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Key Points Vanna White attended the 2025 World Tournament of Slots at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, where she made a surprise cameo at a double wedding. She later took the stage to crown Hector Barahona the tournament champion, presenting him with the $1 million grand prize. In an exclusive chat, White reflected on the few moments that still make her heart race — including meeting Stevie Wonder and Mister Rogers. Vanna White has spent more than 40 years turning letters, clapping for contestants, and smiling her way into TV history. She’s a Guinness World Record holder, a Hollywood Walk of Famer, and the longest-running co-host in game show history. But even after four decades of Wheel of Fortune, a few things can still make her heart skip a beat. On Saturday, October 25, the 68-year-old game-show legend popped up at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the 2025 World Tournament of Slots. Her cameo came with a surprise double wedding that left her — and the crowd — tearing up. For most brides, nerves are a given. For White, they’re just part of the fun. “I don’t get nervous very often,” she told Parade exclusively. “Every once in a while I do. Like if I know we have a million dollars on the wheel, and she picks up the million dollars… it’s not nerves, but my heart is pounding. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just want her to solve it or him to solve it!’” In other words, that rush isn’t nerves at all, but pure “excitement,” she explained. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Still, even the most unshakable host has her moments. “I remember years ago, I was sitting in the makeup chair and Stevie Wonder walked in,” she said. “So yes, I got nervous when I saw Stevie Wonder. And I also got nervous when I saw Mister Rogers. He came on our show and I was just so nervous to meet him.” While she didn’t say exactly when those encounters happened, Mister Rogers did make a surprise appearance during Wheel of Fortune’s “Pittsburgh Week” tapings back in September 1998. As for Wonder, White previously explained in an interview with Closer that he simply walked into the studio makeup room one day — and she’s never forgotten it. Walking brides down the aisle aside, White was in the Bahamas to help crown the 2025 World Tournament of Slots champion. According to the official press release, the five-day event took over Atlantis Paradise Island from October 22 to 26, bringing together more than 500 players competing for a $1 million grand prize. 🌹 SIGN UP for our The Bachelor newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Bachelor Nation news, exclusive interviews, episode recaps & more 🌹 Hosted by PLAYSTUDIOS, the week mixed high-stakes gaming with big-name guests including actress and producer Heather Dubrow and poker champion Michael Mizrachi. Jenny McCarthy was tapped to headline the event’s promotional campaign, though she couldn’t attend in person. Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram In a statement shared with Parade, the 52-year-old Masked Singer panelist said she was “proud to help introduce WTOS to the world and get players dreaming big.” She added, “The combination of a world-class destination like Atlantis and a $1 million prize makes this tournament something truly special.” As for who took home the life-changing $1 million grand prize and the title of 2025 World Tournament of Slots champion, that honor went to Hector Barahona of Toronto, Canada. On the final night, White crowned Barahona as this year’s winner, closing out a week of competition and celebration in paradise. Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now. View directly on 𝕏
