Ryan Seacrest Reveals the 'Sweet' Gift Vanna White Gave Him on the Set of (Exclusive)
Ryan Seacrest is sharing what Vanna White is really like — and his answer won’t disappoint!
Seacrest, 50, spoke with PEOPLE on Dec. 30, ahead of the 2025 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special, where he reflected on the past year. One of his most memorable moments was taking over Pat Sajak’s hosting gig on Wheel of Fortune, and the television personality says White, 67, is who truly made him feel at home.
“She's so super generous and sweet and kind,” he gushes, going on to tell a story of a kind gesture White made recently. “She even brought me — because I was saying, I drink very strong black coffee and my teeth, sometimes you can see it — she brought me white strips. She brought me white strips. She went to the store the next day. She brought me white strips.”
“She is an institution, an icon,” he adds. “She's amazing. She's everything you think Vanna White will be when you meet her!”
Seacrest stepped into the role in September following Sajak’s retirement from Wheel of Fortune after a 40-year run. White, who has been on the game show for just as long, returned to her longtime position, and Seacrest has previously opened up about how she helped usher him into the position.
"I can't imagine Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White. It doesn't seem right, especially if there's going to be a new host," he told PEOPLE earlier this year. He even noted that they were having "a magical time together."
Along with all the excitement, Seacrest also admitted that he was nervous to take the place of such an iconic host, saying he “studied the rule book” after getting the job.
"I've rehearsed in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I am doing work,” he shared at the time. “We travel with a little wheel that we homemade to play, and I feel ready."
On his debut episode on Sept. 9, he opened with a speech thanking the live audience for their "very warm welcome." He then said that "hosting Wheel of Fortune is a dream job."
"Welcome to Wheel of Fortune. I am your host, Ryan Seacrest," he declared. "I still can't believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue this legacy of this incredible show with all of you and of course, my good friend, Vanna White."
"I've been a fan of this show since I was a kid, watching in Atlanta with my family, and I know how special it is that Wheel has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years, and I'm just so grateful to be invited in," he continued. "I also know I've got some very big shoes to fill, so let's play Wheel of Fortune!"
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, on the other hand, is nothing new to Seacrest. This will be his 20th year hosting the iconic show, and his second co-hosting with Rita Ora. After getting his start hosting alongside the late Dick Clark himself, Seacrest tells PEOPLE, "It feels like it's gone by pretty fast."
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Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2025 airs on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights (check local listings).
Ryan Seacrest Subtly Confirmed His Dating Status on 'Wheel of Fortune'
It looks like we now know just a bit more about Ryan Seacrest's current relationship status.
Back in April, fans of the Wheel of Fortune and American Idol host were sad to hear that he and girlfriend Aubrey Paige split after three years of dating. Well, for those wondering if he's been looking for love since then, he subtly gave folks a clue about his current dating status.
Per TV Insider, viewers witnessed Ryan's surprise reveal on the December 9 episode of Wheel of Fortune. The host was talking with contestant Sunita Baru about how much she loves all things Disney, and how she was lucky to audition and play the game during the show's Disney Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway Week.
When Sunita shared that she'd celebrated her honeymoon and 10-year wedding anniversary at Disney World, she also announced her plans to go back for her 20th anniversary. Upon hearing this, Ryan proceeded to lightheartedly ask for some marital advice... while seemingly inferring he's currently single.
"Is that the key to a successful marriage?" Ryan asked Sunita.
"I think so," she replied.
"I'll make note if it…ever happens," Ryan quipped back.
While Ryan may not have a new lady in his life, he's plenty busy these days with his family. As Ryan shared in a sweet message on Instagram on December 10, he recently celebrated his niece Flora's birthday. (Flora's mom is Ryan's sister, Meredith Seacrest Leach.)
"Happy birthday to our favorite Make-Believer!" he captioned the series of photos. "Love you, Flora."
And let's not forget — he's also about to get to work on a new season of American Idol, airing March 9, 2025 and featuring Carrie Underwood as the show's newest judge.
