Camila Cabello Turned a Hotel Bar Encounter Into the Sweetest Wedding Surprise

Camila Cabello turned a casual chat at a hotel bar into an unforgettable wedding moment. On Sept. 19, the “Havana” singer met bride-to-be Kelli Murray and her family at the Hyatt Regency in Coralville, Iowa. During the conversation, Murray mentioned she planned to use Cabello’s song “First Man” for her father-daughter dance.

According to People, Cabello didn’t hesitate before offering to perform the song live at the wedding the next day. By Sept. 20, she kept her promise and showed up at Walker Homestead Farm and Winery in Iowa City, transforming the family’s celebration into a viral memory.

The father-daughter dance turned into a viral moment

Wearing a long black slip dress and holding a microphone, Cabello told guests that “First Man” was deeply personal to her. “It’s a song that I wrote about my dad and about, you know, the moment that I get married,” she said.

She added with a laugh, “I have not been married yet. I wonder if this will be my father-daughter dance [song].”

Cabello then explained why she was honored to sing the song for Murray’s wedding: “I’m such a daddy’s girl and I feel like your dad, if you’re lucky, is your first love, your first hero — the man that kind of sets the stage for the next man in your life.”

Videos posted on TikTok by Murray’s cousin show Cabello serenading the bride and her father, Mike, as they danced. At one point, the singer even worked Murray’s name into the lyrics. Mike appeared visibly emotional, wiping away tears as he swayed with his daughter.

Guests said Camila Cabello made “pure magic”

Guests at the wedding were quick to praise the pop star’s generosity. Murray’s cousin wrote in the caption of one TikTok video, “She was such a kind human and helped make pure magic last night.”

The Des Moines Register reported that Murray herself was shocked when Cabello offered to sing at her wedding. “I was a little taken aback. But she was so genuine and sweet,” Murray said. The bride added that Cabello even hugged her and insisted on meeting her parents before the big day.

Even Cabello joined in on the conversation afterward, commenting on TikTok, “I’m honored I was a part of your family’s special day, u guys are precious ????????????????????????.”

Why Camila Cabello was in Iowa in the first place

So why was Cabello in Iowa at all? According to The Des Moines Register, she was in town attending another wedding with her boyfriend, Henry Junior Chalhoub, whose family owns the Chalhoub Group, a luxury fashion distributor.

Despite her own plans, Cabello made time to honor Murray’s request, and she even sent flowers to the family after the performance. Bride Kelli Murray told the outlet, “I didn’t know what to think. I was shocked and super thankful. You won’t forget a moment like that.”

Camila Cabello’s fans called the gesture unforgettable

The videos of Cabello’s performance quickly went viral, racking up over a million views across TikTok. One fan wrote, “Camila just created a core memory for them.” Another added, “That was so unbelievably nice of her. So refreshing to see. Sometimes meeting your idols is worth it.”

For Murray and her dad, the performance was more than just a surprise. It was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime memory that lives at the intersection of music and family. As Cabello herself put it while raising her glass at the reception: “To daddy’s girls!”