Wheel of Fortune contestant Megan Carvale, who went viral after her answer to a puzzle had viewers thinking she was denied $40,000, is setting the record straight.
Viewers went ballistic when Carvale's answer to the bonus puzzle was considered incorrect. Fans were certain they heard her say "pink orchid," the correct solution.
But Carvale told Good Morning America that there's no hard feelings, because she really did flub the answer.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ puzzle divides internet youtu.be
Carvale was denied the $40,000 prize because she really did deliver the wrong answer.
As she told Good Morning America of the uproar:
“You know, I wish I said ‘pink’ because I would have been $40,000 richer. But I said ‘something.’”
Carvale explained that she said "something orchid" while thinking out loud, trying to suss out the puzzle. Many thought she had said "pony orchid," which, while whimsical and magical, is not an actual flower.
Carvale is as disappointed by the mishap as people on social media—and so is her son. She told GMA that he was in disbelief the whole ride home.
“My son, the entire way home, because my 8-year-old son was in the audience ... [and] we live in Orange County ― the whole way home from LA, [he said], ‘Mom, I can’t believe you didn’t get pink. I can’t believe you didn’t get pink.’”
"That word has already been haunting me and now all of America believes that I said it, but I didn’t.”
After hearing Carvale's explanation, it was clear to many online that she did in fact say "something orchid," therefore lost fair and square.
@jaywide / YouTube
@jodieellenrose/YouTube
@bcdf-ei9el/YouTube
@MissEAG/YouTube
@blakeaaron5698/YouTube
@johnslade7540/YouTube
And many couldn't help but laugh about the mishap.
@TheSouthIsHot/YouTube
@maxkorten1654/YouTube
@BombshElle_&
Oh well, Megan. Better luck next time!
Elaine Miles/Facebook
@doctor_kristinm/Threads
@PeteHegseth/X
The White House