The Amazing Race winners Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss have revealed a relationship update after winning $1 million on Season 34.

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The couple, who met on Big Brother in Summer 2021 and began dating in October of last year, were only dating for nine months when they left to compete on The Amazing Race together.

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While Derek, 25, and Claire, 26, had high hopes for themselves on The Amazing Race, they thought winning was "a shot in the dark," and so they called crossing the finish line in first place "surreal."

Now that two reality shows are behind them, Derek and Claire told Us Weekly that they're settling in their life together.

Back in July, Derek and Claire moved from New York to Los Angeles, CA. They were renting a small Airbnb together, but after The Amazing Race, they moved into a new apartment.

"One thing [The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan] asked us [at the finish line] was, 'Are there any plans for [you] coming up?' And I was like, 'Oh, I think me and Claire are going to be starting a family," Derek recalled.

"Phil was like, 'What?!' And I was like, 'Yeah, we're going to be adopting a dog pretty soon!'"

That scene didn't air on The Amazing Race finale, but Derek laughed about how the conversation shocked the camera crew.

On whether the couple has adopted a dog yet, Derek confirmed, "That hasn't happened. But we have a cat keeping us busy. So that's pretty much it right now."

Claire, an AI engineer from Ohio, also revealed that she quit her job before going on The Amazing Race.

"I've just been enjoying some time off. I never took time off after Big Brother, so I'm planning on going back and actually getting a job now. So I've enjoyed my little time off," Claire shared.

"[Having the $1 million cushion is nice. My plan was always, no matter what happened -- if we won or lost -- I would take time off. But then, you know, knowing the money is there has made it a little better."

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Derek, a former Maryland-based founder of a start-up, chimed in, "Basically, we needed to win the Race."

Claire also revealed how she'd like to write a book on how to win a reality show, which Derek dubbed "a great concept" given Claire could discuss social strategy and more.

"So that's what's going on! But we are taking a little break right now -- nothing on the horizon," Claire told the magazine.

But Derek and Claire said their relationship has never been stronger since filming The Amazing Race.

"We definitely had parts when we were on the Race and I was like, 'I don't like this person... It's not fun!'" Claire confessed.

"One hundred percent. I was like, 'Luis, you want to switch [teammates]?'" Derek joked.

Claire said she now understands when people say going on The Amazing Race will either break up a couple or prove they can make it work.

"It made us so much stronger and [what we learned] is now applicable outside of the Race too," Claire said, adding they are "a lot, lot stronger" now.

Derek and Claire, dubbed "Reality TV Romance" on The Amazing Race, shared how they crossed the finish line in Nashville, TN, about 15 to 20 minutes before "Long-Lost Twins" Emily Bushnell and Molly Sinert.

The pair also said "Married Couple" Luis Colon and Michelle Burgos finished the Race about 15 to 20 minutes behind the twins.

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When Derek and Claire competed on Big Brother last summer, they started out as friends during the game and only connected in the jury house.

"I definitely liked Claire in the [BB] house. I knew from Week 1 that Claire was my type. I guess I just never let myself explore that beyond just a friendship... I knew that if I let myself, I would just fall for Claire," Derek admitted to Us in October 2021.

Claire confirmed, "There wasn't any secret backroom kisses or anything like that. It just naturally occurred in the jury house."

Derek shared how he wanted to win the game and so he stayed focused on strategy and making allies, and Claire was apparently on the same page at the time.

"I think both of us had like a little bit of a crush, or at least saw maybe there's some potential there, pretty early on in the game," Claire explained.

"But then you just get wrapped up in the game and you just don't think about it anymore. You just are so focused on trying to win the money. And you're not exploring it. You're not really thinking, 'Oh, what if this?'"

Claire revealed that she and Derek "felt the chemistry" once they moved into the jury house and had an opportunity to "really connect with each other."

"We would stay up late talking every single night and we just really developed a bond," Claire noted.

Claire revealed that she ultimately made the first move on Derek, officially taking their connection out of the friend zone.

RELATED LINK: 'THE AMAZING RACE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)

Derek and Claire told Us last year that their family and friends were "surprised" by their romance but their relationship "just completely makes sense" to them.

"As long as we're together, I'm happy," Claire concluded.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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