When LSU’s national championship football team visited the White House in early 2020, fans expected speeches, photo ops, and celebratory moments. What they did not expect was an energetic dance video that would explode across social media and introduce millions of people to a woman whose confidence and charisma briefly stole the spotlight from the champions themselves. That woman was Gemi Bordelon.
The short clip, filmed inside one of the White House ceremonial rooms, showed several LSU players dancing to the Louisiana classic “Get the Gat.” Yet it was not the players who captured the internet’s imagination. It was the poised, blonde woman in a white suit, dancing in the middle as if she had practiced with the team. Almost instantly, viewers wanted to know who she was, what connection she had to LSU, and how she ended up in one of the most-shared college football videos of the year.
This article provides an in-depth, people-first look at Gemi Bordelon, her life, her family, and the story behind the viral moment that made her a cultural footnote in LSU sports history.
Who Is Gemi Bordelon?
Gemi Bordelon is a Louisiana native best known publicly as the wife of former LSU football standout and current Bollinger Shipyards CEO Ben Bordelon. Her name entered the broader cultural conversation only after the White House video circulated, but within Louisiana and LSU circles, the Bordelon family has long been a familiar and respected presence.
Before the viral moment, Gemi kept a largely private life. Friends and those within LSU’s long-standing community of supporters often describe her as warm, grounded, and deeply connected to her family. She is known for her quiet but steady presence at LSU functions, charity events, and family-centered gatherings. While many fanbases see boosters and prominent families as distant or corporate, LSU’s culture has always had a personal dimension, and the Bordelons fit that dynamic naturally.
Although online biographies sometimes label her as a businesswoman or entrepreneur, what stands out more strongly is not a public résumé but her connection to a family rooted in Louisiana industry, football culture, and multi-generational service to the state. She has never attempted to build a public-facing brand, influencer persona, or celebrity identity. Instead, her reputation is tied to community involvement, family support, and her role within one of Louisiana’s most recognizable families.
The Viral “Get The Gat” Moment
How A Brief Clip Became A Sports-Culture Phenomenon
The “Get the Gat” video was one of those unexpected internet moments that blend sports, personality, and pure fun. After LSU secured its 2019 national championship—a season widely considered one of the greatest in college football history—the team was invited to the White House to celebrate. As players explored the building, they recorded short TikTok clips to capture the experience in a more modern, lighthearted way.
One of those clips began with a handful of LSU athletes performing the familiar “Get the Gat” dance. The song itself holds deep ties to Louisiana, particularly within New Orleans hip-hop culture. But what made the video instantly memorable was the woman confidently stepping into the center of the circle, smiling, dancing, and clearly enjoying the moment. Her presence radiated ease rather than self-consciousness, and viewers immediately sensed that she was someone connected to the team—but not a staff member or player relative typically seen in official coverage.
Within hours, fans identified her as Gemi Bordelon. Local media, fan communities, and LSU alumni networks quickly confirmed what social media already suspected: she was the wife of former Tigers offensive lineman Ben Bordelon, a figure whose own legacy at LSU stretches back decades.
Why The Clip Resonated
People responded to the video for reasons that went beyond simple virality. It became a cultural touchstone for LSU fans, embodying the joy and swagger of the championship season. Gemi’s appearance amplified that spirit.
First, her dance felt authentic. She didn’t look like someone stepping in for attention; instead, she appeared entirely comfortable among the players, dancing with the kind of confidence that suggested she had spent years around LSU athletes and their families. For viewers, this authenticity made her instantly likable.
Second, the unexpected nature of the moment added to its charm. The White House is one of America’s most formal and symbolically serious spaces. Watching a group of college athletes break into a New Orleans dance routine—joined by a fan-favorite mom figure—was delightfully incongruous. It created a moment that felt spontaneous, fun, and deeply rooted in Louisiana culture.
Third, the video reminded fans that LSU football is more than a program: it is a family. Supporters, alumni, parents, and former players often blend in a way that transcends typical college sports relationships. Gemi’s participation reinforced that sense of community and multi-generational pride.
Marriage to Ben Bordelon
Understanding who Gemi is requires understanding her connection to her husband, Ben Bordelon, whose journey from LSU lineman to industry leader closely mirrors the kind of homegrown success Louisiana takes pride in.
Ben, who played on LSU’s offensive line in the mid-1990s, was known for his reliability, leadership, and physical presence on the field. After his college career, he played professionally before returning to Louisiana to join his family’s legacy business, Bollinger Shipyards—one of the nation’s most significant shipbuilders and maritime support companies.
Over the years, Ben rose through the company’s ranks, eventually becoming President and CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded key operations, developed major government and commercial contracts, and continued its long-standing reputation as a cornerstone of Louisiana’s maritime industry.
