Parade
‘Survivor 51’ Cast Reveals Their Hot Takes — Including More Nudity and Showmances (Exclusive)
According to Jeff Probst, Survivor 51 will live in an odd purgatorial period in the show’s history. The upcoming season will officially kick off the “open era,” which makes every previous twist, idol, and advantage possible to show up. But, simultaneously, a knowledge of Survivor history is not necessarily going to be a free ticket to a million-dollar check.
“51 would never have happened in Season 46,” Probst tells Parade in an exclusive interview. “51 is now going to be what it is. It’s going to have a certain set of twists and advantages and switches and either a Final Three or a Final Two and firemaking or no firemaking. When that’s over, we shake up the toy box, and we do it again.”
🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Even though Survivor 51 won’t necessarily be predicated on the prior evolution of the game, the cast of 21 players has done their homework in studying up on Survivor history. And it’s safe to say they have some opinions. During the season’s premiere event, Parade got the chance to talk with most of the cast, where we asked for their “hottest” Survivor takes, their most controversial opinions on a player, a season or the show in general.
Suffice it to say, the open-ended question prompted a variety of responses from the open era contestants. Some shouted out underrated winners, runners-up, and seasons. Others called for more sneakiness and showmances on the beach. One brave soul even outright says there should be more nudity on the show, simply because “it’s hilarious.”
Unfortunately, we were unable to get answers from farmer Carter Krull, personal trainer Ori Jean-Charles and medical student An “Thien An” Nguyen. But you can check out what the other 18 cast members had to say in the video and transcript below. Survivor 51 premieres on Wednesday, Sep. 23 at 8 p.m. with a special two-hour episode on CBS.
Related: ‘Survivor 51’ Cast Revealed: Meet the 21 New Contestants — Including a Former WWE Superstar and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star
Robert Voets/CBS
I wasn’t a fan of the Blood Moon twist. I just feel like it could have been done a little better. I feel like it should have been a triple elimination, and all three should have won. Everybody should have voted, and it could have been stacked.
Alexis Levine Alexis Levine on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
That’s such a good question. This shouldn’t be controversial, but I think Kenzie Petty fully deserves her win, and she’s amazing. And anyone who says otherwise, you go out there and win Survivor! Love Kenzie.
Ana Sani Ana Sani on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I think we need more sneak. We need more sneaky moves. We need people to play a little more dirty. think some backstabs are totally welcome. Backstabs are normal. Jake [Latimer] introduced the whole shoe thing, the “Shoe Bandit.” We gotta have some more playful sneakiness like that. I love that. Maybe something to do with, I don’t know, water bottles. Something to do with fire. Water Bottle Bandit, let’s go!
Brady Booker Brady Booker on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Okay, this is this is gonna stir up Twitter, brodies. You want me to take the babyface boots off and put my heel hat on, dog? I’ll talk to you. Shout out my dog Jonathan [Young]. Jonathan should have won. I think Aubry played a beautiful game. But I’ll say this to Survivor Twitter; I’m looking right at you, brodies. Jonathan played the best game. Dee’s in her feelings. She’s the greatest reality TV star competitor I’ve ever seen. And he got her! Like a fish, holding her. Come on, man!
Cristian Chavez Cristian Chavez on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I can’t watch the earlier seasons. I love the players. I love the moves and the strategy and everything. But I can’t watch the quality.
Devin Way Devin Way on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I guess my hottest Survivor take is I don’t like Shots in the Dark. I think the shot in the dark kind of inhibits a player from really stepping into their true survival instincts when you’re being constantly moved towards blindsides. Blindsides are so boring! Fom my perspective, let the person know they’re going home. Can they get out of it? Can they not? That’s a survival game.
Related: ‘Survivor 51’ Cast Reveals the Secret Superpowers They Plan to Weaponize (Exclusive)
Robert Voets/CBS
Survivor: Nicaragua is a very underrated season. I think it gets so much hate, and it doesn’t deserve it. Because what people don’t understand is, when you watch Survivor: Nicaragua as a comedy, it’s like the Naked Gun movies. You know what I mean? No one’s going in expecting an Oscar-worthy performance from Leslie Nielsen, but he gives one because he commits to the comedy. And I think Survivor: Nicaragua is a very entertaining season. I think there’s so many fun characters, silly moments, like Dan Lembo on the chair. So cute, so funny. And then also when he gets his shoes, he’s like, “If she was in New York, I’d kill her.” Come on, such an A+ character!
Angelica “Jelly” Loblack Angelica “Jelly” Loblack on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
So my biggest Survivor hot take is that there should be more showmances! People hate a showmance. Love Island is right there. You can literally see it. So, to me, a showmance is just the prettiest thing to go through and watch. The fact that people used to kiss on this show when they haven’t brushed their teeth in months. I want showmances. I want another proposal. And I’m a flirty chick, so I was open to it!
Jenna Doore Jenna Doore on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
My hot take is that even though I was an old-era girly — I watched from the beginning — I love new era Survivor. I think new era Survivor is where it’s at. I just love how the game has evolved. And it’s so fun to watch the old era game. But like I feel like the new era game is fast-paced, it’s chaotic, there’s twists and turns constantly. And I just I just love the gameplay of it.
Danny “Kilby” Kilby Danny “Kilby” Kilby on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
My hottest take is there is no evolution of the game. Richard Hatch would win now. Ethan Zohn would do just as well now. Because the game is about people. Yeah, specific mechanics and stuff, that changes. But at the end of the day, it is a game about social manipulation and dominating other people. And if you have that skill, you’re good in Season 1, and you’re good in 51. The core fundamentals aren’t different. Yeah, there’s idols, there’s whatever. But like, you’re telling me that like, Ethan Zohn couldn’t figure out an idol? It’s not that complicated! At the end of the day, it’s a game about people and politics, and those same people would be good anytime.
When Richard Hatch steps off in the Final Three in Borneo, and he’s like, “I’m doing this to get a jury vote so that I can win.” The gamer wins. The person who understands people wins, and that set the precedent from then on. I think the only evolution ever happened in that moment. There are a couple of other key moments, like Colby picking Tina. But that just changes the meta. The core fundamentals are the same.
Robert Voets/CBS
Well, so I used to say that Cook Islands is really good, but I think people agree with that. I got kicked off of the Survivor chat boards back in 2008 for advocating for a “gay versus straight” Survivor. I would [want] queer versus straight Survivor, because I think that if you put queer folks in tribes and straight folks in tribes, one of those tribes would know what was happening immediately, and the other would have no clue. And that would be interesting to watch play out. I love that stuff when Survivor goes way too far.
Lewis Kelly Lewis Kelly on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
Being a bad, terrible Survivor player is actually a strategy to being a good Survivor player. When I went out there, my mentality was, “Who’s trying to keep it low-key?” Everyone says, “I want to keep it quiet till the merge.” Those are the best bloody players. So my hot take is being a bad player at this point in time, with all the skilled Survivor players around, is actually a really good strategy. And you’ve got to keep an eye on those people who are keeping it quiet, because I don’t want them around. I want the people who are messy!
Related: ‘Survivor 51’ Cast Shares Their Biggest Weaknesses — From Irish Chaos to ‘Pretty Mean Girls’ (Exclusive)
Robert Voets/CBS
Hottest Survivor take: Shut the f—k up for the first three days, and you’re good. You’re good for a while. Particularly women. Women tend to go out earlier. Be quiet. I’m so sorry, ladies. You have to shut the f—k up, and you’ll be good.
