Steve Harvey was in the middle of his biggest joke. The studio audience was roaring with laughter. His timing was perfect. His delivery was flawless. He was about to land the punchline that would take the energy even higher. But then his voice stopped mid-sentence, mid gesture, mid laugh.
The smile vanished from his face. His eyes locked onto something in the audience that didn’t belong in a room full of joy. The cameras kept rolling, but the show had stopped. Just 30 seconds earlier, everything had been normal. It was Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 at the Family Feud Studio in Atlanta. The Roberts family from Memphis, Tennessee was competing against the Kim family from Portland, Oregon.
Both families had incredible energy and the game was tied going into the final round. Steve Harvey was doing what he does best, turning a simple game show into an experience. He just reacted to a contestant’s ridiculous answer about bringing a kangaroo to a wedding, and the audience was in hysterics. “A kangaroo,” Steve had exclaimed, his face scrunched in that trademark expression of disbelief.
“What kind of wedding are you going to?” The audience roared. Steve was building to his punchline, that perfect line that would send everyone over the edge. But as he turned to deliver it, his eyes swept across the audience and stopped. Row three, seat seven. A little girl, maybe six or seven years old, sat perfectly still while everyone around her laughed and clapped.
She wore a bright yellow dress with white flowers. Her small hands were folded in her lap, and she was crying. Not the overwhelmed crying of excitement, not the tears of someone having too much fun. These are different tears. quiet, heartbroken. The tears of a child trying desperately not to be a burden.
Steve’s joke died on his lips. The studio audience sensed the shift. The laughter began to fade. People looked around confused. “Steve Harvey, a man who’d been performing for 40 years, who’d mastered the art of reading a room, stood frozen. “Hold on, everybody,” Steve said, his voice gentle but carrying across the studio. Just hold on for one second.
He set his cards down on the podium and walked toward the audience. The production assistant looked panicked. The director signaled frantically from a booth, but Steve ignored every protocol because in 30 years of television, Steve Harvey had learned that some moments are more important than any show. The little girl’s name was Lily Chun.
She was 7 years old and she was sitting in that audience seat carrying a weight no child should ever have to bear. 3 weeks earlier, Lily’s father, Officer Michael Chun of the Portland Police Department, had been killed in the line of duty. Shout while responding to a domestic violence call trying to protect a mother and her children from an armed man.
Lily’s mother Sarah Chun sat beside her daughter in the audience trying to hold herself together. Coming to family feud had been Sarah’s sister’s idea. You both need something normal. Her sister had said something fun, something to remind you that life can still be good. But sitting in this room full of strangers laughing felt wrong to Lily.
Her daddy wasn’t there to laugh with her. Her daddy would never laugh with her again. Steve Harvey knelt down in the aisle in front of Lily’s seat, getting to her eye level. The cameras followed him, but he didn’t care. Hey there, sweetheart,” Steve said softly, though his microphone still picked up every word.
“What’s your name?” Lily looked up at him with wide, tearfilled eyes. “Lily,” she whispered. “Lily, that’s a beautiful name.” Steve’s voice was gentle, stripped of all entertainment. “Can you tell me why you’re crying, baby girl?” Lily glanced at her mother, who nodded through her own tears. “It’s just” Lily’s small voice trembled.
Everyone is laughing and I want to laugh too, but I can’t remember how. The studio fell completely silent. Steve felt his throat tighten. What do you mean, honey? You can’t remember how to laugh. Lily wiped her eyes with her small hands. My daddy died. He was a police officer. And since he died, I forgot how laughing feels. Subscribe and leave a comment because what Steve Harvey does next will restore your faith in humanity.
200 people held their breath. Steve Harvey, who made his living making people laugh, was face to face with a seven-year-old girl who’d forgotten how. Lily, Steve said gently, “Can you tell me about your daddy?” Lily nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks now. His name was Officer Michael Chun. He was the funniest daddy in the whole world. He made everyone laugh.
Her voice broke. We used to watch her show together. Every night after dinner, Daddy would sit on the couch and I’d sit next to him and we’d laugh and laugh. Sarah, Lily’s mother, was openly sobbing. Now, the woman next to her put an arm around her shoulders. Daddy said you were the funniest man on TV. Lily continued.
He said if he ever met you, he’d shake your hand and say, “Thank you for making his little girl laugh.” Steve’s eyes filled with tears. “When did your daddy pass away?” “Sweetheart,” he asked gently. 3 weeks ago, October 18th, he was helping people and a bad man shot him. Silence. Complete devastating silence. “My mommy said we should come here because daddy would want you to laugh again,” Lily said.
“But I tried and I can’t. I just keep thinking that daddy’s not here to watch with me anymore.” Steve Harvey stood slowly. He looked at Lily’s mother. Ma’am, is this true? Your husband was Officer Michael Chun. Sarah nodded, unable to speak. Steve turned to address the entire studio, his voice thick with emotion.
Ladies and gentlemen, this beautiful little girl’s father, Officer Michael Chun, was killed in a line of duty 3 weeks ago. He died protecting people. He died being a hero. The studio audience began to stand. Not because anyone told them to. They just stood as if their bodies knew this moment required it. And this little girl, Steve continued, his voice breaking, came here tonight because her daddy loved this show because they watched it together.
