Every LGBTQ+ Contestant From 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (So Far)
| 11/29/23
simbernardo
‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ has queer representation!
Spoiler alert: This article contains major SPOILERS for episodes 1-9 of Squid Game: The Challenge!
456 players entered Squid Game: The Challenge with the goal of making friends, making enemies, and making millions. Specifically, they’re all fighting to be the last person standing and take home the series’ grand prize of $4.56 million.
Given the enormous cast of Squid Game: The Challenge, there isn’t enough room in the episodes to introduce every single player competing on the reality show. Fortunately, we did get to meet a few LGBTQ+ contestants during the season, and others have identified themselves via social media.
So, let’s take some time to celebrate this diverse group of LGBTQ+ players featured on Squid Game: The Challenge!
Scroll through to meet the LGBTQ+ players competing on Squid Game: The Challenge – which is now streaming on Netflix.
All images and bios provided by Netflix.
Sam (Player 016)
Age: 37
Location: Florida
Job: Artist
Status: Active (still in the game as of episode nine; top three finalist)
Instagram: @paulbunyan_ish
Sam was the tallest person in his town growing up, but he was never asked to play basketball. He loves to paint, read, and play video games and he wants to form an alliance of people with various abilities in order to win.
Phill (Player 451)
Age: 27
Location: Hawaii
Job: Scuba instructor
Status: Active (still in the game as of episode nine; top three finalist)
Instagram: @avatarphill
Phill can play four instruments. As a quadball gold medalist, he likes any game involving speed and reflexes and plans on befriending as many people as possible. If Phill wins, he wants to donate a chunk to ocean conservation.
Charles (Player 221)
Age: 31
Location: Texas
Job: Customer service deputy director
Status: Eliminated (during the Glass Stepping Stones competition)
Instagram: @chazroqk
Charles doesn’t let people get under his skin easily. He loves volleyball and is most excited to play Glass Bridge. He’ll do whatever it takes to win – as long as he can preserve his character.
Phalisia (Player 229)
Age: 31
Location: Colorado
Job: Leasing agent supervisor
Status: Eliminated (during the Marbles competition)
Instagram: @phalisia
Phalisia is obsessed with true crime and reads tarot cards. She plans on being herself and connecting with people she hopes she can trust.
Melissa (Player 361)
Age: 30
Location: California
Job: Manager
Status: Eliminated (during the Marbles competition)
Instagram: @melissa.marie.3
Melissa works in strategic programs and operations and loves to seek out adrenaline rushes all around the world, from skydiving to bungee jumping. She’s most excited to play Glass Bridge since she’s not afraid of heights.
Melissa (Player 326)
Age: 21
Location: Arizona
Job: Student
Status: Eliminated (during the Marbles competition)
Instagram: @melissa.rimsza
Melissa is a college student who wants to be a sound engineer. She loves to thrift and make TikToks and thinks of all the games she’ll be best at Dalgona.
Darius (Player 176)
Age: 25
Location: New York
Job: International music artist
Status: Eliminated (during the Jack-in-the-Box Test)
Instagram: @dariusthebarbarian
Darius once toured India for a month. He loves swimming and is most excited to sleep in bunk beds – he’s not as excited about the Dalgona challenge.
Dash (Player 141)
Age: 29
Location: New York
Job: Nanny
Status: Eliminated (during the Jack-in-the-Box Test)
Instagram: @dashkatz
Dash is an audiobook narrator and model, as well as a nanny, who says they’re a living oxymoron – they’re a redhead who’s allergic to sunscreen. Dash was named “Most Likely to Be on Reality TV” in high school, and they’re a self-professed superfan of social strategy on shows like this one.
Lorenzo (Player 161)
Age: 26
Location: United Kingdom
Job: Asset manager
Status: Eliminated (during the Vote Test)
Instagram: @only.lorenzo
Lorenzo is a self-described “master manipulator” who also does a great chicken impression. He loves to design clothes and play basketball, and he’s also a music fanatic. He’s been manifesting playing in the last game and knows he’ll be a multimillionaire soon – no strategy required.
Sam (Player 188)
Age: 26
Location: United Kingdom
Job: Copywriter
Status: Eliminated (during the Warship competition)
Instagram: @samkohn1
Sam was born without a sense of smell. His passions revolve around anything having to do with films — including writing screenplays — and he thinks he knows a strategy for winning Marbles.
Kevin (Player 187)
Age: 26
Location: California
Job: Content creator
Status: Eliminated (during the Warship competition)
Instagram: @flawlesskevin
Kevin taught himself how to play guitar. He loves to thrift and go to museums, and he’s most excited to play anything physical. Another thing he’s looking forward to? Having a break from social media.
Tyler (Player 264)
Age: 30
Location: California
Job: Senior marketing manager
Status: Eliminated (during the Warship competition)
Instagram: @heytyleraustin
Tyler once snuck into a celebrity party dressed as a waiter. He’s obsessed with escape rooms and thinks he’ll do best at Dalgona. He’s going to use charm to make friends, and he's not phased about living in the dorm.
Tom (Player 446)
Netflix
Age: 56
Location: New Jersey
Job: Retired CEO
Status: Eliminated (during the Warship competition)
Instagram: @crookstom
Tom has lived in three different American cities and three different countries. He loves competing in general and is most excited to play the final game. He just doesn’t like that he’s likely going to lose sleep.
Pashyn (Player 368)
Age: 35
Location: Hawaii
Job: Content creator
Status: Eliminated (during the Dalgona competition)
Instagram: @pashyn
Pashyn says she’s known as “Miss Aloha” because she gives back to her community and makes people laugh. She loves rock climbing and has good balance, and her strategy is to be a chameleon who can adapt to every situation.
Kevin (Player 454)
Age: 44
Location: Illinois
Job: Media analytics director
Status: Eliminated (during the Dalgona competition)
Instagram: @kevinbyrne773
Kevin once lived inside a museum for a month. He competes in obstacle course races and plans on turning friendships into alliances while in the dorms.
Chanel (Player 394)
Location: California
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @healthybae.la
Diego (Player 104)
Location: Washington
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @diegohbk_
Ryan (Player 275)
Location: California
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @rywinters
Keanna (Player 155)
Location: Arizona
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @highkeypriestess
Yohan (Player 379)
Netflix
Location: Brazil
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @officialyohan
Librado (Player 395)
Location: Texas
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @iamlibrado
Brenda (Player 071)
Location: Illinois
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @blittledipper
Connor (Player 066)
Location: Texas
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @connorgraceffa
Edgardo (Player 072)
Location: New York
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @divoandthecity
Mason (Player 069)
Location: Arizona
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @itsthe_mason
Vinny (Player 261)
Location: New York
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @ojibwevinny
Jamie (Player 231)
Location: Washington
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @coach_j_daddy
Jason (Player 369)
Netflix
Location: Iowa
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @amputee_in_iowa
Corbin (Player 042)
Location: Florida
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @corbinstacyyoga
Larry (Player 032)
Netflix
Location: Texas
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @larrylerr
Lee (Player 123)
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @lee_taylor234
Edwin (Player 175)
Netflix
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Eliminated (during the Red Light, Green Light competition)
Instagram: @weeweeto
