Jeffrey Tazzara was packing up for a Fourth of July party at his home in Connecticut when he heard his dog, Bella, barking more aggressively than usual. He told ABC News he knew something was up, but he had no idea how serious the situation could have been “A vicious bark, not like she barks and yips and howls and stuff … this was a different kind of bark,” he told the news source. Jeffrey’s home surveillance caught his dog chasing a bear away from his 6-year-old son, saving him from what could have been a horrible injury. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ABC 7 Chicago (@abc7chicago) Jeffrey Tazzara Could Hardly Believe What He Saw “Bella finally caught up to the bear, like right in the middle of the driveway, and she bit it in the rear end, and the bear ended up crashing into my boat, and then I think [it] scurried under the boat and then through the back between the houses and into the woods,” Jeffrey Tazzara said. Video of Bella chasing off the bear amazed people. “Look at the dog protecting its family. This is why I love dogs! They are amazing family members,” someone wrote. Other husky owners agreed. Like this person who wrote, “I have two huskies, and they are the same way with my grandkids. Good job! Papi!” And this person had the perfect idea for Bella. “Give that dog plenty of hugs and kisses and buy him a huge steak!! She is the reason your son is alive! Love to you Bella!!!” They suggested. Jeffrey Tazzara said he rewarded Bella with a nice steak. She more than earned it. This story’s featured image can be found here

Listen, would Rihanna telling you that “you’re fire” fix all the problems in your life? No. But would it, even if for a moment, make life feel better despite those problems? Abso-freakin-lutely.  Such was the case for one fan who spotted Rih Rih checking out at the grocery store and asked the singer to take a selfie. The woman was also excited to share that her name was Robin, which happens to be Rihanna’s legal first name (Robyn).  Rihanna acquiesced, and, as the two began posing, the woman warned her: “I look terrible. I live with cancer.”  Rihanna immediately responded, “You don’t look terrible,” to which Robin shared, “Everyone knows me, I don’t have my wig on.” This prompted the “Umbrella” singer to say, “You know what I live for? A good hairline, honey. This is what I like to see. Anytime you meet anybody, don’t do that. You’re fire just like that.” Beaming, this fan asked, “Can I quote you?” Rihanna responded, “Hell yeah…You’re fire!” View this post on Instagram A few heartfelt words carry a lot of weight For many people receiving cancer treatment, changes in appearance can be among the hardest parts of the experience. Hair loss, changes in skin, scars, weight fluctuations, and other physical effects can leave someone feeling like they no longer recognize the person staring back in the mirror. Even when family and friends offer reassurance, it can take time to rebuild confidence. That’s what makes this interaction feel so meaningful. Rihanna met her with warmth, looked her in the eye, and reminded her that she was worthy of feeling good about herself exactly as she was in that moment. Small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact Sad woman with cancer. Canva Compliments—whether from a celebrity or not—may seem simple, but they can carry tremendous weight for someone navigating illness. A sincere comment about a smile, a laugh, a hairstyle, or simply telling someone they look great can provide a welcome boost on a difficult day. The key is making the compliment genuine and allowing the person to receive it without questioning or qualifying it. On that note, people living with cancer often say that being treated normally can also be comforting. Asking about hobbies, sharing a laugh, or spending time together without making every conversation about the disease can help restore a sense of familiarity when so much else feels uncertain. Rihanna has built a reputation for moments like this @funny.pet0222 Rihanna isn’t just a global icon – she’s a masterclass in treating everyone like royalty. From fans to staff, watch how respect became her most powerful accessory. #Rihanna #Respect #KindnessMatters #CelebrityHumanity #fentyqueen ♬ suono originale – sophia ★ Longtime fans were not surprised by Rihanna’s response, but that didn’t stop them from giving her some praise in the comments. “Rihanna is such a sweet soul” “She literally always have the nicest things to strangers” “She always has the the cutest interactions.” “She that girl for real.” “Love you Rihanna. You just know how to lift up another gorgeous woman.” Over the years, Rihanna has developed a reputation for taking time to connect with people in memorable ways: from inviting fans onstage during performances, to sharing heartfelt interactions at meet-and-greets, and using her platform to support charitable causes through the Clara Lionel Foundation, which funds education, emergency response, and global health initiatives. Whether she’s launching a beauty brand with a more inclusive shade range or taking an extra minute to reassure a stranger in a grocery store, Rihanna often finds ways to make people feel seen. As for Robin, she now has a simple two-word mantra she can carry with her whenever self-doubt creeps in: “You’re fire!” The post Woman with cancer apologizes to Rihanna for her appearance. Rihanna has the best response. appeared first on Upworthy.

