The Challenge’ Season 2? See Who Took Home The $4.56 Million Prize

There’s a new Squid Game: The Challenge winner. After defeating 456 players in a series of grueling childhood games, one contestant has claimed the multi-million-dollar prize and become the second-ever champion of Netflix’s high-stakes reality competition series.

Heading into the finale, which premiered on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET, five players remained: Vanessa (Player 17), Perla (Player 72), Steven (Player 183), Dajah (Player 302) and Trinity (Player 398). The episode began with the finalists donning the iconic black tuxedos for their luxurious final meal, during which they were served steaks.

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The contestants went around the table sharing their backgrounds and humble beginnings, including what they would use the prize money for. However, Steven continued to hide his success in poker competitions, most importantly, his $6.5 million win at the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event.

Then came an announcement: one of them would win the grand prize the next day, but not all of them would make it to the final game. They were presented with five coins, one of which was black, representing elimination. The first player had to conceal both the black and gold coins and offer them to another player. If the black coin was picked, that player had to continue presenting the coins until one player was left holding the black coin.

Why Did Trinity (Player 398) Self-Eliminate In The Finale?

In a shocking twist, Trinity (Player 398) asked Steven to reveal which coin was black, saying he wanted to take it. He attempted to self-eliminate, but his fellow contestants urged him to continue playing. However, he ultimately decided to send himself home, saying that his fellow contestants’ stories inspired him, and they deserved the money more.

Ultimately, Vanessa (Player 17), Perla (Player 72), Steven (Player 183) and Dajah (Player 302) advanced to the final game: the infamous Red Light, Green Light. The players were only permitted to move forward when the large doll said “Green Light” and had to freeze instantly when it said “Red Light.” The first person to cross the finish line would win.

First, Vanessa was eliminated, followed by Steven, leaving Dajah and Perla left. Dajah was forced to move after she popped her ankle, causing her to drop to the floor. “This is going to haunt me forever… for the rest of my life,” the former detective said on the show. “I’ll never know if I could have won.”

Who Won Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2?

Perla Figuereo, aka Player 72, won Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, meaning she’ll take home the $4.56 million prize, one of the highest game show payouts in history. The 25-year-old model was the only player to successfully cross the finish line in Red Light, Green Light.

“Little Perlita, from the BX Boogie Down Bronx and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, is a multimillionaire,” Figuereo said on the show following her win. She added that now, she can finally take care of her family. Viewers also saw Perla reunite with her loved ones in an emotional celebration of her incredible win.

Will Perla Get The $4.56 Million Prize Right Away?

Technically, Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 was filmed earlier in the year, with production taking place in England in January 2025. As of November, it’s unlikely she has received her prize money yet, assuming the payment structure mirrors Season 1. Now that the finale has aired, she’ll likely begin receiving payments soon.

In 2023, People reported that Season 1 winner Mai Whelan was informed of a payment plan stating she would receive the money once the Season 1 finale aired later that year. The clarification came after Mai told The Times in December 2023 that she hadn’t yet received the massive cash lump sum.

“I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. Show me the money!” Whelan told the site at the time.

Finally, on January 30, 2024, People confirmed that Whelan finally received the $4.56 million prize. The 55-year-old immigration adjudicator claimed victory after defeating fellow player Phill Cain during a final round of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

What Is Perla Planning To Do With The Prize Money?

Perla previously told Netflix’s Tudum that if she won Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, she would first pay off her credit card debt. After that, she planned to get home security for her mom, her brother and herself. “I do also want to make my mom’s dream of going to India a reality,” she said.

Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 is streaming on Netflix. Watch a teaser for the finale below.

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