KDKA-TV meteorologist Ray Petelin’s yearly interview with his daughter on her first day of school has gone viral, worldwide.
Petelin is known as one of the most trusted forecasters in town, but it’s the relationship he has with his daughter that has made him famous worldwide.
Since kindergarten, Petelin has recorded an interview with his daughter every year on the first day of school.
This year was different. It’s the last one before Elizabeth graduates high school.
“My original concept was just a kindergarten video and to show it to her when she was a senior to see look how much you’ve changed and grown up, “said Petelin speaking to Larry Richert on The Big K Morning Show Wednesday. “When she was going into first grade, I looked back at that video and just realized how much she’s changed in just a year between kindergarten and first grade so, I was like I’m going to do this interview again and it just became a tradition after that.”
The video was posted on multiple social platforms and has around 35 million views on TikTok. “Obviously it resonated with a lot of people,” said Petelin.
Petelin says Elizabeth was excited to do the interview when it first started but it got a little challenging around middle school, because you know…teenagers.
“As she got back into high school, she realized how special it was to me and eventually it became special to her and we always, in the hustle and bustle of the first day, always had that time carved out to make sure we got the interview,” said Petelin.
After the video blew up on TikTok, Petelin starting hearing from web and news outlets all over the world, including a feature on CBS Mornings.
Petelin has also had requests from shows like Inside Edition, as well as newspapers in the United Kingdom and more.
In a world were there is negativity on social media, no matter what is posted, Petelin says the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
As for Elizabeth, Petelin says she’s handling the attention well. She’s used to it. She appears in Petelin’s weekend weather education segments “Hey Ray”.