Image by courtesy Tony Arena, an honors student double-majoring in business and economics, is appearing on the long-running game show "Wheel of Fortune."
“Wheel of Fortune” has been on the air for more than 50 years, but UMass Lowell student Tony Arena had never watched an episode.
He's pretty good at the PlayStation video game version, however, often solving the puzzles before his friends.
So last fall, Arena applied to appear on the iconic game show. After two rounds of interviews and several months of waiting, he found himself onstage with host Ryan Seacrest and legendary letter-turner Vanna White, spinning the wheel in front of a live studio audience in Culver City, California.
“It was surreal,” says Arena, a junior honors student double-majoring in business and economics. “I wouldn’t say it was an out-of-body experience, but it was definitely amazing to be there in that moment.”
Arena’s episode was taped last May, shortly after his sophomore year finals. It will air on October 7 and be available on Hulu and Peacock the following day.
“Without giving spoilers, it was a very exciting episode,” he says. “I’m eager to relive the experience.”
The Stoneham native won’t be watching his episode with friends and family, however. He is studying abroad this semester in Florence, Italy, where he plans to watch the show at 1 a.m. local time with classmates.
Image by Ed Brennen Tony Arena credits his experience in sales competitions at UMass Lowell, including this 60-Second Pitch Competition last winter, with helping his performance on "Wheel of Fortune."
Producers contacted him within days for an interview. Arena believes his enthusiasm and upbeat personality helped him stand out.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m pretty bubbly and smiley, and have a very positive attitude,” he says.
After a second interview, Arena waited nearly seven months before receiving the call in late April that he had been selected.
“I had completely forgotten about it at that point,” Arena says. “I was, of course, thrilled to get that news.”
Arena flew to California with Gilmore and a high school friend. On the day of the taping, they walked through the Sony Pictures Studios lot, passing soundstages and posters for shows including “The Boys” and “Better Call Saul.”
The bright lights, studio audience and presence of Seacrest and White made the experience different from playing the game on his couch. Although he was “a little starstruck,” Arena says he stayed present and was happy with his performance.
Image by courtesy Junior Tony Arena will have to stay up late to watch his episode of "Wheel of Fortune," as he is studying abroad in Florence, Italy this semester.
“I already had experience being on camera,” Arena says. “Sales is very on your feet. You have to be adaptable and know how to speak and think critically.”
The “Wheel of Fortune” appearance is one of several opportunities Arena has pursued during a year he intentionally mapped out for himself. Last spring, he set a goal of securing his first internship for the summer, studying abroad in the fall and finding an accounting co-op for the spring semester.
He accomplished the first two goals. Over the summer, he worked as a sales intern for good2grow, supporting sales and merchandising operations in grocery and convenience stores. In August, he traveled outside of the country for the first time to study in Florence.
“I’ve never really been outside of New England,” he says. “Europe was really just an idea for me.”
He is now pursuing an accounting co-op for the spring, when he hopes to gain experience during tax season.
Arena says the plan has been “unfolding in a beautiful way.” He credits his willingness to pursue unfamiliar opportunities — a philosophy he connects to one of his favorite movies, “Yes Man” — with helping him make the most of his time at UMass Lowell.
“I’ve been trying to be open to experience, really try a bunch of different things,” he says, “not just to learn about whatever subject I’m studying, but also to learn about myself.”