‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Called Out by Vanna White After $80,000 Loss

Brittany Sims April 1, 2026, 1:47 pm

Babe, that’s enough! A Wheel of Fortune contestant was called out by Vanna White for calling Ryan Seacrest “babe” every round, after missing out on winning more than $80,000,

Melanie Goodwin, from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, solved the first toss-up on March 31. She is originally from Massachusetts, but wanted to embrace her southern lifestyle and moved to Vanna White’s hometown.

Goodwin played against Mia Shank, from Morton, Pennsylvania, and Oscar Munoz, from San Diego, California. Goodwin put $3,000 in her bank when she solved the second toss-up.

She solved the “Most Likely To” puzzle — “Win Best Picture At The Oscars” — for $5,450. “This is so much fun, babe!” she said as she danced in place and laughed.

Shank, a pinochle player and a member of the National Pinochle Bugs Social & Civic Club, Inc., finally got on the board when she solved “Where Have You Been All My Life?” This put $1,000 in her bank.

When Seacrest told her to spin, she said, “Alright, babe!” before spinning the wheel. Goodwin also called the host her “best friend.”

Munoz, a man who has a large family in Costa Rica, landed on the Express Wedge during the Prize Puzzle. He tried to ride the train, but guessed a letter that wasn’t in the puzzle, so he became Bankrupt, but he didn’t have any money to lose.

Goodwin then solved “Artistic Masterpieces” for a trip to Italy. This gave her a total of $21,298.

Goodwin solved two of the three Triple Toss-ups. Shank solved the third. Goodwin solved the final puzzle — “Arriving On Horseback” — for a total of $30,248.

When Seacrest asked her if she was ready for the Bonus Round, she said, “I guess so, babe.”

Munoz did not win any money, so Wheel of Fortune gave him $1,000 to take home. Shank left with $3,000.

Goodwin advanced to the Bonus Round, where she chose “Phrase.” The game show contestant brought her son, Dylan, with her, who got accepted into the National Honor Society.

After being given “R,S,T,L,N, and E,” by WOF, Goodwin chose “C,D,M, and I.” The puzzle then looked like “_ _ _’RE _ _ERD_IN_ IT.”

The contestant couldn’t figure out “You’re Overdoing It.”

Pat Sajak Swears in Rare Video After 'WoF' Retirement & Fans Are Obsessed

“I was overdoing it,” she admitted.

“Oh, come on. Not you,” host Ryan Seacrest said. She would have won an additional $50,000 and a European Grand Tour.

At the end of the show, Goodwin stood with Seacrest and Vanna White. “I loved how you called Ryan babe after every round,” White told Goodwin. The contestant laughed, and then White talked to her about her favorite Myrtle Beach restaurant.

“I love how she keeps calling Ryan, ‘Babe’!” a Reddit user said.

“Yeah, that was funny. Even Vanna pointed it out at the end! Lol,” another said.

“I thought I was imagining that,” a third added.

Wheel of Fortune, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu and Peacock