Inspiring Pop Culture Moments

Susan Boyle Dreams a Dream

On April 11, 2009, a frumpy middle-aged woman named Susan Boyle took the stage on the hit reality TV show "Britain's Got Talent," facing ridicule from a condescending Simon Cowell. Within moments she had wiped the smirk off Cowell's face and left the other judges and the audience open-mouthed in shock. This woman could really sing!

Her soaring, powerful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the play "Les Miserables" left the crowd cheering—and in a matter of days her performance was viewed more than 100 million times on the internet. Her first album debuted in November 2009 as the number one best-selling CD around the globe. After earning rave reviews for her sell out Scottish and UK Tours in 2013 and 2014, Susan is embarking on the first part of her world tour. Susan Boyle's Cinderella story—from unemployed, never-married Scottish plain Jane to international superstar—has provided hope and inspiration to millions, and living proof that dreams really can come true.

'The Biggest Loser' Transforms Lives

In some ways, NBC's "The Biggest Loser" is itself one of the most inspiring pop cultural phenomena of the decade—after all, its premise is that radical, positive, life-saving transformation is possible no matter who you are, no matter what life has thrown your way. And though the show certainly has its detractors, with one in three Americans struggling with obesity, the stakes couldn't be higher, the message more relevant.

Within the big picture, if you'll pardon the pun, of the show's 8 seasons (the 9th premieres January 5), inspirational moments have abounded. In Season 7, Ron persevered for 13 painful hours so he could cross the finish line of a marathon challenge and make it into the arms of his two sons—one a fellow contestant, the other just about to start his own weight-loss journey. In Season 5, Ali became the first woman to win the top prize, showing that serious weight loss wasn't just for the big boys. In Season 8, Abby shared that she was finally able to see a happy future again after losing her husband and two children in a tragic car accident.

As we've watched the contestants shed painful memories, self-loathing thoughts, and staggeringly unhealthy habits along with the pounds, many of us have looked into our own eyes in the mirror and asked a question that became a first step toward a better life: "What's weighing me down? What do I need to lose?"

Oprah's Big Car Giveaway

Nowadays it's commonplace for talk show hosts to give away something to their studio audience. Usually it's a CD or a book or a gift certificate. But back in 2004, Oprah shocked America by giving the members of her audience—all 276 people--a brand-new Pontiac G-6 to celebrate her 19th season.

And while the audience wasn't exactly picked at random—Winfrey said afterwards that they were all selected because family and friends had told the show that they needed new car—the act was one of the most generous ever seen on daytime television.

Each audience member was able to select his or her own color, and the cars each came loaded with perks such as satellite radio. Each car was worth $28,400.

Photo credit: Alan Light

Beyonce Lets Taylor Swift Shine

During the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, country-pop teen Taylor Swift won the Best Female Video of the Year Award for her song "You Belong with Me." In the middle of her acceptance speech, rap artist Kanye West interrupted her, took the microphone, and announced that Beyonce--whose song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" lost out to Swift's song in that category--had "one of the best videos of all time."

The crushed look on Swift's face when Kanye returned the microphone was heartbreaking to witness. She cut her acceptance speech to just a few words.

But Beyonce, who won the Video of the Year Award later that night (for "Single Ladies"), gave Swift her moment in the spotlight by inviting her up on stage to give her original speech instead of doing one herself, saying, "I remember being 17 years old, up for my first MTV award with Destiny's Child, and it was one of the most exciting moments of my life. So I would like for Taylor to come out and have her moment."

Swift happily took Beyonce up on her offer. After the show rumors circulated that it was all a publicity stunt devised by MTV or Beyonce herself, but nothing was proven. I truly believe that Beyonce (who looked horrified when Kanye interrupted Swift) was wholeheartedly saddened that a young performer's moment to shine was taken away from her--and she wanted to do something about it. I applaud Beyonce for her selfless act.

