A couple who got engaged on stage at Hilary Duff's concert have revealed the singer's genuine reaction to their proposal that they will 'carry in our hearts forever.'
Christopher Hernandez proposed to his partner Ivan Arturo last Friday at The Venetian's Voltaire in Las Vegas after they were pulled on stage to perform the choreography to Duff's 2007 song With, Love.
Duff not-so-subtly assisted in the proposal as she passed her microphone to Hernandez before congratulating the couple with an embrace they will never forget.
'It didn't feel rushed or staged -- it felt real. That hug, filled with love and joy, is something we'll carry in our hearts forever,' Hernandez said over e-mail in an interview with The Daily Mail.
A singer they bonded over early in their relationship, Duff's concert was a fitting place for the superfans to start their next chapter together and unsurprisingly a tricky feat Hernandez was determined to make happen.
In the days leading up to the show, Hernandez and his friend Gerardo made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach a member of Duff's team before finally making contact.
'A few days before the concert, a friend of Gerardo's mentioned he knew someone connected to Hilary's team. He shared my proposal idea with them, and the reaction was incredibly positive,' Hernandez told The Daily Mail.
'They said it would be amazing if it happened during the choreography of "With Love" and that they would mention it to Hilary. Hearing that there was even a possibility -- and that she might already know about my plans -- was surreal.
'Even though we never received final confirmation, I had already decided I was going to propose that night no matter what. With or without coordination, it was going to be special.
'Then, right before entering the venue, we spotted the team member outside. Gerardo approached him, and he said, "Oh, it's happening tonight? Text me." Shortly after, we were told that Ivan and I would be invited on stage during "With Love."
'At that moment, I knew it was really happening -- even better than I had imagined.'
After their proposal, Duff congratulated the couple in a sincere moment that was the cherry on top for the lovebirds.
'What made it even more incredible was seeing how genuinely excited Hilary was for us,' Hernandez said. 'Her reaction was beautiful. She hugged us, congratulated us, and shared in our joy. That meant everything. It wasn't just a performance -- it felt personal, warm, and unforgettable.'
Duff pulled the newly-engaged couple in for a hug but the duo were unable to recall exactly what she said due to the adrenaline.
'Because of the adrenaline and pure euphoria, we honestly can't remember her exact words when she congratulated us. Everything happened so fast. (If she ever reads this and remembers what she said, it would be so special to hear it again.),' he said.
'What we do remember clearly is the feeling: her genuine excitement, her warmth, and the sincerity in the way she hugged us. It didn't feel rushed or staged -- it felt real. That hug, filled with love and joy, is something we'll carry in our hearts forever.'
In video captured by Instagram user @james_del/Substack blogger Instagram/@james_del and downthepipes.co, Duff could be seen sheepishly handing the microphone over to Hernandez after they finished dancing to With, Love.
'Umm, just one second,' Duff said, passing the microphone to Hernandez before stepping aside.
The concert was a fitting place for the Duff superfans to get engaged, but a tricky one
Their shared adoration for the Lizzie McGuire star was something they bonded over during their relationship
As Hernandez turned to face his partner with a shy smile, the crowd went crazy as it dawned on them a proposal was about to occur.
'Will you marry me?' he asked.
Arturo accepted, the couple embraced, and confetti fell from the ceiling before Duff rushed the stage to hug them.
Hernandez and Arturo's love story began seven years ago after they matched on Tinder, with their shared love for Duff playing an integral role in their bond.
'As we were getting to know each other, one of the first things we discovered we had in common was that we were both huge Hilary Duff fans,' Hernandez explained.
'What started as a fun coincidence quickly became something really special. We would spend hours talking about our favorite Hilary movies, our favorite songs, and the memories tied to her music growing up.'
Their shared passion for Duff was one of the factors that helped make them realize they were a perfect match.
'It became one of those early connections that made us realize we were truly aligned in so many ways.'