‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Christine Whelchel Sends Inspiring Message to Cancer Survivors (VIDEO)
This… Is… Jeopardy!
For exclusive news and updates, subscribe to our Jeopardy! Newsletter:
Current Jeopardy! champion Christine Whelchel made a powerful statement on Monday’s episode as she aimed to “normalize what cancer recovery looks like.”
Whelchel, a piano teacher and church organist from Spring Hill, Tennessee, is currently on a four-game winning streak and is quickly gaining fan support due to her inspiring message. As a breast cancer survivor, Whelchel had worn a wig for her first three appearances on the show, but on Monday, she revealed much shorter hair.
“After the winnings, I decided that I didn’t need to hide behind a wig anymore, and I wanted to normalize what cancer recovery looks like,” she told host and former Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings.
A strong Jeopardy! player and an even stronger person. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NQqJS2uAs1
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) March 1, 2022
Whelchel previously discussed her battle with cancer during her first appearance on the long-running game show, revealing that she applied soon after her diagnosis. “One of the first things I did a couple of weeks after being diagnosed was take the Jeopardy! test,” she explained. “And I ended up getting my audition the night before my surgery in May.”
“You auditioned the night before your surgery?” a surprised Jennings asked. “Well, evidently, the audition went well! You’re here. And I hope the surgery [went well] too.” Whelchel replied, “Everything else went well and I’m cancer-free as of right now.”
Cancer-free and now on Jeopardy! Congratulations, Christine. 😊 pic.twitter.com/6GcY866Zrc
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) February 23, 2022
Whelchel’s first game was also memorable as it ended in an extremely rare Final Jeopardy! tiebreaker. She tied then-champion Henry at $34,000 dollars and eventually beat him in the tiebreaker category to claim her first victory. Having won her fourth game on Monday, Whelchel now stands at earnings of $73,602.
Viewers have loved watching Whelchel, not just for her gameplay but also for the inspiring message she is sending to those fighting cancer. “Rock on, girl. Wigs are hot and itchy. Cancer takes so much from us, don’t let it take your self esteem, too,” tweeted one fan. “Rock that short hair and funky glasses and big earrings! Rock on, Christine!”
Another viewer added, “Christine on Jeopardy – you set an example for every woman recovering from cancer – and you ROCK the short hair! You’re thriving in surviving!”
Rock on, girl. Wigs are hot and itchy. Cancer takes so much from us, don’t let it take your self esteem, too. Rock that short hair and funky glasses and big earrings! Rock on, Christine!
— 💜 S,C,W 💜 (@wsoozc) March 1, 2022
Christine on #jeopardy – you set an example for every woman recovering from cancer – and you ROCK the short hair! You’re thriving in surviving!
— Judy (@Jude_Mast) March 1, 2022
Thank you for sharing this. As one who is in the same boat (albeit without a wig) I love to see someone rocking the cancer stubble.
— Traci Wickett (@TraciW) March 1, 2022
She also a really generous trivia teammate as I’ve been blessed to find out a few times. Great to see her kicking ass on Jeopardy!
— Jackie Fuchs a/k/a Jackie Fox (@JackieFox1976) March 1, 2022
Jeopardy!, Weeknights, Check your local listings
