What Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White have said about working together on Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak exit

The new Wheel of Fortune with the American Idol host premieres in September

With Pat Sajak officially retired from his decades-long post as Wheel of Fortune host, it’s time for his long-time on-screen partner Vanna White to start work with her new right hand man.

Last year, shortly after the veteran television personality announced his retirement — his final episode, the 8,010th, aired on June 6 — fellow veteran television host Ryan Seacrest was announced as his replacement.

And though the two new co-stars have been marred with rumors that they’re reportedly not getting along, the American Idol host, 49, has maintained his eagerness to work with Vanna, just as she has previously emphasized she has no wishes of leaving the show despite Pat’s departure.

Ryan and Vanna have already started working together in anticipation of the September premiere of the new Wheel of Fortune season. In a promotional video shared on Instagram featuring both of them and Pat, Vanna reassured her new co-host: “Ryan, I think the contestants are going to love you,” and as he replied that both she and Pat “make it look so easy,” Pat added: “Well you’re never going find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host.”

Vanna, 67, has worked on the show since 1982, and when Pat announced his retirement, reports swirled that she hadn’t received an increase to her salary in 18 years, and that her remaining as co-host was contingent on that changing.

At the time, she admitted to TV Insider: “When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire, too. But I’m not ready!”

She eventually signed a two-year contract, after which Ryan said during an appearance on the Today Show: “This is such great news,” adding: “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I’ve been very excited to work with her but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations, Vanna.’ I can’t wait.”

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight back in September, he similarly gushed: “I’m so excited! She’s beloved by this nation, she is just such an important part of the show. She has been for so many years,” maintaining: “I’m honored to be on stage with her soon.”

The former colleagues described each other as their professional other half

Ryan revealed at the time that they had already shared “just the most pleasant texts,” and continued: “She’s super sweet and super nice and it’s just going to be surreal for me to be on that set,” noting: “And of course standing next to the legendary Vanna White.”

Further opening up about his new gig, and his predecessor, Ryan went on: “There’s no one better than Pat Sajak. He is so smooth and seamless. He’s beloved by the country,” admitting: “I feel a lot of pressure.”

Still, he added: “I’m really excited,” before joking: “I can’t wait to just give away a bunch of money to people every night.”

In addition to a stamp of approval from both Pat and Vanna, fans of the show appear ready to welcome him onto their television screens. Some have expressed their excitement in the comments section on the show’s official Instagram page, with one writing: “Gonna miss you Pat, but happy for you Ryan as well,” as others followed suit with: “It’ll be a change but excited to see what Ryan does. He really was the logical choice. I think he will do great!” and: “He’ll make a great host! Excited to see what he brings to the wheel this fall,” as well as: “Welcome Ryan!!! Will be good to see you on The Wheel!”

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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.