In a heartwarming moment during "Wheel of Fortune's" 50th-anniversary celebrations, hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White played cupid, assisting a former contestant's boyfriend in proposing. The touching scene unfolded on Thursday night as Seacrest revealed the surprise they had helped orchestrate for Rhea Mathew, who had competed on the show in October 2023. With the help of announcer Jim Thornton, they devised a plan, inviting Rhea back under the guise of celebrating the show's milestone anniversary. Unaware of the true reason for her return, Rhea was stunned when she solved the puzzle, revealing the words "Will You Marry Me?" Her boyfriend, Robin, then appeared on stage, taking a knee to formally ask for her hand in marriage. Rhea, visibly emotional, happily accepted.

Both White and Seacrest expressed their joy at being part of the special moment. "I think she was really surprised," Seacrest remarked, while White called the proposal "so heartwarming." Seacrest added, "Very sweet. I love that we can do that on this show." White playfully quipped, "You never know what's going to happen around here!"

The show's official Instagram account shared the proposal video, expressing their excitement and joy for the couple. Rhea also commented on the post, thanking the "Wheel of Fortune" team for making her dream proposal a reality. In a separate Instagram post, Rhea shared a picture from the special moment, describing the proposal as the "sweetest, most elaborate thing anyone has ever done" for her. Former "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie, who serves as the show's social correspondent, had also spoken to Rhea before the proposal, capturing her excitement about sharing the "Wheel of Fortune" experience with Robin. Maggie's Instagram post offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the proposal, calling it a magical start to 2025.