Wheel of Fortune accused of cheating student out of $100k

Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak puts contestant in a headlock

Alongside hostess Vanna White, Pat Sajak has prompted contestants to solve word puzzles on Wheel of Fortune, since the show aired in 1975, resulting in thousands of dollars being won over the years. But in one episode of the long-running ABC game show, fans are adamant veteran host Sajak denied a contestant their $100,000 prize, despite her allegedly solving the bonus round puzzle correctly.

During the April 6 episode of Wheel of Fortune, contestant Alexa Hoekstra was challenged to solve a three-word puzzle, under the category titled “What are you doing?”

The college student was aiming to bag another $100k (£80,500) after already amassing roughly $20,000 (£16,000) in previous rounds.

During the bonus game, Hoekstra successfully guessed the letters D, P, C, and I on top of the letters she was already given.

She was left with the letters “__ST _IN_IN_ IT” presented on the board, as she had to figure out the remaining four letters that would make up the phrase.

Before wishing her “good luck”, host Sajak informed Hoekstra she had only 10 seconds to attempt to solve the puzzle.

The college student then began to shout out a handful of guesses.

Hoekstra could be heard saying “Must winning it” and “Best winning it.” before finally saying: “Just winning it!”

The correct answer for the bonus round was “Just winging it”, as Sajak teased Hoekstra: “You were right there,” as he pointed out how close she was to figuring out the phase.

While some fans agree with Sajak’s interpretation, others say the Wheel of Fortune host unfairly let a winning contestant lose out on $100k.

Viewers of the game show began discussing the uncertain event in a Twitter thread.

One viewer @Gord_Garrity pointed out: “I think you folks just denied this girl $100k …I sure heard “Just Winging It”…”

With @Veedubkid agreeing: “She said both. Just winging it and then Just winning it. I’m done with this show. Retire Pat. It’s time.”

With @Professor_Glenn noting: “She didn’t think she said it, so that should tell you all you need to know.”

@EaseYourMind77 explained: “I watched, hoping to hear she got robbed and was owed the money. Sadly, she said “winning”. It was only further confirmed by how she kept changing the first word and repeating “winning” after each guess.

“The emphasis was on first word only. “MUST winning it?” “BEST winning it?,” as she defended Sajak’s decision to deny her the $100k.

While @chezman89 insisted: “She said WINGING the first time then WINNING the second time, you’re Pat’s cousin or you work for him or you maybe have a hearing disability if you didn’t hear winging it first.”

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As @krumpits_ added: “Yeah idk how people are hearing winging. She very clearly says winning.

“I think if people wanna argue she thought she was saying winging and wasn’t enunciating then fine, but she for sure was saying the wrong word.” [sic]

While Hoekstra did not address any of the online debates surrounding her episode, she did comment about the experience Friday on Linkedin.

She wrote: “Last night was my air date! It was an amazing experience and I am so proud to represent my university!”

Wheel of Fortune airs on ABC in the US.

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