Whenever Azai, a 20-month-old toddler, strolls into his beloved Target store in Huntersville, North Carolina, a delighted gathering of guests and team members quickly forms to greet him with a warm “hi.”
Azai has captured the hearts of TikTok users as the platform’s newest sensation, earning the endearing title of the “internet’s favorite nephew.” Fans adore the videos shared by his mother, Mia Ariannaa, showcasing Azai’s adventures through Target’s aisles, where he cheerfully interacts with everyone he meets, offering friendly greetings and even fist bumps. This spring, he made a special visit to select his favorite Easter treats while flaunting styles from Target’s Cat & Jack kids’ apparel line.
Each encounter with Azai exudes pure happiness—he adores Target and eagerly returns for more enjoyable moments. Aligning perfectly with Target’s mission of spreading joy, the Huntersville store team prepared delightful surprises to commemorate Azai’s latest visit.
A Day in the Life of a Team Leader
When Azai stepped through the towering sliding doors adorned in his vibrant red-and-khaki ensemble, Store Director Tammy M. greeted him with a personalized name badge, marking his promotion to an honorary team member for the day—specifically, as the Store Happiness Director of Huntersville Target. And before his naptime, he accomplished quite a bit: from distributing Bullseye-themed treats during the team huddle, to delivering an announcement over the walkie-talkie and warmly welcoming guests in the aisles and at the checkout counters, Azai infused happiness into every moment.
A Generous Gesture for Azai and his Community
As the day drew to a close, a final surprise awaited. Tammy and the team gathered around to present Azai and his mother with a $500 Target GiftCard for their family. Moreover, to continue spreading joy within his local community, Target made a $10,000 donation in Azai’s honor to Classroom Central, a Charlotte-based organization providing free school supplies to thousands of teachers annually. Classroom Central will be featured as one of Target Circle’s supported nonprofits in the Charlotte area later this summer, allowing local patrons to further their support by voting through the Target Circle app.
Eager for his next visit to his beloved Target store, Azai enthusiastically exclaimed over the walkie-talkie to the team, “I’ll be back!” Watch the video above for the exciting announcement and all the ensuing action. Then, stay tuned for more delightful moments from Azai’s perspective.
