The Chewbacca Mask Mom Got a Seriously Amazing Surprise from J.J. Abrams
If you haven’t already laughed gleefully along with Chewbacca Mask Mom, that must be one cozy rock you’re hiding under. The short clip, which is now officially the most viewed Facebook vid of all time (and rightfully so!), has gained so much attention that Candace Payne, Chewbacca Mask Mom herself, is reaping some very cool Star Wars-like rewards for making the world smile with her hysterical happiness. As if hitting instant Internet superstardom wasn’t wild enough, not to mention receiving a treasure trove of Star Wars toys, now Chewbacca Candace can add a TV appearance and Hollywood hob-nobbing to her list of whirlwind experiences.
Just a few days after her happy video swept across the Internet, Candace popped the mask back on to take a ride on The Late Late Show With James Corden. What she didn’t know was that her fellow passenger would be Star Wars director J.J. Abrams. He surprised her right before they hopped into the mini-van, and Candace had to take a moment to gather her wits. “Hang on, I can’t talk,” she said after giving the Star Wars: The Force Awakens director a giant Chewbacca-sized hug, “I have to process.”
But wait! There was one more amazing surprise for Candace after the carpool was done, this time from Chewbacca himself. Or rather, Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewy. “Candace, you are an inspiration. Your attitude and lovely message really resonates and spreading the message the good word of Star Wars with a heart, well, it’s so much of why we do what we do,” he sent in a message to Candace during the after-show interview. The actor then set up Candace with four VIP passes to the Dallas Fan Expo in two weeks, where the stay-at-home mom and her family will get a private meet-and-greet.
Way to go, Candace! You so deserve these amazing experiences after reminding us to appreciate the simple joys.
How many times have you watched Candace’s Chewbacca mask mom video? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(Photo via Ray Tammara/Getty)
