Given how long Sajak and White have worked together, many viewers have wondered over the years whether or not the pair was ever romantically involved. It’s a question that White finally answered. Here’s a brief history of the hosts’ time on the show and their unique relationship.
Joining ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Pat Sajak joined Wheel of Fortune in December of 1981. A year later, Vanna White was also made part of the cast. She made it to the final round of casting over more than 200 other women who hoped to become the future letter flipper. Ultimately, White won out over Summer Bartholomew and Vicki McCarty, the other top choices for the role of hostess.
After testing each of the women on real episodes of the show, the producer decided that White was the one who activated the letters best of all the candidates. She quickly became very popular among viewers, particularly young adults. Many of her fans were interested in her dazzling show wardrobe. The phenomenon, known as “Vannamania,” swept through the United States, earning the new star numerous additional jobs outside of Wheel of Fortune.
Nearly 40 years together
For the next 40 years, White and Sajak would work intimately together as host and hostess of Wheel of Fortune. While they generally stuck to the same roles throughout this time, there were a few instances where they would swap, most notably in November 1996 when Sajak had laryngitis.
Despite their many years together, in 2020 Sajak admitted that he initially didn’t want White to be cast as the hostess. He said, “Not that she wasn’t lovely and wonderful and personable and all that. But she was the most nervous, by far, of any of them.”
White obviously proved him wrong and has done a wonderful job. It helped that the pair seems to have such incredible chemistry together. It’s this very chemistry which has caused many fans to question just what kind of relationship White and Sajak had outside of filming.
Friends or more?
It is well known that White and Sajak get along well – extremely well, in fact. According to White herself, they rarely disagree on anything except whether ketchup should be put on a hot dog. Yet despite their closeness, White has emphasized that they really are just best friends and there is nothing romantic going on between them. The closest the two have come to being involved was when they played a prank on their audience.
“Years and years ago, we did an April Fool’s joke,” White recalled. “I don’t know that we said we were married, but we said something about being together, and we received toasters…” Sajak added later that it took years for people to stop sending the “married couple” Crockpots.
So although the renowned Wheel of Fortune stars have been together, in a work sense, for longer than most couples, they are not, and have never been, in a romantic relationship.
Nearly 20 years without a raise?
Soon after Sajak announced his retirement, fans were stunned to learn that Vanna White has not gotten a pay raise in 18 years. This surprising revelation comes from Puck reporter Matthew Belloni, who says that White, 66, has hired an aggressive lawyer to negotiate a raise as her current deal concludes at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Puck’s report states that White currently earns $3 million annually, while Sajak earns five times more than that. While some argue that Sajak is the host while White is a co-host responsible only for revealing letters on the board, Puck asserts that White engages in significantly more publicity for the show than Sajak. Sony, the show’s production company, declined to comment on Puck’s findings.
Whoopi Goldberg from The View expressed interest in taking over Sajak’s role, and several other notable names, including Ryan Seacrest and Sajak’s daughter Maggie, were mentioned as potential candidates.
Seacrest was named the new host of ‘Wheel’
The New York Times and other media outlets reported on June 27 that Ryan Seacrest will take over as the host of Wheel of Fortune. The news comes just two weeks after Sajak’s announcement. Seacrest, 48, is a talk show veteran himself, having hosted and produced many other programs including American Idol and Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement. “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 will also act as a consulting producer on the show.
My Fiancée Lost Her Engagement Ring and Demanded That I Re-Propose, but the Whole Truth behind It Made Me Gasp
My Fiancée Lost Her Engagement Ring and Demanded That I Re-Propose, but the Whole Truth behind It Made Me Gasp
Jason’s meticulously planned engagement party took an unexpected turn when he revealed his fiancée’s deceitful act of pawning her engagement ring for a shopping spree. In front of friends and family, he exposed her betrayal and auctioned the ring for charity, reclaiming his dignity in a dramatic fashion.
Losing her engagement ring on that hike devastated Emily. She was a mess, and no amount of shopping therapy seemed to help. She bought a new purse and shoes, but I could still see the sadness in her eyes. It hurt me to see her like that, and I knew I had to do something.
A lost engagement ring | Source: Midjourney
Determined to make things right, I made a tough decision. My PlayStation had been my companion for years, but it was time to let it go. I decided to pawn it and use the money to buy a new ring for Emily. With a heavy heart, I drove to the pawn shop.
The shop was a small, cluttered place on a busy street. As I walked in, the bell above the door chimed. I took a deep breath and approached the counter. A middle-aged man with a friendly smile greeted me.
The owner of a pawn shop | Source: Midjourney
“Good afternoon. What can I do for you today?” he asked.
I placed my PlayStation on the counter. “I need to pawn this. I need the money to buy an engagement ring.”
He nodded, looking at me with sympathy. “I see. Let’s take a look.”
The pawn shop owner inspects a gamepad | Source: Midjourney
While he examined the PlayStation, my eyes wandered around the shop. And then I saw it. My heart skipped a beat. There, in the glass display case, was Emily’s engagement ring. I recognized it immediately—the intricate design, the tiny chip on the band. It was definitely hers.
“Excuse me,” I interrupted, pointing at the ring. “Where did you get that ring?”
Jason sees the ring | Source: Midjourney
The man glanced at the display case and then back at me. “Oh, that one? A young woman brought it in a few days ago. Said she needed the money for something urgent.”
