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.
Bo Derek: A Hollywood Star with a Controversial Love Story
Bo Derek is an American actress and model whose beauty and ability have enthralled audiences for decades. In 1979, following her role in the romantic comedy “10,” her career took off. She has since acted in a number of movies, including “Tarzan, the Ape Man,” “Bolero,” and “Ghosts Can’t Do It.” However, she laments the love story that led to her prosperity.
Bo initially met John Derek, her future first husband, when she was sixteen years old and going through an interview for a part in the film “Fantasies.” Bo fell in love with John right away because, as her mother had said, he was really gorgeous. Bo found it impossible not to fall in love with John, even though they were married to seasoned actress Linda Evans and had a big age difference.
Despite Bo’s mother’s uneasy presence, their passion flourished throughout the filming of “Fantasies” on the stunning island of Mykonos, Greece. They chose to make their relationship public after the film completed because they were really in love.
But there was a price to their devotion. For their romance to last, John and Linda had to get a divorce. Additionally, because their relationship was illegal in the US, the couple was forced to remain in Europe. Bo left high school early to be with John and went on their European travels with him in order to stay together.
Bo stuck by John’s side until his death, in spite of her parents’ condemnation. She has, nevertheless, always felt responsible for ending Linda Evans’ marriage. Bo acknowledged in an interview that she despised herself for stealing someone’s husband and that it was the worst thing she had ever done. She has been burdened by the guilt, particularly since meeting Linda, whom she found admirable. Bo thinks that was a grave error she made in her life.
Bo never thought he would find love again after John passed away. However, life often takes us by surprise. Although she had no intention of getting married when she first met American actor John Corbett in 2002, their relationship developed over time. After dating for 20 years, they were married in 2020 because they had a strong bond and had a lot of laughs.
Bo is happily married to John Corbett now, and despite their decision not to have children, her nontraditional choices in life do not diminish her as a woman. Her strength and determination continue to inspire people everywhere.
Bo’s contentious love tale ultimately teaches us the value of moving on and the repercussions of our choices. Even though she will likely always feel guilty for her previous transgressions, she has once again found love and happiness in her life.
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