She was daydreaming, barely conscious of the teacher’s voice, when the intercom suddenly flicked on. After a second of static, a smooth voice that definitely didn’t belong to the principal began to speak through the loudspeaker. Let’s start this Friday morning announcement with a little bit of fun. The students looked around frantically, unsure of what was happening. Then Katie heard her name.
Katie Kelsenberg, Minnesota resident and senior at Stillwater Area High School, was trying to put on a brave face. After being rejected by the boy, she had mustered up the courage to ask a problem. She found herself wondering if she’d be going at all. It seemed like the end of the world. But then she had an idea.
With senior problems just around the corner, all the other students in her class had already paired up. It was then that she decided to do something that few would have been brave enough to do. The stakes were high. If she failed, she risked looking like a fool. Then Katy realized she had nothing left to lose.
Everyone in her class knew that Katie was a little obsessed. While other girls her age stuck Justin Bieber posters inside their lockers, katie was rewatching the action blockbuster skyscraper. While her peers dressed as the usual characters for Halloween, Katie painstakingly recreated her favorite male stars iconic 80s look. Katie was a Duane The Rock Johnson superfan. If Katie couldn’t go to the prom with someone at her school, she figured that she might as well ask the person she’d most like to go with.
The only question was how? She knew she needed to go big or go home. But she was just one of his millions of fans. How could she get the superstar’s attention? Katie decided to post a video online.
She made a giant sign donned her blue jeans, a black sweater, a moon bag and silver chain. Then she got down on her knees and hit record. After she sent the video out into the world, all she could do was wait. But was it enough for The Rock himself to take notice? To Katy’s surprise, her post was retweeted on Twitter over 3000 times.
Her video was quickly going viral. One commenter wrote hey, you took a shot. Good for you. Someone will be honored to take you. Have a great time.
Followers waited with bated breath to see if Dwayne Johnson would respond to his biggest fan’s gutsy promposal. But nobody really had any expectations. Days went by with still no reply from the action star. Nevertheless, Katie was glad that she had put herself out there. It took some moxie to ask such a famous celebrity of the problem.
It had been worth a shot. After a long week of lessons, it was finally Friday. Then something happened that rocked Katie’s world. Katie was summoning up all her concentration to pay attention in statistics class. Her head filled with graphs and averages, but she was still daydreaming.
She wondered if Dwayne Johnson had even seen her video. She knew he probably had a full schedule and was probably shooting for his new film Jungle Cruise. Then the inner conflict on, and she found herself listening to a familiar voice. All right, let’s start this Friday morning announcement off with a little bit of fun and a little bit of excitement. The confident voice over the intercom said good morning to the Stillwater area high school students.
Katie knew that voice. She knew it so well, she just couldn’t believe it. Her mouth opened and her eyes widened in disbelief. Could it really be? This is, as you might have guessed by now, Dwayne Johnson, the voice continued.
Katie’s friend looked over her and said no. Katy held her hands over her mouth as she continued to listen, hardly believing it. But what did Katie say in her video that had warranted an appearance from The Rock himself? And was he actually accepting a proposal? Katie’s world seemed to stand still.
She’s at motionless with her hands over her mouth as her ultimate idol addressed her directly. He thanked her for the invite, but declined politely as he’d be in Hawaii on the night of the prom shooting his new movie. But he had arranged another surprise for her, however. Katie, because we’re now best friends and because I have so much love for you, The Rock continued. As a very special gift, I’ve rented out a theater tomorrow, and I’m showing you a screening of my new movie Rampage.
I rented out 232 seats. He even added that the popcorn and drinks were on him. I just can’t really believe that it’s happening, because not in my wildest dreams could I imagine this happening, but here I am, Katie said later in an interview. And when it was finally time for a big prom night, katie decided that she didn’t need to go with a boy after all. Katie attended prom with her close girlfriends by her side and had an amazing night.
She was still floating from Dwayne Johnson’s special words, and nothing could dampen her spirits. She posed for photos on the big night with a lifesize cardboard cutout of her idol and had the time of her life. So just what had she said to him in her video that he found so charming? You may be wondering, why go to prom with her? Katie says in her promposal.
Well, let me tell you, I’m the biggest Dwayne Johnson fan. I love all your movies. I even dressed up as you for Halloween. And I have the biggest Dwayne Johnson Merch collection. So, Dwayne, will you rock it at problem with me?
After Dwayne Johnson had successfully surprised Katie with the announcement over the school’s loudspeaker, he posted why he did it on Twitter and sent fans into a frenzy. He wrote, I was so impressed by this young lady’s charm and confidence to even ask me, ladies always get shy in front of me that I had to do something special. One commenter wrote, this video made a grown man shed a tear. So awesome. The Rock really is the coolest guy in Hollywood.
So excited for Katie and her friends. Keep up the great work, Rock. Another couldn’t believe that Dwayne Johnson took the time to respond to his biggest fan. This is the cutest thing you go, Katie. And what’s even more inspiring is that someone as famous as The Rock has responded.
I love that he’s humble. Other celebs just ignore their fans. Mostly, Katie had taken a chance, and it had paid off in the most spectacular way. The moment that her idol’s voice came over the loudspeaker was undoubtedly the finest moment of her high school career. Soon, the media got wind of the amazing story.
Katie had no idea that her 15 minutes of fame was just beginning. Everywhere she goes, people recognize Katie as the Rock Girl. Her best friend, Hannah Gillsford, says that strangers on the street approach her on a daily basis. I didn’t really think much of it. Like, I’m just doing this thing, Katie explained.
Everyone’s like, oh, she’s so brave. And I’m like, no, I’m just doing something I wanted to do. I don’t really feel like I’m doing anything outside my normal comfort zone.