Who would think a video of a guy spraying disinfectant on a microphone is hilarious? Millions of TikTok users, that’s who.

The simple gesture to keep everyone safe during a school talent show is a viral TikTok sensation for two Highlands High School seniors.

When Alli Love saw Noah Kessler walk on stage to spray disinfectant on the mic after each act, she thought it would be a funny moment to capture on camera. The moments occurred during the school’s annual “Fall Follies” talent show Oct. 21.

“I didn’t know Noah was doing stage crew, and I thought it was funny each time he did it,” Love said.

She filmed a few videos of Kessler, then decided to edit them together, similar to videos she saw on TikTok, the popular video-based social network.

The video shows quick cuts of Kessler spraying the mic and receiving a cheer from the crowd each time. The pop song “Pony” by Ginuwine plays under the video. Love randomly chose the 1996 song while looking for background music.

best part of the show????????

♬ Pony - Ginuwine

She posted the TikTok on Monday after friends convinced her to do it.

Within three days, the video reached more than 11 million views and more than 2 million likes.

“I was really shocked because I didn’t expect anyone to see it except friends,” Love said. “I am glad people liked it.”

She had to turn off TikTok’s notifications on her phone because of the engagement the video is receiving.

“They keep going on. Each time I open the app, it doesn’t go past 99 notifications,” she said.

Kessler, who saw the video before it was posted, was blown away by the reception. The crowd’s reaction to his actions caused the spotlight to eventually land on him as he peeked from behind the curtains.

“I was really anxious to be on stage, but hearing the reactions from the crowd made me happy,” Kessler said.

Andrew Conte, director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University, said the video’s timeliness during covid and its quick format made it the perfect formula to draw laughs and attention.

“It is the kind of thing we have been living through for a year and a half,” he said. “It sums it up.”

When it comes to defining what is considered “viral,” Conte said TikTok has its own, unique model to do that.

“TikTok is special because it uses the algorithm to identify things that are popular and pushes them out to people,” he said. “The platform, itself, can help something go viral.”

TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.

Highlands musical Director Michael Zeiler saw the video after a fellow musical alumni sent it to him. He was happy to see the attention the video was receiving from just one way the school was ensuring students were safe, by disinfecting the mic, while having fun.

“It was simply an act of goodness,” he said. “I am glad it became a positive, fun thing for kids.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)