Latest news with #Chris
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Paints House, Not Prepared for Letter Neighbor Sends: 'I Cried'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a Michigan couple decided to paint their house purple they didn't expect the decision to spark joy much further than their front yard. Maureen Clemons and her husband Mike Peck transformed their house into a lavender cottage, and in a post on TikTok with 2.2 million views, Clemons shared the unexpected impact it has had. "We wanted something to distract ourselves and make us happy," Clemons, 35, told Newsweek. "We picked purple because it felt bright and joyful, and we were going for a cute cottage vibe." The couple began painting during the COVID pandemic, where the price of a home in Michigan was $178,889 at the start of 2020, jumping to a current average of $260,040, according to Zillow. A picture of the purple house, left, and the note from the neighbor Chris, right. A picture of the purple house, left, and the note from the neighbor Chris, right. @moreangrim/TikTok Over the course of a week, as the couple painted, neighbors strolled past offering waves, smiles, and spontaneous encouragement. "A couple biking by started chanting 'Go purple! Go lavender!'" Clemons recalled. "Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her—it brightened her day." But the most unforgettable reaction came in December this year when they received an unexpected note and gift from a neighbor. One day, a worn copy of a children's book titled Mr. Pine's Purple House by Leonard Kessler appeared through their letterbox, accompanied by a handwritten note: "It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood that celebrates individuality... I hope you enjoy the story, hopefully you won't mind that it's well read," it said. A picture of the purple house book, left, and the tattoo, right. A picture of the purple house book, left, and the tattoo, right. @moreangrim/TikTok The anonymous gift, signed simply "your neighbor, Chris," left Clemons and Peck deeply moved. "We were overwhelmed," Clemons said. "We never figured out who Chris was." The gift was so powerful that Clemons decided to carry it with her forever—literally. She got a tattoo of their purple house on her leg, a tribute inked by an artist in nearby Ferndale, who, by coincidence, had unknowingly snapped a photo of the home herself in the past. House color has prompted discussion online in the past, too. In 2024 one woman amazed the internet with the results after she was warned not to paint her house white, only for the results to shock people who were against it at first. While another incident saw a mom backed for refusing to paint her bright pink house despite her 13-year-old son's embarrassment and demands that they change it to a "normal" color. As the video, posted earlier this week to @moreangrim, gained more attention online, people shared their reactions to the sweet note. Alongside photos of the house, book, note and tattoo, Clemons wrote in the on-screen text: I cried." "Human connection is the meaning of life," said Emmie666999. While viewer Beck_ham said: "Aww idk why but this made me cry." "This is the most wholesome content I've seen in a while. Thank you for sharing. But more importantly thank you for taking the time to appreciate the little things. May the sun always shine in your corner," said viewer GiggleBear. Clemons was delighted by the reaction on TikTok. "The reaction from TikTok was crazy," she said. "It made me feel emotional and re-appreciate the kindness of our neighbor and how cute it is that they shared the book."
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Vaal's Iron Dragon ready to roar
MEYERTON – South Africa's rising middleweight star, Donjuan 'Iron Dragon' van Heerden, is just 23 years old and already knocking on the door of international recognition. On Saturday, 5 July, he'll take a major step forward when he faces Dean Promnick for the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) middleweight title at Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park. The high-stakes bout headlines the Golden Gloves event, 'Titans of Africa', and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. 'It's an incredible privilege and an honour,' van Heerden says about the upcoming title shot. 'Fighting for the ABU title, especially on an iconic stage like Emperor's Palace, means everything to me. This isn't just a personal dream, it's a chance to put my name on the global boxing map. A win here will not only reward all the sacrifices but open the door to international opportunities, ' says the born and bred Meyertonner. For Van Heerden, this bout carries more weight than any previous fight not just physically, but symbolically. 'This fight is different. It's not just a match, it's a statement. Everything about this camp has been intense. Every day feels like fight night, and I push through it. My last two fights were at super middleweight, but now I'm back at my natural weight. It's time to show people who I really am in the middleweight division.' Van Heerden admits footage of Promnick is scarce, but not lacking in what his team needed. 'There's not a lot of footage out there, just a few short clips, but we used what we could. I've watched a couple of his fights, one of them live. We brought in elite sparring partners with a similar style to his. The sparring was intense 10 to 12 rounds with fresh partners. We focused on pressure, fitness, and tactical awareness. I'm not just fit… I'm sharp and ready to improvise.' 