BREAKING: Wheel of Fortune contestant SPEAKS out after making TV history with $1.035 million prize
BREAKING: Wheel of Fortune contestant SPEAKS out after making TV history with $1.035 million prize
Wheel of Fortune’s biggest winner has opened up about her experience on the hit game show.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Christina Derevjanik made history, winning a total of $1,035,155 in prizes on the ABC program.
The woman became one of just four contestants to ever land on the show’s $1 million wedge, just days after fans fumed that another contestant was “robbed.”
During the game, the Connecticut woman collected $35,155 in cash and prizes. Within her winnings, she also won a trip to Montana and Tokyo.
Once she got to the bonus round without hitting bankruptcy, she was still in the running for the $1 million prize.
Christina chose the Living Things category and correctly solved “Pack of Coyotes” before time ran out.
When Ryan had opened her envelope, it revealed the seven-figure cash prize, queuing the confetti and celebration for the contestant.
The two hosts circled around her to congratulate her. Vanna White said, “I’m so happy for you!”
Seacrest pointed out, “Congratulations, you’re my first million-dollar winner. I have a tear in my eye.”
After the episode finished, producers had realized her win was not only historic for the new host but also the entire show. She had become the show’s greatest winner of all time.
When she heard about her accomplishment, she admitted, “I was trying to manifest this.
“I was hoping for confetti, but I never thought it would actually happen.”
Along with putting good energy into the universe, she said she’s had experience with the game’s format since she’s used a little game player of Wheel of Fortune that she’s had since she was a little girl.
While speaking to Pat Sajak’s daughter, Maggie, after the show, she said, “I am in complete shock but I’m so excited.”
“I can’t believe– This is already such a great opportunity. Now, to walk away with $1 million. I am just speechless.”
Maggie admitted the contestant’s win even had her “shaking” and “crying a little bit.”
Sharing her initial thoughts after Ryan had revealed the envelope to her, she said, “I went into another world. I was like ‘Oh my god.’ I’m so happy.
When asked what she’ll do with the earnings, Christina revealed, “I want to pay off all of my student loans. I would love to get a house and actually be able to move out of a one bedroom apartment.
“So now I have some places to travel to,” she added.
She concluded, “I’m just so happy to be a part of history now.”
