On The Up: Whangārei Academy of Gymnastics goes viral with athletes dressed as unicorns

You’d be forgiven for thinking blow-up unicorn costumes can’t get much funnier.

But add acrobatic skill and a sprinkling of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club, and you’ve got the perfect viral video.

At least that’s what happened when the Whangārei District Council’s new deputy mayor was invited to Whangārei Academy of Gymnastics (Wags) for its end-of-year display on Tuesday, December 2.

Scott McKenzie was attending the event in his new role when he saw the unicorns and knew it was simply too good not to film.

Two days after the video was posted, it had amassed more than 11 million views, 23,000 shares, 269,000 likes and 3000 comments.

The talent behind the viral moment, Renee Pilon and Lexi Hati, decided they wanted to surprise their community at the end-of-year event.

“We were honestly just doing it for the kids. We didn’t expect it to blow up,” Hati said.

The 15-year-old is the club’s most decorated gymnast this year, a coach and judge in training, and a student at Whangārei Girls’ High School.

Pilon, the highest-level gymnast at Wags, who has represented New Zealand in artistic gymnastics in the United States and tumbling in Australia, said it was “definitely a challenge” to get the act working.

“It took a couple tries to even get up to the bar because we couldn’t move our arms up or anything, all of our mobility was restricted.”

On top of their usual training schedule of five days a week – totalling about 17 hours – they stayed later for about four weeks to perfect the routine.

The pair trained in secret in the hopes of surprising the crowd when the time came.

Gymnasts Renee Pilon [left] and Lexi Hati surprised the crowd at the Whangārei Academy of Gymnastics end of year display in unicorn costumes, with the moment going viral. Photo / Brodie Stone

McKenzie said he did not think the video would have the impact it did.

“But I was real stoked when it did. But then my immediate thought was like, ‘oh my gosh ... you guys [Hati and Pilon] should be getting the credit for this because it’s your whole thing’.

“I just happened to be there, you know, filming it.”

Gymnasts Lexi Hati (left) and Renee Pilon with Whangārei Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie. Photo / Brodie Stone

McKenzie said that on the night, as soon as the unicorns walked out, everyone was laughing.

Hati and Renee entertained the crowd of young gymnasts on the mat with a routine, before skipping their way over to the high bars.

McKenzie said it was then that you could tell something was building.

He said the whole crowd “just erupted” when they started spinning around.

McKenzie said it was “really great” that the duo were getting some recognition.

“And the kind of respect that they deserve for the amazing skills that they were able to display.”

Pilon and Hati said they enjoyed interacting with the children especially.

“We gave them high fives and hugs and everything. They just loved it,” Pilon said.

“I still get people coming up when I’m coaching, being like, ‘Oh, that was amazing’.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.