During the Season 2 finale of Deal or No Deal Island, Australian Survivor star David Genat beat out fellow contestant Alexis Lete for the chance to play the mysterious Banker. David was the last member of the infamous Family Alliance, and he faced off against this season’s Banker, Chrissy Teigen, in The Temple.
Somehow, luck was shining on David, as he played an unbelievable game. He turned down every deal that the Banker offered until he reached the final round. Making it that far, with the $12 million final case still on the board, was nearly impossible.
Finally, to the relief of his fellow DONDI competitors and viewers at home, he took the last offer for $5.8 million. Not only did David make Deal or No Deal history, but he won the most money ever on network TV.
David joined Reality Tea writer Kim Stempel to discuss his wild experience playing the Banker, winning $8.5 million, and how his family reacted to his win.
David Genat reflects on winning Deal or No Deal Island Season 2
Kim Stempel: Hi, David! How are you?
David Genat: Kim, I’m pretty … I’m pretty good, girl. I’m not gonna lie, I’m in a pretty good space. I haven’t slept, though, Kim.
Kim Stempel: I can’t imagine why you’re in a good mood, though, David!
David Genat: Oh, boy! That is so much money, Kim! That is so much money. I just ordered some coffee. I’m very late for my media chats this morning. And I’m wearing sunglasses, and I have my hair out (laughs).
Kim Stempel: It’s all good. So, what does it feel like to win $5.8 million?
David Genat: My head is spinning, Kim. Spinning! It’s unbelievable. Like I … I can’t even put it into words. It’s just … it’s very validating. It feels like kind of the culmination of a lot of work I’ve been doing for the last 20 years.
It’s elation like I’ve been floating on a cloud since I won. Almost a year ago, I won. And then just to get to watch it back and celebrate with my friends. It was amazing. Dream come true.
Deal or No Deal Island Season 2 winner David Genat decided to prank his family
Kim Stempel: How did your family react?
David Genat: They are so happy. Kim, I’ve got the coolest video. I actually got to call my wife and daughter on the night that it happened, and in true gamer fashion, I kind of faked them out. So, I called them, and I was like, Guys. I don’t want you to be disappointed, but the game … the game is done.
And my daughter was so cute, she was like, It’s okay, dad. We still love you.
Kim Stempel: Aww.
David Genat: It’s done because I won! And they were like, Oh! They got really excited. And I was like, And look, look, look. There was … there was a lot of money on the table. There was $12.2 million that I could have won, which I didn’t win $12.2.
And they were like, Oh. I mean, that’s okay. Like, did you do good?
I was like, Yeah. I won $5.8 [million]! And they went ballistic. Light was just pouring out of their cute little faces. And, unfortunately, I didn’t record the audio, but I’ve got this amazing memento of talking to them, and they’re just so beautiful, man. It was such a beautiful moment.
David Genat discusses his “spiritual” time in The Temple in Deal or No Deal Island Season 2
Kim Stempel: It was magical (and panic-inducing) watching you play the Banker.
David Genat: (laughs). That’s how I make television!
Kim Stempel: What made you decide to keep saying No Deal?
David Genat: I mean, there were a lot of factors. One, I really was having a spiritual experience out there, Kim. And I felt very sure of where that $12.2 million was.
I think after the fact they told me I had less than a one percent chance, like a .5 percent chance of winning any money at all. The odds were against me, I think, after the first round.
So, I was aware of that at the time, but I just didn’t really … I just didn’t really care. I know it sounds crazy going against the odds and doing all that. But I was having a spiritual Temple, man. I was seeing the cases I should open up, I was feeling really connected, and I think it showed. I don’t think you can play a game like that when you’re playing the odds.
Kim Stempel: No.
David Genat: And, yeah. Something special happened out there. Here we are, 6 million bucks richer. So, it was just a really special time.
David Genat felt that his father was with him during Deal or No Deal Island Season 2
Kim Stempel: It truly was. And you felt like your dad was with you?
David Genat: Yeah. Kim, my dad passed away a couple of years prior. And I don’t know if you’re close with your dad. I was really close with my dad. He was a great man.
One of the things he did well was … he just made me feel so supported. I’ve had a pretty bizarre career … I’ve had a weird last 25 years. It’s been amazing, but there’s been a lot of ups and a lot of downs. And he was just always there for me. When he passed, it’s almost like you feel … I wasn’t upset because I had unsaid things to him. I just really missed the dude, and I just felt so safe with him in the world, you know?