Maggie Nestor Maggie Nestor on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
My hot Survivor take is that castaways should always have a way back into the game. Makes the game way more interesting! Because of this, I think they should bring back Exile, whether it’s forced Exile, voluntary Exile, or a refugee situation.
Mike Pinsky Mike Pinsky on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
The haters of firemaking at Final Four need to go! It is how great players can win the game without being easy vote-outs at the end. It preserves the ability for great players to win the game. I’m here for Final Four firemaking.
Patt Cannaday Patt Cannaday on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I think more people should be naked! I think it’s hilarious. It’s funny when people aren’t wearing clothes. That’s a funny thing. Tyson is hilarious. Not me specifically. But I think other people it’s funny. No,
Rob Antonson Rob Antonson on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I think my hottest take is that people think it’s just a TV show and you’re out there and then people go, “Alright, cut! Guys, go in your hotel rooms.” Nothing like that. It is literally a game of survival. You maybe have a little water, then if you want food, you got to go find it. If you don’t find it, you’re not gonna eat. That’s just how it is. And we’re sleeping on bamboo. We’re sleeping on hot surfaces. If it rains, guess what? You’re not going inside a hotel room. You’re gonna deal with the rain. So it’s extremely real, and that’s why I feel like everyone should at least experiences it one time in their life.
Sharonda Cox Sharonda Cox on ‘Survivor 51’Robert Voets/CBS
I guess my hot take is you don’t have to have bikinis to have a good Survivor! Everybody’s always like, “They have so many clothes!” So what? You go out there! You freeze at night. You don’t have to be in bikinis.
'Below Deck' Chef Joy Scribbles Nathan Gallagher Out of Photo Dump, Then Drops a Very Pointed Comment
Below Deck Mediterranean chef Joy Lefaucheur may have scribbled over bosun Nathan Gallagher‘s face in her latest photo dump, but she also had a very pointed suggestion for how he should be treated following his domestic violence conviction.
Gallagher’s face appears to have been scribbled over in every photo of him included in Joy’s Instagram post. One fan commented, “I love the scribble. Someone should have pushed him off the dock,” prompting Joy to reply, “Let’s go with the punishment he should have received. I’ll start: grab his ears and make a knot around his head. We are public remember.”
Several other fans supported Joy’s decision to remove Gallagher from the photos. “That’s what I call ‘correcting pictures imperfections,'” one person wrote. Another commented, “Perfect edits to some of those pictures.”
Joy’s post comes as Below Deck crew members and fans have increasingly distanced themselves from Gallagher following his legal troubles. Bravo has also confirmed that it does not plan to work with Gallagher in the future, although he remains part of the current Below Deck Mediterranean season because it was filmed before the December 2025 incident.
Gallagher’s legal case stems from a December 2025 incident involving his former partner and Below Deck Med co-star Gael Cameron, with whom he shares a son. He was arrested in Australia and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally choking a person without consent and common assault.
View this post on InstagramAfter Gallagher failed to appear for his September 1 court hearing, a judge proceeded with the case in his absence and found the three offenses proven. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, with Australian authorities saying Gallagher was believed to be overseas. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Gallagher has also maintained that the public account of the incident does not tell the full story, telling Rolling Stone that he has video footage, messages and other evidence that he believes provide additional context. He has not been sentenced.
While Gallagher was the obvious target of Joy’s photo edits, fans also noticed another interesting detail in the post: a heart strategically placed near deckhand Cooper Dawson in the first photo.
“WAIT there is a heart next to Coop’s head…” one person wrote.
Rumors that Cooper and Joy could be dating began after stew Katrina “Kat” Johnston cryptically said she was unfollowing someone in an Instagram Story. At the time, Cooper and Kat were secretly dating on Below Deck Med, adding another layer to the speculation surrounding the cast.
Fans have since noticed that Kat no longer follows Joy, and Kat also revealed during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live that she and Cooper are no longer on good terms.
The 'Golden Girls' Storyline That Pushed Betty White Into TV History
Betty White was the comedic heart of Golden Girls, but it was her most daring storyline that pushed her into television history.
In the 1990 episode “72 Hours,” Rose learned that a medical procedure she underwent years earlier could have resulted in her contracting HIV. The agonizing wait was a groundbreaking, deeply emotional departure for the NBC sitcom.
The storyline directly confronted widespread public fear of contracting the disease. Dorothy’s (Bea Arthur) mother, Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) panicked, using separate bathrooms and marking Rose’s coffee cups with a giant “R.”
That public panic didn’t just play out on screen—it mirrored a real-world stigma in 1990. While Sophia’s initial overreaction highlighted the era’s deep-seated misinformation, the episode reached its true emotional peak when Dorothy forcefully shut down the hysteria.
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
The character reminded millions of viewers at home that fear shouldn’t replace compassion. By using Rose, the show’s most innocent, beloved character, to deliver such a sobering message, the writers forced audiences to confront the reality that the epidemic could touch anyone. The character of Sophia later admitted, “I know intellectually there’s no way I can catch it, but now that it’s so close to home, it’s scary.”
Additionally, the character of Blanche further destigmatized the disease by delivering the line, “AIDS is not a bad person’s disease, Rose. It is not God punishing people for their sins.”
In an excerpt from the book Golden Girls Forever, Vulture, shared White’s feelings about the storyline. She explained, “Not only were people understandably afraid of AIDS, but a lot of people wouldn’t even admit it existed.”
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo BankShe continued, “So this was a daring episode to do, and the writers went straight for it. It’s interesting that they picked Rose for that situation. Blanche (Rue McClanahan) was such a busy lady, but if it had been her story, it would have taken on a whole other color. But with Rose being Miss Not-Always-With-It, it came as a real surprise.”
Despite her character Sophia’s confusion about the disease, Getty was an AIDS activist. She was reportedly not “happy” with the jokes, explained series writer David A. Goodman. “She didn’t like the jokes, and so she really tanked them at the table read. In general, I remember that table read being very scary, because it didn’t score. And Golden Girls was a show where, otherwise, table reads had always gone very well.”
NPR clarified that there was real fear about the disease when the episode aired. “In 1990, when the episode first aired, AIDS testing was still relatively new; just five years prior, the FDA licensed the first commercial blood test. Since 1981, over 100,000 deaths from AIDS had been reported to the CDC by that year — almost one-third of them during 1990. It was a scary time, and despite efforts to educate the public, myths and misinformation ran rampant.”
In the end, the Golden Girls episode “72 Hours” wasn’t just a bold move for Betty White. It was a turning point for how TV handled heavy issues without preaching. The writers didn’t sugarcoat the fear, and the cast didn’t soften the impact.
Related: ‘Friends’ Quietly Recast a Major Character After Just One Episode—And Fans Barely Noticed
Every ‘Survivor’ Winner: Full List of Champions From All Seasons
Over 26 years, Survivor has changed up its location, cast and sometimes even format. But one thing has remained consistent for the reality TV giant: At the end of the game, one player is voted Sole Survivor by a jury of voted-out contestants. And across all the seasons so far, we’ve had a huge variety of Survivor winners, from strategic masterminds to challenge beasts to social butterflies.
The 48 unique winners of Survivor represent some of the best players to ever compete. Most took home the show’s $1 million prize, while two winners received $2 million: Tony Vlachos for Winners at War and Aubry Bracco for Season 50. Several winners have also returned for subsequent seasons, with Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos each becoming two-time champions.
Season 40, Survivor: Winners at War, brought together 20 former winners for an unprecedented showdown, giving the game’s champions a chance to compete against one another and prove who could reign supreme among the Sole Survivors.
