Photo:Sami DrasinWheel of Fortune’sVanna Whiteis exactly where she wants to be.After hostPat Sajakannounced hisdeparturefrom the beloved game show in June, speculation began to swirl about hisfriend and longtime co-host’s return. Last month, Whitecame to a dealwithWheel of Fortuneto return through the 2025-26 season.White, 66, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that she found it difficult to read about thenegotiationsonline. “It was because people just have rumors,” she says. “Everything is so blown out of proportion, not just with my stuff, with everybody’s stuff.”But White considers herself as “a strong person,” who wouldn’t let the rumors get to her.“I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do or that I don’t believe in,” she says. “My mother taught me that at a young age and I’m sticking to my guns.”The South Carolina native would give that same advice to young women today. “I would tell them to follow your heart and really don’t do anything you don’t want to do,” she counsels. “Don’t let anybody talk you into doing anything you don’t want to do. You have that instinct inside you, we all do. You listen to that instinct inside of you. It never is wrong.”Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via GettyWhile White admits shecontemplated leavingWheel of Fortunewhen Sajak, 76, decided to exit, “I’m just so happy that I have signed for two more years,” she says. “I have this next year with Pat, and then I have two years after that, so I will be part ofWheel of Fortune, at least through 2026.”For more on Vanna White, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.In July, areportsurfaced stating that White’s lawyer asked Sony Pictures Television for 50 percent of Sajak’s salary — but a source with knowledge of White’s negotiationsdenied that figureto PEOPLE.“Fifty percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair,” the source said. “The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.“The insider told PEOPLE that themom of two— who became a co-host of the game show in 1982 —wanted pay paritywith the longtime host after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any pay increases.Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve 2022 in New York City.Jeff Neira via GettyWhile details of the deal White came to last month remain under wraps, she will be there whenRyan Seacreststeps in for Sajakafter he leaves.“I know Ryan — he is professional, he’s good at what he does, he’s kind,” White says. “I think it’s going to be good. He’s such a nice guy and he loves what he does. He said, ‘Look, I am not replacing Pat. I’m not going in to try to fill Pat’s shoes. No one can ever replace him.’ He says he’s coming in to do a good job and tokeep the show going, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
Photo:Sami Drasin
Sami Drasin
Wheel of Fortune’sVanna Whiteis exactly where she wants to be.After hostPat Sajakannounced hisdeparturefrom the beloved game show in June, speculation began to swirl about hisfriend and longtime co-host’s return. Last month, Whitecame to a dealwithWheel of Fortuneto return through the 2025-26 season.White, 66, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that she found it difficult to read about thenegotiationsonline. “It was because people just have rumors,” she says. “Everything is so blown out of proportion, not just with my stuff, with everybody’s stuff.”But White considers herself as “a strong person,” who wouldn’t let the rumors get to her.“I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do or that I don’t believe in,” she says. “My mother taught me that at a young age and I’m sticking to my guns.”The South Carolina native would give that same advice to young women today. “I would tell them to follow your heart and really don’t do anything you don’t want to do,” she counsels. “Don’t let anybody talk you into doing anything you don’t want to do. You have that instinct inside you, we all do. You listen to that instinct inside of you. It never is wrong.”Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via GettyWhile White admits shecontemplated leavingWheel of Fortunewhen Sajak, 76, decided to exit, “I’m just so happy that I have signed for two more years,” she says. “I have this next year with Pat, and then I have two years after that, so I will be part ofWheel of Fortune, at least through 2026.”For more on Vanna White, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.In July, areportsurfaced stating that White’s lawyer asked Sony Pictures Television for 50 percent of Sajak’s salary — but a source with knowledge of White’s negotiationsdenied that figureto PEOPLE.“Fifty percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair,” the source said. “The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.“The insider told PEOPLE that themom of two— who became a co-host of the game show in 1982 —wanted pay paritywith the longtime host after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any pay increases.Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve 2022 in New York City.Jeff Neira via GettyWhile details of the deal White came to last month remain under wraps, she will be there whenRyan Seacreststeps in for Sajakafter he leaves.“I know Ryan — he is professional, he’s good at what he does, he’s kind,” White says. “I think it’s going to be good. He’s such a nice guy and he loves what he does. He said, ‘Look, I am not replacing Pat. I’m not going in to try to fill Pat’s shoes. No one can ever replace him.’ He says he’s coming in to do a good job and tokeep the show going, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
Wheel of Fortune’sVanna Whiteis exactly where she wants to be.
After hostPat Sajakannounced hisdeparturefrom the beloved game show in June, speculation began to swirl about hisfriend and longtime co-host’s return. Last month, Whitecame to a dealwithWheel of Fortuneto return through the 2025-26 season.
White, 66, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that she found it difficult to read about thenegotiationsonline. “It was because people just have rumors,” she says. “Everything is so blown out of proportion, not just with my stuff, with everybody’s stuff.”
But White considers herself as “a strong person,” who wouldn’t let the rumors get to her.
“I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do or that I don’t believe in,” she says. “My mother taught me that at a young age and I’m sticking to my guns.”
The South Carolina native would give that same advice to young women today. “I would tell them to follow your heart and really don’t do anything you don’t want to do,” she counsels. “Don’t let anybody talk you into doing anything you don’t want to do. You have that instinct inside you, we all do. You listen to that instinct inside of you. It never is wrong.”
Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty
While White admits shecontemplated leavingWheel of Fortunewhen Sajak, 76, decided to exit, “I’m just so happy that I have signed for two more years,” she says. “I have this next year with Pat, and then I have two years after that, so I will be part ofWheel of Fortune, at least through 2026.”
For more on Vanna White, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.
In July, areportsurfaced stating that White’s lawyer asked Sony Pictures Television for 50 percent of Sajak’s salary — but a source with knowledge of White’s negotiationsdenied that figureto PEOPLE.
“Fifty percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair,” the source said. “The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.”
The insider told PEOPLE that themom of two— who became a co-host of the game show in 1982 —wanted pay paritywith the longtime host after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any pay increases.
Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve 2022 in New York City.Jeff Neira via Getty
While details of the deal White came to last month remain under wraps, she will be there whenRyan Seacreststeps in for Sajakafter he leaves.
“I know Ryan — he is professional, he’s good at what he does, he’s kind,” White says. “I think it’s going to be good. He’s such a nice guy and he loves what he does. He said, ‘Look, I am not replacing Pat. I’m not going in to try to fill Pat’s shoes. No one can ever replace him.’ He says he’s coming in to do a good job and tokeep the show going, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
