Wheel of Fortune Contestant’s $55K Win Sparks Major Fan Debate

A recent Wheel of Fortune episode has viewers divided after contestant Sarah LaPilusa won a $55,000 prize under controversial circumstances. Competing against Jimmy Holgerson and Yolanda Tillet, LaPilusa led the scoreboard with $15,050 before entering the bonus round, where the tension skyrocketed.

Choosing “People” as her category, she faced the puzzle:
_ _ S S _ B _ B _ E S.

LaPilusa first guessed “Jazzy babies” but quickly corrected herself to “Fussy babies.” The issue? Viewers weren’t sure she beat the buzzer. After reviewing the timing, judges ruled her answer valid, awarding her the $40,000 bonus, for a total of $55,050.

While some praised her quick thinking — “That’s what I call a buzzer beater!” one fan wrote — others accused the show of giving her an unfair win. “She was 100% late,” one viewer argued on YouTube.

Host Ryan Seacrest, staying neutral, simply said, “That was incredible! I’ve never seen anything so close!”

The debate continues online, as fans question whether LaPilusa’s split-second win was skill — or just good fortune.