How the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge season one spent her prize money
Mai Whelan made only one big purchase
The new season of Squid Game: The Challenge has finally released, but what did the previous winner, Mai Whelan, do with her whopping $4.56 million prize money?
Mai Whelan became the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge season one when she won a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors and unlocked the key to the safe which contained the millions of dollars.
View this post on Instagram
Since winning the first season of the show, Mai moved back home to Virginia, telling Netflix: “It was a relief to go back to normal life and not worry about getting eliminated.
“I needed that after two and a half weeks of intense go, go, go, and emotional ups and downs.
“But the person that came into the competition is me. I’m still Mai, and she hasn’t changed – except that I came out stronger.”
As for what Squid Game: The Challenge winner Mai Whelan decided to do with her winnings, she used it to renovate her home and also built a small docks to house her boat in her backyard.
She did decide to spend some serious money on one item, a beaded black velvet Ralph Lauren gown, which she ended up wearing to the press tour for the show.
View this post on Instagram
She recalled: “I couldn’t help it. But that’s about as frivolous as I want to go.”
However, Mai also used her prize money for some very charitable causes, explaining: “My heart is with people, animals, and climate change.
“If we continue what we’re doing, there won’t be a future for all the little kids growing up right now.”
She’s also been giving away a vast quantity of her fortune through Instagram, holding giveaways for her followers where they can win up to $2k.
For all the latest reality TV cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates – like Reality Shrine on Facebook.