Pop-Culturalist.com

Marcel Cunningham, Andy King, and Christopher Shulstad were three of the final four contenders on USA Network’s inaugural season of The Anonymous, each bringing their own strategic approach to the game. Marcel’s calculated charm, Andy’s relatable everyman persona, and Christopher’s adaptability set them apart in a season where secrecy and deception were paramount. As they neared the final rounds, their contrasting styles and alliances added to the suspense, showcasing the intensity and high stakes that defined this unique competition.

Pop Culturalist spoke with Marcel, Andy, and Christopher about the final face-off of The Anonymous, their strategy going in, and more.

PC: Marcel, there was a moment in the game where you could have been eliminated if you hadn’t chosen the safe box. What was your strategy going into those face-offs, as you performed so well in them? How did that potential elimination impact or change your game moving forward?
Marcel: Going into the face-offs, I’d already made up my mind about exactly what I was going to say—no matter what was in the box. My plan was to cause as much confusion as possible and deflect. I tried to bluff my way through it. When Christopher took my box, I was thrilled. That was one of those pivotal moments where I could go all-in on calling Christopher a liar, hoping it would benefit us both. And it did. Dodging that elimination gave me a new confidence, and I wanted to keep that same face-off energy every time.

PC: Andy, you joined the show to rewrite your narrative and show the true Andy King, which you undoubtedly did. At what point did you realize that not only could you do that, but you also had a real shot at winning this game?
Andy: The joke is that I was Joe Biden for the first few episodes and then turned into Donald Trump. I was like, “Come on, Andy. You better start figuring out this game and come up with a strategy.” About three-quarters of the way through, I realized I actually had a chance to win. Part of my strategy was to stay out of the drama—I wanted to be that rock of Gibraltar, the person people could turn to and talk with. But it wasn’t all about emotions; it was more about figuring out what we thought and how we should move forward. I came close at the end; it could have happened. But God works in mysterious ways. Let’s see what happens on the next show, because I certainly enjoyed myself.

PC: You had the winning box. Christopher, you didn’t watch any reality television before competing on The Anonymous. The real-world aspect of the game is where you thrived. When did you realize that this part of the game would be what got you to the end?
Christopher: Coming into the game, I knew the two most important things would be knowing how to pivot and how to persuade. You can’t do that in the chat—you need to look someone straight in the eye. I had to pivot. If someone was going to try to break me, I wanted them to look me in the eyes while they tried. So, I didn’t care about the chat. Everyone knew I was “lipstick.” My first handle was “donut.” Donut was ruthless.

Marcel: Smothered and covered.

Christopher: Exactly. I didn’t care about Anonymous Mode. If everyone knew my handle, they wouldn’t eliminate me because I wouldn’t be seen as a threat. I held back my competitive side throughout most of the game, only letting it show in the final challenges. If people had seen that side of me from the beginning, I would have been out—no question.

PC: Marcel, you had all the power in that final face-off. What was your thought process behind assigning everyone their positions with the boxes? What was the biggest influence on your decision to choose a new box rather than steal one?
Marcel: I chose Christopher to go first because I felt he had the best chance of picking the winning box and keeping it. I wanted Andy to go second so I could read him. He has this nervous habit where he licks his lips intensely, and I was watching for it—but he didn’t do it during the final face-off. I put Nina third because she asks really good questions. And I put myself last because I felt it was the most powerful position. But I fumbled, and I have a lot of regrets about how I played that last face-off.

PC: A lot of credit to you, though. You faced elimination so many times throughout the game and still made it to the end. Andy, going into that final face-off, what was your game plan if you ended up with the winning box—which you did? And how did you pivot after Nina took it from you?
Andy: My game plan from the start was to change the narrative—not to be “Andy from Fyre Festival,” but to be Andy King: the good guy, a team player, and someone relatable, even with the age difference.

Suddenly, I’m sitting there with the winning box. I’d never become the Anonymous, never won a challenge, and didn’t put a lot of money in the pot, but I was consistent throughout, which I think matters. But as I sat with the winning box, part of me thought, “I could ruin this show because I didn’t win any competitions, never became the Anonymous—I’ll ruin the show if I actually win.” So, my mind was racing: Andy, you can’t keep it; you’ve got to get rid of it. But then another part of me was like, “Well, you could use the extra $100,000.” It felt like I had an angel and a devil on my shoulders.

I’ve got Marcel across from me saying I’m freaking him out, and I’m freaking myself out. Nina and I played off each other in the first face-off, so I thought I could steer her in a different direction, giving the guys a chance at the box. For a moment, I was a deer in the headlights. Then I thought, “Play it cool. Stay calm. Look down.” But that was the wrong move—I couldn’t make eye contact. Nina just went, “Give me your box.” [laughs]

PC: Christopher, on the flip side of my last question, you were one of the players who benefited from the avatar refresh. You chose your first two handles because they had no connection to you. What was your strategy going into the third, since you ultimately became the Anonymous?
Christopher: Andy, Marcel, and I had a few conversations, and I told Andy, “This is the time I take over the game. You’re not going to know who I am.” I wanted to do something similar to Marcel—he was the snake and constantly throwing out snake puns. Everyone else was using puns, too. So, I thought, if I pick “tea,” I’ll go all-in on tea puns. No one would guess it was me. I went from dead last to being the Anonymous the very next day. It was all about pivoting—I had to gain some control to make sure I wasn’t going home.

Make sure to follow Marcel (Instagram), Andy (Instagram), and Christopher (Instagram). Binge-watch The Anonymous on Peacock today.