Squid Game: The Challenge Finalists Talk Controversial Eliminated Player

by

Be warned, this contains spoilers for season 2 of Squid Game: The Challenge! After tough physical and mental tests, only five players remain in Squid Game: The Challenge season 2, and they’re now sharing their experiences. These finalists – Vanessa Clements (017), Dajah Graham (302), Perla Figuereo (072), Trinity Parriman (398), and Steven Jones (183) – made it through challenges like “Catch,” “Snakes and Ladders,” and the iconic Marbles game, outlasting 451 other contestants.

Before the final showdown, ScreenRant spoke with the remaining contestants of Squid Game: The Challenge season 2. They talked about Eric Eldredge, the player who gained sympathy by falsely claiming it was his birthday and that he had a pregnant girlfriend. It was later revealed these were lies he used as a tactic to stay safe from elimination.

Parriman admitted he was still a little bothered by Eldredge’s tactics and dishonesty, especially since his birthday was the day before the events in the game. He’d kept his birthday a secret, not wanting to become a target, and was surprised and annoyed when 415 used that information to try and connect with him. Despite this, Parriman did receive some birthday wishes; Graham said she wished him a happy birthday, and he confirmed the other players also sang to him.

Graham admitted she was surprised by the positive reaction Eldredge received from fans and fellow players. She had expected a lot of criticism, especially because he lied about his girlfriend being pregnant. As a mother herself, the Squid Game finalist explained that pregnancy is a sensitive subject, and using it as a game strategy felt particularly inappropriate.

Figuereo and Jones agreed with Graham that Eldredge’s attempt to portray a false parental figure was excessive. Figuereo felt it was simply ‘unnecessary’ and that Eldredge ‘didn’t have to go that far.’ Jones was disappointed that the strategy ultimately succeeded for the controversial contestant, and she highlighted the contrast between Eldredge’s behavior and that of genuine parents on the show, who acted and seemed very different from him.

I immediately felt a lot of pressure because of the guilt of having children. It wasn’t that anyone on my team was trying to make others feel bad, but when we found out someone was expecting a child, we all felt obligated to protect them.

Even though the contestants had issues with Eldredge, they all agree he was genuinely funny on Squid Game: The Challenge season 2. Graham pointed out that the show’s editing actually enhanced his comedic moments. Clements added that while his gameplay was over the top, Eldredge—player 415—would be thrilled to know they’re still discussing him.

The Group Have Little Regrets About Their Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 Tenure

I visited the set and the dorms where they filmed, and I’m really curious: what aspect of being immersed in the game world affected you the most on a psychological level?

It took way longer than the official 13-minute count to actually get everything done – probably eight hours, or even more. We spent a lot of time just standing around, not allowed to talk. I was so excited on the first day, thinking we’d get started quickly! [laughs]

Steven Jones: The Pentathalon took two days! That was crazy.

I knew my alarm would go off, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so loud.

Perla Figuereo: It was so loud.

Vanessa Clements: It’s also very bright at night. Yeah, true.

Dajah Graham: Oh yeah. People talking while I’m trying to sleep. I have to have complete silence.

For me, the worst part was the showers. I was really uncomfortable because I had to use shower shoes, and I kept laying towels down on the floor to avoid touching things.

Dajah Graham: I stole boot covers. [Chuckles]

Vanessa Clements: Yeah, so that was crazy. And they make the showers look dirty.

ScreenRant asked if we could each name one previously eliminated player we’d like to see return for another season, aside from ourselves.

Yeah, everyone – all 456 of us – was eligible, and I was really disappointed I didn’t get to participate. I really wanted to be involved and even asked if someone could give me a chance to play. But besides me, there’s one person I’d especially love to see return.

Vanessa Clements believes Mark is a strong fan favorite and a serious competitor. She’s noticing a lot of support for both Mark and Viper, and she felt the recent game was particularly impressive.

Steven Jones: Because you have to rely on someone else.

It would have been good to see them succeed without needing help, to see how far they could have gotten on their own.

As a fan, I was really touched by Dajah Graham’s explanation of Player 95, Carol. She talked about wanting to see a new player, someone without a pre-existing story, get a chance. But more than that, Carol was like a mother figure to the team, and she was incredible at Pentathlon. What really got me was hearing how she sacrificed herself for the good of the group. She believed she was holding them back, so she left on purpose to let the team become stronger. It was such a selfless act, and Dajah clearly felt it deeply – it really broke her heart.

I’d love to see Holland, a friend of mine who plays, return to the game. I don’t remember her number, but she seems like a really good person and I wish she’d gotten more focus in the storyline.

Perla Figuereo: My brother. I’m like, I need to see him in a tux. He’ll probably look very similar.

Dajah Graham: Just some curly afros walking around.

Vanessa Clements explained that if he didn’t succeed, you could playfully brag about your own progress by saying, “I got further than you did.”

Perla Figuereo: Like, “Sorry, dude.”

ScreenRant asked Trinity about a particularly sad scene in Mingle, where her character was unable to help a friend. They wanted to know what she thought about that moment now, looking back on it.

Looking back on that situation, a lot of people wondered why I was only focused on player 172. It’s because, in the moment, I only noticed him trying to stop me. I didn’t see the other players grabbing at me, though watching it now, I can see they were. It’s strange to rewatch it because so much footage was left out. Leon and I have talked things through and we’re okay. I also spoke with Kelly after everything happened, and we’ve had a good conversation. Honestly, rewatching it with the music brought back a lot of difficult memories – it felt a little like reliving the experience. It was a tough moment to watch, and even tougher to be in, but I’m happy with how things turned out. If Kelly hadn’t been eliminated, we would have been competing against each other later on.

Looking back on the series before the finale, is there anything you would have changed, or anything you wish you’d said to someone?

I regret not mentioning Steven during our Trust Circle when talking about Faith. It’s not a reflection on anyone else – Faith is just a close friend. I should have gone with my instincts. You’re welcome, I’m here for you. [Laughs]

I would have definitely told Melissa to stop and listen. I’d have said something like, ‘Kate, just put the box on your desk, I’m not going to argue about this.’ I actually said something along those lines, but it didn’t feel like a confrontation. Now, Melissa keeps messaging me saying she’s upset she didn’t take my advice.

I probably shouldn’t have shared so many details about my poker game. While I’m glad I talked about my wins, I wish I hadn’t mentioned specific amounts of money. It didn’t sit well with some people I thought would be supportive.

I don’t have any regrets, honestly. I feel like I did the best I could throughout everything. I don’t second-guess any of my decisions. There was one instance I remember clearly – I saw you leave something on AJ’s desk, and I immediately knew it was Steven. I just called it out at the time.

Steven Jones: How?

Trinity Parriman: I don’t know, I just felt it in my gut.

Dajah Graham: We’ve got to play poker.

Steven Jones: I was just going to say that, but now I’m like, I’m not messing with him. [Laughs]

I feel the same way as Trinity. I don’t regret anything. I was able to complete the challenge, and it took both luck and a lot of hard work to get here.

Be sure to check out our previous Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 interviews with:

  • Mark (100) and Viper (152)
  • Zoe Stinson (369) and Curt Stinson (370)

Read More

2025-11-18 21:47