A heart-stopping episode of Wheel of Fortune left fans on edge when contestant Jesse Larson came within seconds—and one word—of winning the elusive $1 million prize.
Larson had been on an incredible streak, securing both the Wild Card and the $1 million wedge, plus a luxury trip to Panama after solving “Taking the Perfect Pic.” Heading into the Bonus Round with $16,400, she was the clear favorite to make game show history.
Host Ryan Seacrest, now leading the iconic show, revealed that the usual $100,000 bonus card had been swapped for a $1 million envelope. With her firefighter husband cheering her on, Larson spun the wheel, landing on a promising slot and choosing the “Phrase” category.
The board displayed “HE _ O_ THE C_R_E.” Despite using her Wild Card to add extra letters, Larson couldn’t solve it in time. The correct answer—“Ahead of the Curve”—cost her both the $40,000 prize and the million-dollar opportunity.
Viewers quickly flooded social media, sympathizing with Larson’s heartbreak. One wrote, “She was one word away from a million—absolutely brutal.” Though she didn’t win big, her near miss made this one of Wheel of Fortune’s most unforgettable moments.
