Vanna White Reveals She Only Works 34 Days a Year on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Vanna White has become a cherished presence on our screens, flipping letters on the “Wheel of Fortune” board evening after evening for over 40 years.
It might come as a surprise to some fans that White, 68, does not actually film in the “Wheel of Fortune” studio every weekday.
Christopher Willard/ABC / Getty Images
In reality, the show’s approximately 200 episodes each year are recorded over a limited number of days, White disclosed in a recent interview.
“We film around 34 days a year,” she shared during her appearance on “Elvis Durant and the Morning Show,” prompting Duran and co-host Danielle Morano to express their astonishment.
“That’s it. But (we film) six shows a day. Come on,” White added, laughing. “Feel bad for me.”
Fitting all those episodes into a single day certainly requires some rapid outfit changes.
“That’s six different dresses a day,” Morano pointed out, which made White respond, “It is!”
Co-host Nate Marino teasingly asked White if this meant she had 331 days off each year.
“Yes, I suppose so. I’ve never thought about it like that,” White replied.
“And no one deserves it more than you. You’re incredible,” Duran remarked.
White did not specify whether those 34 filming days are spread throughout the year or concentrated in a shorter period.
In a prior interview with Parade, White shared that she has dress fittings every two weeks for the show.
“I probably try on 40 or 50 dresses every two weeks. So for the 8,000 dresses that I’ve worn, I’ve tried on about 100,000,” she mentioned.
White has co-hosted “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982. She worked alongside Pat Sajak until his retirement in 2024, and the duo became known for their friendship and effortless chemistry on screen.
“I believe when (show creator) Merv Griffin chose both of us … he saw something between us — a brother-sister dynamic,” White told People in 2022. “That’s really what it is. He knew we could connect, and we do. We are like a brother-sister team.”
Ryan Seacrest took over for Sajak, 78, after his departure from the show.
“When they announced Ryan would be the next host, I thought, ‘Fantastic,’” White told E! News in September. “He’s incredibly talented, very professional, and excels at what he does. I’m so grateful.”
Seacrest has praised White, calling her “super generous, sweet, and kind.”
“She is a legend, an icon,” he told People in December. “She’s remarkable. She’s just as wonderful as you would expect Vanna White to be when you meet her!”
In 2023, White renewed her “Wheel of Fortune” contract, ensuring her continued presence on the syndicated game show through the 2025-2026 season.
