Ryan Seacrest Traveled with a Homemade Wheel to Practice forWheel of FortuneHosting Gig (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest.Photo:ric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

ric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

AsRyan Seacrestknows, practice makes perfect.

“Since I got the job, I’ve studied the rule book, I’ve watched Pat’s episodes. I’ve rehearsed in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I am doing work. We travel with a little wheel that we homemade to play, and I feel ready,” says Seacrest, 49.

Ryan Seacrest on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ set.Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

When Seacrest found out that he was officially going to be the next host of the famous show, he was, ironically, on vacation.

“It came together very fast last summer, and I was away eating Italian food!” he recalls. “And this became something that was real and something that we got into the process of working out immediately, I think within a week or a week and a half, maybe two weeks at the most, everything was done.”

Sajack’s advice to his successor Seacrest was similar, centering around recognizing the honor of the hosting gig.

“[Pat] says the best part will be meeting the contestants every night, and that this is a show that really does have a cultural impact on the viewers, and there’s a great amount of fun,” Seacrest says. “There’s [also] a great amount of responsibility that comes with people who have invited this into their living rooms on a regular basis over decades and decades.”

Ryan Seacrest, Vanna White, Pat Sajak.Ryan Seacrest/Instagram

Ryan Seacrest/Instagram

While the show may have a new host, viewers can look forward to seeing the same legendary letter-turner at the board, asVanna Whitereturns to her longtime position.

“She and I have been friends for two decades. We have had a chance to get to know each other a lot more over the weeks that we’ve been shooting together. But I can’t imagineWheel of Fortunewithout Vanna White,” Seacrest says.

“When I signed on to do the deal, that same day, I spoke to Vanna via text, and I just let her know I’m so excited and I hope that she’ll be with the show as long as she wants to be. We’ve had a magical time together so far,” he adds.

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The new season ofWheel of Fortunepremieres Sept. 9 (check local listings).

source: people.com