Importance Score: 22 / 100 🔵
The season two finale of Deal or No Deal Island culminated in a historic victory as David Genat not only won but also achieved a new record for the highest payout on network television. Genat secured an astounding $5.8 million (£4.4 million) during the gripping finale. Despite his triumph in the aired episode, the prize money is yet to be received by the Deal or No Deal Island champion, even though filming concluded last August.
Prize Money Delay
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Genat confirmed, “It’s not in the account just yet.” The 45-year-old winner has been actively making plans for the substantial winnings and described the surreal moment of realizing the enormity of the prize. He recounted the immediate aftermath of his victory, saying, “I remember just after everything happened, someone came and shoved a contract in my face, and they were like, ‘So you need to sign this to facilitate getting the money.'”
Signing the Contract for Millions
Genat further elaborated on signing the crucial document, recalling, “And I was like, ‘Okay, let me just have a little read here.’ And at the top, it was like, ‘We such and such declare we will sign over the value of $5.8 million to the assigned.’ And I was signing my name on that line. It was heavy.”
Overwhelmed by Victory
The elation following his win was so intense it kept Genat awake. Describing his exhilaration, Genat stated, “I floated out of there. I literally just levitated. I was levitating around the world. It was like walking on a cloud.”
About Deal or No Deal Island
Deal or No Deal Island, hosted by Joe Manganiello and broadcast on NBC, features contestants competing in island challenges for a shot at winning briefcases filled with cash. The victor of these challenges earns the opportunity to participate in the ‘Banker’s Challenge’– a high-pressure game mirroring the classic Deal or No Deal format. In this intense showdown, participants must skillfully negotiate regarding their chosen briefcase to avoid being eliminated. The season finale escalates the stakes, positioning the remaining player in a high-stakes version of the game, vying for a substantial jackpot accumulated from the series’ offer values. This season’s ultimate prize reached a staggering $12,232,001.
Spiritual Experience and Father’s Guidance
Speaking to USA Today after his triumph, Genat, also known as the champion of Australian Survivor: All-Stars, described the finale as profoundly spiritual. “I was having a spiritual experience, man. I just knew where that money was. I knew which cases to open. I was looking for signs from my father, who passed away a couple of years ago. I felt his presence there, and he was just guiding me on what cases to open,” Genat explained.