Squid Game: The Challenge Winner Mai Whelan Has Her $4.56 Million Prize — Finally (Exclusive)

Mai Whelan has finally received her long-awaited payout after winning Netflix Squid Game: The Challenge!

The immigration judge received her historic $4.56 million prize after beating 455 other players in a series of grueling trials inspired by the award-winning Korean drama series, PEOPLE can confirm.

Despite the television personality’s previous claim of a 10-month delay in funds, PEOPLE can confirm that Whelan was aware of the payment plan, which stated that she would receive the payment after the series’ first season finale aired.

Mai Whelan in ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.

Pete Dadds/Netflix

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In December 2023, said the television personality Time“I feel like Tom Cruise Jerry MaguireShow me the money!”

At the time, she also told the publication that she had already spent some of her expected winnings on a new look for Squid game gala — including a short haircut, a Ralph Lauren dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.

“I still feel guilty about it, but I think it’s deserved,” she said.

How Squid Game: The ChallengeThe players secretly helped Team Umbrella in the cookie game

As for her other plans, the Virginia native revealed her hopes of finding a “retirement home somewhere,” adding: “We don’t know where yet, and we’re happy with where we are. We live on the water. It’s very peaceful.”

Whelan took the win Squid Games: The Challenge after the final game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with fellow contestant Phil Cain.

“I don’t know whether to cry or to be happy. I don’t know what to do,” she admitted to Cain after winning the big prize.

Sam (Player 016), Mai (Player 287) and Phill (Player 451) in ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.

netflix

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Today just confirms that everything is possible, she said in a confessional interview. “Even when [you] feeling down and scared, you have to pull yourself together, be a strong person and focus. Whatever you fear, fight it with everything you have and you can achieve anything. And I proved that tonight. I’m a winner.”

Aside from her personal plans, Whelan revealed she wants to do good with the salary, speaking Party tonight“I have charities that I want to contribute more to,” including “sponsoring children going to school and helping the elderly with their basic needs and health care. And also wildlife and the climate.”

“I think they are very important to how we see the world so that we can live in it and enjoy it for everyone, not just for us at the moment,” she explained.

Since winning, Whelan has been active on social media, starting the new year by “helping animals in need” and taking photos with her fans. “I love meeting my fans; Squidos❤️,” she captioned a fan clip on Jan. 6.

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1st season Squid Game: The Challenge can be streamed in its entirety on Netflix. Recruitment for Season 2 is now open here.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education