Melissa Ferrara tells PEOPLE she immediately "started cracking up" once she saw what her daughter Madelina was doing at TJ Maxx
Credit: Melissa Ferrara
NEED TO KNOW
- Melissa Ferrara’s daughter Madelina was caught dancing on a TJ Maxx security camera while her mom was checking out
- Melissa says 5-year-old Madelina is confident and theatrical, often dancing in public wherever the mood strikes
- The viral moment highlights Melissa’s parenting philosophy of embracing her daughter’s unique personality and joyful energy
When Melissa Ferrara's daughter Madelina wandered off while her mom was checking out at TJ Maxx, she didn't expect to find the 5-year-old where she did.
In a now-viral TikTok shared by Melissa, 38, earlier this year, Madelina can be seen dancing on the TJ Maxx security camera, having a blast jamming on her own to the music playing in the store. Though other customers walk by her, Madelina remains unfazed and continues dancing.
"We were checking out at TJ Maxx, and while I was paying, I suddenly realized she had wandered a few feet over to the TV security cameras and was fully dancing to the music playing in the store like she was on America's Got Talent," Melissa tells PEOPLE.
"Once I realized what she was doing, I started cracking up and walked right over to her."
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@itsmelissaferrara
And that’s show biz baby
♬ I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
Melissa, who shares Madelina with her husband Anthony, says it isn't uncommon for her little girl to show off her dance moves in public.
"This is VERY much her personality. Madelina's confident, sassy, theatrical, and is always workin' it!" she says. "She dances everywhere—at home, in stores, in parking lots, wherever the mood hits."
Credit: Gillian Lee
"She’s the type of kid who turns ordinary moments into a performance without even trying," adds Melissa.
The mom of one notes that "nobody really reacted much" to Madelina's dancing, which she jokes "feels very New Jersey to me!"
Credit: Melissa Ferrara
Melissa says she decided to record the hilarious moment because it was a perfect fit for her Instagram account, where she already posts funny stories about her daughter.
Credit: Melissa Ferrara
"This was one moment I knew fellow parents would get a kick out of," she adds. "She always brings smiles to people's faces. I frequently get told, 'In my next life, I'm coming back as Madelina!'"
"It was one of those parenting moments where you realize your child is their own person and you just have to embrace the chaos!" she continues. "I’m definitely surprised by how many people connected with it, but it's just a reminder to not take life too seriously!"
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