The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ellen gives $ 15,000 checks to DeKalb bar employee, owner after viral video
A fewweeks ago, a woman was captured ona surveillance camera dancing outside a DeKalb County bar after she thought a job interview went well.
The video quickly went viral and amassed more than 20 million views on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. Ellen DeGeneres was among those who saw the video, and it led to the newly hired employee and the owner of The Spot Sports Bar& Grill being featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
Kallayah Jones, the employee, and Dakara Spence, the owner, both received a surprise while on the show.
“We learned that you both want to go back to school,” DeGeneres said during the segment that aired Monday. “... You’re both just so inspiring, so we want to give you both something to have a happy dance about. Wewant to give each of you a check for $ 15,000.”
The two could barely contain their excitement as large cardboard checks were brought onto the stage. Though neither danced, the two women were overcome with emotion, which happened a few times during the preceding interview as well.
On Sept. 29, Jones interviewed for a job at the bar offff Flat Shoals Parkway in unincorporated Decatur, but she explained to DeGeneres that the job meant theworld to her. She said shewas homeless for two years and was not able to dress up for the job opportunity.
“I came in there with a scarf on because I didn’t have any money to get any ( hair) gel. I didn’t have any sneakers or any fl flats or anything like that, so I came in slippers,” she told DeGeneres. “I was hoping and praying that shewould nott urnme away, because I needed the job.”
Spence, who conducted the job interview, said she empathized with Jones and wanted to hire her. While Jones was walking through the parking lot after the interview, she paused brieflfly and broke out into the dance — unaware that a camera was watching.
After seeing the video, Spence posted it to her personal social media pages, and it was trending by the end of themonth. The Atlanta Journal- Constitution previously reached out to Jones but did not hear back.
To watch the segment, visitellentube.com.