Jeopardy! Masters’ Mattea Roach reveals how they’ll spend $250K winnings after stunning performance & personal loss

MATTEA Roach has opened up on Twitter on how they’ll be spending their time and well-earned $250,000 having placed second in Jeopardy! Masters.

The 24-year-old gave winner James Holzhauer a run for his money in the finals while reeling from the sudden loss of their father at age 57.

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Mattea – who uses they/them pronouns – took to Twitter one day after defying the odds and almost winning Jeopardy! Masters.

They wrote: “The dust has settled after the first-ever Jeopardy Masters and it’s time to give the champion his flowers!!”

“James Holzhauer proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in this competition that he is THE top Jeopardy player active today.

“Truly great players inspire their competitors to step their game up, and that’s definitely what happened for me in the late stages of Masters this year!!

“Although I didn’t snag the title this time around, I’m proud to have put up a good fight.

“With this first edition of Jeopardy Masters now in the rearview mirror, I turn my attention to other pressing matters (basking in the sun on my porch, finally going to Portugal, hanging out with my mom).

“Until next time!!” they concluded.

‘INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH’

One fan replied: “You were incredible. What an absolute joy to watch this group compete. Sending you and your family extra love.”

Another wrote: “What an incredible amount of strength and bravery you showed the world these last few games. You’re an inspiration at many levels.

“To think, at 24, you’re this poised, intelligent, and magnanimous is incredible. I wish you the best in all you do.

A third wrote: “Wow, you almost had him! Canada is so proud! I can’t imagine how hard this was, grieving your marvelous Dad and playing on. Well done, Mattea. I hope we see you next year.”

‘HORRIBLE NEWS’

Phillip Henry Roach died of a brain aneurysm on May 2, 2023 at Mattea’s family home in Canada while Mattea was “at the set of Jeopardy!,” they earlier revealed on Twitter.

Mattea shared a lengthy tribute this week starting with two throwback photos of them with their dad, one when the super-champion was growing up [seen below] and one of them as adults [seen above].

“I also wanted to talk about my dad bc he passed away while Masters was in production.

“The first seven episodes were taped before he died, the final three were taped after. (He got to see episode four in studio so he knew it was going well-ish for me).

“I’ll say this on TV tonight but I want to express it again here – I was at the set of Jeopardy when my dad died.

“Short of being at home with family, I cannot imagine a better place to be when receiving such horrific news.”

The Masters special – which premiered May 8, halted filming earlier as Andrew He’s welcomed a child mid-filming, and Mattea revealed they delayed tapings a second time so they could go home.

‘WE’RE ALL HEARTBROKEN’

Mattea then bravely shared their loss to the world on stage during Masters.

Ken Jennings brought up how Mattea’s prized possession is their denim jacket from their dad- which they shared during their very first win of an eventual 23 in 2022 -when they were a mere 23 years old.

Mattea replied to Ken: “It’s now on a permanent loan actually.”

Mattea continued while wiping their eyes: “My dad passed away at the start of the month very suddenly. He’s a huge part of the reason why I’m here.”

“He and my mom instilled an early love of geography in me. My dad taught me all about Turner Classic Movies and old movies.

“So I wanted to in what might be my last game of the series recognize the impact he had on my life.”

“And also recognize, I was actually here at the set when my dad died.

“And everyone here, my fellow contestants- I cannot ask for better support during what was the worst day of my life. Thank you to everyone,” they said.

“Everyone who made sure I could go home and be with my mom and brothers.” 

The crowd clapped and Ken, 48, could barely speak- “Mattea” – he began while shaken up.

“Everyone here is so heartbroken” and Ken said “speaking as a dad,” Phillip must have been “So proud to see you play, play Masters.” 

He told Mattea to “Take a second” before starting the next round. “But you have a second, we’ll talk about the next categories in a second.”

SHOCKING LOSS

Mattea’s sudden loss was reported by Nova Scotia Buzz, which is a local outlet from their hometown.

Phillip’s four children with his wife Patti McKinnon were “the greatest joy of his life,” the outlet continued.

Phillip graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 1993 with a degree in business and had a career in human resources. He also loved cycling and cooking.

Mattea’s father enjoyed playing Trivial Pursuit with his children, the local outlet wrote, and he was proud to have passed down his love of rock music to them.

They were also so excited to see the band Kraftwerk with him, which was the recent photo also seen above.

Mattea’s proud parents hosted a watch party at their home for each and every one of their original 23 wins last year.

Mattea’s parents decorated their glass front door with a sign that reads: “This is Jeopardy!”

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MASTERFUL COMEBACK

Mattea is the sixth-highest-earning Jeopardy! winner of all time with $560,983 in regular gameplay earnings from their initial run and after losing the 2022 Tournament of Champions, came back with a vengeance.

While James won the Masters crown and $500,000 by the thinnest of margins on Thursday’s fierce finale of the three-week special- it was no clean sweep.

The formidable 32-game winner was trailing Mattea going into the special’s crucial Final Jeopardy and prevailed by just 2100 match points with a slightly savvier bet.

Ken announced that all three finalists will be guaranteed slots in next year’s Masters – and James won an additional $100,000 for Project 150 (which helps Las Vegas-area high school students with insecure housing).

Mattea went home with $250,000 for second place, and Matt Amodio $150,000 for placing third.

“They tested you to the limit, but you are our first-ever Jeopardy Masters champion,” Ken told James upon his hard-fought win.

James whispered “Your dad would be so proud of you” and went over and hugged Mattea before he was given the Trebek Trophy.

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