‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Draws Attention After Missing Million-Dollar Puzzle.

Larson had controlled the game from the start, capturing both the Wild Card and the coveted $1 million wedge, along with a luxury trip to Panama. Heading into the Bonus Round, she held a commanding lead with $16,400—well ahead of the other contestants. Host Ryan Seacrest, settling into his new role, heightened the tension as Larson spun for a shot at the life-changing prize.

After choosing the “Phrase” category, she used her Wild Card to pick additional letters—H, M, C, O, and B—uncovering the partial solution: “HE _ O_ THE C_R_E.” With the clock winding down, Larson paused and struggled to land on the missing word before time ran out. Moments later, the correct answer—“Ahead of the Curve”—appeared on the screen, and she looked visibly devastated.

If she had solved it, the $1 million envelope resting on the “S” in “America’s” would have been hers. Fans quickly poured onto social media, calling the loss “heartbreaking” and “brutal.”

Even without the jackpot, Larson’s near-historic run secured her place in the show’s most unforgettable moments.