‘Wheel of Fortune’ $1 Million Winner Kept Huge Secret From New Boyfriend

Christina Derevjanik, the latest Wheel of Fortune winner, shocked fans when she revealed she kept her $1 million prize a secret from her boyfriend for months. Derevjanik, a marketing manager from Connecticut, became the first contestant in the Ryan Seacrest era to land the coveted $1 million wedge and win big during the Bonus Round. Her episode aired on September 30, 2025, showing her historic $1,035,155 win.

The champion shared with the New York Post that her boyfriend “had no idea” she had won the life-changing prize. She had only been dating him for a few weeks when she taped the show in May, and show rules prevented her from revealing the outcome before broadcast. Even though the episode was filmed months earlier, she waited until it aired to break the news.

Christina Derevjanik Made History on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Derevjanik’s $1,035,155 payout makes her the highest earner in the show’s long-running history under new host Ryan Seacrest. She also became only the fourth contestant ever to win the $1 million prize since the special wedge was introduced. The moment came after she successfully solved her Bonus Round puzzle, stunning the audience and even surprising longtime fans.

She attended the Los Angeles taping with her boss, the only person she confided in before the episode aired. Her parents reportedly noticed a “pep in her step” but didn’t know the exact reason. Derevjanik explained that her boyfriend, who was in Boston at the time of the watch party, found out when he tuned in to the broadcast. “He called me after the show aired and was just so excited,” she told reporters.

How the Million-Dollar Prize Will Change Her Life

The new millionaire says she plans to use the money wisely. Derevjanik hopes to pay off her student loans, buy a home, and take her boyfriend on one of the trips she also won — destinations include Montana and Tokyo. Despite the life-changing win, she shared with TV Insider that she is not planning to quit her marketing job just yet.

Derevjanik also said she plans to spoil her dog, Hazel, now that she has extra financial freedom. “I’m really excited about what the future holds now that I have this financial freedom,” she said. Fans of the show have praised her calm and positive attitude since the episode aired, and many were surprised that she could keep such a big secret for so long.

Christina Derevjanik’s remarkable win is already inspiring other contestants and viewers, proving that life-changing moments can come when you least expect them — even while keeping a million-dollar secret from someone new in your life.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is the new Wheel of Fortune $1 million winner?

Christina Derevjanik, a marketing manager from Connecticut, won $1,035,155 on the show’s September 30, 2025, episode.

Q2: How many people have won $1 million on Wheel of Fortune?

Derevjanik is the fourth person in the show’s history to win the $1 million prize during the Bonus Round.

Q3: Why did she keep her win a secret?

Show rules require winners to keep results confidential until the episode airs, so she couldn’t tell anyone besides her boss.

Q4: How will she spend the money?

She plans to pay off student loans, buy a home, spoil her dog Hazel, and take her boyfriend on trips to Montana and Tokyo.

Q5: Did she quit her job after winning?

No. Despite winning over $1 million, she told TV Insider she plans to keep working in marketing for now.