Jake Paul had already picked out a meaningful engagement ring for his fiancée, Olympic speed skater Jutta Leerdam — but a last-minute inspiration led to a quick change of plans.
Speaking to Us Weekly, Paul revealed that just before proposing, Leerdam caught sight of Selena Gomez’s engagement ring and fell in love with its design, particularly the diamonds along the band. “She saw Selena Gomez’s ring and said, ‘I love the diamonds on the band,’” Paul explained. “But I already had the ring.”
Determined to make it perfect for her, Jake Paul returned the original ring to the jeweler with an urgent request: add diamonds along the band. Working against the clock, the jeweler managed to complete the update within just 10 days — just in time for Paul’s planned proposal on March 21 during a romantic trip to St. Lucia.
Even before the redesign, Paul had already personalized the ring with several special details. The centerpiece was an oval diamond, chosen to mirror the shape of a speed skating rink — a heartfelt tribute to Leerdam’s athletic career. Additionally, the ring included two small hearts on the side and both of their birthstones, blending sentimentality with style.
Despite the last-minute change inspired by Gomez’s ring, the final version stayed true to Paul’s original intent, with the added sparkle perfectly matching Leerdam’s vision.
The proposal itself was an unforgettable moment for Leerdam. During the American premiere of “The Problem Child”, she recalled sensing that a proposal might happen but still being caught off guard — especially when her parents made a surprise appearance afterward. “It was the best day ever,” she said.
Paul, known for his transition from Disney Channel star on Bizaardvark to professional boxer, emphasized that he wanted the proposal to feel like a true surprise, even if Leerdam had some suspicions. As for wedding plans, the couple has decided to wait until after the 2026 Winter Olympics, focusing first on Leerdam’s athletic goals and their busy schedules.
Reflecting on their relationship, Paul shared that Leerdam’s work ethic has been a huge source of motivation for him. Her dedication to training pushes him to be better, he said — even on days he’s supposed to rest, seeing her run inspires him to join in. From early in their relationship, Paul admitted, he told Leerdam he hoped to become more like her one day — especially when it comes to becoming a world champion.
