Monica Thieu
Are you going to put "Jeopardy! contestant" on your resume?
I think I'll absolutely put that I've been in Jeopardy! on my resume. I mean, what job doesn't need quick thinking and, y'know, a really fast buzzer finger? [Laughs]
What is your dream Jeopardy! category?
My dream Jeopardy! category would probably be HISTORY OF FASHION.
How did you react when you were selected for the College Championship?
Oh, I was actually riding in the car to dinner before my birthday, so... best birthday present ever!
...
You qualified for the finals! How do you feel?
Just feeling all sorts of things, especially 'cause I was in third place going into Final Jeopardy! I just don't know how I pulled that one out!
What will you do to prepare for the finals?
I don't know if I should study, 'cause I didn't study for today, and I guess it worked out. I think I just want to relax, get this off my mind.
Tell us about your journey getting here.
[Sighs] Well, I mean, I've always been kind of a trivia buff. I didn't really study, I just sort of read all this stuff, and then I tried out for the test, and before I knew it, I was here. And the nerves didn't really hit me 'til I was up on that podium about five seconds before filming, but... I think we made it though okay.
Has anything surprised you about the experience so far?
I think it's just how friendly everyone's been. I mean, of course we're competing against each other, but it's really just been like a, really, family sort of environment, even if we've only known each other for a few weeks.
...
How did you feel going into the final game?
Well, I had a pretty big lead going in, so I was just like, "Okay. If I don't lose too bad, I should be okay." And I think it worked out.
What will you do with your winnings?
Well, I'm probably going to invest most of it in college tuition, like I should. Maybe I'll take some of it and go shopping. Sounds fun!
What categories were you excited to see?
Excited for PHYSICS. Definitely PHYSICS. And then the music ones... when I could buzz in, at least.
What was the best part of the experience?
Just meeting all these really cool people who are interested in the same thing as I am. I think all of the other contestants are just amazing.
Congrats on your College Championship victory! |
2024 Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament quarterfinalist: $5,000.
2019 All-Star Games member of 1st runner-up Team Ken: a share of $300,000 split three ways with Ken Jennings and Matt Jackson.
2013 Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist: $5,000.
2012 College Championship winner (semifinalist by wildcard): $100,000 + a trophy.
18 at the time of the College Championship.
Monica won $28,000 on ABC's 500 Questions on 2016-05-26. She eliminated Season 20/21 74-time champion Ken Jennings on his question 4, and defeated 2008-B Teen Tournament wildcard semifinalist Brandon Saunders, who appeared as a challenger. She was eliminated on question 53 by Nathan Kaplan.
Monica appeared as a Master Mind on Master Minds on various episodes beginning on 2023-08-10.
Last name pronounced like "TYOO".
JBoard user name: emtwo |
