Deal or No Deal Island Season 2 Winner Takes Home the Biggest Prize in TV History: 'Can’t Even Believe It'

David Genat and Alexis Lete entered the March 25 finale as the last two standing on The Banker's Island, but only one could compete for the grand prize

David Genat; Alexis Lete
'Deal or No Deal Island' season 2 finalists David Genat and Alexis Lete. Photo:

Monty Brinton/NBC (2)

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season 2 finale of Deal or No Deal Island.

The season 2 finale of Deal or No Deal Island kicked off by determining who would be the one to face The Banker in final game: David Genat or Alexis Lete.

Lete, 28, picked up a total of $5,500,000 in the final excursion, which knocked out Courtney “CK” Kim from contention. If David, 45, had a higher total, though, he’d be the one to face The Banker. When David opened up his three cases, he revealed a total of $5,700,000, meaning he beat out Lete to play for the final prize.

After the last excursion, the prize pot came in at $10,320,001, but host Joe Manganiello received a call from The Banker saying that she’d like to add the highest case value from the daily challenge to the pot to make it worth over $12,000,000, which Joe, 48, pointed out would be the biggest prize in game show history.

Deal or No Deal Island; David Genat, Courtney "CK" Kim, Alexis Lete, Joe Manganiello
Joe Manganiello (far right) with 'Deal or No Deal Island' contestants David Genat, Courtney "CK" Kim (center) and Alexis Lete.

Monty Brinton/NBC

“That is generational wealth,” David told the cameras. “It’s overwhelming.”

When David arrived in the temple for that final game of Deal or No Deal, Joe revealed that the Australian Survivor winner would be playing for $12,232,0001. Joe then introduced Chrissy Teigen as the season’s Banker before David picked his case. David went with case 18, a number that meant a lot to his family.

For his first case to open, David selected 14, which had $10 inside. Then he went for case 8, which had $1. He knocked out $200,000 next, followed by $300, $100,000 and $.01.

“David, I have to admit, I only invited you here for eye candy,” Chrissy, 39, said to David before making him his first offer. “I didn’t think you’d make it quite this far.”

Chrissy Tiegen returning to Deal or No Deal Island as the Banker
Chrissy Teigen at The Banker on 'Deal or No Deal Island' season 2.

Monty Brinton/NBC

Chrissy offered $230,000, which he turned down.

To start off round 2, David picked the $3,000,000 case first, but he bounced back by knocking out $400, $50,000 and $300,000, followed by another $1,000,000 case.

“You call yourself the greatest Survivor contestant of all time, but I gotta say, I’m much more a fan of Boston Rob,” Chrissy said to David at the conclusion of the round.

The reveal of David being a Survivor alum came as a shock to most of the eliminated DONDI contestants who were watching in the audience. “That actually hurts,” David said to Chrissy. “That’s cold blooded. He didn’t win this show though, did he?”

Chrissy made David an offer of $499,000, but he turned it down.

Deal or No Deal Island; David Genat
'Deal or No Deal Island' season 2 contestant David Genat.

Monty Brinton/NBC

After round 3, Chrissy tempted David with $994,000, which he again declined. He gave Chrissy’s offer of $1,523,000 following round 4 serious consideration, and Dickson Wong advised him to “take it right now.” Still, David said, “no deal” and proceeded to open two more cases.

Next, David knocked out two $1,000,000 cases and received an offer of $1,980,000 from Banker Chrissy. “For the love of God, take that deal,” Luke Olejniczak, who infamously added only $1 to the prize pot, said to David.

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But David wanted to press on. “What’s meant for me is meant for me, Joe,” David said before turning down the nearly $2,000,000 on offer.

Dr. Will Kirby respected the move. “That guy has the hairiest balls in Australia,” the Big Brother star, 52, said. “F--- yes!”

In round 6, David picked two more cases: one for $100 and then the last $1,000,000 one. This earned him an offer of $2,900,000. “Take the deal, David,” Parvati Shallow implored.

But knowing he’d only have to open one more case and seeing the grand prize still on the board, David said, “no deal” and continued on in the game.

David selected case 17 in round 7 and revealed just $750.

“I give my game up to God now,” David declared.

Deal or No Deal Island; Joe Manganiello
'Deal or No Deal Island' host Joe Manganiello.

Monty Brinton/NBC

Chrissy offered David $3,870,018, and even Dr. Will thought he should take the deal.

“Are you really prepared to walk away from something this big?” Joe asked David.

He was. David said “no deal” once more and went on to open another case.

David chose case 24, which contained $25. With two cases left in play — the case David picked at the beginning of the game and the one on the board — that meant David either had $75 inside of his case, or the $12,232,0001 grand prize.

Chrissy offered David $5,800,000, and he wanted “a sign” to help him make the call about whether he should accept it.

“I know where that money’s at, but I’ve also seen hubris take out a lot of people,” David said.

Ultimately, David decided to take the $5,800,000 — and good thing he did, because his case, 18, had $75 inside. “I actually can’t even believe it,” David said. “I knew I had it.”

Joe closed out by thanking Chrissy for the “wildest, most unpredictable season ever.”

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Deal or No Deal Island is streaming now on Peacock.

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