Love it or hate it, everyone has a favorite reality TV show. And if you’ve tuned in to some of the most popular ones, you may have spotted contestants from our region — including some who turned out to be big winners. Late last year, Fredericksburg’s Huntley won NBC’s The Voice, and Mai Whelan of Fairfax County took home the grand prize on the Netflix show Squid Game: The Challenge. Six stars who have ties to NoVA tell us about it was like to compete.
Mai Whelan
Hometown: Fairfax County
Show: Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge
When It Aired: 2023 (Season One)
How Far She Made It: Winner
How did the experience differ from other reality contests?
The biggest challenge that is different from the rest is that we were sequestered. We were constantly on camera 24/7, even in the bathroom. The mental challenge is totally different from any reality show. I can understand that Survivor is also a mental challenge, but at least you’re outdoors. You are able to get the fresh air and the sunshine. But The Challenge, that’s it, the dormitory. All 455 players in one room.
Which game was the most challenging and surprising?
The one that surprised me the most is the warship because I felt helpless. You’re just standing there at the hands of the captain and the assistant to maneuver their strategy for not getting us bombed. We have to stay there and just [think] you’re going to get eliminated without your input, that was the most surprising.
The hardest is a circle of trust. To sit through six sittings of not knowing who’s going to put the coffin on your table, or if you get picked, who are you going to pick without getting noticed. That was miserable for me.
Did you have to keep your win from your family?
We have to sign an NDA [nondisclosure agreement] and we can only pick one person [to tell] and that was it. Of course, I picked my husband. If they asked me, “How did you do?” [I’d say,] “I got eliminated.” I was saying I was eliminated for the whole year. … Then, of course, my daughter, when she watched the show, she’d go, “Mom, I thought you got eliminated early and you’re still here!” And then she’d keep watching and watching. “Mom, you’re in the final three!” I tricked everybody and said, “I’m eliminated somewhere throughout the show, so you just have to watch.”
Any plans for the $4.56M prize money?
I did splurge prior to receiving the funds. I got the black dress and shoes — which [were] pretty pricey — to go on the red carpet in LA. But I haven’t splurged on anything. I’m going to invest and build that fund for my nonprofit.
Would you do it again?
No. I checked it off the list of my accomplishments. I don’t want to lose my focus on what I want to do in life. I mean, it’s not about money. It’s about self, having an adventurous life for me. Also, it’s an accomplishment that at any age you can do anything. That’s my go-to, and I’ve tried to give advice to other people. Don’t be scared. Just go for it. You never know what’s on the other side.
Huntley
Hometown: Fredericksburg
Show: NBC’s The Voice
When It Aired: 2023 (Season 24)
How Far He Made It: Winner
How has life changed for you since you won The Voice?
It’s been a dream come true. There’s a lot of hard work that still has to be put into this, but the experiences have just been amazing so far. I’m very grateful God gave me this opportunity.
What have you been doing since you won?
I actually went and did the national anthem for my favorite football team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I got to go play in the hometown of Andy Griffith. Me and my mom used to really connect over the show. The town looks like such a lovely town, and it reminded me of my hometown of Fredericksburg. I decided to go down there and let it be my first show.
It seems you had a strong base of support in your hometown, Fredericksburg.
I used to joke around all the time and say that I was Fredericksburg’s little Bruce Springsteen. I kind of know everybody in town, and I try to drive the music in this town as much as I can. This town has just had my back the whole step of the way.
What was your reaction when you saw all four chairs turn in your blind audition?
I was hoping for just one chair turn, you know. A lot of people said, “Do you think you’re going to win?” I wasn’t sure I was going to get one chair turn. If you saw the season, you saw the talent that was on there.
Did your daughter make the right choice in Niall Horan as your coach?
He’s the reason I won for sure — 100 percent. Being able to go in the room and be like two buddies hanging out. He’s had a lot of time in the industry. Just having somebody to remind you of something that you already know, like, “Hey, sing a little softer in the beginning and tell the story by the end.” I played football. It’s like having a coach: “Hey, angle your foot this way.” I’m going to listen.
What was the hardest part?
