FOX has released the trailer for season two of America Grit, much of which was filed in Liberty County, according to the Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
American Grit, which stars WWE personality John Cena, was filmed on Hampton Island near Riceboro, with some scenes taking place at Bryant Commons in Hinesville and Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island.
LCVB CEO Leah Poole said a scout contacted her agency last spring and summer, looking for filming locations. Acting as the Camera Ready liaisons for the county, LCVB provided information about possible filming locations and suggested Hampton Island. The staff set up a tour and the production crew decided to make the upscale housing development the main filming location.
“I had spoken with a film scout early in the spring of last year and then not much happened. Then one day out of the blue, the scout called and needed a tour that same day,” Poole said. “Amanda Scott and I took him to Hampton Island, where he really fell in love with the location.”
According to Fox, American Grit is a reality show where competitors who have lost their “grit” live along side Cena and a group of veterans, who lead them through a series of challenges. One competitor will win a quarter of a million dollars and all of them will hopefully find their “grit.”
The production crew built housing and challenge structures on Hampton Island. The cast lived there during filming and the crew stayed at various hotels in Flemington and Hinesville.
The Association of Film Commissioners International estimated the show produced $4.5 million in direct spending in Liberty County, accoring to the LCCVB.
LCCVB estimates the economic impact from hotel spending alone at $1.1 million; based on the number of rooms reserved and the length of their stay.
Cena was spotted at various places in Liberty County, including Walmart, Zum Rosenhof German Restaurant and the Sunbury Crab Company while the show was filming.
“It was exciting to see how folks were reacting so positively on social media when John Cena would appear around town,” Poole said. “The American Grit crew was great to work with, and we helped to make sure they had everything they needed, whether it was extra mosquito spraying in the area or directions. We’re really looking forward to watching this season and seeing Liberty County come to life on the show.”
Season 2 premieres at 9 p.m. June 11. Watch the trailer and find out more about the show at www.fox.com/american-grit or find it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram as AmericanGritFox.
To find out more about the LCCVB, visit www.libertycounty.org or find it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as Explore Liberty.
To find out more about the LCCVB as a Camera Ready community, visit http://cameraready.georgia.org/county/liberty