‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ winner Mai Whelan is yet to get her prize money from the makers of the show. The 55-year-old immigration adjudicator bagged $4.56 million prize money after beating 455 players on the Netflix competition series in February.
During a chat with Sunday Times, she said, “I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire... Show me the money.” She also revealed what she would do once she receives the money, and talked about how she splurged on herself to attend the Squid Game gala night. She got a short haircut, a black Ralph Lauren dress, and Jimmy Choo shoes.
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"I still have buyer’s remorse from that, but I think it’s well deserved,” she further said.
Meanwhile, she also wants to get a retirement home for herself with the money. She said, "I’m thinking about a retirement home somewhere. We don’t know where yet, and we are happy with where we are. We live on the water. It’s very peaceful.”
Nonetheless, she would also donate her money to “charities for the underprivileged, wildlife, and climate change.” As per her contract, she cannot share the money with any of her former competitors.
Responding to her claim of a 10-month delay in prize money payout, People quoted a source as saying that the winner was made aware of the payment plan.
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Mai Whelan was announced the winner after beating contestant Phill Cain in a game of rock, paper, scissors. The finale episode was aired on December 6, and it has been renewed for season 2.
Not to miss, previously in November, two contestants from the show threatened legal action against Netflix and the producers. They alleged that they were physically hurt during the making, and claimed to have suffered hypothermia and nerve damage while filming the Red Light, Green Light game. However, a spokesperson from Netflix revealed to Deadline that at the time no lawsuit was filed.
