Medford Resident Tries Luck on Wheel of Fortune

Jessica Antonellis works on customer Josie DeGregorio’s hair at her mother Anna’s salon on Main Street.

– Allison Goldsberry

When the Wheel Mobile came to Suffolk Downs Anna Antonellis’ number was pulled, and after playing a mini-version of the famed TV game Wheel of Fortune, she was invited to come back for a more serious audition.

However, the invite was transferrable only to another avid fan, and it was Anna’s daughter Jessica that headed to the Boston Harbor Hotel with her best friend Kristen to try her hand at the game.

After acing a test interview and puzzle after puzzle, Jessica wasn’t sure she would be picked for the show because of her relatively subdued manner.

“There were lots of wild, crazy screaming people that could have been on the Price is Right.  I just acted like myself.  I’m a hairdresser, I’m a mom,” said Jessica.

Turns out her cool demeanor was what the producers were looking for so they gave her $1,000 to fly out to Sony Studios in Culver City, California for a day of taping on September 6.

Having never been to CA, Jessica treated the trip like a vacation and took along her seven-year-old daughter, vowing to have fun no matter what happened.

“Everyone was really nice.  It was such a fun experience.  I was just in awe that I was there,” said Jessica.

Curious viewers will have to tune into UPN 38 (Channel 14 in Medford) on Wednesday, October 3, at 7PM to see how Jessica fared.  Though declining to give details on her winnings, she said she played a strategic game.

“There’s a time to buy a vowel, a time to buy a consonant, and a time to spin,” said Jessica.

Her mother Anna is proud of her daughter’s performance and is happy she ended up on the game show.

“Medford will not be disappointed,” she said.