Vanna White extends 'Wheel of Fortune' contract through 2025-26 season
Vanna White isn't going anywhere – for now.
Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that White will continue to reveal letters on her "Wheel of Fortune" puzzle board through the game show's 2025-26 season.
Reports surfaced in June that White, 66, wanted to negotiate a raise. She's hosted with Pat Sajak since the show debuted 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 due to expire with Sajak's departure, so its extension means she will work alongside Seacrest for at least two seasons.
New 'Wheel of Fortune' hostRyan Seacrest worries about matching Pat Sajak's quickness
Seacrest, 48, told "Good Morning America" Monday that he was warming up for the role, which he'll assume for the 2024-25 season, by rehearsing at home and playing along with the long-running game show.
"I'm shouting out the puzzles, and my dog is staring at me," Seacrest said. "I'm also practicing the hosting part, too, in my living room. Just to make sure I've got the rules down."
When White spoke with USA TODAY in 2019, she was quite territorial over her spot. "I can't imagine anybody else on my puzzle board," she said with a laugh. "That’s a scary thought. It's mine!"
White will also be missing from some new "Wheel of Fortune" episodes this fall.
The longtime co-host had to miss a day of taping the syndicated show due to being sick, a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY in August. Bridgette Donald-Blue, who was named among the 2023 California Teachers of the Year, filled in for White for five episodes.
The taping from which White was absent was for the game show's annual "Teacher's Week," and production was not able to reschedule due to the participating teachers' schedules with the start of the school year. The following day's taping was rescheduled.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson
