Vanna White Throws Down Ultimatum & Lawyers Up
The popular game show, Wheel of Fortune, made a recent announcement that widely praised television personality, Ryan Seacrest, 48, will be replacing longtime host, Pat Sajak, 76, in 2024. However, the fate of the show’s co-host, Vanna White, 66, remains uncertain—as she has not received a pay increase in 18 years and has refused to continue her gig until her salary is paid out equitably with Sajak’s.
Insiders reported to TMZ that White is introduced on the show as, “Here are the stars of our show, Pat Sajak and Vanna White,” but are not paid close to equally. It was revealed that Sajak earns $ 15 million for only working 48 days a year, while White only makes $ 3 million a year, which is the exact same figure for the last 18 years. Her lawyer, Bryan Freedman, is now demanding that she make half of the salary Sajak receives.
Seacrest appears to support White’s decision to request a pay raise. A source close to the new host recently told DailyMail.com, “He would love to continue to work on the show with Vanna if she still wants to do it after her contract is up, he'd really love for her to stay.”
White was one of the three substitutes for former Wheel Of Fortune hostess Susan Stafford who left in October 1982 and became the regular host just two months later in December of that year. Sajak has been the primary evening edition host since 1983 and has presented 7,748 episodes to date.
The program’s current host, Sajak, announced in a recent tweet, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.”
Seacrest confirmed the news of the transition in a statement on social media. “I'm truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it's been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them. I can't wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Wheel of Fortune continues to set a beloved benchmark in the game show industry. Will Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest be the ones to continue it? Only time will tell.