Will and Monifa Sims became internet sensations after their hilarious impromptu karaoke performance at a gas station in Burbank, Calf. The two were featured on "Pumpcast News," a fake gas station news program Jay Leno pulls on unsuspecting people.
Almost overnight their video went viral and now has more than 16 million views. The performance landed them on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Today Show" and "Extra." They have even been asked to perform at venues like the House of Blues and are now talking with producers about getting a TV show.
"It has been a whirlwind but it's been wonderful," Monifa Sims said in a phone interview. "We had no idea that [our video] would touch so many people."
Not long after the video went viral, the couple began to get offers for TV shows. Monifa said they have been meeting with producers to discuss the possibility of getting a reality show but nothing has been decided yet. She said the idea of a docu-soap and a competition-themed show has also been tossed around but whatever they decide to do they both want it has to represent them.
"There's so much negativity in this world we just want whatever we do to be positive," Monifa said adding that she would be interested in doing a reality show that focuses on "a young black couple who are in love and like to have fun."
Monifa's husband, Will, said he has also enjoyed the experience. The moment he will probably never forget is when Bon Jovi sent the couple a personalized message.
In a YouTube video the "Livin' On a Prayer" singer, which is the song Will performed at the gas station, thanked the couple for "having so much fun with the song." The part that excited Will the most is when Bon Jovi told them that he hopes to see them on the road sometime adding that maybe they could sing together. Will said he and Monifa saw the video on Mother's Day.
"I thought it was cool that he would take time out his trip to send us a message," Will said adding that he has been keeping in touch with his manager. "Hopefully, I'll get to sing with him."
Shortly after the karaoke video gained attention it was speculated that it was fake and the whole thing had been set up after it was discovered that Monifa had appeared on a segment of the fake show over two years ago. The couple insisted that it wasn't set up. Monifa said she didn't even realize they were on "Pumpcast News" at first.
In the video, Monifa is seen waiting in the car as Will, who is quietly singing, is about to fill the car up with gas. She said she wasn't really paying her husband any attention because he's always singing.
"I was playing on my phone and when I saw him talking to the TV I was like 'oh no!'" Monifa said. "My intention was not to get out the car. I had no intention of singing."
She said what people did not see is that it took a lot of coaxing for her to get out the car but once she did, she decided to have fun with it.
If there is one thing they both want people to take from their video it would be to have fun.
"Remember to carve out those moments to not take life so seriously," Monifa said.
"Take time out to have fun. There's so much negativity," her husband added. "People forgot how to have fun."
