Man Surprises Former Model Grandma With Photoshoot, and Grandpa Is in Awe

A young man has taken spending quality time with his grandma to the next level by orchestrated an unforgettable experience that has wowed over 23.1 million TikTok viewers.

The viral video captures the moment Oliver Muhl, 20, surprises his grandmother, 77, who was once a prominent model gracing the pages of renowned fashion magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Jour de France, and Elle. In an effort to recreate the glamour of her past, Oliver organized a full glam squad—including makeup artists, hairstylists, and a wardrobe team—before taking her on a photoshoot in Paris, France.

The surprise was a resounding success in real life and online, racking up more than 3.5 million likes. Oliver told Newsweek how his grandmother Kareen was initially shocked, thinking it was just another one of his jokes. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my grandma look at me like that with so much love and appreciation,” he said.

He added: “She seemed purely excited, but later she admitted that she had a few moments of doubt about whether she could still perform like she did in her modeling days. But, she quickly found her stride, turned up her confidence, and showed that she’s still got it. She ended up being happy with how everything turned out and proud of how she did.”

The content creator from Los Angeles, California, described how much Kareen’s modeling days meant to her, often showing him her portfolio and reminiscing about those golden years.

“She lights up whenever I talk about my own experiences in the industry, and I can tell she loves reliving those moments through me. I wanted to create a special experience for her—a chance to step back into the spotlight and relive her passion.

“She has done so much for me my entire life, and it was important to me to give her something she could look back on with pride and joy,” Oliver said.

The experience was especially poignant given Kareen’s recent health challenges.

Oliver told Newsweek: “Watching her step back into her element, especially after going through surgery and a heart attack, was beyond inspiring. She brought so much energy and passion to the shoot, and it was amazing to see her shine like that again.

Reflecting on the day, Oliver added how special the experience was for both of them. “Seeing my grandma relive her passion was unforgettable for not only me but my whole family as well. And it wasn’t just about revisiting old memories; it was about creating new ones together.

“We were able to connect on an even deeper level and share something meaningful. It was also great to see how much joy it brought her—knowing that she felt confident and proud of herself made it all the more meaningful.”

TikTok Reacts

The heartwarming video that also features Oliver getting in on the action has sent the internet into a frenzy and amassed more than 36,000 comments.

“The way grandpa fell in love all over again,” read one comment with over 94,000 likes, referring to how Kareen’s husband was blown away throughout the clip. Oliver responded: “I’ve never seen him look at her like that before.”

“She’s gorgeous. Not ‘for her age.’ She’s just gorgeous, period,” posted one user, and another wrote: “WHY isn’t she still modeling? She’s definitely still got it!”

Another user commented: “I literally gasped when she stepped out in that outfit! She is stunning,” referring to one of Kareen’s striking ensembles. It included an all-black suit, a striped shirt with a long denim skirt, and a showstopping green suit.

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