George Boyle
A video went viral on TikTok in July 2022, showing a DJ being criticised for their choice of song for a prom queen in a wheelchair. The song, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, contains the lyric when your legs don't work like they used to before. The prom queen, Sarah Mendenhall, who has a rare neurological condition called Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis, said she found the song choice really funny and ironic. The video sparked a debate about the DJ's responsibility in knowing the lyrics to the songs they play and the potential for insensitivity.
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What You'll Learn
- A DJ plays Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' to a prom queen in a wheelchair
- The song includes the line: 'When your legs don't work like they used to before'
- The crowd reacts with gasps and yells, but Sarah Mendenhall is unbothered
- The video goes viral on TikTok, receiving millions of views and likes
- The DJ is criticised for the song choice, but some commenters are more sympathetic
A DJ plays Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' to a prom queen in a wheelchair
A prom queen's big moment was marred by a DJ's unfortunate song choice. As Sarah Mendenhall, who uses a wheelchair, was crowned prom queen, Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" began to play. The opening lyrics of the song, "when your legs don't work like they used to before," struck a nerve with the crowd, who responded with groans and criticism. The incident, captured on TikTok by Celeste Orozco, quickly went viral, sparking a range of reactions. While some users condemned the DJ's choice as insensitive, others came to their defence, acknowledging the difficulty of knowing all the lyrics to every song.
Despite the uproar, Mendenhall herself took the incident in stride. In a comment on the video, she wrote that she found the situation "really funny and ironic" and that she had a ""great prom night and a good laugh about it the next day." Her lighthearted response was echoed by Orozco, who asked viewers to refrain from hateful comments.
The incident highlights the potential pitfalls of DJing and the importance of being mindful of song lyrics and their potential impact on audiences. While "Thinking Out Loud" is a popular and well-loved song, in this context, the lyrics took on a different meaning, unintentionally drawing attention to Mendenhall's disability.
This situation underscores the need for sensitivity and awareness in situations where music is played for diverse audiences. It serves as a reminder that DJs, and those in similar roles, have a responsibility to consider the potential implications of their choices and strive to create inclusive and respectful environments.
While the incident sparked controversy, it also prompted a conversation about disability representation and the importance of creating spaces where individuals with disabilities can feel celebrated and included. It is essential to approach these situations with empathy and understanding, ensuring that similar incidents can be avoided in the future.
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The song includes the line: 'When your legs don't work like they used to before'
The song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran includes the line, "When your legs don't work like they used to before." This song gained attention when a DJ played it for the first dance of a prom queen, Sarah Mendenhall, who uses a wheelchair. Mendenhall has a rare neurological condition called Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), which causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
The song choice caused a backlash, with many people criticizing the DJ for insensitivity. The video of the incident, posted on TikTok by Mendenhall's classmate, Celeste Orozco, went viral, amassing over 17 million views. It shows Mendenhall and the prom king on the dance floor as the song begins: "When your legs don't work like they used to before/And I can't sweep you off of your feet."
While some onlookers expressed discomfort and yelled at the DJ, Mendenhall herself said she found the situation "'really funny and ironic." She also mentioned that she didn't realize the song's lyrics until later because she was focused on dancing. The DJ has faced significant criticism and embarrassment due to the song choice.
The incident sparked discussions about the importance of considering the appropriateness of song lyrics for specific audiences. Some commentators acknowledged the challenge of knowing all song lyrics and speculated that the song was likely chosen before the prom queen was announced. This situation highlights the potential for unintended consequences when selecting songs for public events, especially when they may unintentionally cause discomfort or offense to those involved.
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The crowd reacts with gasps and yells, but Sarah Mendenhall is unbothered
Sarah Mendenhall, a 23-year-old who suffers from a rare neurological condition called Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), was crowned prom queen at her school dance. When it was time for her and the prom king to share their first dance, the DJ played Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud." The opening lines of the track read: "When your legs don't work like they used to before, and I can't sweep you off of your feet."
The crowd reacted with gasps and yells, expressing their discomfort with the DJ's choice of song, given that Sarah uses a wheelchair. However, Sarah Mendenhall was unbothered by the song choice and remained focused on trying to dance. She later commented that she found the situation “really funny and ironic" and that she "didn't know what was playing until way after."
