Ryan Seacrest has no problems behind the wheel. The media mogul began his role as Wheel of fortune host earlier this month on September 9th, and quickly learned everything thanks to Vanna White’s tips.
“She said, ‘Just go out there, have fun and be yourself,’” Seacrest told PEOPLE at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival on Friday, Sept. 20.
“The good thing about this game show is that you can be yourself,” he added. “It has some looseness. It doesn’t have to be so strict and so formatted. There are those moments of real life and humanity.”
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Ryan Seacrest arrives at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
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Seacrest said he and White, 67 — who was on Wheel of fortune since 1982 — “two decades have been known”.
“We’re friends, which made it really, really nice and comfortable,” he continued.
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Speaking about how important the show is to the contestants who take part, Seacrest said, “I think I know the show because I’m a huge fan of the show, so you think you know how it’s going to go, but I never understood the excitement with those contestants when they win that money.”
“They walk away with $114,000, $63,000, $42,000. This is life-changing money and it’s so amazing to see their reaction to it,” the star added. “And they have to do it again every night.”
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Vanna White, Ryan Seacrest.
Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television
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Seacrest wore a different hat on Sept. 20, however, as host of the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas — a role he’s held for 14 years. “I’m looking forward to them because there are always artists who are heritage artists, along with pop artists,” he said. “We are coming to [see] The Black Crowes, who I never saw live in my life, but I played their music as a kid growing up all the time in my Jeep.”
In addition to the Black Crowes, other performers this year include Big Sean, Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Hozier, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block, Paramore, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett, Victoria Monét and others.
The second night of events is scheduled at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, September 21.
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Source: HIS Education