The winner of the reality show ‘Squid Game: The Challenge‘ told the Sunday Times that she has not received her cash prize yet, months after her victory. Mai Whelan won a whopping $4.56 million worth of prize money, as she competed with 455 competitors on the reality show.
The 55-year-old immigration adjudicator, who won the show in February, said she is now growing impatient. Using Tom Cruise’s famous line from Jerry Maguire, she said, “I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire… Show me the money.”
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Whelan Has Planned What She Would Do With The Cash Prize
Narrating her ordeal to the Sunday Times, she said she looks forward to getting the money that she rightfully won and owns. Whelan also humorously said during the interview that she has already gotten herself a chic makeover for the Squid Game gala night.
Whelan has gotten a stylish short haircut, a sleek black Ralph Lauren dress, and elegant Jimmy Choo shoes. “I still have buyer’s remorse from that, but I think it’s well deserved,” she said.
She revealed her plans about what she would do with the money after she got it. Whelan said she would look into a retirement home for herself. “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,” she said.
She further revealed her intent to donate to charities supporting the underprivileged, wildlife, and climate change. She also clarified that as per her contract with the show makers, she cannot share the prize money with her former competitors.
In case you missed it: Hwang Dong-hyuk: Earnings Before and After the Squid Game.
Inside Source Says Whelan Was Aware Of Show’s Payment Plan
In response to Whelan’s frustration over the 10-month delay in the payout, an inside source claimed she was aware of the show’s payment plan, according to the Sunday Times. The source claimed that she was notified that she would receive the prize money after the season was aired.
In the final episode of the show on December 6, Mai Whelan won against contestant Phill Cain in a game of rock, paper, and scissors. The show has now been renewed for a second season.
This is not the first time that ‘Squid Games: The Challenge‘ is likely to be in legal trouble due to contestant disappointment. Earlier in November, two contestants threatened legal action against Netflix and producers, alleging physical harm during filming.
The contestants had claimed injuries, that allegedly resulted in hypothermia and nerve damage, during the Red Light, Green Light game on the show. However, no lawsuit was filed at the time, as informed by a Netflix spokesperson.
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