William Hung made headlines in 2004 for his honest, yet outrageous, singing efforts aimed at impressing the judges. American Idol. The Los Angeles resident brought a lot of positivity, but his rendition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” didn’t fare well on the show’s third season. Hong certainly didn’t become a pop star, and Simon Cowell said the performance was “one of the worst auditions we’ve had this year.”
However, Hong’s audition went viral and brought a bit of fame that followed his media appearances, motivational concerts, and even an album. As it turns out, he even tried poker, though It led to the development of a gambling problem.
“Unfortunately, I became addicted to gambling,” he said. the people magazine. “I knew I was good at poker, but then I got greedy. I got into sports betting. The gamut. I know better.” 1705857014. I wasn’t supposed to do those things, but I did them anyway. And I paid for it. I got divorced, and I learned that I have to be smart about the risks I choose to take.
Professional poker dreams turn sour
After his first brush with fame, Hong earned a degree and Master of Business Administration In mathematics. Although he had been spotted at a card room in Los Angeles and Las Vegas dozens of times over the past two decades, he had a regular job in statistical analysis with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
But life at the poker table proved too tempting for Hung, who decided to make the leap.
“I quit my job three years ago and became a professional poker player,” he told People magazine. “I’d been doing it on the side for a while, and I decided I was probably good enough to do it. I was making a lot more at it than I was at my regular job. Things were going well for a while.”
At the poker table, Hung earned $108,295 in live tournament winnings. The best one came in 2015 at $235 World Series of Poker DeepStacks Daily event, when Hong placed third with $17,856. He also won You are a father of 4 autism Charity tournament in 2022, edging charity host Chip Jett in the cup showdown.
Originally from Hong Kong, Hung went through what many dedicated gamblers sometimes go through. Betting far from the poker table seems to have been his downfall. he Detailed job books On LinkedIn last year about his struggles with gambling and vowed to leave all forms of betting behind.
Hong has since returned to his old job, remarried, and now hopes to start a family with his new wife. He is happy with a simpler life again.
“There is nothing wrong with getting a steady job after fame,” he says. “I think this is the right thing to do, to provide for my family now.”
*Photos – Facebook William Hong
