PALM BAY, Fla. – Vanilla Ice turned up in Palm Bay sporting green shades, danced with Palm Bay Mayor William Capote and posed for group selfies.
But the rapper-turned-home improvement reality star saved his best for last when he had a few moments alone with 6-year-old Owen Johnson, who sat in a specialized wheelchair with a big grin.
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"We're going to build a little pool for you, just enjoy yourself. It's going to be perfect for ya," Vanilla Ice told Owen before showing the first-grader his tattoos.
The 47-year-old rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was in Palm Bay to break ground on a specialized, soft-water therapeutic pool donated to the Johnson family to help Owen, who is paralyzed.
The Johnsons were ecstatic about the donation of the $50,000 pool provided by the Deerfield Beach-based Van Kirk & Sons.
The pool, which will take a month to complete, is the latest in a series of outreach efforts toward the family geared to help them with Owen's care.
Owen was left paralyzed from the neck down after a deadly 2011 collision in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It claimed the life of his 6-year-old sister Hannah and badly injured his two other sisters, Brooke and Kathryn.
Vanilla Ice, who has partnered with Van Kirk & Sons on other projects, also briefly talked with Local 6 News partner Florida Today about his arrest in Palm Beach last week on burglary and grand theft charges that made headlines.
The home renovation star's demeanor was focused as he spoke openly about what he has since called a "misunderstanding."
"I'm doing alright, got in a little bit of a mess but we'll get through it," he said, adding that he was hoping to move past last week's arrest.
"Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery," he said. "I love just being a part of putting smiles on people's faces. That's why I'm here."
He described his love of charity and how when he was a 19-year-old hip hop star with the parachute pants and angled hair, he met a 9-year-old fan who was dying of a bone marrow disease.
"He had two big Vanilla Ice posters on his wall … it was like lightning went through my body," he said, adding that he didn't fully understand the impact his music was having on the lives of his listeners.
"It's just a miracle and I love being a part of that. People can make a difference," said Bobby Van Kirk, owner of the pool company installing the pool in the Johnson's back yard.
"Since then, Vanilla Ice has worked with other charitable groups, donating time and his home improvement expertise to make a difference," he said.