Move over, vowel shopping and prize-winning puzzles — “Wheel of Fortune” just served up its most heartwarming moment yet!
In a twist no contestant saw coming, one lucky player found herself solving a puzzle that changed her life forever, thanks to an orchestrated surprise by the show’s team. Hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White recently revealed how they helped fan-favorite contestant Rhea Mathew’s boyfriend, Robin, pull off a proposal worthy of prime-time TV.
“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 said in a behind-the-scenes video. White said, “Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea, reached out for our help in asking her a big question.” Announcer Jim Thornton helped craft a “ruse” to convince Rhea she was returning for anniversary festivities, the hosts said.
Photo by Wheel of Fortune/YouTube
The magic unfolded when Rhea solved the puzzle “Will You Marry Me?” — earning a cheerful “Nicely done” from Thornton. Cue the waterworks: Robin strode onto the set, dropped to one knee, and asked, “Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?” Her stunned nod sealed the deal, leaving the audience — and hosts — in happy tears. “I think she was really surprised,” Seacrest said.
You never know what’s going to happen around here,” Seacrest said.
The show’s Instagram team captured the frenzy, posting, “Screaming, crying, losing our minds over this sweet Wheel proposal! 😭 #proposalvideo #wheeloffortune.” Rhea, still over the moon, commented, “AHHH thank you thank you thank you for making this into a reality!!! 🥹🥹🥹 beyond even my wildest of dreams!!” She later shared a photo of the couple grinning before the fateful puzzle, captioning, “@everyone !!! We have been nearly BURSTING with excitement to share the details of our proposal!!”
Social correspondent Maggie Sajak, daughter of former host Pat Sajak, teased the surprise earlier, writing, “Rhea [thinks] she’s here for puzzle redemption, but little does she know… she’s here to get engaged!” Post-proposal, Sajak quipped, “A proposal on set?! 2025 is off to a magical start! ✨”
The proposal. Photo By Wheel of Fortune/YouTube
For Robin, the grand gesture was years in the making. “From the moment I saw a future with Rhea, I envisioned this proposal,” he said. “It took about three months to plan alongside the amazing producers. There were no plans B or C!” He also nodded to Rhea’s family, who’ve bonded over the show for decades: “They watch together nightly—a tradition started by her grandfather. Incorporating Wheel felt meaningful, a nod to something they love.”
As for the newly engaged duo? They’re floating on cloud nine. “I’m still in shock,” Rhea said post-proposal, while Robin called the moment “absolutely unforgettable,” adding, “All I wanted was to embrace her and show her the magic she deserves.”
The couple plan on getting married later this year.