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Ryan Seacrest reveals his mother's role in 'Rockin' Eve' planning and his go-to essentials
In USA TODAY’s The Essentials, celebrities share what fuels their lives, whether it's at home, on the set or on the road.
NEW YORK — Ryan Seacrest is known for, amongst many things, helping tens of million Americans ring in the new year. But Seacrest isn't going for "one big" New Year's resolution.
"Just dabble in things that you can actually do," the TV host, 50, says. "Take three or four things you've never done before. Do them once and see if you like them. You don't have to go deep, just try."
In a little over 24 hours, Seacrest will welcome in 2025 as the host of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" (ABC, Tuesday 8 p.m. EST/PST). The program's title still pays homage to creator Dick Clark, who died in 2012 though Seacrest has taken on hosting duties for the show alongside a cast of co-hosts since. This year, Rita Ora returns to help emcee for a second consecutive time, and performers on the broadcast in New York include the Jonas Brothers and Carrie Underwood.
"The one thing that I say to all of them is, 'Have fun,'" he reveals of any advice he gives to his colleagues. "'You're here because of who you are. Enjoy it, embrace it. This is a celebration.'"
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But besides the confetti, a countdown and "Auld Lang Syne," what else is essential to Seacrest seamlessly ringing in a new year? Chatting with USA TODAY inside his greenroom at ABC's "Good Morning America" in Times Square, the media mogul dishes on travel, attire and whether we may see him join any other TV hosts on Tuesday night for a celebratory toast (or shot).
Seacrest no longer has a permanent home in New York (he co-hosted "Live!" alongside Kelly Ripa from 2017-2023), so typically he'll arrive in Manhattan no later three days before the ball drop. He spends the holidays, along with his Dec. 24 birthday, at home with family. And at least from a weather and attire standpoint, that's where his planning for Times Square begins.
"I can see (my mom) in her robe on Dec. 22 and she's like, 'What's it going to be out there, Ryan?'" he recalls of a now annual tradition. "I'm like, 'Mom I think it's too early.' She knows how to work her weather app."
While the weather makes it on to Seacrest's radar over a week in advance, he won't start paying attention to forecasts until three days out. His attire for the occasion is rather consistent and straightforward regardless of the elements.
"I have a tuxedo on," he says of his "base" layer. "It depends on the temperature; I may not have the jacket on. I may have several coats and layers on up top. I have water nearby because we're on our feet for many hours and we're talking for quite a bit. If it's really cold, I have those warmers in my shoes and in my gloves."
Not the battery-powered warmers either, the good ole' fashioned "ones that break."
As for keeping warm with any other utilities or beverages, it doesn't look like he'll join neighbors Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper for a shot of alcohol in Times Square (Cohen and Cooper host the infamously-boozy New Year's broadcast on CNN from a nearby riser).
"I don't know how to get to them," Seacrest explains. "Our stage is sort of in front of theirs and they're on a platform above. I have no idea how to even get access to their stage."
Have you heard of revelers in Times Square wearing diapers so that they don't have to leave their coveted spot under the ball drop for hours? While he's never asked anyone on live TV, Seacrest confirms that some guests have confided in him regarding their choice of undergarments.
"(The revelers) are very well-studied about coming into Times Square," he says. "I think they've looked up online how they can move around or not move around. So they're very well-prepared. What's remarkable is that they're out there from the morning until the big event."
Seacrest spends a good amount of time in their midst. On New Year's Eve, he and the production team will do a full run-through of the show around 12:30 p.m. This includes a preview of on-screen graphics, pretaped elements and new this year, live tosses to the west coast. After the rehearsal is complete, the team breaks for lunch.
Then there are tests to confirm that lines of communication are working properly leading right up to the start of the broadcast. The lines of communication include a pair of in-ear monitors, which Seacrest wears throughout the evening so that he can hear both the broadcast audio and any other directions in each ear.
