A Wheel of Fortune contestant, who got a second chance at life, got emotional after winning nearly $60,000. She stomped her feet and cried with host Ryan Seacrest after the amount she won was revealed.
Holly Nilles, from Verona, Wisconsin, played Wheel of Fortune on May 28. She lives by the saying “grateful to be able” after having a health scare years ago. She had life-saving surgery and has donated 33 gallons of blood platelets.
Nilles played against Nicey Carey, from Hinesville, Georgia, and Justin Singletary, from Bradenton, Florida. Singletary, who rode motorcycles from Texas to Venice Beach with two friends, jumped in the ocean and rode back, solved the first toss-up. Carey, a full-time college student studying criminal justice and a mom to a 16-year-old, solved the second toss-up.
During the first puzzle, Carey obtained the One Million Dollar wedge and lost it all within two spins. With only two letters left to guess, Nilles solved “Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.” She took the lead with $3,950.
Nilles landed on the Harley Davidson Wedge during her turn, but went bankrupt, so she had to get rid of it. Singletary guessed a few more letters before saying “O,” which wasn’t in the “Before & After” puzzle. Carey also guessed a wrong letter. Nilles solved “Driving Test Tube” for $4,950.
Singletary guessed most of the prize puzzle. When he guessed an incorrect letter, the turn moved to Carey, who guessed an “L.” She then landed on the Express wedge and decided to solve the puzzle.
“That seems like a good idea,” Seacrest said. Carey solved “Lounging in the Sun” for a trip to Curacao, giving her the lead with $12,470.
Nilles solved two of the three Triple Toss-ups. Singletary solved the third. Nilles jumped into the lead after she won $6,000 on the final puzzle — “Neighborhood Deli.” She had a total of $14,950.
Carey was in second place with $12,470. Singletary had $3,000.
Nilles chose “What Are You Doing?” for her Bonu Round category. She brought her husband, Eric, with her, whom she said she “never stops going on dates with.”
Wheel of Fortune gave the game show contestant “R,S,T,L,N, and E.” Nilles then chose “H,C,M, and O.”
“_OC_S_N_ ON THE _OR_” was what the puzzle looked like. She guessed “Focusing on the Work,” which was right.
Nilles stomped her feet in joy and jumped. Ryan Seacrest joined her. “I know, stomp your feet. It’s exciting,” he said.
There was $45,000 in the envelope, which means she won $59,950. Nilles then got emotional and was tightly hugged by the host who wondered if she was crying or laughing, to which Nilles answered, “Yes.”
It was a feel good moment in a heartwarming edition of the show.
Wheel of Fortune, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu and Peacock
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