Vanna White has been turning letters on Wheel of Fortune for over four decades.
But the times are changing for America’s favorite game show.
And Vanna White could be making one exit that nobody saw coming.
Fans are already picking Vanna White’s replacement
Wheel of Fortune fans are buzzing with speculation about who will replace Vanna White when she finally steps away from the iconic game show.
The 68-year-old letter turner hasn’t announced any retirement plans, but viewers are already placing their bets on her successor.
And one name keeps coming up over and over again.
Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie has been working as the show’s social media correspondent since 2021.
She’s also filled in for White as a substitute letter turner when needed.
That’s led many fans to believe the fix is already in.
“Whenever Vanna White retires, do you think Maggie Sajak will take her spot as letter toucher?” one Reddit user asked in a recent forum discussion.
The responses came flooding in, and they weren’t all positive.
“Yeah, it’s been obvious for years that she is a textbook nepobaby,” one person responded.
Another viewer was even more blunt about their feelings.
“That feels like the plan. It’s the only reason they keep shoving her in our faces,” they wrote.
The divided reaction to Maggie Sajak taking over
Some Wheel of Fortune fans are ready to embrace Maggie as the new letter turner.
They point to her experience filling in for White and her deep connection to the show through her father.
“Same, especially when Pat was out sick during the Holiday episodes and Vanna was hosting and Maggie was turning the letters,” one supporter commented. “She’s definitely cute enough for the job!”
Another fan agreed that her succession seemed inevitable.
“It is largely to be expected that Maggie will succeed Vanna if/when the inevitable day happens,” they wrote.
But not everyone is rolling out the welcome mat for Pat Sajak’s daughter.
Critics argue that Wheel of Fortune needs fresh blood, not another case of Hollywood nepotism.
“I hope not. It’s time for fresh faces, not another Hollywood nepo baby who never had to work their way up in the business,” one frustrated viewer commented.
Others think Maggie’s presence on the show already drags down the energy.
“I hope not. Ever since her first foray into the show, her presence takes everything down a notch,” another critic stated.
Vanna White’s role has changed dramatically over the years
White opened up in 2024 about how technology has transformed her job since she started in 1982.
The days of physically turning heavy letter panels are long gone.
“When I first started, I had to physically turn every letter,” White explained in an interview. “Then they switched to TV monitors, so I just had to touch the letters and they would light up.”
But even that technology is now outdated.
The modern Wheel of Fortune board uses cutting-edge laser technology that barely requires White’s touch at all.
“Now the board is operated by a laser. It’s like a flat screen,” White revealed. “And when I go to touch the letter, the laser catches my movement. It’s crazy, right?”
When a reporter jokingly suggested the show might not even need her anymore, White pushed back.
“I’m telling you right now, don’t say it. They need me!” she insisted.
But the reality is that White’s role has become largely ceremonial.
The high-tech board could function perfectly well without anyone standing next to it.
That hasn’t stopped White from remaining a beloved part of the show for millions of viewers.
The future of Wheel of Fortune hangs in the balance
Maggie Sajak has certainly been positioning herself for a bigger role on Wheel of Fortune.
Her Instagram feed is packed with content from the show, keeping her in front of fans’ eyes.
She’s also pursued a music career on the side, showing she has entertainment ambitions beyond just being Pat Sajak’s daughter.
The question is whether Wheel of Fortune producers will go with the safe choice of keeping it in the family.
Or will they shock everyone by bringing in a completely new face when White eventually retires?
With Ryan Seacrest now hosting after Pat Sajak’s retirement, the show is already going through major changes.
Adding another new personality might be too much change too fast for longtime viewers.
But sticking with Maggie could alienate fans who are tired of Hollywood handing out jobs based on last names rather than talent.
White hasn’t given any hints about when she might step away from the show.
At 68, she could continue for several more years if she wants to.
But when that day comes, Wheel of Fortune will face one of its biggest decisions in decades.
