I guess fairy tales really can come true. Sometimes all it takes is a few kind people and the modern-day equivalent to a magic carpet ride. You know, a fast-moving helicopter. Mikayla Renfrow is a theater performer. While on a Delta Airlines flight coming back from Europe she received a text that sent her quiet flight into a tailspin.
The message read: “Mikayla… please send an updated eta when you can. I may need you for Jasmine tonight.” That’s right – Renfrow is the understudy to Princess Jasmine in the Broadway performance of “Aladdin.” And the main actress wasn’t able to go on stage, which meant Renfrow was going to be the one to perform. Which meant being on a plane was a bit of a problem.
In a TikTok video that has garnered over 1 million views, Renfrow said that she “had 4 more hours to go, and would be landing around 5 pm — which gave me no time for me to make the show for half-hour call.”
@mikrenfrow The story of how i had to be helicoptered from JFK to play Jasmine in 🧞♂️Aladdin in Broadway…WHAT. #fyp #broadway #delta #blade#@delta @BLADE ♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89
Renfrow told reporters that she was originally supposed to arrive back in New York City the next morning to be part of the ensemble cast. But her flight ended up being delayed and her performance had been pushed back another day, she said. Until she got that message.
“I think my brain just immediately started going through every option that I knew was possible at that point,” Renfrow said. Hoping to somehow fast track her way through the airport, Renfrow asked her flight attendant if there was a way for her to get off the plane first. Little did she know how much Delta would do for their passengers.
Delta Capt. Robert Montalto and Mikayla Renfrow. Photo courtesy of Mikayla Renfrow
Never in a million years did I think what they had in store was what the plan was going to be,” Renfrow said.
The Delta flight supervisor Leicha Richardson moved the panicked actress to first class, so she could have a meal and some rest before going on stage. “‘I’m going to give you a jug of water and you’re going to try and sleep and hydrate and rest because you have a big night,'” Renfrow said Richardson told her. “Fully my fairy godmother.”
Then the pilot came out and informed her that the only option she would have was to use a helicopter to cut down the 2-hour car drive from the airport, to a 7 minute flight instead. “He would do everything in his power to get me there on time,” Renfrow said. She added that the pilot also requested a gate change to allow Renfrow to be closer to customs when she disembarked.
Mikayla Renfrow as Jasmine in the Broadway production of “Aladdin.” Photo by Disney Theatrical Productions
After landing, a Delta agent rushed Renfrow through customs to her Uber Blade helicopter. They were one minute late and they just barely made it. “I ended up being 1 minute late, but Blade waited for me knowing this was my last try at making it for the show. They saved me,” Renfrow said.
Landing in Hudson Yards, the actress ran to the nearest train, and magically made it to the show on time. “I made it … thanks to Delta & Blade championing me through,” Renfrow said. And in the audience that night – Richardson. “Hearing her cheer me on from the moment I stepped out just carried me through the whole thing,” Renfrow gushed.
So that show was for her. She helped me through that whole journey, even to the theater at the end of the night.”
“We were touched by this story and applaud the crew that went above and beyond on this flight to JFK to ensure Mikayla was ready to take the stage,” a Delta representative said. “Our people are the best in the business, and it’s our honor to provide memorable ‘magic carpet rides’ for Broadway stars and fans alike every day.” Watch the amazing dash to Broadway below!
