Alabama’s Kim Lige took home nearly $64,000 cash and prizes — including a trip to Chile and Argentina — on Thursday’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune.”
Lige, a dental technology adviser from Montgomery, appeared on the syndicated game show on Sept. 19 during its “Jet Setters Week,” competing against two other contestants, Troy Murray and Otis Evans. Series host Ryan Seacrest, who replaced Pat Sajak for Season 42, was on hand to oversee the action, joining co-host and letter-turner Vanna White.
On “Wheel of Fortune,” contestants tackle hangman-style puzzles, competing for vacations, cars and cash prizes. Luck has a role to play, as well, as contestants spin a wheel to determine how much money they can win in each round.
Lige aced some word puzzles on the 30-minute episode, solving phrases such as “remote corner of the world” and “sisterly support.” She was especially impressive, however, with her quick solve of the phrase “high end fashion,” earning $40,000 in a bonus round. (Watch that moment in the video below.)
Lige left the show with a total of $63,990 in cash and prizes, including the trip to South America. “It’s so great, Ryan, thank you!” Lige said, as Seacrest put his arm around her for a hug.
The two had bonded earlier in the show, discussing SEC football when Lige was introduced to the audience. When Seacrest heard that Lige was from Alabama, he asked her an important question: Alabama or Auburn? Lige responded with “Roll Tide,” and Seacrest, a Georgia native, said he was a Georgia Bulldogs fan. (Seacrest briefly attended the University of Georgia and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the school in 2016.)
Lige also revealed to Seacrest that her nickname is “Sweet Mama,” bestowed on her by her granddaughters.
“Kim’s strategy throughout the game was marked by selective letter choices and timely solves, which paid off especially well in the bonus round,” TV Tonight said in its recap of the episode. “The additional $40,000 win highlighted her strong gameplay and ability to thrive under the intensified pressure of the Bonus Round, a testament to her skill as a contestant on one of America’s favorite game shows.”
“I am still in shock that I was even chosen out of all the people who apply, then to actually win?!?! I am so thankful to have had this once in a lifetime experience,” Lige told AL.com. “It’s a real dream come true, and I will cherish this moment forever.”
Other Alabama contestants have made their marks on “Wheel of Fortune,” but Lige took home the biggest prize package in recent years.
Quentin J. Lee, the Alabama educator who went viral in 2020 with a parody video of “U Can’t Touch This,” won more than $15,000 in cash and prizes when he appeared on the game show in 2023. In April 2023, Tomia Gordon, a student at Alabama A&M, took home $31,700 in cash and prizes during “College Week Spring Break.” Lydia Patterson, a student at Auburn University, won $5,000 on another episode that week.
