Candace Payne, the Texas mom who put on a Chewbacca mask and brought joy to herself and the Internet this week, has far and away eclipsed the record for Facebook Live video views with 117 million and counting.
Payne shot the video on Thursday while sitting in her car in the parking lot of a Kohl’s department store outside of Dallas. Titled “It’s the simple joys in life …,” the viral video has more than 2 million comments and almost 3 million shares.
“I’m really excited to share with you something I got,” Payne said, clapping as she filmed herself in her car. For almost two minutes she explains what she was doing at the store and why the item she purchased is for her, and not her kids.
After revealing the mask for the popular Star Wars character, Payne puts it on, and laughs through battery-powered Wookie roars for another two minutes.
“That’s not me making that noise, it’s the mask!” Payne cackles, eventually wiping away tears.
The video views (117,790,126 on Saturday afternoon) eclipse the previous most-viewed video, which was an exploding watermelon with 10 million views on Buzzfeed’s Facebook page.
“That’s just crazy,” Payne told the BBC. “I’m just laughing — in all honesty, that is ridiculous. I’ve looked at the number of views and it just seems like someone is just playing with a calculator.”
Kohl’s didn’t waste any time seizing on the publicity, showing up at Payne’s house with a team carrying Star Wars merchandise — including masks for Payne’s kids. They also gave Payne, who was wearing a Star Wars At-At T-shirt, $2,500 in gift cards and 10,000 rewards points as a birthday gift.
Candace didn't want to share her Chewbacca mask. So we showed up to make sure she didn't have to! #AllTheGoodStuffhttps://t.co/8gvLaj9VeF
— Kohl's (@Kohls) May 21, 2016
Candace made the Internet's day, so we wanted to make hers. Chewbacca masks for the whole fam (plus a little extra)! pic.twitter.com/6qst1LZc5Y
— Kohl's (@Kohls) May 21, 2016
Payne even got the attention of the man who roars behind the Chewbacca mask for real. Actor Peter Mayhew, who tweets under @TheWookieRoars, said the video was a lovely birthday present for him, as he turned 72 on Friday.
"I'm such a happy chewbacca.." This lady is still making me smile. Lovely video to come out on my birthday :) pic.twitter.com/khUizi6nFf
— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) May 21, 2016
No doubt Payne’s Internet fame has only just begun. Super Bowl ads are probably being written and we’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t show up as an extra in an “Episode VIII” cantina scene.
Chewie, we've gone viral. #ChewbaccaMask pic.twitter.com/9cEeP81Wml
— The Pixel Factor (@ThePixelFactor) May 21, 2016
