I first heard about Fiona from my sister’s frantic text messages a few months ago.

“Sara, look how cute this is! A hippo photo-bombing an engagement photo!” she screamed, bombarding my phone with screenshots of Fiona pressing her face against the glass in the background of a proposal. An article was even written about it, with the lucky girl, Hayley Roll, exclaiming “We’re so happy Fiona could be with us on our special day!”

And then I read about Fiona making a new miniature best friend, giving her a little smooch through the glass.

Fiona the hippo has become quite the internet sensation. When Fiona was born, nobody expected her to survive. Her mother, Bibi, gave birth to her at the Cincinnati Zoo 6 weeks early. She only weighed 29 pounds, whereas most hippos weigh between 55 and 120 pounds at birth. She initially received 24-hour care, and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital even came out to give her an IV when she experienced dehydration. Yet despite the risk of her premature birth, Fiona didn’t just survive, she thrived as a Rockstar.

Fiona became a symbol of resilience and strength. The Cincinnati zoo sent Fiona’s fellow preemies supportive copies of “Fiona’s Feelings” in honor of November Prematurity Awareness Month to acknowledge and raise awareness for those affected by this health crisis. Photos of Fiona and her parents, Bibi and Henry, received thousands of shares and retweets.

“So many people believed in me, and I want you to know that you have so many people (and hippos) that believe in you, who are behind you and who love you more than you can know.” –a line from “Fiona’s Feelings”

Fiona’s star presence has greatly shifted attention from Harambe’s death. The Cincinnati Zoo received so much backlash, they had to temporarily shut down their social media accounts. (As a side note, the Zoo recently welcomed Mshindi, a new silverback gorilla, at the beginning of September.) Fiona has significantly reversed that effect, bringing people tears of joy when they watch videos of her waddling in her big pond.

At 10 and a half months, Fiona now weighs around 500 pounds, eats lettuce, and regularly swims alongside her mother. She presses her face against the glass and smiles for the camera, like the sassy, self-assured celebrity she is.

Let’s just say, Fiona can expect a lot of birthday wishes for her first birthday on January 24! I wonder when they'll start selling Fiona alcohol in Midtown.