A hundred million views and counting. Candace Payne turned a clearance bin item into viral magic this week when she broadcast a video on Facebook to share a new purchase: a Chewbacca mask.
Besting BuzzFeed at its game, her May 19 livestream set a new record as the most-watched Facebook Live video. BuzzFeed previously held that title when it streamed a video of staffers wrapping rubber bands around a watermelon until it exploded, amassing more than 10 million views.
So excited by her pickup, Payne didn’t even leave the parking lot of the Kohl’s department store outside Dallas before going on air. In the four-minute broadcast, she dons the mask to show off its killer app: The mask emits Chewbacca’s iconic growl when she opens her mouth. It clearly sparked a lot of joy, as the video is dominated by her nonstop laughter (to the point of tears).
“Best birthday present ever to myself,” she says.
The video also sparked an approving comment on Reddit from actor Peter Mayhew, who plays Chewbacca in the Star Wars movie franchise.
And for those looking to get one of their own, the mask, for now, is sold out.