If you spend enough time online, chances are that you have seen some pretty surprising stuff go viral. From everyone’s favorite raccoon (hello, Jimothy) to those reaction GIFs we love to send, you never know what is going to resonate with people.
And while most stories that go viral have some sort of surprising or universal trait in common, every once in a while someone’s post will take off like wildfire, spreading across the internet at breakneck speeds. That’s exactly what Instagrammer @sierranicolereece says happened after she shared a video with her followers before bed that ended up receiving hundreds of thousands of likes.
The topic? Sierra Nicole Reece was simply looking for a brand deal with the Minnesota State Fair, and she asked about it in the most relatable way possible, saying, “Forget Coachella. I’m trying to go to the Minnesota State Fair. They got brand deals for that?”
Now, Reece’s viral post appears to have gotten her exactly what she was looking for, which included a sponsorship deal from the fair organizers. And with the fair’s opening day just around the corner, everyone is checking back in with Reece to see how her viral request is working out.
Reece Filmed a Short Video Before Bed
View this post on Instagram.
The six-second clip appeared on Reece’s Instagram account on April 16, 2026. The video featured a close-up of her face as she lay in bed in her PJs. After she hit post, she snuggled up under the covers in her dad’s New Jersey home, where she drifted off to sleep completely unaware that her short video was completely blowing up online.
According to MPR News, the video hit over 4 million views while Reece slept, and viewers included other influencers and the Minnesota State Fair itself. The official Instagram account for the fair even posted a response alongside a pair of “eye” emojis, writing, “I’m listening.”
Another Influencer Reached out to Reece to Brainstorm
With all of the attention her “forget Coachella” post was getting, it’s no surprise that Reece ended up connecting with an influencer manager from the Twin Cities, who MPR News says helped Reece come up with a pitch for a sponsorship, which she ultimately secured.
And it wasn’t just the viral story that helped her secure her dream sponsorship; Reece was already building a following as a food and culture influencer, which probably worked in her favor.
The Influencer Has Been Dreaming of This Day
According to an interview with the outlet, Reece says she’s been locked into Minnesota State Fair season since she was younger. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, what’s everybody eating? What are we doing, guys?’ Like that is one of my favorite times of year,” she explained.
“I’ve known about Sweet Martha’s forever. I probably watched a YouTube video on it a long, long, long time ago,” Reece continued. “That bucket of cookies has just lived rent-free in my head for my entire adolescence.”
And now, her dreams are set to come true at the end of August.
View this post on Instagram.
Two Local Influencers Will Guide Reece Through the Fair
MPR News reports that Reece has connected with the people behind the accounts for “Sade in the Cities” and “FeedMeez,” who will guide her through her first trip to the Minnesota State Fair. “This is going to be three Black women covering a state fair from our perspective, which is like unheard of,” she revealed to the outlet.
Until the fair kicks off, Reece is busying herself with her own research while also asking her followers what the must-see attractions are. And while she’s getting a ton of feedback on Instagram, those who want to live vicariously through Reece’s trip will have to wait just a little bit longer, since the Minnesota State Fair doesn’t officially kick off until Aug. 27, 2026.