Summary

Vanna White has been a staple of Wheel of Fortune for over four decades.

She reveals her favorite fashion moment in the show’s history and what she believes is the most difficult part of being a contestant.

White also shares her favorite reality TV shows.

Wheel of Fortune has been delighting audiences for over four decades now. A truly iconic game show, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone unfamiliar with the colorful spinning wheel or the board of hangman-style letters. From devastating bankrupt spins to celebratory million-dollar wins, it’s a classic for a reason. The show has gone through some shake-ups in recent years — most recently, Pat Sajak’s retirement making way for a new host in Ryan Seacrest — but the fun of it has never changed.
Another thing that hasn’t changed? Vanna White, who’s been revealing the letters on the board since the early ‘80s — in an ever-changing and fabulous wardrobe, to boot. White’s experience pre-Wheel of Fortune prepared her well for the show, as she not only competed in the Miss Georgia USA 1978 pageant but also appeared on a 1980 episode of The Price is Right. A bonafide television icon, the show has caused White to become a pop culture staple — being name-checked in Weird Al Yankovic and Nelly songs — as well as made her a Guinness World Record holder for “most frequent clapper.”
Collider got the chance to speak to White about her favorite Wheel of Fortune fashion moment, the #1 thing people say when they meet her, her love of reality TV, and more.
Vanna White Reveals Her Favorite ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Dress

Image via ABC

COLLIDER: I’m sure people recognize and come up to you all the time. What is the one thing they most often say or do?
VANNA WHITE: “Can I buy a vowel?” And I love it. And 42 years later, vowels have not changed price! $250 — no inflation!
I love it. You said in another interview that you’ve tried on about 100,000 dresses for this show. I’m sure they all sort of blend together, but is there one that you always remember that’s your favorite?
WHITE: I have pretty much tried on every style you can imagine, and out of the over 8,000 dresses I’ve worn, the one I remember most is a white, full-length dress with pink feathers on the bottom. I had a Barbie doll dress like that when I was like 8 years old.
Aww, that’s so cool!
WHITE: I don’t know why that particular one sticks out.
I’m so curious, do people in your life come to you for fashion advice?
WHITE: I don’t think so. They just like watching every night to see what I’m going to come out in.
‘Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White Is a ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Fan

Image via Paramount+

Other people who really enjoy seeing what you wear are the contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
WHITE: Oh, yes!
I loved seeing you on that.
WHITE: I loved doing it.
How did that come about? Were you a big Drag Race fan before that?
WHITE: Yes. Yes. I love RuPaul. I love seeing that. It’s so entertaining — it is so much fun to watch.
Besides Wheel of Fortune, what other game show or reality show do you think you would really thrive on?
WHITE: I don’t know if there’s another game show I would thrive in. Shoot. I don’t know what that would be! You’ve stumped me on that. I mean, I play myself on TV, so I don’t know.
You’re such a comforting presence for people — especially the contestants. I’m sure there’s a lot of pressure coming on a show like that. What do you think is the most difficult part from a contestant’s perspective coming on the show?
WHITE: People aren’t familiar with TV and all the cameras we have. There are 200 people in the audience and they don’t want to make a fool of themselves on TV. And it’s hard! When you’re standing at home in your living room, it’s always your turn. When you’re there, the puzzle board is like 20 feet away, and, “Oh my gosh — where am I?” They do quite well considering the circumstances. When I first get to work in the morning, I go in and say hello to them when they’re all getting in. I say, “Buy vowels, don’t be nervous, and pretend like you’re in your living room.” I give them a little pep talk before they go on.
‘Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White Discusses the Kind of Show She’d Like to Executive Produce

Image via NBC

Wheel of Fortune is really a comfort for people who are watching from their living room. What is it like to be part of a show that gives off those vibes? Because that’s so rare nowadays.
WHITE: Right. I love that it’s a half hour of family fun that everyone of all ages can enjoy.
What would be your go-to comfort watch when you’re sitting in your living room? What do you reach for?
WHITE: I like watching HGTV. I like House Hunters International. I feel like I’m traveling. I’m in Switzerland and Portugal and all these places — that’s kind of my little escape. I watch The Golden Bachelor. [Beat] I’m taken! I’ve been with my boyfriend for 15 years, but it’s fun to see that, too.
Finally, I know that you’ve actually executive produced a couple of short films, which I think is really interesting. Is that something that you might want to do more of?
WHITE: If it had something to do with my son. Maybe a cooking show or a real estate show. I would executive produce that.
I love that. We need you on HGTV! I think that’s what we’ve learned from this conversation. We need to get you on there.
Wheel of Fortune is available on broadcast TV and streaming on YouTube TV in the U.S.

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