Contestant Blogs

Heidi B.

POSTED on 4-16
I've grown up watching Wheel of Fortune and always wondered what it would be like to be on the show. When I was younger I was always the shy and quiet kid and never thought I would have the personality and confidence to make it on the show.

Years went by and I graduated college, married a Marine and finally decided to submit an application online for both my husband and myself. About a year later we received an email for an audition for military week! As I read the audition email I was ecstatic to read the words, "If you have a spouse, bring her/him along for our Military Spouses week." My husband couldn't make the audition because of his military commitments, but I could and there was no way I was going to give up this opportunity. I knew that it was still a long shot to get picked as a contestant, but I still wanted to go. Hey, even if I didn't get picked for a show, it would still be an exciting opportunity. So, that's just what I did. I went into the audition with the mentality of "just have fun with it."

As I entered the facility for my audition I was stunned to see a large group of other people who were also auditioning. I knew there would be others but I didn't think there would be that many of us. All I could think was, "Wow, did my chances of getting onto this show just get a lot smaller." We all sat in the lobby until we were escorted into a room where we met the Wheel of Fortune Casting Crew. Man, were they an energetic and fun group of people. They had personalities that just drew you in and entertained you. We went around the room playing mock games until everyone got their opportunity to show their personality and game skills. I surprised myself by making it to the third round of auditions! Well, I guess I had a good enough personality after all.

At the end of the casting process there were about twenty of us left and we were informed that we would receive a letter within two weeks if we were selected as a contestant. The crew made it pretty clear that if you didn't receive your letter within two weeks that would be an indication that you didn't make the show. Well, you better believe I was keeping count of the days. The last day came within that two week period and I was so anxious for the mail to come. I spotted the postman and ran to the mailbox. I approached the mailbox with butterflies in my stomach and opened the box very slowly while saying a little prayer and........no letter! I was devastated but kept telling myself that there is a reason for everything and it just wasn't meant to be. Another week or two passed by and I was scrummaging through our mail when I saw a letter with a Wheel of Fortune logo on it. I ripped open the letter and was jumping with excitement when I read the words "Congratulations, you've been selected as a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune." I was screaming and calling everyone on my phone list to share the good news. Now it was just a waiting game until I received the official phone call to be a contestant.

I originally thought that I was selected to be on the Military Spouses Week when they called me in January, but it turned out that I was being selected for the "Wheel Across America" week. Needless to say I was not complaining, I would go on whatever show they wanted me to go on! I waited another three long weeks until my actual film date arrived and man were those the longest days of my life. I can't tell you how many times I caught myself day dreaming of all the possible outcomes of the game.

Well.....Was it worth all the wait? Would I leave my game show as a winner? Tune in this Wednesday, April 18th and watch me on Wheel of Fortune to find out!