08 December 2023 , 23:45
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**WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW**
As the first season of Squid Game: The Challenge came to a close this week, the winner of the "boring" finale admitted that they hadn't been handed a gold credit card full of money like the finale showed in its closing scenes.
The show is a reality game show based on the hit South Korean drama Squid Game on Netflix. In it, 456 players competed for a chance for the grand prize of $4.56 million (about £3.63 million).
After the finale between three players - Player 016 Sam, Player 287 Mai, and Player 451 Phil - only one winner was able to win the Squid Game. Mai Whelan, 55, won the record-breaking prize.
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The three finalists battled it out (Netflix)
Mai won the series (Getty Images)The Times interviewed the winner who disclosed to them that she hasn't actually received any cash yet. "I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. Show me the money!" she said.
Though she didn't have the cash yet, Mai still arrived to the finale event in style. She said she got a new haircut, Jimmy Choo shoes, and a new Ralph Lauren dress.
It's unknown why she hasn't received the money yet, but with the finale airing days ago, hopefully it hits her bank account sooner rather than later. Mai opened up on the show about her rough childhood in Vietnam under a Communist regime, joining the Navy at 18, and welcoming her first child a year later.
The two runner ups aren't eligible for any money (Getty Images for Netflix)The other two finalists also shared their past struggles. Phil Cain, who came in second place, told the camera that he had been living paycheck to paycheck most of his adult life and was currently a scuba instructor in Hawaii. Sam, the third place winner, was open about his family's conservative beliefs that led to him being shunned by them for being gay.
Even if Mai sympathizes with her fellow finalists, she wouldn't be able to give them any money. The contract players signed beforehand doesn't allow the cash to be shared.
When asked about what she'll do with the giant jackpot, Mai said she planned to buy a retirement home and donate to environmental causes and other charities she cares about.