Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador has become a massive star.
He probably does not think of himself as an influencer, but he clearly is. Heald may not post a lot of racy pictures of himself, but over half a million people follow him on Facebook and his audience is incredibly engaged.
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Very few social media personalities have built the person connection with their audience that Heald has. He, along with his colleague, Jacinta, spend most days answering questions and taking requests from passengers.
That's not always a pretty job. When people are angry with Carnival, they often take it out on Heald. Rather than fighting that, he often says that he would rather passengers send him their anger than take it on crew members.
And, while he does have to deal with his fair share of hate, Heald also has tens of thousands of people who love him. His cruises, where passengers can sail with him, sell out quickly and many people want to meet him and take a picture.
One of Heald's followers, Brian, had an interesting request for the Brand Ambassador and Carnival Cruise Line.
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Image source: John Heald/Facebook
Carnival Cruise Line says no to a good idea
"Good morning, John. Can we ask Carnival to put life size cutouts of you on the ships for those passengers that never get the chance to sall with you and want that photo op? Thank you," Brian wrote.
Heald was kind in rejecting the idea.
"Thank you, Brian, that’s very very humbling. I do have a feeling if we were to do this that people would ask who is that fat sod?," he wrote.
The Brand Ambassador did, however, have some fun with the idea.
"Perhaps we should put it in places that people would never expect to find me, like the gym or by the salad or at a Cruise Critic, meet and greet. Guy's Burgers, how about John's Fish and Chips. Oh FFS Thanks so much, thanks for making me smile everyone," he wrote.
(FFS is "for fun's sake" in Heald vernacular.
Carnival passengers wants more Heald
Carnival passengers actually like the idea of a Heald cutout.
"I would love this and need a picture for sure. Plus, they could move it around the ship for John's special events or John's food recommendations. Either way, would definitely be fun," Shawn Caccia shared.
Sandy Heiney also liked the idea.
"I would love this! I'd definitely want a pic with you, preferably in person but I'd be happy with a cut out! How fun," she added.
Deborah Wright said a Heald cutout would solve a problem.
"I would love that! We won't be able to enjoy the experience of cruising with you because as soon as you announce your cruise all FAC cabins are already booked," she posted.
A lot of posters had fun with idea.
"Instead of Find Waldo do a Find John event. Move it to different spots each day," wrote Deborah Starkey Street.
"That would be hilarious! Make it a scavenger hunt. One life-size version but 50 John heads around the ship spying on us. Make it a game to find them all," posted Lisa Kennard.
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Dixie White used the post to share a touching story about Heald.
"One of my most favorite pictures is of you and me at FFS#2. You were telling me that you had started cooking the liver and onions for mum because she was having trouble cooking. Every cruise I have taken since your mum passed I tell the Fun Squad member that writes up my donation to Groove for St. Jude that it is in memory of John Heald's mum," she shared.
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