The Agonizing Near-Miss for Contestant Andrew Leachko

On the May 9, 2025 episode of Wheel of Fortune, viewers watched in shock as contestant Andrew Leachko came agonizingly close to winning the show’s coveted $1 million prize. The Cleveland, Ohio native was just one correct guess away from making history as the first man and fifth contestant overall to win the game’s largest cash prize. However, a small mistake and the ticking clock led to a painful loss for Leachko, leaving fans devastated and speechless.

Leachko had been playing an impressive game, competing against fellow contestants Natalya Batenman, a stay-at-home mom, and Audrey Cheatham, a former officer turned high school teacher. As the game progressed, Leachko landed on the Million Dollar wedge during the AARP Mystery Round, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. The Million Dollar wedge is one of the most coveted spots on Wheel of Fortune, providing contestants with a rare opportunity to win $1 million if they solve the final puzzle correctly.

Leachko’s strong gameplay, combined with his opportunity to claim the grand prize, had fans on the edge of their seats. After successfully making his way to the bonus round with $30,228 in winnings, he was faced with the chance to spin the bonus wheel and solve the puzzle for $1 million. What followed would become a dramatic and heartbreaking moment in Wheel of Fortune history.

The High Stakes Bonus Round

The bonus round is where Wheel of Fortune contestants have the chance to win life-changing amounts of money. After landing on the “S” wedge, Leachko was given a puzzle in the “Event” category, with six letters already revealed: R, S, T, L, N, and E. It’s common for the contestant to solve the puzzle with these letters, but Leachko still had to make strategic guesses. The puzzle, which read “_ _ R / _ E A R L _ / _ A S _,” seemed like it could be solved quickly, with only one word left to guess.

Leachko guessed “Our yearly fast? Our yearly past? Our yearly case?” but time ran out before he could guess the final word. The answer, revealed by Seacrest and Vanna White, was “Our yearly bash.” While this mistake may have seemed small, it was enough to cost Leachko the chance at $1 million. He was left with $40,000 as his consolation prize, which, while a substantial sum, paled in comparison to the grand prize he had been so close to winning.

The $40,000 Consolation Prize: A Silver Lining

While losing the $1 million prize was a devastating blow, Leachko’s $40,000 consolation prize was certainly no small feat. Seacrest quickly opened the prize envelope and revealed the $40,000 reward for Leachko’s impressive performance throughout the game. While many fans were heartbroken for Leachko, they also acknowledged that $40,000 is still a considerable sum, especially considering the high level of competition.

However, the true heartbreak of the moment came when Seacrest led Leachko back to the bonus wheel, where he revealed that the $1 million prize envelope was “just inches away” from the wedge Leachko had landed on. This revelation made the loss all the more painful, as fans watching at home could feel the weight of what could have been for Leachko. It was a “million-dollar heartbreaker” moment that left fans feeling as disappointed as Leachko likely felt in that moment.

Fans React on Social Media: A Mix of Empathy and Disappointment

After the episode aired, fans took to social media to express their shock and sympathy for Leachko. The term “million-dollar heartbreaker” quickly gained traction, with people commenting on how close Leachko had come to winning the ultimate prize. Fans from all over expressed their feelings of empathy, noting how painful it must have been for Leachko to miss out on such a life-changing amount of money.

“OMG!!! Andrew almost landed on the 1 million dollars envelope on Wheel of Fortune!!! Now that’s another 1 million dollar heartbreaker,” one fan commented on YouTube. Another fan wrote, “One space away from what would have been a million-dollar heartbreaker. That’s painful!” The overwhelming sentiment was one of sympathy, with fans feeling for Leachko’s loss. Many others found themselves commenting on how close he had come and how small the difference was between winning and losing.

Interestingly, some fans also expressed a certain level of relief that Leachko didn’t win the million dollars because of his inability to solve the final puzzle. “At least he didn’t win the million, since he didn’t get the puzzle right,” one viewer noted. While this view may seem harsh, it speaks to the mixed emotions fans experience when watching such high-stakes game show moments. For many, the drama and suspense of Wheel of Fortune are what make it so thrilling to watch, even if the outcome isn’t always favorable for the contestants.

A Rare Opportunity: The $1 Million Prize on Wheel of Fortune

Winning the $1 million prize on Wheel of Fortune is a rare and coveted achievement, with only a handful of contestants having accomplished the feat. Past winners include Michelle Loewenstein (2008), Autumn Erhard (2013), Sarah Manchester (2014), and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune winner Melissa Joan Hart (2021). The rarity of winning the $1 million prize is part of what makes it so exciting for both contestants and viewers. Each time a contestant lands on the Million Dollar wedge, it heightens the anticipation and creates a sense of suspense that builds until the final puzzle is solved.

Leachko’s near-miss added to the drama of the moment, highlighting the unpredictability of the game. Wheel of Fortune fans are no strangers to the ups and downs of the game, and moments like these only increase the emotional intensity of the show. Leachko’s heartbreaking loss is now etched into the show’s history, serving as a reminder of how fleeting these opportunities can be, and how quickly fortunes can change.

Leachko’s Performance: A Victory in Itself

Despite the loss, Andrew Leachko’s performance on Wheel of Fortune should not be overlooked. Winning $40,000 is still a significant accomplishment, and Leachko played an exceptional game throughout the show. His ability to navigate the puzzles with speed and accuracy impressed both the host and the audience, and his efforts were rewarded with a solid prize.

While the $1 million prize would have been life-changing, Leachko’s performance was a reminder that Wheel of Fortune is not just about the grand prize—it’s also about the experience and the thrill of playing a game that can change lives in an instant. Leachko’s journey on the show, from solving puzzles to landing on the Million Dollar wedge, was a testament to his skills, and his $40,000 win is a respectable outcome, even if it wasn’t the ultimate prize.

Conclusion: A Heart-Wrenching Loss, but a Memorable Moment

Andrew Leachko’s “million-dollar heartbreaker” will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in recent Wheel of Fortune history. His near-win, followed by the revelation that the $1 million prize envelope was just inches away, left fans feeling a mix of sympathy, frustration, and excitement. It serves as a reminder of the emotional highs and lows that come with playing such a high-stakes game, and how quickly fortunes can change in an instant.

For Leachko, this loss will likely be something he looks back on with mixed emotions. Although he walked away with $40,000, the million-dollar prize he almost claimed will undoubtedly remain a “what could have been” moment in his life. Nonetheless, his performance on Wheel of Fortune was remarkable, and his experience on the show will be one he remembers forever. Fans, too, will remember this heart-wrenching moment as part of the show’s rich history of unforgettable near-wins.