5 Shocking Ways Cody And Jessica Nickson’s Life Exploded After Winning The Amazing Race

Few reality television couples have leveraged their fame into a lasting empire quite like Cody Nickson and Jessica Graf. The duo, who met in the highly volatile environment of the Big Brother 19 house, cemented their status as a reality TV power couple by dominating and winning The Amazing Race Season 30. Their incredible journey from a controversial "showmance" to $1 million winners is only half the story.

As of late 2025, the Nickson family continues to grow, with the couple recently welcoming their fifth child together, Cody’s sixth overall. This constant stream of major life updates—from global racing triumphs to building a massive family—is why fans remain obsessed with the former #TeamBigBrother and their life after the finish line.

Cody and Jessica Nickson: The Complete Biography & Reality TV Profile

The foundation of their success lies in their contrasting yet complementary backgrounds, which proved to be the perfect combination for the high-stakes challenges of The Amazing Race.

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Cody Nickson (The Marine)

• Full Name: Cody Lee Nickson
• Born: April 13, 1985
• Hometown: Plano, Texas
• Pre-Reality Career: Decorated military veteran. Cody served in the United States Marine Corps, including two combat deployments. He also served in the Air Force. His intense discipline and physical prowess became a key factor in their *Amazing Race* victory.
• Reality TV Debut: Big Brother 19 (2017) – Voted America's Favorite Houseguest.
• Amazing Race Role: The physical strength and disciplined strategist.

Jessica Graf Nickson (The VIP Concierge)

• Full Name: Jessica Furtado Nickson (née Graf)
• Born: December 11, 1990
• Hometown: Cranston, Rhode Island (Later resided in Los Angeles, California)
• Pre-Reality Career: VIP Concierge/Model. Her social skills, charm, and ability to navigate complex social situations were crucial for the non-physical challenges on the Race.
• Reality TV Debut: Big Brother 19 (2017).
• Amazing Race Role: The social navigator and puzzle solver.

The Amazing Race Season 30: How Team Big Brother Dominated

Cody and Jessica’s run on *The Amazing Race Season 30* was a stark contrast to their chaotic time on *Big Brother 19*. On BB19, they were isolated, targeted, and evicted early, though Cody returned and was later voted America's Favorite Houseguest. The Race provided a fresh start, allowing their genuine connection and competitive spirit to shine without the political machinations of a house full of backstabbers.

A Clean Slate and a Clear Focus

The season, which premiered in January 2018, saw the couple compete against other notable teams, including IndyCar drivers Alex Rossi and Conor Daly, and competitive eaters Joey Chestnut and Tim Janus. Cody and Jessica entered the Race with a single, unifying goal: to win the $1 million prize and prove their relationship was more than just a fleeting showmance.

Their strategy was simple: Cody handled the demanding physical Roadblocks, while Jessica excelled at the mental and social Detours. This division of labor, combined with Cody’s Marine Corps discipline and Jessica’s cool-headed approach, made them a formidable force. They were consistently near the front of the pack, avoiding the dramatic pitfalls that plagued other teams.

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The Final Leg and a Photo Finish

The Race took them across the globe to nine different countries, including Iceland, Morocco, France, and Thailand. In the final leg, held in San Francisco, California, they faced off against two other strong teams: Team Extreme (Kristi and Jen) and Team IndyCar (Alex and Conor).

The final challenges included a demanding memory task and a high-stakes puzzle. Cody and Jessica maintained their lead, hitting the final mat first to be greeted by host Phil Keoghan. They officially became the winners of Amazing Race Season 30 and the first-ever team from the *Big Brother* franchise to win the competition.

The Nickson Family: A Post-Race Empire of Love and Children (2018-2025 Update)

Winning *The Amazing Race* was just the beginning of their life together. The $1 million prize provided the financial freedom to quickly build the large family they had always dreamed of. Their journey post-Race has been a whirlwind of milestones that have kept the Nickson family in the public eye and established their brand as a wholesome, family-focused entity.

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1. From Showmance to Spouse: The Marriage

After their victory, the couple wasted no time. Cody proposed to Jessica in February 2018, and they were married in a beautiful ceremony in October 2018. Their wedding was a major event in the reality TV community, attended by many former *Big Brother* and *Amazing Race* cast members, solidifying their place in the CBS reality universe.

2. The Rapid Expansion of the Nickson Clan

The most significant update on the Nickson’s life in late 2025 is the size of their family. They have embraced parenthood with astonishing speed, welcoming five children together in a relatively short period. This includes their first child, Carter York, and subsequent daughters. Cody also has an older daughter from a previous relationship, making him a father of six. This rapid expansion has made them one of the largest and most followed families to emerge from the reality TV genre.

3. A Thriving Digital Brand

Leveraging their combined following from *Big Brother* and *The Amazing Race*, Cody and Jessica built a successful lifestyle brand focused on family, fitness, and home life. They are active on social media platforms, providing fans with daily glimpses into their busy lives as parents. Jessica, in particular, has become a successful influencer, using her platform to discuss motherhood and family challenges.

4. The Long-Term Success of the "Showmance"

Their relationship is a rare success story in the often-doomed world of reality TV showmances. While many couples who meet on television split shortly after the cameras stop rolling, the Nicksons have thrived. They often credit the extreme stress of *Big Brother*, followed by the teamwork required on *The Amazing Race*, for forging an unbreakable bond. The Race, in particular, tested their ability to communicate under pressure, proving they were a strong partnership both romantically and competitively.

5. The Legacy of Team Big Brother

Cody and Jessica's win is a major piece of reality TV history. They proved that contestants from a social strategy game (*Big Brother*) could successfully transition to and win a physically and mentally demanding race (*The Amazing Race*). Their victory opened the door for future cross-over casting, influencing how CBS views its reality properties and the potential for fan-favorite contestants to get a second chance at a major prize.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

• Amazing Race Season 30
• Big Brother 19 (BB19)
• Showmance Success Story
• Reality TV Power Couple
• Phil Keoghan (Host)
• Team Big Brother
• Cody Nickson Marine Corps
• Jessica Graf VIP Concierge
• Carter York Nickson (First child)
• IndyCar Drivers (Competition)
• Kristi and Jen (Runners-up)
• CBS Reality Universe
• Plano, Texas
• Cranston, Rhode Island
• $1 Million Prize
• Global Competition
• Roadblocks and Detours
• Amazing Race Winners