Just missing my kids. [Watching them grow] definitely gets you in your feels, and it just reminds you the whole reason why I was there. It was not just for a dream; it was to take care of my family.
What made this your big break?
I think it’s just staying persistent. It’s a lot of luck. It’s a lot of being ready for when the opportunity comes. I just feel a little like it’s unfair to say that because I know that this opportunity doesn’t come for everybody the way it happened for me. It doesn’t happen like that, usually. So, I’m very grateful.
— As told to Amy Ayres
Claudia B.
Hometown: McLean
Show: NBC’s The Voice
When It Aired: 2023 (Season 24)
How Far She Made It: Playoff Round
How has your life changed since you were on the show?
It’s definitely elevated my career, and it’s just gotten my songs and what I’m doing out to so many more people. I have many more eyes on me now, which I’m really grateful for. That is a big motivating factor to really release music as soon as possible. And it’s really cool to have people traveling out from different states, and then I see them at my gigs, and they’re there for me, which is so crazy. That part of it has been wild, and I can’t wait to see what else comes.
How did your time learning and teaching at Bach to Rock in McLean influence your style and career?
Actually, Bach to Rock changed a lot of things for me. Before I taught there I went there as a student, so I got the chance to play in bands that ended up gigging all over the Northern Virginia and DC area when I was in high school. Then I got some experience recording in a studio and worked with some really amazing people that were working at the school at the time, so I got really lucky. Then working there as my first job, I’m just grateful to have that experience.
During one of the episodes, you competed against Huntley and Noah Spencer, who are both from Virginia. What was that like?
That was probably my favorite moment on the show. It was so cool to have the three of us up there. We were so supportive of each other. Even though it was a competition, there was no competition between the three of us, especially because we’re just such different artists, so it felt like there couldn’t really be. I had a blast. We’d go to rehearsals together, and we do everything together that round. I got to know them pretty well. It just felt cool to be representing Virginia in three different ways.
Would you do it again?
Yes, I would absolutely do all of this again; however, I would do a lot of things differently. You know, I learned a lot of lessons along the way, so if I could go back, I would change certain things.
What are your future plans when it comes to singing and performing?
I’m going to continue performing full time in Nashville. And I’m really going to be focused on getting new songs out. You can look for an EP from me in the coming season. I’ll be starting up a YouTube channel more seriously. I’m excited about that.
Mary Kate Connor
Hometown: Ashburn
Show: NBC’s The Voice
When It Aired: 2023 (Season 23)
How Far She Made It: Playoff Round
Why did you want to be on The Voice?
I’ve been watching the show since I was little. I’ve always loved it and thought it was really cool. The opportunity kind of presented itself to me. My dad actually surprised me with the fact that I had an audition. We had a friend that has done The Voice before and basically reached out to [my dad] and asked him if there was any NoVA talent, and he put my name down. The whole thing kind of just fell into my lap. I really knew that it was a gift from God that I was able to do this opportunity. It ended up being the best thing I’ve ever done.
How did you choose Team Blake?
I couldn’t even tell you everything that happened during my blind audition — fully blacked out because I was so nervous. Up until that point, I wanted to be on Team Kelly, ever since I was little. I was so excited when I realized that Kelly [Clarkson] had turned for me. Blake [Shelton] really talked a lot about my genre and, at the time, I was on the show as the Americana artist. He has experience in Nashville, and that’s kind of where I wanted to be. Honestly, it was just that split decision, like, “OK, God, where do you want me to be?” And I just heard him telling me Blake.
What advice would you give other teenagers looking to audition for The Voice?
My advice would just be to go for it. I got noes. I’ve auditioned for the show three times in total, but all of those noes turned into yeses at one point. The more noes that you get, the more yeses that there’ll be and the more doors that’ll open. It sounds so cheesy, but it just is to never give up and keep pursuing what you love to do because there’s always going to be a yes.
What’s next?
A big question has been “Is music your passion?” I’d actually say no to that. I think that service is my passion. I think that people [are] my passion. And I think that I can use music as a vessel and a gateway to reach people and to do good. One of my big dreams is to be a music therapist — to use music in order to reach people. I’m currently studying music in college and hoping to also add on a psychology minor so that I could go to grad school for music therapy. My big dream isn’t to be a recording artist in Nashville, but to help people and use music as a way to influence people in my life.
