She Was About to Win Big, but This Mistake Will Haunt Her Forever!

In a twist that left viewers on edge, “Wheel of Fortune” contestant Vivian Tran missed a chance to win the $1 million grand prize during Monday night’s episode. It was an episode filled with excitement and suspense, especially as it marked the second week of Ryan Seacrest hosting the iconic game show.

Seacrest, who recently took over from long-time host Pat Sajak, could feel the pressure himself. “My heart is racing, this is a first for me,” Seacrest admitted during the Bonus Round. “You’re playing for $1 million.”

Tran, with a wild card in hand for an extra letter, faced off against a puzzle in the “What Are You Doing?” category. She spun the small wheel and randomly chose an envelope, hoping for the life-changing prize. Seacrest explained that, for this round, the standard $100,000 envelope had been swapped out for the elusive $1 million prize.

The letters C, H, M, I, and P were Tran’s picks, and the puzzle slowly began to take shape. Co-host Vanna White revealed the letters on the board, leaving the phrase partially uncovered: “_ _ _ E R I N G S _ M E HELP.”

Tran confessed to Seacrest that she was “nervous,” and it showed in her multiple guesses. “Wondering some help? Answering some help? Finding some help?” she tried, frustration building with each attempt. The correct answer—”Offering some help”—eluded her, and the disappointment was palpable. She put her head in her hands when Seacrest revealed the million-dollar envelope she had selected.

Despite missing the grand prize, Tran didn’t leave empty-handed. She still managed to win $27,300 and a trip to Europe, keeping her spirits high. The show’s official Instagram page shared a clip of the moment, captioned, “The stakes this season are already at an all-time high and it’s only Week 2.”

Fans were quick to express their reactions in the comments section. One viewer wrote, “I literally gasped when Ryan revealed that she had the Million,” while another said, “So close, but Vivian you still did amazing!!”

After the show, Tran reflected on the experience during an interview with Maggie Sajak, Pat Sajak’s daughter. Tran shared that her mother had been skeptical about her participation on the show but was happy to have proven her wrong by walking away with both cash and a European vacation. “It turned out great, a little bit painful, but I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Tran said.

Reflecting on the moment she missed the puzzle, Tran explained, “I knew the last two words… but the first one… I couldn’t get the syllables. It was 10 seconds, so by the time it got to the eighth second, I was like, ‘Ugh,’ and I missed it.”

Despite the disappointment, social media rallied behind her, with one commenter noting, “YIKES! There is something about the word ‘OFF’ and having the top prize envelope… Excellent work, Vivian!!”

Maggie Sajak also chimed in, captioning her post, “As much as we wish we got to see Vivian walk away with a MILLION DOLLARS, she still had a great run tonight.”

The last time a contestant won the $1 million prize was back in 2014. However, in 2021, actress Melissa Joan Hart made headlines for winning the jackpot during an episode of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”

Tran’s near-miss will certainly be one of the most memorable moments of this season, as both she and the audience were left wondering what might have been. Still, with a solid payout and an exciting vacation ahead, Tran’s appearance was nothing short of a success.