Squid Game: The Challenge Finale Meet the Finalists

The Final Countdown: Meet the Final Five of Squid Game: The Challenge

After weeks of intense competition, brutal challenges, and strategic gameplay, the moment of truth is finally here. Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 is set to crown its grand prize winner on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. One contestant will walk away with a life-changing $4.56 million, the largest single prize in reality TV history. But first, the final five—Vanessa (Player 17), Perla (Player 72), Steven (Player 183), Dajah (Player 302), and Trinity (Player 398)—must face one last diabolical trial. Who will emerge victorious? Let's get to know the finalists who bested 451 other players to reach this pivotal moment.

The Finalists: Personalities, Strategies, and Motivations

Each finalist brings a unique story, strategy, and reason for playing to the final round. Here's a closer look at the final five:

Steven Jones (Player 183): The Calculated Competitor

Steven isn't your average contestant. A professional poker player who famously finished second in the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event, he's already won a staggering $6.5 million. So why risk it all? "Competition and more money," he tells Netflix's Tudum. "Because more money is always better, right?" Steven entered the game almost by accident, originally applying for Love Is Blind before seeing the Squid Game: The Challenge casting call. His poker skills became a key asset, especially his ability to "know how other people think." However, his confession about his past winnings to ally Kate (Player 327) led to feelings of isolation. If he wins, Steven plans to invest, help family, buy another house, and donate to the Boys & Girls Club in Scottsdale.

Trinity Parriman (Player 398): The Social Strategist

Trinity entered the game with modest goals: "Sleep in the dorms. Make the top 50. Do an interview." His strategy was simple but effective: blend in and make friends in the background. "My strategy was to make a lot of friends on the down low, so if somebody talked about me in another group, I had a friend there to defend my name," he explains. As the competition intensified, his ability to "read people" became crucial, noting subtle ticks like hand-over-mouth gestures indicating secrets. A former college tennis player, Trinity's competitive drive is fueled by a clear need for the money. He needs it to support his nonprofit, move his mom to Kansas City, and secure his future family's stability.

Perla Figuereo (Player 72): The Authentic Heart

Perla, a model, has remained steadfastly true to herself throughout the competition, embracing her emotional nature as a strength. "I'm getting a lot of love from the Bronx, Dominicans, Black women, and people supporting me because they know what it's like to feel things very deeply," she shares. Initially, she and her brother Jeffrey (Player 283) stayed under the radar, overshadowed by more prominent pairs like the twins. The Marbles game forced a painful choice, with Jeffrey sacrificing himself so Perla could continue. Her motivations are deeply personal: paying off credit card debt, securing home security for her family, and fulfilling her mom's dream of visiting India. Her authenticity has resonated powerfully with viewers.

Dajah Graham (Player 302): The Secret Observer

Dajah entered the game with a hidden advantage and a hidden identity. A former detective for the sheriff's office in Columbus County, North Carolina, she kept her law enforcement background secret from other players, telling them she was in real estate. "I didn't want anyone to know I was in law enforcement because they'll think I'm a big threat," she states. Her professional skills in reading people and body language proved invaluable, especially during high-stress challenges like the Circle of Trust. "I’m that girl when it comes to reading and clocking," she confidently asserts. Her exact plans for the prize money are yet to be fully revealed, but her background suggests a strategic and purposeful approach to using the funds.

Vanessa Clements (Player 17): The Lone Wolf

Vanessa stands out as the only female lobster fisher in her harbor, describing herself as a "blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth, hardworking woman" in a male-dominated industry. Early on, she formed close bonds that ultimately cost her alliances when those players were eliminated. This forced her to pivot: "I just had to restart. I kind of played a lone wolf game after that, and it helped me because I think people weren't looking at me since they thought I was alone." Her motivation is crystal clear: winning the $4.56 million prize is the only way she can afford her dream of owning her own boat and running her own fishing business, a venture costing nearly $2.5 million. "If I am being completely honest, this dream can only become reality by winning," she emphasizes.

The Finale: What to Expect

The five finalists, dressed once again in the iconic black tuxedos, will face one final grueling challenge on November 18th at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Netflix. The gripping finale trailer hints at "more twists, turns, and even a chillingly familiar doll" ensuring suspense until the very end. The stakes couldn't be higher as these five diverse and determined individuals, each with their own compelling story and reason to win, battle it out for the ultimate prize. Who will walk away as the victor and claim the $4.56 million? Tune in to find out!

"You can pick on people’s ticks very easily. Whether they smile, frown, or put their hand over their mouth, that means they’re hiding a secret when we’re in high-stress situations." – Trinity Parriman (Player 398)