Because she’s trying to find a way to laugh again. Steve knelt back down in front of Lily. Lily, I want you to know something. Your daddy isn’t gone. Lily looked at him with confused, tearfilled eyes. I know he’s not here in body, Steve said. But he’s here in spirit. And you know how I know. Lily shook her head.
Because right now he’s watching you be brave. Right now he’s watching his little girl show 200 people what courage looks like. And he is so so proud. Fresh tears rolled down Lily’s cheeks. But you know what else? Steve asked. Your daddy wouldn’t want you to forget how to laugh. He’d want you to remember that laughing doesn’t mean you’re not sad.
It doesn’t mean you don’t miss him. It just means you’re honoring the joy he gave you. Steve Harvey made a decision that went against every television rule. Lily, would you like to come up on stage with me? Lily looked at her mother, who nodded through her tears. Steve helped Lily out of her seat and lifted her into his arms.
This tiny 7-year-old in her yellow dress, carrying the weight of grief too heavy for her small shoulders. He carried her onto the family feud stage. Standing center stage holding Lily, Steve spoke to the cameras. Sometimes we get so caught up in our games and our entertainment that we forget what really matters.
But this little angel just reminded us. He looked down at Lily. Sweetheart, is there anything you want to say to your daddy right now? Lily thought for a moment, then spoke in her small, clear voice. Eidi, I miss you so much. I’m trying to be brave like you said. And I’m sorry I forgot how to laugh, but I’m going to try to remember. There wasn’t a dry eye in the studio.
But then Lily added something that broke everyone. Daddy, Mr. Steve is really nice. I think you’d like him. And Daddy, I think you want me to laugh again, too. Steve sat Lily down gently on the stage and knelt beside her. Lily, I want to try something. Is that okay? She nodded. I want to tell you a joke.
And I want you to try, just try to laugh. Not a big laugh, not a fake laugh. Just see if maybe somewhere inside you can find a little smile for your daddy. Can you try that? Lily nodded again, wiping her eyes. Steve made a silly face, one of his trademark expressions that had made millions laugh over the years. He crossed his eyes and puffed out his cheeks.
Lily’s lips twitched just barely, but it was there. Oh, I saw that,” Steve said, encouraged. I saw a little smile trying to come out. He made another face, even sillier. This time, a small sound escaped Lily. Not quite a laugh, but something close. The audience held her breath. Steve made one more face.
The most ridiculous expression anyone had ever seen. He stuck out his tongue, crossed his eyes, and made a snorting sound. And that happened. Lily laughed. A real laugh. small at first, then bigger, and then she was giggling. That pure, beautiful sound of a child laughing. The studio erupted, but it wasn’t applause. It was something deeper.
200 people crying and cheering and celebrating a 7-year-old girl who just remembered how to laugh. Steve wrapped Lily in his arms and held her while she laughed and cried at the same time. “Your daddy heard that.” Steve whispered in her ear. I promise you your daddy just heard you laugh and he’s smiling so big right now. When Lily’s laughter finally settled, Steve stood up with her still in his arms.
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to do something. The Kim family and the Roberts family, can you both come out here? Both families left their podiums and gathered around Steve and Lily on center stage. You know what I’ve decided? Steve announced, “Both families win today because this little girl just taught us all what winning really means.
It means choosing joy even when everything hurts. It means honoring the people we love by living the way they’d want us to live.” The Roberts family patriarch, a man in his 60s, knelt down to Lily’s level. Sweetheart, my son was a firefighter. He died saving people 10 years ago. And I want you to know something. It gets easier. Not easy, but easier.
And your daddy would want you to laugh. He’d want you to live. One by one, people from both families hugged Lily, shared their own stories of loss, reminded her she wasn’t alone. But Steve Harvey wasn’t finished. He took off his suit jacket, the same jacket he wore for every taping, his television trademark, and wrap it around Lily’s small shoulders.
Lily, I want you to keep this jacket. And whenever you miss your daddy, whenever you forget how to laugh, I want you to put this on and remember today, remember that your daddy’s love is still with you. Remember that you’re brave. Remember that it’s okay to laugh. Lily clutched the jacket around her.
It was enormous on her, practically swallowing her hole, but she held it like it was the most precious thing in the world. “Really?” she asked. “I can keep it forever,” Steve said. “But I want you to promise me something.” “What? I want you to promise that you’ll try to laugh a little bit every day for your daddy.
Can you do that? Lily nodded solemnly. I promise. Steve pulled out his personal business card. I’m giving this to your mom. It has my assistant’s direct number. I wanted to call me whenever you need to. If you’re sad, if you’re scared, if you just need someone to make a silly face and remind you that it’s okay to laugh.
He turned to Sarah, Lily’s mother. Ma’am, your daughter is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. And your husband was a hero. I want to make sure you both have support. Sarah could barely speak through her tears. Thank you. She managed. Michael would have loved this. He would have loved you. Share and subscribe. Make sure Lily’s story reaches everyone who’s forgotten how to laugh.
