Category: Worldwide

At 2:30 a.m., actor Matthew McConaughey woke up from a dream with a jingle in his head. He got up, started writing it down, and just like that, a children’s book was born.

McConaughey’s picture book, “Just Because” may be for kids, but adults are finding inspiration for themselves in it as well. A viral video of McConaughey country-rapping the book’s couplets with talk show host Jimmy Fallon got people talking about the lessons on the book that speak to them the most, such as the person who said they wanted a “Just because I want one more doesn’t mean that I need two” sign for their refrigerator.

The “alright, alright, alright” actor and the famously musical Fallon start off just lowkey “reading” the book with a little background beat, but soon they each have a mic in their hands in a full-on performance.

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With lines like, “Just because you can pull it off, doesn’t mean that you should do it, and just because you fail that don’t mean that you blew it,” McConaughey and Fallon manage to make a sing-songy rap out of some genuinely good life lessons.

Watch:

@fallontonight

Jimmy and #MatthewMcConaughey rap their way through “Just Because”. #FallonTonight

So how did Matthew McConaughey end up writing a children’s book in the first place? The father of three told the hosts of Podcrushed that he’d been thinking a lot about fatherhood and how the lens of parenthood changes everything. He said when something consumes his mind, he tends to have dreams about it.

“This was a dream I had, and I woke up at 2:30 in the morning, I went and wrote it down. All I had was the jingle, ‘Just because they threw the dart don’t mean that it stuck, and just because I got some skills don’t mean that there’s no luck.’ It was a song. I woke up and I got this great Bob Dylan diddy: ‘Just because you’re wailing doesn’t meant that you’re a crier, just because I lied does not mean that I’m a liar.’ And so the hook was ‘just because,’ and I had the beat, and I just wrote from 2:30 to 6:30 in the morning. Went back, got in bed. Got up and looked at it and was like, ‘This is good. This is fun.'”

He showed the idea to his kids, who each had different takes on different couplets. The conversations that the “just because” statements sparked in his own family demonstrated the potential for the book to be a conversation starter for all parents and kids, which is what McConaughey hopes it will do.

It even offers food for thought for people without kids.

“I didn’t know I needed a pep talk from Matthew McConaughey, let alone in this form, but alright, alright,” wrote one commenter.

“It’s supposed to be a kids book but I also lowkey need this at 35,” wrote another.

“Would it be weird to buy this for my team at work?” asked one person.

“Just because I went straight to Amazon to buy this book don’t mean I’m a sucker,” wrote another.

McConaughey seems to have a hit on his hands. You can find “Just Because” on Amazon or support independent booksellers by purchasing through Bookshop.org.

Do you remember that song, Somebody’s Watching Me from the 80s? Well, this new foster dad is probably feeling just like the guy singing the song, except about a cat that has taken to stalking and harassing him around the house. Bill found himself a sudden cat dad when his friend became sick and unable to take care of her cat, Teddy.

While Teddy behaved like a normal cat in new surroundings, (hiding under the bed and making himself scarce), it didn’t take long before he started getting comfortable around Bill. Knowing that he was likely missing his mom and needed attention, the new foster dad gave Teddy all the chin scratches and love he could. It was beautiful…until the cat decided the attention he was getting was insufficient.

Now, instead of a finicky roommate, Bill had a stalker. Teddy follows the human wherever he is in the house to demand attention in pretty rude ways.

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“He became obsessed with me. I gave him tons of attention, I played with him all the time but it was just never enough. He always wanted more,” Bill tells The Dodo. “Anytime I would turn my attention to something other than him, he would scratch at me until I turned my attention back.”

There were not just sweet gentle pawings, Teddy essentially hit and slaps Bill, grabbing pieces of his clothing as he tries to walk by and biting at him. But there’s something there between the two and it’s looking a lot like a love story in the making. Maybe one that ends in a kitty restraining order but Teddy’s playful attacks have Bill a bit smitten.

Watch their love story unfold below:

Back in September of 2023, BBC newsreader Clare Runacres celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Mike Ramsden. Like many folks in the modern age, Runacres commemorated the milestone by posting a picture of her wedding day onto her social media pages.

While of course two decades of marriage is lovely in its own, it turns out there was even more for Runacres to celebrate. A “miracle,” in fact.

As she explained in her post, the picture was taken only six months after discovering that a cancer she had been diagnosed with during college had returned. What’s more, it was aggressive, with zero options for treatment.

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As she explained in her post, the picture was taken only six months after discovering that a cancer she had been diagnosed with during college had returned. What’s more, it was aggressive, with zero options for treatment.

The news prompted the couple to marry immediately, and despite the harrowing news, their special day was “beautiful,” Runacres noted, surrounded by love, tears, friends and dancing til dawn.

But you don’t have to take her word for it, the pure joy is evident in Runacre’s photos. Take a look.

