Amy McCoy Reflects on Defeating Boston Rob Mariano in the 'Deal or No Deal Island' Maze Challenge

Amy McCoy experienced a sweet victory by defeating Boston Rob Mariano in the Deal or No Deal Island finale.

"It feels amazing," McCoy, 42, shared exclusively with We on Tuesday, May 14, after the season finale of Deal or No Deal Island. "I have a lot of respect for Rob. We may have been portrayed as arch enemies on the show, with me looking like the villain and him the hero, but it's important to remember that this is all part of the game."

In the season finale, McCoy and Mariano, 48, competed for the last spot to face the Banker, who turned out to be Howie Mandel. McCoy quickly solved the puzzle and took the lead in the maze challenge. However, she made some wrong turns, allowing Jordan Fowler and Dr. Stephanie Mitchell to finish first.

Mariano received a penalty for peeking at McCoy's solved puzzle. He entered the maze last, with McCoy still running when he started.

She shared with Us that when they were both in the maze, she felt confident in her ability to excel in mental competitions. She noticed that he tried to copy her answer in an attempt to stay in the game.

Amy McCoy Felt Really Good Beating Boston Rob Mariano in Deal or No Deal Island Maze Challenge 268

Amy McCoy, Boston Rob Mariano. NBC (2)

While McCoy was “annoyed” at Mariano for looking at her answer, she admitted she took it as a compliment after looking back on it.

"I felt really good when he checked my answer. I thought, 'Way to go, Amy!' I was proud of myself at that moment," she shared. "Rob is a great person. I don't have anything bad to say about him. It was a privilege to be on the same team as him. In my opinion, he is the greatest of all time. So, I was really honored."

Amy McCoy Felt Really Good Beating Boston Rob Mariano in Deal or No Deal Island Maze Challenge 267

McCoy, the shortest female player on the season, shared that she was proud of herself for spending the most time running around the maze compared to her fellow players.

She shared with Us that she managed to beat him out of the maze, even though she ended up running the maze three times longer than others due to hitting every dead end. Despite crawling through low value cases obstacles and clouding the high value cases, she still managed to come in third among the participants. She felt proud of herself for completing the whole maze and getting some unexpected cardio that day.

During the finale, it seemed like McCoy and Mariano were closely competing in the maze challenge. However, Mariano revealed to Us that the race wasn't as tight as portrayed on the show.

Mariano told Us that he was unlocking his case when he heard the celebration. By the time he retrieved his case and started heading back over the hurdles, the contestant had already made her way back. Mariano mentioned that the show's editing made the situation seem closer than it actually was, but he acknowledged that it made for good TV.

You can watch Season 1 of Deal or No Deal Island on Peacock for streaming.

Editor's P/S:

Amy McCoy's triumph in the "Deal or No Deal Island" finale is a testament to her determination and puzzle-solving prowess. Despite being portrayed as an antagonist to the beloved Boston Rob Mariano, McCoy remained respectful and recognized the strategic nature of the game. Her ability to excel in mental challenges, even under pressure, proved to be her winning edge.

McCoy's journey through the maze, while arduous, showcased her resilience and unwavering spirit. Her perseverance in completing the entire course, despite encountering numerous obstacles, is admirable. While Mariano's account of the race differing from the show's portrayal suggests some creative editing, it does not diminish McCoy's accomplishment. Her victory serves as an inspiration, proving that with determination and a strategic mindset, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.