Launch the gallery below to find out every Survivor winner so far, what other seasons they’ve played, and what they’re doing now.
Related: ‘Survivor’ Returns for Record-Breaking Season 50: What To Know
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox. 🎬
Richard Hatch (Season 1: Borneo)
In the summer of 2000, Survivor‘s first season took the world by storm, changing the landscape of TV forever. And among the players of that iconic season, Richard Hatch was one of its most seminal castaways. While the players around Richard in Borneo were looking at their experience through an adventure or a social experiment, he sat back in a tree, seeing it as a game first and foremost. Richard was a part of the first-ever alliance in the show’s history, which informed strategy to follow every season (and reality competition show) after. Despite his more cutthroat, arrogrant, villainous persona, Richard still took home in the first-ever title of Sole Survivor in a close vote.
Richard returned to Survivor for All-Stars in 2004, where he placed 13th. He has also competed on a handful of reality shows, including The Celebrity Apprentice, The Biggest Loser, and the upcoming second season of House of Villains.
Courtesy of CBS
Tina Wesson (Season 2: The Australian Outback)
“In the spirit of the Olympics, let the games begin.” Those words from Tina Wesson kicked off her biggest move of the season, flipping her tribe to get her on top. Though she presented herself as a sweet Tennessee mother, she contained an adeptness and keenness on social dynamics. Tina made it to the end with her alliance, where she convinced Colby Donaldson to take her to the finals, seen as one of the biggest mistakes in Survivor history. With the wind at her back, Tina won the game in another close vote.
Tina returned for All-Stars, where she was the first voted out of the season. She came back almost a decade later in Blood vs. Water to compete alongside her daughter Katie Collins. Tina went on to finish in fourth place.
Courtesy of CBS
Ethan Zohn (Season 3: Africa)
Ethan Zohn has one of the highest approval ratings for a winner in Survivor history. The young soccer player had to fight against both man and beast, stranded in the wilds of Africa for his first season. But he proved himself to be the king of the savannah, as his tight alliances and likability gave the soccer player an easy net-in win.
Ethan has had one of the most harrowing journeys following his win. “Survivor” became a very different word in his life when he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called CD20-positive Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009. After many rounds of treatments, he was declared cancer-free in 2013. Ethan went on to compete in All-Stars, where he was the last winner voted out in 11th place, and Winners at War, where he was voted out in Episode 3. He also competed on The Amazing Race 19 with then-girlfriend and fellow Survivor winner Jenna Morasca, placing 10th.
Read our interview with Ethan Zohn
Courtesy of CBS
Vecepia Towery (Season 4: Marquesas)
Going “under the radar” is a common expression affiliated with Survivor. But it could be argued that Vecepia Towery was the first to perfect it. Vecepia had to fight with her back against the wall throughout all of Marquesas, whether as part of a spiraling tribe or on the outs of a majority. But her ability to navigate behind the scenes had her lasting long enough to be a part of the first-ever power shift in Survivor history. Despite losing her closest ally before the finale, a couple of key wins towards the end got Vee the overall victory in a 4-3 vote.
Courtesy of CBS
Brian Heidik (Season 5: Thailand)
In one of his first confessionals, Brian Heidik said he’d be viewing his time in Thailand as a “business trip.” And he lived up to that promise, as the man who nicknamed himself “Mr. Freeze” ran one of the most cold, calculating games Survivor has seen. Brian carefully plotted out and executed his every move, taking his whole tribe to the end of the game before systematically cutting them out. Even if he didn’t have the greatest social game, his strategy still won the day, giving him the win.
Courtesy of CBS
Jenna Morasca (Season 6: The Amazon)
Season 6 of Survivor is one of its most risqué. A battle of the sexes theme allowed the majority of young men and women in the cast to ogle each other from across tribe lines. And one of the most famous moments in the show’s history occurred when two contestants volunteered to get naked for chocolate and peanut butter. Jenna Morasca was one of those contestants. After cliquing up with the younger people, she saw the game get turned on its head as the “popular kids” got unseated. Regardless, Jenna was able to survive long enough to win the final two Immunity Challenges, guaranteeing her spot at the end. And, despite her perception as being younger and more uptight, she still claimed the win.
Jenna returned two seasons later for All-Stars. However, she chose to quit the game in Episode 3, feeling the need to return to her mother, who had been dying from a long battle with cancer. Her mother would go on to pass away eight days after she got home. Jenna and then-boyfriend (and fellow Survivor winner) Ethan Zohn also competed on The Amazing Race 19, where they placed tenth.
Courtesy of CBS
Sandra Diaz-Twine (Season 7: Pearl Islands & Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains)
One of the biggest legends of the game began her Survivor legacy with one phrase: “I can get loud too, what the [expletive]?!” Despite being argumentative and not the most well-equipped physically, Sandra Diaz-Twine knew how to charm and scheme. She was ready to throw friend or foe under the bus at any time, following her cardinal rule, “As long as it ain’t me.” Luckily, the jury in Pearl Islands decided it was her that was to win the game, as she got the title near-unanimously.
Sandra returned over a decade later for the historic Heroes vs. Villains as a Villain. Considered to be one of the best Survivor seasons ever, Sandra watched her own alliance self-destruct premerge. Though she tried to make a play against the Villain majority at the merge, her hand was forced. While the other baddies were good to take her to the end, feeling she had no shot of winning, her vocal opposition to their tactics were met well with the jury. They made her the first two-time winner in Survivor history, and a self-appointed “queen” of the series.
Since her back-to-back wins, Sandra has competed on Game Changers and Winners at War. She also appeared as part of the titular twist on Island of the Idols, serving as a “mentor” to the contestants that season. In 2022, Sandra traveled franchises, competing on Australian Survivor: Blood vs. Water with her daughter Nina Twine. Sandra also appeared on Season 2 of Peacock’s The Traitors.
Courtesy of CBS
Amber Brkich Mariano (Season 8: All-Stars)
Season 8 of Survivor brought back some of the most iconic players in the show’s history for an “all-star” bout. Amber Brkich Mariano was not necessarily the biggest star to grace the beach, a pleasant presence back in the Outback. But she quickly linked up with “Boston” Rob Mariano, and the two would run the season, forming not only a strategic connection, but a romantic one as well. Rob and Amber went toe-to-toe with some of the best players, and did the impossible by making it to the end together. At the live reunion, Rob shocked everyone when he proposed to Amber. And she received an early wedding present from the jury, winning the million dollars in a close 4-3 vote.
Amber and Rob’s wedding was subsequently televised, and the two currently have four daughters together. They also went on to run The Amazing Race twice in Seasons 7 and 11, finishing in second place their first time out. Amber made her long-awaited return to Survivor in Winners at War in 2020.
Courtesy of CBS
Chris Daugherty (Season 9: Vanuatu)
While Chris Daugherty can’t manage a balance beam to save his life, he can balance lies like nobody’s business. Another battle of the sexes season had Chris and his alliance getting the majority over the younger men on the tribe. But their reverie was short-lived, as the women proceeded to dismantle his entire alliance. Somehow, outnumbered six to one, Chris made his way to the end of the game, helping widen the cracks between the women and make key connections to avoid being a dead man walking. And so he made the impossible possible, being both the last man and last castaway standing.
Courtesy of CBS
Tom Westman (Season 10: Palau)
Firefighter Tom Westman set the game ablaze, leading his Koror tribe to make Survivor history, never losing an Immunity Challenge. And that dominance carried over to the individual game as well, as he won safety a record five out of seven times. When Tom was rarely vulnerable, he surrounded himself with loyal allies, who protected him despite his physical presence and leadership making him the odds-on threat to win the game. And it was to their folly, as Tom brought his dominance to the end, and the jury vote to boot.
