Why Vanna White was a guest star on ‘American Idol’

White and Seacrest will soon join forces on "Wheel of Fortune."

April 9, 2024, 10:07 AM

Vanna White took a break from "Wheel of Fortune" this week to make a special guest appearance on "American Idol."

White was introduced on Monday night's episode as a "national treasure" by Ryan Seacrest, who will soon join her as the next host of "Wheel of Fortune."

Seacrest shared a series of photos with White from the set of "Idol" on his Instagram, captioning the photos, "The TV crossover you didn’t know you needed."

The "American Idol" host also gave a nod to his future hosting gig, adding in the caption, "Catch a glimpse of wheely exciting things to come!"

White has been the co-host of "Wheel of Fortune" for 42 years.

Seacrest will take over the co-hosting job on "Wheel of Fortune" for Pat Sajak, whose last episode will be June 7, the show's season finale.

Sajak announced in June 2023 that the show's 41st season would be his last. Weeks later, it was announced that Seacrest would replace him as host.

During her appearance on "American Idol" Monday, White got advice on working with Seacrest from two of the show's judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

"Are you ready to tolerate him?" Bryan asked White, pointing to Seacrest, in a video shared on White's Instagram.

Richie said he got his start in the entertainment business alongside White, and told her she would have "fun" working with Seacrest.

"I can vouch for both of you, you're going to have so much fun," he said.

In a post made to Ryan Seacrest's Instagram, "Wheel of Fortune" co-host Vanna White, center, is pictured during a special guest appearance on the April 8, 2024, episode of "American Idol."
@ryanseacrest/Instagram

The "American Idol" episode featuring White joining Seacrest as a guest co-host was filmed at Aulani, a Disney resort in Hawaii.

White seemed most excited to meet the episode's guest mentor, country music star Jelly Roll.

"Jelly Roll is here," she said excitedly in the behind-the-scenes video she shared on Instagram.

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