Vanna White Breaks Her Silence on Rumors of a Feud with Ryan Seacrest
For over four decades, Vanna White has been a beloved fixture on Wheel of Fortune, charming audiences with her grace and charisma. However, since the announcement that longtime host Pat Sajak would be retiring, rumors have swirled about tension between Vanna and his replacement, Ryan Seacrest. Now, the iconic game show co-host has finally addressed the speculation, putting to rest any claims of a rift between her and the new host.
Setting the Record Straight
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Vanna White made her feelings about Ryan Seacrest clear. Posting a photo of the two enjoying a one-on-one dinner, she captioned the image: “Friends on and off camera. Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings!” The post served as a direct response to recent reports that suggested she and Seacrest had struggled to build the same chemistry she shared with Pat Sajak.
This public show of camaraderie comes after a source told DailyMail.com that Vanna had been considering leaving Wheel of Fortune before her contract expires in 2026. According to the insider, Vanna was finding it difficult to continue the show without Pat and felt that her dynamic with Ryan was different from what she had with her longtime co-host.
A Legacy of Friendship with Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak, who began hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981, signed off with a heartfelt farewell to Vanna during his final episode.
“Finally, to my professional other half, dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself,” Pat said. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other.”
Vanna, visibly emotional, also shared her appreciation for their incredible 41-year partnership.
“I don’t know how to put into words what these past 41 years have meant to me, but I’m going to try,” she said. “As the years have gone by, we’ve grown up on television, but we’ve also shared so much more behind the scenes.”
Her touching tribute ended with an embrace between the two, leaving fans teary-eyed as they bid farewell to an era of Wheel of Fortune.
Ryan Seacrest Steps In
With Pat’s retirement, Ryan Seacrest is set to take over as host in September. As a seasoned television personality, Ryan has expressed nothing but excitement about the new role.
“Of course, being next to Vanna, she’s a legend. She’s an icon,” he told E! News last December. “We spent a little time shooting some promos for next season, and she’s just so down to earth. She’s exactly what you would expect.”
Ryan also emphasized his appreciation for the show, stating, “It’s just so exciting to think about being on that set. I’ve watched the show for so many decades. I’m a fan of the show, and the game is the star.”
A New Chapter for Wheel of Fortune
Despite the rumors, Vanna’s Instagram post makes it clear that she and Ryan have a friendly relationship. However, that doesn’t change the fact that this transition marks a significant shift for Wheel of Fortune. Vanna has spent more than 40 years as the face of the show alongside Pat, and adjusting to a new dynamic will take time.
There is also the lingering question of whether Vanna will stay on the show through the end of her contract. Reports have suggested that she is contemplating an earlier retirement, recognizing that the show may need to evolve to attract a younger demographic.
“Vanna feels that she has put her time in. She devoted her entire life to this show and she had an incredible run while making a fortune,” a source previously told DailyMail.com. “She knows that the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger demographic.”
For now, Vanna remains a part of Wheel of Fortune, and fans can look forward to seeing her alongside Ryan when the new season begins. Whether she decides to stay or go, one thing is certain: her legacy on the show is unmatched.
Moving Forward
As Wheel of Fortune embarks on this new chapter, viewers will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Vanna and Ryan’s on-screen chemistry develops. Change is never easy, especially for a show with such a dedicated following, but both hosts seem committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.
Vanna White’s recent social media post has helped to dispel any notion of bad blood between her and Ryan Seacrest. And while the loss of Pat Sajak as host will take some getting used to, Wheel of Fortune continues to spin toward the future—with Vanna still in the spotlight, at least for now.
Wheel Of Fortune star Vanna White breaks her silence on rumors of a FEUD with new host Ryan Seacrest
Wheel Of Fortune star Vanna White has finally addressed the rumors that she ‘doesn’t jibe’ with new host Ryan Seacrest.
Pat Sajak, who began hosting the iconic game show in 1981, retired this year and signed off with a glowing testimonial to ‘my professional other half, dear Vanna.’
Vanna, who has been flipping the cards on the program since 1982, was reduced to tears during her own touching farewell message to Pat.
