‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant wins $67K after opponent’s blunder — and her reaction will make you smile

“Loved watching you win and you knew that quickly. You were fast," Ryan Seacrest told Elsie Pierce.
PUBLISHED JUL 7, 2025
Screenshots of Ryan Seacrest and Elsie Pierce from an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Screenshots of Ryan Seacrest and Elsie Pierce from an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

A 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant couldn't control her emotions after winning a huge cash prize on the fan-favorite game show. In an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' which originally aired on April 25, a contestant named Elsie Pierce from Secaucus, New Jersey, secured a big win following a competitor's mistake, which resulted in her wild celebration. In the end, Pierce walked away with $67,000  as well as a dreamy trip after the Bonus Round. During the episode, Pierce played against Aerial Turner, a probation officer from Detroit, Michigan, and James Mulaney, a professional drag entertainer from New York, New York. 



 

Things started well for Pierce, as she bagged an early lead by solving the first few puzzles. On the other hand, when we talk about Pierce's competitors, they failed to get off the mark. Speaking of Mulaney, he struggled with cracking the puzzles and landed on the Bankrupt Wedge. During the Prize Puzzle round, Mulaney finally got on the board, but he couldn't decipher the puzzle, which looked like “_L_ING  ON A MAGIC CARPET." With two letters left on the puzzle, Mulaney picked the letter 'B.' Unfortunately, B wasn't present in the puzzle. 



 

Eventually, Pierce solved the puzzle “FLYING ON A MAGIC CARPET.” After realizing his mistake, Mulaney covered his face with his hands and shook his head. Then, Mulaney missed out on a trip to Disney. As per TV Insider, the game show host Ryan Seacrest told Mulaney, "No, I’m sorry. No ‘B.' You did all that work, James." After solving the Prize Puzzle, Pierce won a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Still, things picked up for Mulaney when he solved the final puzzle, “Be our Guest! Be our Guest!” and won $3,000.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Wheel of Fortune (@wheeloffortune)


 

At the end of the game, Pierce emerged as the big winner of the night with $27,427, a trip to Disney, and a Wild Card. Meanwhile, Mulaney went home with $3,000 and Turner walked away with $6,450. Ultimately, Pierce advanced to the Bonus Round. For the Bonus Puzzle category, Pierce selected "What are you doing?" After 'Wheel of Fortune' gave Pierce “R, S, T, L, N, and E,” Pierce picked “P, M, F, O, and H" and the puzzle read, "FLO_N_ER_N_   _ _O_T.” 



 

As the timer began, Pierce immediately guessed, "Floundering About.” After her correct guess during the Bonus Round, Pierce won an additional $40,000 from the Golden Envelope, which took her to a total of $67,427. Shortly afterward, Pierce screamed, clapped, and jumped. Along with this, Pierce even hugged Seacrest while celebrating her victory. With tears in her eyes, Pierce said, “I’m so happy,” to which Seacrest replied, “Loved watching you win, and you knew that quickly. You were fast."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Wheel of Fortune (@wheeloffortune)


 

Once the episode dropped, several fans rushed to the comments section to congratulate Pierce on her big win. One social media user wrote, "Way to go, Elsie! What a great way to end Disney Princess Week!" Followed by a second user who penned, "Tonight, we have another $40,000 winner! Congratulations, Elsie! And yes, magic is in the air!" Another 'Wheel of Fortune' fan commented, "Way to go, Elise, congrats on your win and your success on the bonus round of Wheel of Fortune, you deserve it."

RELATED TOPICS WHEEL OF FORTUNE

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part one ends on a risky ask, but the second-half brings a walk-away threat, and a surprise baby cameo.
10 hours ago
Benedict and Sophie’s ‘Bridgerton’ romance heats up in the show's part one, but here’s how Netflix reshapes the classic story from the books.
11 hours ago
Catherine O’Hara’s starrer ‘Schitt’s Creek’ follows a once-wealthy family forced to rebuild their lives in a tiny town they never planned to call home
11 hours ago
Marvel’s big cosmic reboot just hit the brakes, with ‘Imperial Guardians’ quietly shifting from bold new era to a short run before it even begins.
14 hours ago
Ahead of host Trevor Noah kicking off the Grammys 2026, celebrities from Teddy Swims to PinkPantheress are celebrating early.
1 day ago
By the end of the first half of 'Bridgerton' Season 4, Danbury has set things in motion that may ultimately lead to her departure
1 day ago
A ‘Daredevil’ (2003) actor turns up in ‘Wonder Man’, but Marvel flips expectations with a sharp, self-aware cameo.
1 day ago
Showrunner Jess Brownell had teased the leads for 'Bridgerton' Seasons 5 and 6 in a creative reveal using her pocket square
1 day ago
Before joining the staff at Penwood House, Sophie had a very different life as the ward of Lord Penwood, her biological father
1 day ago
Trevor Noah will host the upcoming 68th edition of the Grammy Awards in what will be his last appearance as the event's MC
1 day ago