
“Wheel of Fortune” is edging closer to an uncomfortable record, and the May 22 episode only deepened the concern. Viewers hoped contestant Aleeza Santillan would end the show’s ongoing Bonus Round drought, but instead watched the streak stretch to 19 consecutive losses. The milestone has sparked growing frustration among fans who are eager to see a long-overdue Bonus Round win.
Santillan, a first-grade teacher from Downey, California, competed against Julia Laube of Wisconsin and Todd Rose of Oklahoma. She started strong by winning the $1,000 Toss-Up and later surged ahead in the Express Round, earning $13,420 and a Cape Cod vacation. With a total of $15,420, she advanced confidently to the Bonus Round under intense pressure.
Choosing the category “Place,” Santillan faced a puzzle that ultimately read “Neighborhood Pharmacy.” Although she quickly identified “Neighborhood,” she ran out of time on the final word. Host Ryan Seacrest revealed she missed out on an additional $40,000. Fans immediately flooded social media, calling the puzzle solvable and questioning whether Bonus Round challenges have become unusually difficult as the losing streak nears a historic high.
