On the June 4 episode of Wheel of Fortune, Brooklyn native Maki Asrat captured viewers’ attention with her lively spirit, charm, and a moment that had host Ryan Seacrest laughing out loud. Competing against Anthony Monroe and Jessica Beasley, Asrat made an early impression by quickly solving the first two toss-up puzzles.
Her engaging personality came through as she shared personal anecdotes, building a genuine connection with Seacrest, who clearly related to her stories. Keeping the energy high, Asrat took a daring chance by flipping the Mystery Wedge — and it paid off. She won \$10,000 after solving the witty puzzle, “Egg on Your Face Lift.” By the end of the round, she had earned a remarkable \$23,900.
Asrat’s hot streak continued when she won a trip to Cabo by solving the puzzle “Somebody’s Watching Me” — though she came close to slipping up. Jessica Beasley, a vintage car enthusiast, claimed a trip to Hawaii by correctly solving the Prize Puzzle, while Anthony Monroe, a retired Marine, got on the board with the puzzle “Dollar Signs.” Still, it was Asrat who dominated the game, finishing with a leading total of \$33,900 and advancing to the Bonus Round.
That’s when things took a comical twist. The Bonus Round category was “What Are You Doing?” and the puzzle displayed: “C_ _SING _N _ R _R.” Staying true to her animated style, Asrat blurted out, “Cursing in… Cursing…” unable to pin down the correct answer: “Causing an Uproar.” Ryan Seacrest couldn’t help but crack up, joking, “It’s like you’re desperate to say a bad word here.” Although she missed the \$40,000 prize, Asrat still walked away with nearly \$34,000 — and left audiences with one of the night’s most unforgettable moments.