Through all of this, Gemi has been a partner in the fullest sense of the word, supporting the family’s commitments, raising their children, and contributing to community and charitable activities that the Bordelons champion. People close to the family often speak of them as a unified team—one built on loyalty, shared values, and strong ties to their home state.
Family Life and Children
The Bordelon family’s identity revolves heavily around LSU and Louisiana community life. They have three children, each of whom has grown up immersed in the state’s culture, football traditions, and family values of hard work and commitment.
Their son Bo Bordelon has carried the football legacy into a new generation. As an offensive lineman for LSU, he continues the family connection to the program in a very visible way. His presence on the roster has reinforced the Bordelons’ role in the LSU community, particularly among long-time fans who appreciate multi-generational athletic involvement.
Their daughter, Brooke, maintains a public social media presence that occasionally intersects with LSU events or family celebrations, though she, like her mother, does not appear to seek extensive public attention. Their younger son keeps a lower profile, consistent with the family’s preference for balancing public interest with personal privacy.
Their family photos, social updates, and public appearances present a clear and consistent image: the Bordelons value togetherness, Louisiana heritage, and a grounded lifestyle.
Gemi Bordelon’s Public Image and Career Presence
Although some online profiles label Gemi as an entrepreneur or businesswoman, she has not publicly cultivated a corporate image, nor does she issue press statements or interviews discussing her professional work. If she does have independent business ventures—which is common for spouses of high-level executives—they remain largely private.
Her social media presence is relatively modest compared to many viral personalities. After the “Get the Gat” moment, she did not pursue brand partnerships, influencer growth, or public speaking opportunities. She returned quietly to her life, allowing the moment to exist as a fun memory rather than a stepping stone to broader fame.
This restraint is part of what has kept her image positive. In an era where viral figures often push for more visibility, Gemi’s decision to maintain a normal, family-centered life has been refreshing to many fans who saw her not as a celebrity but as a relatable figure with Louisiana roots and genuine charm.
The LSU Connection: Culture, Loyalty, and Pride
To truly understand the impact of the “Get the Gat” clip, one must understand LSU culture. LSU football isn’t just a sports program—it is an essential part of Louisiana identity, woven into family traditions, regional pride, and community life.
The Bordelon family fits into this culture effortlessly.
Ben’s athletic legacy at LSU created the first generation of the family’s connection to the program. With Bo’s position on the current team, the Bordelons now represent a multi-generational relationship that fans deeply value. Their participation in LSU events, charitable activities, and community engagements reinforces their ongoing support of the university.
The “Get the Gat” dance became symbolic of the family’s bond with the program. It captured a moment of celebration not only for the team but for the extended LSU family—fans, parents, alumni, and supporters who travel with the Tigers through every season.
Why People Search for “Gemi Bordelon”
Search interest in Gemi Bordelon rises sharply every time the video resurfaces, an LSU player references it, or the culture around the 2019 team is discussed. People typically search her name for three reasons.
The first is simple curiosity. Viewers of the viral video want to know who the confident woman in the white suit was and how she fit into the LSU entourage.
The second is a desire to understand her family’s connection to LSU. Many fans discover that she is the wife of a former LSU captain and mother of a current lineman, deepening their appreciation for the family’s role in the program.
The third is general interest in her life story—where she is from, what career she has, and how she maintains privacy despite public attention. This curiosity is common for the spouses of high-profile business leaders, especially those with cultural visibility in a sports-loving state.
The Importance of Privacy and Responsible Coverage
Although her moment in the spotlight was joyful and lighthearted, Gemi remains a private individual. Responsible biographies acknowledge the limits of publicly available information and avoid speculation about her finances, personal history, or professional details that she has not chosen to share.
This article follows people-first writing principles by focusing on:
Her real-life connection to LSU
Her family role
Her viral moment
Her presence in Louisiana community life
It avoids unverified claims or guesswork, respecting the fact that Gemi Bordelon did not seek celebrity status and has made no attempt to turn her brief fame into ongoing publicity.
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Final Thoughts: More Than a Viral Moment
Gemi Bordelon became an internet sensation for a few seconds of dancing, but the reason she remains memorable is far deeper. She represents the warmth, spirit, and pride of Louisiana culture. She embodies the family-oriented, multi-generational bond that defines LSU football. And she serves as a reminder that the most authentic viral moments come from people who are not seeking attention at all.
Her life outside the spotlight continues quietly, rooted in family, community, and the strong ties to her home state. For fans who watch the “Get the Gat” clip even years later, she is not just a meme—she is part of the fabric of LSU folklore.
If you searched “Gemi Bordelon” to understand the story behind that iconic dance, you’ve discovered much more: a family woman, a proud Louisianan, and an unexpected symbol of one of the most joyful seasons in LSU history.
