'Wheel of Fortune' Vanna White Talks Feared Chemistry Issues With Ryan Seacrest

Vanna White had mixed reactions to Ryan Seacrest's appointment as the next host of the "Wheel of Fortune."

When Seacrest was announced as Pat Sajak's replacement on the game show, White publicly supported his achievement. However, she recently confessed to being worried about their rapport as co-hosts.

Vanna White and Pat Sajak co-hosted the "Wheel of Fortune" from 1982 to 2024. Their longtime gig ended in June when the latter retired and was replaced by Ryan Seacrest.

During a recent interview with "CBS News Sunday Morning," White opened up about her fears following Seacrest's new position as the "Wheel of Fortune" host. She confessed to worrying about their on-screen chemistry — something she never lacked with Sajak.

Despite knowing Seacrest for over 20 years, White noted that working together was a different ball game. She stressed that after spending so much time working with Sajak, she feared the same compatibility might not happen with the new host.

Contrary to her worries, Seacrest was an excellent match for White, and she praised him for doing a great job onstage. This isn't the first time she has applauded the 49-year-old as a good fit for the job, echoing similar sentiments in 2023.

Following Seacrest's announcement as Sajak's replacement, The Blast reported that White had congratulated him on his appointment. She revealed she contacted him soon after the news broke, saying:

"I know Ryan — he is professional, he's good at what he does, he's kind. I think it's going to be good. He's such a nice guy, and he loves what he does."

On the other hand, Seacrest accepted the role with grace while reflecting on the big shoes he had to fill. "I'm truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," he raved.

"I can say, along with the rest of America, that it's been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them," Seacrest added.

After Sajak announced his retirement, sources claimed White would follow in his footsteps. These speculations implied she would leave the game show before her contract ends in 2026 because of Seacrest.

"Vanna isretiring from the show when her contract ends, but there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner. It is just so difficult to do this without Pat," an insider claimed, adding:

"She just doesn't jibe with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one really ever expected her to. There is just no way that she possibly could."

"She knows that the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger demographic. She wants the show to continue," the source continued, claiming the show needed a "younger female host" to match Seacrest.

Following the speculations about her working relationship with Seacrest, White set the record straight on Instagram. She shared a picture of herself and her new co-host enjoying one of their favorite meals, chicken and dumplings.

"Friends on and off camera," White captioned the post. If the post wasn't enough to prove her amicable bond with Seacrest, the 49-year-old doubled down on their friendship in the comments, writing: "Always a treat! Here's to more fun moments and delicious bites."

The drama surrounding Seacrest's relationship with White comes a month after he was spotted with a mystery woman. Paparazzi caught him leaving what appeared to be a romantic dinner date in June.

The Blast reported that news of Seacrest's possible relationship went viral after he was photographed leaving the famous Chateau Marmont hotel with a mystery brunette. He got into the backseat of a car with the woman, whose face was partially obscured by the water bottle in her fan.

The pair's pictures seemingly showed a closeness between them, with Seacrest smiling brightly — a gesture presumably linked to the mystery brunette beside him rather than the cameras outside.

All eyes were on Seacrest's mystery date as she was the first woman he had been publicly seen with since ending his relationship with ex-girlfriend Aubrey Paige. The former couple parted ways in April after three years.

While Ryan Seacrest's relationship status remains uncertain, his onscreen rapport with Vanna White, on the other hand, is scheduled to air on September 9.