Contestant Blogs

Laura C.

POSTED on Monday, December 10th, 2012

Being a girl that grew up in a small town in Ohio called Canfield, I never thought I'd be on Wheel of Fortune. One day I was sitting in front of my computer, about to have a break down over the amount of my student loans. I was feeling lost and hopeless, when it came to me. Why not try out for a game show? That would not only be a blast, but a great way to make some money quick. As I began to ponder the idea, the first show that came to mind was the Wheel. I've watched the show since I was a little girl with my 'Papa' (grandfather). I remember when Vanna had to physically TURN the letters on the board, before the touch technology came along! I always adored Vanna and would pretend to be her walking and turning letters.

When I received the email to audition in Boca Raton, Florida (I live in Parrish - which is about 4 hours away), I couldn't believe it! It just so happened I didn't have to work that weekend and I was ready to go! I took my older brother, Bradford, with me to the audition. When we arrived I was excited, nervous, anxious and curious all at the same time. What would happen? How many people would be auditioning with me? Did I dress up enough? As I walked in there was already a line of people waiting to get into the room where we were auditioning. As we waited, I got to chat with people about the excitement and how they ended up being there that day. Finally, it was time to go in for the audition. We sat in a room with about 60 people and I knew we were all there for one purpose: to be a contestant on the best game show of all time.

First, we completed a simulated game where we stood up one at a time and called out letters, etc. It took a while for my name to be called, but when they did I made sure I put on my biggest smile. I said my letters loudly and clearly, while I fought my nerves to not get the better of me. It was so exciting to just be auditioning, I just made the best of my time. Next, we had to take a written test which was like fill in the blank word puzzles. We only had 5 minutes to fill in as many puzzles as we could. After the test, they gave us a half hour break while they decided who was going to stay and who was going to go. This was probably the most intense part of my day. Finally, they called us back in and said they would be reading names for the people who would be staying. They called about 18 people, when finally they read my name!!!! I let out a yelp of excitement and wondered what would be next. After everyone left who was not called, there were about twenty of us left in the room. This time we got to get up in front of everyone, introduce ourselves as though we were talking to Pat and pretend like we were spinning the big wheel. Being involved in acting and theater my whole life helped out a lot during this part of the audition. I just stayed cool and calm putting on my best show for the producers. By the end of the audition, I knew I had given it my all.

When we finished, they told us if we made it onto the show we would be receiving a letter in the mail within two weeks. TWO WEEKS?! How was I going to be able to wait that long to see if I made it onto my favorite show? Everyone at work didn't help much over the next 14 days, "Did you get the letter?!" - No. No. No. Finally, on the 15th day, the letter came! I was glad it was the middle of the day because I screamed so loud my neighborhood had to hear me. I was jumping up and down as I opened the letter. Then I read the words, "You have been selected to be a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune". My eyes filled up with tears from the happiness I was feeling. It was like I was in a dream. A great dream!

ThenI read I'd be informed of WHEN I'd be on the show 2 weeks before the taping. The next 5 months were the longest months of my life, it seemed. I wasn't even this impatient waiting for my daughter to be born! So the wait for the call began.

Watch me spin on Tuesday, December 11th!