The determined power of local journalism and unwavering fandom combined to create a dream come true for a group of Ottawa women this week. Four lifelong superfans finally met their idols, the Jonas Brothers, backstage at the Canadian Tire Centre, thanks in part to a front-page story in the Ottawa Sun.
A Friendship Forged by Fandom
The story centers on four friends: Erica Geller, 34, Justine Walker, 33, Chelsea Roggie, 33, and Mandy Read, 33. Their shared passion for the pop-rock trio dates back more than 16 years. In 2009, they were even featured in a news article for their role in rallying local support to bring the Jonas Brothers to Ottawa for a concert that year.
Fast forward to December 2025, and the friends reunited in their hometown to attend the band's 20th-anniversary tour, "Greetings From Your Hometown," at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday, December 15. Geller, who now lives in Toronto, traveled back for the special event, calling it "the best gift ever."
The Newspaper That Opened Doors
Determined to make a meeting happen this time, Geller reached out to a reporter who had written about them in 2009. A new article about their enduring fandom was published, landing on the front page of the Ottawa Sun's December 11 edition.
Armed with copies of that newspaper, the group arrived early for the concert. "I literally got to the venue and something just came over me and I was like, 'I am making this happen,'" Geller recounted. She strategically spoke to security guards, hoping to get a copy of the Sun to the brothers backstage.
When that direct approach didn't work, a chance encounter near their floor seats by the catwalk provided a new opportunity. After explaining their story to a photographer, he promised to pass the newspaper to the tour manager. "I wasn't sure if he was actually going to," Geller admitted, but they had brought extra copies just in case.
A Dream Realized After the Show
The persistence paid off. Roughly 30 to 40 minutes later, a tour official approached them and asked, "Are you the girls from the newspaper article?" This led to an unforgettable backstage meeting where the four friends finally got to personally thank Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas for years of music and memories.
Photographs from the encounter show the beaming fans posing with the musicians, a tangible reward for a dedication that spanned nearly two decades. The moment highlighted how a local news story can bridge the gap between global celebrities and their most devoted supporters, creating a unique and personal concert experience right in the heart of Ottawa.
