Vanna White's Unlikely Journey to Hosting Wheel of Fortune
For decades, Vanna White has been dazzling audiences with her iconic role as the letter-turner on Wheel of Fortune. But in 2019, when Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage, the show's producers approached Vanna with an unexpected request: Could she step in as host? At first, the 62-year-old was stunned. "I was like, 'What? No. You’re kidding, right?'" Vanna recalled in a candid interview with Good Morning America. "He goes, 'No, I’m serious,' and my first thought was, 'There’s no way.' I don’t even pay attention to Pat during the show!"
Despite her initial hesitation, Vanna quickly realized the importance of keeping the show running. "When I realized [executive producer Harry Friedman] was serious, I thought, 'You know what? The show must go on,'" she explained. "I knew it was crucial to step up for our fans and ensure the show continued smoothly. Pat would have done the same for me, and I felt it was my duty to step in until he recovered."
From Letter-Turner to Host: A New Challenge
Hosting Wheel of Fortune was a completely different experience for Vanna. While she’s been a part of the show since 1982, stepping into Pat’s shoes was no small task. "It was very scary for me to step into that role, especially without any practice," she admitted. "But I did it. The hardest part, though, was worrying about Pat and his health. That really weighed on me."
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Although Vanna made "a few minor mistakes" during her first episodes, she quickly found her footing. "I kind of got the hang of it after a while," she said with a laugh. "It was a steep learning curve, but I was determined to do my best for the fans and for the show."
A Heartwarming Gesture for a Beloved Co-Host
Vanna’s stint as host wasn’t just about filling in for Pat; it was also a heartfelt gesture to support her longtime friend. On November 12, she took to Twitter to express her admiration for Pat and reassure him that his position was secure. "Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels," she tweeted. "I’ll fill in the blanks until you return. Rest up, and we’ll be solving puzzles in no time. (Don’t worry, your job is safe! Well, pretty safe.)" Her words reflected the deep bond between the two co-hosts, who have worked together for over three decades.
Vanna’s temporary hosting role lasted for three weeks, during which she proved that she could handle the pressure and charm of being in front of the camera in a new capacity. Her dedication to the show and her friendship with Pat made her the perfect choice to keep the momentum going during Pat’s recovery.
