‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Contestant Misses Out On $45,000 In Heartbreaking Bonus Round — But Her Emotional Story And Ryan Seacrest’s Sweet Gesture Steal The Show
A Wheel of Fortune contestant watched a $45,000 prize slip through her fingers during a disappointing Bonus Round, but her appearance on the beloved game show ended with a heartwarming family moment that had nothing to do with money.
Alyssa Burnett, from Vashon, Washington, had dreamed of competing on the programme since childhood, inspired by an elementary school principal who once appeared on the show herself.
And while Burnett ultimately failed to solve the final puzzle, she walked away with more than $21,000 in prizes, a trip to Ireland and a memorable experience shared with her family.
Host Ryan Seacrest even helped make the occasion extra special for her young niece, who had never seen the ocean before.
Contestant Reveals The Childhood Promise That Brought Her To Wheel Of Fortune
During the Wednesday, October 7 episode, Burnett got off to a promising start by correctly solving the opening Toss-Up puzzle.
But it was her conversation with Seacrest that revealed why appearing on Wheel of Fortune meant so much to her.
The host explained that competing on the show had been a lifelong ambition for Burnett.
She then shared the unusual inspiration behind her dream.
“My elementary school principal was actually on the show, and she won,” Burnett revealed.
“And I said, I was like, ‘I’m gonna be on Wheel of Fortune just like Ms. Gavula.’ And here I am.”
The story gave her appearance a personal significance that went far beyond the competition.
As a child, Burnett had watched someone she admired achieve success on the programme.
Years later, she was standing in the same spotlight, hoping to create her own unforgettable moment.
A Special Phone Call Before Her Television Debut
Burnett revealed that she had reconnected with her former principal before travelling to California to film the episode.
She wanted Ms. Gavula to know that the childhood ambition she had inspired was finally becoming a reality.
“I called her and told her, and she was so excited,” Burnett recalled.
“And she just said, ‘Have fun.’ So, that’s what I’m planning to do.”
It was a simple piece of advice, but one that appeared to capture Burnett’s approach to the competition.
Rather than focusing entirely on the pressure of winning, she was determined to enjoy the experience she had waited so long to have.
And the episode soon gave her plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Alyssa Burnett Builds An Impressive Lead Despite An Early Setback
Burnett faced two fellow contestants: Omar Moore from Rockwall, Texas, and Tony Arena from Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Arena claimed the second Toss-Up puzzle, but Burnett quickly demonstrated that she was ready to compete.
During the First Round, the category was Show Biz.
Burnett successfully solved the puzzle “Starting Out in the Mailroom,” bringing her total to $4,000.
However, her momentum was interrupted during the Mystery Round when she landed on Bankrupt.
The setback cost her an opportunity to add to her winnings, while Arena went on to solve the puzzle.
But Burnett’s fortunes improved dramatically in the Prize Puzzle Round.
She correctly identified the answer and earned a trip to Ireland valued at $7,007.
The prize helped raise her total winnings to $13,557.
Seacrest couldn’t resist bringing up the teacher who had inspired her appearance.
“I mean, I’m just throwing it out there, but Ms. Gavula is probably gonna expect a phone call for a trip to someplace after this,” he joked.
Burnett immediately played along.
“Or I’m gonna expect a phone call from her,” she replied.
A Strong Finish Sends Burnett Into The Bonus Round
As the game continued, Moore finally got on the scoreboard by solving one of the Triple Toss-Up puzzles.
But Burnett maintained her strong performance, correctly answering two of the three puzzles in that round.
She also secured the final spin of the evening, helping her finish as the main game’s winner.
That achievement earned her a place in the Bonus Round, where she would have the chance to add a substantial cash prize to her winnings.
Before facing the final challenge, however, Burnett took a moment to acknowledge the family members who had travelled to support her.
And one particularly sweet detail caught Seacrest’s attention.
Ryan Seacrest Makes A Sweet Promise To Contestant’s Young Niece
Burnett explained that her niece, Myla, had experienced several exciting firsts while travelling to California.
“It was Myla’s first time on a plane yesterday,” she told the host.
“She came here from the Midwest. And she’s never seen the ocean, so we’re gonna go to the ocean after this.”
The revelation added another touching dimension to Burnett’s appearance.
Not only was she fulfilling her own childhood dream, but she was also helping create special memories for the next generation of her family.
Seacrest enthusiastically joined in the excitement.
“The ocean’s only, like, 15 minutes away, so we’ll get this show done, and you can go to the beach,” he told Myla.
The lighthearted exchange gave Burnett and her family something else to look forward to, regardless of how the final puzzle turned out.
A $45,000 Bonus Round Prize Slips Away
With the main game behind her, Burnett selected Food & Drink as her Bonus Round category.
She was presented with the familiar challenge of identifying a phrase after the standard letters were revealed and her additional letter choices were added.
Unfortunately, the answer remained just out of reach.
Despite her earlier success, Burnett couldn’t solve the puzzle before time expired.
The correct answer was:
“A Zesty Dish.”
Seacrest then opened the prize envelope to reveal what she could have won.
Inside was an additional $45,000.
The missed opportunity meant Burnett would not be adding the significant cash prize to her total.
But her disappointment did not erase what she had already accomplished.
She finished the episode with $21,357 in cash and prizes, including her trip to Ireland.
And her evening still had one more memorable moment to come.
Ryan Seacrest Ends The Show With A Heartwarming Family Moment
Rather than concluding the episode solely with the missed Bonus Round prize, Seacrest invited Burnett’s niece and father to join her for the farewell.
The family gathered together to wave goodbye to viewers, creating a cheerful ending to Burnett’s long-awaited appearance.
Seacrest then returned to the promise he had made earlier about Myla’s first visit to the ocean.
“She’s going to the beach now!” he exclaimed.
The moment brought the episode full circle.
Burnett had arrived hoping to follow in the footsteps of the elementary school principal who inspired her years earlier.
She had won the main game, earned an international vacation and shared the experience with loved ones who had travelled to support her.
And while the $45,000 Bonus Round prize remained out of reach, her niece was about to experience a first of her own.
A Childhood Dream Worth More Than The Missed Prize
For Burnett, appearing on Wheel of Fortune was never simply about the possibility of winning money.
It was the fulfillment of a promise she had made to herself as a young student.
Her former principal’s success had convinced her that she might one day stand on the famous game show stage.
Now, years later, she had done exactly that.
Her performance included moments of frustration, impressive puzzle solves and a disappointing final challenge.
But it also delivered a trip to Ireland, more than $21,000 in winnings and a family memory that would be difficult to put a price on.
Alyssa Burnett may have missed out on an extra $45,000, but she left Wheel of Fortune having fulfilled a childhood dream — and with a little girl eagerly waiting to see the ocean for the very first time.