Wheel of Fortune reveals ‘real reason’ Vanna White will be ‘replaced’ amid beloved host’s bitter battle for salary raise

WHEEL of Fortune has shockingly opted to replace Vanna White for a week of upcoming episodes; a source has now claimed why.

The iconic letter-turner is in the midst of unresolved contract negotiations to get higher pay amid host Pat Sajak’s upcoming retirement.

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Vanna White is being subbed out for a week’s worth of Wheel of Fortune episodesCredit: Getty

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This is the first time in 30 years the ageless Vanna won’t be presenting lettersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Vanna, 66, will miss a few episodes of Wheel of Fortune this fall, Puck News reported.

Vanna apparently contracted Covid-19 in late July while Wheel was filming its annual Teachers Week, which is scheduled to air in October.

Instead of halting production, producers decided to bring in a sub.

They contacted Teacher of the Year recipient, Bridgette Donald-Blue, to replace Vanna at the letter board for the week of episodes.

Vanna’s absence from the show will be her first in nearly 30 years.

But a source told TV Line the beloved game show had no choice in not waiting for Vanna to recuperate.

‘NOT FEASIBLE TO RESCHEDULE’

The insider explained on Friday that production on Teachers Week was forced to continue without Vanna because of the set-in-stone schedule.

They shared: “Teachers had already arrived in L.A. to tape the episodes and, with the academic school year starting, it was not feasible to reschedule that day.”

Five episodes – or a week’s worth- are taped in a single day.

The source continued: “In keeping with the Teachers Week theme, Bridgette Donald-Blue graciously agreed fill in for Vanna for those five episodes.”

That said, Wheel was able to keep Vanna on the board for the second tape day of the special.

Wheel rescheduled the following day’s taping to accommodate Vanna’s absence.

Thus, Vanna will be out for one week’s worth of episodes but not the entire two-week stretch.

TV Line contacted Sony, Wheel’s parent company, who declined to comment.

VANNA LAWYERS UP FOR ‘FAIR PAY’

The news comes, however, as Vanna is reportedly in tense contract negations, hoping to get her first reported raise in 18 years.

Longtime host Pat, 76, recently announced he will retire in June 2024 after 40 years of hosting.

Ryan Seacrest, 48, will take over for him after the end of next season, marking the end of an era and the start of a new one.

Vanna is demanding a well-earned pay bump as she reportedly makes half of what Pat makes now.

Sources told People: “50 percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair.

“The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay – if not more.”

In a resurfaced interview with Esquire, Vanna once claimed that she “worked harder” than her co-host.

“My position is much more, what’s the word? I work a lot harder,” joked Vanna at the time. “I’ve walked thousands of miles. And he didn’t have to do that. In my heels, no less.”

Vanna hired high-powered lawyer Bryan Friedman to negotiate two deals – one for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and the other for the long-running syndicated show, according to TMZ.

Negotiations for the syndicated program have reportedly halted due to the Writers Guild of America strike.

But an insider told the outlet: “It’s gonna get ugly if Sony doesn’t get more serious.”

Meanwhile, for her new contract for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, the 66-year-old star will receive a “meaningful bump” and is expected to make $100,000 per episode.

Pat reportedly makes $400,000 an episode.

This comes as TMZ previously confirmed that Vanna makes about $3million a year overall.

Pat reportedly makes about $15million a year overall, according to the outlet.

Negotiations between Vanna and Sony have become “very difficult,” an insider close to the situation also told TMZ.

Another source claimed the hostess “feels like it’s a statement for all women” and is reportedly negotiating for “a minimum of what is fair.”

However, a source has told People that the previous report from TMZ was inaccurate, including the claim that Vanna accepted an offer of $100,000 per episode to continue the show’s Celebrity edition.

RARELY OFF THE BOARD

Vanna has only been away from the show three times in history.

In 1986, her predecessor Susan Stafford returned while Vanna grieved the death of her boyfriend, John Gibson, after a tragic plane crash, per People.

The second time was when Tricia Gist took over during Vanna’s two-week honeymoon with ex-husband George San Pietro in 1991- with whom Vanna shares her two children.

Tricia stepped in once more that year when Vanna contracted a cold.

On two occasions, Pat’s daughter, Maggie, has taken on puzzle duties but Vanna was still on-screen.

One was in 2019 during her father’s surgery recovery – Vanna hosted.

The other was in 2023 for Celebrity Wheel and Vanna competed.

Season 41 of Wheel premieres on Sept. 11 and will be Pat’s last.

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A source claimed that Vanna fell ill and ‘it was not feasible to reschedule’ the two-week teachers specialCredit: Getty

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So Bridget Donald-Blue will host the first week [or tape day] but Vanna will be back to host the second half of itCredit: LinkedIn/Bridgette Donald Blue

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Vanna’s fight to get at least half of co-host Pat’s salary amid his retirement is unresolved. She’s only missed Wheel three times – the most recent in 1991Credit: Getty