Spencer Hawkins, a.k.a.
Player 299, doesn’t regret choosing the umbrella in the Dalgona challenge onSquid Game: The Challenge.
I’m not sure what made it onscreen.
‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Player 299 a.k.a. Spencer Hawkins.Netflix
Maybe that’s what’ll happen."
Below, EW got Spencer to unpack that intense game, why he got physically sick, and more.
SPENCER HAWKINS:Yeah.
Player 299 a.k.a. Spencer Hawkins chooses umbrella on ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.Netflix
So that did make it in.
So it sounds like you haven’t seen any of the episodes yet.
Yeah, I have not.
The infamous umbrella cookie on ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.Courtesy of Netflix
You probably know more about the show than I do.
Did you watchSquid Gamebefore signing up to do this show?
I love a good story.
‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ players argue over their cookie shape choices.Netflix
I’m a big TV and movies kind of guy, but I wasn’t a diehard fan.
Knowing how intenseSquid Gamewas, what were your expectations going into the reality show version of it?
I expected physical challenges.
I’m very grateful to be able to have made it through that.
I didn’t even think about being eliminated going in.
I went in convincing myself that I would come out as the winner.
What was it likeplaying Red Light, Green Light?
It’s a lot more difficult than I thought.
We’re not standing for just two seconds.
We’re standing for minutes for sure between each [freeze].
And it’s difficult to hold a pose for a long period of time.
What was the longest period of time you had to freeze?
I wish I had a watch on me, but I don’t know.
From then on, I tried to just stand straight every time we got to a red light.
I could see a few people who were doing that as their strategy.
They wouldn’t have to worry about moving if they’re just laying down on the ground.
That wasn’t much time at all.
Because everyone had a strategy.
But my strategy was to be myself.
And so that meant taking the harder route for me.
I knew that I was not going to be the reason we didn’t make a decision.
What was it like in that moment as you’re essentially forced to choose umbrella for your entire line?
And it’s not even just that they are my friends, but also they have their own needs.
I came into the game trying to win money to be able to support my family.
Were you worried about the people in your line being upset with you for agreeing to do umbrella?
I was there to make friends.
It felt like adult summer camp.
Courtesy of Netflix
Looking back on how it ended for you, do you regret choosing umbrella?
But I don’t think I would’ve put that on anyone else.
Did you stay in contact with the other three people who forced you to pick umbrella?
They’re asking us not to stay in contact with one another.
I’ll be interested to see how it looks because it sure felt rough.
It was a demanding day.
When did you start to feel physically sick?
The moment other people walk in the room and I see the pain on their faces.
Difficulty for myself, that’s one thing I can handle.
But when you’re talking about difficulty for others, that’s my responsibility.
That’s a weight that doesn’t really go away.
I did feel physically sick.
Did you ever actually vomit?
I don’t think …
I think I gagged a little in my mouth.
Is this the most you’ve ever had to talk about vomit?
I plan to have cookies at my watch party, so I wonder how this will go over.
Hopefully not in the shape of an umbrella …
[Laughs] I’m not that good.
I was extremely close.
I mentioned that I rushed it a little bit, and that’s an understatement.
At about five minutes left, I had the little hook inside the umbrella left.
My hands shook a little too much and I cracked it.
You have to prepare yourself to win and now you realize, “I haven’t won.
And not only have I not won, but other people haven’t won because of me.”
How long did you have to lay on the ground after your elimination?
So it was somewhere between 10 minutes and an hour.
It was a little meditative you get the opportunity to reflect and hope other people will make it through.
New episodes ofSquid Game: The Challengepremiere Wednesdays on Netflix.
