Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White reveals what she’d be doing if she hadn’t found fame

Vanna White has revealed what she’d be doing for a career if she hadn’t found fame wih Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna White may have found fame as the letter turner on Wheel of Fortune, but if that hadn’t worked out, she is now revealing what she would have probably been doing instead.

The game show star has worked on the show for over 40 years and has been open with fans about her life over the decades, including the strict routine she follows to keep her fit physique and her friendship status with former co-star Pat Sajak.

Now, she is sharing another little tidbit about her life.

In a new interview, she admitted that prior to the show, she had another life’s ambition.

Speaking to Closer Magazine, she admitted that she had been pursuing a career in real estate.

Vanna White has opened up about her other career goals before fame (Image: Getty)

White, 68, admitted that before it became popular on HGTV, she was working in the industry to buy homes and flip them.

“Before all those HGTV shows came out, I would buy a little condo, fix it up, and flip it,” she said.

“I would be the OG!”

That fell to the side when White signed onto WoF, where she has worked since 1982.

She worked alongside former co-host Sajak until his retirement in 2024. She now works alongside Ryan Seacrest.

White also previously admitted that her work schedule leaves her plenty of time to pursue other passions throughout the year, as the show is only a 34-day commitment.

Speaking on the Elvis Duran Morning Show in March, she shared that they only film the show a few days a year, but that each day of work involves filming several episodes at a time.

“We film about 34 days a year,” she said. “That’s it. But we film six shows a day. Come on…You could feel bad for me.”

For more than four decades, Vanna White has been a fixture on American television, turning letters and turning heads as the beloved co-host of Wheel of Fortune. But in a recent interview, the longtime TV icon opened up about an alternate path — one she might have taken if fame hadn’t come knocking.

“If I hadn’t become famous, I probably would’ve been a professional hairstylist or worked in the beauty industry somehow,” White revealed candidly. “I’ve always loved doing hair and makeup — it relaxes me, and it’s creative in its own way.”

Before becoming a household name in the early 1980s, White had actually studied fashion and dabbled in modeling while living in Los Angeles. But fame didn’t arrive overnight. Like many aspiring stars, she worked various side jobs, including waitressing and acting in small commercials. However, it wasn’t until she landed her iconic Wheel of Fortune role alongside Pat Sajak in 1982 that her life changed forever.

Now in her mid-60s, White is often asked about what life could’ve looked like outside the spotlight. “Honestly, I never imagined I’d stay on the show this long,” she laughed. “But if it hadn’t worked out, I’d still want to do something where I made people feel good — even if that meant giving someone the best haircut of their life instead of revealing the letter ‘S’.”

White also shared that she still enjoys styling her friends’ hair occasionally, and that part of her is drawn to the grounded, everyday nature of that world. “It’s not all glitz and glamour,” she said. “There’s something really rewarding about helping people feel beautiful and confident.”

Her comments come at a time when Wheel of Fortune is undergoing big changes. With longtime host Pat Sajak stepping down and Ryan Seacrest stepping in, many fans are curious how the show’s dynamic might shift. For now, White has extended her contract and remains a calming, familiar presence amidst the transition.

And as for whether she has any regrets about her career path? “Not a single one,” White smiled. “I’m grateful every day. But it’s fun to think about the ‘what ifs.’ Who knows — maybe in another life, I’d be running my own little salon somewhere.”

Whether she’s turning letters or turning curls, one thing is certain: Vanna White’s charm and warmth would shine just as brightly, no matter the stage.