Kim B.

Kim B.

Theme Week:
Welcome Aboard
Contestant:
Kim B.
Hometown:
Baton Rouge, LA
Week of:
October 19, 2009

Posted on 10/21


WOOHOO!!! I won $58,730 and a Safari to South Africa.  Now, that's a dream come true!  What an experience!! 

I didn't really believe Pat when he said I had won that much money.  I was so focused on the game and puzzles.  It's nothing like when you play from home or on the computer.  At home, it's always your turn and you have the chance to look at the puzzle and just concentrate on it.  On stage, you have to think quickly.  It's amazing how when you play from home you say "I wouldn't have called that letter".  Believe me, those are some words I had to eat while taping the show!!!  You are truly at the mercy of the Wheel.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to be on Wheel of Fortune.  I can't say enough about all the folks who are involved in the Wheel of Fortune family.  The contestant coordinators, the make-up people, Pat, Vanna, and those who work behind the scenes were absolutely WONDERFUL.  All of them made that day truly memorable for me and my family.

You may wonder how I will spend all that money.  Well, I am still in awe of everything that happened that day.  I still can't believe it.  I don't think I know exactly what we'll do with it, but I know I will have a grand time spending it!!! I'm sure my family may have some ideas!!!!

Most of all, through this whole experience, I know that dreams do come true.  Don't give up.  You may get that special "call" one day!!!



Posted on 10/19


Am I excited????  You bet!!!  I can't believe I am finally getting to do the one thing I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember.  Sitting in the comfort of my own home, I would watch Wheel of Fortune every night and tell my family "I'm going to be on that show one day".  Well, that one day has finally arrived.  I am going to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!!  I can't express the excitement (at least not in words) I had when I received the "LETTER" saying I had been chosen as a contestant.  Of course, after reading the letter I realized that it could take up to 18 months to actually be on the show.  That was OK.  Hurry up and wait!!!!!

Six months went by and I had already seen other contestants on the show who were in the same audition as me.  I got a little nervous, but I knew I had to be patient.  My husband and I went out for dinner on a Thursday evening and while we were eating my cell phone rang.  I didn't recognize the number, so I wasn't going to answer it.  But, I did.   And I am so glad I did.  It was Wheel of Fortune calling to ask if I could come to California for a taping.  I didn't have to think about that answer.  I'm on my way!!!!! Just tell where to go and when to be there.

Three weeks went by before my husband and I made the trip to California.  We had already decided that we were going to stay a few extra days and enjoy the sights while we were there. I couldn't sleep the night before the taping.  I was pretty keyed up and anxious to get started.  Finally, the shuttle arrived at the hotel to take the other contestants and I to the studio.  We were on our way!!  Almost immediately, friendships were between the contestants as we talked about where we lived and all of our Wheel excitement.

Once at the studio, the contestant coordinators directed us to the area that would become our little sanctuary until the taping was done.  Once in the room, we buckled our seatbelts and took off for a morning of nonstop forms, practice rounds, make-up sessions, and rules, rules, rules.  I couldn't believe everything we accomplished in just a few short hours!! Finally, everything was set.  We had been placed in teams of three, got our name tags (I still have mine), we were given the order in which the taping would occur, and told to smile and have a great time.

It is finally my turn to play.  My strategy going into the game was pretty simple.  Just WIN!!  The only thing I knew for sure was if I had the opportunity to solve the Prize Puzzle, I would.  I wanted to win a trip.  To anywhere, it didn't matter.  I am now standing on the stage and it's my turn to play.  I took a deep breath and got ready to play.  Do you want to know what happens?  Watch me spin the big Wheel on Tuesday, 10-20-09 and see if my dreams come true.