Tom went on to return for Heroes vs. Villains as part of the Heroes tribe. After memorably scrapping with other tribe members such as James Clement, he was voted out in 15th place.
Courtesy of CBS
Danni Boatwright (Season 11: Guatemala)
Danni Boatwright didn’t just play under the radar; she beat the radar. Guatemala marked the first time that returning players played against new castaways, and so Danni chose to keep her plans private from not only her competition, but even production. When her alliance got winnowed down in the postmerge, she took advantage of the growing cracks in the majority. She got into a new coalition that took her all the way to the Final Three, where she won the final Immunity Challenge and the game handily.
Danni returned fifteen years later to Survivor to compete in Winners at War, where she was voted out in the second episode.
Courtesy of CBS
Aras Baskauskas (Season 12: Panama – Exile Island)
Survivor: Panama is a season known for its incredibly colorful cast of characters, most of whom were thrown together in the chaotic Casaya alliance. The one person attempting to keep all the craziness together was Aras Baskauskas. He was the figurehead of Casaya as they fought against the one-man wrecking ball of Terry Dietz throughout the postmerge. He eventually succeeded in his mission and made it to the end, where his likability and key relationships, most notably with legend-to-be Cirie Fields, won him the game
Aras returned for Blood vs. Water in 2013, playing alongside and against his brother Vytas Baskauskas. He went from first place in his first season to first juror in his second, getting voted out at the merge.
Courtesy of CBS
Yul Kwon (Season 13 – Cook Islands)
Survivor: Cook Islands drew considerable controversy during its airing for dividing the tribes by race. But Yul Kwon shone like a light through the murkiness around the show. One of the brainiest men on the sason, Yul was quick to form tight bonds and alliances, and even found an idol to boot. When some of his closest allies mutinied, Yul became a figurehead of one of the biggest underdog stories in the show’s history. The Aitu Four did the impossible, taking out eight other people, thanks largely to Yul’s wheeling and dealing. Yul then won the first-ever Final Three vote in Survivor in a tight 5-4 vote.
Yul returned to Winners at War, where he was voted out just before the merge.
Read our interview with Yul Kwon
Courtesy of CBS
Earl Cole (Season 14: Fiji)
Earl Cole had barely watched Survivor when he was asked to travel to Fiji to be on its fourteenth season. But he quickly took to the game like a snake to Exile Island. Though originally on the losing end of the “have/have-not” twist, Earl linked his winnowing tribe up with some outsiders to create a majority that ran the postmerge. He survived multiple idol plays and a controversial deal around the car reward to make it to the end, where he became the first unanimous winner in the show’s history.
Courtesy of CBS
Todd Herzog (Season 15: China)
In Survivor: China, the castaways were given a copy of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. And Todd Herzog was truly the general of his season. The flight attendant’s social skills made him the central figure of his tribe, and he brokered information to help net two idols for his alliance. But despite his friendly demeanor, he also wasn’t afraid to cut those in his path (including said idol holder). Todd went with his tightest allies to the end, and delivered what fans call one of the best final Tribal Council performances in the show’s history to net the win.
Courtesy of CBS
Parvati Shallow (Season 16: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites)
While Parvati Shallow had been asked back onto Survivor as part of the “Favorites” tribe, it didn’t exactly describe her reputation up to that point. But, having served as one of the antagonists in her previous season, Parvati made a complete name for herself on Micronesia. Her tactics of social manipulation and flirtation made her good with Fans and Favorites alike. Most infamously, she was a key figure in the “Black Widow Brigade” women’s alliance, responsible for one of the most famous moves in the show’s history. When Parvati made it to the end of the game, her maneuvering and confidence got her the win, and sent her on the way to becoming a Survivor legend.
Parvati returned just four seasons later for Heroes vs. Villains. Despite being targeted early in her tribe, she fought her way valiantly to the end, where she controversially finished as a runner-up to fellow winner Sandra Diaz-Twine. Twenty seasons after that, Parvati appeared on Winners at War, where her twin fate with Sandra continued, as both were voted out on the same day premerge. Parvati also starred on Season 2 of Peacock’s The Traitors, continuing to cut throats as a member of the titular group of deceivers.
Courtesy of CBS
Bob Crowley (Season 17: Gabon)
Survivor: Gabon is considered one of the show’s most polarizing seasons, full of conflict, drama, and villainous characters. One of the only people to stay out of the fray was Bob Crowley. The science teacher earned a good reputation with his craftiness, which he also used to make an incredible-looking fake idol. After Bob’s entire alliance got taken out, he brought his skills to the challenges, winning out until the end, where he ascended to head of the class and took home the victory.
Courtesy of CBS
J.T. Thomas (Season 18: Tocantins)
J.T. Thomas is the first player in Survivor history to play the “perfect game,” receiving no votes against and all the jury votes to win. And it’s easy to see why, as the Alabama cattle rancher seemed to instantly endear himself to everybody he met. Early on, he joined up with Stephen Fishbach, forming one of the most unlikely, yet dominant duos in the show’s history. Despite entering the merge down in numbers, J.T. became someone that everyone wanted to work with, putting him in power. Even when it looked like his closest allies were coming for him, he won the final three Immunity Challenges, cementing his spot in the Final Two and a unanimous win.
Unfortunately for J.T., fans have felt his subsequent Survivor appearances have dulled the shine on his sterling victory. He came back just two seasons later in Heroes vs. Villains, where he was part of one of the worst moves in the franchise. Under mistaken assumptions, he gave his idol to a member of the opposite tribe, only for them to use it to vote him out at the merge. J.T. then came back for Game Changers, where an idol cursed him again, as he was voted out premerge with one in his pocket.
Courtesy of CBS
Natalie White (Season 19: Samoa)
It’s impossible to speak about Survivor: Samoa without mentioning Russell Hantz. Through game-changing idol finds and blindsides, the villain helped get his formidable Foa Foas to the end of the game. Alongside him was Natalie White, who saw Russell becoming the kingpin of the tribe and decided it was her prerogative to join him, then beat him. Russell confidently took Natalie to the end, believing her game was too quiet to be acknowledged. But she and the jury spoke up about her story, as she controversially beat him n the vote.
Courtesy of CBS
Jud “Fabio” Birza (Season 21: Nicaragua)
Survivor: Nicaragua divided the contestants by age. And among the youngest of the young was Jud Birza. Nicknamed “Fabio” by his competition, he played into the perception, coming across as a young, dumb surfer. So, in the postmerge, despite being outside the majority, he survived his alliance’s decimation, seen as too naive to be dangerous. But Fabio showed that threat status when he won the final three Immunity Challenges, and his friends and enemies on the jury came together to give him the win in a close 5-4 vote.
Courtesy of CBS
“Boston” Rob Mariano (Season 22: Redemption Island)
“Boston” Rob Mariano immediately made an impression on our screens in 2002, trying to run the game like a mafioso while quoting The Godfather. Over nearly 10 years, we saw him play three times, make it to the end and lose, get married, and have kids. When Rob was brought back for his fourth time on Redemption Island, his gameplay had graduated from mafioso to full-on don. Putting forward one of the most dominant performances in history, he ran his alliance from beginning to end, instilling tribal division through intimidation, mercilessly taking out threats, and handpicking his endgame opponents. And so, Boston Rob was able to finally accomplish the one thing left on his Survivor bucket list: Win the game.
