Former “Wheel of Fortune” contestant Rhea Mathew recently walked onto the show’s set thinking she was returning to compete for the show’s 50th anniversary.
Her boyfriend, Robin, had other plans.
While taking her place at the wheel, Rhea buzzed in to solve a toss-up challenge while facing off against two other contestants, in a video shared to the official “Wheel of Fortune” YouTube page on Jan. 9.
Rhea, who competed on the show in October 2023, confidently and correctly answered, “Will you marry me?”
As the screen lit up with her solve, announcer Jim Thornton responded, “Nicely done.”
Meanwhile, Robin walked onto the stage. As Rhea connected the dots, her jaw started to drop. She ran over to meet her beau, and Robin knelt down on one knee.
“Will you marry me?” Robin repeated while holding a ring.
Rhea nodded yes before the happy couple shared a kiss.
The show’s newly minted host, Ryan Seacrest, and Vanna White said in the video’s introduction that the proposal happened earlier in the week after Robin reached out to the show for help with his ask.
“With Jim, we created a bit of a ruse,” White explained.
“Wheel of Fortune” social correspondent Maggie Sajak, daughter of former longtime host Pat Sajak, shared more behind-the-scenes details on Instagram, pulling back the curtain on how the show pulled off the surprise.
In the clip, Sajak and Rhea sat down for an interview under the guise of Rhea returning for a “toss-up redemption round.”
“Were you able to bring any family or friends with you here today?” Sajak asked.
“Yes, I actually brought someone very special with me today. I brought my boyfriend, Robin, he’s one of my biggest supporters. I’m really excited to share this magic with him,” she responded.
Filming the proposal behind the show’s cameras, Sajak captured more of Rhea’s reaction. After seeing Robin, Rhea froze. A contestant next to her reached to take her buzzer as Rhea covered her mouth with her hands.
After the proposal, Sajak and Rhea sat down for another interview.
Sajak again asked Rhea if she brought anyone special to the “Wheel” set.
“I actually brought my fiancรฉ, Robin,” Rhea said.
“The most elaborate proposal I could have ever โย I cannot even imagine,” she added. “I’m still in shock.”
