Ryan Seacrest Reveals the 'Sweet' Gift Vanna White Gave Him on the Set ofWheel of Fortune(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest.Photo:Chris Patey/CBS

Chris Patey/CBS

Ryan Seacrestis sharing whatVanna Whiteisreallylike — and his answer won’t disappoint!

Seacrest, 50, spoke with PEOPLE on Dec. 30, ahead of the 2025Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Evespecial, where he reflected on the past year. One of his most memorable moments was taking overPat Sajak’s hosting gig onWheel of Fortune,and the television personality says White, 67, is who truly made him feel at home.

“She’s so super generous and sweet and kind,” he gushes, going on to tell a story of a kind gesture White made recently. “She even brought me — because I was saying, I drink very strong black coffee and my teeth, sometimes you can see it — she brought me white strips. She brought me white strips. She went to the store the next day. She brought me white strips.”

“She is an institution, an icon,” he adds. “She’s amazing. She’s everything you think Vanna White will be when you meet her!”

Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Seacrest stepped into the role in September following Sajak’s retirement fromWheel of Fortuneafter a 40-year run. White, who has been on the game show for just as long, returned to her longtime position, and Seacrest has previously opened up about how she helped usher him into the position.

“I can’t imagineWheel of Fortunewithout Vanna White. It doesn’t seem right, especially if there’s going to be a new host,“he told PEOPLE earlier this year. He even noted that they were having “a magical time together.”

Along with all the excitement, Seacrest also admitted that he was nervous to take the place of such an iconic host, saying he “studied the rule book” after getting the job.

“I’ve rehearsed in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I am doing work,” he shared at the time. “We travel with a little wheel that we homemade to play, and I feel ready.”

Ryan Seacrest.CBS

CBS

On hisdebut episode on Sept. 9, he opened with a speech thanking the live audience for their “very warm welcome.” He then said that “hostingWheel of Fortuneis a dream job.”

“Welcome toWheel of Fortune. I am your host, Ryan Seacrest,” he declared. “I still can’t believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue this legacy of this incredible show with all of you and of course, my good friend, Vanna White.”

“I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid, watching in Atlanta with my family, and I know how special it is thatWheelhas been in your living rooms for the past 40 years, and I’m just so grateful to be invited in,” he continued. “I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill, so let’s playWheel of Fortune!”

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Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve 2025airs on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC andWheel of Fortuneairs weeknights (check local listings).

source: people.com