Wheel of Fortune is a game show beloved by many, and one of the most-watched syndicated shows on TV. But one recent episode is dividing fans and causing some outrage, as some people claim a contestant was “robbed” of $100,000.
On the April 6 episode, contestant Alexa Hoekstra of Texas Woman’s University made it to the bonus round. The category was “What Are You Doing?” and her choice of letters left her with “__ST _IN_ING IT” on the board.
Alexa missed out on the $100,000 prize by failing to give the correct answer, “JUST WINGING IT” — but some Wheel fans insist that she did in fact give the correct response.
“Bro the girl LITERALLY SAID ‘JUST WINGING IT’ IMMEDIATELY!!!!” one Twitter user wrote. “You totally ripped her off of $100k.”
Bro the girl LITERALLY SAID “JUST WINGING IT” IMMEDIATELY!!!! @WheelofFortune You totally ripped her off of $100k
— Kyle (@Smith_A_Kyle) April 6, 2023
“I think you folks just denied this girl $100k …I sure heard ‘Just Winging It,’” another said.
@WheelofFortune I think you folks just denied this girl $100k …I sure heard “Just Winging It”… pic.twitter.com/km8B2HGXgM
— Gord Garrity (@Gord_Garrity) April 6, 2023
“Lifelong watcher here! Alexa got robbed tonight. Her first attempt was ‘Just winging it!’ I’ve rewatched it a dozen times – you guys goofed. Give her the $100K she rightly won!” another wrote.
Listen @WheelofFortune – lifelong watcher here! Alexa got robbed tonight. Her first attempt was “Just winging it!” I’ve rewatched it a dozen times – you guys goofed. Give her the $100K she rightly won!
— Aimee OH (@aimeeighty) April 7, 2023
Some even blamed longtime host Pat Sajak: “I’m done with this show. Retire Pat. It’s time.”
However, as much as certain people are mad by the situation, many others have agreed with Wheel of Fortune‘s call that her answers were incorrect, saying that she said “Just winning it” instead.
It may just be one of those instances where different people hear different things (remember Laurel vs. Yanny?), and while we can debate whether it sounds like “winging” or “winning,” it doesn’t seem likely to reverse the judge’s call.
And Alexa herself doesn’t seem to be fighting it. In a LinkedIn post after the show aired, she expressed positivity: “It was an amazing experience and I am so proud to represent my university!”
And while she missed out on the top prize, she did win a total of $19,950 from the game.
Do you hear Alexa say “Winging” or “Winning”? Share this story with your thoughts!
