A contestant on “Wheel of Fortune” came just one word short of a chance to win $1 million.
On the long-running game show, a contestant, Vivian Tran, saw her chance to win the grand prize evaporate in the Bonus Round.
With just his second week under his belt as the new host, Ryan Seacrest has replaced the recently retired Pat Sajak. That tension showed as Tran drew closer to her key moment.
Like any other episode, contestants are spinning the wheel, taking the puzzles.
But the situation was radically different when Tran booked her seat in Bonus Round.
‘Seacrest added: ‘My heart is going now, this is new for me.’ The typical $100,00 prize envelope has been replaced by the unique $1 million envelope, which is a big gamble.
Having smaller bonus wheel loaded with toy, Tran spun it and the fate of the puzzle was set. Tran won because the puzzle’s category, “What Are You Doing?”, gave him a second letter, because of a wild card.
Co-host Vanna White brought the puzzle to her as “_ _ _ E R I N E R I N G, S _ M E, HELP” and she chose letters C, H, M, I and P. Tran began guessing as time ran out.
“Wondering some help? Answering some help? Finding some help? Looking around for some help? Boundary for help?” Unfortunately, all of her efforts failed.
As the countdown drew to an end, Seacrest announced the precise response: “Offering some help.”
The reality of the lost chance hit her hard and tran clearly affected buried her face in her hands. That disappointment grew as Seacrest opened the envelope she chose, finding out that she’d missed out on $1 million.
Seacrest sympathetically told her, ‘You were so close to that million dollars.’ The setback was surprising, but Tran ended up with $27,300 in winnings and an exciting European trip.
Social platforms were flooded with supporters who quickly expressed shock and compassion for Tran. One fan said, “It was painful to see that losing the million dollars tonight,” and another said, “I literally gasped when he revealed that she had the million.”
Many viewers were amazed at how close Tran came to solving a puzzle they thought was “easy.” One viewer added, ‘What’s so tragic about this is the puzzle was “SO EASY.”
Tran then shared what she thought about the show with Maggie Sajak, the daughter of former host Pat Sajak, following the show. Tran said her mother was unsure about her participation, and she put an end to those doubts by winning a major award.
Tran said, “It turned out great. It was a little bit painful, but he is grateful for the opportunity.” She said that although she knew the last two words of the puzzle, the first word gave her a problem.
She said, “She couldn’t get the syllables. “I was like, ‘Ugh, it’s 10 seconds, so by the time it gets to the eighth second, I missed it.’” Tran was supported on social media by fans.
“I’m proud of Vivian for holding it together,” one commenter said. “I’d be crying on live TV if I missed out on a million dollars like that.” Another supporter added, “So close, but Vivian, you still did amazing!”
And it got even more striking: It’s been close to ten years since anyone on “Wheel of Fortune” claimed the $1 million prize. Only one celebrity was able to do it in 2014.
In 2021, actress Melissa Joan Hart did something no one else had: She won the $1 million jackpot on an episode of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.” However, frequent participants have struggled to obtain this highly coveted prize.
Tran’s coolness and strength were well received by the audience and its presenters during a trying moment. Currently getting used to hosting duties, Seacrest realized that the drama of this season has ramped up.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ captioned a clip from the episode: “The stakes this season are already at an all-time high, and it’s only Week 2.” The nature of the competition is such that circumstances can turn on a switch, something Tran witnessed firsthand when he nearly came up short closer to the end.
But while she didn’t win the million-dollar prize, viewers had been rooting for her on “Wheel of Fortune,” and her tragic defeat. That will be a memory that fans and viewers will never forget.