Word: This story comprises spoilers from “Squid Recreation: The Problem” Season 2
“Squid Recreation: The Problem” Season 2 winner Perla Figuereo unpacked her victory, all of the tears and heated drama that got here with it, plus that huge blessing from Trinity Parriman (Participant 398).
Season 2 of the hit competitors sequence wrapped up its second season on Tuesday after the return of the long-lasting “Purple Gentle, Inexperienced Gentle.” For Figuereo, profitable “Squid Recreation” nonetheless feels surreal.
“It hasn’t hit me and I feel it’s as a result of everybody’s [just] discovering out. However I’ve identified so it’s similar to an explosion proper now that I really feel of individuals hitting me up,” Figuereo instructed TheWrap.
The Bronx-born competitor stated she was working as a mannequin previous to becoming a member of the sport. “I used to be working a job that I used to be not joyful about. It was low pay. While you’re a mannequin, you need to do make-up and garments … It was not it, and I used to be like, “What am I doing?” Figuereo defined
Figuereo got here into the competitors together with her brother Jeffrey, and each of them have been enormous followers of the unique “Squid Recreation” sequence and “Squid Recreation: The Problem.” Nevertheless, earlier than becoming a member of, Figuereo had her eyes set on one other actuality sequence: “Love Island.” When that chance fell by, a casting director pitched her “Squid Recreation: The Problem.”
So far as her brother getting a spot on the sport too? She requested casting if he may apply as effectively.
“They pitched us a sibling pair, and we have been going to go in there as a hidden pair. It was loopy,” she stated.”Once we walked into the [dorm] room, we have been like, ‘No manner.’ All the best way from strolling in and being a fan, to making use of, to then being there within the last recreation and getting that little [money] envelope from The Frontman was similar to, “How the hell did I get right here?”
She continued: “I used to be speaking to my brother, and it’s like the good method to change into a millionaire, and it’s so up our alley as a result of we’re simply so random. It felt loopy although. I went by a whole lot of emotional turmoil within the recreation, and to lastly get that envelope, and cry some extra, felt actually good.”
In a dialog with TheWrap, Figuereo will get actual about her Slides and Ladders beef with Steven Jones (Participant 183), the net backlash she’s obtained from followers, Parriman’s heartwarming self-elimination, the very best recommendation she’d give future gamers and extra. This interview has been edited for readability and size.
TheWrap: Was it simpler or tougher going into “Squid Recreation: The Problem” along with your brother, Jeffrey Figuereo (Participant 293)
It was undoubtedly simpler. Jeffrey and I do every thing collectively, since we have been little. We’re actually, he’s [born on] July 7, [I’m] July 29 of the following yr — we’re very shut. Like, in fact, we are going to do that collectively. We love “Squid Recreation.” Then when he bought eradicated, I used to be like, “No, it was not alleged to go like this. We have been alleged to be prime two.
I used to be clearly unhappy that one among us was going to go, however I knew that my journey was not accomplished. And my brother knew. Once we bought the marbles, clearly, they don’t present every thing on the present, however he gave me this speech. I used to be crying, and he was like, “To begin with, these are silly video games; don’t let this get in your head. He’s like, I’ve served my function right here and now it’s as much as you to, end the race.
At that time, as soon as Jeffrey was eradicated, did that make you need to concentrate on your self or construct a brand new alliance? How’d that change your technique going ahead?
We had an enormous alliance that wasn’t proven on the present. When Jeffrey bought eradicated, I nonetheless had so many pals within the dorm. I used to be actually pals with everyone within the dorm. So it was useful; I had a assist system … Positively Zoe (Participant 369), who’s dad bought eradicated, we have been undoubtedly linked up. I didn’t really feel lonely as a result of there have been so many individuals with good hearts that have been within the competitors and I used to be able to play [against] them and have enjoyable and see what occurs.
OK, so discuss to me concerning the Slides and Ladders drama between you and Steven (Participant 183). I’m unsure how a lot you’ve learn of individuals’s reactions on-line because it pertains to that scenario. Some felt your response to him was hypocritical. What’s your response to the reactions individuals have needed to you?
I perceive why persons are like, “You’re so hypocritical.” However to begin with — and I’ve talked to Steven all about this — I feel there was a distinction between our decisions. We didn’t have a selection, and he did have a selection to assist somebody or ship them to a slide. I additionally completely perceive him being like, “Effectively, you probably did this to me, so I would as effectively choose you.” Zoe and I have been annoyed at him — and I instructed him and he agrees — that the pointless stares and the feedback [from him] have been simply an excessive amount of. There have been issues that didn’t must be stated. It was annoying to get picked as a result of he picked us out of vengeance and never out of technique. Technique was vengeance, and that’s all.
We’ve talked about it too. It’s like, you have been mad and we have been mad too. It’s a good recreation, you’ll be able to ship me down a slide as a result of I did ship your crew down a slide. I feel everybody else performed a fairly good recreation, have been good to one another, so the feedback have been simply an excessive amount of. And I feel that’s why I used to be upset. Folks can name me hypocritical, however I feel we did have totally different decisions. And in addition, I don’t care, name me hypocritical. Similar factor with the “emotional” factor, I don’t care.
Describe what it was like being in there. Did y’all get to contact anybody. Had been your telephones taken?
It’s absolutely immersive. You don’t have your cellphone. You get your telephones taken away once you get to the resort. It’s actually thrilling at first. You’re assembly 456 individuals, doing all this stuff to get there. Everybody’s so dedicated to being there that nobody is considering, “Oh my God, what’s getting in my cellphone.” You actually overlook.
