My Game Show Experience and Wheel of Fortune debut

By Christine Valletta, For Iron County Today

On October 3rd, I appeared in my first national television debut on Wheel of Fortune. It was announced as the BET MGM Big Winners Tournament!

Three years ago, after I retired, I decided to go on a game show. Is there an easier way to boost my age if I had a big win? Applying for a game show just got a lot easier. Back then, many shows traveled around the country and held open auditions in major cities unless you traveled to their studio in LA. That’s exactly what I did 30 years ago on Maui, where I’m from. Hundreds would show up and you would wait to be contacted via email or phone call.

In December 2021 I applied online for “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”. After filling out the online application, uploading my pictures and taking a 30 minute video of myself, within a few days I received a call requesting a Zoom meeting! During the Zoom call, the casting person asked me how to play the game. After a 10-minute interview he said: “This game is not for you. How about the game show “Press Your Luck?” I said YES! That was my absolute favorite, but no applicants were accepted back then. He forwarded my name to another casting person who reached out a month later when they said yes to this show.

I wasn’t accepted and over the next year tried out various game shows, including a one-on-one interview with Beat Shazam creator Jeff Apploff, Don’t Forget the Lyrics. and in 2023, “Loteria Loca,” a popular show in Spanish-speaking countries. I did two Zoom interviews and was among the top 30 considered for a trip abroad, but the number was reduced to 15 people and I was not selected. When this show aired in America three months later, CBS canceled it. True Fact: If your game show is canceled before your episode airs on TV, you WILL NOT receive your winnings!

In the meantime I met Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White! I went home with only $1,000 and priceless memories!