A Johannesburg man’s unique gay marriage proposal video, featuring an A-list Hollywood star, has gone viral.
In the YouTube video, film and TV producer Brett Lotriet uses sign boards to ask boyfriend Khalid Shawwa, who’s a huge fan of Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, to marry him.
“We all know how you feel about Star Trek’s Captain Picard,” reads Lotriet’s sign. “So I searched the galaxy for Patrick Stewart… and finally asked his best friend for help!”
The Hobbit and X-Men star Ian McKellen then appears on screen telling Shawwa that while unfortunately Stewart is already married, Lotriet is not. “So think it over and do the right thing,” McKellen suggests.
The video ends with Lotriet asking, “Will you marry me?”
Shawwa told Mambaonline that the video came as a complete surprise. “I was sitting at a red light, on my way home when my phone beeped, telling me that Brett had posted a video on myFacebook wall,” he said.
“I managed to pull over and had to watch it a couple times to let it sink in. I was so surprised to see Sir Ian McKellen in there and shocked to hear him say my name! I was so happy, but I didn’t want to appear too eager, so I messaged Brett something inane, like ‘I almost died’. Of course, as soon as I got home I blurted my ‘yes’.”
He added: “I never expected him to do this amazing thing for me. Also, I feel kinda silly that he’s been working on this in secret and I never even suspected!”
Lotriet revealed that he asked McKellen to film the proposal last year while shooting an interview with the star for the documentary Nelson Mandela Redrawn. He had hoped to also include Stewart, but wasn’t able to arrange it.
When asked how he felt about the video going viral, Lotriet replied: “No, I don’t mind at all. It’s important in today’s world to be outspoken on gay rights issues, as they are human rights issues.”
He added that they haven’t set a date for the big day yet because “we are too broke right now to marry.”
He’ll have to go some way to top the proposal. Perhaps convincing Stewart and McKellen to perform the actual marriage ceremony?
Watch the proposal video below.
8 Responses
Total attention seeking, when does it stop? Shame on you 🙁
Flippin’ awesome! How many guys would go to that much effort? Definitely not a heat of the moment proposal that. Congrats guys!
Davina why don’t you just keep your nasty negative thoughts to yourself. If you cant say something nice rather shut up. These guys are in love and who gives you the right to judge them and take the moment away. you seem like a jealous bitter lonely human being and i have no compassion or reason for you.
Brett well done and i hope you look after each other in a very special way congrats to both of you
So beautiful and meaningful…..really warmed up my heart! May you two continue to make each other happy!!
Congratulations guys that was pretty awesome. Hope you live long enough to replay that fantastic proposal.
A most amazing act of selfless love…well done!!!
wonderful. very romantic proposal