Contestant Blogs

Rebecca K.

POSTED 11-1

My obsession with the Wheel started at a young age with my great Auntie Doris. At her house, we watched Wheel of Fortune after dinner and always with a bowl of ice cream. From an early age she taught me the importance of the R,S,T,L,N,E and the cost of buying a vowel. After her passing, I began watching the show with different family members my parents, grandparents, cousins and I saw how family friendly the show really was. We could all sit around the television and believe that yelling out the answer at the television screen would in fact help the contestants playing the game. During these many nights around the television, my grandfather, or cousin, or mother would suggest that I try out for the show after I would yell out the puzzle. I decided at the age of 10 that my bucket list would include becoming a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.

I had applied once while in college, but thought this past spring it was worth applying again. I would often watch the show and think of my Auntie Doris and my grandparents, all now having passed, and feel like the show was my connection to them. So I was shocked in June when I received an email inviting me to an invitation only audition in New York City. At first I thought it was a joke from someone who knew how much I loved the show. I Googled the phone number attached to the email just to make sure it was legitimate before I confirmed. My mother, sister, and I traveled to New York City for the audition. I was so nervous that I could not sleep the night before.

Once in the audition room, I did everything I could to make the contestant coordinators think that I was a person they should pick for the show. I clapped loudly, spoke clearly, and made sure they wouldn't forget me. After it was all over, we were told we would receive a letter within four weeks if we were selected to be a contestant on the show. I told everyone that asked that I was just happy to have auditioned, that it was a fun experience even if I was not selected. Though I knew I would be crushed if I was not selected to be on the show.

I anxiously waited for my letter to arrive in the mail. Everyday was spent listening for the mailman and willing my letter to be in the mailbox when I swung it open. However, all it took was not looking myself. While home visiting family I got a call from my boyfriend saying that the letter had, in fact, arrived. It said I would hear within a year from the contestant coordinators as to when I could appear on the show. I tried to put it out of my head, but how do you put one of your biggest bucket list items out of your mind? Within two weeks I got a call asking if I could come out to Los Angeles to tape an episode.

Due to the quick turn around time my parents and sister were unable to attend the taping with me. It felt like I was going without the people who had encouraged me to apply in the first place. However, my wonderful boyfriend, Pete, was able to travel with me, which made the trip just as exciting. We traveled to Los Angeles two days before taping so I could prepared myself for what I was about to do. I was anxious, excited, tired, prepared, unprepared, and unsure of what to expect. Tune in Thursday November 4th to see if I can check off something on my bucket list.