After his victory, Boston Rob went out of the Survivor spotlight for some time. He appeared as a mentor on lsland of the Idols, helping coach the newbie cast. He then stayed in Fiji to play on Winners at War alongside his wife Amber Mariano, where he was voted out premerge. Rob and Amber also ran around the world twice on The Amazing Race Seasons 7 and 11, finishing in second place in the former. Boston Rob has appeared on a number of other reality shows, including Around the World in 80 Ways, Secret Celebrity Renovation, Peacock’s Deal or No Deal Island and, most recently, The Traitors
Courtesy of CBS
Sophie Clarke (Season 23: South Pacific)
Only 21 years old when she played, Sophie Clarke quickly saw the landscape of her tribe and adjusted accordingly. Her maneuvering not only got the Atheist into the faith-based majority alliance, but a key figure at the top. While the gameplay was straightforward in South Pacific, Sophie’s perception was in flux, with her even being called a “young brat” at one point. But she turned opinions around in the end, showing vulnerability and intention, punctuated when she became the only person to defeat challenge legend Ozzy Lusth that season.
Sophie later returned for Winners at War, where she ultimately finished in tenth place, blindsided with an idol in her pocket.
Courtesy of CBS
Kim Spradlin-Wolfe (Season 24: One World)
Survivor: One World showed the third battle of the sexes in the show’s history. But, unlike the other two times, Kim Spradlin-Wolfe made sure those gender lines stuck. Playing an incredibly dominant game, Kim became part of a majority on the women’s tribe that ran its way down to the end, becoming the first time one gender made up the entire final group. But she had social skills to match the strategy, as she was seen by friend and foe alike as incredibly reliable, a number to rely on, and rarely a target. On top of that, Kim won four Immunity Challenges, tying a Survivor record for women. That all combined into one of the best games in the show’s history, and the win to boot.
Kim returned for Winners at War in 2020, where she was voted out in ninth place. She currently hosts the HGTV series Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?
Courtesy of CBS
Denise Stapley (Season 25: Philippines)
The ideal in Survivor is to avoid voting if you can help it. Denise Stapley, unfortunately, couldn’t. Put on the woeful Matsing tribe, the sex therapist set a Survivor record by going to every single Tribal Council in her season. But she had become hardened seeing torches get snuffed every three days, benefiting from her experience as other players crumbled. After surviving the vote fourteen times, the jury handily rewarded her story and defying the odds, making her fifteenth Tribal Council a million-dollar payday.
Denise returned for Winners at War, where she made it to the finale before being voted off in sixth place, after three idol plays had created a no-vote scenario.
Read our interview with Denise Stapley
Courtesy of CBS
John Cochran (Season 26: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites)
Based on John Cochran’s first season, it’s understandable to believe he would never be a Survivor winner. Though a superfan who asked to be called by his last name, Cochran was very much a fish out of water, nearly eliminated premerge before flipping on his entire tribe. He entered his second time out a more composed–and sunburnt–version of himself. The Favorites’ dominance in the premerge put Cochran in a great spot, in the majority but never the target. Add on top of that two Immunity Challenge wins, and it’s clear that Cochran was a different man when he picked up the second perfect game in Survivor history.
At the Caramoan finale, Cochran professed his desire to become a TV writer. His dreams kept coming true, as he was hired to write for ViacomCBS shows like The Millers, Kevin Can Wait, and Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Courtesy of CBS
Tyson Apostol (Season 27: Blood vs. Water)
Tyson Apostol came to his third season of Survivor under a lot of pressure. He had been blindsided twice before, including getting himself voted out in Heroes vs. Villains. On top of that, he had one additional person to think about, as the titular twist of Blood vs. Water had returning players competing against a loved one. Tyson suffered heartbreak early on as he watched his then-girlfriend Rachel Foulger get blindsided. But the comic character got the last laugh at the end of the day. When the merge hit, Tyson had formed an alliance of returnees and loved ones to create a new majority, cementing him as the new kingpin. And, surviving the second rock draw in Survivor history, he went to the end and won handily.
Tyson would go on to marry Rachel; the two currently have two children. He returned to Survivor for Winners at War, where he was voted out, returned via the Edge of Extinction, and got voted out again in eleventh place. Tyson also competed on the first season of The Challenge USA, where he made it to the final.
Courtesy of CBS
Tony Vlachos (Season 28: Cagayan – Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty & Season 40: Winners at War)
Survivor: Cagayan is heralded at one of the show’s best seasons, and a large part of that is Tony Vlachos. The New Jersey cop was a madman from the jump, lying about his profession, running on chaotic idol searches, and creating “spy shacks” to peer in on his competition. And he brought his dominant personality into his gameplay, as he swung back and forth in every vote at the postmerge. At the Final Three, though it looked like he was dead in the water, he convinced Woo Hwang to take him to the end, where he won near-unanimously.
Tony then returned for Game Changers, where he played similarly fast and loose. Unfortunately, his “bag of tricks” was see-through, and he was voted out second. When Tony came back again for Winners at War, he played a much slower and low-key game, minimizing his threat level. He could then turn his game into overdrive at the merge, crafting blindsides, winning challenges, and of course, finding idols. His game was so dominant that the biggest jury in Survivor history gave him the biggest prize in Survivor History: Two million dollars.
Read our interview with Tony Vlachos
Courtesy of CBS
Natalie Anderson (Season 29: San Juan del Sur — Blood vs. Water)
Natalie Anderson came into Survivor with the most reality TV experience of any winner. She and her sister Nadiya Anderson had competed on two seasons of The Amazing Race, and were brought in to play on the second “Blood vs. Water” season. Unfortunately, Natalie suffered immediate devastation when Nadiya was voted out first. But she was a master of slow playing, marinating her meal until it became juicy enough to take a bite. And so, after lying in wait, she strung together an incredibly strong endgame, hitting its peak during her Final Five idol play.
Natalie returned for Winners at War, where she was the first voted out. However, after lasting over a month on the Edge of Extinction, she returned to the game, making the finals and finishing in second place. Natalie also appeared on the cast of The Challenge: Double Agents, where she was forced to leave the game due to her pregnancy at the time.
Read our interview with Natalie Anderson
Courtesy of CBS
Mike Holloway (Season 30: Worlds Apart)
On the first day of Survivor: Worlds Apart, Mike Holloway declared that the winner was standing on his tribe mat. The gravely-voiced oil driller had energy for days, subsisting scorpion eating and happy dancing. But, halfway through the game, he became public enemy number one, the main target of his former blue-collar alliance. And so Mike mounted an impressive underdog run, playing an idol and winning a record five Immunity Challenges. And so, his own prophecy came true, as he became the winner of the 30th season.
Read our interview with Mike Holloway
Courtesy of CBS
Jeremy Collins (Season 31: Cambodia — Second Chance)
Survivor: Cambodia saw 20 non-winners from the past 30 seasons get a “second chance” at the million-dollar prize. Among them was Jeremy Collins, a headstrong firefighter who was blindsided by his own alliance midmerge. Jeremy approached his second season in a different space, playing for his now-growing family. He perfected the strategy of the “meat shield,” surrounding himself with more threatening players to make sure he was never the target. And even when he was, his two idols helped cement his place in the finale, where he won unanimously, the third perfect game in Survivor history.
Jeremy went on to play in Winners at War. Despite taking hits from the first day, he scraped by to eventually get voted out in eighth place.
