By Mallory Mattingly
Christina Derevjanik of Stamford, Connecticut, became WHEEL OF FORTUNE‘s fourth person to ever win over $1 million.
She told GOOD MORNING AMERICA that she was in “complete shock.”
“As soon as the clock started, I just said [the answer] and for a second, I forgot about the million-dollar wedge. And then [host Ryan Seacrest] opened it, and I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness. This is real,'” she recalled.
When asked what she plans to do with her earnings, she revealed, “The first thing that I am spending that on is getting rid of all of my student loans. That is the number one priority. It’s something that, you know, the last 15 years I’ve been out of college. I’ve just been like, how am I ever going to pay this off? And now it is just going to be such a relief. And then hopefully invest in a home in the next couple of years.”
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After the show, the show’s host, Ryan Seacrest, told Derevjanik that she now holds the title for the biggest WHEEL OF FORTUNE winner ever, per ABC News.
“I have no words,” she said.
She celebrated on Instagram on Wednesday, saying, “The secret is out!!!! Still in shock/awe, but so beyond grateful for this experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better time celebrating with friends and family watching the episode air tonight. Hope everyone else was able to share in the excitement as well!!!”
Per ABC, Derevjanik revealed, “I was trying to manifest this. I was hoping for confetti, but I never thought it would actually happen.”
While traveling for the show, Derevjanik brought her boss along, who is also one of her closest friends. The contestant disclosed an ongoing joke between the two from the trip.
“My boss, who is also one of my good friends, she’s actually from LA originally, so she came with me and we joked like, ‘Well, if you win the $1 million, I may be going home by myself in the office, might have to fill your spot,'” Derevjanik shared. “So that was just a running joke. Never thinking it would ever happen. But yeah, I’m going to be staying at work.”
Seacrest played along with that joke, saying, “They’re going to miss you at work.”
But, Derevjanik later said, “I’m going to be staying at work.”
Derevjanik’s boss, Jen, couldn’t be happier for her friend.
“She’s great. I’m happy to be cheering her on all the way through,” Jen said.
Derevjanik’s win Wednesday night certainly changed her life!
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