She’s “Wheel”-y good at keeping secrets.
A Connecticut woman who won a record-breaking $1,035,155 on Tuesday night’s “Wheel of Fortune” concealed the life-changing news from her boyfriend for four long months.
Contestant Christina Derevjanik, 34, filmed her historic appearance on the game show back in May and was sworn to secrecy until the episode aired this week.
“He had no idea,” the marketing manager told The Post on Wednesday, revealing that she had only started dating her beau just weeks before her win.
On Tuesday night, Derevjanik held a viewing party in Stamford, but her boyfriend was in Boston. He tuned in to watch her appearance, not expecting to see his new partner pocket a pretty penny.
“He called me [after the show aired] and was just so excited,” the cashed-up contestant gushed. “He is absolutely thrilled for me.”
Admitting that she’s hit the jackpot with both love and money, the newly minted millennial conceded that she’s had an excellent few months.
In addition to the prize money, Derevjanik also won trips to Montana and Tokyo — and plans to take her new man along on at least one of those adventures.
The winner was also unable to tell her family and friends about the news until the show aired, although she admitted that her parents “definitely saw a little pep in my step.”
No wonder: After taxes, the marketing manager is expected to bank about $660,000.
Derevjanik has the option to receive her prize money in installments or a lump sum, but told The Post she’s leaning toward the latter to quickly pay off her student loans and buy her first home.
“I don’t know when I would’ve been able to afford a home, so these winnings are just completely life-changing for me,” she enthused. “I’m really excited about what the future holds now that I have this financial freedom.”
As for any indulgences, the sensible Stamford resident won’t be splashing cash on designer clothes or a flashy car — but she will be pampering her pet pooch.
“I think I’m going to have to spoil my dog, Hazel,” Derevjanik laughed. “She’s going to be a lucky little chocolate lab over the next year.”
Derevjanik won her “Wheel of Fortune” prize in front of her boss, who jetted to Los Angeles with her for the taping.
On camera, Derevjanik joked she would put in her two weeks’ notice after receiving the prize, but she told The Post that she’ll continue to commute to her office in Manhattan.
“I’m not quitting the job,” she clarified. “My boss is very happy. I will be continuing to work for her, and I was just so excited that she was able to be part of the experience.”
The prize-winner is a longtime “Wheel of Fortune” fan, saying: “I’ve been watching since I was young, and I had one of the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ handheld games that I would always play as a child in the ’90s.”
Her time on set, whilst “surreal,” lived up to every expectation.
“Everyone who works on the show, and [hosts] Ryan [Seacrest] and Vanna [White], were just such a pleasure,” Derevjanik declared. “They were so wonderful, and they really shared in my excitement, so it was just such a great experience.
Derevjanik, who secured the “One Million Dollars” wedge early in the show, earned $35,155 in cash and the trips to Montana and Japan before she advanced to the bonus round.
She picked the “Living Things” category, correctly solved the puzzle with the phrase “PACK OF COYOTES” — and Seacrest showed her the $1 million envelope.
Only four other contestants have ever won more than $1 million since the prized wedge was introduced to the franchise in 2008, according to TV Insider.
Contestant Michelle Loewenstein was the first to win it in October 2008 for $1.026 million, followed by Autumn Erhard in 2013, nabbing $1.03 million; and Sarah Manchester in 2014, $1.017 million.
In addition, “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” contestant Melissa Joan Hart won $1 million in 2021.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
