Insider Leaks Ryan Seacrest’s True Feelings About ‘Wheel of Fortune’—Is He Ready to Replace Pat Sajak

Ryan Seacrest is a well-known figure in the entertainment world, but he’s feeling the pressure as he gets ready to take over from Pat Sajak as the host of *Wheel of Fortune*.

According to sources in the US, Radar Online reports that Seacrest is using special techniques to deal with his anxiety about this big new job.

Fans know that 77-year-old Sajak is stepping down after more than 40 years as the show’s host. Seacrest, who is 49, has been chosen to replace him, but taking over such an important role is a huge challenge.

Even though Seacrest has a long and successful career on TV, insiders say he still feels the pressure of taking on such an iconic job.

One source told Radar Online: “Ryan often takes on more than he can handle. He’s nervous right now, but he’s always wanted to be the next Dick Clark, and he’s become that. But he’s only human, and filling Pat Sajak’s shoes on *Wheel of Fortune* is a massive challenge.”

If anyone is right for the job, it’s Ryan Seacrest, who also hosts *American Idol*. But to prepare for hosting *Wheel of Fortune*, he’s using some tried-and-true methods to get ready. The first episodes with Seacrest as host are expected to air this September.

According to a source, “He’s doing everything he can to handle the nerves before his new job. That includes getting at least eight hours of sleep and listening to audiobooks for anxiety, because Ryan doesn’t know how to switch off by himself.”

The source added, “He has other helpful tricks, too. Just going outside for some fresh air and sunshine helps him relax. He’ll also have a cozy, air-conditioned trailer at the studio where he can unwind.”

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Ryan Seacrest shared a heartfelt tribute to Pat Sajak three weeks ago. In his message, he praised the famous host’s partnership with Vanna White, 67, and said Sajak had “set the standard for hosts everywhere.”

On Instagram, Seacrest wrote, “Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with *Wheel of Fortune*! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades.”

He continued, “Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere.”

Barry Manilow explains why he waited decades to come out as gay

During a guest appearance on HBO’s Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, the 80-year-old Copacabana singer said he didn’t think it was important to announce his sexuality during the earlier decades of his career.

Manilow came out in 2017, almost three years after he married his husband and manager Garry Kief in a private ceremony. The couple have been together for 45 years now, though they’ve kept much of their relationship away from the public eye.

When he came out to People magazine in 2017, Manilow — whose real name is Barry Pincus — worried he’d be “disappointing” some of his fans by revealing his sexuality. Instead, Manilow, who was 73 at the time, said the reaction from his fanbase was “beautiful.”

Garry Kief and Barry Manilow.
Garry Kief and Barry Manilow attend the 2016 Pre-Grammy Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 14, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Steve Granitz/WireImage

Despite his current feelings of nonchalance about his own coming out, Manilow said announcing his sexuality as his career was booming would have been a bad idea.

“Now being gay is no big deal,” he explained. “Back in the ’70s it would have killed a career.”

Regardless, the usually very private Manilow said he thinks “everybody knew that Garry and I were a couple all those years.”

“Really, Garry and I’ve been together for so long,” he said. “It just never dawned on me that we’re going to come out. But when we got married, it was a big deal, so we did.”

Manilow credited Kief for saving his life. He said he is thankful he had Kief to support him as his music career was taking off, despite keeping their relationship under wraps.

“As my career exploded, it was just crazy. And, you know, going back to an empty hotel room, you can get into a lot of trouble if you’re alone night after night after night,” Manilow explained. “But I met Garry right around when it was exploding. And I didn’t have to go back to those empty hotel rooms. I had somebody to cry with or to celebrate with.”

Manilow said he did not wish an isolated hotel room for any young people.

“It was pretty lonely until I met Garry. And then it was fun,” he smiled.

Kief is not Manilow’s first spouse. In 1964, Manilow married his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler. They were married for one year.

Manilow told CNN’s Wallace he “really did love” Deixler, but added “the gay thing was pretty, pretty strong. I couldn’t deny it.”

The singer said he knew he was gay before marrying Deixler, but their marriage ended because Manilow couldn’t be the committed husband his then-wife needed. He revealed that his sexuality was not the reason his marriage failed.

“We had a very nice marriage, it was great, but I was away every night making music, as a young musician would be,” Manilow described. “It wasn’t good for me, and it wasn’t good for her.”

“I couldn’t be the proper husband,” he continued. “I was out making music every night, sowing my wild oats. I wasn’t ready to settle down.”

Brooklyn-born Manilow skyrocketed to international fame in 1974 after his release of the ever-popular pop-rock ballad Mandy. He became one of the biggest-selling musicians of all time. Prior to his success as a singer-songwriter, Manilow was behind a number of famous commercial jingles for brands like State Farm and Band-Aid — a gig that he has said helped him create catchy hooks for his own hit songs.

Barry Manilow.

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