A new era of Wheel of Fortune is upon us, and it's time to see what it's like as Ryan Seacrest transitions into the show's hosting role.
With Ryan taking over for longtime host Pat Sajak after he retired in June 2023, viewers are curious about how Ryan will fare in his new role. Luckily, he's not doing it alone, as Vanna White will be at his side as she mans the puzzle board and cheers on contestants vying for a monetary prize. What's more, she's excited to see what Wheel of Fortune will be like with Ryan, given how the two have developed a loving rapport ahead of the September 9 premiere.
"We do a teeth check," Ryan told USA Today on September 5 about working with Vanna. "It's last looks, honestly. Because if there's something in our teeth, I'm responsible for her. She's responsible for me."
Given how Vanna has been a staple on Wheel of Fortune for so many years, we've got one question on our minds. How long has Vanna White been on Wheel of Fortune? It turns out, she's been on our TV screens longer than people may realize.
How long has Vanna White been on Wheel of Fortune?
Vanna first appeared on Wheel of Fortune on December 13, 1982. Meaning: Vanna White has been on Wheel of Fortune for 41 years.
A struggling actress prior to joining Wheel of Fortune, Vanna was brought on to replace original co-host Susan Stafford after the latter decided to exit the series. According to Biography.com, a total of 200 applicants applied for the job to join Pat as one of the show's well-recognized faces.She eventually got hired, and Wheel of Fortune's social team even commemorated the moment with a throwback clip of her first entrance ahead of her birthday in February 2016.
"In celebration of Vanna White's birthday week, enjoy this flashback clip of her first show ever!" the caption read at the time on Wheel of Fortune's Facebook page.
Throughout her time on Wheel of Fortune, Vanna has managed to capture the attention of audiences old and new. In fact, she managed to make fans love her even more when she did something she never had before. In late 2019, Vanna stepped in for Pat as host when he underwent emergency surgery for a blocked intestine.
"Tonight’s my first night of hosting Wheel!" she wrote at the time on X (formerly Twitter). "I’m excited and nervous! Stay tuned!"
With Vanna being a staple on Wheel of Fortune, fans may also wonder, has she ever missed an episode? She has occasionally needed to be off the air, with her most recent time away from TV being in August 2023 amid contract negotiations for her return to the show. Luckily, it wasn't too long as she was quick to get back into business in mid-September 2023 with a two-year contract extension and a reported pay increase.
Thankfully, we'll still have Vanna with us for the foreseeable future, and we can't wait to see more of her and Ryan's dynamic this season!
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