Photo Credit: MTV

Livestrong Bracelets Become the New Fashion

Who knew an unfashionable yellow silicone bracelet would become one of the biggest accessories of the decade? In 2004, The Lance Armstrong Foundation released the bracelet as part of its fund-raising efforts. Founded by the cyclist and cancer survivor, the foundation aims to "inspire and empower people affected by cancer," according to its mission statement. It also strives to educate people on cancer prevention, and funds cancer research.

The "Livestrong" bracelets—which can be purchased through the foundation's website—sell for $10 for a 10 pack, a price that hasn't changed since the popular item launched.

Now offering gel "awareness" bracelets is practically a requirement for all big charities. They're inexpensive, and they get their respective messages across in an effective way. The wristbands come in a variety of colors, which typically matches the color the charity uses for the awareness bracelets' older cousin—the "awareness ribbon." A variety of breast cancer foundations offer pink bracelets, AIDS foundations sell red bracelets, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society offers them in orange.

Randy Pausch's 'Last Lecture'

Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, knew he was dying when he took the stage before 400 students and fellow faculty to deliver "The Last Lecture." At 46 with a wife and three young children, Pausch was suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer. "I'm dying and I'm having fun," he said in his lecture, distilling what he learned in fulfilling so many of his childhood dreams. "And I'm going to keep having fun every day, because there's no other way to play it."

Before he died in July, 2008, the video of "The Last Lecture" went viral on the internet, reaching millions of people worldwide and inspiring many of them to change their lives. A book based on "The Last Lecture" became a best-seller. At a time when many people would have retreated into self-pity and bitterness, Pausch left a lasting legacy on how to live with joy and face death with courage.

Photo courtesy of the Pausch family collection

Rockers Help NYC Heal After 9/11

In October 2001, six weeks after the September 11 attacks, the biggest names in music gathered together at New York City's Madison Square Garden for a benefit concert for the area.

Organized by Paul McCartney, the 5 ½ hour-long event--called The Concert for New York City--honored those lost in the attacks, their families, and those who were aiding the rescue and recovery effort. For an audience primarily consisting of city police officers, firemen, and their families, The Who, Bon Jovi, David Bowie, Jay-Z, Elton John, and more performed, along with appearances by celebrities such as Will Ferrell, Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The event also featured short films by Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and others.

Many of the participants had heartfelt, uplifting words to say about the strength of New York and how the city (and the country) would get through the tragedy. And being comforted and empowered by our favorite rock stars really did help us get through it.

The concert, which was broadcast live on VH1, raised $35 million in aid for 9/11 victims and heroes, and an additional $275,000 for the Robin Hood Relief Fund via autographed, auctioned items from the artists who performed.

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Makes Us Cry

"There are three sure things on this earth: death, taxes, and the fact that someone will be crying by the end of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,'" writes Paul Asay. "After six years, they've got the recipe for jerking tears down pat."

The once popular reality TV show, which first aired in 2003, gave families—typically those with sad or inspiring stories—free home renovations (or brand-new homes, if needed). Like during Season 2, when Ty Pennington and his team built a retirement home for the parents of Pfc. Lori Piestewa, the first woman killed in the Iraq War. Or the Grys family from Season 6--who have provided foster care to more than 250 children over the past 25 years--and who received a better home for their adopted son, who suffers from Brittle Bone Disease. Or the many homes built in and around New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

It was the heartwarming--and sometimes heartbreaking--background stories that kept us reaching for a second box of Kleenex.

Photo Credit: ABC/Dean Williams

Jill, Kevin, Jason, Christian, and More

When we saw "The Evolution of Dance"--in which motivational speaker and comedian Judson Laipply grooved to 32 songs spanning 50 years of music--we were both amazed at his talent and encouraged to get up off our butts and dance to our favorite songs.

2006's "Laughing Baby" was--and continues to be--a great tool to break up a particularly stressful day. A quick view can do wonders for your mood. That same year, autistic teen basketball player Jason "J-Mac" McElwain shocked and inspired us with his (up until then) unnoticed skills on the court. Getting an inside look into the biggest game of his life--where he hit a whopping six three-pointers--was an honor for all of us who got to share in his moment.

