Ciara’s “Level Up” has seriously caught on since the video for the beat-driven single dropped July 17 and one take on the resulting Level Up Challenge led the singer to a surprise meeting with the man behind the magic.
Kenneth Thomas went viral when he did the Level Up Challenge for his baby son, Kristian, who has been in the hospital getting treatment for leukemia. The clip, posted on Thomas’ Instagram page under his choreographer name Kenny Clutch, racked up more than 2.7 million views since it was posted over two weeks ago. CiCi reposted the clip on her IG page too and by Thursday, Aug. 2, the singer got to meet Kristian and Kenny at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Today I had one of the best times in Life!” the singer posted on Instagram. “I got to meet the Rock Star Kristian! I didn’t want to let him go!! He was so cuddly ❤️. He’s surrounded by an abundance of love! He radiates love! He’s a true warrior! I felt so blessed being with him and his family! He’s currently in remission, and has one more big step left! Let’s all continue to lift this angel up in prayer! His family too! Big shout out to his parents @KennyClutch_ @JosilyneThomasPhotography! Together we can #LevelUpAgainstCancer! #FightKristian #WhyNotYou!💪🏽.”
And it wasn’t just Kristian who got some love. Ciara also supported his nimble father and Thomas gushed about the encounter on his IG page, which came after Ciara crowned him and his son the winners of her Level Up Challenge. They even got matching signed jerseys from Ciara’s Seattle Seahawks quarterback husband, Russell Wilson.
Ciara also donated $5,000 to the family’s fund to care for Kristian and for the Thomas’ travel expenses through the Why Not You Foundation, Philly.com reported.
“This meant a lot in so many ways, this was totally unexpected. I was just doing what I do and cheering my boy up. Who knew he would become the Level Up King and Capture so many hearts. And the fact that @ciara GENUINELY supports and has started to build a love for our family is amazing,” Thomas said in part.
Fans eagerly ate up the meeting between Ciara, Thomas and his young cancer fighter.
“@ciara Oh my heart. You went and saw him? what a blessing.”
“Sooo wonderful! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💜💜💜.”
“Beautiful picture may God continue to give him strength and bless his family as well.”
