Vanna White Hires Lawyer After Ryan Seacrest Named Wheel of Fortune Host

Vanna White attends the 29th Annual Race To Erase MS in Los Angeles on May 20, 2022. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Race to Erase MS)

America’s most famous letter-turner has lawyered up after it was reported Tuesday that the veteran Wheel of Fortune hostess Vanna White hasn’t received a pay raise in 18 years.

That news comes after the Associated Press reported Tuesday that media personality Ryan Seacrest would become the iconic game show’s next host after Pat Sajak’s retirement next year. Seacrest, who is now set to helm the show’s 42nd season, signed a multi-year deal.

While it has yet to be revealed whether or not White, 66, will continue in her role, her salary for some two decades seems to be in question. It was reported that White earns approximately $3 million a year, plus bonuses, but not confirmed. That’s while Forbes reported in 2016 that Sajak earned $15 million a year. That means Sajak, who has hosted the game show produced by Sony Pictures since 1981, could be making five times as much as White, who joined the show in 1982.

White, whose current contract is reportedly up at the end of the 2023–2024 season, has now hired heavyweight entertainment lawyer and litigator Bryan Freedman to address the pay discrepancy. Freedman has previously represented many high-profile celebrities including The Bachelor host Chris Harrison when he was under fire for defending a contestant on the show accused of racism. He also defended TV host Megyn Kelly after her firing from NBC for questioning why blackface is racist in the Halloween segment on her talk show.

For his part, Seacrest, 48, most recently co-hosted and executive produced Live with Kelly and Ryan for six years. He has previously hosted other shows including American Idol (for which he received Emmy nominations), American Top 40, and On Air with Ryan Seacrest. He also became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and continued that role following Clark’s death in 2012.

“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, whose salary for both hosting and consulting producer roles hasn’t been disclosed, also praised White, who like Sajak, has been on the show since the early 1980s.

“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” he said.

The Epoch Times reached out to Sony Pictures Television and representatives for Vanna White for comment.