For the first time in over three decades, Vanna White will not be turning the letters on Wheel of Fortune. However, she won't be gone all season, and her absence is not because of her intense contract negotiations. She will not be present during the “Teachers Week” of the iconic show because she got COVID late last month, and couldn’t film.
White’s absence was reported originally by Puck (via TV Line), noting that she would be missing from a few episodes because she got sick. Then in another report from TV Line, an insider went into more detail about why Bridgette Donald-Blue, who was named “Teach of the Year” last year, would be taking the long-time letter-turner’s place for a week. While explaining why production continued and wasn’t delayed, the source said:
