Vanna White’s Wheel of Fortune mishap that left her feeling embarrassed

Before a lighting change in 1997, Vanna White had to touch the puzzle letters to make them light up on Wheel of Fortune. White’s performance as co-host was mostly flawless — except for one incident when she accidentally touched the wrong letter.

In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, White Clarkson revealed that she once hit the wrong letter and “[the crew] had to throw the puzzle away and put another in.” It’s easy to see how this error could have happened in the days before digital monitors allowed clear and understandable warnings. White shared that while she was “shamed” and “marked for life.” Through the faux pas, a fix in the late 90’s ensures that all mistakes are not hers.

Night after night, week after week, uninterrupted for four decades, White has shone as a game show luminary. Her legacy as co-host of “Wheel of Fortune” will live on long after her death – which a simple mistake in the span of 40 years cannot erase.