It finally happened! After a painful 19-game losing streak in the Bonus Round, a Wheel of Fortune contestant has brought the dry spell to a dramatic end — and fans are celebrating the long-awaited win just ahead of Memorial Day.
The lucky player? Rachel Granier, a proud Louisiana native and dedicated educator from Lafayette. Granier, who currently serves as a school principal, stole the spotlight on Friday night’s episode, not just with her win but with her larger-than-life personality. A fan of spicy food, swimming, and the laid-back tunes of Jimmy Buffett, Granier seemed to embody the tropical Margaritaville theme of the week’s episodes.
I’m Cajun through and through,” Granier told host Ryan Seacrest in her introduction. She made sure both Seacrest and co-host Vanna White got a taste of Louisiana, recommending crawfish to one and shrimp and grits to the other. But food wasn’t her only passion. “If there’s water nearby, I’m in it,” she joked. “Ocean, pool, or even the bathtub — I might be a mermaid in disguise.”
But it was more than charm that carried Granier through the game. By the end of regular play, she had already secured $22,200. Then came the real test: the Bonus Round.