Top 10 Times Ellen Helped Guests Meet Their Heroes

In 2015 the world fell in love with eight-year-old Demarjay Smith, the “young Jamaican trainer”, thanks to his hilarious motivational workout videos. He was later invited to appear on “Ellen”, where he got to meet – and race – one of his heroes: Olympic Gold medalist Usain Bolt. Smith was more than up to the challenge, trash talkin’ Bolt prior to the race before ultimately defeating him – thanks in part to the champ “pulling a muscle”. Since then, the youngster has become the show’s “sports and fitness expert”, and has attended events like the 2016 NBA All-Star game, where he interviewed numerous players and even beat Steph Curry in a push up contest!

In 2018, college star Arike Ogunbowale gained national attention when she helped Notre Dame win the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament by hitting game-winning buzzer beaters in both the semi-finals and finals. During a sit-down with Ellen, Ogunbowale revealed that her basketball hero was Kobe Bryant and that in the aftermath of her epic accomplishment the former NBA star even tweeted at her. So naturally, Ellen had Bryant make a surprise appearance. The look on Ogunbowale face when her hero emerges from backstage says it all. Bryant even brought gifts: two signed jerseys. One for her and one for her dog!

In 2018, the story of a Thai youth soccer team that became trapped inside of a cave for over two weeks captivated the world. After being successfully rescued, they shared their first in-studio interview with Ellen. They discussed how they became trapped, what the ordeal was like and the emotions they felt upon being rescued. Afterward, Ellen presented each of them with a soccer jersey, complete with an image of her face. However, she saved the best for last, bringing out the boys’ favorite soccer player, LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. The superstar footballer sent the boys into a jubilant frenzy, and quipped that because of their bravery, they’re probably “the best team in the world.”

Here Ellen managed to give a guest two incredible surprises. First, she shocked audience member Madeleine Traver by announcing that she was the winner of a web contest to find Taylor Swift’s biggest fan, and invited her on stage, where she presented her with a gift basket filled with T-Swift swag and floor seats to Taylor's upcoming show in L.A. However, Ellen wasn’t done. Just when Traver thought things couldn’t get any better, her idol tapped her on the shoulder. Swift presented her with V.I.P. passes to her show and the two shared a touching embrace. Something tells us that this is an experience Madeleine Traver will be thinking about for a long, long time.

#6: Luke Chacko Meets Idina Menzel

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Luke Chacko entered the pop culture stratosphere after being invited on-stage during an Idina Menzel concert and delivering an earth-shattering rendition of her song “Let It Go”. He was subsequently invited to appear on “Ellen”, where he delivered an even more impassioned message about bullying. The “rubber man of steel” went on to say that he now has a new squad of friends at school, to which Ellen pointed out that he could use another member. Enter – Idina Menzel! The typically articulate Chacko found himself lost for words, staring up at his idol in awe. The only thing better? The look on Ellen and Idina Menzel’s faces when Chacko performed “Let It Go” for them.

#5: Kai Meets Bruno Mars

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Young Kai won over Ellen DeGeneres when he was just four years old, thanks to an adorable viral video of him singing “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. She’s since invited him to appear on her show multiple times, and each time Kai just keeps getting cuter and cuter. Ellen has also helped him meet two of his idols; Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. Kai met Bruno Mars backstage and the two sang “Uptown Funk” together. He later got to meet Ed Sheeran, who surprised him on stage during a performance of Sheeran’s song “Thinking Out Loud”. It doesn’t get much cuter than that!

#4: James Shaw Jr. Meets Dwyane Wade

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Real life hero James Shaw Jr. got the surprise of a lifetime during a visit to “Ellen” in 2018. Shaw gained national attention after stopping a shooting spree at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee in April of 2018. He subsequently appeared on a number of talk shows and was later awarded the BET Humanitarian Award. With Ellen, he discussed his love of basketball and in particular his favorite player, Dwayne Wade. Well, you can imagine his surprise when Wade joined him on stage. The former NBA star called him an “American hero”, going on to say that Shaw is the kind of person he wants his kids to look up to, and presented him with a check for $20,000.

Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish stopped by the “Ellen” show in 2018 to discuss her love of all things Oprah. Haddish is such an Oprah superfan, that she even has an idea for a vegetable farm business called “Tiff and O’s” that she hopes she and Oprah can collaborate on. So yeah, Haddish is the real deal as far as Oprah fans go. So when Ms. Winfrey emerged from backstage Haddish had a full-on meltdown. The “Girls Trip” star couldn’t contain her emotions, bawling her eyes out while telling Oprah that the former talk show host appears in her dreams. The trio went on to cook a dish together, perhaps paving the way for a “Tiff and O’s” TV show…

Canadian James Bond superfan Britton Walker amazed Ellen and her audience members with his dizzying array of Bond knowledge when he appeared on the show in 2014. However, in 2015 it was Walker’s turn to be amazed, as he got to meet his idol: Bond actor Daniel Craig. The dapper Calgarian sat down with Craig in Mexico City prior to the release of “Spectre”.The two made apple juice “martinis” (shaken not stirred, of course), discussed the secret behind Bond’s immaculate suits and even practiced a few stunts. Walker even got to attend the premiere, where he met Sam Smith – singer of “Spectre’s” theme song – and the film’s villain, Christoph Waltz. Naturally, Walker looked as sharp as ever. Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions: Macey Meets President Obama Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Meet Pharrell Mary Halsey Meets Missy Elliott Mila Meets Adam Levine Sydney Meets Justin Bieber

These British cousins set the internet ablaze in 2011 thanks to their hilarious rendition of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”, which went viral beyond their wildest dreams. Naturally it caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who not only invited them onto her show, but also got Nicki Minaj to make a special appearance. Ellen hooked Sophia Grace and Rosie up with a pair of colorful wigs and bedazzled microphones and made sure they sang “Super Bass” with their musical hero before departing. As if she hadn’t already done enough, Ellen brought the girls back a month later to meet yet another of their idols: Rihanna. Some kids have all the fun!