Vanna White isn’t going anywhere – yet.
Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that White will continue to reveal letters on his “Wheel of Fortune” puzzle throughout the game show’s 2025-26 season.
Reports surfaced in June that White, 66, wanted to negotiate a raise. She has been hosted with Pat Sajak since the show’s debut in syndication in 1983.
Sajak announced in June that he would leave next summer, after the show’s 41st season, which began airing last week. Two weeks later, Sony revealed that Ryan Seacrest would replace Sajak.
White’s contract was set to expire with Sajak’s departure, so her extension means she will work alongside Seacrest for at least two seasons.
New host of “Wheel of Fortune”Ryan Seacrest fears matching Pat Sajak’s speed
Seacrest, 48, told “Good Morning America” Monday that he was preparing for the role, which he will take on for the 2024-25 season, by rehearsing at home and performing with the long-running game show date.
“I shout out the riddles and my dog looks at me,” Seacrest said. “I also practice the hosting part in my living room. Just to make sure I understand the rules.”
When White spoke with USA TODAY in 2019, she was pretty territorial about her place. “I can’t imagine anyone else on my puzzle board,” she said with a laugh. “That’s a scary thought. It’s mine!”
White will also be absent from some new episodes of “Wheel of Fortune” this fall.
The longtime co-host had to miss a day of taping for the syndicated show due to being ill, a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY in August. Bridgette Donald-Blue, who was named one of the 2023 California Teachers of the Year, replaced White for five episodes.
The taping that White was absent from was for the game show’s annual “Teachers’ Week,” and production could not be rescheduled due to participating teachers’ schedules with the start of the school year. The next day’s recording was postponed.
Contributor: KiMi Robinson
USA Today
