West Virginia is the 38th most populous state in the nation.
So, it’s only natural for West Virginians to celebrate when one of their own reaches the spotlight. That isn’t exactly the case here. However, as we like to say, “Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer,” it’s proper to be pumped when the Flying WV logo goes national.
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted wearing a WVU on multiple occasions. This is an everyday occurrence for most Mountaineer athletes, students in Morgantown or worldwide WVU alumni, but to see one of the top actors wearing it as well is certainly an odd, but satisfying sight.
On Sunday night, DiCaprio traded in his blue and gold for a finely threaded tuxedo on the red carpet. DiCaprio earned his first Academy Award for best actor in “The Revenant.”
So how does a guy who focuses his entire life on film get involved with the Mountaineers?
The verdict is still out on that.
It’s been said that DiCaprio simply likes to collect college hats. In a more local vibe, reports say that DiCaprio, who was born in California and spent his childhood in Germany, has relatives in the Mountain State.
Native West Virginians who have reached the limelight, like Jennifer Garner, Brad Paisley and even Marshall product Randy Moss have also famously worn the Flying WV in public places.
Related Story: Lady Gaga's mother was a WVU cheerleader
A few weeks ago, Lady Gaga brought West Virginia back to the worldwide picture by posting a picture of her mother in a WVU cheerleading uniform. That prompted more research into her West Virginia roots, which included an article here at HailWV.
There are all sorts of West Virginia ties, despite it being such a small state. It helps that about 50-percent of WVU’s nearly 30,000 students come from out-of-state. So, a little piece of West Virginia is taken back to their home states.
So, no matter how you got here, West Virginia will always be home. Whether he has actually been in West Virginia or not, Leonardo DiCaprio received some Mountaineer pride with his big win on Oscar night.