Ryan Seacrest Reveals 20-Year Friendship With Vanna White Ahead of Wheel of Fortune Debut

As the countdown begins for Ryan Seacrest to officially take over as host of Wheel of Fortune, the media mogul is lifting the curtain on what fans can really expect—and he’s starting with the truth about his relationship with longtime cohost Vanna White.

Seacrest, set to debut on September 9 for the show’s highly anticipated 42nd season, is stepping into the shoes of Pat Sajak, who announced his retirement last year after more than four decades at the helm. But while rumors of tension between Seacrest and White have circulated online, the American Idol veteran says nothing could be further from the truth.

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Seacrest told E! News during a recent interview. “We’ve had a friendly relationship for two decades, which America may not know.”

That revelation came as a surprise to many fans who assumed Seacrest and White were still getting acquainted. On the contrary, the pair’s bond dates back 20 years—long before either imagined they’d one day share the iconic Wheel of Fortune stage.

“I remember the message I sent to [Vanna] with huge hopes that we’d get to do this together,” Seacrest recalled. “It’s not Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White.”

Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982 and has become synonymous with its success, echoed that sentiment. “I’ve known Ryan for probably 20 years,” she said, “but in the past couple of months we’ve done some traveling together for the show and we got to know each other a little better too, so I think our chemistry is good.”

Their mutual respect and long-standing connection appear to be the secret ingredient powering this next chapter of one of America’s most beloved game shows. The upcoming season, launching with a brand-new set and a refreshed energy, aims to strike a balance between preserving legacy and embracing change.

Seacrest, a seasoned host with an impressive résumé that includes American Idol, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, is keenly aware of the cultural significance of the role he’s stepping into.

“This is not a job,” he said. “This is such a part of American culture. I think this show has so much meaning to people who watch it on a regular basis.”

Calling it a “fun game” that unites families across generations, Seacrest reminisced about growing up with Wheel of Fortune and the joy of solving puzzles from home. “I loved playing the game,” he said. “I remember meeting [creator] Merv Griffin. Him explaining how the game was created.”

That connection to the show’s roots is something Seacrest hopes to carry forward, even as he brings his own style to the role. And although stepping into the space once filled by Pat Sajak is no small task, Seacrest insists he’s not trying to replicate what came before.

“I want to honor what Pat and Vanna built,” he explained. “I’m not here to reinvent it—I’m here to be part of it.”

Seacrest’s excitement is palpable, despite the inevitable nerves that come with such a high-profile handoff. Accepting the job, he says, was a no-brainer. “If Wheel of Fortune is offered to you,” he told E!, “you just don’t say no. You’ll have bad karma for the rest of your TV life.”

As the premiere approaches, both Seacrest and White have been making the rounds to promote the new era of the show. Despite whispers of behind-the-scenes drama, the duo’s joint appearances and public declarations of friendship are helping to rewrite the narrative.

Their bond, built over years of mutual admiration and now deepened by shared responsibilities, may prove essential in winning over skeptical viewers who aren’t quite ready to let go of the past.

And with a new set, a new host, and the same trusted face of Vanna White, Wheel of Fortune is gearing up to bridge the familiar with the future.

Fans will get their first full look at the new dynamic when Season 42 premieres on September 9. For now, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a changing of the guard—it’s the beginning of a new partnership built on decades of trust and respect.

Whether or not viewers knew it, Ryan and Vanna’s journey started long before the cameras rolled. And come September, it looks like that quiet history might be the show’s greatest asset.