Vanna White will remain with Wheel of Fortune as the show enters a new era.
White has signed a two-year contract extension to continue as co-host of the syndicated game show through the 2025-26 season. That will take her two years into the hosting tenure of Ryan Seacrest, who will take over for longtime host Pat Sajak in fall 2024.
Sajak announced in June that he would retire as Wheel of Fortune’s host —a position he’s held for four decades —at the end of the 2023-24 season. Sony Pictures TV, which produces the game show, named Seacrest as his replacement soon thereafter, but White’s status remained up in the air until now.
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“This is such great news,” Seacrest said in an interview with Willie Geist for NBC’s Sunday Today show. “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I’ve been very excited to work with her but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations, Vanna.’ I can’t wait.
“It’s super important to have Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune,” Seacrest added. “She’s beloved by this country and the viewers and I can’t even imagine standing next to her on that set being able to say, ‘OK, let’s get to it.’ It’s great news. I’m very happy to hear it and very happy I get to work with her.”
Additionally, Alex Van Wagner has taken the directing reins of Wheel of Fortune following the retirement of longtime helmer Robert Ennis over the summer. Ennis worked on the show as both director and technical director, dating back to 1992. Van Wagner’s credits include The Masked Singer, Holey Moley and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
White and Sajak have hosted the syndicated Wheel of Fortune since its debut in 1983. They are the longest-running game show hosts in American TV history.
Sept. 20, 9:05 a.m. Updated with Ryan Seacrest comments on Vanna White’s contract extension.