When the episode aired 4 weeks later, the response was overwhelming. The clip of Lily’s moment was shared over 250 million times in the first week. But more importantly, it sparked something unexpected. Within 48 hours, the hashtag # laugh for Lily began trending worldwide. People started sharing their own stories of loss and their journeys back to joy.
A widow in Ohio posted a video of herself laughing for the first time since her husband’s death. for Lily, for my husband, for everyone learning to live again. A man in California shared how he’d lost his daughter to cancer and had gone two years without laughing. Watching Lily find her laugh helped me find mine. A teenager in Texas talked about losing his best friend to suicide and how guilty he’d felt every time he smiled.
Lily taught me that laughing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means honoring. The Portland Police Department reported receiving over $2 million in donations to the Officer Michael Chim Memorial Fund established to support families of fallen officers. But perhaps most remarkably, over 5,000 children who’d lost parents reached out through various channels.
Many saying they’d been carrying the same guilt Lily had. The guilt of not knowing if it was okay to be happy when someone they loved was gone. Three months after the episode aired, Lily Chun returned to Family Feud for a special taping honoring families of fallen first responders. When she walked onto that stage, she was wearing Steve’s jacket, now properly tailored to fit her, but still recognizably the same one he’d given her.
“Miss Lily,” Steve said, scooping her up in a big hug. “How are you doing?” “I’m doing good, Mr. Steve,” Lily said. And this time, there was lighter eyes. I’ve been laughing every day just like I promised. That’s my girl and your daddy. I know he’s watching, Lily said with confidence. And I know he’s proud because I’m being brave.
During that taping, Lily shared something that made Steve cry all over again. She’d started a program at her elementary school called Lily’s Laugh Club. Every week, children who’d lost parents, siblings, or other loved ones would meet to share memories, support each other, and most importantly, laugh together. We tell funny stories about the people we miss, Lily explained.
And we remind each other that they’d want us to be happy, just like Mr. Steve reminded me. The Laugh Club has since expanded to over 300 schools across the United States, providing peer support for children dealing with grief while honoring their loved ones through joy. Steve Harvey personally funded the expansion and serves on the advisory board.
Lily taught me something profound, Steve said in an interview. She taught me that laughter isn’t about forgetting pain. It’s about choosing life in the face of it. The Portland Police Department now gives every child who loses a parent in the line of duty a special jacket modeled after the one Steve gave Lily with a note that reads, “Your parent was a hero, and heroes would want their children to laugh again.
” Officer Michael Chun was postumously awarded the Medal of Valor. At the ceremony, Lily stood on stage in Steve jacket and told a funny story about her dad that made everyone laugh through their tears. Daddy was so silly. She said one time he arrested a guy who was stealing chickens and the whole way to the station.
Daddy kept making chicken sounds to make the guy laugh. Even criminals, Daddy said, deserve a smile. Today, Lily is 8 years old. She still watches Family Feud every night, but now she has a framed photo of her father next to the TV. Before each episode, she says a little prayer. Hi, Daddy. I’m watching Mr. Steve for both of us. I love you.
Steve Harvey calls Lily every month to check in. Their conversations always include at least one silly face via video chat. Are you keeping your promise? Steve always asks. Every single day, Lily always answers. I laugh for Daddy and I laugh for me. The episode featuring Lily’s story has been viewed over 400 million times, making it one of the most watched game show moments in history.
But the real measure of its impact isn’t in views. It’s in the thousands of children who found permission to grieve and permission to heal. Who learned that loving someone doesn’t mean drowning in sorrow forever. Who discovered that the best way to honor the dead is to live fully. Lily Chan went to Family Feud trying to remember how to laugh.
What she actually did was teach millions of people that joy and grief aren’t enemies. They’re companions on the journey of love and loss. She proved that it’s okay to laugh when your heart is broken. That choosing happiness doesn’t mean forgetting pain. That the people we love want us to live, not just survive.
Steve Harvey thought he was just making another joke that night. Instead, he looked into the audience and saw a 7-year-old girl who needed to know that laughing didn’t mean betraying her father’s memory. And in that moment, Steve Harvey did what the best entertainers do. He stopped entertaining and started caring. I forgot how to laugh, Lily said.
And Steve Harvey along with 200 strangers in a television studio helped her remember. Maybe somewhere in heaven, Officer Michael Chin smiled. This little girl had found her laugh again. And in finding it, she’d helped thousands of others find theirs, too. Maybe you’ve forgotten how to laugh. Maybe you’re carrying grief so heavy you think joy is betrayal.
Maybe you think the people you’ve lost would want you to suffer forever. Lily’s message is simple. They wouldn’t. They want you to live. They want you to laugh. Not because the pain is gone, but because love is stronger than pain. Subscribe. Share Lily’s story. Use # laugh for Lily to tell us about someone who would want you to be happy.
Because 7-year-old Lily Chan taught us that the best way to honor the people we’ve lost is to embrace the life they gave us. with all its pain and all its joy. And remember, it’s okay to laugh.
