Central Park busker plays perfect Creedence Clearwater Revival hit with a stranger… then realises she’s a ‘90s movie star!

New York City is frequently cited as a place where one might encounter a high-profile celebrity while walking through the streets or visiting the city’s iconic parks. However, for busker, guitarist, and vocalist İzzet Can Karakoç, a routine live performance in Central Park turned into a surreal experience when a total stranger approached him with a request to sing a duet. The musician had no idea that the woman standing beside him was a celebrated Hollywood actress who had defined an era of cinema throughout the 1990s.

The interaction was entirely devoid of the typical glitz and glamour associated with A-list talent. Juliette Lewis, known for her powerful roles in major motion pictures such as Natural Born Killers, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and the film Ma, arrived at the performance spot dressed in a remarkably casual manner. She wore a simple white shirt featuring a cat pattern, paired with comfortable tracksuit bottoms and trainers, and she appeared to be completely free of makeup. Because she introduced herself only by her first name, Karakoç did not immediately recognize the face that had graced cinema screens for decades.

The pair quickly settled on a song choice, opting for the timeless Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, Have You Ever Seen The Rain. As they began the track, the performance felt authentic and grounded. Lewis started the song with a somewhat shaky, pitchy delivery that stripped away the polished veneer often expected of professional performers, bringing the moment down to a relatable, human level. As the melody progressed, she found her footing, delivering a performance that resonated with the onlookers.

Karakoç provided the musical backbone for the session, playing his clean-toned electric guitar with precision. As the song moved forward, he began to embellish the rhythms and provided supportive backing vocals that complemented Lewis’s lead. Their collaboration turned into a seamless, spontaneous musical event that captured the attention of those passing through the park.

Watch the full performance on page two