And it was wild that at that Temple [and] especially on the island. I just kind of felt his presence really strong. And he used to have these big, like, bear paw hands. My dad had these huge hands. And I remember as a kid, him kind of like touching my head or the back of my hair and like his whole hand would take over my whole head, and it just made me feel safe.
When I was out there, that’s the feeling I had. Like he was there, and I just felt so safe. And picking those cases, I knew he was there supporting me and delivering me that money, you know, for my family. For my mom. It was a really spiritual experience. It was great to connect with him again on that level.
David knew where the $12 million case was during Temple in Deal or No Deal Island
Kim Stempel: That’s amazing. I love that! Did you think the $12 million was in your case?
David Genat: I knew it was in seven. So, I picked 18 because that was the number I wanted to reclaim. My kids were all born on the 18th. It’s been a big number in my life. There’s been a lot of reasons 18 has been big.
And then my dad passed away on the 18th. That was on my stepdaughter’s birthday. And I just knew how much he would have hated that like he was just such a positive person, and I think that impacted him passing on that day. We were like, No. Like what?
And just to be able to go, No. No. Eighteen – we’re reclaiming that. That’s a positive number. We never have to think about that ever again now … on my daughter’s birthday. Eighteen is going to be like, This is the best day ever. Wow! Like what a day! What a gift. So, it was really good to be able to reclaim that number, but I just knew that seven had the $12.2 [million].
I had this big feeling, and I said in the show, My number was 18, for me and my family. But God’s number’s seven, and that was really like a God-centric game I was playing. I was praying and being like, I’m not doing this myself anymore. There’s got to be a higher power out here helping me … helping me with these cases. And there just was. There was.
What was David Genat’s hardest moment in Deal or No Deal Island Season 2?
Kim Stempel: What was the most difficult moment in the entire game for you?
David Genat: You mean the game in general or the case game?
Kim Stempel: The game in general.
David Genat: I had seen myself at the end with Parvati [Shallow] and Dickson [Wong]. I meditate every morning when I’m doing these games and visualize … people call it manifesting or whatever. But I visualized how I want the game to play out. I’ll see the challenge for the day, [and] I’ll see what moves I’m going to make.
I see these threads of conversation that I’ve had and how I’m going to link them together. And one thing I kept seeing was me, Parv, and Dickson in the final three.
So, when he went out, and it was because I had said he couldn’t play [the Banker], I was like, Oh, man. That hit. That was tough. And then the next day, Parv goes.
And so, things kind of weren’t working out as I’d seen them, and I had such a great connection with both of them. I was really upset. Like, you see me sitting at that final thing when Parv was gone, and I was like, This is not how the Golden God envisioned this.
And so that was hard. It took me a lot to get my head back in the game to win the challenge the next day because I was like, Oh. What? No. This is not how I’d seen it happening.
I’m kind of petty, Kim. If stuff doesn’t go my way, and I’m like, Oh. I’m going to get that back. So, that was the toughest part, just seeing Parv leave the game like that.
Because I really think she deserved to be there, and my whole strategy in playing with her, I was like, I’m taking you to the end. And that was a commitment we’d had from pretty much day one. And so, to get that close and then just fall short was tough.
David shares who he is still close with from Deal or No Deal Island Season 2
Kim Stempel: It was very poetic that Parvati was able to help you during the final excursion.
David Genat: I mean, what a final excursion. I don’t know who came up with that idea, but they’re a genius. I’ve done so much television. I’ve watched so much reality television, and I just think that is the smartest and best finale challenge I’ve ever seen.
Whoever made it up, kudos to you! Kudos to you, Chrissy Teigen! (laughs). I don’t know if Chrissy had anything to do with that. I’m pretty sure she didn’t, but …
Kim Stempel: Who are you still in touch with from the cast?
David Genat: Parv and I are really close. Dickson and I – really close. Maria-Grace “M.G.” [Cook]. Those were the guys that were in my alliance. We stayed really tight. La Shell [Wooten], I speak to a lot.
And, surprisingly, Dr. Will Kirby. Out of the game, Will is such a nice guy. We’ve had a great relationship since filming ended. When filming was going, we did not have a good relationship. But after the fact … he’s kind of like, you know, we’re just making TV. It’s just a game.
I was like, Is it, Will? But he’s a great dude. He’s a really great guy.
This interview was edited for clarity.
Deal or No Deal Island is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND SEASON 2? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DAVID’S GAME AT TEMPLE?
