Ashley Tolbert tells EW.
Warning: This article contains spoilers forSquid Game: The Challengeepisodes 1-9.
Ashley Tolbert, and Player 287, a.k.a.
Nic Serpell-Rand/Netflix
That kind of symmetry just can’t be scripted.
Mai got heat from the other players for her actions, whereas Ashley was mostly defended during the game.
I love Mai but I thought it was a joke.
Player 287/Mai and Player 278/Ashley.Courtesy of Netflix
She was like, “You’re not a team player,” and then the No.
I think he’s fake.
I think he’s phony."
Pete Dadds/Netflix
And she’s the first person he chooses.
And that’s the same thing that I did!
But [the viewers aren’t] upset with Mai.
They were upset with Mai for what happened in dice rolling.
People recognized, “Oh s—, you’re right.
I think everybody recognized that.
In that moment, we all were talking about integrity they love to throw that word around.
Her biggest ally Chad was very disappointed in that.
That’s messed up.
It was just unexpected.
Courtesy of Netflix
When Mai later apologized to you, how did that conversation go?
I’m arguing with her, like this lady is crazy.
What is she talking about?
Of course I took my jump.
That is the jump that I was referring to when me and Mai were going back and forth.
That’s what I thought she was talking about.
I didn’t think she was talking about taking a jump on behalf of somebody else.
Hell no, I’m not sacrificing myself for anybody.
I’m trying to win for me.
Because I thought I could trick Phill.
Me and Hallie, we hadn’t really mingled with each other or had a conversation, nothing.
My first mind was to put the box on her desk.
It’s on your conscience that you just did sneak some sneaky s—.
I could not keep a poker face.
My whole entire face told on me.
I couldn’t keep eye contact with Phill and he immediately knew.
I felt like everybody in the f—ing room knew.
Everybody’s like, “You should have done Mai!”
And I didn’t want to do that to Sam.
Sam is my dog, I love Sam.
And Phill is awesome.
But I’m not even gonna lie, I hope that Mai wins.
And she played the game so well.
Yes, she nominated me in dice but it wasn’t anything personal.
She didn’t have to do those things.
But if anybody were to win, I would hope Mai won.
She’s a great competitor.
People want me to be mad at Mai but I’m not mad at Mai.
We were just out there playing the game.
I still can recognize when somebody is a great player.
you’ve got the option to’t take that away from her.
The season finale ofSquid Game: The Challengepremieres Wednesday, Dec. 6 on Netflix.
