Wheel of Fortune Contestant Wins Big After Costly On-Air Mistake

A North Carolina woman scored a massive victory on Wheel of Fortune after a rival contestant’s small error changed everything. Beth Barbee, a Durham native and genealogy enthusiast, stole the spotlight during the show’s Disney Princess Week episode.

A Game-Changing Slip

Competing against Twyla Arbuckle of California and Bryan Babler of Wisconsin, Barbee steadily built momentum by solving multiple puzzles, including “Snow White Chocolate,” which earned her a Disney Princess vacation prize. But the biggest turning point came during a round titled “What Are You Doing?”

With the board nearly solved, Arbuckle accidentally called a letter already on display. “It’s fine. I messed up,” she admitted, after host Ryan Seacrest enforced the rules. That misstep allowed Barbee to jump in and correctly solve “Following My Bliss,” securing a luxury Disney cruise to the Bahamas.

Bonus Round Brilliance

Barbee wasn’t finished. In the Bonus Round, she confidently solved “Picking Produce,” unlocking an extra $40,000.

“It happened so fast,” she said afterward.

Her final total? An impressive $72,392 in cash and prizes, making the night one to remember.