'Wheel of Fortune' contestant 'still in shock' after surprise engagement on the game show
2025-01-11
Category: entertainment

"Wheel of Fortune" hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White helped make one contestant's night a little special. On Thursday night, during the game show's 50th anniversary celebration, Seacrest announced they had helped Robin propose to Rhea Mathew, a former "Wheel of Fortune" contestant who competed in October 2023. "We're celebrating milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary and actually had one happen earlier in the week right here on the set," Seacrest announced in a clip uploaded on YouTube.&nbsp; "Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea, reached out for our help in asking her a big question," Vanna added.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wheel of Fortune (@wheeloffortune)&nbsp; APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR INSTAGRAM POST She explained that with the help of announcer Jim Thornton, they were able to create "a bit of a ruse, making Rhea think she was back to celebrate ‘Wheel’s' 50th."  'WHEEL OF FORTUNE' CONTESTANT LOSES OUT ON $1 MILLION PRIZE BY MISSING ONE WORD "But take a look and see what happened," White added, before panning to Robin and Rhea's proposal. In the clip, Rhea solved the "Will You Marry Me?" puzzle. "Nicely done," Thornton told Rhea.  Robin walked on the stage, got down on one knee and asked, "Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?" The former contestant appeared shocked and nodded in agreement. "Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?" The video then cut to White and Seacrest.&nbsp; "I think she was really surprised," Ryan said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Yes, that was so heartwarming," White said. "Very sweet. I love that we can do that on this show," Seacrest added.&nbsp; "You never know what's going to happen around here," White joked.  "Wheel of Fortune" shared the couple's special moment on its Instagram account.&nbsp; "Screaming, crying, losing our minds over this sweet Wheel proposal!" it captioned the post. Rhea commented on the post, writing, "AHHH thank you thank you thank you for making this into a reality!!! beyond even my wildest of dreams!!"  Rhea shared a picture from the proposal on her Instagram and noted her fiancé "put my jaw on the floor doing the sweetest, most elaborate thing anyone has ever done for me." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER&nbsp; Former "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie, spoke to Rhea prior to the proposal in a video uploaded to her Instagram page. APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR INSTAGRAM POST  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Sajak (@maggiesajak)&nbsp; "I actually brought someone very special with me today. I brought my boyfriend Robin. He's one of my biggest supporters. So, I'm really excited to share this magic with him," Rhea told Maggie, who is the game show's social correspondent.&nbsp; CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Sajak's video then showed a behind-the-scenes look at the proposal with the caption, "A proposal on set?! 2025 is off to a magical start!"