Many of you who tuned in to watch “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire: Netflix Movie Week” back in February may not have noticed one of your neighbors on Monday night’s screen. Santa Clarita Valley’s own Courtney Foley was a contender on ABC’s hit show, which aired Monday, February 21, 2011.
The 21-year-old, College of the Canyons student kept this gigantic secret from almost everyone she knew until the program aired four months later, where she surprised her parents, family, and friends with unbelievable news. Foley won $100,000!
After a month-long study abroad trip to Paris, France, Courtney jumped in a car with her dad and headed to Las Vegas to audition the day after she arrived back home. The contestant said, “The audition itself was stressful because there were probably several hundred people there.” To keep the crowd enthusiastic, members of the audience showcased special talents to win free t-shirts. “I stood up and declared that I had an impression of Chewbacca from Star Wars. I think my willingness to embarrass myself in front of 300 people is really what got me on the show,” says Foley.
Being an aspiring actress, Netflix Movie Week came as a blessing to the movie fanatic and she knew she was meant to win. The college student put her faith in winning this game show, saying, “When I flew to New York to be on the show, I spent the last $1,000 to my name. I was officially broke. I told myself that no matter what happened, at least my boyfriend and I would have this adventure together that we wouldn’t have done otherwise. When I got on stage, I trusted myself. I wasn’t going back home without my $1,000.”
“I hope to pay off my insane credit card bill, my car, and give my parents a big chunk of money. Maybe I’ll go on a cruise too, ‘cause I’ve never done that,” dishes SCV’s deserving winner. However, through the experience, the lesson Foley learned was worth more than the amount she won. “Money comes and it goes, usually really slowly and then far too quickly, but the constant in my life will always be the people I love,” says the young actress.
Think you have what it takes to be SCV’s next big winner? Audition the next time the game show comes close to home! Foley’s advice to all future contestants is to, “just have fun and have zero expectations. Be yourself and trust yourself. That isn’t just how you win big on game shows, that’s how you win big in life.”
For more information on Courtney Foley’s episode or how you can audition, please visit www.dadt.com/millionaire.