'It's never easy to fight a southpaw, but I'm a very sharp southpaw myself. If he survives my power shots, it's going to be a long night for him.' Van Heerden is clear that this is not the final destination, but the first real stepping stone toward global ambitions. The ABU title is a massive continental title that opens international doors. My goal is to fight for a top-15 WBA, WBC, or IBF ranking within the next year. This is the bridge. I want to win this title, maybe defend it once or twice, maybe even go for the SA title too and then step onto the world stage.' Coming from a well-known boxing family, Don-Juan embraces both the pressure and the inspiration of being Chris van Heerden's younger brother. 'It's a bit of both. I'm proud of what Chris has achieved. It proves what's possible for a South African boxer. But I also want to build my own name. I don't want to just be known as Chris's brother. I want people to know Donjuan.' 'I've had amazing coaching and mentorship—my dad always said, 'Keep your head low and your work high.' I've also received guidance from Brian Mitchell, as I've been sparring at their gym in Edenvale. I can honestly say this will be my best performance ever.' Van Heerden also credits promoter Rodney Berman and Golden Gloves for reshaping his career. 'Everything changed. Rodney believes in me. Golden Gloves brings structure, opportunity, and professionalism that is what prepares you for the big stage.' 'We've got a tight schedule with my coach Arafaat Kock and my fitness team. Every detail is planned—from recovery to media to sparring. I'm surrounded by people who bring out the best in me. Coach Arafaat pushes me every session and stands by me no matter what.' Looking ahead, Van Heerden sees himself defending titles and expanding his reach. 'I see myself with one or two title defences under my belt and hopefully an invite to fight internationally—if that fits Golden Gloves' plans. I want to be known on the international circuit, working my way toward a world title. It's in my blood. I grew up around boxing.' 'First, I want to defend the ABU title and build my name in Africa. But I'm ready for any big challenge, whether that's the SA title or opportunities in Europe, the U.S., or the Far East. I'm ready to travel and prove my worth.' Reflecting on his only recent defeat, Van Heerden is candid and confident. 'I learned a lot from that loss. I took the fight on one week's notice, but I won't use that as an excuse. As a fighter, you have to be ready every day of the week, every month, all year. That guy wasn't in my league. He got lucky. If we fought 365 times, he might win once I will win the other 364.' 'Since then, I've worked on distance control, defensive movement, and my jab. I've sharpened my ring IQ. I'm now a more balanced, smarter, and more dangerous fighter than ever before. Come 5 July, I'll be ready to fight inside the pocket or outbox him from range—it depends on how I feel that night.' And he closes with certainty: 'One thing's for sure. I'm ready. And I will win this fight.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chris Tarrant shares tragic realisation that saw him quit TV after 50 years
TV presenter Chris Tarrant, who has been on television for 52 years, opened up about why he no longer wants to be on TV Chris Tarrant revealed the real reason he left his 52-year-long television career. In a new interview, the 78-year-old presenter, who is best known for being part of Tiswas between 1974 and 1981, said he "loved what I did" as he reflected on all the iconic shows he was part of. He presented Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from its inception in 1998 all the way until 2014 before Jeremy Clarkson took over. In the 2010s, he started moving away from regular TV work and was a contestant in The Magicians and team captain for Show Me the Telly. He was also narrator for World's Busiest Train Station and Intercity 125: The Train That Changed Britain. Since the coronavirus pandemic, Chris has rarely been seen on television and he's finally explained why. In a chat with MailOnline, he reflected on his lengthy career and said: "52 years is a long time on air. I loved what I did. I had a really good time. "But I went to the funerals of five really good mates, who were about the same age as me, and I thought, 'I don't know how long I've got left in life, but I don't want to spend it locked away in a studio'." One of the funerals was the Sir Terry Wogan's, the Irish TV and radio broadcaster who passed away in 2016 at the aged of 77. Chris briefly considered leaving the industry in 2014 after he had a mini-stroke. The stroke resulted in him needing speech therapy. "I had a lucky escape. I can chat to you now, [my body] is working. But I did have to have speech therapy. It took a while to get everything back. It was scary." Back in 2020, Chris spoke to The Mirror about stepping down and revealed he didn't need the money and wanted to focus on spending time with his family. He told us: "I've stopped working. Lockdown started to get everything in a bit perspective and I thought, 'I've done this thing for 50 years. I don't need the money'. "Without sounding silly, why am I still doing this? I've done lots of things that I've been putting off instead that have been great. "I went on safari with my two eldest grandkids. [Wife] Jane and I have just come back from Borneo. I've just come back from photographing bears in Alaska. Why the hell would I go for work for?" He also said he "actually doesn't miss it" before revealing: "I had a great time. I've had a brilliant life.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's been 15 years since I was paralyzed at my bachelorette party. How I'm doing now — and why I'm no longer friends with the bridesmaid who pushed me into a pool.
