A Connecticut woman spun her way into “Wheel of Fortune” history!
Contestant Christina Derevjanik won a $1,035,155 cash prize — the largest payday in the iconic game show’s history — in front of her boss during Tuesday’s episode
“I have no words!” Derevjanik exclaimed when she won.
Derevjanik, who secured the “One Million Dollars” wedge early in the show, earned $35,155 in cash and a trip to Montana and Japan before she advanced to the bonus round.
The Stamford-based marketing manager joked that she would put in her two-week notice if she won a million dollars, while host Ryan Seacrest pointed out that her boss was sitting in the studio audience.
She picked the “Living Things” category, correctly solved the puzzle with the phrase “PACK OF COYOTES” and Seacrest showed her the $1 million envelope.
“You won a million dollars,” Seacrest exclaimed.
Derevjanik screamed as she jumped up and down as confetti poured on the set.
“I’m so happy for you,” White said during an embrace.
“I’m in tears,” an emotional Seacrest said.
“I can pay off my student loans,” an excited Derevjanik shared with the hosts.
Derevjanik joked that she’ll have a discussion with her boss “once we get back to the office” when Seacrest asked if she had a message for her supervisor.
Derevjanik was the first contestant to win over $1 million since Seacrest became the host in September 2024, following Pat Sajak’s departure from the show in June 2024.
“I just completely went into another world,” Derevjanik shared during a post-show interview on the show’s Facebook page. “I was like ‘Oh my God! I can’t even believe that I can now pay things off [and] put stresses aside.’ This is amazing, I’m so happy.”
Derevjanik plans to use some of the money to buy a house so she can move out of her one-bedroom apartment.
She also looks forward to going on the trips she won to Japan and Montana.
Only four other contestants have ever won more than $1 million since the prized wedge was introduced to the franchise in 2008, according to TV Insider.
Contestant Michelle Loewenstein was the first to win it in Oct. 2008 ($1.026M) followed by Autumn Erhard in 2013 ($1.030M), Sarah Manchester in 2014 ($1.017M) and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” contestant Melissa Joan Hart in 2021.
Anyone who won $1,000,000 may have it paid in $50,000 installments over 20 years or take a lump sum of $660,000, according to a disclaimer from an episode in 2008 reported by a “Wheel of Fortune” fan page.
