She’s “Wheel”-y good at maintaining secrets and techniques.
A Connecticut girl who gained a record-breaking $1,035,155 on Tuesday evening’s “Wheel of Fortune” hid the life-changing information from her boyfriend for 4 lengthy months.
Contestant Christina Derevjanik, 34, filmed her historic look on the sport present again in Might and was sworn to secrecy till the episode aired this week.
“He had no thought,” the advertising and marketing supervisor advised The Submit on Wednesday, revealing that she had solely began courting her beau simply weeks earlier than her win.
On Tuesday evening, Derevjanik held a viewing occasion in Stamford, however her boyfriend was in Boston. He tuned in to look at her look, not anticipating to see his new companion pocket a reasonably penny.
“He known as me [after the show aired] and was simply so excited,” the cashed-up contestant gushed. “He’s completely thrilled for me.”
Admitting that she’s hit the jackpot with each love and cash, the newly minted millennial conceded that she’s had a wonderful few months.
Along with the prize cash, Derevjanik additionally gained journeys to Montana and Tokyo — and plans to take her new man alongside on at the least a kind of adventures.
The winner was additionally unable to inform her household and pals concerning the information till the present aired, though she admitted that her dad and mom “undoubtedly noticed just a little pep in my step.”
No surprise: After taxes, the advertising and marketing supervisor is anticipated to financial institution about $660,000.
Derevjanik has the choice to obtain her prize cash in installments or a lump sum, however advised The Submit she’s leaning towards the latter to shortly repay her pupil loans and purchase her first dwelling.
“I don’t know after I would’ve been in a position to afford a house, so these winnings are simply utterly life-changing for me,” she enthused. “I’m actually enthusiastic about what the longer term holds now that I’ve this monetary freedom.”
As for any indulgences, the wise Stamford resident gained’t be splashing money on designer garments or a flashy automotive — however she will be pampering her pet pooch.
“I feel I’m going to must spoil my canine, Hazel,” Derevjanik laughed. “She’s going to be a fortunate little chocolate lab over the following yr.”
Derevjanik gained her “Wheel of Fortune” prize in entrance of her boss, who jetted to Los Angeles together with her for the taping.
On digicam, Derevjanik joked she would put in her two weeks’ discover after receiving the prize, however she advised The Submit that she’ll proceed to commute to her workplace in Manhattan.
“I’m not quitting the job,” she clarified. “My boss could be very comfortable. I shall be persevering with to work for her, and I used to be simply so excited that she was in a position to be a part of the expertise.”
The prize-winner is a longtime “Wheel of Fortune” fan, saying: “I’ve been watching since I used to be younger, and I had one of many ‘Wheel of Fortune’ handheld video games that I might all the time play as a toddler within the ’90s.”
Her time on set, while “surreal,” lived as much as each expectation.
“Everybody who works on the present, and [hosts] Ryan [Seacrest] and Vanna [White], had been simply such a pleasure,” Derevjanik declared. “They had been so great, and so they actually shared in my pleasure, so it was simply such an important expertise.
Derevjanik, who secured the “One Million {Dollars}” wedge early within the present, earned $35,155 in money and the journeys to Montana and Japan earlier than she superior to the bonus spherical.
She picked the “Dwelling Issues” class, appropriately solved the puzzle with the phrase “PACK OF COYOTES” — and Seacrest confirmed her the $1 million envelope.
Solely 4 different contestants have ever gained greater than $1 million for the reason that prized wedge was launched to the franchise in 2008, in keeping with TV Insider.
Contestant Michelle Loewenstein was the primary to win it in October 2008 for $1.026 million, adopted by Autumn Erhard in 2013, nabbing $1.03 million; and Sarah Manchester in 2014, $1.017 million.
As well as, “Celeb Wheel of Fortune” contestant Melissa Joan Hart gained $1 million in 2021.
