Tough as Nails season 5: Meet the cast

Tough as Nails is set to return with a brand new season this week. The upcoming season 5 will bring forward something different as it will feature contestants from America as well as Canada.

While in conversation with Parade about the upcoming installment, host Phil Keoghan said:

"Americans and Canadians were mixed together in the picking of the teams. And so that mix in advance, the drive time, and the bonding that took place between them was really, really cool."

Tune in on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 8 pm ET to watch the season premiere of Tough as Nails season 5 on CBS.

Tough as Nails season 5: Among the 12 contestants, 3 are aged 55 or above

The upcoming season of Tough as Nails, which is filmed in Hamilton, Ontario, will feature 12 contestants in total. Four of these are Canadians while the rest of the cast hails from different parts of America.

The host of season 5, Phil Keoghan, who is also known for his role as the host of The Amazing Race, opened up about the new installment ahead of the season premiere with EW.

While in conversation, he said that there is a healthy rivalry between contestants of the two countries and that fans will see a “good bit of banter” between the cast members.

He added that Tough as Nails has contestants who are in their 20s as well as those in their 60s.

He continued:

"Being the best of the best in your chosen trade is not an age thing. If anything, you might be young and hungry and really, really fit, but you don't have the life skills, you don't have the experience."

He added that the other thing that is essential for the show is treating women and men equally. Phil said that they wanted a show where there are no gender-based divisions and a show where men and women, regardless of their age, can use their physical and mental skills to compete.

While in conversation with Parade about season 5, he compared the dynamics of the upcoming cast to New Zealand’s relationship with Australia. He said that when people of different countries go up against one another, a sense of patriotism kicks in, and they want to represent their countries.

Set to compete in Tough as Nails season 5 are:

Paul Hamilton: A 56-year-old Maintenance Supervisor from Alberta, Canada
Carolina Paredes: A 42-year-old Motorcycle Builder from Texas, America
Dustin Bradford: A 34-year-old Fire Fighter from Alberta, Canada
Marcus Jones: A 49-year-old CO2 Technician from Texas, America
Jessica Hayes: A 35-year-old Remodeling Contractor from Texas, America
Kenji Ngo: A 39-year-old “Jack of All Trades” from Ohio, America
Cheryl Liestau: A 55-year-old Carpenter from Massachusetts
Ben Dempsey: A 33-year-old Tile Setter from Nova Scotia, Canada
Akeela Al-Hameed: A 34-year-old Fire Fighter from Minnesota, America
Todd Anderson: A 55-year-old Toolmaker from Wisconsin, America
Yesi Reyes: A 31-year-old Ironworker from California, America
Carly Steimen: A 32-year-old Electrician from North Vancouver, Canada

The upcoming season of Tough as Nails season 5 is filmed in Canada as opposed to America and will air twice a week on Sundays and Fridays at 8 pm ET.

Tune in on Sunday, July 2, to watch the season premiere on CBS.

About the author

Sukriti is a Reality TV writer for the pop culture division of Sportskeeda. A graduation in Political Science initially sparked her interest in journalism; however, over time, she found herself drawn to combining her passion for writing with her fascination for pop culture. With a diverse background spanning 4 years, she likes to maintain dignity and accuracy in her work, ensuring that sensitive matters are reported with integrity and using credible sources.

Sukriti appreciates how reality television offers unique insights into the lives of celebrities and influential personalities, showcasing both their triumphs and vulnerabilities. She is a big fan of Ariana Madix from Vanderpump Rules, for her ability to navigate challenging situations gracefully.

She has had the privilege of interviewing prominent cast members from popular shows like Squid Game: The Challenge such as Charles ‘Chaz’ Roquemore, Jinwoo Oak, Radhika, Mutty B. Mark Gilloffo, along with the cast members from Love at First Lie - Monica Bulnes and Josh Riquelme.

Outside of work, Sukriti finds joy in traveling to offbeat destinations, particularly in the hills, and spending quality time with her cats. She also remains engaged with current affairs, seeking to educate herself on social and political developments worldwide.

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Edited by Prem Deshpande