Kiwi tweeters get Hollywood dream call
21 Apr 2009
Three enterprising students, soon to be winging their way from Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island to Los Angeles to meet US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, are the latest beneficiaries of online social networking.
Kaitlin Spedding, Lauren Mabbett and Nick McCabe, who are studying television, radio and performing arts at the NZ Broadcasting School in Christchurch, posted a video diary on YouTube outlining their dream to travel to the USA and be in the audience of 'The Ellen Show'.
The trio call themselves Team Ellen.
It was to be a long-term dream, but when Ellen DeGeneres picked up on their mission through the Twitter social networking site, she tweeted back with tickets and an invitation to spend a week in LA with the support of Air New Zealand and Discover Los Angeles.
As well as appearing on ‘The Ellen Show’, the students will all fulfill other great American dreams like attending a baseball match, visiting Disneyland and Hollywood and riding in a yellow cab.
Mission: DeGeneres
Kaitlin, Lauren and Nick came up with idea for Mission:DeGeneres after discovering a mutual enthusiasm for ‘The Ellen Show’ and ambition to go to LA.
They planned their travel on paper, recorded their mission on video, posted it on YouTube, then invited people to follow their progress on Twitter.
The students began saving for what they believed to be a five-year mission, but within a week the television star had discovered them, highlighted their video on her show and organised the trip.
Worldwide exposure
DeGeneres broke the news to the students with a live phone call during her show that was watched by three million viewers.
The students’ shocked reaction has been viewed worldwide, and the trio now have more than 7000 followers on Twitter.
They have also dominated YouTube viewing in New Zealand, and are the number one on the website this month for New Zealand YouTube subscribers.
The trio leave New Zealand tomorrow (22.04.09).
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