An 89-year-old Tulsa woman became an unexpected internet sensation after placing a framed photo of Michael B. Jordan on her family photo wall and joking with relatives that the actor was her grandson. The playful moment caught millions of views, but it also reached Jordan himself.
The Oscar-winning actor later contacted Mary Story, turning a funny family moment into a warm exchange between two people who had never met.
Jordan Calls His “Granny”
Jordan, known for films including “Sinners,” surprised Story with a FaceTime call after her granddaughter, Natalie Sims, shared the original video online in May. The clip eventually collected about 1.7 million views.
During the call, Jordan thanked Story for the affection she had shown and acknowledged his place among her family photographs.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natalie Lauren Sims (@natalielaurensims)
“Thank you so much for all the love you’ve been showing,” he told her. “You’ve got a beautiful family. Thanks for including me in the collage, in the family pictures.”
Story then showed Jordan the exact spot where she had placed his picture. The portrait, clipped from a magazine, sat among photographs of her relatives, Civil Rights leaders and former President Barack Obama.
The lighthearted family connection also included Story’s daughter, who joined the call and greeted Jordan as her “nephew.”
“I just want to say you are truly the man of the year here,” she told him.
Jordan responded by praising the family’s three generations of Black women and their connection to Tulsa.
“I just love seeing three generations of beautiful Black women,” he said. “This is great. Y’all are amazing. So much strength, especially from Tulsa. I’ve never been to Tulsa before.”
A Jewelry Surprise
Jordan had already made an unexpected gesture toward Story in June. He sent a David Yurman jewelry package to her home after his team contacted Sims.
Inside were a bracelet and necklace featuring amethyst, Story’s birthstone. The gift carried another personal connection: Story and Jordan both have February birthdays, with their birthdays falling just six days apart.
Story was visibly surprised when she opened the package and reacted with disbelief.
According to Sims, Jordan’s team reached out two days after the viral video spread. The actor was out of the country at the time but had seen the clip and wanted to respond. Before arranging the FaceTime conversation, he decided to send Story something special.
Sims later shared her appreciation on Instagram, telling Jordan, “You are family now.”
The FaceTime call also opened the door to a possible visit. Sims invited Jordan to meet the family in Tulsa, and the actor responded playfully, “I might just surprise y’all.”
That visit has not been confirmed, but the exchange gave the viral story a personal ending beyond social media attention.
Mary Story’s framed-photo joke began as a simple family moment. After the video reached a large online audience, it unexpectedly connected her with Michael B. Jordan himself. The actor’s call and thoughtful gift added a new chapter to a story that started with one photograph on a family wall.