Courtesy of CBS
Michele Fitzgerald (Season 32: Kaôh Rōng — Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)
Billed as one of the most intense Survivor seasons ever, Kaôh Rōng saw bitter villainy, brutal blindsides, and a record number of medevacs. As a member of the Beauty tribe, Michele Fitzgerald was underestimated due to her youth and looks. But her presence contained not only a social butterfly, but a fighter. Becoming the endgame target, Michele won crucial challenges to cement her spot in the end and even remove a juror. On Day 39, she controversially won the final vote.
Michele returned for Winners at War eight seasons later. Despite being left on the backfoot early on, her relationships won out in the premerge. She was on the wrong side of the vote most of the postmerge, but challenge wins and advantages got her to a third-place finish. She is the only person in Survivor history to play multiple seasons, win, and never be voted out. Michele has also competed in four seasons of The Challenge from 2021 to the present.
Read our interview with Michele Fitzgerald
Courtesy of CBS
Adam Klein (Season 33: Millennials vs. Gen X)
Adam Klein came to Survivor with family on the mind. Not only was this the “super-duperfan’s” lifelong dream, but also that of his mother, who was currently dying of cancer. And so, feeling the impact of two fandoms, Adam put his all into the game, winning challenges, finding idols, and even drawing rocks for the third time in the show’s history. Making it to the Final Three, he opened up about his story, securing the jury vote unanimously. He returned his mother days before her death a Survivor winner.
Adam returned for Winners at War, where he placed in twelfth.
Read our interview with Adam Klein
Courtesy of CBS
Sarah Lacina (Season 34: Game Changers)
In Sarah Lacina’s first season, she played like a cop, and got blindsided at the merge as a result. In Game Changers, she played like a criminal. Living up to the season title, Sarah seamlessly played the middle of a fractured postmerge, serving as the swing between various factions. And in her darkest hour, she saved herself with a Legacy Advantage, secured when she organized the blindside of the very person who had it. Despite the jury being unhappy to see Sarah use their friendship for gain, they acknowledged her superior gameplay, giving her the win.
Sarah returned for Winners at War, where she was the final person eliminated after losing the firemaking challenge to close ally Tony Vlachos. She then made her way into The Challenge world, competing on The Challenge: USA Season 1 (which she won) and World Championship, where she finished in fourth place.
Read our interview with Sarah Lacina
Courtesy of CBS
Ben Driebergen (Season 35: Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers)
Ben Driebergen played many roles on Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers. He was King Arthur, having successfully assembled an alliance of Heroes and Hustlers. He was a spy, helping plot a mid-game swing while disguising his loyalty. But soon the ex-Marine got thrown into the heat of war, as everyone on the game turned on him. And so Ben spent the rest of the game impressively stringing together a record-tying number of idol finds. Just when hope seemed lost, the new firemaking twist at the Final Four got Ben out of the line of fire, and the win to boot.
Ben returned five seasons later for Winners at War, where he ultimately finished in fifth place. He then participated in both The Challenge: USA Season 1 (where he made the final), and World Championship.
Read our interview with Ben Driebergen
Courtesy of CBS
Wendell Holland (Season 36: Ghost Island)
Ghost Island was all about reliving mistakes from Survivor seasons past. Ironically, though, Wendell Holland played a game relatively free of mistakes. He quickly endeared himself to his tribe with his furniture-making skills. And he also constructed a tight alliance with Domenick Abbate. The two proceeded to run the entire season, systematically taking out threats and advantages. The duo was so inseparable that they accomplished a Survivor first, tying in the final jury vote. But in the battle between Wendell’s social skills and Domenick’s strategic acumen, the former won out, as Wendell got the tiebreaking vote and the win.
Wendell returned for Winners at War, where he was the merge boot. He briefly co-hosted the series Hot Mess House on HGTV, and is currently appearing on the Amazon reality show The GOAT.
Read our interview with Wendell Holland
Courtesy of CBS
Nick Wilson (Season 37: David vs. Goliath)
As a public defender who came from humble beginnings, Nick Wilson was a natural to be on the Davids tribe during Survivor: David vs. Goliath. He spent the game creating alliances with names to boot, in the hopes that his own wouldn’t be written down. The Davids found themselves in a natural position at the merge, on the losing end of the numbers. But Nick helped architect some big-brain plans involving advantages to whittle the field down. When things were looking hairiest for Nick down the stretch, he won the final three Immunity Challenges, getting a spot at the end. And, sitting next to two Goliaths, it was only natural a David would take it.
Nick returned three seasons later for Winners at War, the most recent winner to come back. He placed seventh overall.
Read our interview with Nick Wilson
Courtesy of CBS
Chris Underwood (Season 38: Edge of Extinction)
Chris Underwood holds a distinction with Edge of Extinction: The only winner to claim victory after being voted out in the same season. Chris was blindsided on Day 8 after proving his disloyalty, sent to the purgatorial Edge of Extinction to await the chance to return. It took 27 days, but he finally did in the finale. What followed was three days of action for Chris, culminating in him winning the final Immunity Challenge, but throwing himself into the firemaking challenge to take out Rick Devens. Though he only played 12 days of Survivor as we know it, the jury commended his effort, giving him a controversial victory.
Chris also participated in The Challenge: USA Season 2. After going into four eliminations, the most that season, he won the game as the top-finishing man.
Read our interview with Chris Underwood
Courtesy of CBS
Tommy Sheehan (Season 39: Island of the Idols)
Island of the Idols was known for three things: The titular twist involving twin Survivor mentors of “Boston” Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine, a record number of idols and advantages, and the controversy involving sexual harassment by one castaway. Somehow, the season’s winner, Tommy Sheehan, managed to steer clear of all three. The teacher made sure to keep his social grades up, helping take out the threats around him while being guarded by others. And so Tommy’s relationships earned him the win, making him the first winner in 20 seasons to not ever get an idol, advantage, or individual immunity.
Tommy went on to participate in The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies. After obtaining a concussion during a daily challenge, he had to be medically removed from the game.
Read our interview with Tommy Sheehan
Courtesy of CBS
Erika Casupanan (Season 41)
Erika Casupanan outlined her upcoming journey in her first days on Survivor 41; she would start a lamb, but become a lion. Evidently, a lion is what was needed to beat the “monster” of the “new era” format of Survivor, which shortened the days, but ramped up the intensity and surprises. Despite her small size, Erica loomed large in people’s eyes, as they schemed to take her out. But she would beat them to the punch, helping organize the biggest blindside of the season. Though viewers might call it a quieter game, her story rang loud with the jurors, who gave her the win near-unanimously.
Erika went on to play on the first season of The Traitors Canada, where she was the first to be eliminated.
Read our interview with Erika Casupanan
Courtesy of CBS
Maryanne Oketch (Season 42)
One of the most unique personalities we’ve had in a winner, Maryanne Oketch came to Survivor to prove her weirdness is not a liability, but an asset. Indeed, her positive, endless energy brought up the smiles of her competition, and brought down her threat level. But behind her eyes lied someone eager to make a move, which she did with aplomb when she took out her closest ally and the biggest threat at the Final Six. Even going into the final Tribal Council, it was debatable if Maryanne would win. But she vocalized how underestimated she was all game, even flaunting the idol she didn’t need to play. It was impressive enough to sway a few jurors’ minds, giving her the win.
Read our interview with Maryanne Oketch
Courtesy of CBS
Mike Gabler (Season 43)
Mike Gabler played a Survivor game of extreme volumes. His personality immediately brushed against the people on his tribe, to the extent where he volunteered to play his Shot in the Dark at the first Tribal Council. By the time the merge hit, he took the initiative, recruiting new faces to take out his ally turned enemy. From there, Gabler began to “hide in plain sight,” slipping below the radar while the others took each other out. And when he needed to, he emerged, defeating odds-on favorite Jesse Lopez in firemaking. Despite Gabler’s lack of moves, it was enough to get him the win, in one of the most unexpected Survivor victories ever.
