Every LGBTQ+ Contestant From 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (So Far) (2024)

‘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.