A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune ended with a big win for one contestant, but not everyone agreed it was entirely deserved.
On the Wednesday, February 27 broadcast, contestant Sarah LaPilusa competed against Air Force member Jimmy Holgerson and traveler Yolanda Tillet in a closely contested game.
By the time the regular puzzle rounds wrapped up, LaPilusa had taken the lead with $15,050 in winnings, which included a vacation to Mexico. Tillet followed closely behind with $13,500, while Holgerson came in third with $2,000.
The Controversial Final Puzzle
In the final round, Sarah LaPilusa—who operates a mental health clinic in California—chose “People” as her puzzle category. For her extra letters, she went with “M, B, H, and O,” joining the standard set of “R, S, T, L, N, and E.” That revealed a partially filled two-word phrase:
_ _ S S _ B _ B _ E S
As the timer began, LaPilusa first guessed “Jazzy babies,” which was incorrect. Almost immediately after, she corrected herself with the right answer: “Fussy babies.”
But the moment sparked debate—did she say it in time, or was it just after the buzzer? The timing was close enough to divide viewers.
Did She Win Fairly? Fans Are Divided
After Sarah LaPilusa gave her final answer, host Ryan Seacrest turned to the judges for a decision. Following a review of the timing, they ruled that her response came just before the buzzer, awarding her the $40,000 bonus prize. That brought her total winnings to $55,050.
Reactions from fans were mixed. On YouTube and social media, some praised her for thinking quickly under pressure and pulling off a last-second victory.
“That’s what I call a buzzer beater! Great job, Sarah!” one fan commented.
Another viewer highlighted her strategy: “PERFECT example of ‘talking it out.’ She said ‘jazzy babies,’ which led her to ‘fussy babies’ just as time ran out. AMAZINGLY well done.”
But not everyone was on board with the outcome. Some viewers argued that LaPilusa’s correct answer came after the buzzer sounded and that the prize shouldn’t have been awarded.
“That was 100% after the buzzer. It was so simply obvious,” one viewer insisted.
Another echoed the criticism, writing, “She was too late. They gave her that win.”
Seacrest Reacts, but Stays Neutral
Ryan Seacrest, who recently stepped into the role previously held by longtime host Pat Sajak, didn’t directly address the controversy. While he acknowledged the close timing, he stopped short of offering his own opinion on whether the call was right.
“That was incredible! I’ve never seen anything so close!” Seacrest remarked, as the audience erupted in cheers.
Whether LaPilusa’s last-second guess came just in time or slightly too late, the judges’ decision stood—securing her the big win. But the moment has left Wheel of Fortune fans divided, fueling yet another heated debate over a controversial call on the long-running game show.
