Wheel of Fortune competitor Rhea Mathew got the shock of my life when her boyfriend proposed during the recording of the show — thanks to the help of the presenters Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.
“We’re celebrating milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary, and we actually had one happen earlier in the week right here on set,” Seacrest, 50, said in a video shared on Wheel of Fortune YouTube channel on Thursday, January 9th. The clip was titled “WE HAVE AN OFFER TO FILM!”
Matthew first appeared on the show in October 2023. and her boyfriend (now fiance), Robin, reached out for help with his proposal. White, 67, explained that the show’s cast and crew had “created a bit of a ruse” and made the former contestant think she was coming back to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.
When prompted, Matthew decided a Wheel of Fortune reading puzzle: “Will you marry me?”
She was smiling at the correct answer when Robin appeared from behind the scenes and dropped to one knee. Suddenly, Matthew sagged as he realized what was happening. Of course she said yes.
“I think she was really surprised,” Seacrest said in response to the romantic moment. “Very sweet. I love that we can do that on this show.”
White also reacted to the “heartwarming” moment. “You never know what’s going to happen here,” she added.
Maggie Sayak (Wheel of Fortune social correspondent and daughter of a former presenter Pat Sajak) posted the proposal on his own social media account as well.
“Proposal on set?! 2025 is off to a magical start!” she wrote, sharing some behind-the-scenes engagement shots. The text overlaid on the video offers followers more details as well.
“Rhea thinks (sic) she’s here to redeem the puzzle but she doesn’t know… she’s here to get engaged,” the text reads. Maggie, 30, spoke to Matthew ahead of the offer to return to the show – and the contestant had no idea what was about to happen.
“Okay, looks like she has no idea,” Maggie said. “This is so exciting.”
Once the moment was over, Maggie congratulated the couple before asking if Matthew had any “idea” about the engagement.
Maggie interviewed Matthew again after the proposal, and the newly engaged contestant revealed that she had brought “my fiancé” to watch the Wheel of Fortune tapings.
“The most complicated proposal I could ever have – I can’t even imagine,” Matthew gushed. “I’m still in shock.”
Maggie added: “It was great to see.”
