Jeopardy! fans defend champ Mira Hayward after trolls slam popular player's 'annoying' on-stage deta

JEOPARDY!'s latest champion Mira Hayward had viewers buzzing as the first female multi-day winner in some time.

A Facebook thread erupted about her slightly distinct vocal inflection while competing.

Jeopardy! contestant Mira has received a ton of attention from fans who were hoping she'd keep on winning.

The bespectacled brunette newcomer won two games and $37,000 total before being defeated on Monday, February 13th.

Although both victories came via comebacks in Final Jeopardy, the consensus was that she was a welcome change of pace.

Mira was the first female contestant to win more than one game this entire season, and the last female streak-holder was Mattea Roach (23 wins) back last May.

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So while everyone online was game for her stint, some harsh fans - never afraid to voice their opinions - were complaining about Mira's voice.

On Facebook, a thread brewed over what they accused was "vocal fry."

Some expressed that when the contestant asks for clues, and especially when she says dollar amounts, there's a bit of a drawn-out breathy inflection on the board and apparently it's not to their liking.

According to Pursuit, "vocal fry" is a phenomenon one can hear from stars like Kim Kardashian.

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It's "the creaky voice at the end of sentences that makes them sound eternally bored, cool, and relaxed, depending on the listener."

'THE VOCAL FRY IS DRIVING ME CRAZY'

A user harshly began: "Mira seems like a lovely human being. She is smart and cute and seems sweet. But that vocal fry is driving me absolutely crazy!!"

Another fan replied: "I hate vocal fry. Really annoying to listen to."

"I noticed it, too. It’s annoying," wrote a fourth as yet another piled on: "Love Mira, but this is so true!"

"It's distracting from this gal's intelligence, niceness, and charm. I think it used to be called 'valley girl' talk,' one more couch potato accused.

A sixth then perhaps rightfully clapped back: "I enjoy Mira so much on Jeopardy! She is super smart and speaks in a pleasant way. I do not understand what you are suggesting she should change."

"How about Mira is just an adorable young lady who happens to be very smart," defended another.

"Mira is delightful. Young and brilliant. Love the way she applauses the other contestants when they are correct. Criticizing her speech pattern is disrespectful. Kudos to an excellent contestant!!" wrote a fan.

Over on Twitter, some fans have similarly picked up on the inflection as she announces dollar amounts.

One critiqued: "Stop over-enunciating the word 'hundred' please. Thanks."

Another defended: "There's something very different about Mira's voice and I can't decide if I hate it or love it."

That being said, the minor note from unabashed fans is nothing compared to how recent contestant Jake DeArruda was received for his on-stage faces and gestures.

As one more wrote before she lost: "She's super charming. Unbelievably knowledgeable for such a young person. I hope she goes far."

BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Mira's background is no joke, according to the Portland Tribute, she's the daughter of Oregon State Senator Elizabeth Steiner.  

She received a history degree from Harvard University and then worked for nonprofits in Chicago before returning to her hometown in 2020.

Mira currently writes for a history podcast, “Noble Blood,” which delves into “strange stories.”

She shared on stage that she won a "cutest baby" contest and was on Antiques Roadshow in 2004 - so she just has a fun backstory to boot.

At this moment only male contestants have qualified for the 2023 Tournament of Champions.

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They are four-day winner Matthew Marcus, six-day winner Troy Meyer, fan-favorite Ray Lalonde with 13 wins, former poker ace Cris Pannullo with 21 wins, five-day champ Luigi de Guzman, and four-day champ and priest David Sibley.

Ike Barinholtz, who won Celebrity Jeopardy! earlier this month, will be returning to compete as well - which has never been done.

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