With four decades under his belt, it was always doubtful that anyone would challenge Pat Sajak’s tenure as host of Wheel of Fortune.
Together with his loyal letter-spinner Vanna White, the septuagenarian became one half of TV’s most beloved game-show duos .
After the uproar surrounding the announcement of his departure in 2023, White, now 68, remained a familiar presence for fans as Ryan Seacrest, 50, stepped in to take his place last September.
However, according to someone close to the show, there might be sweeping changes underway, as Seacrest is reportedly at risk of burnout. Additionally, White could face replacement if she requests a salary increase in upcoming contract talks.
Recent concerns emerged for Seacrest at a taping, with an observer telling the Daily Mail he appeared ‘extremely thin’ and frequently ‘lost his train of thought.’
‘The producers kept having to help him,’ they claimed. ‘It was hard to watch because he forgot names and had to refer to his notes a lot.’
Wheel of Fortune might be on the brink of significant changes, according to insiders, with the possibility of Vanna White being replaced if she pushes for a higher salary.
Ryan Seacrest may also be facing burnout due to his numerous responsibilities, with fans noticing his ‘haggard’ look in recent times.
Renowned for his busy schedule in the entertainment industry, Seacrest manages Wheel of Fortune—filmed in Culver City, California—alongside his daily radio program, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, which airs from WABC-TV in New York City.
American Idol is also in the mix, with Seacrest currently shooting auditions for the upcoming 24th season.
Last week he hosted the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas and is now preparing for hosting duties at this year’s KISS FM’s Jingle Ball in Los Angeles followed by Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from Times Square.
If that wasn’t enough, he also executive produces The Kardashians on Hulu having produced the hit series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from its inception on E! in October 2007.
Outside of work, the Georgia-native is an active philanthropist through his Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which he founded in 2010.
He is no stranger to the devastating toll his hectic schedule can take on his health. American Idol viewers were left terrified when his right eye started drooping and he appeared to slur during an episode in 2020. The following morning, he was absent from Live with Kelly and Ryan – a gig he gave up in 2023.
At the time representatives for Seacrest were quick to shut down claims he had suffered a stroke, instead insisting that he was simply ‘in need of rest’ after ‘adjusting’ to the unchartered territory of the Covid-19 pandemic ‘with the added stress of having to put on live shows from home.’
But despite the world resuming normal service two years later, he was inflicted once again with a drooping and twitching eye during the finale of American Idol. Some viewers claimed he was also tripping over his words.
Concerns were raised for Seacrest at a recent recording, with one attendee telling the Daily Mail he looked ‘super skinny’ and ‘kept losing his train of thought.’
In recent months Seacrest – who started working out with a new trainer, Dodd Romero, and picked up Pilates and yoga – has found himself the subject of concern over his health
‘It is going to take something serious for him to stop,’ an insider told the Daily Mail. ‘He always says ‘yes’. He is tired and running his body down’ (pictured on the set of Wheel of Fortune)
Clearly not enough to slow him down, one insider told the Daily Mail it will ‘take something serious for him to stop.’
‘Ryan doesn’t sleep,’ they said. ‘He does his radio show, American Idol, and Wheel of Fortune, then he’ll have meetings on other shows he is trying to produce, he will do voiceovers, commercials and deal with his charity. Add all that to then just living life. Whether it is a vacation or dating, or working out, he burns the candle at both ends and that isn’t going to stop.’
In recent months Seacrest has found himself the subject of concern over his health. Pictures shared in July left fans questioning his appearance, with the presenter looking lean, while others showed him lifting weights in the gym.
‘Ryan, I respect [your] love for fitness and eating well… But you’re looking pretty gaunt,’ commented one user at the time. Another added: ‘He looks frail to me. I hope he’s doing ok!’
But Seacrest – who started working out with a new trainer, Dodd Romero, and picked up Pilates and yoga – ‘isn’t going to slow down or change.’
‘He had some health concerns a few years ago when his eye drooped and people thought he had a stroke, and he didn’t change his pace from any of that,’ our insider continued. ‘It is going to take something serious for him to stop. He always says “yes”. He is tired and running his body down.’
Another insider added: ‘Nothing has changed and he is doing great! Very healthy and happy. He started shooting season two of Wheel and his first season on Celeb Wheel a few weeks ago and it’s all been wonderful.’
But, if he does burn out, network bosses at ABC may be dealt a double blow should they need to replace him, as upcoming contract negotiations for White could mark the end of her 43-year stint.
Bosses are said to be happy with the current ratings – but are adamant they do not want to increase White’s pay, should she ask (pictured with former host Pat Sajak)
White, who is mom to two children with her ex-husband George Santo Pietro, was one of the three substitutes for former hostess Susan Stafford who left in October 1982, becoming a regular just two months later in December.
Bosses are happy with the current ratings – but are adamant they do not want to increase White’s pay, should she ask.
‘The big change was from Pat to Ryan, and for a moment execs were considering getting rid of Vanna, but in the next negotiations, if Vanna stays on the same page, then they will likely offer a few more years at the same rate,’ said an insider. ‘They are happy to keep her around, but if she pushes for more, then they might start thinking about a replacement.’
White previously teamed up with Bryan Freedman – the man currently representing Justin Baldoni in his ongoing legal saga with Blake Lively – to negotiate a raise after 18 years without one. She was stuck in a stalemate with executives before she signed on for the 2025 to 2026 seasons after what TMZ described as a ‘substantial increase.’
Her reported $3million per year salary had paled in comparison to Sajak who was on a reported $15 million per season, according to Forbes.
The veteran host had fronted the show since 1981, before bowing out in June 2024 after season 41. He briefly returned to host Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
‘Vanna knows what she is working with and knows she doesn’t have that much leverage,’ our insider said. ‘But she’s currently having her agents and lawyers deal with it before any type of public griping happens.’