My mind raced. Did someone steal Emily’s ring and pawn it here? But as the man continued to describe the woman, my heart sank. It was Emily.
Sad Jason | Source: Midjourney
Why would she pawn the ring and then ask me to buy a new one? Was she in trouble? My emotions swung wildly between confusion, betrayal, and anger. I needed answers.
“Can I see the ring?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Jason understands it was his ring | Source: Midjourney
The man handed it to me. Holding it in my hand, I felt a mix of nostalgia and heartbreak. I thanked him and promised to return with money to reclaim it. Leaving the pawn shop, I knew I had to confront Emily.
But a simple confrontation wasn’t enough. I wanted to teach her a lesson she’d never forget.
Jason tried to find a way confront Emily | Source: Midjourney
Back at home, I decided to play it cool. I acted like nothing had happened, going about our daily routines as usual. Meanwhile, I hatched a plan for the perfect revenge.
I began by planning a lavish surprise engagement party. I invited all our closest friends and family. I told everyone it was going to be a special night where I would re-propose to Emily with a new ring, explaining how we had lost the original one on a hike. Everyone was thrilled and eagerly anticipated the event.
Jason invites everyone to a party | Source: Midjourney
I was careful with the details, making sure everything was perfect. I wanted this to be a night Emily would never forget. I wanted her to feel the same shock and confusion I had felt at the pawn shop. It was a cruel plan, but in my anger, it felt justified.
The day of the party arrived, and everything was set. The house was decorated beautifully, and the guests started arriving. Emily was excited, thinking it was just a regular party. She had no idea what was coming.
Emily excited for her party | Source: Midjourney
As I looked around at our friends and family, all there to witness what they thought would be a magical moment, I felt a pang of guilt. But I pushed it aside. This was for Emily. She needed to understand the impact of her actions.
The moment arrived. I got down on one knee, holding the new ring in my hand. Emily’s eyes sparkled with surprise and joy. But I wasn’t done yet. The real surprise was yet to come.
Jason executes his plan | Source: Midjourney
As everyone gathered around, I took the stage with a microphone in hand. “Thank you all for coming,” I began, my voice steady and confident. “Tonight is a very special night. I want to share something important with all of you.”
I turned to Emily, who was smiling broadly, expecting a heartfelt proposal. “Six months ago, I proposed to you with a ring that symbolized my love and commitment. Recently, we thought that ring was lost during a hike. But tonight, I have a different story to tell.”
The ring in a pawn shop | Source: Midjourney
The room fell silent, the suspense building.
“I went to the pawn shop to sell my PlayStation so I could buy a new ring and re-propose. But to my shock, I found our original ring there. The pawn shop owner told me it was brought in by someone who needed money for something urgent.”
Checked and frightened Emily | Source: Midjourney
I paused, letting the words sink in. Emily’s smile faltered, confusion and fear flickering in her eyes.
“And that someone,” I continued, “was you.”
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd. Emily’s face turned pale.
Emily understands her secret is out | Source: Midjourney
“You pawned our engagement ring for a handbag and some shoes, then demanded I buy you a new one and re-propose. You didn’t think I would find out, did you?”
Her eyes widened, tears welling up, but I pressed on.
“So, tonight, instead of a re-proposal, I have something else planned.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the engagement ring. “This ring is a symbol of trust and love. And it deserves to be with someone who truly understands its value.”
Jason auctions his ring | Source: Midjourney
I turned to the crowd. “I’ve decided to auction this ring tonight, right here. All proceeds will go to a charity that supports honesty and integrity.”
The room buzzed with shock and excitement as I handed the microphone to the auctioneer I had secretly hired for the night. Emily stood frozen, humiliated and speechless.
The auctioneer | Source: Midjourney
As the auctioneer began taking bids, I watched with satisfaction. The ring sold quickly, raising a substantial amount for charity. The room erupted in applause, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Jason talks to his friend | Source: Midjourney
After the auction, friends and family approached me with mixed reactions. Some were shocked, others were impressed by my bold move. My best friend, Mark, patted me on the back.
“Man, that was intense,” he said. “I can’t believe you pulled that off.”
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Had to do something. Couldn’t let it slide.”
Emily tries to win Jason back | Source: Midjourney
Emily, still standing off to the side, finally found her voice. She approached me, tears streaming down her face.
“Jason, I… I can’t believe you did this. Why didn’t you just talk to me?” she pleaded.
I looked at her, feeling a pang of guilt mixed with the lingering anger. “You lied to me, Emily. You pawned the ring and didn’t even think to tell me the truth. How could I trust you after that?”
Jason doesn’t want anything to do with Emily | Source: Midjourney
She sobbed, covering her face with her hands. “I was desperate. I made a mistake. I’m so sorry.”
I sighed, the reality of the situation settling in. “I needed you to understand the gravity of what you did. Trust isn’t something you can just throw away and expect to get back.”
Jason sits in an emptying restaurant | Source: Midjourney
The room began to empty as guests slowly left, whispering among themselves about the night’s events. I stood there, feeling a mix of relief and sorrow. It wasn’t the ending I had envisioned for us, but it was the one we had come to.
As the last guests left, I walked over to the charity representative to hand over the proceeds from the auction. “Here you go. I hope this helps,” I said, trying to focus on the positive outcome of the night.
Charity associate | Source: Midjourney
“Thank you, Jason. This will make a big difference,” she replied, taking the envelope with a warm smile.
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