The show must go on! According to RadarOnline, Vanna White will be absent from a few upcoming Wheel of Fortune episodes amid the famous letter-turner’s $7 million per year contract negotiations.
Vanna will be replaced by a teacher.
Wheel of Fortune producers realized they were in a crunch and reportedly called on the “Teacher of the Year” recipient, Bridgette Donald-Blue, to take White’s place at the iconic letter board for the week, according to Puck News.
This will mark the first time White has been absent from the show in nearly three decades.
Sources revealed that “Vanna missed a day of taping the syndicated show as she was out sick” and “teachers had already arrived in LA to tape the episodes.” We’re told that “with the academic school year starting, it was not feasible to reschedule that day” to a later date.
We can also reveal that Donald-Blue “graciously agreed to fill in for Vanna for those five episodes.”
The “Teachers Week” episodes are set to air in October. RadarOnline.com has reached out to the Wheel of Fortune rep for comment.
White’s absence comes at an interesting time, considering she’s deep in negotiations for a massive pay raise after her longtime sidekick Pat Sajak announced his departure.
White is “playing hardball” with Sony bosses, who are allegedly scoffing at her high-priced demands. She recently brought in the big guns, hiring powerhouse attorney Bryan Friedman in hopes of working out a deal.
Sources claimed that Sajak was pulling in $15 million per year for his role as host, compared to White’s $3 million.