The Kelly Clarkson Show will end at the close of the current season. Kelly’s talk show premiered in 2019 and has been a fan favorite ever since. In February 2026, Kelly announced that season seven would mark the end of the show. When her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock passed away, Kelly Clarkson knew she had to focus on their children, River and Remington. She realized that her talk show could not continue. But The Kelly Clarkson Show is going out with a bang after receiving several Daytime Emmy Nominations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Kelly Clarkson Show (@kellyclarksonshow) “The Kelly Clarkson Show” Received the Most Daytime Emmy Nominations of Any Talk Show With a total of 11 Daytime Emmy nominations, The Kelly Clarkson Show is finishing very strong. The show shared a graphic with all the nominations on Instagram. Kelly chimed in with excitement from her personal Instagram account. “Rehearsing in Vegas and just found out The Kelly Clarkson Show has 11 Daytime Emmy nominations!” Kelly wrote. “Thank y’all so much! I’m so stoked for our whole team and feeling very blessed,” she continued. Several fans quickly took to the comments section to offer their congratulations, and expressed excitement at the prospect of getting to see her perform live again soon.” Fans congratulated The Kelly Clarkson Show on its Daytime Emmy nominations. “Congratulations to everyone!! No one deserves it more!! I wish I could be there with you in Vegas, but I’m with you in spirit,” a fan wrote. This person agreed, writing, “Congratulations to everyone!! Best show in daytime!” We’re sure Kelly loved this sweet compliment. “Stars collided on that team and turned into a supernova of creativity!!! Well deserved nominations!! Congratulations everyone!” a fan wrote. This story’s featured image is by Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Learning to understand the delicate and often subjective art of what makes something beautiful can be eye-opening. Is it glowing yellow fish as they glide underwater? Is it wind dancing through emerald green trees? For artist and photographer Shoog McDaniel, it’s all of these things with one very important addition: self-love. McDaniel, who uses they/them pronouns and goes by Sugar McD on social media, has been making fascinating art for quite some time. This often involves stunning shots of them swimming underwater. What takes these clips to the next level is the poetic voiceover McDaniel often adds over the visuals, integrating the arts into powerful statement pieces. View this post on Instagram Finding joy in self love In a recent clip posted to Instagram, they share a video of themselves jumping full-force into a duckweed spring, a pond ripe with yellowish-green leaves. The words they use to describe self-acceptance, while zooming out to show how beautiful their surroundings are, perfectly exemplify inner and outer beauty. They explain in the clip, “I visited the Duckweed Spring again yesterday. I asked these people who were there if they could help me record myself jumping in, and then I recorded them as well. I can’t really do the high dive here because it hurts too bad when I hit the water. Being adventurous and also clumsy is not the best combo. So I’ll get my thrills other places.” The next part is extra moving. “I’m usually wearing a pretty tight bathing suit when I make these videos of me underwater. So many people comment on my funny body shape. I rather enjoy the cartoons people post…the memes comparing me to characters with skinny legs and arms and big middle bodies. They’re very cute, and it helps me feel cute as well. So I feel like it’s a win/win. Even though I’m very aware they’re trying to make fun of me. I’m un-make-fun-able. Unless you’re a close friend and I deeply care about what you think. I just dn’t really mind it. I love myself. And I hope y’all do too.” View this post on Instagram People find Shoog inspiring The comments under the video are so incredibly supportive. Many are drawn to McDaniel’s use of the word “un-make-fun-able,” with one Instagrammer claiming it should be a “new mantra.” Another writes, “Being unmakefunable is so real. The internet will always be mean and full of people that are generally unpleasant and hateful, and their opinions don’t matter. It feels good knowing that there’s people you’ll never be able to please, and that isn’t your fault. People will continue to be themselves, no matter who you are. So just be you.” This person simply gives a beautiful compliment, writing, “You are pure magic and whimsy, and your videos always make me smile. Love how much the water calls to you.” A visual storyteller’s artistic soul Upworthy had the pleasure of chatting with McDaniel, who shares that their art treasures truly began as someone else’s trash. “I got my hands on some disposable cameras that had been thrown in a dumpster in my early 20s, and I fell in love with documentation. I mostly loved the part where people get to feel seen in a new way, and I grew to love telling stories through images.” McDaniel shares how proud they are of one of their other projects, as well. “I love the short film called Tibby Down Below that I just released on YouTube. It took a whole year of setting up my camera and watching fish interact with my ceramic sculptures to tell the story of transformation and the Florida Springs that I am so inspired by. A labor of love! And collaboration!” Responding to the idea of being un-make-fun-able, McDaniel has clarity. “I just don’t take seriously criticism from people who I do not trust. I have before, for a lot of my life when I did not have friends. That is who I listen to, and it led me to deep, dark depression lol. I have learned and grown, and I understand that my worth and value is expansive, and I listen to my friends for reflection and feedback. Mike Wazowski forever!” The last statement references the beloved character from Disney Pixar’s hit 2001 film Monsters, Inc, and a subsequent meme McDaniel says they’re often sent. Despite not having formal artist training, McDaniel seems to find serenity in the most unique places and loves to merely document them. On their Patreon, they share even more curated stories. “I obsessively document the pretty things I see every day,” they share. The post Person with self-described ‘funny body shape’ posts breathtaking videos underwater appeared first on Upworthy.

