\n Vanna White<\/span> Kobal\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Update, 6\/23\/23 at 1:45 p.m. ET:<\/strong><\/p>\n After reports circulated that Vanna White<\/strong><\/a> could be leaving Wheel of Fortune<\/em><\/a> along with Pat Sajak<\/strong>, an insider exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no truth to the rumors that with Pat\u2019s retirement, Wheel of Fortune<\/em> plans on eliminating Vanna in any way, shape or form,\u201d a source close to production explained on Friday, June 23. \u201cThey\u2019re currently in negotiations with Vanna.\u201d<\/p>\n Original story continues below:<\/em><\/p>\n Wheel of Fortune<\/a><\/em> won\u2019t be the same show after Pat Sajak<\/strong><\/a> exits next year \u2014 possibly in more ways than one.<\/p>\n According to a report from Puck<\/em><\/a> published on Thursday, June 22, higher-ups at Sony have considered \u201celiminating\u201d Vanna White<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s role after her longtime colleague, 76, retires from the game show<\/a> in 2024. White, 66, has been Sajak\u2019s cohost on Wheel of Fortune<\/em> since 1982.<\/p>\n The outlet noted that White\u2019s departure could happen if Sajak is replaced by someone who is already a household name. White is reportedly in the process of negotiating her return after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, which will be Sajak\u2019s last.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, Sajak announced that he will step down<\/a> from the series in 2024 after more than 40 years as the host. \u201cWell, the time has come,\u201d he said in a statement on June 12. \u201cI\u2019ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It\u2019s been a wonderful ride, and I\u2019ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.\u201d<\/p>\n While some Wheel of Fortune<\/em> viewers only know White as Sajak\u2019s letter-spinning (and later letter-tapping) partner, she has also hosted the show in the past, filling in for Sajak in 2019 while he recovered from emergency surgery for a blocked intestine.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never even thought of that in 37 years, and to be asked almost on the spot, \u2018How do you feel about hosting the show?\u2019 Like, what?!\u201d White told The New York Times<\/em> when asked how she felt about stepping into the role. \u201cI was very nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n In the same interview, White said she would love to see more women hosting game shows. \u201cEverybody\u2019s entitled to host the show: female, male, everyone,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt would be fun to see more women up there doing that. If that\u2019s what they want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Since Sajak announced his retirement, plenty of celebrities have thrown their hats into the ring for a chance to host the long-running puzzle game, which debuted in 1975. Earlier this month, Andy Cohen<\/strong><\/a> exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> that hosting Wheel of Fortune<\/em> would be his \u201cdream job.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNot only is a game show the thing that I haven\u2019t done yet, but that is the premiere game show,\u201d the Bravo host, 55, added. \u201cIt\u2019s really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Cohen faces stiff competition, though, with Whoopi Goldberg<\/strong><\/a> saying she wants the gig<\/a> and reports circulating the Ryan Seacrest<\/strong><\/a> is one of the top contenders<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter<\/a> and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI want that job,\u201d Goldberg, 67, said during the June 13 episode of The View<\/em><\/a>. \u201cI think it would be lots of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Wheel](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Wheel-of-Fortune-Considered-Eliminating-Vanna-White-Role-3.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Vanna White<\/span> ABC\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Wheel](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Wheel-of-Fortune-Considered-Eliminating-Vanna-White-Role-2.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Vanna White and Pat Sajak<\/span> ABC\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n