The Virginian-Pilot
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Hunter Griffin learned the news when her friend posted it on Facebook two days ago: She was in teen singer Justin Bieber's new music video.
"I was freaking out," said Hunter, 16. "I ran upstairs to my parents."
Sure enough, 24 seconds into the video for his song "Pray" the mop-topped crooner is absorbed in conversation with a girl in a white flowered blouse.
Her head is turned, and her hand combs through her long dark hair.
It's Hunter.
She remembers the November day when Bieber and a camera crew made a surprise visit to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters before his concert at Scope.
After two weeks at the hospital and surgery to remove a kidney with a cancerous tumor, Hunter was preparing to go home.
"I looked really pretty," the Smithfield High School junior said. "I think it was hard for him to believe that I had cancer."
The song "Pray" was inspired by Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," according to Bieber's Facebook page. The lyrics reflect on the world's sorrows and offer a message of hope.
The video shows somber children and scenes of destruction, interlaced with more optimistic images of Bieber laughing and smiling with several CHKD patients. In some frames, Norfolk Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot hovers in the background.
For Hunter, who owns Bieber's memoir along with his music, posters and calendars, meeting her celebrity crush was like living in a dream. Being in the video, too, felt unreal.
She was back at the hospital Tuesday for chemotherapy and will continue treatments through the middle of next year.
"I just kind of love being noticed as the girl who met him," Hunter said. "I wouldn't mind meeting him again."
Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com
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Great with the kids & great motivation behind this teen.
I'm familiar with Justin only through his music on the radio and by hearing star gab on the morning radio programs. But yesterday, when I read the first article about him including the CHKD kids he visited in his newest video, I was curious and looked it up on YouTube. It's a really moving video with a simple, hopeful message. At the end, is a black screen with a fantastic quote!
I know he's young & very famous at this point, so I expect to see Justin in the public eye for years to come. If this boy grows into the kind of man who continues to write, sing, and promote such positivity, I can say I believe he will achieve his goal of taking action to make the world a better place. He made the kids day w/the visit & their century w/the video
Awesome
That is so awesome. Go Biebs. Never heard his music, just know he's a teenie bopper music lover. Now he has a 38 year old fan just for showing a little humanity.
Ditto
Yep, this kid is going to go places as long as he continues to keep focused on what is important in life; helping one another and inspiring positivity. He seems genuine enough and so far has weathered an incredibly fast climb to the top of the entertainment industry w/o losing his compassion for others or his sense of self. He's got his priorities straight from what I've read/heard about him. I'm 36 and I'll be cheering for him in any positive endeavor he undertakes.