Vanna White's teenage son is 'exploring a gay relationship' with Hare Krishna monk twice his age



The Wheel of Fortune star's son Nicholas, 19, lives with Hare Krishna monk in Arizona

He has spoken out about his relationship and his hope that his parents will accept his relationship with a man twice his age



TV star, worth an estimated $40m, was reported to have been asked for $1m by her son - which he categorically denies

Monk Jaycee Akinsanya, 34, was once evicted for owing $1,500



Vanna White feared she was fighting to save her teenage son from being brainwashed by a Hare Krishna monk who was after her money, but now it transpires that the pair are exploring a gay relationship together.



The Wheel of Fortune star's son Nicholas, who likes to be called Nikko, has been living with Krishna devotee Jaycee Akinsanya, 34, while both attend the University of Arizona.



Now 19-year-old Nikko has revealed that he's in a serious relationship with the monk from Liberia who is twice his age.



Friends and lovers: Vanna White's son Nikko, left, with Hare Krishna monk Jaycee Akinsanya, whom he has revealed he is in a relationship with ‘Jaycee and I have a special relationship,’ Nikko told the National Enquirer . ‘It’s the closest I’ve ever been with anyone. It’s just spiritual and wonderful and there is chemistry - and if there’s sex also, so be it. It doesn’t matter!’ He also revealed that Jaycee has already met with both his mom Vanna and his father, the restaurant mogul George Santo Pietro. Both Nikko and Jaycee described the meeting as a success, although they slept in separate rooms while staying with them in Los Angeles. Jaycee, who shares a small house with Nikko in Tucson, described his boyfriend's parent as 'wonderful people.' He told the National Enquirer that if they asked him to stop seeing their son, he would 'listen to their request and leave it to Nikko to decide.’

Happier times: Vanna White with her two teenage children Nikko (second left) and Gigi (left) in Las Vegas with Mirage headliner Terry Fator (right)

Risky business: Game show star Vanna White, in her long-standing role on Wheel Of Fortune, is reportedly concerned about he son's growing relationship with an older man

NO GAMBLING, NO MEAT, NO COFFEE... BUT LOTS OF CHANTING: WHO ARE THE HARE KRISHNAS?

With their distinctive saffron-colored robes, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - or Hare Krishnas as they are commonly known - have seen a rapid growth in the movement since it started in the mid-Sixties in New York City. The belief system is based on Indian scripture and aims to spread the practice of bhakti yoga as devotees dedicate themselves to pleasing the Supreme Lord Krishna.

The community has 400 centers worldwide, 50 schools and 90 restaurants.

The popular nickname comes from the mantra they often chant in groups, which repeats: 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna' over and over. The four central principles of the movement are no eating of meat, no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or other recreational drugs.



Nikko is optimistic his parents will be cool with the usual setup.

‘My mom and dad like Jaycee,’ he said. ‘They don’t think he is a demon.'

Nikko described his relationship with Jaycee as 'close' but not 'sexual in the full sense.' He said he remains 'undecided' about this sexual orientation.

'I have had one girlfriend and never had a real boyfriend. We are just happy to be together, loving each other in whatever way possible,’ he said. ‘Gay? It’s possible.’

According to the National Enquirer , Ms White, who is worth an estimated $40million, has refused to give her son $1million he has demanded to build a new ashram for Hare Krishna followers.

The TV star is said to be terrified about losing her son to the organization. The Hare Krishna movement previously has been accused of brainwashing in a lawsuit for false imprisonment, among other claims.



Sophomore student Nikko reportedly met Mr Akinsanya, who is a freshman at the same university, last year.

After Wheel Of Fortune star Vanna and her ex-husband and Nikko's father George Santo Pietro, refused to give the money, the Enquirer claims that the monk has been trying to cut his teenage housemate off from his family, advising that Nikko 'follow his own path'.



Mr Pietro is a former restaurateur who is believed to be worth in excess of $20million. The couple married in December 1990 and divorced in November 2002.

A showbiz friend of Ms White told the Enquirer: 'This man is clearly targeting Nikko for his family's money.'



Akinsanya, who is originally from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia, often appears on the college campus in his tradition yellow Hare Krishna robe to encourage students to visit his meditation center.

Akinsanya first lived in New Jersey when he arrived in the U.S. before moving to Seattle, where the Enquirer claims he faced money problems in 2001.

Fame and fortune: Vanna with her son Nicholas and daughter Giovanna in 2006 as her star is laid on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Friends with benefits: Nikko met the 34-year-old monk last year after they met at the University of Arizona and now they are an item

Assuming control: Vanna White is said to be deeply concerned that her son is living with a 34-year-old Hare Krishna monk named Jaycee Akinsanya

He was allegedly evicted in King County, Washington after failing to pay rent and legal fees of around $1,500.



Nikko told the Enquirer that he did not ask his parents for $1million to build an ashram. He added: 'The money I asked for was for my living expenses - food, gas and for living my spiritual life with Jaycee.'



Nikko's Facebook page is filled with pictures of the pair visiting a Hare Krishna temple and taking a road trip to Canada.



It is also claimed by the Enquirer that Jaycee is taking a break from his monk duties and converted his ashram - traditionally a group spiritual hermitage - into a private home for himself and Nikko.



Breaking free: Ms White's teenage son denied that he had asked his parents for money but said he needed cash to cover 'his spiritual life with Jaycee'