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The BBC star told Daily Mail that although she did undergo surgery to remove the new cancer, just before her wedding day her doctors still told her she would probably only have six months to live.

Runacres and her beloved didn’t think they’d make it to their first anniversary. And now, at their 20th, can’t help but get emotional when she sees images from that day.

“Mikey, thank you for taking a chance on me. You’re the best person I know. You are my miracle,” Runacres concluded in her caption. “For those living with cancer – keep hoping, believing, dreaming.”

Indeed, Runacres’ touching post inspired optimism to those going through their own difficult health challenges—be it themselves or a loved one.

Take a look as what readers shared:

“This brings me so much joy! My 5 yo has cancer. There’s a 35% chance it will return by the time she’s a teen and the medications are not kind on her poor little body. To have hope in a future like this is beyond words.”

“I’m 4 years in remission of stage 3 bowel cancer, constantly worrying about it returning and reading your post has made my heart sing with hope.”

“As someone diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 4 months ago, this post has brought me so much joy and hope. Thank you for sharing ❤️”

Others contributed. their own miracle stories. One person commented, “my mom got diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer…October 2009…She’s still here. Cancer free. I thank God for healing and using the doctors and treatment , her survival rate for 5 years was 1%.”

Another added, “I was given 48 hrs to live in fall of 2018. Jokes on them! I’m still here! Don’t ever give up!”

While feelings of hope might not technically change a person’s chance for survival (though many survivors have attributed a key part of their success to optimism), studies have shown that positive thought can at least improve the quality of life for someone dealing with cancer.

And really, on a more universal level, none of us really know how much time we have on this planet. We can do all the “right” things and still get sick. We can receive a life-threatening diagnosis and live on for years after. So hearing stories like this reminds us to treat each day as a precious milestone. And that maybe we shouldn’t hold off on the celebrating.

Father and daughter dances are a traditional staple of weddings. They tend to range somewhere between tearfully sweet and hilariously cringey. But sometimes, as was the case of Brittany Revell and her dad Kelly, they can be so freakin’ cool that millions of people become captivated.

Brittany and Kelly’s video, which amassed, I kid you not, more than 40 million views on TikTok, shows the pair grooving in sneakers (Brittany’s were white because, hello, wedding dress) to their “dance through the decades.”

It all began with Young MC’s “Bust a Move,” to give you a clear picture. And bust a move, they did.

Though the duo did a handful of iconic moves—the tootsie roll, the MC Hammer dance, the Carlton, just to name a few—“the dougie,” made famous by Cali Swag District, was the obvious fan favorite.

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Brittany is clearly no stranger to busting a move and showed off her skills, but Kelly had the audience (and the internet) absolutely floored. He not only nailed every move, but kept a constant grin from ear to ear.

“Reason number 1838329194920 why I love my dad,” Brittany wrote in her caption.

@bnrevell Reason number 1838329194920 why I love my dad. 🫶🏼🥹 #thatdougietho #fatherdaughter #weddingtok ♬ original sound – Brittany Revell

People in the comments were quick to profess love for Kelly as well. Here are some gems:

“WHO IS THIS LEGEND!”

“I aspire to this level of smooth.”

“Pops got moves!!🔥”

“He really is the main character 🤩🤩”

Others shared praise to both dancers for delivering an unforgettable performance.

“I would absolutely lose my mind if I saw this at a wedding,” wrote one person.

“This is probably THE best TikTok I’ve ever seen. You and your dad are legit rockstars!! Congratulations!!” added another.

Brittany told The Morning Show on Channel 7 that she and Kelly have been learning dances together “for fun in the living room” since she was little. “He has always had some rhythm, but I did not know he could pick up the moves like that,” she quipped. Hey, there’s always something new to learn about dear old dad.

Brittany also shared in an interview with NBC News that people were responding to more than just impressive choreography—it touched them on a heartfelt level.

“I think it’s kind of unique to see a dad of Asian descent be able to open up, let loose and just embrace their American child’s music and culture,” she said, adding that several people who didn’t have relationships with their fathers commended how “inspiring” it was to see the fun Brittany and Kelly created, encouraging them to “be better with their future kids.”

Weddings are a celebration of love, and that can extend beyond the bride and groom. This father expressed his love on the dance floor, and it’s giving us all something to smile about.

Odds are Brittany and her dad are gonna keep posting even more amazing dance videos. You can keep up to date by following Brittany on TikTok here.

This article originally appeared on 09.13.22

It’s very hard for Victor Wembanyama to play a basketball game and not do something we’ve never seen before. He’s one of the most uniquely skilled players we’ve ever seen, as he’s 7’3 and can look like a guard on offense right after he erases mistakes on defense.

