Contestant Blogs

LaNieta C.

POSTED 7-18

I'm a Wheel Watcher and have been since I was 8 years old. Dinner time was Wheel time and as we ate we all played along. The first computer my dad ever bought was an Apple PC, and one of the few games I played on (floppy disk - whoa that sounds like centuries ago) was Wheel Of Fortune. I played it so much nobody in the house would play me because they said I knew all the puzzles. Butthanks again dad, who knew that game would lead to this.

My wheel experience started off during our annual county fair, the Wheelmobile was coming to town and once again dear old dad said, "Hey, maybe you should check it out." So my coworker and I looked up the details and she agreed to be my cheering section and partner in line - Thanks Lisa! I was blessedas I got in line right after getting off work. I had my game plan together to stand in line for each audition (there were 3 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday, but I missed the first one Saturday because I was still at work). Well, they have you fill out a short questionnaire as you stand in line and then it goes in to a lottery barrel so to speak.

Now the auditions were held at our baseball grounds right next to the fair. They called up 5 people at a time and each played a mini version of Wheel with the "road" Pat and Vanna. They did about 5 cycles of mini-Wheel and it came to the last one. Lisa and I were like, "Okay, we're going get funnel cakes and then come back and stand in line for the next one." Well lo and behold they called out the last cycle. The first name called was mine! Boy after my initial second of shock we let out some screams, and I ran on down. I solved the puzzle, and I will never forget it, "A Kodak Moment," and indeed it was.

So okay, I'd hear something from WOF in a few months if they liked me. So sure enough about February I got an email, second auditions were going to be held on March 11 in Atlantic Beach. I got my outfit together-wanted to be seen but not too much. I got hair done, (thank you MIKO)and my nails done too - the shinny blue just put me over the top. And at the second audition I gave it my all. I was way nervous but I made it through. From this point if they selected me I'd get a letter in two weeks.

I got my letter and from that point I would receive a two weeks notice prior to taping anytime in the next 18 months. So I begin practicing, watching Wheel, bought a hand held version, researching things on the internet, all that I could but I'll admit I wasn't the most consistent with my prep but I gave it an effort. LOL for real I did. But anyway, lo and behold,it was June 30. I was literally on my way to catch a plane to the mini family reunion in Texas. My friend Charlie was putting my bags in the car and my phone rang. It was Wheel and they wanted me to come in two weeks. Ok no problem, so I told the family when I got there and my parents were headed to Cali from there in their RV. So instead of going west they headed north to meet me in Vegas. I came back home and then flew to Vegas a week later.

I had some drama with my flight and ended up flying out the next day but the airline hooked me up in first class on the return trip-so I'm not mad (anymore). But all in all I wouldn't trade it for the world and I am too anxious to see myself, because during taping I so zoned out and was just focused and praying on the task at hand. This was my dream and I was going for it all, since I had to abort trying to be Vanna White. Yep my first what I want to be when I grow up essay was to be Vanna White, she never wore the same clothes twice and all she did was turn letters. To me that was the best job and still is. Don't forget if she ever decides to retire wheel I'm ready!!!!

Tune in on Thursday, July 21st, to see me achieve my once in a lifetime dream!