Vanna White Is Missing Some ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Episodes This Fall — Here’s Why

Vanna White will be missing by the letter board in a couple of episodes of Wheel of Fortune this fall. Yet in the midst of her fight for a higher salary, which has been taking place since the end of June, the reason for her absences might not be what you would expect.

White missed a day of taping the show’s annual “Teacher’s Week,” which usually airs around mid-to-late September, while she was sick, per USA Today.

While the next day of taping was changed, White’s sick day couldn’t be rescheduled. Her absence granted Bridgette Donald-Blue, one of the five teachers honored as a 2023 California Teacher of the Year by the California Teachers Association, the special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take White’s place as co-host.

According to Us Weekly, this is only the fourth time that White has ever missed taping the show throughout her 41-year tenure as WoF co-host.

When White is back spinning the wheel, she will be joined by Ryan Seacrest, who was crowned Pat Sajak‘s successor in late June. Seacrest gushed in an Instagram post at the time that he was “truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak” and to be “working alongside the great Vanna White.”

Once the news made headlines, White was rumored to be upset that she wasn’t considered to take over Sajak’s position, deeming the move a “lack of respect” from the WoF production team, as reported by The Daily Mail.

White, who reportedly only made a fifth of Sajak’s $15 million salary for years, has since lawyered up and allegedly requested half of Sajak’s earnings in WoF‘s upcoming Season 41. However, a source told People last month that White’s “negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.”

Wheel of Fortune airs on weeknights at 7:30/6:30c. Find your local listings on the Wheel of Fortune website.