‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Nearly Misses $119,000 Prize Due to Small Error

A contestant on Wheel of Fortune nearly lost her chance at a $100,000 bonus after adding unnecessary words to her final answer during the bonus round.

In a recent rerun episode, Catrice Sandt, a tap dancer from Thomaston, Connecticut, advanced after winning $19,800. She faced off against opponents Nadia Exama and Roy Chinn. During the game, Sandt initially secured the Million Dollar Wedge but chose to spin again, landing on a Bankrupt space and losing the chance at the wedge.

In the subsequent Express Round, Sandt solved a puzzle about “Places,” earning a Tanzania safari valued at $12,900, which gave her a total of $19,800 and the lead heading into the final round. In the bonus round, she selected the category “What Are You Doing?” and chose the letters B, G, M, and A, which helped reveal the puzzle: “BEG _ N N _ N / AGA _ N.”

As host Ryan Seacrest announced she’d won an additional $100,000, Sandt excitedly tried to say her answer but hesitated and added extra words, mumbling “Beginning again” instead of just “Beginning again.” The moment almost led to her losing the prize, but Seacrest opened the envelope to confirm her win, confirming her successful guess.

The scene quickly garnered reactions on social media, with many commenting on how Sandt narrowly avoided losing her winnings due to her hesitation and over-explanation. Fans debated whether answers in the bonus round could include preamble words, with some explaining that as long as the correct phrase is spoken, responses are valid, even if imperfectly delivered.

What do you think about her near-miss? Share your thoughts below.