Broadway Fan With Autism Wins Essay Contest & Gets The Surprise Of A Lifetime

A Broadway fan with autism got the surprise of a lifetime when she won a contest and got to unexpectedly meet the Broadway star who she looks up to.

Rialla De Abreu was diagnosed with autism when she was just two years old. Doctors told her mom that her daughter would most likely never learn to speak, but she was ready to prove them wrong.

When her mother saw “Wicked” on Broadway in London and heard the lyrics from the song “The Wizard and I,” she was further inspired to prove all assumptions about her daughter wrong.

“Unlimited…my future is unlimited,” they sing in the song. The song shows that no matter where you’re from or what you look like, your future is unlimited. Anything is possible, especially achieving your goals and dreams.

And De Abreu’s future was certainly unlimited. She proved doctors wrong by not only learning to talk, but by going on to live a rather normal life.

She also grew up to be a huge Broadway fan just like her mother, and felt a certain connection to “Wicked,” for the same reasons as her mom.

Brittney Johnson, who plays Glinda in the musical, is one of De Abreu’s favorite broadway stars and her biggest inspiration.

De Abreu entered an essay contest, sharing her story about autism and her love for broadway. She ended up winning and was invited to the show.

Little did she know, she would get to meet her favorite Broadway actress!

When she turned around, she saw Johnson standing there and was shocked. She was so ecstatic to meet her!

Watch the heartwarming surprise in the video below: