Plane Passenger Who Went Viral for Sharing Romantic Note from Pilot Apologizes: ‘I Don’t Think He Wanted This’

Steph Bohrer, a 23-year-old influencer from Charleston, S.C., became the center of attention after recently sharing an innocent, yet heartfelt, moment at the airport. 

“A pilot just placed this on my table and walked away,” she wrote in her March 5 TikTok video displaying a note from a pilot – handwritten on a brown napkin – that would soon captivate millions online.  

The note read, “I have seen the whole world and you are the most beautiful human in it.” It sparked a flurry of reactions ranging from playful curiosity to cautionary remarks. 

Bohrer, who is known for her lifestyle content, was simply enjoying a quiet moment at the Atlanta airport with her friend, Maya, when the note was placed in front of her by an unknown pilot. “I didn’t even see his face,” she explained in the caption.

While her napkin video garnered more than 21 million views and countless reactions, the attention left Bohrer confused. 

“I wasn’t gonna make a follow-up video about this, but I just have been getting sent like news articles all day, like I’m literally on the national news,” she said in separate TikTok updating her followers. “And I don’t know why, because I just posted this innocent little video.”

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In the follow-up video, Bohrer cleared up any misunderstandings and shed light on the situation so many wanted to know more about. 

“It was not the pilot of my flight, by the way,” Bohrer explained. “I didn’t even see this man’s face.”

It was actually Bohrer’s friend, Maya, who noticed the pilot and described him as blond and short. “Saw his face for maybe a split second. He placed it down, walked away … just simple. It was nice,” she said in the video. 

Bohrer shared that the moment was merely a compliment from a stranger who probably didn’t wish to be recognized. 

“I don’t think he wanted this to be on the news, and I’m really sorry he just was giving me a compliment,” she shared. “I don’t even know his name, signature, anything. I don’t know anything. Don’t have his phone number, and it’s okay.”

In a humorous moment, Bohrer admitted that she had no intentions of being involved in any matchmaking schemes. “You don’t have to set us up … I’m good,” she added.

Instead, she expressed her gratitude for the kind gesture, adding that she would likely frame the napkin as a sweet reminder of a stranger’s kindness. 

Bohrer also addressed the media frenzy, noting how some people had been analyzing the handwriting on the note. To set the record straight, she reassured her followers: “I did not write this. I promise, just a nice gentleman, that’s all I have to say.”

Bohrer has not replied to PEOPLE’s request for comment.