The Emotional Duet Between Michael Bublé and a Sixth-Grade Teacher
Not many people can claim they’ve met one of their idols. Some fans manage to get that coveted backstage pass, or squeeze through the crowd for a handshake and a photo; these moments are truly special. However, one fan had the extraordinary opportunity to do something many dream of: share a stage with Michael Bublé in front of a packed arena.
This is exactly what sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Diana Fairbanks did during Michael Bublé’s show at Oakland’s Oracle Arena in 2019. In this emotional moment, Fairbanks remains calm despite the large crowd around her as Bublé agrees to her request for a duet. Together, they perform Disney’s “A Whole New World” in a beautiful, harmonious duet.
Initially, Bublé seems to think that Fairbanks – who is holding up a sign – is simply trying to grab his attention and show her admiration (as most fans would likely do if they were that close to Bublé).
He is then surprised to discover the other side of the sign, which requests an on-stage duet with the iconic Canadian singer. The audience, unaware, was about to witness a truly unforgettable moment.
The crowd erupted in applause as Bublé accepted her request, and Fairbanks showcased her angelic voice right from the start. Despite his legendary status, Bublé proves in this moment that he’s just like anyone else as he stumbles over his words during the duet. However, this doesn’t stop him from providing excellent harmonic support to Fairbanks, who matches his pitch by the end of the song. The two even share a look of reassurance as they find the right pitch together.
Michael Bublé is a globally recognized vocal icon. His impressive original discography speaks for itself, but what makes Bublé even more magical is his ability to bring forgotten songs of the past back to life and put his unique spin on them. One of his most beloved covers is Nina Simone’s classic “Feeling Good”, which 15-year-old fan Sam Hollyman had the chance to perform with Bublé during his concert at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena.
Fan interactions are some of the most unexpected and amazing experiences we can have at music shows. Guest artist collaborations are always a pleasant surprise, but there is something especially thrilling about a fan being able to perform with one of their favorite artists.
One particularly enchanting moment occurred when Yayo Sanchez, wearing makeup inspired by Kiss’ Gene Simmons, was invited on stage by Dave Grohl during a Foo Fighters concert to play guitar. Not only did young Sanchez perfectly perform their classic hit “Monkey Wrench”, but after an electrifying performance, Grohl was left speechless and began bowing to the young guitarist. Such praise is hard to come by anywhere else.
