1 hour ago
3
She is never, ever going to forget this.
Taylor Swift surprised an 8-year-old fan with a signed guitar and handwritten note after the child’s viral TikTok video made its way to the singer.
The sweet moment began in April when Cleveland native Madeline tossed a paper airplane over the fence to her neighbor, musician Ethan Hayes, asking if he could play a Taylor Swift song on guitar after overhearing him practicing outside.
Hayes, 26, picked up the note and performed Swift’s 2008 hit “Love Story” from his porch while Madeline sang along from her window.
Madeline’s mother, Natalie Hulec, captured the exchange on video and later posted it to TikTok, where the clip quickly racked up almost 4 million views.
The video, which featured text reading, “Our daughter sent a paper airplane to our new neighbor, and this happened…,” eventually caught Swift’s attention.
The Grammy winner sent signed guitars to both Madeline and Hayes, along with a handwritten note for the young Swiftie, People reported.
“Dearest Madeline,” Swift wrote. “I just wanted to let you know that it made me SO happy that you asked your neighbor to play my song for you.
“You brought the biggest smile to my face! I am sending you your own guitar, in case you ever want to learn too! Thanks again and sending you my love, Taylor.”
Hayes told the outlet that Swift’s team reached out to him directly after the video went viral online.
“They’re like, ‘Hey, Taylor saw your video. We want to send you something. Don’t tell anyone until it gets there,’” he recalled.
“I was expecting maybe a signed poster or something. And then she sent us guitars, which is insane.”
Madeline, meanwhile, had a short but sweet response to the surprise gift from her favorite singer.
“Thank you,” she said.
Natalie later explained that her daughter came up with the idea after feeling too shy to approach Hayes directly.
“We had the windows open, we’re making dinner and even Russell [my husband] shouted out a little ‘Woo!’” Natalie told People of first hearing Hayes perform outside.
Madeline then asked her mom for paper so she could write a note requesting a Taylor Swift song and send it over the fence as a paper airplane.
Natalie felt like it was maybe “the cutest idea” her daughter had ever had.
Hayes admitted he initially panicked after reading the request because he is not “a die-hard Swiftie,” but he was familiar enough with “Love Story” to perform it.
“I’m a musician, so I get requests all the time,” he said. “That’s one I always usually keep in my back pocket.”
The musician also said he had no idea the moment would explode online.
“My mom sent the clip to me,” he shared. “She’s like, ‘Is that you?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’”
The TikTok has since amassed millions of views, with Hayes calling the response overwhelmingly positive.
Swift has long been known for surprising fans with personal gifts and gestures.
The “Bad Blood” singer previously made headlines for tipping stadium workers during NFL appearances and handing out massive bonuses to crew members during her record-breaking Eras Tour.
The singer has also been keeping busy with fiancé Travis Kelce.
Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end recently attended the Knicks vs. Cavaliers playoff game in Cleveland, where Kelce was shown on the jumbotron chugging a beer courtside while Swift reacted with laughter and covered her face with her hand.
The couple, who first sparked dating rumors in 2023, have continued spending time together in New York in recent weeks amid reports they are preparing for their wedding on July 3.
English (US)