Given how long Sajak and White have worked together, many viewers have wondered over the years whether or not the pair was ever romantically involved. It’s a question that White finally answered. Here’s a brief history of the hosts’ time on the show and their unique relationship.
Joining ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Pat Sajak joined Wheel of Fortune in December of 1981. A year later, Vanna White was also made part of the cast. She made it to the final round of casting over more than 200 other women who hoped to become the future letter flipper. Ultimately, White won out over Summer Bartholomew and Vicki McCarty, the other top choices for the role of hostess.
After testing each of the women on real episodes of the show, the producer decided that White was the one who activated the letters best of all the candidates. She quickly became very popular among viewers, particularly young adults. Many of her fans were interested in her dazzling show wardrobe. The phenomenon, known as “Vannamania,” swept through the United States, earning the new star numerous additional jobs outside of Wheel of Fortune.
Nearly 40 years together
For the next 40 years, White and Sajak would work intimately together as host and hostess of Wheel of Fortune. While they generally stuck to the same roles throughout this time, there were a few instances where they would swap, most notably in November 1996 when Sajak had laryngitis.
Despite their many years together, in 2020 Sajak admitted that he initially didn’t want White to be cast as the hostess. He said, “Not that she wasn’t lovely and wonderful and personable and all that. But she was the most nervous, by far, of any of them.”
White obviously proved him wrong and has done a wonderful job. It helped that the pair seems to have such incredible chemistry together. It’s this very chemistry which has caused many fans to question just what kind of relationship White and Sajak had outside of filming.
Friends or more?
It is well known that White and Sajak get along well – extremely well, in fact. According to White herself, they rarely disagree on anything except whether ketchup should be put on a hot dog. Yet despite their closeness, White has emphasized that they really are just best friends and there is nothing romantic going on between them. The closest the two have come to being involved was when they played a prank on their audience.
“Years and years ago, we did an April Fool’s joke,” White recalled. “I don’t know that we said we were married, but we said something about being together, and we received toasters…” Sajak added later that it took years for people to stop sending the “married couple” Crockpots.
So although the renowned Wheel of Fortune stars have been together, in a work sense, for longer than most couples, they are not, and have never been, in a romantic relationship.
Nearly 20 years without a raise?
Soon after Sajak announced his retirement, fans were stunned to learn that Vanna White has not gotten a pay raise in 18 years. This surprising revelation comes from Puck reporter Matthew Belloni, who says that White, 66, has hired an aggressive lawyer to negotiate a raise as her current deal concludes at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Puck’s report states that White currently earns $3 million annually, while Sajak earns five times more than that. While some argue that Sajak is the host while White is a co-host responsible only for revealing letters on the board, Puck asserts that White engages in significantly more publicity for the show than Sajak. Sony, the show’s production company, declined to comment on Puck’s findings.
Whoopi Goldberg from The View expressed interest in taking over Sajak’s role, and several other notable names, including Ryan Seacrest and Sajak’s daughter Maggie, were mentioned as potential candidates.
Seacrest was named the new host of ‘Wheel’
The New York Times and other media outlets reported on June 27 that Ryan Seacrest will take over as the host of Wheel of Fortune. The news comes just two weeks after Sajak’s announcement. Seacrest, 48, is a talk show veteran himself, having hosted and produced many other programs including American Idol and Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“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 will also act as a consulting producer on the show.
Michael Bublé thanks God after his son’s cancer remisssion
Michael Bublé, a Canadian musician, is well-known for his captivating stage presence and sultry voice. But it makes sense that throughout the previous few years, he has prioritized his family.
The Bublé family was completely shocked to learn that their little son Noah had hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer, in 2016. The family was shocked to learn the unexpected news when Noah was just 3 years old.
Bublé instantly placed their lives and professions on hold, as did his wife, the Argentine actress Luisana Lopilato.
According to Bublé, “everyone in my world knew what my priority was,” People reported. Everybody experiences stuff. All you can hope for is that you discover something new about both yourself and the individuals you are with.
Bublé was “so unstable and vulnerable” at this trying time, so he decided to take a break from performing and recording. His spouse likewise took a career hiatus.
Thankfully, Noah was supposedly “on the mend” in February 2018 following treatment. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, he entered remission at the age of five last year.
Obviously, I’ve gone through a lot. My son had just entered remission when I recorded my last album [in 2018], and I wasn’t prepared to return,’ he said.
The cancer diagnosis of his son, according to Michael Bublé, changed him irrevocably.
“Life events that are significant and dramatic, like those that my wife and I have experienced, don’t pass through you unaffected.”
The Canadian celebrity has been extremely guarding his son’s privacy and won’t discuss any specifics of Noah’s care. However, he discussed his son’s sickness when he appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Cordon” in 2018.
Bublé thanked God for his 5-year-old son’s remission while crying as he said that Noah’s story “is too hard to talk about.”
“God, thank you, God, we just had the best doctors and we all moved and lived at [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles].”
Bublé went on, “I’m not okay. When it all began, my wife and I found the strength inside ourselves to pull through, get back up, and stay optimistic. And I cried when they said, “We did it, it’s good, he’s OK,” after the cancer had been removed and the chemotherapy had finished. I suddenly passed out.
He said, “My wife picks me up now.”
The father continued, shedding tears, talking about how much Noah loved superheroes like Spider-Man and Superman.
He declared, “They’re fake.” They don’t exist. You are a superpower. You are my hero. An authentic superhero, Bublé told his son.
Back in 2011, Michael and Luisana tied the knot. Two males, born in 2013 and 2016, and two daughters, born in 2018 & 2022, comprise their family of four children.
Family, according to the Canadian singer—who adores being a father—”is everything.”
Additionally, he offers one piece of guidance to all parents of small children.
“Enjoy each and every minute. Because of their sense of amazement, see the world through their eyes, Bublé told TODAY. “You’ll be looking for [that] feeling for the rest of your life if you miss it.”
Bublé is currently concentrating on his career as well. He released his eleventh studio album, “Higher,” earlier this year. In 2023, the four-time Grammy winner will embark on a tour through Great Britain.
“I’m excited to return to arenas throughout the United Kingdom – it promises to be an incredible arena show!” “I can’t wait for everyone to see it!” he exclaims.
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