Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Holli R.
| Theme: | Happy Holidays |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Las Vegas, NV |
| Week of: | 12-20-2010 |
POSTED 12-20
Looking back two years ago I never would have believed I would be nearing my TV debut! My journey started in early 2009 when my sister received a Wheel Watchers email telling her Wheel of Fortune would be holding auditions here in Las Vegas at the Venetian. She asked me to try out with her and I agreed since the chance to win one million dollars doesn't come around very often! I made it up on stage and ended up getting a call back for the final interview process. I didn't make the final cut in 2009, but I was determined to try again when Wheel came back this year.
Fast forward to 2010. My sister and I headed to the Venetian again with hopes of getting called on stage and showing off our puzzle solving skills. In all honesty, I didn't think my name would be called out again, but to my surprise I heard my name called in round 3 of the first show. I was beyond ecstatic as I headed down the aisle hoping this was a sign that I would make it further this year than before. I tossed my nerves to the side, did a little country dance and pulled myself together so I could focus on the puzzle at hand. After I answered my puzzle correctly I sat back in my seat and just hoped for another chance to make it to the end.
A few days later I received the email I was hoping for asking me to come back for the final audition process. I couldn't wait! I didn't think I had it in the bag, but I definitely felt as though I had the upper hand since I had already made it this far the year before. I felt as though I knew what the contestant coordinators were looking for. I must have done something right because they asked me stick around to answer more puzzles and tell them a little about myself. I left the room in high spirits, but I knew my wheel spinning fate was out of my hands!
After a few months without any contact I felt as though I may have been forgotten. All though slightly disappointed, I didn't let my hopes sink completely. I was sitting at work when the call came in asking me to be an alternate here in Las Vegas during Venetian Week. They told me I had a guaranteed spot in Los Angeles a few months later, but had the possibility of getting on stage in my hometown if someone else couldn't make it that day. I definitely feel as though being an alternate helped calm my nerves for my big day in California!
For two weeks straight before my taping day, I religiously tuned in to Wheel of Fortune hoping it would sharpen my skills. I purchased the online game and played it so frequently that the puzzles started repeating themselves. On the road trip out to California, my sister gave me her phone to play the app and helped me practice my introduction to Pat. We even dreamed about what we would do if I won any money.
I couldn't sleep the night before. I was so afraid I would over sleep & not even make it down to the studio. I had 3 alarms set along with people on standby back home to call and wake me up if I hadn't contacted them by a certain time.
After arriving at Sony Studios I got to meet my fellow contestants for the day. I couldn't help but wonder who my 2 opponents were going to be. Just like the day I was an alternate, the morning was filled with paperwork, practicing and preparation. The contestant coordinators were amazing once again. By the time I realized it I was taping in the first show and I couldn't wait for my once in a life time chance to spin the wheel! Make sure to tune in December 20th to see how I did!