A Wheel of Fortune contestant was in for the shock of her life when her boyfriend surprised her with a proposal on set.
Hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White reflected on the sweet moment while celebrating the game show’s 50th anniversary on Friday.
In a recent YouTube video posted on the Wheel of Fortune’s official channel, the hosts detailed a heartwarming story about a man named Robin who sought their assistance to execute a grand proposal.
The hosts disclosed that Robin orchestrated a scheme where he misled his girlfriend, Rhea, into believing she was making a return appearance on the show, only to surprise her with a carefully planned proposal to marry him.
They opened up about the heartwarming ordeal while looking back at some of the best moments from the show in honor of the anniversary.
‘We’re celebrating milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary, and we actually had one happen earlier in the week right here on the set,’ Ryan said.
‘Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea, reached out for our help in asking her a big question,’ Vanna added.
‘Together with announcer Jim Thornton, we devised a clever plan to deceive Rhea into thinking she was back for a celebration of Wheel of Fortune’s 50th anniversary. Watch the video to witness the beautiful moment that unfolded.’
The YouTube video then cut to footage of the sweet proposal, which showed Rhea trying to solve a puzzle that said: _ I _ _ Y _ U _ _ _ R _ _ _?
‘Will you marry me?’ Rhea, dressed in a red turtleneck dress, guessed.
‘Nicely done,’ Jim replied, as she beamed with pride over solving the puzzle.
Suddenly, Rhea’s boyfriend Robin walked onto the stage as her mouth opened wide with surprise.
He laughed as she walked towards him, still in complete shock; he then took her hands before he dropped down to one knee.
‘Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?’ he asked, as the crowd erupted into cheers.
Rhea covered her mouth with both hands as she started to sob; she shook her head yes and the two kissed romantically before the clip ended.
‘I think she was really surprised,’ Ryan mused.
‘It was so heartwarming,’ Vanna gushed.
‘Very sweet, I love that we can do that on the show,’ Ryan added, to which Vanna replied, ‘Yes, you never know what’s going to happen around here.’
In an interview afterwards, Rhea admitted that she had no idea that was coming.
‘I’m still in shock,’ she told Wheel of Fortune social correspondent Maggie Sajak, who is the daughter of former host Pat Sajak.
Robin added, ‘I’m so excited. I’m so happy that she got this moment. Thank you all for accommodating us and making this happen.’
Wheel of Fortune also shared the moment on Instagram, and Rhea rushed to the comment section to thank them for helping Robin pull off the epic proposal.
‘Thank you thank you thank you for making this into a reality,’ she wrote. Beyond even my wildest of dreams.’
In a post of her own, she described the moment as ‘the sweetest, most elaborate thing anyone has ever done for her.’
