Two years prior to her father-daughter dance, Kelli Elsen choose her song: Camila Cabello’s “First Man”. What she wasn’t expecting, was for Cabello to come and sing it live at her wedding, just outside Iowa City.

Elsen and the family were staying in a hotel the night before, and so was Cabello of course. Elsen was very hesitant at first, but her mom told her to just go for it – “Everything happens for a reason,” she said.

From Luck to Awkward

@mamamamamamidwest This doesn’t happen!!! Camila Cabello met my cousin Kelli at a hotel bar and then came to her Iowa wedding the next day to sing her father daughter dance. She was such a kind human and helped make pure magic last night. Congratulations to Kelli and Michael!!! What a moment #camilacabello #wedding #fatherdaughter #firstman @Camila Cabello ♬ original sound – MamamamamamaMidwest

Elsen introduced herself to Cabello and told her what the song meant to them. Without hesitation, Cabello said she would love to perform it for her in person. Sure enough, the next day, Cabello showed up to the wedding and performed “First Man” while Elsen danced with her dad, Mike Murray.

The TikTok video of the wedding, featuring Cabello’s silly introduction and performance spread quickly online. She told the guests that she wrote the song for her dad and was inspired by Elsen’s family.

Camila Cabello’s Cameo

As Cabello spoke to the couple’s wedding guests, she said, “I’m such a daddy’s girl.” She then explained the meaning of the song. “If you’re lucky, your dad is your first love, your first hero. And every single dad in the audience loves you, and always will, as I could tell from speaking to you guys yesterday, your dad loves the hell out of you.”

Cabello was in town, for another friend’s wedding. She turned a moment of surprise into a weekend of viral vulnerability. She transitioned the acoustic version of “First Man” from Romance, into a movie moment in real life to surprise everyone in the place.

The response on social media was instant, with fans noting Cabello’s generosity and emotional empathy. The astonished wedding guests reflected Cabello’s priorities for herself – kindness, connection, authenticity.

For Elsen and her dad, she made a special song memory their first dance.