Ryan Seacrest reportedly secured a huge pay when he signed to take over as host of Wheel of Fortune following Pat Sajak’s retirement, which will occur after the current season.
But it appears Seacrest may be regretting the role, as he realizes what big shoes he has to fill.
Moreover, the television host is navigating a wave of backlash in the midst of his break-up from his much-younger girlfriend.
According to insiders exclusively speaking to Closer magazine, Ryan is crumbling under the pressure.
“Despite his glittering résumé, Seacrest is terrified,” a source disclosed. “He breezed through hosting Idol and had Kelly Ripa to lean on during Live — but Wheel is a different beast altogether.”
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Is A Huge Risk For Seacrest’s Career
The source added, ” The entire future of this beloved show now hangs on his shoulders, and he knows it!”
They also added that this could be a huge blow to his career if the audience doesn’t receive him well. “It’s the biggest risk of his career,” they explained “Ryan’s always been the picture of charm and confidence — but this time, the stakes are higher than ever!”
Although Ryan managed to maintain his composure during the filming of his inaugural promo for the game show, insiders claim that his anxiety levels are skyrocketing.
“Never count Ryan out, he always rises to the occasion,” they added. “Come September, he’ll show the world why he’s the king of TV!”
Seacrest May Be Making More Than Vanna White
There was controversy when Ryan secured the hosting gig, since it was estimated he’s making tens of millions. It was exposed that Vanna White, who’s been co-hosting with Sajak since Wheel of Fortune’s inception, hadn’t seen a pay raise in nearly two decades.
Vanna lawyered up and was reportedly prepared to leave the show before they negotiated a new pay for her behind closed doors. Though, it’s unclear if she’s making as much as Seacrest, even though he’s the new one to the show.
Nevertheless, reports say Seacrest has been getting comfortable with White, so it doesn’t appear like she blames him for the money dispute with the network. Fans of the classic game show will already have a lot of adjusting to do when Seacrest steps into Sajak’s role, even though he’s a season television host. But it’d be even more of a shock if White left alongside Sajak.
Wheel of Fortune has been a staple of television for several decades, captivating audiences with its engaging gameplay and iconic hosts. The show made its debut in 1975 as a daytime program on NBC, hosted by Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune as we know it today premiered, with Pat Sajak as the host and Vanna White as the letter-turner, though it’ll undergo another transformation come the fall.