Emmys 2018: Director Glenn Weiss Just Proposed to Girlfriend Jan Svendsen Onstage
There were a lot of exciting moments at the 2018 Emmys, but none was more romantic or unexpected than when director and producer Glenn Weiss took the stage to accept his award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special — and then used the opportunity to propose to his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen.
“I’m really grateful to be here, but it’s bittersweet,” Weiss, who won for his work on the 2018 Oscars, began his speech. “The person most proud at this moment would be my mom, and she passed away just two weeks ago. Part of my heart is broken and I don’t think it will ever be repaired, but she’s in me and she always will be.”
“Mom always believed in finding the sunshine in things and she adored my girlfriend, Jan,” he continued. The cameras then panned to his girlfriend in the audience, as he went on to address her directly. “Jan, you are the sunshine in my life, and Mom was right — don’t ever let go of your sunshine.”
That’s when he stunned both Svendsen and the audience by saying, “You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife.”
The crowd inside LA’s Microsoft Theater roared in response, giving Weiss and his love a standing ovation as she made her way up to the stage. “I haven’t asked yet!” Weiss reminded everyone with a laugh.
When Svendsen, clearly overcome with emotion, stepped up beside him, Weiss continued with the proposal. “This is the ring that my dad put on my mom’s finger 67 years ago. And to my sisters and brothers, I didn’t swipe it — Dad knows I have it. Jan, I want to put this ring that my mom wore on your finger in front of all these people, and in front of my mom and your parents watching from above. Will you marry me?”
She said yes!
(photos via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)