A certain show recently aired that I was a contestant on. Many have reached out with questions and curiosity so I thought I would take a few moments to share some highlights.
SIDE NOTE: I would like to add that there are certain details I can't share in a public space so don't feel like I am ignoring your question if it is not answered here!
HOW IT ALL STARTED... One day several months ago I got an email basically stating- we know you are a huge disney fan... would you like to apply to be on a disney themed show?
So I did the digital application and a one minute video about myself and hit submit.
A few weeks later I got an invitation to do a virtual audition with a couple of other people. Justin watched the littles while I sat in my she shed and did the virtual audition over zoom. It was nerve wracking... it was exhilarating... it was scary... wondering if I was good enough to be on this show. The audition was about an hour and when we signed off I remember Shannon saying ... if you don't hear back from us... you can apply again.
Ultimately I just kind of left it in God's hands trusting that if it was meant to be ... it would happen after this point.
My bucket list item was to be in the studio audience of one of these shows but thanks to the pandemic this is not happening.
Mid September I received an email inviting me to come to the studio and spin the wheel for real!!! I was so excited but really couldn't say anything to anybody. Justin helped to work out all of the details to allow me to go to LA the day before for the mandatory covid test. I booked a hotel for that night so I wouldn't have to drive the 2+ hours from our house to the studio two days in a row. LA traffic is a bit crazy!
After my test, I spent the afternoon wandering around Universal City Walk... having a late lunch at Bubba Gumps... doing some shopping at the Universal stores... and just enjoying some "me" time. I checked into the hotel and was able to have a spa night and get a good nights rest. Several of the other contestants were sharing that they didn't sleep a wink the night before... I think that is the best night sleep I had had in 3+ years! LOL!
Anyway back to the regularly scheduled story...
The next morning... I drove to Sony studios
Checked in with security and then waited! The staff were super detailed and procedures were followed to the T. Got to get ready in the Jeopardy set which was really fun to see. They had hair and make up artists on site to help us look our best.
We were able to walk to the wheel set and practice spinning ...
FUN FACT: The wheel weighs 2400 lbs!!!
It is a lot heavier than I was expecting and my fear was I was going to go in head first trying to spin it! Thankfully I didn't!
Due to it being Disney Secret Santa Week... the stage was decorated so cute for the holiday. It made the Disney lover in me overjoyed with all of the adorable Christmas decor! Absolutely magical!
We were the studio audience for the other shows that they taped that day. So technically I got to check an item off of my bucket list!!! Meeting Pat and Vanna and spinning the wheel were icing on the cake.
As Justin kept telling me... as long as I have fun that is all that matters. It wasn't about the money or the prizes but boy oh boy...
If you have watched the episode... you know that the wheel was very kind to me. There is no script but we are coached before we go up... to call vowels... to think through the category when it is shared... (example... what are you doing puzzles are more than likely going to have a verb ending in i-n-g)... and to think of what letter we are going to call next while the wheel going round and round.
Between each round we walked off the stage from behind the wheel... got a sip of water... makeup touched up if need be... and it gave the staff a chance to clear out any discarded wedges... and to update the wheel. The crew is absolutely amazing and a well oiled machine.
The nerves really didn't start until the first break between the rounds when it became real to me that I was really doing this. Someone once told me that if you don't have nerves when doing something big... it really doesn't have any value to you. I think reality finally set in!!!
So in the end I won a trip to Disneyland and to Costa Rica plus about 60,000 in cash. The trips are already on our calendar as it does take some planning time for those. And we are super excited with the adventures in store!!! The rest comes 120 days after the show airs.
Many have asked how to become a contestant... well here you go!
Do your friends and family think they have what it takes to be a contestant after watching you spin the wheel? We are always looking for bright and enthusiastic players! If you know anyone who may be interested, please forward/text/share this link letting them know that WHEEL OF FORTUNE IS LOOKING FOR CONTESTANTS: https://www.wheeloffortune.com/be-a-contestant/. We are now conducting virtual auditions, so if chosen they can try out for America’s Game from the comfort of their own home.
Follow along as I will share details of the trips!
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