‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Wins $68,000 After Competitor’s Flub
January 2, 2025
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A Wheel of Fortune contestant recently walked away with a large cash prize after a fellow competitor made a major flub.
On the Monday, December 30, episode of the hit game show, player Carmetta Wells, from Los Angeles, California, won $68,250 after she faced off against Gaelyn Nease from Tallahassee, Florida, and Mike Tomani from Rochester, New York.
Nease was given a three-word puzzle to solve in the “Food and Drink” category, which read, “NE _ / _ OR _ / _ HEESE _ A _ E.” She flubbed her answer, guessing, “New York Cheesesteak,” opening it up to Wells, who correctly guessed “Cheesecake.”
Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest attend the WOF S42 – Pier Wheel Launch at Santa Monica Pier on August 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. A contestant on the hit game show won $68,000 along… Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest attend the WOF S42 – Pier Wheel Launch at Santa Monica Pier on August 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. A contestant on the hit game show won $68,000 along with a trip to NYC after another competitor made a flub.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Wells’ correct answer won her a trip to New York City, including a VIP ticket to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, hosted by none other than Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest.
However, Wells’ winnings did not stop there as she amassed $28,250, becoming victorious over Tomani, who walked away with $17,700, and Nease who left with $2,000.
Wells then entered the bonus round and selected the “Phrase” category. She chose the letters M, D, Y, I, and the additional letter H since she had a wild card. After her letters were added to the board, she was left with the four-word puzzle: “I / H _ _ E / _ N / I D E _.”
As soon as the timer began, Wells accurately guessed, “I Have An Idea,” garnering her a whooping $40,000 to add to her winnings.
Seacrest, 50, was visibly amazed by Wells, exclaiming, “That is great you solve the puzzles so fast, Carmetta!” He also told Wells he was excited for her to come to the Big Apple. “Can’t wait to celebrate with you in Times Square for New Year’s,” the former Live with Kelly and Ryan quipped.
Fans discussed Nease’s early flub and Wells’ win on Reddit under a post titled “NEW YORK CHEESE “STEAK”?!!!” in the Wheel of Fortune Subreddit page.
One fan commented, “That was painful. This lady who won tonight is a legend though.”
“I don’t understand how… I’m still in disbelief. She’ll never be able to show her face in New York or Philadelphia from now on,” someone else wrote.
“I’m still chuckling to myself,” a third fan posted on the app. “It was the pause after ‘cheese’ where she realized steak didn’t fit that really did me in.”
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