It was a high-energy night on Wheel of Fortune as one contestant couldn’t contain her excitement—literally! Middle school teacher Genna Root made headlines after securing a massive win and celebrating in the most unforgettable way: by screaming directly into host Ryan Seacrest’s ear and wrapping him in a tight hug.

Root, a Fresno, California educator who also enjoys high-intensity interval training, was competing against Roberta Brown, a senior passionate about musical theater and travel, and Derek Spartz, a car enthusiast who documents rare automobiles online. But when it came time for the Bonus Round, it was clear the night belonged to Root.

A Fast Win and an Even Bigger Reaction

Heading into the final puzzle, Root had already locked in $14,456 and was playing for even more cash—plus an incredible trip to Antarctica. With her mother, Sharon, and best friend, Suzanne, cheering from the audience, she confidently chose the category “What Are You Doing?”

Like all contestants, Root was given the standard letters—R, S, T, L, N, and E. She then selected “D, C, P, and O,” which left the board looking like this:

CT_N ON _ _PULSE.

Before Seacrest could even give her the go-ahead, Root blurted out the correct answer: “Acting on impulse!” The host barely had time to react before she let out a loud scream right next to him and pulled him into an excited embrace. Seacrest, ever the professional, laughed through the moment and smiled as the celebration unfolded.

And then, the stakes got even higher. When Seacrest revealed that Root had just won an additional $40,000, bringing her total earnings to a staggering $91,096, she screamed even louder.

Seacrest Gets in on the Action—And Feels It

Root, her mother, and her best friend jumped up and down with excitement, and Seacrest joined in—throwing out a celebratory kick and extending his arm in the air. But the moment quickly took a turn when he suddenly grabbed his knee. “Ow!” he laughed, momentarily cradling his leg before shaking it off.

Then came another surprise. Not only had Root secured the cash prize, but she had also won the long-awaited Antarctica trip. “Oh my gosh! I did?” she shrieked, fanning herself in disbelief.

“This show is fun,” Seacrest grinned before the episode came to a close.

Fans Notice a Shift in ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Energy

Following the episode, viewers quickly took to YouTube to discuss the electrifying moment. Many noticed a distinct difference in how contestants interact with Seacrest compared to longtime host Pat Sajak.

“I love the jumping lol,” one fan commented.

“Contestants jumping all over Ryan every night when they win, and he’s loving it. I don’t quite remember that happening so much w/Pat. Anyhow, congrats on the win!!!!” another user wrote.

Another viewer speculated that Sajak, now retired, likely wasn’t as open to these over-the-top celebrations in his later years: “Pat would probably have been fine with it in the early years, but as he got older, he and the producers wouldn’t allow it.”

Seacrest: ‘Go Ahead and Tackle Me’

Seacrest is quickly proving he’s not afraid to get up close and personal with excited contestants. Just a night before Root’s memorable win, another contestant, a former TV news anchor, tightly hugged Seacrest after winning $89,000.

And this isn’t the first time things have gotten a little wild. In January, a contestant named Thomas became so overwhelmed with joy after a last-second puzzle solve that he ran straight for Seacrest—knocking him off balance and sending him to the ground.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Thomas asked as he helped the host to his feet.

Seacrest played along, backing away in mock fear and ducking behind the prize wheel. “Vanna [White], you’ll have to take over,” he teased.

Later, he made it clear he’s more than okay with the enthusiasm. “To all upcoming contestants, please, if you win, pick me up, throw me over, tackle me—I’m totally fine with it,” he joked.

With Seacrest at the helm, Wheel of Fortune is embracing a new era of high-energy celebrations—and contestants are loving every second of it.

Sources: TV Insider