In 2010, Rachelle Chapman was just weeks away from her wedding when a friend jokingly pushed her into a pool at her bachelorette party. The bride-to-be was paralyzed from the chest down in the incident. Chapman's story made national headlines at the time, but she never publicly named the friend involved. A lot has changed for Chapman since that night 15 years ago. She got married (a year later than planned). She became a mother. And she's made a name for herself as a social media influencer and disability rights advocate. As told to Yahoo's Korin Miller, the 39-year-old opens up about the story behind the story, from the misconceptions she faces as a quadriplegic mom to the health complications she's currently dealing with as she tries for a second baby. She also shares how her marriage is still going strong — but she's had to let go of her old friendships along the way. When I was just a year out of college, I felt like my life was perfect. I was teaching senior citizens aerobics and line dancing, and I was engaged to my best friend, Chris. I had even bought a house with a picket fence with my fiancé. Our wedding was about four weeks away when everything changed. My bachelorette party was on May 23 in Virginia Beach, Va. At the end of the night, a bunch of us decided to go for a swim. It was still chilly out and I was on the side of the pool, afraid to jump in because it looked so cold. In a playful gesture, a friend came and pushed me. I ended up hitting my head in the shallow end of the pool. Instantly, all of the feeling went out of my body. I had broken my neck. My friends pulled me to the surface and I remember looking down, seeing my legs dangling in the water and thinking, I don't feel that at all. I was paralyzed from the chest down. Here's what happened next. I was taken to the hospital, where I stayed in the intensive care unit for 10 days. That was followed by two and a half months of rehab at a different hospital. Chris and I celebrated what would have been our wedding day in the hospital with about 20 family and friends. We wanted to make it as happy a day as possible, but I felt depressed the day after. That's when we were supposed to be on our honeymoon, and I was in the hospital. Chris and I waited a year after the accident to get married because we faced high medical bills, and we were trying to figure things out. There was a lot of media attention after the accident, and a company came forward and offered to pay for our wedding and honeymoon. It was an amazing experience. There was a period of time when all of the excitement was over. Before that, I had a lot to focus on: I was in the media, I was planning this wedding and all of a sudden, I was just ... home. I had a moment where I was like, 'Oh, this injury is definitely permanent. That sucks.' But that didn't last forever. Chris and I have always had a strong relationship and I couldn't imagine us not being together forever. Together, we explored new activities. We did a long bike ride called Cycle to the Sea from Charlotte, N.C., to Myrtle Beach, S.C. I used an adaptive bike. I also took up a bunch of other sports we could play together, like adaptive tennis. We even went skydiving together, but my main sport was wheelchair rugby; that was my life for a decade after my accident. I can move my arms and wrists, pick things up and manipulate them, and I quickly discovered that wheelchair rugby was a fun sport. Chris got into it by being a referee. So, I would go to tournaments and he would ref. We did that every single weekend for at least 10 years. I'm trying to get back into it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachelle Chapman | Blogger| (@rachelles_wheels) Chris and I had our daughter, Kaylee, via surrogate in 2015. In my situation, you can have babies, but I was on medication for my low blood pressure, and my doctors recommended against it. I put it out there that I was looking for a surrogate, and a girl that I knew in college reached out and said she wanted to do it. She was our surrogate for no monetary benefit and was amazing. Since having Kaylee, I've gotten a lot of ignorant comments on social media about how someone in a wheelchair can't be a mom or that I was selfish for having a child. My skin is thick, but I hate that there's this misconception for people with disabilities. These kids have great parents. All of my wheelchair rugby teammates now have kids, and they're amazing. These kids learn compassion so easily, and they're natural helpers. I've always been able to be the mom I wanted to be. I was always the one to put Kaylee to sleep at night, and sometimes I would just put her in my wheelchair and roll her around to help her doze off. Of course, there were some difficulties, but we had a village to help us. My mom lives with us and would do things like help me change diapers. My wrists work, but my fingers don't, so I have to manipulate things to pick them up. When I couldn't use my hands, she was my hands. I used to be able to say that the people I was friends with at my bachelorette party were still my friends. But around the time that Kaylee was born, things went south with the woman who pushed me in the pool and my other best friend. I was very supportive and protective of the friend who had pushed me. I still will never say her name publicly. I also turned down things like appearing on Oprah, who would only have me on if we both went on the show. I did everything I could to protect her and I feel like a lot of focus was on her after the accident because she was distraught. I did everything I could to say, 'It's OK. It's not your fault.' But when I had my down moment after the wedding, things started to go downhill. I wanted to go out to dinner and be distracted with my friends, and they weren't there for me. About a year after my wedding, they just started to leave me out of everything and lie about why they couldn't do things with me. I also learned they were talking about me behind my back. Eventually, the girl who pushed me said that our financial problems were our fault because Chris chose to be a teacher. I wanted to say, 'No, actually, they're because I'm paralyzed,' but I didn't. Later, my other best friend told me that the accident was my fault. I ultimately lost those two close friends. I'm not sure if I would have lost them anyway, but I still mourn those relationships a lot. I'm very fortunate that I've found a new community in women from my wheelchair rugby team and beyond. