A guy dressed as Black Panther proposed at a 'Black Panther' screening
Marvel’s Black Panther is not just a movie, it’s a cultural moment. So it’s not surprising that a Brooklyn man in a full Black Panther costume proposed in the middle of the theater minutes before the movie started on Thursday night.
Fans across the country have flocked to the movie theaters on opening weekend to watch their favorite superhero come to life. Some have even dressed in traditional Wakanda attire, but this Black Panther superfan made his girlfriend’s screening one she will remember for the rest of her life.
Moviegoers at Brooklyn’s Alamo Drafthouse caught the moment just as the man got on one knee.
Wow I'm at @alamodrafthouse in #Brooklyn and dude just proposed to his girl, just wow only #InWakanda #WakandaForever
— Seven, the Tenth Man (@7Akil) February 16, 2018
Akil Kamau was at the theater to see the film when it all went down. He shared details with Yahoo Lifestyle about the exciting moment of the surprise proposal.
“The atmosphere in the entire place was straight Black love and pride from the lobby to the theater, nothing but hugs, smiles, natural hair, and dashikis,” he says.
“Then the sister to my left was ‘OMG he’s proposing!'” says Kamau. “I look further to my left and see dude and his girl standing up, and the phones start coming out flashing and recording.”
Another Twitter user was able to capture the special moment:
Omg a guy next to us in a Black Panther outfit just proposed & she said yes & the theatre exploded in applause pic.twitter.com/fYHZekxtGM
— Cory Schmitz (@CorySchmitz) February 16, 2018
Kamau continues: “Folk were ‘awwww-ing’ and the excitement was building,” he adds. “Then someone said, ‘she said yes!’ and everyone started clapping and taking more pics.”
Here’s the touching video after she said “yes.”
So this couple just got engaged in my #BlackPanther viewing!
We still had to get our popped corn in order tho… pic.twitter.com/79coV63xpi
— PRE-KARDASHIAN KANYE (@CushKobain) February 16, 2018
“There were some funny, positive, comments made and the entire audience was fully supportive,” says Kamau. “Nobody was expecting it at all.”
Someone just proposed in my #BlackPanther screening wearing a black panther suit. She said yes. Y’all it’s live out here.
— Trey Williams (@Trey3Williams) February 16, 2018
According to one witness, the boyfriend knew his woman would be there with her friends, leaving soon after the proposal because he did not have a ticket to watch the movie.
Proposal at 10:15 Black Panther showing at Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn, man dressed up as Black Panther proposed to his fiancé (she said yes) who he knew would be here with her girlfriends. He didn't have tickets so left shortly after. #BlackPantherSoLit
— Rob Pratt (@Rob_Pratt) February 16, 2018
But the girlfriend wasn’t left to celebrate alone. “She was there with her friends receiving hugs and whatnot,” says Kamau.
Although the couple’s identity has not been revealed yet, we do know the entire theater exploded in cheers and applause congratulating them for their engagement.
I saw someone propose right before Black Panther started. At least he was in costume, I couldn't see her. The theater went nuts, it was like the Marvel version of proposing at a baseball game.
— Jeff Rubin (@JeffRubinShow) February 16, 2018
Mike Sampson is the marketing manager of Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn. He tells Yahoo Lifestyle that they did not catch either of their names but are in the process of reaching out.
A post shared by Alamo Drafthouse NYC (@alamonyc) on Feb 17, 2018 at 4:46am PST
“She accepted and we brought the happy couple some Champagne for a toast,” says Sampson. “The gentleman wanted to let her continue to enjoy her girls’ night, so after a quick kiss, he left the theater as the movie was about to begin.”
Mans didn’t even have the same showing as her.
— Junebug (@thejunipergoat) February 16, 2018
Kamau summarizes the sweet proposal: “It was surely a great moment in black love history.”
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
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