The January 16, 2026 episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune delivered everything fans could hope for—heartfelt revelations, laugh-out-loud gameplay, celebrity charm, and significant charitable winnings. Airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, the episode stood out not just for its star power, but for an unexpectedly personal story involving Kathy Hilton and Vanna White that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the season.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with Vanna White continuing her iconic role, the episode featured three high-profile contestants competing across two full games for charity: Kathy Hilton, Rick Ross, and Riki Lindhome. While the Wheel spun as usual, what unfolded was anything but ordinary.
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Star-Studded Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Contestants Compete for Charity
This Season 6 installment brought together an eclectic mix of personalities, each playing for a cause close to their heart.
- Kathy Hilton — socialite, philanthropist, fashion designer, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star
- Rick Ross — rapper, entrepreneur, and author
- Riki Lindhome — actor, comedian, and musician known for Knives Out, Wednesday, and her one-woman musical Dead Inside
Each contestant played to support a chosen charity, with the possibility of winning up to $1 million, including $100,000 bonus rounds for each game winner.
Kathy Hilton’s Emotional and Unexpected Story About Vanna White
Before the puzzles even began, the episode captured attention with a deeply personal revelation. During her introduction, Kathy Hilton shared a decades-long friendship with Vanna White—one that extends far beyond television.
Kathy revealed that when Vanna White was pregnant with her first child, Nicholas “Nikko” Santo Pietro (born in 1994), she was extremely nervous about childbirth. To comfort her, Kathy invited Vanna to watch a “tasteful” birth video filmed by Kathy’s husband, Rick Hilton, during the birth of Paris Hilton in 1981. The video, filmed discreetly from behind Kathy’s head, was meant to be calming rather than graphic.
Kathy recalled telling Vanna she had to watch it with her—and after seeing it, Vanna reportedly said she felt “so much better already.”
The bond didn’t stop there. Kathy went on to invite Vanna to be present in the birthing room at Cedars-Sinai when she delivered her fourth child, Conrad Hilton, born March 3, 1994. Vanna accepted—and was “front and center” for the birth.
Vanna responded by contrasting their experiences. Her own labor with Nikko lasted 23 hours and ended in a C-section, while Kathy’s delivery was far smoother. Vanna joked that Kathy was “coiffed and beautiful” and “knocked out your fourth baby like that.” Kathy summed it up simply: “We had so much fun.”
The camera later cut to Conrad Hilton and his girlfriend Emma Kenney sitting in the audience, making the moment even more poignant. The story was previewed ahead of the episode in exclusive clips shared by People, with Kathy also noting she’s “addicted” to Wheel of Fortune—especially because she loves watching what Vanna wears.
Game 1 Breakdown: Big Wins, Big Chaos, and a Missed Bonus
The episode followed the traditional Wheel of Fortune format, starting with Game 1.
Rick Ross opened strong, solving the $1,000 Toss-Up (“PHILANTHROPIST”) and later the Headline puzzle (“DODGERS WIN WORLD SERIES AGAIN!”), earning $13,500. Riki Lindhome gained momentum by solving multiple puzzles, including “SHARING A PANINI WITH SYDNEY SWEENEY” and the Prize Puzzle (“THIS IS GETTING INTERESTING”), which added a South Africa trip via Gate 1 Travel.
Despite knowing several answers, Kathy Hilton frequently buzzed in second, leaving her trailing in Game 1.
Game 1 totals:
- Kathy Hilton: $5,000
- Rick Ross: $14,500
- Riki Lindhome: $51,950
Riki advanced to the Bonus Round, where the puzzle “WORKING MY ABS” narrowly escaped her after guesses like “WORKING MY ARMS” and “WARMING MY ARMS,” costing her $25,000.
Game 2 Takes a Turn: Kathy Hilton’s Redemption Round
Game 2 brought even more unpredictable energy. Riki dominated early toss-ups, while Kathy drew attention for an incorrect guess of “Dippel Rapper” instead of “DAPPER RAPPER.”
The turning point came during the Tongue Twister round. Kathy solved “RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS”, repeatedly calling the letter B and racking up an impressive $32,700—the strongest single-round performance of her night.
Despite continued moments of confusion—including repeated letters, out-of-turn guesses, and chaotic attempts to solve—Kathy surged ahead.
Game 2 totals:
- Kathy Hilton: $32,700
- Rick Ross: $26,650
- Riki Lindhome: $22,150
Kathy advanced to the Bonus Round, where the puzzle “GIVERS AND TAKERS” remained unsolved after guesses including FARMERS, G, and W, costing her a potential $100,000.
Charity Winnings: Every Dollar Donated
Despite missed bonus opportunities, the episode raised substantial funds for charity:
- Rick Ross: $41,150 for Fighting4Freedom, supporting underprivileged and wrongly convicted individuals
- Riki Lindhome: $74,100 for Letters Charity, which fulfills family Christmas wish lists and provides financial assistance
- Kathy Hilton: $37,700 for Yogi’s House, a dog rescue organization
All winnings were fully donated.
Kathy Hilton’s Gameplay Sparks Viral Reactions Online
Kathy Hilton’s unconventional approach quickly became a social media sensation. Viewers noted her mispronouncing “Rhyme Time” as “Ryan Time,” repeating letters like R and S, confusing P and C, and attempting to solve puzzles without spinning or calling letters.
X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit lit up with reactions ranging from disbelief to delight, calling her gameplay “painful,” “cringe-worthy,” and “hilariously entertaining.” Clips circulated widely, with many fans agreeing that while chaotic, Kathy made the episode unforgettable.
A Memorable Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Episode
Blending emotional storytelling, unpredictable gameplay, and meaningful charitable contributions, the Kathy Hilton episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune became one of Season 6’s most memorable installments. From a decades-old friendship with Vanna White to viral-worthy Wheel mishaps, the episode proved that sometimes the most unforgettable moments happen when the rules go a little off-script.
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