Ryan will take over hosting duties in September, but a source recently informed DailyMail.com he has been unable to establish the rapport with Vanna that Pat had.
Now, in a striking new Instagram post uploaded on Tuesday, the 67-year-old blonde has made her true feelings about Ryan clear.
Wheel Of Fortune star Vanna White (left) has finally addressed the rumors that she ‘doesn’t jibe’ with new host Ryan Seacrest (right)
Vanna put up a snap of her and Ryan enjoying a one-on-one dinner, writing: ‘Friends on and off camera. Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings!’
Her post came weeks after a source told DailyMail.com that Vanna was mulling the prospect of leaving the show before her two-year contract expires.
‘Vanna is retiring from the show when her contract ends, but there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner,’ a show insider said.
‘It is just so difficult to do this without Pat. She just doesn’t jibe with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one really ever expected her to. There is just no way that she possibly could,’ the source explained.
‘Vanna feels that she has put her time in. She devoted her entire life to this show and she had an incredible run while making a fortune,’ the insider added.
‘She knows that the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger demographic. She wants the show to continue. This will require a younger female host, someone who can be to Ryan what she was to Pat.’
In an emotional video released the night before Pat’s final episode aired, Vanna tearfully remarked: ‘I can’t believe that tomorrow is our last show together.’
The South Carolina native went on: ‘I don’t know how to put into words what these past 41 years have meant to me, but I’m going to try.’
Vanna posted a snap Tuesday of her and Ryan enjoying a one-on-one dinner, writing: ‘Friends on and off camera,’ and adding: ‘Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings!’
Pat Sajak, who began hosting the iconic game show in 1981, retired this year and signed off with a testimonial to ‘my professional other half, dear Vanna’; both pictured on his last episode
Pat announced in June 2023 that his ‘wonderful ride’ on Wheel Of Fortune would be coming to an end this year after his 41st season; pictured on the show in 2022
She fondly recalled: ‘As the years have gone by, we’ve grown up on television, but we’ve also shared so much more behind the scenes.’
Vanna noted that ‘as much fun as we had on camera, those memories, milestones and life events we shared with our families outside the studio are my favorite.’
When Pat’s last episode aired in early June, he responded with a heartwarming tribute to Vanna and their decades of work together.
‘Finally, to my professional other half, dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role. Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems,’ said Pat.
‘We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other. I want to thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday’s show, and while I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we’ll see plenty of each other.’
He confessed however that he would ‘miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature. She’s a very special woman. And I know you’re all pleased to know that she’ll be back next season.’
At the end of the episode, Vanna crossed the stage to Pat and wrapped him in an embrace, sharing a private chat with him that was drowned out by the exit music.
Pat announced in June 2023 that his ‘wonderful ride’ on Wheel Of Fortune would be coming to an end this year after his 41st season.
Vanna, who has been flipping the cards on the program since 1982, was reduced to tears during her own touching farewell message to Pat
Ryan will take over hosting duties in September, but a source recently informed DailyMail.com he has been unable to establish the rapport with Vanna that Pat had
‘I’d rather leave a couple of years too early than a couple of years too late,’ he later told his daughter Maggie on Good Morning America.
Following his departure, Pat will remain involved with the show for another three years as a consultant, according to Sony Pictures Television’s executive vice president of game shows Suzanne Prete.
Vanna’s contract negotiations to return were reportedly briefly held up, amid claims that she was angling for a higher salary.
However last September it emerged that she too had signed a deal, and will remain in her spot on Wheel Of Fortune through the 2025-2026 season.
Ryan will assume Pat’s previous hosting duties this September, and last year gave an interview in which he expressed his excitement about the role.
‘Of course, being next to Vanna, she’s a legend. She’s an icon,’ he told E! News in December. ‘We spent a little shooting some promos for next season, and she’s just so down to earth. She’s exactly what you would expect.’
Ryan gushed: ‘It’s just so exciting to think about being on that set. I’ve watched the show for so many decades. I’m a fan of the show, and the game is the star.’
