A jaw-dropping moment on Wheel of Fortune had viewers across the country gasping in disbelief on Tuesday night when contestant Nikol Gamble missed a near-complete puzzle with just one letter left to solve. The round was in the “Song Lyrics” category, and the board displayed a nearly filled-in 12-word sentence that many fans instantly recognized.
The puzzle read: SEE / THE / LINE / WHERE / THE / S _ Y / MEETS / THE / SEA / IT / CALLS / ME. For Disney fans and even casual moviegoers, the answer was obvious—“sky,” taken directly from the popular song “How Far I’ll Go” from Disney’s Moana. But instead of solving it correctly, Gamble, who owns an escape room business in Houston, confidently guessed the letter “O,” resulting in the incorrect phrase, “See the line where the soy meets the sea.”
The error was made even more painful by the fact that host Ryan Seacrest had just reminded the contestants that there were no vowels remaining on the board. As soon as the incorrect guess was spoken, the buzzer sounded, the audience let out an audible gasp, and the moment quickly became one of the most talked-about flubs in recent game show memory. It didn’t take long for fellow contestant Rachael Traywick to swoop in and correctly solve the puzzle with the word “sky,” securing the points that Gamble had just missed out on. The lyric, familiar to millions from the breakout Disney film, instantly brought recognition and a round of applause.
Unfortunately for Gamble, her mistake not only cost her that round but also left her with a total of zero dollars by the end of the night. Meanwhile, another contestant, Dustin Whittern, advanced to the Bonus Round and managed to walk away with a hefty total of $68,880. While embarrassing moments on Wheel of Fortune aren’t rare, this particular incident gained traction on social media at lightning speed. Clips of the moment went viral as fans of the show and pop culture enthusiasts alike reacted with a mix of shock, laughter, and sympathy.
Many people couldn’t help but highlight how recognizable the lyric was, noting how it’s become a cultural touchstone since Moana debuted. Others found humor in the idea of “soy meeting the sea,” turning Gamble’s error into a trending joke online, with some users joking about it being the next big health drink. Even longtime co-host Vanna White chimed in after the round, pointing out that this puzzle was actually the longest ever featured in the show’s history, adding another layer to the moment’s significance. Although it might not be the kind of “first” any contestant wants to be associated with, it certainly secured a place in Wheel of Fortune trivia forever. While missing a letter in a high-pressure game show situation might seem baffling to those watching from the comfort of their couch, it’s important to remember how intense and nerve-wracking it can be under the studio lights with cameras rolling and an audience watching your every move. Many fans expressed empathy toward Gamble, acknowledging that mistakes can happen to anyone, especially when nerves take over. Some pointed out that the pressure of being on national television while trying to keep track of letters, rules, and time limits is more than enough to cause a slip-up, even with a nearly completed puzzle. In the end, Nikol Gamble may not have walked away with any prize money, but she certainly left a lasting impression. Her moment of misfortune turned into an unforgettable episode that fans will be talking about for years to come. From viral memes to trending hashtags, the now-infamous “soy meets the sea” moment has taken its place among the most iconic game show mishaps of all time. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even with just one letter to go, anything can happen on live television—and the internet will never let you forget it.
