Growing up in the shadow of a TV icon is weird. Most of us just see Vanna White as the lady who never ages and flips letters on Wheel of Fortune, but for Gigi Santo Pietro, that’s just... Mom. It’s a strange dynamic. Imagine your mother being a staple of American living rooms for four decades while you’re just trying to figure out your own vibe.
Gigi isn't her mother. She’s not trying to be.
Born Giovanna Santo Pietro in 1997, she’s the second child of Vanna and her then-husband, restaurateur George Santo Pietro. While her brother Nikko has often been more visible in the "lifestyle" space, Gigi has carved out a path that feels a lot more deliberate and, honestly, a lot more private.
The Reality of Being Gigi Santo Pietro
People always ask if she’s going to take over the wheel. It’s the obvious question, right? But life isn't a scripted TV reboot. Gigi grew up in Los Angeles, surrounded by the high-gloss world of 90s and 2000s celebrity culture, yet she somehow managed to stay remarkably grounded. It helps that Vanna, despite her massive fame, has always been described by those in the industry as one of the kindest, most "normal" people in Hollywood.
That normalcy rubbed off.
Gigi didn't sprint toward the paparazzi. She went to school. She studied. She found a passion for photography and the arts that didn't require her to stand under stage lights for thirty minutes a night.
Why the "Successor" Narrative is Mostly Wrong
There is this persistent rumor—you’ve probably seen it on gossip blogs—that Gigi is being groomed to replace Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. Let’s be real for a second. The show is a behemoth. Ryan Seacrest has already stepped into Pat Sajak’s shoes, and while Vanna has extended her contract, the "family dynasty" idea is mostly fan fiction.
Gigi has shown very little interest in being a "professional letter turner."
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Her actual career path has been much more centered on visual storytelling. She attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. That’s not a "socialite" school; that’s a "I want to actually learn how to create things" school. If you look at her photography, it’s not flashy or commercial. It’s moody. It’s raw. It’s the work of someone who spends more time looking through a lens than trying to be the center of the frame.
Living Between NYC and LA
The transition from a Los Angeles upbringing to a New York City adulthood is a classic move for kids of famous parents who want to find their own pulse. In LA, she’s "Vanna’s daughter." In New York, she’s a photographer and artist.
It’s about identity.
- The LA Years: Private schools, red carpet appearances as a kid, and the constant presence of the entertainment industry.
- The New York Shift: NYU changed the trajectory. It provided a buffer.
- The Current Vibe: A mix of high-end tattoo artistry and professional photography.
Wait, tattoo artistry? Yeah. That’s a detail most people miss when they’re looking for a "mini-Vanna." Gigi has spent significant time at Lincoln Tattoo Company in Venice, California. She’s an apprentice who actually puts in the hours. It’s a gritty, tactile, difficult skill that is about as far away from the sparkly evening gowns of Wheel of Fortune as you can get.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
A Different Kind of Influence
Gigi Santo Pietro has a social media presence, but it’s not the curated, "buy my tea" influencer vibe. It’s sporadic. It’s artistic. She uses her platform to showcase her sketches and her ink work more than her personal life.
When she does post about her mom, it’s sweet. It’s human. It’s just "Happy Mother’s Day" or a throwback photo from the 90s. There’s a genuine bond there that hasn't been corroded by the typical Hollywood "stage mom" drama. Vanna has been incredibly supportive of Gigi’s pivot away from the traditional limelight, often praising her daughter’s creativity and independence in interviews with People and Closer Weekly.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Santo Pietro Family
There’s a lot of old baggage people bring up when they talk about the family. George Santo Pietro, Gigi’s dad, was a major player in the 80s and 90s restaurant scene. His spots like Santopietro’s and Sushi-Ko were the "it" places. When he and Vanna divorced in 2002, the tabloids tried to make it a thing.
It wasn't.
They co-parented. They stayed civil. Gigi and Nikko grew up with a stable family structure despite the divorce. That’s why you don’t see Gigi in the news for "wild child" behavior. There’s no "downward spiral" narrative here. It’s just a young woman who graduated from a prestigious art school and decided to work with her hands.
Breaking Down the Wealth Myth
Yes, the family is wealthy. Vanna White has a reported net worth in the neighborhood of $85 million. But if you watch how Gigi carries herself, there isn't that ostentatious display of "nepotism baby" wealth that’s become so common on TikTok.
She seems to value the work.
Tattooing isn't a hobby you just buy your way into. You have to clean tubes, you have to draw for hours, and you have to deal with the physical toll of leaning over a client. It’s an industry built on respect and "paying your dues." Choosing that path speaks volumes about her character. It suggests she’s more interested in being respected for a skill than being recognized for a last name.
The Creative Legacy
Gigi’s work often reflects a certain level of depth that you wouldn't expect if you only knew her through the lens of her mother’s game show fame.
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Her photography focuses on:
- Atmospheric Portraits: Capturing people in quiet, unposed moments.
- Urban Landscapes: Finding the beauty in the "ugly" parts of the city.
- Body Art: Merging her traditional art background with the permanent medium of skin.
She’s part of a generation of "celebrity kids" who are actively rejecting the reality TV path. While others are signing deals for E! Network docuseries, Gigi is likely in a studio in Venice or a loft in Brooklyn, covered in ink and focused on a canvas.
What’s Next for Gigi?
As of 2026, Gigi continues to balance her life as a visual artist. She hasn't made a play for the "hostess" role, and honestly, at this point, it seems unlikely she ever will. She’s built a life that allows her to be present for the big family moments—like when Vanna finally does decide to retire—without being beholden to the same grueling filming schedule.
If you're looking for the next Vanna White, you’re looking in the wrong place. But if you’re looking for a talented artist who managed to survive the Hollywood machine with her soul intact, Gigi Santo Pietro is a pretty great example.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Her Work
If you actually want to support what Gigi is doing rather than just reading gossip, you have to look at the art.
- Look for her at Lincoln Tattoo: If you're in the Los Angeles area, she has been known to work out of the Venice location. Her style is distinct—delicate but intentional.
- Check her photography portfolio: Her work from her NYU days and beyond shows a clear progression of style. It’s worth a look for anyone interested in modern portraiture.
- Follow the art, not the drama: She doesn't provide much in the way of tabloid fodder, so the best way to keep up with her is through the creative communities she inhabits.
Gigi Santo Pietro represents a shift in how we view the children of icons. She’s proof that you can inherit the world and still decide to build your own from scratch. Whether she’s holding a camera or a tattoo machine, she’s doing it on her own terms, which is probably the most "famous" thing someone in her position can do.