From Casey Casem ("American Top 40") and Rick Dees (KIIS-FM Los Angeles morning show) to Pat Sajak ("Wheel of Fortune") and the aforementioned Clark, Seacrest has followed up a number of tough acts throughout his career.
"For me, it's being a fan of the institutions that all of those guys have been a part of (and) respecting their skills and talent," Seacrest remarks. "The magic that they created, the relationship that all of them have created with an audience over time on TV and/or on the radio. It's a tremendous amount of respect and trying to understand how to continue these institutions in a way that audiences who have been loyal to them forever will still come back and want to see them again or hear them again."
Seacrest looks back on his time with Clark fondly, recalling their first show together.
"I would be outside, he'd be in the studio, and then about 12:20 a.m., I would come inside next to him and take over from there," he says. "And he would say, 'It wasn't cold enough for you. I want it to be windier next year for you. You haven't earned this yet young man.' He would joke around about things like that."
As if the memories aren't enough, Seacrest also received a few mementos.
"(Clark) would write me a letter each year, a handwritten letter, sort of thanking me for being here and what it meant to him," Seacrest says. "And those are special."
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest tonight
Are you ready for 2025? Well, ready or not, here comes New Year’s Eve, and with it, the annual Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (with Ryan Seacrest) special. This year, the ABC special will be hosted by, of course, Ryan Seacrest, alongside Rita Ora in Times Square. The special will have plenty of other co-hosts too, with NFL star Rob Gronkowski hosting from Las Vegas and Jeannie Mai covering the West Coast. Dayanara Torres will serve as a co-host in Puerto Rico. The 2025 NYE Ball Drop special will feature performances by Alanis Morissette (with Reneé Rapp), Kesha, Laufey, Natasha Bedingfield, T-Pain, Blake Shelton, Lenny Kravitz, The Jonas Brothers and Carrie Underwood.
Are you ready to ring in the New Year? Here’s what to know about how to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, plus how to watch the NYE Ball Drop free livestream, CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen and more.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve will air live on ABC.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
There will be performances by Alanis Morissette (with Reneé Rapp) Dasha, DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! starring Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, Ernest, HARDY, Kesha, Laufey, Natasha Bedingfield, T-Pain, Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Lenny Kravitz, Thomas Rhett, the Jonas Brothers and Carrie Underwood.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (with Ryan Seacrest) isn’t the only festive option this New Year's Eve. There’s also CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CNN (and streaming live on Max) and New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash! hosted by Rachel Smith and Kieth Urban, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME).
There will be a free livestream of the Ball Drop on Timessquarenyc.org, offering commercial-free, webcast coverage of the Times Square festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight. There will also be a livestream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available on YouTube. Both livestreams begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Ryan Seacrest, 50, Says He’s ‘Taking My Time’ to Find Love After Split From Aubrey Paige Petcosky
Ryan Seacrest is hoping to find the love of his life. The Wheel of Fortune host made a comment during an appearance on Good Morning America ahead of hosting Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.
On Monday, December 30, Ryan, 50, was interviewed on the talk show one day before his annual New Year’s Eve special. This year will make his 20th as a host on New Year's Rockin' Eve. While he’s a total pro by now, the American Idol host admitted there’s “always a little bit of chaos" going on each year that viewers don’t get to see on TV.
Rebecca Jarvis chimed in to say that there are so many spontaneous proposals also happening as the New Year’s clock winds down each year.
"And then you have people proposing in Times Square literally, like, ‘Let’s get married,'" the broadcaster said, to which Ryan responded, "Yes, that’s something that’s happened almost every single year. Some of it makes TV, some of it doesn’t, but people love that moment to say, ‘Will you be with me for the rest of our lives?’"
Newly engaged anchor Will Reeve, said, "I should have done the proposal on New Year’s Eve with Ryan. Amanda [Dubin] would have said no."
Will, 32, popped the question to Amanda in an intimate proposal where they were later joined by their friends and family.
