WILTON — A Wilton couple celebrating 10 years together on Valentine’s Day got engaged during an appearance last week on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

Daniel Taylor and Kelsey Biliouris appeared on the show Thursday, joining guest Jennifer Lopez.

The couple had contacted the show separately and unbeknownst to each other.

Biliouris, 33, tried initially to contact the show’s producers in 2017 to promote an extended play record released by Taylor, a singer-songwriter.

“I reached out and was like, ‘My dream is to have my boyfriend, Daniel, be recognized for his talent,'” she said. “I explained how he had done everything himself, and how (the EP) charted, and how it was just a really big deal for someone from a small town in Maine.”

In January 2021, Taylor tried his luck, explaining his wish to propose marriage to Biliouris on the television show known to many as “Ellen.” Taylor said he was anxious to propose to Biliouris this year, and planned to pop the question on Valentine’s Day in Portland, if the television show did not respond.

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“I wanted to show the world how amazing Kelsey is,” said Taylor, 30. “I wrote them a heartfelt appeal, and explained our story and how much Kelsey has sacrificed. It’s a debate whether I’m worthy of something like this, but I know she is. It was the truth and it seemed to resonate with them.”

About four months later, a producer responded to Taylor’s request. They planned how he would propose almost a year later on “Ellen.” The plan was kept secret from Biliouris until the day the couple was flown to Los Angeles.

“I thought part of it had been my attempt to reach out years ago,” Biliouris said. “I thought they might want to do something with Daniel’s music, (but) I knew they were going to bring us out to possibly play a game.”

The couple participated in a game called “Danger Word,” in which one contestant gives clues to a partner to guess the winning word. The loser gets covered in slime. Taylor and Biliouris were paired with DeGeneres and Lopez, respectively.

At the end of the game, both drenched in slime, Taylor addressed Biliouris in front of a live studio audience.

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“I had to do something sizable to show you how much you mean to me,” Taylor said. “You are, hands down, the most kind, the most giving, charitable, selfless, beautiful person I know. And I know we’re a mess right now, but it’s the inside that counts,” Taylor said, dropping down to one knee as Lopez handed him the ring.

Biliouris accepted Taylor’s proposal, and the couple embraced to great applause. But there was more.

“I mean, it’s about time — 10 years!” DeGeneres said .

The host then gave the newly engaged couple a honeymoon gift: A seven-night stay at Rabot Hotel on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, including airfare.

“I didn’t know they were going to surprise us with a honeymoon. That was unreal of them,” Taylor said. “I thought they were just going to give me a stage to give Kelsey a big moment.”

Almost a decade after meeting at LaFleurs Restaurant in Jay, where Taylor was performing and Biliouris was waiting tables, the couple look forward to telling the story of their engagement for years to come.

And as for a wedding date, they say they hope to be married later this year.

 


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