On the afternoon of October 4, 2025, Mishelle Ferro and her family were responsible for the first-ever recorded spontaneous Times Square karaoke performance. Their contagious enthusiasm made the moment so memorable that it became a viral hit! That exuberant moment is Ferro’s TikTok video of her group singing in harmony with 63-year-old performer Tom Riccobono. Fast forward to today and that incredible video has soared to just under 7 million views!
The event unfolded during a typical evening lull around 10:15 p.m., a time when restaurants in Times Square often experience a drop in patrons as theatergoers disperse into the bustling streets. Riccobono, a veteran relative newcomer performer to the area who’s developed quite a following in his short time here, was belting out tunes while strumming his guitar. Up jumped Ferro and her party’s bang-wagon.
Ferro, who was there with her husband, sister, brother-in-law and a friend, attempted to describe the magic of that moment. We loved it so much, we had to have stayed there for eight, ten minutes easily. In that eight to 10 minutes, we had so much fun,” she said. The delegation finished up with a rousing rendition of Avicii’s 2013 smash “Wake Me Up.” Their soft voices reverberated off the otherwise empty restaurant, making for such a magical and memorable time.
Even without an audience, Riccobono’s passion for music permeated every moment. He acknowledged the quiet atmosphere that often descends upon Times Square restaurants during off-peak hours, stating, “All those bars in Times Square, during the theater hour on a Saturday night, are going to be dead.”
As the clip went viral across social media platforms, Riccobono responded to the newfound celebrity status, calling it “surreal.” With that contextual milestone, he said that reaching viral status at this stage of his life and career would be “magical stuff” rarer than big foot. Riccobono said he wants to stay on stage for another 15 to 20 years, and it was clear from the beginning that he is serious about his craft. “Focus on the act. You gotta work on the act. And all that other stuff will just happen naturally,” he continued.
Ferro’s video not only highlights a moment of joy but serves as a reminder to cherish life’s smaller moments. She wants her viral video to encourage people to take their foot off the gas pedal and fully enjoy life’s temporary moments. “We live such busy lives, but sometimes, just taking a moment and stopping to look around can have a huge impact,” she remarked.
The singalong showcased not only Riccobono’s musical talent but the spontaneity and connection that music can create among strangers. Ferro recalled how they initially began cheering him on, saying, “Saw a man performing to an empty restaurant in NYC… So we started cheering him up and singing along and then he performed for us with his whole heart and soul.”
As the evening wore on, the harsh truth began to dawn upon them that they were pretty much playing to a darkened living room. Ferro noted, “He was singing towards the restaurant but the doors behind him were completely open… from what we could see, there was no one inside.” This context deepened the emotional resonance of their encounter even further.
