The Legendary Co-Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Vanna White Was Absent from the Screen for the First Time in 30 Years Due to Illness
Vanna White, the iconic co-host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’, has been absent from the show for the first time in 30 years. Fans of the popular game show may have noticed that White was not on screen for five episodes that aired in September 2023. Instead, a special guest co-host filled in for her while she recovered from an illness. Here is everything you need to know about White’s absence and when she will be back.
Why Did Vanna White Miss ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
According to Fox News 1, White had to miss a day of taping the show’s annual ‘Teachers Week’ due to being sick. The source did not specify what kind of illness White had, but it was serious enough to prevent her from working. The taping of the episodes could not be rescheduled due to the academic school year starting. Therefore, the producers had to find a replacement for White.
Who Replaced Vanna White on ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
The person who replaced White on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ was Bridgette Donald-Blue, one of the 2023 California Teachers of the Year 2. Donald-Blue is a kindergarten teacher at San Bernardino City Unified School District, and she was honored by the California Department of Education for her excellence and dedication in teaching. She was also a contestant on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in 2019, where she won $16,000.
Donald-Blue said that she was thrilled and honored to co-host ‘Wheel of Fortune’ with Ryan Seacrest, who took over as the main host after Pat Sajak retired in 2024. She said that she enjoyed interacting with the teachers who participated in the show, and that she hoped to inspire more people to pursue a career in education.
How Did Fans React to Vanna White’s Absence?
Fans of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ had mixed reactions to White’s absence and Donald-Blue’s appearance on the show. Some fans expressed their concern and support for White, and wished her a speedy recovery. They said that they missed seeing her on the show, and that they looked forward to her return. They also praised Donald-Blue for doing a great job as a co-host, and thanked her for stepping in for White.
However, some fans were not happy with the change, and said that they did not like seeing someone else besides White on the show. They said that they felt that Donald-Blue was not a good fit for the show, and that they preferred White’s style and personality. They also criticized Seacrest for not mentioning White’s absence or giving her a shout-out on the show.
When Will Vanna White Be Back on ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
White’s absence from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ was only temporary, and she will be back on the show soon. According to USA Today 2, White only missed one day of taping, and the following day’s taping was rescheduled. Therefore, she will only be absent from five episodes that aired in September 2023. She will resume her co-hosting duties on the next batch of episodes that will air in October 2023.
White has been co-hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ since 1982, and she has only missed three other times in her 41-year career. She is currently negotiating her contract with the show, as her last pay raise was nearly 20 years ago. She reportedly earns $3 million per year, while Seacrest makes $15 million per year.
Vanna White is a beloved co-host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’, who has been absent from the show for the first time in 30 years due to an illness. She was replaced by Bridgette Donald-Blue, a teacher and former contestant, for five episodes that aired in September 2023. White will be back on the show in October 2023, and she is negotiating her contract with the show for a pay raise.
FAQ
Q: What is ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
A: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a syndicated game show that features contestants solving word puzzles by spinning a giant wheel and guessing letters. The show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest and co-hosted by Vanna White.
Q: Why did Pat Sajak retire from ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
A: Pat Sajak retired from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in 2024, after hosting the show for 41 years. He said that he wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. He also said that he felt that it was time for a new generation to take over the show.
Q: Who is Bridgette Donald-Blue?
A: Bridgette Donald-Blue is a kindergarten teacher and one of the 2023 California Teachers of the Year. She was also a contestant on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in 2019, and she co-hosted the show with Ryan Seacrest for five episodes in September 2023, while Vanna White was sick.
