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Kid’s ‘life ruined’ after Justin Timberlake run-in at Super Bowl LII

THE kid who upstaged Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl half time show has become a plaything for the unforgiving internet.

2 min read
February 6, 2018 - 6:35AM
Selfie Kid with Justin Timberlake during the half time show
Selfie Kid with Justin Timberlake during the half time show

HE could go on to win a Nobel Prize, but the kid who stole the spotlight from Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl LII half time show is certain to live his whole life known as the selfie kid.

The fan became a human plaything for the internet after he stole the show in a moment of perfect, awkward comedy during the popstar’s half time performance of I Can’t Stop This Feeling.

The young spectator’s awkward appearance in front of the live international broadcast to 100 million viewers briefly upstaged the former NSYNC star in the middle of his ditty.

The broadcast showed the young fan freeze and look down at his phone as Timberlake walked around towards him looking for some energy during the half time performance.

Our mate, selfie kid, gave him nothing.

He eventually recovered to fumble through his phone and attempt to steal a selfie with Timberlake after giving up his bumbling attempt to sing along to the tune he clearly didn’t know.

Eventually, two hours later, the mystery fan was revealed.

According to twincities.com, the cult-figure is 13-year-old Ryan McKenna from Hingham, near Boston, in Massachusetts.

“I just thought to myself, ‘I’ll never get this opportunity again in my whole life,’” McKenna said.

“I just went for it.”

He became an instant internet hit.

Speaking to KIIS FM’s Daves Hughes and Kate Langbroek, Ryan said he’d picked up more than 5000 Instagram followers since his moment in the spotlight.

His phone was melting down from the number of messages he received while still at the game. His father, John McKenna, said his phone was on fire too.

“It’s been so crazy,” McKenna said.

“I don’t even know what to think. All my friends have been texting me and stuff. It’s insane.

“My phone is almost dead. I’ve gotten so many notifications. I’ve got like 36 Snapchats, like 21 DMs, and like 150 follower requests on Instagram.

The 13-year-old told ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday that his phone “exploded” with messages and phone calls and he now has thousands of new social media followers.

Ryan says he was unprepared for his brush with fame. Timberlake, he said, “just came up and I just like jumped right in there with him.”

He got a shout out from his school, the private Derby Academy in Hingham south of Boston, which tweeted out one of McKenna’s photos.

Ryan is also getting some free skiing. He was wearing a sweatshirt bearing the name of Maine’s Sunday River ski resort, which offered him a free season pass.

Then he experienced the flip side of fame when he became an immediate contender for best meme of 2018.

Originally published as Kid’s ‘life ruined’ after Justin Timberlake run-in at Super Bowl LII

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/kids-life-ruined-after-justin-timberlake-runin-at-super-bowl-lii/news-story/49e847e6e63f75befe83422031481394