Ryan Seacrest is about to officially make his “Wheel of Fortune” debut, and his co-host Vanna White admits she was initially a little nervous.
White worked with host Pat Sajak for more than 40 years and said she had “no idea what to expect” with Seacrest taking over the job.
“I mean, when I’m used to one person for so long, I was really scared, but he’s doing a great job,” White said on this weekend’s episode of “CBS Sunday Morning.”
‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ HOST RYAN SEACREST SHARES HIS ‘TORN’ FIRST DAY OF FILMING: ‘MY HEART IS PUNCHING’
Vanna White admits she was “very scared” of chemistry with Ryan Seacrest on “Wheel of Fortune.” (Getty Images)
“I’ve known Ryan for probably 20 years, but in the last couple of months we’ve been traveling together for the show, and we’ve also gotten to know each other a little bit better, so I think our chemistry is good,” she noted.
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This is likely a relief for fans since rumors circulated in June that White was considering resigning.The Wheel of Fortune” due to an awkwardness with Seacrest, despite signing a contract in the fall to appear through the show’s 2025-26 season. However, the 67-year-old appeared to try to dispel speculation of a breakup with an Instagram post in July.
“Friends on and off camera. Enjoying one of our favorite foods: chicken and dumplings!” White captioned a photo of herself and her new co-host dining together on Instagram.
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Ryan Seacrest, left, replaced longtime host Pat Sajak after he retired last year. (Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
On “CBS Sunday Morning,” Seacrest said he jumped at the chance to host such a beloved show.
“It’s an incredible, special franchise. It’s more than just a TV show. It’s something that means something to people and when I found out that this was an opportunity for me, I didn’t think about it, I was like, absolutely. Let’s figure it out and get started.”
However, the 49-year-old admitted there was a learning curve and he had to work hard to get there.
“Wherever I worked, producers would sometimes come in and bring contestants, and we would play ‘Wheel of Fortune’ at hotels just to get comfortable with the rules and the storylines and the things that can happen so that at some point it becomes second nature,” Seacrest said.
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Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest attend the WOF S42 – Pier Wheel Launch at Santa Monica Pier on August 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures / Sony Pictures Television)
Last year, Sajak announced he was retiring after 41 seasons hosting the hit show. Shortly after, the show announced that Seacrest would be taking over for the TV legend.
In July, Seacrest shared a behind-the-scenes look at his first day on the set of “Wheel of Fortune” with an Instagram post.
“A sneak peek into my first day at @wheeloffortune, and I’m still excited!” he captioned the video.
Vanna White and Pat Sajak co-hosted “Wheel of Fortune” from 1982 to 2024. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
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“My heart is racing. I’m so excited,” Seacrest admitted. Later in the video, he revealed, “You know, I couldn’t sleep last night, I was so excited. I slept well, but I was still really excited for the alarm to go off.”
Seacrest, who also hosts “American Idol,” told “CBS Sunday Morning” he doesn’t know if he’s reached “peak Ryan Seacrest,” but noted that for now, he’s reached “total occupancy.”
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“I don’t think I should take on another project right now. I want this one to do well. I want all of them to do well, but this is new and I want people to be like, ‘Oh, okay. You know what, I get it. It makes sense.'”
“Wheel of Fortune” will premiere with Seacrest as host on September 9.
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