PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A unique experience was repeated for a Port St. Lucie Gwen Stefani fan.
Six years ago, Brandon Burford went viral after getting pulled on stage at a Stefani concert in West Palm Beach.
His sign about being bullied and saved by Stefani's music caught the star's attention, and now Burford's story has come full circle.
The now-18-year-old went to a Stefani concert in Las Vegas this November and this time his graduation cap caught the superstar's attention.
Gwen Stefani sets the stage for Port St. Lucie teen’s life: Brandon’s inspiring story airs at 6pm on @WPTV & it’s B-A-N-A-N-A-S 🍌 @gwenstefani @justaboybrandon @PhotogEricP @FOX29WFLX #inspiringSFL pic.twitter.com/4u0egSADua
— Michelle Quesada (@M_Quesada) November 22, 2021
"When she pulled me up [on stage], that helped me through my whole school life, so I wanted to say, 'Thank you,'" said Burford.
His story goes back six years when Stefani spotted his mother's sign at a concert in West Palm Beach.
"'My son was bullied every day from first to fifth grade,'" read Stefani. "What? 'He would come home every day upset and he'd go to his room and listen to your music and smile.' Get up here right now! Right now!"
Stefani welcomed a then-12-year-old Burford on stage. After that moment, his life would never be the same.
6 years ago, a #PSL boy met his idol Gwen Stefani during the toughest time in his life. He was a victim of bullying. The star spotted his sign at a concert in WPB & pulled him on stage. At 3pm watch @WPTV Facebook live to learn about his latest triumph & reunion w/ Gwen! pic.twitter.com/AesbI8Xado
— Michelle Quesada (@M_Quesada) November 22, 2021
"She helped me believe in myself. She made me feel more confident about myself," said Burford.
On his worst days, Stefani's music would transform Burford.
"As soon as I turned it on, I felt better already," said Burford.
With her advice, Burford graduated high school this year. His graduation cap was decorated with bananas and flowers to represent some of Stefani's popular songs and style. Burford brought the cap to a recent Las Vegas concert and grabbed the superstar's attention once again.
"We follow each other," Stefani said to Burford on stage. "I've watched you grow into that. I am so proud of you, of your journey."
"It was crazy. When I went up, I felt like I was dreaming," added Burford. "It did not feel real."
Back in Port St. Lucie, his room is filled with memorabilia and all things Stefani.
"That's her Las Vegas show called 'Just a Girl'," pointed Burford at a poster framed on his bedroom wall.
These things keep reminding Burford that long after high school, he's not just a boy. He is whatever he wants to be.
