Monica Lewinsky was just one of a slew of celebrities to celebrate Sean O’Brien, the man known as the “Dancing Man” who was cyber-bullied on the 4chan website, at an epic party in Los Angeles on Saturday..
Musician Hope Leigh and writer Cassandra Fairbanks decided throw a huge huge party for Sean O’Brien in the wake of fat-shaming. After seeing the photo that went viral of the man who loves to dance, they flew him out from London to Los Angeles Saturday for a dance party in his honor.
Sean O’Brien’s plight came to the attention of celebrities after 4chan posted a photo of him dancing, with the caption, “Spotted this specimen trying to dance the other week. He stopped when he saw us laughing.”
The photo went viral.
On Saturday, the surprises for Sean just kept coming in the form of Hollywood celebrities, including Monica Lewinsky, Moby, Andrew W.K, who wanted to show their support to the anti-bullying movement.
Fat-shamed dancing man Sean O'Brien reveals humiliating experience has been 'life-changing' http://t.co/IHwzJJNuR3 pic.twitter.com/YXiUkQTpDk
— Mirror TV (@MirrorTV) May 25, 2015
“Keep that in mind. As we’re going through life, we encounter hardship,… adversity, we don’t turn against them,” Andrew said on the stage to address bullying issue. “We don’t let them hurt us who use them to make ourselves better, bigger and stronger people.”
Pharrell Williams taped a message that was shown during the event.
“When that first came out and they were teasing you, I bet you thought, ‘Man, this is not cool.’ But there was a miracle in it. Because some people saw it, and those people decided that they needed to stand up for not only you, but for anyone in your position that just wants to trust themselves and is criticized or ridiculed for it,” said Pharrell Williams. “And they did the exact opposite – they wanted to encourage you to dance more, dance free.”
After Pharrell’s message, Moby began a DJ performance, and that’s when the party really got started as partygoers took to the dance floor.
Fat-shamed "Dancing Man" who became an Internet sensation attends party in his honor in L.A. http://t.co/s8ZJp7L8HS pic.twitter.com/17UVLHc9kT
— TIME.com (@TIME) May 25, 2015
Monica Lewinsky, who is part of anti-bullying group Bystander Revolution, presented $30,000 check to the Trevor Project, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, Cybersmile, and Kidscape.
Dancing man Sean O'Brien tells us how cruel images of him have been 'simply life changing': http://t.co/vZNzhP3Ufy pic.twitter.com/D8TNFWIsYF
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 25, 2015
“Sean was brave – he stepped forward and said, ‘I am dancing man.’ We’re here tonight to celebrate Sean… celebrate dancing understanding compassion and bravery,” Monica Lewinsky told the partygoers.
Sean O’Brien danced the night away and said it was a night to remember.
“I’ve never danced so much, it’s been the best night of my life, unbelievable,” he gushed.
Dancing man Sean O'Brien tells us how cruel images of him have been 'simply life changing': http://t.co/vZNzhP3Ufy pic.twitter.com/D8TNFWIsYF
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 25, 2015
The after-glow from the party continued as Sean O’Brien took to Twitter to express his joy and gratitude.
“A last massive thanks to all those who were there last night to help make it so memorable,” he wrote. “and everyone who has supported and followed for last two months to help make it happen. So much love in the world @DanceFreeMvmt.” The event apparently was able to restore faith in humanity amid the growing number of hatred and troll in social media.