Although some said they played dirty early on, Nick and Starr Spangler grew into one of The Amazing Race’s most popular, well-rounded teams this season. Now, after Sunday’s finale, they’re $1 million richer. And that’s not all: Starr also scored a new boyfriend in competitor Dallas and Nick is ready to propose to his girlfriend Monica. The 20-something siblings chatted with PEOPLE about their relationships, what they plan to do with their money and why Starr’s next stop on reality TV should be at Dancing with the Stars. – Nicholas White
When did you first think you could realistically win the Race?
Nick: I didn’t believe it until we were in the final cab going to the finish line. Starr had a different opinion.
Starr: Once we got on [the show], before we left, I said, “We can totally win this. We can totally do it.” I was more optimistic that we could make it to that finish line.
Nick: She wrote on our application, “I guarantee we will win at least one leg, and we will definitely be in the final three.” I was always the pessimist. I’ve watched so many seasons of the Race, and so many crazy things [can happen]. You never know what the heck they’re going to throw at you.
What other teams were your biggest threats?
Nick: Ken and Tina didn’t concern us. We loved racing with them and we loved racing against them. In the very first leg, we made an alliance with them, and got along with them every step of the way.
Starr: They didn’t show it, but as we were landing in Portland, we said, “It’s been a great run, good luck.” From the start line looking at the teams, Terence and Sarah probably scared us the most. They were the most fit. We could tell they were intelligent. As we saw them race, we weren’t obsessed with them as a team, but we definitely always worried about them. Nick and I said, “They’re constantly making mistakes, running the wrong way. They’re fit and would be great at the Race, but they’re making a lot of mistakes.” There was a point where we set them aside and focused on us.
Nick: It would have been a very different final three if Terence and Sarah replaced Ken and Tina.
Starr: Or if Toni and Dallas had been there. We would have loved to race against Toni and Dallas for the $1 million. We should have raced against them. It was a shame not to have them there.
Speaking of Dallas and Toni, they were not at the finish line to congratulate you.
Starr: They were not at the finish line, which was really hard because Nick and I raced with Toni and Dallas the entire time. It would be like if Ken and Tina weren’t there. They were our family during the Race, and they’re our family now. It was just a part of our race experience was missing without them there. They meant so much to us.
Starr, you’ve been dating Dallas?
Starr: Dallas and I have been dating since the show ended. We actually got back and I flew back to Texas. He lives in California. He called and said, “We spent 30 days together. I miss you.” So, I went to visit him and we went skydiving. Before we went skydiving, he said, “I want you to be my girlfriend.” We’ve been together ever since. He was actually here in New York with me to watch the finale. It’s been great. We have a great relationship and were very lucky to have met on the Race. [The relationship] really developed after the Race. We wanted to be careful with it. It was something real and wasn’t just created by CBS. It’s great, and he’s a wonderful guy.
What’s your plan for the $1 million?
Nick: We have yet to receive a check. Most likely, there is no extravagant purchase to be made. I’m not buying a car or some crazy thing. I live in New York and rents are high. So most likely, I’ll start looking for places to put a down payment on.
Starr: Nick and I have always been very responsible when it comes to money. We work very hard for it. Neither one of our jobs — I’m a teacher, he’s an actor — provide a lot of income. I think we both plan on making this amount of money more money, and hope it will provide for our futures, especially because the economy is so tough right now. I want to have a house in California, and hopefully it will go towards that.
Nick, you’re engaged?
Nick: When Starr and I were considering doing the Race, in the application process — I’m dating Starr’s best friend Monica — we were just talking about what if we were on the show, what if win and stuff. Without even thinking about it, I said to Starr, “If we cross the finish line and win the $1 million, I think I would stop and propose to Monica on the spot, no questions asked.” And Starr said, “Really?” I said, “Yeah, absolutely.” Because I know in my heart that’s what I want to do — it’s just a matter of money. That’s pretty much taken care of at this point. I haven’t proposed yet.
Starr: He will soon! He’s getting ready. We’re planning it.
What were the biggest hurdles you had to overcome in the Race?
Nick: One of the toughest things was simply the language barrier. Starr speaks some rudimentary Spanish that didn’t really help us. So there were a lot of moments when I felt truly hopeless and alone when I couldn’t communicate with a cab driver.
Starr: Nick and I meshed the entire Race. That was probably the edge we have on other teams. When it came to tasks and challenges, Nick and I blew through them.
Do you want to do more reality TV?
Starr: I would love to be on Dancing with the Stars. I’ve been in cheerleading, dancing my whole life and that is one show I’d love to be in. And if Dallas and I don’t work out, I would love to be on The Bachelorette!
Monty Brinton/CBS/AP
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