Audi gifted Charlene the car and covered the entire cost of the Q3, including its taxes.
(Photo : TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Charlene Rubush is now the proud owner of a brand new Audi Q3 after the luxury carmaker presented her the vehicle that she controversially did not win in the "Wheel of Fortune" back in December.
Audi announced via its official Twitter account on Thursday, January 20, saying, "Charlene, welcome to the Audi family! We are so happy to see you in the driver's seat."
You all did it! You helped #GiveHerTheQ3. Charlene, welcome to the Audi family! We are so happy to see you in the driver seat. https://t.co/9RVPcdtqu2 pic.twitter.com/B3GGNPPmlR
— Audi USA (@Audi) January 20, 2022
Rubush misses out on Audi Q3 due to technicality
Rubush grabbed the headlines when she appeared in an episode of the "Wheel of Fortune" last month. She correctly answered the puzzle in the bonus round, but host Pat Sajak deemed it incorrect because of a long pause in her response. Sajak told Rubush, "This one's tough because you said all the right words, including the word "word," but, as you know, it's gotta be more or less continuous. Sajak added that they would allow a slight pause, but not for four or five seconds.
Fans of the show were livid with that decision, with some of them venting their frustrations on social media. Former Jeopardy champion Alex Jacob was among those who was mad with the ruling, tweeting, "Come on @WheelofFortune, the woman literally chose the right word. Give her the car."
Rubush's controversial loss quickly became a trending topic on social media, with the hashtag "GiveHerTheQ3" going viral. Audi saw a unique marketing opportunity and immediately pounced on it, with the carmaker posting a tweet the following day that said, "You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize."
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Audi generates excellent PR with the gift to Charlene
Audi recruited its followers to help track down Charlene for the company to give her the car instead. That moment finally came on Tuesday, January 18, with Jacob posting a series of tweets regarding the arrival of Rubush's prize. Jacob posted an update from Charlene's brother, saying, "she got the car today!" He later tweeted a picture of Charlene with her Audi Q3, which had a big red bow on it.
Final update from Wheel Charlene's brother. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen and congrats Charlene, you deserve it! #WheelofFortune pic.twitter.com/7DpNmLCvEx
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) January 18, 2022
Audi also posted a picture of a beaming Rubush as she got the keys to her brand new car, which is worth a cool $40,000. Audi gifted Charlene the car and covered the entire cost of the Q3, including its taxes.
TMZ interviewed Rubush right after she got the Q3 from an Audi dealer in Henderson, Nevada. The former "Wheel of Fortune" contestant is delighted with her prized possession, saying that the car drives well and she is loving it. Rubush added that her new Q3 is much needed since she and her husband have been sharing just one car since they moved three years ago.
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