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EXCHANGING VOW-ELS?
Wheel of Fortune’s Joey Johnson hit with flirty DMs and marriage proposals after Pat Sajak tells viewers he’s single
Pat's promise to set him up paid off, and then some!
WHEEL of Fortune contestant Joey Johnson may not have won big on February 5's episode, but he hit the dating jackpot all thanks to Pat Sajak.
Joey shared with The U.S. Sun how Pat's on-stage attempt to play matchmaker led to a surge of "DMs saying I’m sexy" and even a cheeky "marriage proposal."
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The Watertown, New York-based Wedding DJ (DJ Joey Fresh) faced a series of unfortunate spins on the beloved game show last week.
After multiple Bankrupt and Lose Your Turn wedges, he ultimately accumulated a modest $5,650.
Despite the wheel "hating me," as Joey exclusively told The U.S. Sun, his charismatic presence - and yes, his looks - shone through the screen.
Pat, 77, instantly inquired about Joey’s "single dog dad" status to kick off their on-stage interview, inadvertently sparking a surge of attention.
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Wheel of Fortune shared the clip on Instagram the next day, triggering not just a few, but a wave of messages to Joey from interested parties.
Joey shared: “I have been getting DMs. People have been reaching out to tell me how much they enjoyed watching me.
"I also got DMs from people saying, 'I have a daughter your age,' or 'You know, I'm married, but I have friends.'
"And other people sliding right in and saying I'm sexy or I have a good smile.
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“The best DM I got was actually a marriage proposal - I got ‘Joey, would you marry me?’ in my DMs.
"I had to politely pass, but it was funny. It made my day.”
That said, no dates have come to fruition just yet: “Right now, I'm kind of enjoying the time for myself, but if people slide in and there's something I'm interested in, I might check it out.”
'SINGLE DOG DAD?'
No one was more surprised than Joey that his episode briefly turned into The Dating Game.
Pat led by asking Joey, from all the information he provided, about how he's: "A single dog dad."
"I am not married; thanks for telling the entire world," Joey nervously replied.
The audience laughed as Pat defended: "Well, it's on your card!"
"You told them that! And you can use this as a platform to change that," hinting Joey could find his flame via the game show.
"That's true! But yes I do have an 11-year-old rescue terrier at home. Jax, he's bougie, so I'm here to win him some money to complete his wardrobe," Joey concluded.
When WoF shared the saucy exchange on social media, Joey replied using his personal account, writing: “Pat called me out in front of the world!! But then immediately became my wingman."
When asked if Joey commented using his personal Instagram on purpose, he said: “Definitely.”
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'HIT ME UP'
Joey's DMs are still open, and he's not giving up on winning at love via the game show.
On what he’s looking for, he shared: “I try to respond to everyone, but if I look at your profile and you have nothing posted and your avatar is a Pokemon, I'm not gonna respond.
"Come with who you are so I can get to know you a little bit.”
“Hit me up, and let’s talk. Follow me and come have a drink with me.
“Catfishing is my worst nightmare; be a real person. I hope that every relationship is two fans of each other. So that is something I always wanna preach. And maybe a nice smile, too.”
He's also gotten DMs of a more platonic nature, mainly about his adorable dog, who has a polo shirt in every color.
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WHEEL SECRETS
Joey also dished show secrets from his experience which was taped in November.
He shared: "What surprised me is they tape the entire week in one day. So when youre there youre there all day, you check in all day at 7 am.
"Vanna comes in no makeup or dress to check in with a little pep talk. It’s cool because you build a genuine connection with the contestants all week.
“I actually auditioned on a dare. My grandpa is a huge fan, and I said sure.
"Over the summer, I applied, and I heard back in August, so I auditioned in August - it was a two-part audition.
"The first part was a screener for your personality, and the next round is a simulated version of the show via Zoom with other contestants.
"You do the toss-up, chat about yourself, and then break you into individual rooms for half-solved puzzles.”
"At the end of November, they said, you've been chosen, and I dropped what I was doing, flew to LA, and it was an amazing time.”
“Pat goes rogue sometimes," Joey admitted, "But he's also super encouraging.
"He could tell I was frustrated with the bankrupts, and he said, 'Keep your head up, just focus, and it'll come to you.'
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It was awesome he took the time to say that."
Pat will retire in June after an astounding 41 years as host to make way for Ryan Seacrest, who will begin in late summer 2024.
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