“Jeopardy!” champion and high school teacher Jen Feldman recently opened up about a surprising reaction she received from her students in Brooklyn, New York City. Feldman, who earned the title of two-time champion during her recent appearances on the show, shared during the personal interview segment of the game show a particular aspect of her life that causes her students to view her differently—her vegetarianism.
Feldman explained that while her students are generally open-minded, the revelation that she is a vegetarian leaves them unexpectedly stunned. “I work with a really awesome, diverse group of kids on the Lower East Side, and every difference of opinion that we might have about politics, culture, anything, they don’t even bat an eyelash. But the second that they find out I’m a vegetarian…,” Feldman explained during the interview.
Host Ken Jennings, slightly puzzled by her revelation, reacted by asking if that was the issue for her students. Feldman confirmed, explaining that her students are left speechless when they discover she doesn’t eat meat. Surprised by their response, Jennings remarked that he would have expected Gen Z to be more accepting of vegetarianism. Feldman, amused by the situation, noted that she was also surprised by how strongly her students reacted to her dietary choice. Laughing, she admitted that it was indeed a deal-breaker for them. Jennings, offering encouragement, reassured her that in time, her students would likely accept it.
Her lighthearted and honest interview caught the attention of fans, and the clip was soon shared on the “Jeopardy!” official Instagram page, drawing many responses. One person, claiming to be one of her students, confirmed that Feldman’s account was accurate. Another fan commented that they found the segment funny and enjoyable to watch, while a third humorously remarked that things could have been worse if she had said she was vegan.
Feldman’s winning streak on “Jeopardy!” has been impressive. During her most recent appearances on September 19th and 20th, she took home a total score of $14,050, beating out competitors Santhosh Sastry and Sarah Preisinger by a wide margin. However, Feldman’s run came to an end on September 23, 2024, after losing in the Final “Jeopardy!” round to David Erb, who won with a total of $17,655. Feldman ended the game with a score of $4,799, placing her in third.
Although her winning streak has concluded, fans will undoubtedly remember her humor, charm, and insightful stories from the classroom.