It was then that Ryan said, "There’s still time for me," to which Will responded, "You’ve got this, Ryan. We won't rush you, though."
During the GMA appearance, Ryan said that he was “taking my time” finding love.
"Happy New Year, Ryan. May it be filled with love!" Rebecca, 43, said.
Ryan is currently single after his breakup from model Aubrey Paige Petcosky in April. The pair were together for three years before calling it quits.
"After three beautiful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to part ways," a source close to the couple told People at the time.
"They plan to stay in each other’s lives as good friends and support one another’s endeavors."
An insider told Closer that before the split, Ryan and Aubrey shared their views about starting a family together.
“She wants marriage and kids,” an insider told Closer in May. “That shouldn’t come as a shock.”
The source maintained that Ryan’s busy schedule hosting multiple TV programs and his radio show was to blame for the breakup.
“Truth is, he’s happiest when he’s working,” the insider said.
“Ryan’s so busy, and that didn’t help,” the source added. “His schedule left little time for Aubrey as it was, so they decided it was best to call it quits.”
Ryan, who celebrated his 50th birthday with his family on Christmas Eve, previously dated Julianne Hough from 2010 to 2013 and dated Shayna Taylor on-and-off for eight years before breaking up for the final time in June 2020.
Ryan Seacrest makes surprise ‘Live’ return — and reveals the ‘new love’ in his life
He’s back!
Ryan Seacrest made a surprise return to “Live” to help kick off the program’s iconic “Love Week” on Monday. He also revealed to former co-host Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, that he had a new love in his life.
“Speaking of love lives, any new additions to your family that you want to talk to us about?” Ripa, 53, probed, before adding: “You have a new love in your life?”
Seacrest, who appeared on the talk show to promote the upcoming Season 22 of “American Idol,” confirmed that he did.
“Yes,” Seacrest, 49, replied, revealing that he recently adopted a puppy.
“We have a new puppy named Olio,” Seacrest smiled as both Ripa and Consuelos, 52, made cooing sounds as a photo of the Labrador retriever was shown.
“Is he an Italian dog?” Consuelos joked, prompting Seacrest to burst out laughing.
“Yes, he is,” Seacrest, who has been dating girlfriend Aubrey Paige since 2021, replied. “He likes marinara, and he is named after olive oil.”
“Now Georgia,” queried Consuelos, referring to Seacrest’s other dog. “What does Georgia think of this new addition?”
Seacrest noted: “Georgia rolled her eyes for a couple of months, and now they are close.”
Earlier this month, the incoming “Wheel of Fortune” host announced via Instagram that he adopted Olio.
“Your regular reminder of how much I love EVOO,” Seacrest wrote, using the abbreviation for extra virgin olive oil. “Introducing our newest family member – Olio!”
Monday’s drop-by marks the second time Seacrest has appeared on “Live With Kelly and Mark” since his April 2023 departure.
“This is something that [Kelly] and I have been talking about for a long time, and it was a tough, tough decision,” Seacrest stated in February 2023 about his departure from the “Live” desk. “Last year we spoke, and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host.”
On Monday, Seacrest seemed to settle back into his old hosting ways by interrogating Ripa and the “Riverdale” alum about their recent tropical vacation.
“We’re not going to do this where you try to take over the interview,” Ripa quipped.
She went on to tease that Seacrest appeared taller these days.
“I’ll tell you a secret. I’ve been watching the show. You guys are great,” the “American Idol” host said. “There is a real future in this. You’re going to make it. And I keep noticing these shoes you are wearing with this heel.”
“I measured it on the screen. I wanted to come in with some real power, Mark,” he added.
Both men then stood up and engaged in a competition to see who had the biggest heel.
“Why do either one of you think you’re wearing heels?” a bemused Ripa asked.
“I can barely walk in these things,” Seacrest groaned. “My feet are sore at the end of the day.”
“That just looks like a shoe with the bottom on it,” Ripa interjected. “I’m wearing a heel!”
