During last night’s Super Bowl, while Justin Timberlake wowed the audience, a 13-year-old boy managed to steal the spotlight and the hearts of viewers everywhere. This young fan, known as the “Selfie Kid,” has become an internet sensation overnight.
Ryan Johnson, hailing from Hingham, Massachusetts, was simply soaking in the halftime show at U.S. Bank Stadium when Timberlake made his way into the crowd, stopping right beside him. “I’m a massive Justin Timberlake fan, and when he started playing ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling,’ I was over the moon,” Johnson shared in an interview with TODAY.
Caught up in the excitement, Johnson was filming the moment when he realized it was the perfect opportunity for a selfie—just like any kid would. Meanwhile, many parents watching were likely yelling at their screens, “OMG kid, put down your phone! Justin Timberlake is right next to you!” The irony is that Johnson’s focus on his phone has quickly turned into one of the most popular memes from the Super Bowl.
So, while I have a collection of 17 pictures of my cat on my phone, Johnson now has his own selfie with Justin Timberlake. It turns out that his moment of distraction was due to a classic phone mishap. “I had a video going, but then my phone shut off. I had to pull it back up to snap a picture,” he explained. “Eventually, I got the selfie.”
Naturally, the internet had a field day with this adorable blunder. Johnson is now the talk of his middle school. “My phone is almost dead,” he admitted to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. “I’ve received so many notifications—like 36 Snapchats, 21 DMs, and 150 follower requests on Instagram.” (P.S: What even is a DM?)
“It was already surreal to be at the Super Bowl, but then to see myself on the jumbotron and have everyone talking about me? I can’t believe it,” Johnson added. He’s definitely earned his place in middle school history.
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In summary, while Justin Timberlake was the star of the halftime show, it was Ryan Johnson who truly captured the attention of millions. This unforgettable moment serves as a reminder of how quickly fame can come and go, especially in the age of social media.