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachelle Chapman | Blogger| (@rachelles_wheels) I have been the luckiest spinal cord injury patient for the last 15 years. I don't think people realize all the things that can happen to our bodies. A lot of people suffer from pressure wounds or awful UTIs that can become septic and kill them. I have not had one single problem. I've been so lucky. But things changed after Chris and I decided that we want to try to have another baby. I tried to find a surrogate that I could afford but haven't had any luck. I don't have any health problems — my blood pressure regulated itself, so I stopped needing blood pressure medication — so I decided to do this myself. I stopped taking birth control and started taking estrogen — we have three frozen embryos and the plan was to use them. But I've had intense complications, like my whole body suddenly getting tight and my blood pressure soaring, leaving me feeling like I'm going to have a heart attack. I've also had intense pain in my core, which is not supposed to happen. I'm a complete quadriplegic; I'm not supposed to feel anything below the collarbone. I've been to the hospital multiple times and sent home multiple times without answers. I still don't know what's behind this, but I can't ignore the fact that it may be related to hormones. So, I've stopped the hormones. I'm devastated over that because I want to be able to experience pregnancy and my daughter wants a sibling so badly. I'm back to my last chance of maybe finding a surrogate; that's what I'm focused on right now. Chris and I have the best marriage, and we even renewed our vows on our 10-year anniversary. We both hear comments a lot that Chris is a 'saint' for staying with someone who is paralyzed, and, don't get me wrong, he's amazing. But he's also human. So am I. Yes, I'm paralyzed, but I'm still the person who I was before. There are things that I'm there for for him, and I keep everything organized in our home. We are a partnership. I couldn't imagine doing anything in life without him, and he feels the same way. While a lot has changed in 15 years, I feel lucky. I just want people to know that you can be injured and still have a happy family. That's exactly what we are today.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Man's dream comes true as he takes THREE women to bed on Channel 4 sex show - but it immediately backfires
A man's dream came true when he took three women to bed on a Channel 4 sex show, but it immediately backfired. Last week's episode of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, a programme which sees couples try and open up their relationship, featured Simon and Chris, who wanted to see if they were attracted to women. The engaged couple hoped to explore their sexuality before getting married. During the episode, they both enjoyed a dip in a hot tub together with two women and Simon didn't hold back, kissing both of them passionately while Chris watched on, before also kissing one. The pair eventually called it a night, but later on in the instalment, Simon moved things further and attempted to get intimate with three women at once. 'How are you feeling? Are you okay?' one of the women asked. Simon, who looked overwhelmed by the situation, admitted: 'I've got butterflies, I'm feeling a bit giddy.' As the three women began to get intimate with Simon, his voice played over the scene, reflecting on the moment and he said: 'Right now I'm terrified because I don't know what I'm doing. 'I know that I want to have fun and I know that I want it to be a positive experience, but I am anxious.' Eventually, it proved to be too much for Simon and he was offered a glass of water to help calm his nerves before continuing. He admitted he was struggling to get into the moment and explained: 'It might be a bit of stage fright... there's a lot going on and I'm just, like, processing everything at once. This is something very new for me.' During the same instalment, a woman broke down in tears after begging her boyfriend for an open relationship backfired at a sex-filled party. The episode welcomed a new married couple into the mix – Sharmayne, 26, and Jamie, 29, from Essex. The pair headed to their first social event as a couple to see if they can find anyone suitable for them. After chatting to some of the residents as a couple, they separated and went off to chat to others as individuals. However it seemed that Sharmayne wasn't comfortable with her man talking to other women as her 'jealous' side came out. While Jamie talked to another couple, Sharmayne grabbed him and told him: 'I want to step out.' She added: 'I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.' He asked: 'Do you want to take a little break?' Sharmayne added: '... of the situation, yeah.' The couple headed outside and Sharmayne started crying. She told her husband: 'I just feel overwhelmed. It's just a bit much for me, the whole situation.' He told her: 'We're not obligated to do anything. This is our journey.' Sharmayne confessed: 'I'm just uncomfortable.' During the same instalment, a woman broke down in tears after begging her boyfriend for an open relationship backfired at a sex-filled party Jamie asked her: 'Where do we go from here?' to which Sharmayne tells him: 'I don't know.' He told her that the decision is in her hands. But Sharmayne confessed: 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to hold myself together now. 'I really don't want to do it. I just want to go home.'
