A 15-year-old cancer patient who dreamed of meeting Elon Musk left behind a handwritten list of eight questions on her nightstand after she was too exhausted to take his phone call. Days after her death, Musk answered every single one — and granted her final wish by naming her plush toy “Asteroid” an official mascot for SpaceX.
Liv Perrotto, a teenager from North Carolina, had been battling cancer. Her biggest dream was to meet the tech billionaire. According to conservative commentator Glenn Beck, who first shared the story on X, Perrotto had a chance to speak with Musk just days before she died, but she was too weak and asked him to call back later. She never got that return call.
But before she passed, she left behind a notebook. Inside were eight questions for Musk, covering everything from Tesla products to Japanese anime to the inner workings of his AI.
“I wish she was here to see this,” her mother, Rebecca, wrote after Musk responded.
The Handwritten Questions: A Peek Inside a Curious Mind
The questions, written in black marker on a lined sheet of paper, reflected a playful mix of business curiosity and pop-culture fandom.
Perrotto wanted to know:
- Is Musk planning to make his own smartphone?
- Will he expand the Tesla Diner?
- Are new games coming to Tesla updates?
- What is his favorite anime?
- Has he been to Japan, and what are his favorite places?
- Does he know the virtual pop star Hatsune Miku?
- Was the Grok AI virtual companion “Ani” inspired by the character “Misa” from the manga series “Death Note”?
Her final question was the most personal: She asked whether “Asteroid,” a plush Shiba Inu zero‑gravity indicator she had designed, could become the official mascot for SpaceX.
‘Asteroid’: From a Teen’s Imagination to Outer Space
The plush toy “Asteroid” was not just a random creation. It actually flew into space.
Perrotto had designed the Shiba Inu plush as a zero‑gravity indicator for the Polaris Dawn mission, a private spaceflight operated by SpaceX in 2024. Zero‑gravity indicators are small toys that float freely inside the capsule once the spacecraft reaches microgravity, providing a visual cue that the crew has left Earth’s gravity. The toy’s flight made her dream a tangible part of spaceflight history.
“Asteroid flew as the zero‑gravity indicator on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission in 2024,” according to multiple reports. “Perrotto passed away from cancer, leaving behind a list of unanswered questions for Musk.”
Musk’s Response: ‘OK 🙂’
Beck posted photos of Perrotto and her handwritten note on X. The post quickly went viral, amassing nearly two million views and tens of thousands of likes.
On Thursday afternoon, Musk replied directly to the thread. He answered every question in order.
- On a Tesla phone: He confirmed he is not making his own smartphone.
- On Tesla Diner & games: He confirmed plans to expand the Tesla Diner and introduce new games.
- On anime: He said his favorite anime is Your Name, a Japanese romantic fantasy film.
- On Japan: He noted he has been to Japan “several times,” highlighting Kyoto and the teamLab art collective as his favorite places to visit.
- On Hatsune Miku & ‘Ani’: He did not directly answer those pop-culture questions, but his overall response was warmly received.
And to her final question, about making “Asteroid” an official SpaceX mascot, Musk replied with a simple “OK” and a smiley face.
A Mother’s Heartbreak
Perrotto’s mother, Rebecca, responded to Musk’s answers with a post that captured the bittersweet emotion of the moment:
The comment, short and devastating, resonated with millions. It underscored the gap between Musk’s thoughtful gesture and the irreplaceable loss of a young life.
The Crypto Frenzy: ‘Asteroid’ Tokens Surge 45,000%
Musk’s reply did not just touch hearts — it also moved markets. Within minutes of his initial response “Will answer shortly,” speculative traders piled into meme coins named after the plush toy.
One token, Asteroid Shiba (ASTEROID), rallied by 44,923% in 24 hours. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham identified several traders who made enormous profits:
- One trader swapped 1 ETH (about $1,800 at the time) into an ASTEROID position now worth nearly $474,000 within three hours.
- Another early buyer generated $210,000 in profit while still holding $84,000 in the token.
- A dormant holder who spent $21,390 buying ASTEROID at launch in September 2024 saw that position grow to roughly $370,000.
A separate token, Asteroid Bot (ASTEROIDBOT), posted a more modest 15% gain.
However, analysts warned that the concentration of gains among a small number of wallets and the thin liquidity typical of low‑cap meme tokens could lead to a sharp correction if early holders begin taking profit.
A Legacy of Compassion
Musk’s gesture earned widespread praise across social media.
“I feel very fortunate to live in a time where we get to experience the genius, empathy and innovation of Elon Musk. For an absolute workaholic to take a little time to answer these questions for this beautiful girl is heart warming,” one user commented.
“Elon Musk is one helleva great man. He touches many lives daily but has a huge heart filled with humility in the face of significant challenges as great as fulfilling a dying girl’s wish,” another user wrote.
For Perrotto’s family, the gesture was a bittersweet acknowledgment of a life cut short. And for the rest of the world, it was a reminder that even the busiest people can pause to honor a final wish.
FAQ: Liv Perrotto and Elon Musk
Q: Who was Liv Perrotto?
A: A 15‑year‑old cancer patient from North Carolina who dreamed of meeting Elon Musk. She designed a plush Shiba Inu zero‑gravity indicator named “Asteroid” that flew on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission in 2024.
Q: What did she ask Elon Musk?
A: She asked eight questions, including whether Musk would make a Tesla phone, expand the Tesla Diner, add new games to Tesla updates, his favorite anime, his travels to Japan, if he knew Hatsune Miku, if Grok AI’s “Ani” was inspired by “Death Note,” and whether “Asteroid” could become SpaceX’s official mascot.
Q: Did Musk answer?
A: Yes. On April 16, 2026, Musk replied directly to a post by Glenn Beck, answering all eight questions in order and agreeing to make “Asteroid” an official SpaceX mascot with a simple “OK 🙂”.
Q: Did the plush toy actually fly in space?
A: Yes. “Asteroid” served as the zero‑gravity indicator on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission in 2024.
Q: What was the reaction to Musk’s response?
A: The post went viral, amassing nearly 2 million views. Perrotto’s mother replied, “I wish she was here to see this.” The story also sparked a massive rally in “Asteroid” meme coins, with one token surging over 45,000%.
Q: Where can I see Musk’s answers?
A: Musk’s replies are available on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