True to his promise in the finale, Gabler went on to donate his entire million-dollar winnings to various charities.
Read our interview with Mike Gabler
Courtesy of CBS
Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho (Season 44)
Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho’s presence on Survivor 44 alone was history-making, as the first Puerto Rican contestant ever. But the hair stylist didn’t stop there, using his sense of humor and personality to charm his competition. By the time the merge hit, his original tribe was down to only three. But the “Three Stooges” clowned on the competition, snowing everyone that they were working together until it was too late. In the final Tribal Council, Yam Yam expertly vocalized how he used his social skills to find out key information, and his careful revenge plot to vote out anyone who wrote his name down. And his argument got his name written down again, this time to win.
Read our interview with Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho
Courtesy of CBS
Dee Valladares (Season 45)
We go from one Caribbean island to another, as Dee Valladares was the first contestant born in Cuba to play Survivor. Part of the Reba alliance that ran the majority of the game, Dee commanded from afar, as it seemed every target of hers went home. Simultaneously, her strategic relationship with Austin Li Coon began to verge on romantic. Dee used that to her advantage, getting key game information out of him to protect all of her number ones and take out her threats. By the time the Final Three hit, Dee had accumulated multiple blindsides and three Immunity Challenge wins to boot. Appropriately, she sat next to Austin and beat him in a close 5-3 vote, in a game some are saying is the most dominant of the “new era.”
Dee went on to serve as co-host alongside host and executive producer Jeff Probst and podcast producer Jay Wolffe on “On Fire: The Official Survivor Podcast.”
Read our interview with Dee Valladares
Courtesy of CBS
Kenzie Petty (Season 46)
Kenzie Petty came into Survivor 46 in an alarmingly similar position to Yam Yam. A hairstylist with charisma and sociability for days, who is part of a disastrous purple tribe that numbers only three at the merge. But, despite heavy warnings from her tribe members about her, Kenzie successfully endeared herself to the competition, which came in handy when her tribal alliance splintered. Amongst the wild, chaotic, and stunning gameplay in the postmerge, Kenzie sat back safe, largely helping pull things from the shadows. A late Immunity Challenge and firemaking win got her into the Final Three, where she prided her authenticity and desire to start a family. That proved to be the winning formula, in a controversial 5-3 victory.
Read our interview with Kenzie Petty
Courtesy of CBS
Rachel LaMont (Season 47)
When Rachel LaMont touched down in Fiji, becoming a full-fledged contestant on Survivor 47 after being the alternate one season prior, she thought she was on her second life in the game. But it turns out many more would be expended over the course of her tumultuous 26-day journey. Part of one of the most fluid seasons of the new era, Rachel was blindsided three times, losing close allies in the process. But when the going got tough, she got going. Rachel got every postmerge advantage and idol which she used to great effect, including saving herself in a clutch moment. She also won four Immunity Challenges, tying the all-time record for women. It was a streak that made her safe from the Final Eight all the way to the end, where she won the jury vote near-unanimously.
Robert Voets / CBS
Kyle Fraser (Season 48)
Kyle Fraser would tell you he’s the most average guy you’ll ever meet. And staying in the middle is where he excelled. In a season that eschewed fluid strategy in favor of solid emotional relationships, he did a masterful job of being able to keep all of his options open. That chiefly included not only comfortably staying in the majority, but working behind the scenes alongside his secret ally to make some of the biggest moves of the season. In the end, Kyle shined a light on his in-the-shadows gameplay, as he revealed several major secrets – including the fact that he was a lawyer – to take home a winning verdict from the jury.
Robert Voets/CBS
Savannah Louie (Season 49)
Former reporter Savannah Louie was getting the scoop from the jump, becoming one of the key decision-makers in every premerge vote she attended. When the merge hit, however, she was suddenly left blindsided and on the outs, feeling as used and abused as her personal belongings by her competition. But it’s in that moment that Savannah accessed a different gear that even she may not realize she had. The smallest person this season was the biggest threat in challenges, tying an all-time record for women. And every single time Savannah was not immune, she received votes, even getting thrown into Final Four firemaking. Yet every time, she persisted. And while her overall social game may not have been top-notch, as she put it, the relationships she worked on were the key ones. And they were the ones to get her the Page 1 headline, winning Survivor 49.
Robert Voets/CBS
Kyle Fraser — Survivor 48 (2025). Fraser defeated Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter in a 5–2–1 jury vote.
IMDB
Savannah Louie — Survivor 49 (2025). Louie defeated Sophi Balerdi and Sage Ahrens-Nichols in a 5–2–1 vote.
IMDB
Aubry Bracco — Survivor 50 (2026). Bracco defeated Jonathan Young and Joe Hunter in an 8–3–0 vote and won the show’s $2 million grand prize.
IMDB
Related: Meet the Full Cast of ‘Survivor 50’: Photos, Bios and What to Know
Shoppers Are Racing to Buy Walmart’s 2-in-1 $45 Fire Pit That Doubles As a Grill
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
There’s no need to pack away the patio furniture just because temperatures are starting to drop. A fire pit can keep outdoor gatherings going well into fall, and Walmart has a patio-friendly option that does more than just provide warmth.
Right now, the Segmart Outdoor Fire Pit is on sale for $45 at Walmart, down from $80. The 19-inch wood-burning fire pit doubles as a grill, giving you a convenient spot to cook burgers, vegetables, and more while staying cozy around the fire. Its compact size makes it especially suited to smaller outdoor spaces, with one shopper saying it was “just the right size for a small patio.” Over 100 customers had the fire pit in their carts at publication time, so anyone interested shouldn’t wait too long to check it out in case it sells out.
Segmart Outdoor Fire Pit, $45 (was $80) at Walmart Shop at WalmartAt 19 inches wide, 19 inches deep, and 14.5 inches high, this square fire pit has a low-profile design that’s easy to work into your outdoor setup. It’s made from powder-coated iron designed to resist rust, scratches, and stains, and comes with a mesh lid to help contain sparks. A fire poker is also included for tending the flames, while four support feet help keep it steady on grass, gravel, concrete, and decking.
The 2-in-1 design means you can use it as both a fire pit and a grill. It comes with a grill grate for cooking burgers, vegetables, and other favorites over the fire. If you’re more in the mood to relax around the flames, simply remove the grate for a classic fire pit setup.
One Walmart shopper called it “the best of both worlds,” saying it heated up quickly and was “perfect for hanging outside without needing a full grill setup.” Another reviewer said it was “easy to put together in under five minutes.”
Shop More Deals- Camel Windbreaker, $18 (was $29) at Walmart
- Dream Pairs Penny Loafers, From $34 (were $50) at Walmart
- UVN Waffle-Knit Pajama Set, $24 (was $47) at Walmart
Related: Dolly Parton’s Charming $12 Coffee Mug Will Bring ‘Pure Joy’ to Your Everyday Routine
At $45, the Segmart Outdoor Fire Pit is a steal at Walmart right now. For Walmart shoppers looking to make the most of their outdoor space this fall, this 2-in-1 marvel is just the thing for grilling dinner, relaxing by the fire, or keeping backyard gatherings going all season long.
Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.
