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Prior to his appearance on “Squid Game: The Challenge,” Stephen, labeled as No. 243 in the series, garnered attention on TikTok through the @AlixandStephen channel. His family-friendly content, featuring his partner Alix Blahnik and their daughters Aurora and Miya, struck a chord with viewers. The channel boasts an impressive following of nearly 1.5 million and has accumulated over 74 million likes. Several videos showcasing their family moments, including Stephen playing with his daughters or engaging in playful activities, have gone viral, with one video amassing over 20 million views and four million likes.
Despite his recent TikTok fame, Stephen joined “Squid Game: The Challenge” in January, which premiered on Netflix on November 22. Accompanied by his friend Chase, Stephen’s journey on the show took an unexpected turn when Chase got eliminated early in the competition. This pushed Stephen, who described himself as “needy,” to form a close bond with another contestant, Rick, resulting in a father-son dynamic between them. Together, they strategically collaborated as part of the “Gganbu Gang.”
Stephen’s admiration for Rick, a 69-year-old physician, was palpable, resonating with viewers worldwide. Their camaraderie made them immensely popular among audiences during the first five episodes. However, their journey on the show ended abruptly in episode 5 during a dormitory elimination test, where they were ousted by another contestant, Phalisia, who had to eliminate three players.
Despite their exit from the show, Stephen’s established family life, burgeoning reality TV stardom, and viral presence on TikTok indicate that he will continue to thrive. His heartfelt moments on the show and his existing online presence have solidified his place in the hearts of fans, ensuring a positive trajectory beyond his “Squid Game: The Challenge” experience.