But sometimes, when you’re that tall and your arms are that long, your highlights are simply you doing things that look far too easy because of your size. That happened on Friday night as the San Antonio Spurs hosted the Houston Rockets in a matchup between Wembanyama and the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Amen Thompson. Early on in the first quarter, Keldon Johnson tried to throw a lob up for Wembanyama, but it couldn’t quite get there, so Jeremy Sochan attempted to corral it.

Sochan got it in his hands, but Wembanyama was in position to dunk, so he just took it away from him in mid-air and dunked.

It’s rare for a guy to dunk on his own teammate, but Wembanyama managed to do that here, all while plucking the ball out of Sochan’s hands like he is a wide receiver making a play over a defensive back. Even Gregg Popovich smiled at this one, presumably because it was extremely cool.

Taylor Swift is making headlines a lot today — for both her new 1989 (Taylor’s Version) and the fact that she is reportedly now a billionaire. According to Forbes, Swift’s net worth is currently $1.1 billion. It has raised at least $360 million since June alone when the publication held its list of the richest self-made women.

While she has had a high net worth for years, her massive run on The Eras Tour gave her a significant boost to new heights. They note that during the first leg of the tour, she earned $190 million after taxes. She has since received another $35 million from the first few weeks of the concert film airing in theaters, as she did an exclusive deal with AMC.

The publication points out that around $500 million of Swift’s net worth comes from her “music royalties and touring.” The other $500 million is tied to her extensive catalog, which has likely grown in value since she released new albums and re-recorded versions to own her masters.

Swift also has worth in her various real estate properties, which Forbes estimates as being around $125 million across six different homes. And then, add in another $10 million for her private plane.

She now joins the ranks of other musical billionaires like Rihanna and Jay-Z.

House fires are devastating for families. In a matter of minutes, you could lose all of your belongings and a place to live, or worse, you could lose loved ones. A family in Phoenix, Arizona, recently found themselves facing the reality of their own home in flames. Claudia Jimenez told CBS News that she woke up trapped in her burning apartment with her two daughters, with nothing to do but yell for help in the hopes that someone would hear her.

The mom’s screams were answered by Joe Hollins, a homeless man who was camping nearby with his wife. Hollins didn’t hesitate to try to find a way to help. With no way out and the fire department still nowhere on the scene, Jimenez had to trust the stranger who was standing below.

“He was right underneath and he was like ‘Yes, throw your daughters out, I’m going to catch them, I’m going to get them,'” Jimenez told CBS.

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So the terrified mom did what any mom would’ve done to save her babies—she tossed them one at a time out the window. And just as he’d promised, Hollins caught them. Valerie, who is just a year old, was dropped to safety first, then 8-year-old Natalie made the two-story fall into Hollins’ arms. The family dogs were next out the window before it was time for Jimenez to make the jump.

After some coaxing, the mom made the leap, and Hollins again made the catch, saving everyone in the house. When everything was said and done, Hollins saved the entire family and the dogs. Soon after Jimenez jumped to safety, the fire department showed up to put out the blaze.

Multiple families lost their home that night, but thanks to Hollins, the Jimenez family didn’t lose their lives. In an effort to help Hollins after saving this family, a GiveSendGo was created and people can donate here. A GoFundMe was also created for the young mom and her daughters, and people who would like to help can do so by donating here.

If you ask the hero, he’s no hero at all. He told CBS News that anyone in his shoes would’ve done the same thing. Hollins was in the right place at the right time, and because of his willingness to help, he saved an entire family. You can watch the entire interview below.

This article originally appeared on 5.24.23

When Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died tragically in January 2020, the world lost not only one of the most revered basketball players in history but someone who had become a true icon of his adopted hometown of Los Angeles.

Public transit buses around the city paid tribute to Bryant and his family and everyone from former teammates to average citizens shared in a public grieving process. Part of that process was aided by a truly memorable piece of artwork created by Louie Palsino, known professionally as Sloe Motions, on the wall of local gym Hardcore Fitness in downtown Los Angeles.

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The mural shows Bryant with his arm around his daughter Gianna, both bearing angelic wings and a glowing aura behind them as they hover above the clouds. For the past three years, the mural has taken on international acclaim and become a regular stop for fans around the world, just a short stop from Crypto Arena, where the Lakers play their home games.

However, when it was revealed that the mural was set to be taken down and replaced with advertising, fans assumed a critical tribute to the late Bryant father and daughter would be lost forever, adding an extra sting to the loss of one of LA’s most important figures.

When hope for saving the mural seemed lost, video game company 2K Games stepped in to take action. 2K is one of the most successful gaming enterprises in the world, and perhaps most famous to millions of gaming and basketball fans for their NBA2K series of games. 2K’s Digital Marketing Director Ronnie Singh, aka Ronnie 2K to his millions of fans across social media, knew something had to be done.

“It’s about using your platform to do good,” Singh told Upworthy in an interview.

