‘Wheel of Fortune’ star Vanna White joked her heels work harder than Pat Sajak
Vanna White would like to throw some shade.
The “Wheel of Fortune” star once jokingly claimed that her heels do more work on the legendary game show than departing co-host Pat Sajak.
According to a resurfaced interview with Esquire, White, 66, once said that she has “walked thousands of miles” during her 41 years on the game show, all while Sajak, 76, stood still at the wheel.
“My position is much more, what’s the word? I work a lot harder,” joked White. “I’ve walked thousands of miles. And he didn’t have to do that. In my heels, no less.”
Despite the joke, White said that she doesn’t consider herself to be more important than anyone else who works on the show.
“I’m not any better than anybody else. I mean, yes I am running the show, which is kind of scary. But I don’t think of it as being empowered, in a way,” White said.
“I think I’m equal to everybody. We have 150 staff and crew. It’s not just me up there. There’s 150 of us that put the whole show together. So we all have our roles to play.”
White has been a letter-turning staple of “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982, alongside Sajak, who announced his retirement in early June.
Sajak, who called his time on the syndicated television show “a wonderful ride,” will be replaced by “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest after “Wheel’s” 41st season.
White — who makes $3 million a season — has reportedly been seeking a raise from the show’s producers, claiming that she has only received bonuses for the last 18 years.
She has reportedly “lawyered up” and is asking for half of Sajak’s $15 million a year salary.
“After 41 years as a model employee and more the face of that show than [Pat], asking for 50% of what he makes seems like a no-brainer,” a source close to White told TMZ.
The insider also claimed that Sony is being “very difficult” and aren’t budging yet.
According to Puck News, White has also hired attorney Bryan Freedman, who once represented Mike Richards, the short-lived host of “Jeopardy!” who departed in 2021.
White’s sudden decision to lawyer up comes after a source told the Daily Mail that she fears being let go from the series after Sajak’s exit.
“The next year is going to be quite the ride and Vanna wants to be a part of it all even after he leaves, and she hopes they don’t force her out,” a source close to White told the outlet.
Also according to the insider, White has no desire to leave the show, despite her contract ending in 2024.
“Vanna doesn’t want to leave ‘Wheel of Fortune’ even after Pat’s announcement of retirement, and she would highly consider taking over his role as host on the show,” the anonymous source claimed.
