Why Vanna White Was ‘Scared’ To Work With ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Co-Host Ryan Seacrest

For the first time in 41 years, Wheel Of Fortune has a new co-host, and that has veteran Vanna White feeling a little nervous. After Pat Sajak stepped away from the show at the end of last season, Ryan Seacrest came in to fill his big shoes — and it wasn’t exactly an easy transition for anyone.

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Even though Seacrest was the right person for the job, White was used to her natural chemistry with Sajak. White had a friendship going back “probably 20 years” with the radio host, but working together was a much different situation. “I think our chemistry is good,” she admitted to CBS Sunday Mornings . “I had no idea what to expect when I’m used to one person for so long. I was very scared but he’s doing a great job.” Her initial hesitation lined up with reports that she was struggling with Sajak’s replacement.

A Closer Weekly source revealed in July that “Vanna isn’t a huge fan of Ryan so far” because it was such an adjustment after four decades with her former co-host. “It’s not that she doesn’t like him, but her chemistry with Pat Sajak was much more natural,” they added. “With Ryan, it feels forced, and she doesn’t want loyal viewers and her longtime fans to pick up on that.” After doing test runs ahead of the Monday, September 9, 2024, debut for its 42nd season, White and Seacrest seemed to have worked the kinks out.

In fact, White believes that Seacrest’s casting is the perfect button for the game show created by the late Merv Griffin. “Oddly enough, Merv Griffin, who is the creator of Wheel of Fortune , who chose me — God bless you, Merv — Ryan Seacrest was also one of Merv’s people that he [discovered],” she told People in August. “We actually sat next to each other at Merv’s Funeral. That’s where we met.”

Ahead of her return for the 42nd season, White negotiated a new contract that will keep her in the letter-turning position through the 2025-2026 television season. She did consider retiring when Sajak gave his notice, but as she told TV Insider in May, “When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too, but I’m not ready!” White has more letters to turn in her future.

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