Celebs Go Head-to-Head In Wordle Showdown And Fans Lose Their Minds

It was the ultimate celebrity game night, one Wordle puzzle at a time.

Earlier this month, The New York Times Games launched a first-of-its-kind multi-game leaderboard, giving fans the chance to puzzle alongside a star-studded lineup of celebrity superfans.

And judging by the internet's reaction, it was an instant hit.

From "Saturday Night Live" standout and Met Gala co-host Ego Nwodim to "Abbott Elementary" 's Chris Perfetti, a hand-selected group of famous faces joined the app's competitive leaderboard for a limited-time experience that had players buzzing.

Fans could compare scores with celebs across Wordle, The Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, and Connections, and only the first 100 users per celeb were able to snag a coveted spot.

Also joining in the fun were singer Laufey and actress Lola Tung, who regularly puzzle together from opposite coasts, as well as reality TV icons Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan, who brought their signature flair to Wordle and Spelling Bee.

"My family loves playing New York Times Games together. I'll never forget when someone stopped me in a coffee shop to show me that Sonja, with a sexy J, was a 48 Across on the NYT Crossword! I was over the moon," Morgan shared in an email with The Blast. "Wordle and Spelling Bee are now basically my morning skincare routine. I can't miss a day without sharing scores with my girlfriends."

Morgan continued, "When I found out about the new leaderboard in the app, I couldn't resist the opportunity to keep up with my girl Luann and my fans, too! Now that I'm doing my shows and Luann is off looking for love, it's the perfect way for us to keep in touch."

Laufey echoed the sentiment, saying, "With my schedule, I'm always on the go. I love New York Times Games, like Wordle and the Mini Crossword, to center myself and stay connected with my friends, no matter where in the world we are, like Lola Tung. Whether we're comparing scores or sharing hints, it's become somewhat of a tradition."

The leaderboard ran from May 8 through May 11, with celebrities solving puzzles live each day at 4 p.m. ET. Though the feature was brief, fan feedback made it clear. This was a winning idea.

Social media lit up with excitement as the celebrity scores began rolling in.

"The NYT Games leaderboard update is all I needed," one user posted.

Another wrote, "Being able to play Wordle with Sonja Morgan is my idea of heaven."

As for Perfetti's inclusion? "Oh, I know Chris Perfetti does not play about the Wordle," one fan joked.

While the celeb leaderboard may be over for now, fans are still encouraged to send in their dream celebrity picks for future features. And of course, the regular leaderboard lives on, offering a daily dose of friendly competition for puzzle lovers everywhere.

It's the little word game that could.

What began as a passion project in 2021 quickly became a daily ritual for millions. Wordle, the wildly popular five-letter word guessing game, took the internet by storm with its deceptively simple premise of getting six chances to guess the word of the day, guided by color-coded clues.

Created by software engineer Josh Wardle and later acquired by The New York Times, the game's appeal lies in its perfect balance of challenge and satisfaction, just enough to make your brain buzz without overwhelming your morning coffee.

Part of its magic? Everyone plays the same word each day, making it a built-in conversation starter. Whether it's a text chain with friends or a green-and-yellow grid on social media, Wordle continues to connect people around the globe, one five-letter word at a time.

And it's not just everyday fans who are hooked.

Celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Lizzo, and Ben Affleck have all reportedly joined the Wordle craze, proving it's as beloved in Hollywood as it is in households across the country.

So it came as no surprise when the New York Times Games' limited-time celebrity leaderboard was met with overwhelming excitement. With stars like Ego Nwodim, Chris Perfetti, Laufey, and Sonja Morgan jumping in to share their scores alongside fans, social media lit up with reactions.

And with so many celebrities proudly embracing their inner puzzler, fans are already asking for more. A future leaderboard that lets solvers celebrate their daily wins with a few famous faces? We'd spell that out as a definite yes.