“Wheel of Fortune” contestant came within inches of winning $1 million—but just fell short of claiming the grand prize.
🧩 1. Who Was the Contestant?
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The episode aired on May 9, 2025, featuring Andrew Leachko, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and passionate history buff
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During the AARP Mystery Round, Andrew landed on the coveted Million Dollar wedge and successfully solved that puzzle without hitting Bankrupt, locking in the chance to play for $1 million in the bonus round
🎯 2. The Path to the Bonus Round
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After the Mystery Round success, he navigated through the express and speed-up rounds, ending the main game with $30,228 in earnings
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With the Million Dollar wedge in play, the usual $100,000 edge on the bonus wheel was replaced by the $1 million envelope—a setup reserved for rare high-stakes moments
🔡 3. The Bonus Round Puzzle
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In the Event category, contestants get classic letters R, S, T, L, N, E, then pick four more. Andrew chose C, M, D, and AThe puzzle displayed: “_ _ R / _ E A R L _ / _ A S _.”
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He confidently identified the first two words as “Our Yearly,” but the final word eluded him under pressure
❌ 4. Final Guesses: Where It Went Wrong
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Andrew made guesses like “fast,” “past,” and “case” for the final word—none of which fi
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As the 10-second timer expired, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White revealed the correct answer: “Our Yearly Bash.”
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That miss transformed a potential $1 million win into a $40,000 consolation prize
💔 5. The Outcome: $1 Million Was So Close
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Seacrest opened the bonus envelope to reveal Andrew had landed on $40,000—a generous amount, but a frustrating miss considering how close he was
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He landed just one space away from the Million Dollar wedge on the bonus wheel—so near, yet so fa
📈 6. The Stakes & Stakes History
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As of that date, only four contestants had ever won Wheel of Fortune’s $1 million grand prize, including well-known names like Michelle Loewenstein (2008), Autumn Erhard (2013), Sarah Manchester (2014), and Melissa Joan Hart (celebrity edition, 2021)
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Andrew would have made history as the first male winner of the Million Dollar envelope prize—but now he remains part of the near-miss club .
🗣 7. Fan and Social Media Reaction
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Moments after the episode aired, social media lit up with frustration, surprise, and sympathy:
“OMG!!! Andrew almost land on the 1 million dollars envelope on Wheel Of Fortune!!! Now that’s another 1 million dollar heartbreaker.”
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Others noted relief that he didn’t actually win, given the pressure and stakes:
“Won’t lie, since he didn’t get the puzzle, I’m happy he didn’t land on the million dollar card.”
🔍 8. Why Bonus Round Puzzles Are So Tough
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Contestants must swiftly think of an entire phrase with just 10 seconds to respond, usually with minimal letters revealed beyond the standard six, plus a few extras they pick.
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The pressure sky‑high: the difference between a life-changing $1 million and losing it all based on guessing one last word.
🧠 9. How the Game Mechanics Work
Wheel of Fortune’s structure makes Million Dollar opportunities rare and unpredictable:
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Million Dollar Wedge: Only in select Mystery Rounds (like AARP), and must be navigated without Bankruptcy.
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Replacing Bonus Wheel Envelope: If won and carried to bonus round, it swaps the normal $100k envelope for a $1M one.
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Bonus Round Puzzle: Standard reveal of RSTLNE, picks of 4 additional letters, then solve in 10 seconds.
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Outcome: Either guess right and win $1M, or open the envelope to possibly win less—often just tens of thousands
🧾 10. Broader Significance & Takeaways
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Andrew Leachko’s performance showcased how thin the margin between triumph and disappointment is on “Wheel of Fortune.”
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It was a moment of vulnerable humanity on live TV—making fans feel the tension and heartbreak in real time.
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It underscores how rare and celebrated each $1M win is: just four winners in the show’s decades-long history.
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It also sparked conversations about how hosts interact with contestants during high-stakes moments—especially following the transition from Pat Sajak to Ryan Seacrest late in 2024. Some fans have noted differences in tone and pacing, particularly in tense situations like this one
✨ Summary
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Contestant | Andrew Leachko, Cleveland native |
| Episode Date | May 9, 2025 |
| Earnings before Bonus | $30,228 |
| Puzzle Category | Event |
| Bonus Letters Chosen | C, M, D, A |
| Puzzle Phrasing | “_ _ R / _ E A R L _ / _ A S _” |
| Guessed Phrase | “Our Yearly Bash” (correct) |
| Mistakes | Guessed “fast,” “past,” “case” |
| Prize Won | $40,000 (not $1M) |
| Million Dollar Winners Before | Michelle Loewenstein, Autumn Erhard, Sarah Manchester, Melissa Joan Hart |
🧭 Looking Ahead
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How would Andrew today feel looking back at that puzzle? Many contestants report that hindsight changes almost everything—they wish they’d chosen different letters or stayed calmer.
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With only a handful of million-dollar winners in the show’s history, every future opportunity becomes a high-pressure, high-drama moment.
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Feedback about hosting style—or guidance clarity—continues to shape viewer expectations as Ryan Seacrest settles into the role full-time.
🎬 Conclusion
Andrew Leachko’s performance on the May 2025 episode of Wheel of Fortune stands as both a near-historic win and a heart‑wrenching near‑miss. Landing on the Million Dollar wedge and reaching the bonus round with the envelope in play, he had the weight of possibility—but a final mystery word denied him the title of history‑maker. Instead, he left with $40,000 and a story of what almost was. It’s a dramatic testament to how precise, strategic, and nerve‑racking puzzle‑solving under pressure can be—and how a single guess, or misinterpreted phrase, can make all the difference.
