Highlights
- Vanna White has been a dedicated co-host of Wheel of Fortune for over 40 years, rarely missing episodes and becoming a television icon.
- With Pat Sajak's retirement and the show's transition, fans speculate on Vanna's absence and the impact on upcoming changes.
- Vanna missed her first episode in 30 years due to illness, but she has since renewed her contract for two more years with a pay increase.
Vanna White has been co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune since 1982. She is known to rarely miss episodes as host. And in four decades, she has missed tapings and been substituted less than five times. This is the dedication she has put into the show. Even though Vanna first thought she would not get the job hosting job, she has become a television icon. And with decades of consistently hosting the game show, fans have come to appreciate Vanna's role as a co-host who cannot be replaced.
But the only thing constant in life is change. Having a host miss an episode of a show is not a big deal, but that is different for some like Vanna White who hasn't missed hosting Wheel of Fortune in a long time. With Wheel of Fortune in a transition phase, fans speculated over what led to Vanna White’s absence from the show and how it will affect the overall changes to come.
Pat Sajak Is Leaving Wheel Of Fortune, Leaving Vanna White In An Awkward Place
On June 13, 2023, long-time host of Wheel of Fortune Pat Sajak announced his departure from the game show on Twitter. The host announced his retirement from the show on the cusp of recording its 41st season, which means the season will be the last for Pat Sajak.
As SONY went on a recruiting call to find a suitable to replace Pat, fans speculated excitedly who could be a perfect replacement for Pat. After internal deals, Ryan Seacrest was announced as the show's new hire. He will take over Pat's hosting duties in September 2024 at the start of a new season.
While Pat is planning for his retirement, co-host Vanna White has yet to finalize her contract. According to the Daily Mail, Vanna is trying to get her contract upgraded with a higher wage after making just a fraction of what her co-host Pat Sajak made while hosting the show. Vanna also reportedly threatened to leave the show; however, she did not.
"Vanna and the producers are currently on a similar page and want to get a deal done, but they both have a few hiccups to still clear through," the Daily Mail reported.
Vanna was negotiating a favorable pay rise for herself, having spent decades with the show, she was due for a new and better deal. And Pat's retirement news put Vanna in an awkward place because her next co-host is reportedly getting paid $28 million, while her $3 million pay hasn't changed for the past 18 years.
Vanna White Missed A Wheel Of Fortune For The First Time In 30 Years
Amid the impending change Wheel of Fortune will face, Vanna White missed the taping of the game show for the first time in 30 years. Being an active host on the show for the past three decades has led fans to speculate what was behind her absence.
Concerned fans even tied this incident to the purported current backstage drama with a change in co-host and Vanna trying to get higher pay.
It's even speculated that White's role may be phased out from the show, but her fans have stood up for her, identifying her as a pivotal part of the game show. However, Vanna hasn't directly addressed the rumors and if she is asking for more money, she's doing so very quietly and through the proper channels.
Why Was Vanna White Absent From Wheel Of Fortune?
Vanna White has remained consistent with her appearance as host of Wheel of Fortune. However, she had to take a step back from an episode because she was sick.
Vanna is no stranger to being under the weather, but this time, after contracting COVID-19 in late July, she was advised to step back. Instead of the regular "Teacher's Week" episode, the production team invited "Teacher of the Year" Bridgette Donald-Blue to host. Donald-Blue won the 2023 California Teacher of the Year award.
White did not appear for five episodes of the show, as she used the time away to recuperate.
It is already established that Pat Sajak and Vanna White have had a beloved dynamic as co-hosts for decades, but Pat leaving put everyone in an awkward spot. Fortunately, new host Ryan Seacrest has been vocal in his support of Vanna and her renewed contract.
On September 20th, 2023, it was confirmed that Vanna had renewed her contract for two more years on Wheel of Fortune. Seacrest was adamant that Vanna stay, saying he needed her to be there, in part to 'tell him what to do.'
The new contract is a success for Vanna on multiple fronts, as it secures her spot on the show but also ensures a pay increase. As of yet, the exact amount of White's offer has not been released.
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