From Bronx to Big Bucks: Perla Figuereo’s Wild Ride to $4.56 Million
When the final round of Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 ended on November 18, 2025, one name stood above the rest: Player 072, Perla Figuereo, a 25-year-old model and media maven who walked away with a jaw-dropping $4.56 million. But behind the confetti and check, lies a story that pulses with hope, hustle, family, and a heavy dose of Dominican pride.
Where She Comes From: Roots and Dreams
Perla’s roots run deep across two worlds. She was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, a place rich with Caribbean warmth and culture.
Still, “home” soon became the streets of the Bronx, the “BX” she affectionately calls out, and later sunny California, where she began to chase big dreams.
Through it all, she’s remained proudly Afro-Latina and Dominican, carrying her heritage like a badge of honor as she navigates modeling, media, and now, fame.
Before the Game: Reality, Hustle, and Ambition
Before she ever walked into that infamous game arena, Perla had already been carving her path. She studied film, worked in video production and social media, and eventually found modeling gigs with big-name brands like Rare Beauty and Yitty.
But her journey wasn’t just about glitz, it was about hustle. Between behind-the-scenes work and brand campaigns, she remained grounded, fiercely proud of where she came from, and always keeping an eye on her next move.
In fact, she originally dreamt of reality TV beyond Squid Game, she had considered auditioning for Love Island. When that didn’t pan out, fate (or Netflix casting) stepped in with an offer she couldn’t refuse: Squid Game.
And because life loves irony, that’s exactly how “Player 072” came to be.
Entering the Game, and Betting on Everything
Perla entered the competition alongside her twin brother Jeffrey, who also signed up as a contestant. They joined as a duo, one of 19 family-based pairs.
They didn’t flaunt the sibling bond to the other players, keeping their relationship under wraps until the iron-clad moments forced it into the open. Ultimately, fate and brotherly love collided. During the “Marbles” round, Jeffrey made a gut-wrenching decision: he eliminated himself so his sister could keep fighting. That act of sacrifice dramatically shaped Perla’s path to victory.
From there, it was strategy, nerve, and resilience. Through every twist, every childhood game turned high-stakes, Perla held her own, refusing to crumble.
In the final episode, she stood against four other finalists, players 17, 183, 302, and 398 — suited up and ready for one last showdown. The game: the iconic “Red Light, Green Light.” It was do or die. She ran, she paused, she listened, and when the doll’s voice silenced, she crossed the finish line. Alone. Champion. Millionaire.
Plans for the Millions: Family, Security, and Dreams
Now that “Perlita” is officially a multi-millionaire, she’s got big plans, and they’re as much about heart as they are about hustle.
- Pay off debt, first up, she wants to wipe out those nagging credit card bills so the calls can finally stop.
- Take care of family, she’s looking to buy a home for her immigrant parents and give them the stability many immigrant families dream of.
- Home security, for her, her mom, and her brother, peace of mind matters.
- Fulfill a dream for mom, she plans to treat her mother to a long-awaited trip to India, turning a lifelong wish into reality.
- Celebrate self, between the emotional highs and harsh reality of the games, she hinted at rewarding herself with some personal upgrades, from self-care to perhaps cosmetic enhancements.
For Perla, the money isn’t just a flashy win, it’s a ticket to stability, joy, and generational uplift.
What Her Win Means, Especially for the Latino Community
For many US Latinos, stories like Perla’s are powerful reminders that identity, hustle, and heart still matter. She didn’t hide where she came from, she wore it like armor. Born in the Dominican Republic, raised between the Bronx and California, now rising to fame and fortune. That’s the classic immigrant-born dream, flavored with grit and salsa.
Her win shines a light on representation, Afro-Latina, Dominican, proud. She’s not just another reality-show face. She’s a symbol: you can come from humble beginnings, carry your roots, push through adversity, and still win big.
And for young Dominican or Afro-Latino kids seeing her story? Perla just showed them loud and clear: your story matters. Your hustle counts. And yes, you can break through with style.
The Final Word
Perla Figuereo’s journey from Santiago de los Caballeros to the chaotic arenas of Squid Game, from working behind-the-scenes in video production to becoming Player 072, winner, model, millionaire, feels like destiny with attitude.
Now, with $4.56 million in hand and plans to uplift her family and honor her roots, she’s not just winning for herself, she’s winning for everyone who ever dared to dream bigger.
With her Latina / Dominican roots, immigrant hustle, a touch of glam, and a whole lot of heart: that’s Perla is in her moment. And honestly? We love to see it.