Music has consistently played a vital role in the FIFA World Cup. Since 1990, the tournament has selected an official song each year, per Billboard. This year’s song is “Dai Dai,” performed by Shakira and Burna Boy. Each team has selected its own anthem following wins, such as America’s choice of John Denver’s hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The World Cup has also featured a number of memorable performances. On July 17, 1994, pop superstar Whitney Houston closed out the 1994 FIFA World Cup with a live medley of six of her biggest hits, including the iconic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” These are a few behind-the-scenes details of Houston’s performance. Whitney Houston performs “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” Houston put on an impressive show at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. She played six songs across a set spanning nearly 25 minutes. The setlist included: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “How Will I Know”, “I Will Always Love You”, “I’m Every Woman”, “So Emotional”, and “Greatest Love of All.” Following the “Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Kenny G, Houston opened the show with her 1987 hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” after she was escorted onto the pitch and to the stage by Brazilian soccer legend Pelé. (The match was between Italy and Brazil, with Brazil winning it all.) When the music kicked in, Houston belted her heart out. On the field, performers representing the flags of all the competing teams synced up for choreography while Houston stayed on a platform. The entire performance was done live, with Houston nailing every note. Pele Whitney HoustonThe collab you never knew you needed at the 1994 #FIFAWorldCup closing ceremony! pic.twitter.com/txlHFJoDAs— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 17, 2024 The performance almost didn’t happen In a recent interview, Alan Rothenberg, who served as chair and chief executive of the 1994 World Cup, told The Guardian that Houston’s performance almost didn’t happen. “Prior to 1994 the World Cup was basically a soccer tournament, and there was not a lot of hoopla other than passionate fans,” Rothenberg told the publication. “We consciously tried to make 1994 very entertaining and wanted Whitney Houston on the pitch at the final, but FIFA said no.” He went on to explain that the landmark performance came across many roadblocks. “All these kinds of things were brand new to FIFA and have been picked up since, but in 1994 they blocked Whitney from playing,” he added. “They basically said no because if there was rain or precipitation—which was never likely to be a problem in California in July—they didn’t want a stage in the center of the field.” However, there was one saving grace: a prior Michael Jackson performance on the same field. “In a wonderful coincidence the previous January, the Super Bowl was at the Rose Bowl, and the half-time show was with Michael Jackson,” he explained. “We invited the top executives from FIFA and when they pulled the stage off midfield, we walked out to see if there was any torn up or broken down grass. There was none whatsoever, but FIFA still said no.” Ultimately, the show was allowed to go on—with some stipulations. “In the end Whitney performed, but it was from the sidelines and with all kinds of people around her,” said Rothenberg. “The fans in the stadium weren’t even sure where the music was coming from. It shows we were very innovative and changed the way the World Cup is presented.” Viewers respond World Cup fans from around the world who re-discovered Houston’s performance sang her praises in the video’s comment section: “Once in a lifetime voice and you won’t hear anyone like her ever again. RIP.” “She looks like she’s genuinely just having fun and has ZERO nerves.” “No autotune, No vocal assistance, NO backing track, just pure TALENT .” “Her vocal control was unmatched and effortlessly switches octaves while singing from the gut! REST IN PEACE MS. HOUSTON.” “I love how she dressed when she sang at sporting events. So appropriate. Nothing too glitzy. Her voice was the standout out thing.” “Greatest female vocalist of all time. Period.” “Whitney Houston was one of the greatest singers of all time. Thank you for the 1994 World Cup memories.” The post 32-years-ago Whitney Houston left World Cup viewers stunned by an unparalleled vocal performance appeared first on Upworthy.