The video of Christian the Lion created in 1972, was first posted on a fan site in 2002 but became a Youtube sensation in 2009, and allowed us to watch the interaction of man and one of nature's most majestic creatures.

And who could forget Jill and Kevin Heinz whose creative spin on a wedding procession, dancing to Chris Brown's "Forever," took the web by storm, releasing a flood of happiness and inspiring an episode of "The Office" in the process. After Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault for hitting girlfriend Rihanna, Jill and Kevin used their video's popularity as an anti-domestic violence fund-raising tool.

'American Idol': Watching Stars Being Born

"American Idol," which debuted in 2002, is still going strong as one of TV's most popular shows. "Idol" aims to find the best singer in the country, and we the viewers get to help select the winner through a voting process.

Sure, we love to laugh at some of the horrible (some might say delusional) singers during the audition process, but the show is really about showcasing the hidden talents sprinkled throughout the country. It's about making someone's dreams come true, and we get a front-row seat to watch it happen.

Some of the contestants have been unforgettable.

Just two years before Season 3's Fantasia Barrino (known simply as Fantasia) won the competition, she was a poor, teen mother who had just left an abusive boyfriend. In her 2005 memoir, the singer also described herself as a "functional illiterate" who had a very difficult time reading. Since winning "Idol," Fantasia has been nominated for eight Grammys, released two albums (her third will be released in 2010), and starred on Broadway in "The Color Purple."

Season 7's winner David Cook was inspired to go all the way by his older brother Adam, who was battling brain cancer. Cook often played a guitar with his brother's initials emblazoned on it. Sadly, Adam passed away this year.

More recently, Season 8 contestant Scott MacIntyre proved that his blindness wasn't a disability and impressed much of America with his voice and skills on the piano.

And we cannot forget Season 8 finalist Danny Gokey, whose wife Sophia passed away just four weeks before the "Idol" auditions from complications of heart surgery. She had been a driving force in encouraging Gokey to try out for the show, and he still credits her for his success.

Hurricane Katrina and Darfur Celebrity Relief

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, it physically devastated the area and emotionally devastated the rest of the country. But generous Americans from all walks of life reached into their wallets to help with the relief and rebuilding efforts. Because of their celebrity status, countless Hollywood stars—Morgan Freeman, Nicolas Cage, Sean Penn, Ellen DeGeneres, to name a few--were able to effectively call attention to needs of the area. Many toured the hardest hit parts, bringing cameras so that the rest of the country could see what was really going on there.

John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston flew their personal jet to the area to deliver tons of food. Oprah committed $10 million to help rebuild homes and launched the Oprah's Angel Network Katrina Homes Registry so that her viewers could help by donating specific household items for Katrina victims in need.

In 2006, Brad Pitt—who is involved with a number of charitable organizations--launched the Make It Right Foundation in an effort to bring green, affordable housing to the lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, the area hardest hit due to the failure of its levee system.

Throughout the decade, celebrities have also rallied to another big cause: Darfur, where hundreds of thousands of people have been killed due to civil war and political unrest. Actors Don Cheadle, George Clooney, and Matt Damon are among the many celebrities who have been advocating for the U.S. government to intervene and help end the genocide there.

Photo: Make It Right Foundation

Pat Tillman Gives Up NFL Career to Serve His Country

In 2002, after the September 11 attacks, pro football player Pat Tillman turned down a promising career with the Arizona Cardinals and a contract worth $3.7 million to enlist in the U.S. Army to help fight the war in Afghanistan.

Sadly, the Army Ranger was killed in 2004 by what we would later learn was friendly fire. The exact details surrounding his death are blurry and controversial, with some speculation that Tillman was murdered due to his anti-war sentiments. His death is still being investigated.

Even with such a horrible ending to his life, Tillman's actions—putting himself in danger by fighting for his country when he could have easily stayed on home turf and made millions playing a sport he loved—were inspiring and heroic and will never be forgotten.