Ryan Seacrest reveals what “Wheel of Fortune” icons Pat Sajak and Vanna White told him on his first day as host

Seacrest said the longtime stars told him what the “best part” of hosting the show is as he prepared to replace Sajak.

The hand of fate brought Ryan Seacrest to his new gig as Wheel of Fortune host and now the TV personality has revealed what the long-running game show’s iconic stars Pat Sajak and Vanna White told him on his first day on the job.

In a new interview that aired Tuesday morning on Good Morning America, Seacrest — who replaced Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, after holding prior hosting roles on American Idol and Live With Kelly and Ryan — noted that he’s “watched countless episodes” to prepare. He’s even “played mock Wheel of Fortune games in many cities across America,” even “on conference tables, in meeting rooms,” and with “makeshift wheels and makeshift contestants for months” to get into the flow of the show.

The 49-year-old’s preparation led to the moment he stepped on the show’s brand new set, where he said Sajak, 77, and White, 67, greeted him with a sweet, grounding message on his first day as host.

Phillip Faraone/Getty; Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

Ryan Seacrest, Vanna White and Pat Sajak

“Pat and Vanna both said to me when I first got here, the best part is you’re going to meet three new people every night,” Seacrest recalled during the interview, while seated next to White. “And they walk away with cash!”

Seacrest also promised that he won’t try to fix what isn’t broken as he takes over for season 42.

“Don’t make any changes, don’t touch it. This show works,” Seacrest said. “All I need to do is keep it moving, and all we need to do is have fun every night. If that’s what happens, I think this show continues for a long time.”

Seacrest previously honored Sajak’s 41-year run on the syndicated evening edition of the show in June, amid the game show staple’s final day on the job.

“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune!” Seacrest wrote on Instagram at the time. “Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna [White] has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers.”

Sajak also gave an emotional speech on his last day on the show, in which he specifically highlighted his cohost, White, for her decades of dedication to the program.

“Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role,” Sajak said. “Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems. We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years but we’ve always been there for each other.”

Seacrest makes his Wheel of Fortune debut as host on Monday, Sept. 9. Check local listings for showtimes in your area.

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Ryan Seacrest’s Surprise Engagement and Wedding Location Revealed — You Won’t Believe Who the Bride Is and Where They’re Tying the Knot!

Ryan Seacrest, the iconic American TV and radio personality, has been keeping his personal life tightly under wraps since his split with Aubrey Paige in 2024. But as we enter 2025, the 50-year-old American Idol legend is stirring up a storm of gossip, and this time, it’s not just about his career. Word is out: Ryan Seacrest is engaged—and the mystery woman who has captured his heart is a true bombshell.

Sources close to Seacrest have confirmed that, as of April 8, 2025, the long-time Live with Kelly and Ryan host is ready to walk down the aisle. However, the big question everyone is asking is: Who is the bride? According to insiders, Ryan’s engagement is one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets—and trust us, it’s one that has shocked even the most loyal Seacrest fans.

While Ryan has been notoriously private about his romantic life in recent years, this new chapter in his personal story has people talking. His past relationships, including high-profile ones with Julianne Hough and Shayna Taylor, gave no clues to the identity of his fiancée. But as the whispers about his engagement grow louder, fans are left scrambling for any hint of who this mystery woman might be.

The big reveal began when Ryan casually teased something exciting on his show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest. With a knowing smile, he dropped a cryptic message about “big things coming,” causing Kelly Ripa to cheekily jab at him about potential rings. The playful banter didn’t stop there—sources say Ryan has been spotted at Tiffany & Co. in Los Angeles, shopping for diamond bands. Fans on social media quickly picked up on the clues and began to speculate wildly. “Ryan’s too smooth to stay single,” one fan tweeted, while another exclaimed, “Could it be a co-star?”

Despite his past with famous faces, Ryan’s current love interest doesn’t seem to fit the usual Hollywood mold. This is someone he’s known “forever but never dated,” according to a friend of the star. The engagement is described as a complete surprise, especially since the bride has stayed far away from the spotlight, unlike his famous exes. She’s “his rock,” says an insider, someone who is private, grounded, and fiercely loyal to him. This twist in Ryan’s romantic life has raised eyebrows across the entertainment world, with fans eagerly trying to figure out who the bride is.

Could it be someone unexpected from the world of reality TV? Ryan has been involved with Keeping Up with the Kardashians for years, producing the hit reality show that catapulted the Kardashian-Jenner family into superstardom. Imagine Kris Jenner as his mother-in-law—that would certainly make for some interesting holiday dinners! Or maybe this romance has been blooming for years under the radar, perhaps sparked during the glitz and glam of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebrations in Times Square? Sources hint that Ryan’s fiancée is someone who has remained out of the public eye, and her connection with him is one that has been years in the making.

When it comes to wedding plans, think nothing less than extravagant. While exact details remain scarce, insiders suggest that Ryan is pulling out all the stops for his wedding day. Picture this: a chartered yacht off the coast of Santorini, or a luxurious celebration at the Plaza Hotel in New York, complete with an A-list guest list. The man known for juggling an 18-hour workday might finally slow down and enjoy a well-deserved honeymoon glow

Fans are absolutely losing it over this unexpected news. “Ryan Seacrest settling down? I need pics!” one tweet demanded, while another begged, “Tell us the bride’s name!” Seacrest’s Southern roots, growing up in Atlanta, could point to a classic Southern belle as the bride. Or perhaps his Los Angeles lifestyle suggests the mystery woman could be a media maven, someone from his industry. The mystery surrounding his fiancée has left fans on edge, eagerly awaiting any new hints.

Despite the buzz, Ryan remains tight-lipped. He’s mastered the art of deflecting rumors and steering clear of public romantic speculation over the years. However, this time, the veil is starting to lift, and fans are more than ready for the big reveal. Could it be someone from his past who’s stepping into the spotlight? Or is this a new Hollywood love story that no one could have predicted?

As 2025 continues to heat up, fans and Hollywood insiders alike are glued to every hint, every detail that could lead them to the identity of Ryan Seacrest’s fiancée. With the mystery surrounding his engagement only growing, we can’t help but wonder: Who is the woman who has finally captured the heart of the man who’s been the “busiest man in Hollywood” for decades?

Stay tuned as we continue to unravel the story behind Ryan Seacrest’s surprise engagement, and keep checking back for updates on this star-studded wedding that’s guaranteed to keep us guessing until the very end.