New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and now, One Direction all have something in common: millions and millions of screaming teenage fans vying for their attention.
How many of those millions of screaming fans can say that they got a personalized video from her favorite member of her favorite boy band?
In Port Jefferson, there's at least one.
Melena – who has Down's Syndrome – has been a fan of One Direction since her older sister Julianna introduced her to the band. Now, as her sixteen birthday approaches, her sister and her friends with a YouTube video, Twitter account and Facebook page trying to get their message to go viral and grab the attention of the biggest boy band of the moment.
It worked.
On Thursday the girls received a video in an email from Melena's favorite One Direction member, Niall Horan. In the video, Horan said that he saw Melena's video, calling it "absolutely incredible."
"Sorry we can't come to see you," Horan says. "You're a massive fan, we know."
Then he sent his love from all the band members and blew her a kiss.
Melena's reaction was "adorable" according to Moira Power, one of the girls involved with pushing the campaign on social media.
The girls themselves are ecstatic.
"It is so rewarding to hear this response," Power said in an email to Patch. "Julianna and I have spent countless hours promoting the video since we created it in August waiting for this moment! It is unbelievable that three girls from Port Jefferson, NY could get in contact with one of the most popular celebrities right now who is all the way in England! This shows that if you set your mind to it anything is possible!"
Power said that they will be posting Melena's reaction to the video soon. They're continuing to push to get Melena to meet the band. Though One Direction can't make her Sweet Sixteen party, there is a concert in New York the weekend after her party and they're hoping for a meet and greet.
You can help by visiting their Facebook fan page, watching their videos and tweeting to One Direction with the hashtag #HelpMelenaMeet1D.
If this band is appearing at Madison Square Garden ....? Then you need to get to Cablevision and the Dolans .. they own the Garden, they can make this happen. Just my two cents.
Congrats to her sister and friends for helping her achieve her dream.