Christina Derevjanik Wins Historic $1 Million Prize on Wheel of Fortune
It was a night of pure game-show magic as Christina Derevjanik from Connecticut became only the fifth contestant ever to win Wheel of Fortune’s coveted $1 million prize — and she did it with calm confidence and lightning-fast thinking.
Before the bonus round, Derevjanik had already secured the million-dollar wedge. With the category “Living Things,” her chosen letters — M, C, F, and A — revealed just enough to spark the winning guess. As the clock began, she instantly shouted:
“Pack of coyotes!”
Confetti rained down as host Ryan Seacrest opened the prize envelope revealing the $1 million jackpot. Tears, cheers, and hugs followed as Derevjanik celebrated her career-changing moment with Seacrest and Vanna White.
Derevjanik shared her first goal:
“I can pay off my student loans.”
Her total winnings reached $1,035,155, marking the largest prize ever awarded on the show and the first million-dollar victory under Seacrest’s tenure.
A viral moment, a life-changing payday, and a new place in Wheel of Fortune history — all in one unforgettable spin.
