Vanna White believes Wheel Of Fortune producers see her as “replaceable.”
Vanna White feels like Wheel of Fortune bosses think she’s “expendable” and have a “disrespect for her” after hiring Ryan Seacrest as longtime host Pat Sajak’s successor without offering her the chance to reprise the role to take on.
A source close to White, 66, told DailyMail.com exclusively that she was “disappointed” that they made such a quick decision about Seacrest, 48, with show executives announcing Seacrest as the new host less than two weeks after Sajak, 76, made public that he was retiring.
“She was disappointed that they didn’t give her a better chance to take over Pat’s job, or that they couldn’t give her two cents for the replacement,” the insider said.
“She didn’t think they’d announce his replacement so soon.”
Vanna White, 66, believes Wheel of Fortune bosses showed a “disrespect for her” by hiring Ryan Seacrest as Pat Sajak’s replacement, a source close to the presenter has revealed.
White was 25 years old when she started co-hosting opposite Sajak, now 76 – who announced his retirement in June
The source was quick to stress that White had “nothing but respect for Ryan and will love working with him, but it just shows a lack of respect in her eyes that they have for her.”
“She wants to be on the show as long as she wants to be on the show, on her terms. She believes she deserves it,” the insider said.
“It’s an uphill battle, especially when there’s money involved and she sees the sign on the wall that they think she’s expendable.
“There will be a lot of negotiations, but if she is replaced and not given a new contract, she will be heartbroken.
“This has been her life. It would be as powerful as a death if she doesn’t continue the show.”
The insider further elaborated on the transition that the retirement of Wheel’s longtime executive producer Harry Friedman, 76, in August 2019 initially seemed to spark a new era for the game show.
“It got a little bit different with the show for Pat and Vanna during COVID because the atmosphere on set changed for once [Harry] left the show and retired,” they said.
“It just wasn’t the same vibe… No one dislikes anyone, it’s just different, and the influence Pat and Vanna once had is gone.
Less than two weeks after Sajak announced his retirement, 48-year-old Seacrest was announced as his successor – news that reportedly came as bitter ‘disappointment’ for White
“Pat saw the writing on the wall and thought if there was ever a time to leave, it would be now.”
As for Vanna, the source added, “She mostly keeps to herself, comes to work, does her thing and leaves. She is friendly to everyone, but with the new regime she no longer has the clout she once had, she is no longer bulletproof and sadly feels expendable.
She doesn’t want to retire and leave the show, so she really hopes she doesn’t get pushed out. That’s the last thing on her list, she wants to stay, but she also wants it to be fair and fight for what she believes in and what she deserves.’
Representatives for White and Wheel of Fortune did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Earlier this month, 76-year-old Sajak announced he would retire in 2024.
‘Well, the time has come. I have decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he wrote on Twitter at the time.
“It was a great ride and I will have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to all of you. (If nothing else, it keeps the clickbait sites busy!)’
On Tuesday, Seacrest wrote in a personal announcement that he would be leading the show after Sajak’s retirement.
The source was quick to emphasize that White had “nothing but respect for Ryan and will love working with him, but it just shows a lack of respect in her eyes that they have for her”
Seacrest will reportedly continue to host American Idol and its KIIS-FM radio show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest
“I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
“I can say, along with the rest of America, it has been a privilege and pure pleasure to see Pat and Vanna on our television screens for 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
Seacrest then wrote a heartfelt message to the show’s longtime frontman.
“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and put the viewers at ease at home. I look forward to learning all about you during this transition,” he said.
Seacrest added, “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and team up with the great Vanna White.”
Season 41 of Wheel of Fortune is expected to debut in September 2023 and wrap up in June.
White first joined the Wheel of Fortune in 1982 when she was 25 years old.
Since then, she has remained the presenter and co-host opposite Sajak.
Seacrest will reportedly continue to host American Idol and his KIIS-FM radio show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest.
Earlier this month, a source shared exclusively with DailyMail.com that “Vanna does not want to leave Wheel of Fortune, even after Pat has announced her retirement and that she would very much consider taking over his role as host of the show.”
The insider added, “Vanna is in it for the long haul… If Vanna is away from Wheel in a year, it wasn’t her decision.”