Weeks after Ryan Seacrest said he only wants Vanna White as his ‘Wheel of Fortune’ cohost, she’s reportedly getting the raise she’s long deserved
The longtime Wheel of Fortune hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White have been household names for decades. But the game show’s 41st season, which kicked off last week, will be the iconic duo’s last hurrah after Sajak announced his planned retirement earlier this year. White’s consistent presence will remain for at least another two seasons as she renewed her contract with a pay raise—her first in 18 years.
White reportedly extended her contract for two years through the 2025–26 Wheel of Fortune season, Deadline reported on Tuesday. (Her original contract went through the end of the current season.) She also closed a new deal for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which involves a significant salary increase, according to the outlet. Ryan Seacrest, who will replace Sajak starting next fall, told Fortune prior to the announcement that he hoped to host with White.
“I love Vanna White. I’ve known Vanna for a long time,” Seacrest said at Fortune’s Impact Initiative conference on Sept. 12. “We sat in important places next to each other. And I hope for nothing more than to be able to walk out on that stage and host with her.”
After hearing of her renewed contract, Seacrest told Today, “This is such great news. 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.”
White, 66, has been turning the letters on the puzzle board in fabulous floor-length dresses for more than 40 years. She joined Sajak in 1982, one year after he became host. In addition to filming episodes, White does publicity for the game show and makes outside appearances, like starring as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in May 2022.
White has made about $3 million a year since 2005 for her Wheel of Fortune duties, while Sajak makes almost five times as much, Puck reported in June. On Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which has featured celebrity contestants like Snoop Dogg and Jack Black, White earns about $55,000 per episode; Sajak makes about $300,000 per episode. The outlet also reported that White hasn’t had a pay increase in 18 years, according to three sources.
White reportedly hired lawyer Bryan Freedman to address the pay discrepancy, according to Puck. Freedman has represented A-list stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Mariah Carey as well as the Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune producer Mike Richards during Sony’s botched replacement of Alex Trebek.
Details of White’s raise have not been reported.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
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