First, 2K spotlighted a Change.org petition to raise awareness, gathering more than 91,000 signatures from people who wanted to preserve the mural. And then Ronnie and 2K engaged in direct talks with the owner of Hardcore Fitness about how they might find a way to keep the mural in place. Eventually, 2K made an agreement with Hardcore Fitness owner for an undisclosed amount to keep the mural in place for at least one more year.

“It’s not a mural about a random thing,” Singh said. “It means a lot to a lot of people. His legacy continues on and it’s powerful to see people show up and support this.”

During a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the mural, Ronnie 2K explained that the decision was part of his philosophy of putting action before words. It was an especially personal move for Singh, as Kobe Bryant is this year’s cover athlete for NBA2K.

While mostly known for his active social media presence and involvement with the gaming world, Singh has been actively directing 2K’s charitable work through its 2K Foundations, which has been engaging in various acts of giving back in the United States and around the globe. Even within the game itself, 2K engaged directly with its player base back in 2020 to help fans through the grieving process after Bryant’s death.

While the mural is technically only preserved for one year, Singh says he hopes the move will help inspire fans and other businesses to find a long-term solution to saving the iconic artwork. “Hopefully this will be an inspiration for people to jump in,” Sing said. “It’s about action over words.”

Even for non-basketball fans, it’s a powerful message about honoring art over commerce and paying tribute to a legendary figure whose memory is still a powerful part of millions of people’s lives. Bryant himself had moved directly into the creative world in the years before his passing, producing the 2017 animated short film “Dear Basketball” which won an Oscar that year.

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As dozens of fans gathered around the mural on a Thursday afternoon, the shared joy over its preservation was obvious. Even though Bryant is no longer with us as a person, the sense of community shared in a beautiful piece of artwork created to honor the legacy of him and daughter Gianna is one that brings people together with a positive message.

Bryant was always vocal about his personal dedication to putting in hard work and getting things done. And with their gesture, Ronnie Singh and 2K set in motion an act of service that will hopefully grow to other organizations and inspire Bryant’s fans around the world to stay active in their communities on and off the court. Kobe Bryant’s legacy as a basketball player will be with us forever. And by preserving the mural dedicated to his memory, it’s a wonderful step toward making the legacy be one about action, community and giving back.

Blink-182 returned last week with their new album, One More Time…, but they’ve still managed to keep busy and treat fans to some surprises. To honor their comeback album, the band dropped two new bonus tracks: “Cut Me Off” and “See You.”

Oh, and they also surprised guests at a Denny’s in Long Beach, California last night (October 26).

“What’s up? What’s up?” they addressed a packed crowd. “What the f*ck is up Denny’s?”

For those who aren’t familiar, the phrase started as a meme back in 2013, when a band called Live Without held a DIY rock show in an abandoned Denny’s — fittingly titled the Grand Slam, according to Stereogum. After a video from that event went viral, that phrase became a meme when the lead singer told the crowd.

And Blink-182 is in with the joke, paying homage to the original. Their audience then gets incredibly hyped up as Travis Barker clicks his drumsticks together. Blink-182 had a full setup in the middle of the restaurant, with amplifiers and more.

Their upcoming 2024 tour with Pierce the Veil had the tickets go on general sale this morning. For more information and a complete list of dates, visit here.

Check out Blink-182’s video from their surprise Denny’s performance above.

Taylor Swift treated fans to five new vault tracks from her recently released 1989 (Taylor’s Version) — and the songs are gaining a ton of attention for their ties to the era’s history. For those who have been wondering what easter eggs she includes on the added tracks, we’re here to help with a complete guide.

The first of the vault tracks is “Slut!,” which finds Swift pining after someone famous — leading many to suspect that this is just the first of the new songs that continued using her ex, Harry Styles, as inspiration. “Everyone wants him, that was my crime / The wrong place at the right time,” Swift notes, adding in a new voice memo that it came down to this song or “Blank Space” making the original.

“Suburban Legends” is leaving people wondering who this might be about, though. It doesn’t seem to be tied to Styles, although it’s hard to say. Swift sings about a publicized relationship, but one that she got back together with.

Another one that is raising some questions is Swift’s groovy “Now That We Don’t Talk” track. This one does feel more explicitly about Styles, likely written post-breakup, as she details someone who grew their hair long and that she’s glad she doesn’t have to pretend to like acid rock or yachts for him. Ouch.

However, the shade doesn’t end there. “Is It Over Now?” closes out the vault tracks on the album but does not hold back from sparing Styles either. She makes note of how she viewed him as a “lying traitor,” how his new girl was “her clone,” and his tendency to sleep with models.

This song also has Swifties drawing instrumental comparisons to “Out Of The Woods,” which is fitting, as she seemingly references both Styles’ skiing accident and the photos at the time of her leaving alone on a boat.

Over the years, the two exes have patched things up with sweet public interactions at least.