2023
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Missouri City resident presses her luck on TV game show, wins big By Juhi Varma SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Missouri City’s Gabrielle Metoyer, 27, is proof that sometimes, taking a leap of faith can pay off in the biggest way possible. The winner of $300,000 on ABC’s “Press Your Luck”, hosted by Elizabeth Banks, said her behind-the-scenes experiences, and her story is a true testament to trusting your own instincts and luck. Gabby’s journey to the “Press Your Luck” stage began in April. “I was scrolling on Instagram after coming home from the gym, so I was still reeling from my workout,” she said. “It was an ad for ‘Press Your Luck’ saying, ‘If you’re good at trivia and want to be on TV, reach out.’ So, I decided to apply. I submitted the optional video at the end, that was really funny. In 30 seconds, you essentially had to tell them about yourself. All of that happened at 11 p.m. and the next day, I got a call from one of the casting producers saying, ‘I’d love to connect with you.’ So literally, it happenedwithin 24 hours.”
Going to LA From April to June, Gabby had about five rounds of interviews, mostly over phone or Zoom, she said. Then, she played a mock game with two other contestants. Not long after, she was selected and invited to Los Angeles with a guest – her mother Ermita – to be on the show. A navy brat whose father was stationed in LA years ago, Gabby said returning to the city felt like a full- circle moment for both her and her mother. Gabby recalled driving up to the studio and experiencing the surreal moment of seeing reserved parking spots for shows like American Idol and other well-known hits. “A really fun aspect of being on a TV show is you go through hair, makeup and wardrobe, and you try on a bunch of different outfits for the wardrobe team,” Gabby said. “I felt like a celebrity. My makeup room was the same makeup room as Katy Perry’s for the American Idol – it was so cool.” Contestants had to bring five outfits, try them on for the team, and see which one looked best on camera, Gabby said.
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Whitbeck sues FBSID, three trustees for defamation By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
A year after her forced retirement as superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, Christie Whitbeck has filed a lawsuit against the district and three board members alleging they breached the voluntary retirement agreement by making numerous defamatory comments about her. In the lawsuit, filed December 3 in a Fort Bend County district court, seeks unspecified monetary damages for breach of contract and defamation, and requests “correction, clarification,
or retraction” of numerous statements made in public or in writing by Position 5 Trustee Sonya Jones, Position 7 Trustee and Board P resident David Hamilton, and former Position 2 Trustee and then-Board President Judy Dae, as well as by the district itself. The three trustees are sued in their official capacities. The next day, Whitbeck and her Houston attorney, Chris Tritico, announced the lawsuit at a press conference at Tritico’s office in the Heights. (Editor’s note:
SEE WHITBECK PAGE 2
Former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck has filed a lawsuit against the district and three trustees alleging breach of contract and defamation surrounding her departure from the district. Here, she is seen being given her official “send-off” in December 2023. File photo by Ken Fountain
HOLIDAY FUN IN FORT BEND
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hildren enjoy a bit of "snow" in the plaza of Sugar Land Town Square during the Christmas Tree lighting event on Friday. Photos by Ken Fountain. See more photos on page 5.
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Missouri City resident Gabrielle Metoyer shares an excited moment with her mother, Ermita Metoyer, during Gabby’s recent appearance on ABC’s “Press Your Luck.” ABC photo provided by Gabrielle Metoyer
Ayden Kim, 4, and Avery Kim, 2, have their photo taken with Santa Claus.
Emma McGrath, 7, gets a ride with Rudolph.
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