Most Read

News

Whoopi Gets Choked Up After Emotional Make-A-Wish Surprise For Young Fan On 'The View'

The 'View' cohost kept her composure throughout an interview with 15-year-old Mya, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors—but when Make-A-Wish surprised Mya with her favorite actor, 'Descendents' star Sofia Carson, Goldberg struggled to hold back tears.

Screenshot of Whoopi Goldberg and screenshot of Sofia Carson and Mya
The View/YouTube

The View ended on an emotional note with moderator Whoopi Goldberg managing to hold back her tears during a segment honoring Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

The show featured Mya Jackson, a 15-year-old living with neurofibromatosis, type 2 (NF2), a condition that leads to the development of spinal and brain tumors. Mya and her mother shared her story with the hosts, prompting Sara Haines to tear up multiple times as the teen spoke.

Mya was diagnosed with the condition during a corrective eye surgery when doctors discovered a tumor. She underwent surgery to remove the initial tumor at the age of six, but more tumors began to grow in the following years, affecting facial movement, sensation, swallowing, and vision. To manage her condition, the family opted for chemotherapy, and Mya has undergone 87 treatments so far.

While discussing her illness alongside her mother, Mya expressed her admiration for actress Sofia Carson—who plays Evie in Disney's Descendants series—unaware that Carson was waiting backstage.

You can watch what happened in the video below.

Sofia Carson Makes Wish Come True For Incredible 15-Year-Old Brain Tumor Warrior | The Viewyoutu.be

Before Carson joined them, Mya expressed gratitude despite her ongoing health struggles:

"I just think about people that could have it worse than I do. Some people can't walk, some people can't swallow their food, some people, they're stuck at the hospital."

Goldberg then brought up Mya's admiration for Carson:

“I understand you’re a huge fan of The Descendants and you already know that I was Ursula in The Descendants. I heard that you’ve seen The Descendants movies a gazillion times and your favorite actress is singer Sofia Carson, who plays Evie.”

In response, Mya shared that Carson's work has had a positive effect on her:

"I love Sofia Carson because she teaches me every day to be happy. I watch her videos, her morning routines, and I find that, no matter what the day brings her, she's always happy."

It was then that Goldberg announced that The View had partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation—and that Carson was backstage:

”Today, we want to make a wish come true for you. This is for you. Please welcome Sofia Carson."

After Carson walked onstage and hugged the emotional teenager, Goldberg appeared visibly moved while handing her co-host Sara Haines a tissue:

“You with the wet face. I can’t take it."

A thrilled Carson, addressing Mya, said:

"You made my wish come true. I think there are few more important things in the world than the privilege of being able to make Mya smile, and to be able to be your wish is one of the greatest honors of my life. You are my hero, and everyone here's hero."

Carson also shared that, after the show, Mya would be treated to a special gift from Disney: a custom-tailored Evie costume, adding another layer of excitement to Mya’s day.

As the segment concluded, Goldberg nearly lost her composure as she struggled to keep her emotions in check:

"Sofia, you are the queen we always knew you were. Thank you for making this come true for Mya today. For more information on the magic..." [choking up]
"Of making wishes come true, head to wish.org/disney. We'll be right back."

Many were just as touched by the heartfelt moment.

Carson also posted about the experience, sharing a short clip of herself and Mya dancing on set and adding the following caption:

"Forever. My Mya."

You can see her post below.

Many loved Carson's post.

The surprise was made possible through Disney's collaboration with Make-A-Wish for World Wish Day. Since their partnership began in 1980, they have fulfilled wishes for more than 155,000 individuals with critical illnesses. Notably, one in two wishes granted in the U.S. has historically involved Disney.

The broader Disney family supports Make-A-Wish by granting transformative experiences such as theme park and resort vacations, cruises, shopping sprees, studio visits, celebrity meet-and-greets, sports-themed events, and more.