dream, which soon fell flat. Their expat jobs ended when the company they were working for folded. Now “homeless” and living in their friend’s spare room, they are looking forward to moving into the Hilton as much as they’re excited about starting the game.
  
• Team 10: William Hu from China and Lauren Jane from U.S
  This team met at the audition call for Shanghai Rush. Both of their partners could not make the show, but they found one another decided to team up. He’s a mechanical engineer and she’s a model/singer. They could be called the “odd-couple.” But they feel they might just have a winning combination.
  
  Click the image to see more team shots.
  
  

  Meet the Host

  
  American born and bred Brian Yang is fluent in Mandarin and speaks conversational French. The Berkeley graduate took the theatrical lead in over half a dozen plays throughout university. Professionally, Brian has been on a number of American TV series, such as General Hospital, As the World Turns and even as a recurring character on NBC’s The Tonight Show. Brian also played the role of Xiao Yu in 2005’s Saving Face, an official Sundance selection.
  
  

  What is the grand prize?

  Each of the champion team members will be given a one-year lease for free to a furnished villa developed by property giant Gemdale.