Rock Harper
Hometown: Alexandria (His restaurant, Queen Mother’s Kitchen, is located in Arlington.)
Show: Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen
When It Aired: 2007 (Season Three)
How Far He Made It: Winner
How did you learn about Hell’s Kitchen? Why did you want to be on the show?
I first learned about it by watching it. 2006 or 2007 was when reality TV was a lot different than it is now. I just knew that it was a different show. I think Food Network Star and Top Chef were out around that time, too. I hit what I thought was a plateau at my job, and I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment. I was like, “Hey, this is a new thing. We can go on TV and maybe become a star or something and change your life.”
What did you learn from your experience?
I think if I had to sort of summarize it, it’s that TV, you can’t control it. One thing is, no matter what, editors and producers have the power to make you look however they want. But you can control what you do. If you’re a good person, generally that can come across on TV. I learned, too, that [you need to] know the game. This is not just a cooking competition. This is Fox. This is prime time. You have to be entertaining. I don’t know when I got that revelation, but I just understand it now. You’ve got to understand that you’re on TV. You’ve got to understand that they’re there to do a job and to sell a TV show. And how do you fit in that?
What is one of your most memorable moments?
Probably when my mom came on the show. We had a moment and she shared with me some personal feelings. My father passed a long time ago. When my mother shared those words with me about my father, I started crying. That was really special to have my mother on TV.
How has your life changed since you were on the show?
My life has changed because I have a bigger platform. I’ll always be the Hell’s Kitchen winner, Season Three. I will always be the first African American to win any reality cooking show. I’ll always be that, so for many people that is inspirational. That holds a certain amount of value, and it should, I’m not shying away from it. What that’s given me is opportunities that I would not have had before. What I do with those opportunities, with that limelight, is up to me. I’ve worked really hard to give back and work for people that don’t have that voice. I think life is different because I’ve been afforded more opportunities, and it’s pretty cool. It’s been inspiring.
Nancy Hulkower
Hometown: Alexandria
Show: ABC’s The Golden Bachelor
When It Aired: 2023 (Season One)
How Far She Made It: Top 7
Why did you want to be on the show?
At first, I wasn’t sure because my niece made the application for me, believe it or not. And she said, “Aunt Nancy, there’s a dating show for old people.” And I was like, “What?” And she said, “No, no, no, you know, The Bachelor. They are going to have one for retired people.” And I was like, “Really?” And she said, “I want to send in your application.” And I said, “Yeah, I don’t know.” And she said, “No, let me send it in.” And I said, “Well, let me edit it.”
I’ve said, it’s kind of like winning the lottery. You buy a ticket, and you’re like, “Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”
What were some of the differences you noticed between The Bachelor and The Golden Bachelor?
What I think the main difference was, there wasn’t a ton of drama, like the younger ones. I mean, we had a little bit, but nothing like that. I noticed that right away when we were filming, and I was glad of that, obviously. I think, honestly, it’s because we were all older. We’d all lived a lot of years and had kids and clearly had lost our spouses or had bad divorces. Everybody had a different story, but clearly, everybody had lost somebody. I think that was a huge thing that brought us closer together. We really did all root for each other.
Tell me about the relationships you formed with the other contestants.
It was right away, we all were put into this situation like, you’re not sure what to do. You have no idea. None of us have been in front of a camera and all of a sudden, there’s lights everywhere, and camera people everywhere. And you’re out of your element a little bit. But we all really did form bonds. And funny, since the show ended, a lot of us have gotten together and are getting together and planning a trip in the summer. I think we’re going to be lifelong friends, all of us.
Would you do it again?
I would say yes, without a doubt. Because I remember being sort of on the fence, and then I thought, “What do I have to lose?” My kids are out of the house. I’m retired. Why wouldn’t I? And again, it was a little unknown. And I vacillated a little bit. Then I thought, “Why not?” I’m so glad I did. I mean, the friends I’ve made and the people I’ve met, and everyone’s lovely. So, it was, for me, a really positive experience overall.
Feature image of Squid Game: The Challenge courtesy Netflix
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.