DC man Carlos Mabry becomes first millionaire of 2021

Carlos Mabry from Washington, D.C. has become an overnight millionaire after winning a special Powerball draw live on air. Mabry was part of five finalists who were randomly selected to be part of the draw during ABC’s live broadcast of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.

The five finalists were Steven Everage from Seymour, IN; Sara Bosch from Aliquippa, PA; Laveral King Jr. from Winter Haven, FL; Shawn Cantrell from Lincoln, NE, and Mabry. Of the five finalists, Mabry was the lucky winner of the $1 million prize money, making him the first millionaire of Powerball in 2021.

“Congratulations to the POWERBALL First Millionaire of 2021!” said May Scheve Reardon, POWERBALL Product Group Chair and Missouri Lottery Executive Director, according to PR wire. “POWERBALL and its lottery partners look forward to sharing more thrilling moments of winning in the New Year, while raising funds for vital public programs and services across the country.”

Returning after a successful inaugural launch in 2020, this year’s promotion included 19 participating lotteries that held second-chance drawings and contests in their respective jurisdictions to determine a national pool of semi-finalists, dick clack productions said in a statement.

“From that pool, five finalists were randomly selected to advance to the $1 million drawing. In addition to the chance to win $1 million from POWERBALL, each finalist also received an incredible New Year’s Eve at-home party prize package that included a $12,500 cash prize, deluxe surf-and-turf dinner, 70-inch LED TV, karaoke system, $500 gift certificate to Party City, and much more.

“Decker, who checked in with the finalists across the country throughout the night, ultimately revealed Mabry as the POWERBALL First Millionaire of 2021,” the statement further noted.

Reacting to the outcome of the draw, Mabry told Ryan Seacrest that he was speechless, and exclaimed: “Glory be to God.” “I’m pinching myself every five minutes just to make sure I’m not dreaming,” he was quoted by WJLA.

Mabry plans to use part of the money for donations and charity in DC. “I’ll be making donations to my church first and for most, I’ll be making donations to St. Jude, The Diabetes Foundation, a local housing counseling agency, a local food bank,” he added.

According to WJLA, Mabry plays Powerball frequently on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Until now, the highest he has won was $18.