You actually get to know individuals in such a short while. It reminds you of humanity and what number of issues persons are going by. All of us had such totally different causes to be there. Even Steven along with his, simply wanting extra thousands and thousands, like truthfully, actual — I would like extra. So, I don’t know, it simply felt very human to be there. It felt like how issues are alleged to be in actual life, the place we get to know one another and don’t let social media see the way you costume, see how your own home appears. I’m simply attending to know you as an individual. The social side of that was very stunning, but it surely was very robust to be in there. You possibly can’t get too snug as a result of there may one thing coming. It’s loads. Issues get actually tense actually fast.
What did you concentrate on Trinity sacrificing himself?
It was so totally different experiencing it than seeing it [on TV]. I’ve a backstory with Trinity’s sacrifice: My final prayer proper earlier than we performed the coin recreation, the very last thing I stated to God is, “I’m protected by the [Holy] Trinity.” That was the very last thing I instructed myself. My mother at all times tells me to get up on the precise facet of the mattress, open your door along with your proper hand, put your sneakers on proper shoe first, put your proper leg into the pants first — she’s very superstitious like that. Each time we entered a recreation, I needed to go up proper foot first. I used to be very superstitious the entire time and I made decisions like that, no matter realizing that Trinity was going to try this. If I bought it flawed, I used to be going to place the gold coin in my proper hand and hope for the very best.
We instructed him, “Bro, we will play the sport.” I used to be simply so excited to have the tux on that I didn’t care if I misplaced or not. I wished the steak and tuxedo. I’m already seeing individuals being like, “It was staged.” No, that was actual life. I’ve talked to Trinity about whether or not he’s snug along with his determination, however I additionally marvel what it will have been wish to see it play out. He gave us that privilege and reward of going to the final recreation, and I’m without end, eternally grateful. And I’m seeing a whole lot of feedback of individuals being like, “You higher ship Trinity cash.” Guys, off all my feedback. To begin with, let me do my factor with Trinity. Y’all fear an excessive amount of about me. Have you learnt I who I’m? I’m an empath.
What have you ever purchased thus far, and/or what are you trying ahead to purchasing?
I don’t have the cash but, however I did get a pre-gift for myself. I went to New York just lately and I purchased a fairly costly “Hamilton” ticket to see Leslie Odom Jr. on Broadway as a result of he got here again as Aaron Burr, and I sat second row, and I used to be like, “Whoa.” It was so enjoyable. I put it on my bank card and stated, “I’ll fear about it later.” In order that’s the costliest factor I purchased thus far.
Actually, I’m not going to have an extravagant life. I’m spending it with my brother, and it’s going for future safety. I’m going to dwell a fairly comparable life and preserve working. I’m getting my mother a home, and someday this yr, I hope to get a boob job.
Nearly extra so than final season, Season 2 introduced forth a whole lot of conversations that folks mentioned on-line that I personally would like to see talked about in a reunion present. Clearly manufacturing in all probability can’t deliver all 456 again, however perhaps the ultimate 15. Would you be down for a reunion present to unpack a few of the wild issues that occurred through the season?
I might be down. I’ve seen most of [the players]. Lots of people have been in LA the previous couple of days, and we’ve talked about a whole lot of stuff that you simply guys haven’t even seen — I might be down. I feel it will be enjoyable. I’m so joyful for this expertise, however I’m additionally like what’s subsequent? I might clearly like to wrap it up and listen to different individuals’s discussions, however I feel additionally I’m like, on to the following.
Most eye-opening second through the season and what’s the very best recommendation you’d give future gamers?
By no means really feel responsible for feeling your emotions. I feel lots of people need me to really feel dangerous about crying a lot. I’m an emotional particular person, and I’m by no means going to apologize for that as a result of that’s simply who I’m. This isn’t a entrance that I put up. Individuals are like, “You’re making an attempt to control individuals along with your tears.” It’s like, woman, I cry after I actually see a canine on the road. That is simply who I’m.
Going into the video games: be your self. That’s the corniest recommendation, however there have been lots of people I may inform have been simply making an attempt to place up a entrance to be appreciated or to be behind the scenes. Everybody that simply was themselves lasted so lengthy. Additionally, change into pals with the older individuals. Don’t underestimate them or change into pals with them to have social capital.
I had so many good folks that backed me up as a result of I simply genuinely wished to know individuals. All of us signed up for this loopy expertise. We all of us met at this crossroads. What number of experiences and interactions led us to this second? When else would we ever do one thing like this once more? Yeah, have enjoyable, cry, be mad and name individuals petty, I don’t care. It’s TV additionally, like, they need us to beef. So simply have enjoyable. It’s “Squid Recreation.”
Final query, did you ever take into consideration quitting and in that case, why didn’t you?
There have been two huge occasions the place I used to be like, “I must go house.” One was they serve beans and sausage for breakfast. And I used to be like, “I’m ravenous.” I began crying [and] brother comes as much as me like, “What’s occurring? I used to be like, “I feel I must self-eliminate.” I’m dramatic. That was one time. After which throughout Slides and Ladders, there was a time that I stored happening so many slides and shedding hope that I used to be like, “I would simply take the flawed slide,” as a result of at this level we knew all which of them have been the precise ones and the flawed ones, and I used to be going to take the flawed one as a result of I used to be like, “I’m emotionally drained proper now.” However I locked in, I prayed on it, and thank God I didn’t depart.
“Squid Recreation: The Problem” Seasons 1-2 at the moment are streaming on Netflix. The present has already been renewed for Season 3.
