Andrew P.

Wheel of Fortune has been playing on TV in my house since I can remember. Whether it was watching Wheel after my dad (Don Polec) did his feature reports on Channel Six Action News in Philadelphia or watching it while visiting my grandparents up in Buffalo, New York - this show has held a special place in my heart.

When I heard that in-person auditions were happening at the Sycuan Casino in San Diego this past spring, I grabbed my guitar, prepared a little “song” about myself, and drove there with some friends to achieve something that has been on my bucket list since I was little. The audition process was long and we got a lot of Wheel of Fortune swag thrown our way while we were waiting in the auditorium. Once we filed into our audition groups, I sang my little song about myself and that was it. I didn’t hear anything for a while and figured that I gave the dream my best shot.

I was elated to receive a callback a month later and then I went THROUGH THE ROOF when I found out that I would be offered a spot during Ryan Seacrest’s Premiere Week!

Going to Sony Studios on the filming day was out of this world and meeting my fellow contestants was a blast. Everyone was so full of positive energy that I felt like I could swim in that positivity for weeks after and be sustained on positive thoughts alone. While we were given the tour of the brand new set, Vanna White came out to say hi to us in street clothes with no makeup. She looked absolutely stunning. I was barely able to utter “you are fantastic” when she said hi to me.

My first time “practice spinning” the wheel happened in slow motion. I could not believe I was spinning what so many people had spun before me. Then I was shocked when it barely budged. The wheel is HEAVY! You have to put your whole body into it and let go at the right time or else you will be spinning along with it!

During the actual game, the wheel really gave my group a run for their money. A certain puzzle was so challenging (Birthday & Credit Card) and the Wheel was SO unkind that we all ended up hitting “bankrupt” or “lose a turn” multiple times! Ryan said it was the longest round of Wheel of Fortune that he’s ever experienced. Considering he’s very new, that probably doesn’t mean much, however, I have never seen a round last THAT long on Wheel of Fortune and I’m wondering whether they will have to edit that section for time when it airs!

Anyway, as far as advice goes on how to prepare and how to play - BREATHE! I have always played along while watching it on tv and I also play the phone app religiously, but when you are up there, everything changes. You are in the spotlight and your brain can freeze up. Just enjoy the moment. I wish I had taken a breath, really felt the wheel when I was spinning it, and acknowledged that I was standing right next to RYAN SEACREST! Your time flies up there. Everyone warns you about that, but you won’t believe it until it happens. Also, go with your gut! Even if it’s wrong, you won’t regret going out on a limb!

To my wife, family, friends, and especially my mother-in-law (Laurel Marion - who came to the actual taping of the show because my wife couldn’t get off work), thank you for making me the person that I am today. To be on Wheel of Fortune is metaphorically bringing my whole “village” that raised me onto TV and showing the world how amazing it is to have people who love and support you in your life. Thank you Wheel of Fortune for an incredible experience and life-changing memory!"