The inaugural season of Squid Game The Challenge concluded on December 6, with Mai Whelan emerging as the winner, have a look at her bio, age and family
The reality program, based on the immensely popular South Korean TV series Squid Game, depicts a group of individuals compelled to engage in life-threatening contests for a chance to win a prize of KRW 45.6 billion.
Who is player 287 Mai Whelan winner of Squid Game The Challenge, bio, age, family, nationality, prize money
Mai Whelan was the best player of #SquidGameTheChallenge by far. She deserved her win. I always root for the crafty villain. I’m happy for her. #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/GA36qFriMM
— The G-Listed (@theglisted) December 7, 2023
"[It feels like] a burden off my shoulder because I was holding the secret for the longest [time], almost a year."
"Squid Game: The Challenge" winner Mai Whelan says the first person she told she won was her husband. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mRt0dcxVUg
— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 7, 2023
Unlike its fictional counterpart, the reality TV adaptation, filmed at London’s Wharf Studios, featured 456 contestants participating in a variety of intricate games, including classics like Red Light, Green Light from the original series and new additions such as a life-sized version of Battleship.
Prize Money
For unversed, Hailing from Vietnam and residing in Virginia, Whelan secured the title of the show’s first-ever winner, claiming a staggering USD 4.56 million—setting a new record for the largest cash prize in reality TV history.
Thankfully, unlike the lethal challenges depicted in the South Korean show directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the reality TV version maintained a non-deadly approach. Whelan, identified as contestant No. 287, triumphed over two other finalists—Sam Lantz (No. 016) and Phill Cain (No. 451)—in a closely contested finale.
Who is Mai Whelan?
A 55-year-old immigration adjudicator and US Navy veteran, Mai Whelan, was born in Vietnam and arrived in the US as a refugee. Sam Lantz, a 37-year-old artist from Florida, and Phill Cain, a 27-year-old scuba instructor from Hawaii, were the other finalists.
Esquire reported that Whelan experienced the Fall of Saigon in 1975 at the age of eight, fleeing her home country with her family. Recalling her harrowing past in episode six of the show, she spoke of narrowly escaping danger in a killing field and the challenges she faced, including serving in the military and becoming a single parent at 19.
Despite being filmed in the UK, Whelan, being a US citizen, is subject to the American taxation system, leaving her with an estimated USD 2.8 million after applicable tax deductions.
Season 2 Renewal Status
The reality show, as per Netflix, dominated the streaming giant’s Top 10 English TV list for the weeks of the 20th and 27th and ranked in the Top 10 across 93 countries. Due to its immense popularity, the show has been renewed for a second season, with casting already underway.
Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Nonfiction Series, expressed excitement about continuing the Squid Game franchise, assuring fans that there was no hesitation in greenlighting the second season.
The forthcoming season, much like its predecessor, will feature 456 participants competing for the coveted prize of USD 4.56 million, and those interested in joining the competition can apply through the official site.
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