When Pat Sajak announced his retirement, Vanna White felt quite sentimental. In addition to working together on Wheel of Fortune for more than 40 years, Vanna and Pat were good friends. In a farewell message for Pat, Vanna said he was “a true lifelong friend who I will always adore” and “like a brother to me.”
But in spite of Pat’s departure from the show, Vanna decided to renew her contract. After Ryan Seacrest was announced as Pat’s replacement, rumors that Vanna might leave the show sooner than planned began to emerge. Multiple sources suggested that Vanna and Ryan lacked chemistry. At one point, one source claimed that Kim Kardashian might even replace Vanna on the show. Even Vanna herself later admitted that she was “scared” about working with Ryan at first.
In a recent interview TV Insider, Vanna shared an update with Wheel of Fortune fans. In spite of earlier claims that working with Ryan was difficult for Vanna, she told TV Insider that Ryan “rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed” to prepare for his new gig. Additionally, something he said to her gave her hope.
“He also said to me, ‘I am not replacing Pat Sajak because no one could — ever. I am just stepping in,'” she revealed. She added that hearing this made her feel “good” because Ryan was “not trying to prove anything” and not trying to replace Pat.
In terms of her relationship with Pat, Vanna said they remain friends even though they no longer work together. The longtime friends and former cohosts make an effort to keep in touch.
“I still see him!” she said. “We’re friends. We have dinner!” Though she doesn’t see him as often as she used to, it still feels like nothing has changed.
“It’s like slipping into something very comfortable,” Vanna told TV Insider, adding that meeting up with Pat is “just comfortable.”
Those who miss Pat can catch him on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune starting Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
