David Chang is the First Celebrity to Win ‘Millionaire’, Donates All to Restaurant Workers
By Ryan General
Chef David Chang is donating all the prize money he won in “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
Chang, who became the first celebrity to win $1 million on Sunday, is giving the entire amount to restaurant workers heavily affected by COVID-19, reports CNN.
The restaurateur managed to pull off an impressive win following some thrilling final moments in the popular game show.
Chang momentarily struggled during the last question, in which he was asked to name the first U.S. president to have electricity in the White House.
Using his “phone a friend” lifeline, Chang sought help from ESPN journalist Mina Kimes. While unsure of the right answer, Chang went with Kimes’ suggestion and chose President Benjamin Harrison.
“As much as I want to walk away and the embarrassment I will have the rest of my life for getting it wrong, it means more to me to get this right to put a spotlight on the industry in need,” Chang explained. “And at this point, the way things are, you know, things are pretty bad.”
As it turns out, the answer was correct and Chang had indeed won a million dollars for the Southern Smoke Foundation, an organization that provides relief for those in the food and beverage industry.
Southern Smoke noted on its website that it has so far distributed $4,097,425 to 2,071 people nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Writer and director Alan Yang, who presented Chang with the customary giant check after the win, took to Twitter to share the excitement.
“Always wanted to hold a giant check on television. Thanks @MillionaireTV! Asian trivia dream team ftw,” Yang wrote.
In a Facebook post, Chang shared his historic win with his followers and credited Yang and Kimes for helping him win money for charity.
Feature Image via davidchang
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