There’s family weekend. And then there’s family weekend at USC.
This past weekend, USC students were treated to a special DJ’s set by one of their classmate’s dad. You might know him as Will Ferrell.
In a backwards cap, dark sunglasses and head-to-toe USC merchandise, Will joined his son Magnus Ferrell and other college students to DJ at his son’s fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu.
Webb Hayes, a senior brother at the fraternity studying real estate development, said that Magnus Ferrell is a member of the fraternity and is one of the house’s DJs.
“He thought it would be a fun gig to have his dad pretend to DJ for 15 minutes,” Hayes said.
He said all the brothers of the fraternity were “stoked.” He added that it was “planned ahead, but kept very lowkey up until the day of.”
Students took videos of Ferrell and posted them to their social media platforms with pride. Soon after, the videos went viral on TikTok and Instagram. Media outlets like the Rolling Stone and celebrities like Snoop Dog reposted the videos.
Pani Disyadej and Paige Huben, sophomores studying business administration, were captured in the viral tiktok video of Ferrell DJ-ing.
“He played a lot of throwback songs like ‘Eye of the Tiger,’” Huben said. “I was so surprised when I saw him on the DJ stand, my mouth dropped wide open. But I thought it was so fun that he came back to USC because he himself went to USC. So it’s like it’s his alma mater.”
“We got kicked out because we weren’t supposed to be sitting on those stands,” Disyadej said. “But it was funny that the two minutes we were there were the two minutes that went viral on TikTok.”
Huben also added, “I was so surprised he was there, but I thought he did a great job DJing. Being in the video with him that went viral was so cool because I was close to him.”
Eleanor Brooks, a sophomore studying business administration who was captured in the video that Rolling Stone posted, said “it was incredible and such a blast to see Will Ferrell DJ at Sammy.”
“I have been a big fan for years, he is hilarious. I hope he pulls up to another party this year. A few of my friends from home flew in for family weekend so it was kind of a flex that he was DJ-ing,” she added.
Tamara Almoayed, a sophomore studying journalism said, “Will Ferrell DJ-ing at USC? That’s a great way for college students to show their parents that we are getting their money’s worth.”
Hayes, the fraternity member, said “family weekend is a great time for every member of the fraternity to give their family a glimpse into their life at USC.”
“We’re able to introduce each other to our parents, siblings and hometown friends,” Hayes said. “I’m glad that Magnus was able to include his dad and make the day special for all those involved.”