The hourglass is almost ticking for Mai Whelan, winner of Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” with her $4.5 million prize money ticking down!
Days after the Vietnamese immigrant seemingly called out exhibitors for failing to credit his account with life-changing rewards, sources revealed the truth behind the delayed payment. It turns out that the producers of the competition do not play with money and have a strict contract in the game.
‘Octopus Game’ Winner Warned Of Delayed Payment Before Winning
When Whelan emerged as the winner of the show “Squid Game: The Challenge”, many expected him to live a multi-million dollar life with prize money. However, Netflix destroyed that dream with a delayed payment of $4.5 million in bonuses, an issue the media giant’s lawyers sealed in a contract long before the climax aired.
The competition winner may need to refresh his memory about the contract he signed before the reality TV series, as sources recently claimed he was aware of the delayed payment. The insider insists Whelan and the other contestants signed a document stating that the prize money would be released 30 days after the final aired.
Netflix aired the show’s final episode on December 6, meaning Whelan will have to continue playing the waiting game for another thirty days, with his prize money arriving on Friday, January 5, 2024. While many assumed he had complained about delayed payments, this new information gives a different perspective to his previous statement.
When the Vietnamese states that he has not yet received a dime of the promised money, it is more likely a reminder to the producer of his upcoming payday than a complaint about their refusal to uphold the purpose of their agreement. Accordingly, the source did not explain TMZ if $4.5 million will be paid in full or in installments.
The contract seems to have slipped Whelan’s mind in the “Squid Game: Challenge” season finale as his first move after defeating scuba instructor Phill was to check his account balance at the ATM. Although this moment happened a few days earlier for the audience, it happened ten months ago for the Vietnamese immigrants.
“I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. Show me the money!” he replied when asked in a recent interview about his prize money. The 55-year-old said she didn’t receive the $4.5 million but has started splurging on luxuries like a stunning Ralph Lauren dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, and a gorgeous hairstyle for a Netflix event.
Additionally, Whelan opened up about his strict contract, revealing that contestants are prohibited from giving away a portion of their winnings to other contestants. Although he can’t spend his prize money on his former co-star, the contract doesn’t stop him from donating to charity.
The reality TV star says she will support environmental projects and look into a retirement home away from her home in Fairfax, Virginia, once her $4.5 million paycheck arrives. His victory against more than 400 contestants came after several complaints about the nightmarish state of the show.
Contestant Labels First Challenge of Reality TV Show ‘Squid Game’ ‘Inhumane’
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When Netflix announced its plans to make a reality TV show based on the Korean drama series “Squid Game,” many never thought they would be facing such an exhausting experience as the fictional character. ICYMI, the hit show, follows the struggles of people who are so desperate for money that they join a deadly game.
The rules are simple: survive the challenge, defeat the opponent, and emerge as the final winner or die trying. While the Netflix adaptation doesn’t involve anyone dying, the circumstances of the filming are enough to make people cry. Some contestants claimed they were practically tortured by the “Squid Game” filming team.
The conditions they allegedly faced were so bad that they felt they were being treated like “animals”. Some candidates declared: “We were tortured for 8 hours,” while others said: “I know the show is hard, but this is inhumane.”
The complaints didn’t end there as more added that “a good picture is more important to the filming team than the health of the participants.” All these complaints came after the first challenge of the show, a game called “Red Light Green Light,” like in the Korean drama series.
The challenge was reportedly a “war zone” for the contestants, with them struggling to stay still for more than 8 hours while the temperature outside was less than 0 degrees Celsius. Some of them suffered from hypothermia, while others were transported on stretchers by doctors.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
