Plezetta W.

Plezetta W.

Theme Week:
Coast to Coast
Contestant:
Plezetta W.
Hometown:
New Orleans, LA
Week of:
August 3, 2009

Posted on 08-04


OMG!!! I am speechless. $120,050???!!! Never in a million years did I believe that I would be blessed with such a huge win.

The actual taping is a whirlwind for me. I am a really competitive person, so I practiced for the show all the time. I have the WOF Plug ‘n Play Game, two versions of the computer game on my PC, I downloaded the game to my cell phone, and I made sure to record the show to my DVR every night. However, WOF requires skill coupled with lots of luck. Practicing helped me to learn word patterns and to notice different nuances of the game, but none of this would have mattered if the WHEEL was not on my side. My mom kept telling me to enjoy the experience and the fact that I made it that far but I wanted to WIN! I became nervous when I did not get the 1st toss-up, so I jumped at the 2nd one. I knew in my mind that it could not possibly be "TALENT AGENT" but I had buzzed in and I had to say something! After that, the WHEEL started to be unkind by handing me lots of Bankrupts. The next thing I knew, I was losing by $9,100 and not won a puzzle. I tried to tell myself to stay calm and keep a smile on my face. Luck finally switched to my side and I was able to solve the Prize Puzzle! At that time, I knew I had to get the 3rd toss-up to gain the lead. I put my "game face" on and won the 3rd toss-up. With that win, I was able to start the 4th puzzle. Lady Luck (and my guardian angel) smiled on me and I solved the 4th puzzle too! When all was said and done, I was the big winner of the main game and went over to the Bonus Round. I was surprised to see that all of my choices for letters were in the Bonus Round puzzle and, once Vanna finished revealing the letters, I smiled because I knew the solution to the puzzle! MAGIC WAND!!! I peaked over Pat's shoulders as he was opening the envelope and I saw the 000's. I began to walk away from him and I was shaking and crying. My mom and brother ran out and then the confetti hit. It was like a crazy dream. The staff was huddled around me because they thought I was going to faint…lol! I couldn't believe that I was the BIG WINNER.

The journey to WOF has been fun and full of ups and downs. I am a true testament that you can receive the email without being called on-stage and you can still receive the "letter" AFTER the time limit they tell you. I also now have a sincere appreciation and respect for the players who don't seem to "get it" when we're at home shouting at the television screen. I know what it feels like to be in the moment, lights in your face, trying to remain calm…all the while, your brain is telling you…THIS IS FOR REAL MONEY!

My Wheel of Fortune experience is something that I will definitely cherish for a lifetime! The contestant coordinators, makeup artists, Pat, Vanna, and all the other staff members were wonderful. They kept us on our toes and always encouraged us. My fellow contestants were great too! I want to end by saying "Thank You" to all of my friends and family who supported me along the way and to all of the people at WOF who helped this small town girl's dream conclude with a very "MAGICAL" happily ever after!



Posted on 08-03


April 19th – 20th, 2008 will forever be a memorable weekend in my life. This weekend was important for 2 reasons. First, it was my birthday weekend and second, the Wheel of Fortune Wheelmobile was coming to New Orleans, LA! Just a little background...as a child I loved playing Wheel of Fortune. Even through my teenage years, I would always rush home to watch the show. I knew the Wheelmobile would never find me in Natchez, MS and I always wondered if I would ever be able to try out for the show I loved. New Orleans has been my second home for a while and I knew that WOF had done shows here in the past. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that I missed the Wheelmobile when it was in New Orleans right before Hurricane Katrina! (I thought I had missed out on my opportunity of a lifetime!) So, I was extremely excited and surprised when I saw the commercial saying that they were coming back...I felt like it was fate! When I saw the dates, tears began to well up in my eyes. All of the signs were there…I would be 25 years old that weekend AND it was the Wheel's 25th Anniversary!!! In addition, I ordered Chinese food that weekend and I opened the fortune cookie (only for the fortune...not the cookie)...Anyway, the last 3 numbers under "Lucky Numbers" were "20, 19, 4" which, of course, when flipped around is "4, 19, 20" - the dates WOF would be here!!!

Sounds good so far right??? NOT! I spent all day on both days at the Wheelmobile and was NEVER called on stage. The staff told the audience not to be too discouraged because there was a possibility that we could get an email inviting us directly to the second audition that would be held later on in New Orleans. I thought to myself that it probably wouldn’t be likely that I would get such a random email. On May 1, 2008 WOF and fate proved me wrong by sending me an email inviting me to the second audition. I was extremely excited and nervous. I found an online forum about WOF and a lot of the members had either previously tried out for WOF or had already been on the show. I asked them for pointers and tried my best to get prepared. I wanted to wear the best outfit, make sure my hair was done, and practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!

The audition process was an unforgettable and rigorous experience. I sat as close to the front as possible. I smiled, clapped, and showed all the enthusiasm that I could. I was called from my seat pretty early and made sure to buy vowels. It worked because I solved that puzzle! Next came the 5 minute test and I tried to be as calm as possible. Personally, I think the test was tough...I don't know how many I completed but while they graded the tests I said a silent prayer hoping that "my best" was enough. They came back and began to call names and low and behold my name was one of the lucky few. The final round came and I continued to smile and clap for everyone. I was called up in a group of four people to try and solve another puzzle and I solved that puzzle too! After this, the contestant coordinators told us that we would receive a letter in 2 weeks if we were selected as contestants.

Two weeks passed and nothing came! Just when I was about to give up hope, I got home late one night to find the "coveted letter" in my mailbox. The official end of the 2 week period had come and gone, so I thought I had not been chosen...but, low-and-behold, I was! Now, all I had to do was wait for the actual call to come for me to tape my show.

In January 2009, I finally got the call beckoning me to Culver City, CA to come and tape my show. The day was a long and hectic one. My brother and I did a "dry run" the night before my taping to see how long it would take us to get to the studio the next day. Well, the dry run didn't help when an accident clogged up the freeway the next morning! I was panicking and thought that I would not make it in time, but thankfully I made it. I formed a bond that day with the other contestants as we played practice rounds, got our makeup done, and cheered each other on. The day was definitely my dream come true and you all will have to tune in to see if my dream had a fairy-tale ending!