Orlando Shooting Survivor Tony Marrero Returns to ‘Ellen’ With New Purpose

Tony Marrero was back on Ellen Tuesday to give her an update on his recovery. Marrero is a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando last June that killed 49 people and injured dozens more. He appeared on Ellen in September after sending her a picture of himself in his hospital bed. On that trip, Marrero talked about what happened that night in the club and got to meet Katy Perry, whose song “Rise” helped get him through that hard time. On this trip, the conversation was all about how far his recovery has come.

When he first visited to the show, Marrero still appeared a bit frail. He had been shot in his left arm, which had yet to heal, and he had an open wound in his back that had yet to close. To show how much better he is now, Marrero balanced himself above the chair using the arms, something he wouldn’t have been able to do in September. He also said the wound on his back had finally healed.

In September, Marrero spoke about his desire to go to film school, and Perry offered to pay for the first year. He has reportedly been checking out schools, but has found another purpose while pursuing his film career.

“I knew as soon as I found out that I could be an inspiration to others, I said, ‘That’s my purpose right there.’ I’ve been doing it ever since,” Marrero said.

Watch Katy Perry surprise Orlando shooting survivor Tony Marrero on his first visit to ‘Ellen’:

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