A memorable and cringe-worthy moment unfolded on national television during Tuesday night’s episode of Wheel of Fortune, leaving fans stunned and social media buzzing. Contestant Nikol Gamble, who owns an escape room in Houston, Texas, found herself at the center of attention after making a jaw-dropping error while trying to solve what was nearly a fully revealed puzzle in the “Song Lyrics” category. With only one missing letter remaining in a 12-word puzzle, the answer appeared obvious to many watching at home.
The board read: SEE / THE / LINE / WHERE / THE / S _ Y / MEETS / THE / SEA / IT / CALLS / ME. The correct answer was a line from the Disney hit song “How Far I’ll Go” from the animated film Moana: “See the line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me.” However, despite having every word filled in except for the letter “K” in “SKY,” Gamble made a mistake that immediately drew gasps from the studio audience and waves of disbelief online. Rather than choosing the clear and correct letter, she guessed “O,” resulting in “SOY” instead of “SKY.”
In what may have been an attempt to think creatively or perhaps due to nerves under pressure, she responded confidently, “See the line where the soy meets the sea.” To make matters worse, host Ryan Seacrest had just pointed out that there were no vowels left, meaning her guess of a vowel was not only incorrect but also technically not possible according to the game’s rules. The buzzer sounded immediately, and the tension in the room was palpable. Audience members could be heard gasping in shock, and viewers across the country took to social media almost instantly to react to the blunder.
The viral clip quickly circulated online, with reactions ranging from sympathy to humor to outright disbelief. Some viewers couldn’t believe she missed such an iconic lyric, especially since the film Moana is beloved by many and the song is one of Disney’s most recognizable anthems in recent years. Others joked about the idea of “soy meeting the sea,” with some poking fun at how it sounded like a trendy health food product rather than a tropical ballad. Fellow contestant Rachael Traywick wasted no time in correctly solving the puzzle. With a confident voice, she responded with “sky,” prompting a round of applause from the audience and the confirmation from Seacrest that the lyric was indeed from Moana. Unfortunately for Gamble, that mistake cost her dearly.
She finished the game with zero dollars, while another contestant, Dustin Whittern, moved on to the Bonus Round and ultimately walked away with an impressive total of $68,880 in winnings. While Gamble’s misstep was undoubtedly disappointing, it quickly became part of Wheel of Fortune history for another reason. Co-host Vanna White mentioned that the puzzle she had attempted to solve was the longest one ever featured on the show, adding an extra layer of significance to the moment. Though not the kind of legacy a contestant hopes to leave behind, it’s one that fans of the show will likely remember for years to come. In the world of game shows, mistakes like this one are part of what keeps viewers coming back—there’s always the potential for an unexpected twist, a big win, or a cringe-worthy error that makes for great television. And while Gamble may have gone home without any prize money, she certainly earned her place in the Wheel of Fortune highlight reel. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the show or just happened to catch the clip online, it’s hard not to feel a mix of secondhand embarrassment and empathy for someone who took a chance and missed—especially under the bright lights and pressure of national TV.
