Mendota Heights Resident Spins the 'Wheel of Fortune'

Native Mendota Heights resident, Andi Brenne, had the thrill of a lifetime when she was selected to be a contestant on one of her very favorite shows, "Wheel of Fortune." Brenne, wife and mother of two girls aged 4 and 2, traveled to California this February for the taping of the episode that will air on June 7. Her parents and good friend Jennifer Berg joined her on the trip for moral support.

 “We were all so excited and proud of Andi," said her dad, Tom. "It was quite an awesome and unforgettable experience.”

Andi’s friend Jennifer Berg also raved about their trip. “I couldn't think of anyone more perfect for this opportunity,” said Berg. “We were warned not to even make eye contact with Andi, just to prevent any accusations of cheating. I wanted her to know I was there for her, so I cheered pretty loud. After the show, I asked if she could hear me and she laughed pretty hard—she heard me cheering as clear as day.  I guess that makes sense, because I was given the hand signal to ‘take it down a notch’ a couple times!”

Tom shared the fact that according to the "Wheel of Fortune" Web site, last year only 600 out of a million contestants that requested a chance to audition made it to the show, making this occasion all the more special.

Patch had a chance to sit down with the very friendly Brenne over coffee and hear a little more about her adventures.

Mendota Heights Patch: I heard that you are a big fan of the show.

Andi Brenne: I have always loved "Wheel of Fortune." I’m a puzzle nerd, mathematics is part of my education. And my family really loves the show, too. I had said to my husband, “Everyone is pretty good in their living room, but it’s hard to know if you would be as good under pressure.”

Mendota Heights Patch: How did you hear about the auditions?

Brenne: They had been advertising that the Wheelmobile—that’s their bus that travels around the country holding massive auditions—was going to be at Grand Casinos in Hinckley and Mille Lacs. I went with a girlfriend and there were about 5,000 people there. They draw names randomly and do an initial interview. My friend got drawn and I didn’t, but they said they also pick a few other names later. My friend was emailed for the next audition, and the following day, I got the email, too.

Mendota Heights Patch: That is so crazy that out of all of those people, you both get picked.

Brenne: I know! My friend auditioned first and told me what they were looking for, so I got a little leg up. They want you to call letters clearly, not use many words—it was a very intense audition and you only had one turn to shine. My turn went well, I solved my puzzle.

Mendota Heights Patch: What was the puzzle?

Brenne: “Haunted House Salad,” a Before and After. Then we had a written quiz, they graded those, cut 50 out of 70 people. As you know, I stayed! We did a more intense round of game playing and (they) said they would send a letter if they wanted you. About ten days later, I got the letter—I was jumping up and down, screaming! Sadly, my friend didn’t get a letter. Then, sometime in the next 18 months they would call, then you go to California within two weeks.

In January they finally called and said they were ready for me. My 2-year-old is at a kind of tender age, and so we just thought both parents being gone would be too hard, so my husband stayed home with the kids.

Mendota Heights Patch: I heard you did a lot of practicing.

Brenne: I started playing the Facebook app every day. I got in contact with a guy who was a contestant who did a statistical analysis of letter frequencies. He was a great resource.

Mendota Heights Patch: What was the filming like?

Brenne: We left on a 7:45 a.m. shuttle with all the other contestants. At first, everyone was scoping out the competition. By the end of the day, we were all good friends. We got to do a lot of practicing, spinning the wheel, calling out letters, testing the mics. They do your hair and makeup, which was a little strange, I don’t really wear makeup. They airbrush you.

Mendota Heights Patch: The spray stuff?

Brenne: Yes, it was totally bizarre, but the makeup ladies, and really everyone, were so awesome. I had my hair done for the first time in my life, a color and cut. Up until then my husband cut my hair. I have never even had layers!

Mendota Heights Patch: This is a really girly question, but was it hard to pick what to wear?

Brenne: Yes! They are very specific about what you can wear—certain colors and busy patterns don’t work. It was difficult; I had my sister go shopping with me.

Mendota Heights Patch: Was the wheel hard to spin?

Brenne: Yeah, it was hard to spin, really heavy. They said it was about 1,000 pounds. I noticed a bruise on my hip the night after the taping from spinning.

Mendota Heights Patch: It must have been surreal to see Pat and Vanna in real life.

Brenne: Yeah, we were in a little room, only about twenty of us, and all of the sudden I heard a gasp and there’s Vanna White. She had come in to say “Hi” to us, and she was just so nice. She said, “You’re going to do fine, don’t worry,” just so genuine, very sweet. And she was just beautiful, even though she said she’d just got out of the shower, wet hair in a bun, no makeup.

Mendota Heights Patch: So the show airs June 7 and we know you can’t say anything about the results.

Brenne: Yes, I wish I could tell you more about how it went. I’m excited to see the show. I’ve been going over every little thing I said, thinking I sounded so stupid!

Mendota Heights Patch: Everyone must feel that way, but I’m sure you did great. We will all be watching!

Brenne: What a once-in-a-lifetime thing, literally. That’s it, you can only be on the show once. I have strong faith and I had really prayed, not to get rich, but to help me stay calm. I feel God answered so many of those prayers.