The incident, captured on video by classmate Celeste Orozco and shared on TikTok, quickly went viral. Users were swift to criticize the DJ's choice of song, with many viewers expressing mortification over the insensitive lyrics in relation to Sarah's condition. The identity of the DJ remains unknown.
Despite the unfortunate song choice, it seems that Sarah still managed to enjoy her night as prom queen, taking the incident in stride and focusing on the highs of her experience. The incident highlights the importance of awareness and sensitivity when it comes to accessibility and disability, especially in public events and celebrations. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of the impact that seemingly small details, like a song choice, can have on individuals and communities.
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The video goes viral on TikTok, receiving millions of views and likes
A video posted to TikTok by classmate Celeste Orozco captured the moment when a DJ played Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" for prom queen Sarah Mendenhall's first dance. Mendenhall, who uses a wheelchair due to a rare neurological condition called Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), remained unbothered by the song choice, later commenting that she found it "really funny and ironic."
The video quickly went viral on the app, receiving over 17 million views and 3 million likes. Thousands of people took to the comments section to express their opinions on the incident, with some criticizing the DJ's choice of songs and others speculating about the DJ's intentions. The video also sparked discussions about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the importance of accessibility and inclusion.
The incident sparked a broader conversation about the role of DJs and their responsibility in choosing appropriate music for different events and audiences. Some users defended the DJ, suggesting that it was an honest mistake and that it is challenging to know every lyric to every song. Others shared similar stories of song choices that unintentionally caused offense or discomfort.
The video's impact extended beyond the initial viral moment, with some users creating duets and reaction videos to further express their thoughts and feelings about the incident. The original poster, Celeste Orozco, also gained a significant following on the platform, with many users praising her for capturing the moment and bringing attention to an important issue.
The viral video highlighted the power of TikTok as a platform to amplify stories and spark meaningful conversations. It also served as a reminder for DJs and event organizers to be mindful of their song choices and the potential impact they can have on individuals and communities.
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The DJ is criticised for the song choice, but some commenters are more sympathetic
A DJ has caused a stir online after playing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" for a prom queen in a wheelchair. The song includes the lyrics "when your legs don't work like they used to before" and "I can't sweep you off of your feet," which many onlookers found uncomfortable and insensitive given the context. The incident was captured on TikTok by Celeste Orozco and quickly went viral, sparking criticism and debate in the comments.
While some commenters were quick to criticize the DJ's choice of songs, others showed sympathy and understanding. Some pointed out that the DJ might not have been aware of the lyrics or the winner's situation, and that the song was likely chosen before the prom queen was announced. One commenter speculated that the song may have been requested by someone else, jokingly suggesting it was the runner-up. Another commenter, claiming to be a wedding DJ, empathized with the situation, acknowledging the challenge of knowing every lyric of every song.
The prom queen, Sarah Mendenhall, also addressed the incident, saying she found it "'really funny and ironic." Mendenhall, 23, suffers from Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare neurological condition that causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Despite the good-natured response from Mendenhall, the DJ faced a strong reaction from the crowd, with some people yelling and expressing their discomfort.
While the DJ's choice of songs may have been unfortunate, it is essential to consider all perspectives and maintain empathy and understanding. The situation highlights the importance of sensitivity and awareness, especially in such contexts, to ensure everyone feels included and respected.
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Frequently asked questions
The song is about a couple's inability to dance together due to the woman's impaired mobility.
The DJ played the song for Sarah Mendenhall, who was crowned prom queen at her school dance. Mendenhall suffers from a rare neurological condition called Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), which causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The song choice was criticised as insensitive by onlookers, but Mendenhall found it "really funny and ironic."
The crowd responded with gasps and yells, expressing their discomfort with the song's opening line: "When your legs don't work like they used to before, and I can't sweep you off of your feet."
Yes, Mendenhall mentioned that she found the situation "really funny and ironic." She also added that she "didn't know what was playing until way after" because she was focused on trying to dance and enjoy her moment as prom queen.
