A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune has sparked a heated debate among fans after a contestant’s last-second answer in the final round left viewers questioning whether her big win was truly earned. During the episode that aired on Wednesday, February 27, contestant Sarah LaPilusa went head-to-head with Air Force member Jimmy Holgerson and avid traveler Yolanda Tillet in a nail-biting game that stayed close until the very end. By the time the standard puzzle rounds had wrapped up, LaPilusa had taken the lead with a total of $15,050, which included a trip to Mexico. Tillet was not far behind, ending with $13,500, while Holgerson finished in third place with $2,000. It was a tight race, but LaPilusa had secured the top spot and a chance to compete for even more cash in the bonus round. However, what happened next has left fans divided.
As the final puzzle round began, LaPilusa—who runs a mental health clinic in California—selected the category “People.” She then chose the letters M, B, H, and O to add to the usual group of letters given automatically: R, S, T, L, N, and E. Once those letters were revealed on the board, LaPilusa was faced with solving a tricky two-word phrase: _ _ S S _ B _ B _ E S. With the clock ticking, she first blurted out “Jazzy babies,” which was incorrect. But without missing a beat, she quickly followed up with the answer “Fussy babies.” The timing of her response, however, immediately became a point of controversy. While she said the correct answer just as the final seconds of the round expired, many watching at home wondered whether she had made it before time ran out.
Host Ryan Seacrest, who recently took over from the legendary Pat Sajak, turned to the show’s judges for an official ruling. After reviewing the timing carefully, they determined that LaPilusa had indeed answered within the allowed time. With that decision, she won the $40,000 bonus prize, bringing her total winnings to an impressive $55,050. The studio audience cheered loudly as LaPilusa celebrated her victory. Many fans who watched the moment live or later online praised her quick thinking and ability to stay calm under pressure. On YouTube and social media, people called it a textbook example of how “talking it out” can lead to success in high-stakes moments on the show. One fan commented, “That’s what I call a buzzer beater! Great job, Sarah!” Another viewer added, “PERFECT example of ‘talking it out.’ She said ‘jazzy babies,’ which led her to ‘fussy babies’ just in time. AMAZINGLY well done.”
But not everyone agreed with the judges’ ruling. A significant number of viewers argued that LaPilusa’s answer came after the buzzer had sounded and that she shouldn’t have been awarded the prize. Critics on social media were quick to voice their concerns, saying that the win felt undeserved. One person wrote, “That was 100% after the buzzer. It was so obvious.” Another echoed the same feeling, commenting, “She was too late. They gave her that win.” The disagreement over whether LaPilusa’s winning answer was truly on time has sparked an ongoing debate among Wheel of Fortune fans, with passionate arguments on both sides.
Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest steered clear of making any definitive statements about the controversy. While he acknowledged the tension of the moment, he didn’t weigh in on whether he believed the decision was correct. “That was incredible! I’ve never seen anything so close!” Seacrest remarked as the audience continued to applaud. His neutral stance left viewers to continue debating among themselves about the legitimacy of the ruling.
In the end, the judges’ decision stood, and Sarah LaPilusa walked away with the $55,050 prize, including her $40,000 bonus. Whether or not she answered just under the wire or a fraction of a second too late remains a point of contention. But as far as the show was concerned, the ruling was final, and LaPilusa was the official winner of the night. Her controversial victory has since become one of the most talked-about moments on Wheel of Fortune this season, fueling discussions about fairness, timing, and the pressure contestants face during those critical final moments. Whether you believe she made it or not, there’s no denying the excitement it brought to an already tense game.
