Michelle K.

When I was selected to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, it was a dream come true! I was pulling up to my work when I received the email inviting me to come to the Sony lot. I immediately started screaming, and knew I needed to call my husband and two children. My husband didn't answer, but when I got a hold of my daughter she could barely understand me because I was beyond excited — screaming, to be exact! I couldn't believe it. I was jumping up and down acting like a kid on Christmas morning. 

After the excitement died down, the planning began! I couldn’t sleep. I practiced non-stop, and I’d find myself daydreaming and trying to really visualize what my experience on the show would be. Little did I know it would be completely different from what I imagined. For the better! 

[The night before my taping] I attempted to go to bed early, and that was not a success. I’m a night owl, anyway, and I finally decided to get up at 3:30am to start getting ready. I took a rideshare to the studios and arrived extremely early. Luckily, two other contestants were there, and we became fast friends. Within 30 minutes, all of the contestants had arrived, and everyone was so fun — and perky, considering it was still only 6:30 in the morning! 

Once things started happening, I felt like I was living a dream. We all kept saying, "I can't believe we are going to be on WOF!" It was so surreal. In the morning we went over the legalities and rules of the show. I couldn't stop smiling. And then it was time to enter the studio for rehearsals. Again, I felt like a kid, in this 50-year-old body! One of my bucket list adventures was about to take place, after all. I was show No. 4, the one right after lunch. I never knew how hard it'd be to wait all day. Thankfully, the first three shows were great. We were treated like royalty, and like a jury, all at the same time. Haha! The make-up artists, hair stylists, audio team, gaming producers, EVERYONE, was extremely nice, and wanted us all to succeed. It was such a positive day and experience!!! I was able to hang out with new friends and play the game I've loved all my life. 

Then it was my turn. Makeup, touch up on hair, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION — OH MY GOSH, WAS I READY??? The first two puzzles I solved right away and I started to calm down. But, at some point, I kinda got frazzled after landing on Bankrupt (and seeing the used letter board, the time clock ticking, the cameras, etc.) and somehow I forgot how to solve a puzzle that was staring me in the face! I only needed one vowel and one consonant. And before I even thought twice, the wrong vowel came out of my mouth. I couldn't form a simple word! The ONE chance to play my favorite game, and I CHOKED!! NOOOOO!! I wanted to beg Pat to start over, but knew that wasn't going to happen. Then after a few more Bankrupts, and sweat beading on my forehead, that was it — 22 minutes, come and gone. It goes fast, let me tell you. 

Thankfully, I had fun, and though it was sad to know my time on the show was coming to an end, and though I might not have won the Bonus Round like I dreamed of, I will be forever grateful for my time on Wheel. It was the experience of a lifetime.