Grandma Hears Iconic Kesha Song for the First Time—Has Best Reaction


An 89-year-old grandma’s reaction to hearing Kesha for the first time at a family gathering has left the internet in stitches.

Mark Nesbitt, 30, (@oprahtheactress) from Los Angeles, California, shared footage which garnered 1.1 million likes and 7.5 million views of his late grandma, Sylvia Webber, at an outdoor family gathering as she was introduced to the popular track “Tik Tok” for the first time.

“Grammie always loved being introduced to new music. She surely was not familiar with the discography of Kesha, and after that singalong she did not—to my knowledge—explore it further,” the grandson told Newsweek.

“Tik Tok” was the soundtrack to start the 2010s as it soared to the top Billboards Hot 100 and would remain there for nine weeks.

On camera, Mark and his friend Lane Smith, 30, started the musical rendition of Kesha’s “Tik Tok” by tapping their feet, clapping and singing the well-known lyrics.

Grammie nodded along, grinning, clearly enamored by the musical ensemble.

“Grammie really was the best. There is a photo of me in kindergarten where I had brought Grammie for show-and-tell – with Grammie seated next to me as I proudly proclaimed ‘THIS is my Grammie.’ That sentiment remained true throughout my life,” Nesbitt told Newsweek of Grammie who passed away in November 2020.

The doting grandson shared another video of her dancing to Flo-Rida’s 2007 hit “Low.” He said her favorite artist was Jubilant Sykes, an American baritone whose musical influences span genres that include gospel, jazz and folk. One of her favorite songs was “Delta Dawn,” a country hit by Tanya Tucker which was released in 1972.

Sylvia and Mark.
Sylvia and Mark. The grandma and grandson were inseparable.

Mark Nesbitt/Mark Nesbitt

TikTok users were left touched by Grammie’s singalong and youthful spirit.

“She’s just loving being near you, honestly,” said Jotato. “I ADORE your grandma,” said another user. “This is that intergenerational connection I’ve been hearing about,” CC said.

“Grammie is an icon. Plain and simple,” Kaitlyn J said.

Sylvia and Mark.
Sylvia and Mark. Sylvia loved listening to new music and spending time with her grandson and his friends.

Mark Nesbitt/Mark Nesbitt

According to a 2009 study carried out by Pew Research Center, 28 percent of 1,332 respondents aged 65 and older said what they valued most about aging was the chance to spend more time with family. And 25 percent said they valued time with their grandchildren over anything else.

Nesbitt described his Grammie as the “best thing about him.” He visited her twice a year, until he went to college near her and spent entire summers living with her.

“My favorite nights were when we’d go out for an early movie, followed by dinner. We’d talk about school, my friends, her weekly Bible study, her group of friends—many of whom had long felt like friends of my own, and the news. Grammie loved the news. I was just always so proud to be her grandson and her friend.

“Introducing her to anyone and everyone was one of the greatest joys of my life. When I would host award show parties at her house, my friends would come mostly to spend time with her,” Nesbitt told Newsweek.