“Cheering for you” Jeopardy! Masters fans react to Juveria Zaheer’s addition to the show

As the third season of Jeopardy! Masters kicked off on April 30, 2025, viewers were treated to an impressive display of knowledge from a diverse cast of returning champions. Among the nine elite contestants selected for this prestigious tournament is Dr. Juveria Zaheer, an Ontario psychiatrist who has already appeared on Jeopardy! history as the first Canadian to break the $50,000 barrier in a single game.

Zaheer, who previously conquered both the Second Chance and Champions Wildcard tournaments, made her Masters debut in the second game of the opening episode, facing off against Matt Amodio and Roger Craig in a nail-biting contest that came down to the final clue.

Her participation has sparked enthusiastic support online, particularly from Canadian viewers who are proud to see their country represented in the tournament.

As the nine-week competition progresses every Wednesday at 9 PM ET on ABC, Zaheer has emerged as a fan favorite, with social media buzzing with messages of encouragement and admiration for her gameplay, personality, and analytical approach to the challenging format.

Fans react to Juveria Zaheer joining Jeopardy! Masters

The response to Zaheer's inclusion in the Masters tournament has been overwhelmingly positive across social media platforms. Support has coalesced around several distinct themes, reflecting different aspects of her appeal to the Jeopardy! audience.

Fans have connected with Zaheer on a personal level, praising her likable personality and screen presence. These Jeopardy! Masters viewers frequently mention her appearances on podcasts and crossover events with other game show communities, suggesting her appeal extends beyond her Jeopardy! performances alone.

“I'm cheering for you.” one fan commented on X.com

“Best of luck! You are one of the most likeable people ever on Jeopardy! “ another fan said.

“You are such a bright and shiny personality. Been looking forward to this all season! Watching you play with all the other superstars! Say hi to Omar, he's such a fun part of the Survivor community. I enjoyed when you hosted the RHAP Jeopardy game. More crossovers! Good luck!” a fan said.

Canadian fans have rallied behind their compatriot with particular enthusiasm, expressing national pride in seeing representation on the elite quiz show. Geographic solidarity appears strong, with supporters identifying themselves from various Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Alberta.

“As always, make your daughters proud.” another fan encouraged.

“Always a pleasure to see a fellow Ontarian making us proud.” a fan commented.

Family connections also feature prominently in fan messages, with references to Zaheer's role as a mother and the pride her children must feel. This humanizing aspect has helped cultivate a supportive community focused on her journey through the competitive tournament.

Juveria Zaheer’s background and her performance on Jeopardy! Masters so far

Zaheer's debut in the Masters tournament demonstrated her knowledge breadth and strategic approach. In a tightly contested match against Matt Amodio and Roger Craig, she displayed remarkable composure under pressure.

The game culminated in a dramatic Final Jeopardy round focused on World Literature. All three contestants correctly identified "Paradise Regained" as John Milton's 1671 sequel to "Paradise Lost," showcasing the high caliber of competition in this year's Masters field.

Zaheer entered Final Jeopardy with $8,000 and made the bold decision to wager her entire amount. This all-in strategy reflected confidence in her literary knowledge, though it ultimately resulted in a third-place finish despite her correct response. Craig secured the win with $21,201 after a strategic $6,001 wager from his leading position of $15,200, while Amodio claimed second place with $16,001.

"Paradise Regained" proved no obstacle for these three quiz show titans, reinforcing why they were selected for Jeopardy! Masters in the first place.

Zaheer brings a unique perspective to the competition as a practicing psychiatrist. Her analytical thinking skills, honed through medical training and clinical practice, translate effectively to the quick-recall format of Jeopardy!

Her historic achievement as the first Canadian contestant to win over $50,000 in a single game speaks to her exceptional knowledge base. This milestone, combined with victories in both the Second Chance and Champions Wildcard tournaments, established her credentials for Masters inclusion.

The selection process for this Jeopardy! Masters season's tournament focused on recent success, with all participants having demonstrated exceptional skill in regular gameplay or tournament performances between 2023 and 2025.

The 2025 Jeopardy! Masters tournament features an expanded format with nine contestants competing over nine weeks. Each hourlong episode contains two complete games with different player combinations, creating a rotating schedule that will test contestants' endurance and adaptability.

Following Juveria Zaheer’s impressive showing in the second game of Jeopardy! Masters’ opening night, fans can look forward to the next match-up on May 7, when Neilesh Vinjamuri, Isaac Hirsch, and Adriana Harmeyer take the stage. This rotation format gives all nine contestants a fair shot in the spotlight during the early rounds, before the stakes get even higher with eliminations.

Zaheer may have finished third in her game, but don’t let that fool you. She nailed Final Jeopardy and proved just how competitive this field really is. In a tournament where every dollar counts, her performance showed both sharp strategy and serious poise. With a strong tournament history and plenty of Jeopardy! Masters fan support behind her, Zaheer is definitely one to keep an eye on as the competition heats up ahead of its late June finale.

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Jeopardy! Masters Season 3 airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.