Introduction
On Dec. 5, 2025, a quiet evening at the East West Players theater in Los Angeles turned into a cinematic love story when Janna Mae and Austin Kuniyoshi staged an unforgettable proposal.
At a Glance
- 30-year-old Austin surprised his 31-year-old girlfriend with a short film and live proposal.
- The plan, orchestrated over a year, involved friends, a dance troupe, and a ukulele serenade.
- The couple’s dogs, Tophee and Tala, made cameo appearances.
- Janna’s reaction went viral on TikTok.
- They plan to keep the wedding as epic as the proposal.
The Big Surprise
Janna Mae, a freelance video producer, was told she would attend a local artist showcase. She expected dance performances and short films, but the program took an unexpected turn. As the lights dimmed, a familiar soundtrack filled the theater. Friends from high school and college appeared on screen, culminating in Austin’s voice narrating their story. “By that point, I had a feeling this was going to be a proposal,” Janna told News Of Los Angeles.
Crafting the Cinematic Moment
Austin, an office supervisor, spent almost a year planning. He used Google Sheets to coordinate details and enlisted friends with diverse skills-filming, acting, dancing-to create a community effort. The short film was a sequel to a screenplay Austin had written and gifted to Janna on their first Christmas together. Highlights included:
- A choreographed dance with his former UCLA team, Samahang Modern.
- Cameos from their Goldendoodles, Tophee and Tala.
- A montage of moments from their first dance class 11 years ago.
The dance routine was taught in a single day, and the filming took place at the same location where Janna first took Austin’s dance class.
The Dance, the Ukulele, and the Proposal
After the film ended, a ukulele melody floated through the theater. Austin walked down the aisle, strummed the instrument, and sang Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am.” He had serenaded Janna privately when they first became a couple a decade ago. The song set a romantic backdrop as he pulled her onto the stage, took her hand, and asked, “Will you marry me?” Janna, nervous but overwhelmed, answered “yes.”
The proposal was followed by a surprise reveal: Janna’s parents, hidden behind program covers, emerged to the cheers of friends and family. “I burst out crying as soon as I saw them,” she said.
Reaction and Aftermath
Janna posted a TikTok clip of her reaction, initially exclaiming, “What?! What is happening?” before covering her face in shock. She later described the moment as a Tagalog “kilig”-a fluttering, butterfly-like feeling. The event was captured on camera; friends were instructed to take photos and videos to preserve the memory.
She reflected on the effort: “I was jealous not to have been part of the planning.” She praised Austin’s attentiveness and the way he knows her quirks and loves her deeply.
Looking Ahead
The couple plans to enjoy their engagement and save for a wedding that matches the proposal’s epic scale. Janna told News Of Los Angeles that they will take time to plan, ensuring the wedding is as memorable as the cinematic surprise.
Key Takeaways
- A year-long, community-crafted proposal can become a viral romance story.
- Personal touches-music, dance, pets-enhance the emotional impact.
- The couple’s future wedding will aim to echo the same level of creativity and love.
