A North Carolina woman walked away with a massive win on Wheel of Fortune Monday night — and it all unfolded thanks to a crucial blunder by a fellow contestant.
Beth Barbee, a Durham native with a passion for genealogy, seized the spotlight during the game show’s Disney Princess Week special. Facing off against California’s Twyla Arbuckle and Wisconsin’s Bryan Babler, Barbee built a commanding lead and clinched a stunning Bonus Round victory — but the road to that win had an unexpected twist.
The themed week, dedicated to Disney Parks and princess-inspired puzzles, saw Barbee go head-to-head with Arbuckle, a naval officer working in human resources, and Babler, a former live music venue owner from Oak Creek.
Arbuckle struck first, snagging the opening toss-up. Barbee quickly responded with a win in the second, putting both women on the board with $2,000 each.
Things quickly began to shift in Barbee’s favor. She solved the first full puzzle — the clever “Snow White Chocolate” — and landed the coveted Disney Princess wedge, earning herself a vacation prize. She kept the momentum going by solving back-to-back puzzles, including the Prize Puzzle, boosting her lead significantly.
