Lainey Wilson Created A Core Memory For A Young Fan Fighting Cancer
Leading country music star Lainey Wilson is busy jetsetting around the globe on her Whirlwind World Tour. Currently, she is spending the month of February “down under” with eight shows in Australia and New Zealand.
On Wednesday, February 11th, the “Somewhere Over Laredo” singer performed at Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre. But it was not her chart-topping songs nor her signature outfits that made the night memorable.
Lainey brought a special fan on stage to join her as the “Cowgirl of the Night.” The 6-year-old girl, named Tessa, is battling stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the central nervous system.
Tessa’s story was shared online by Australian content creator Samuel Weidenhofer, who is known for leveraging his online community to deliver life-changing acts of generosity. In the video, Samuel visits the cancer ward and gives Renee, Tessa’s mother, a chance to share their story.
“Moms are meant to be able to fix everything. This is not just a scratch on the knee,” she says as she choked back tears.
Samuel then surprises Tessa with tickets to Lainey Wilson’s show that evening and reveals that she will meet the country star in person. After meeting backstage before the show, Lainey paused her set to create a special moment for the young cancer warrior. She told the crowd:
“I met a very very very special cowgirl. She is one of the toughest little girls that I have ever met.”
She welcomed Tessa on stage and had her repeat the following phrases before presenting her with a cowgirl hat:
“I am beautiful. I am smart. I am fearless. I am cowgirl of the night.”
Meet Tessa, hear her story, and watch her join Lainey Wilson on stage in the video below.
RELATED: LAINEY WILSON BRINGS TINY FAN DRESSED AS FIANCE DUCK HODGES ON STAGE TO SING WITH HER
More About Tessa’s Cancer Journey
According to the GoFundMe page set up for Tessa and her family, the young girl was first diagnosed with the disease in November 2023. After two years of “relentless treatment including chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, and immunotherapy,” her cancer returned in 2025 and is spreading.
“Tessa is a bright creative little girl who loves Mecca makeup and changing her looks with fun wigs. She adores doing her makeup crafting with anything and everything and her favourite colour is pink. Right now she is loving learning how to read and proudly showing off every new word she learns.”
Doctors have advised the family that they have exhausted all treatment options in Australia and will need to seek life-saving treatments overseas. At the time of publication, donations are nearing $400,000 on a goal of $750,000.
If you’d like to help support Tessa in her fight against cancer, donate here.