Hallmark’s ‘Pumpkin Regatta Romance’ Paddles Into Fall—Watch an Exclusive Sneak Peek
Fall is officially here, and Hallmark is celebrating with pumpkin patches, cozy small-town traditions and an unexpected competition on the water.
This week’s new Fall into Love movie, Pumpkin Regatta Romance, stars Mishael Morgan and Corey Sevier as the children of two feuding fathers. When the disagreement threatens their town’s beloved Pumpkin Regatta, the pair must work together to save the event—and may find something more than friendship along the way.
Read on for everything to know about Pumpkin Regatta Romance, including its cast, premiere date and Parade’s exclusive sneak peek.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
What is Pumpkin Regatta Romance about?When their fathers refuse to move past a disagreement, Nadine (Mishael Morgan), daughter of the boat shop owner, and Ethan (Corey Sevier), a pumpkin farmer, team up to heal the feud and revive the town’s Pumpkin Regatta.
When does Pumpkin Regatta Romance premiere?Pumpkin Regatta Romance premieres Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel. It will be available to stream the following day on Hallmark+.
Related: UPtv Just Unwrapped Its 2026 Christmas Movie Schedule—and One Premiere Is a Total Mystery
Who’s in the cast of Pumpkin Regatta Romance? Mishael Morgan Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex MediaHallmark Media
Mishael Morgan as NadineMishael Morgan had plans to be a lawyer. But after an accident that left her injured with a broken neck, she had to rethink her path in life. She decided to pursue acting instead and soon became the first Black actress to win a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Amanda Sinclair on The Young and the Restless. Other credits include Supernatural, Chicago Med, and Christmas with a Kiss. She previously starred in Hearts Around the Table: Shari’s Second Act on Hallmark.
Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex MediaHallmark Media
Corey Sevier as EthanCorey Sevier has been acting professionally since he was seven, when he landed the role of Timmy in the ‘90s version of the prolific series, Lassie. He has had recurring roles in Hallmark Channel’s Cedar Cove and ABC’s Mistresses. He has also starred in several films, including Northern Lights of Christmas, Road Trip Romance, and The Christmas Charade. He also starred in the Harlequin Romance movie, Second-Guessing Fate on The CW
Does Parade have a sneak peek of Pumpkin Regatta Romance?Yes! Watch Parade’s exclusive sneak peek of Pumpkin Regatta Romance below.
PARADE Exclusive – Pumpkin Regatta Romance – Sneak Peek (0:59) Check out images from Pumpkin Regatta RomanceTake a look at some select images from Pumpkin Regatta Romance in the gallery below.
Pumpkin Regatta RomanceHallmark MediaMishael Morgan, Eugene Clark Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Mishael Morgan, Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Corey Sevier, Mishael Morgan Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Mishael Morgan, Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Mishael Morgan Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Mishael Morgan, Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Corey Sevier, Mishael Morgan Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Corey Sevier Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Mishael Morgan Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media
Hallmark Media
Ciara Miller Confirms Her 'DWTS' Week 2 Song Choice Was a Dig at Her Ex
Ciara Miller sent a message to her ex on Dancing with the Stars Season 35. The Summer House star, who unwittingly became embroiled in a reality TV love triangle earlier this year, revealed that for the second week of competition, she chose to dance to the song “No Broke Boys” in response to her ex’s actions.
Miller and her pro partner, Brandon Armstrong, danced a tango to “No Broke Boys” by Disco Lines & Tinashe on Dancing with the Stars’ “Viral Hits Night” on Sept. 22, scoring 18 out of 30 points from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.
The song features lyrics such as “I’m out here single/now I got standards,” with a chorus that announces, “No broke boys, no new friends/I’m that pressure, give me my 10s.”
After the dance, co-host Julianne Hough asked Miller, “You got to pick your song for Viral Hits Night. What was the choice on this decision?”
Without missing a beat, Miller replied, “One time a broke boy ruined my life — or he tried. But we’re here tonight, so it didn’t work!”
In March, Miller discovered that her ex-boyfriend and Summer House co-star, West Wilson, was involved in a secret relationship with her then-best friend, Amanda Batula. The painful revelation was documented on camera when all of the parties involved—including Batula’s husband Kyle Cooke—reunited to film the Summer House reunion weeks later.
At the time, Miller slammed the new couple as they sat stunned.
“Maybe they’ll be together, because I honestly think the best woman for West is someone who’s not going to check him on anything, and that’s totally Amanda,” Miller said. “She’s very mute, she’s gonna be that weak figure that he needs and he can always be the star in the relationship.”
In an interview with Good Morning America, Miller said it was “very healing” to work out her emotions in the ballroom. She also dedicated her first dance to the friends who “lifted” her up amid the public betrayal.
“I really wanted the first dance to be statement,” she said of the premiere night. “So now that that’s out of the way, I feel like I can move forward; we can have fun with it. …It’s onward, upward.”
When “No Broke Boys” was announced as Miller’s Week 2 dance song, fans began to speculate that it was a dig at Wilson.
“I’m SO sat for Summer House star Ciara Miller dancing to ‘No Broke Boys’ next week on “DWTS,” a post on Virtual RealiTea was captioned, under a photo of Miller and Wilson.
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesday nights on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
The 12 Best French Groceries To Buy at Aldi (And 3 To Skip)
France takes its food seriously, and plenty of the things it does best have found their way onto Aldi shelves. There are the expected cheeses and pastries, but also cultured butter, preserves, frozen desserts and other products that are easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.
For anyone who loves French food, that makes Aldi a fun place to browse. It also raises a question: How much of it is actually French? The answer depends on the product. Aldi carries genuine imports made in France alongside plenty of foods that borrow a French name, recipe or style. We don’t think that makes one better than the other, but it’s worth knowing what you’re buying.
😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔
More important is how the food actually tastes. A good Brie should be creamy and buttery, a croissant needs those crisp, flaky layers and French butter should give you something you’re not getting from your usual butter.
Here, we’ve compiled the Aldi French foods worth adding to your cart. We looked at where each product comes from, but taste was ultimately more important. Price factored in too, because even at Aldi, something cheap isn’t a good deal if it’s not very good. We ended up with 12 French groceries we’d buy again, plus three we’d skip. See what made it into our cart.
The Best French Bakery & Breakfast Items at AldiFrom buttery pastries to French-style breakfast staples, Aldi has many items to choose from when you want something a little more interesting in the morning.
1. Specially Selected All Butter CroissantsPrice: $3.85 for a pack of 6
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: Buttery, flaky and much closer to a bakery croissant than you’d expect from a package.
If you’re buying croissants at Aldi, make sure you grab the all-butter version. One review calls them one of the best products in Aldi’s bakery aisle, praising their buttery flavor and flaky texture. Aldi shoppers agree, with several saying these are noticeably flakier and better than the store’s regular croissants. Warm them in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up the outside, and they’re an easy win for breakfast.
2. Specially Selected French BaguettePrice: $2.05
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: Good crust, soft center and a price that’s hard to beat.
Aldi’s take-and-bake baguette is an inexpensive find that’s worth keeping around. Some reviewers love its texture, particularly the crisp exterior and soft, slightly airy center, while others give it a thumbs-up for its crispy crust and dense, soft crumb. Just make sure you actually bake it before digging in. A few minutes in the oven is what takes it from packaged bread to something much closer to a fresh baguette.
3. Specially Selected Sliced Brioche Loaf with Chocolate ChipsPrice: $5.75
Authenticity Check: Imported from France
Why It Wins: Soft, lightly sweet brioche with little bits of chocolate in nearly every bite.
Chocolate chips push this brioche toward the sweeter side, but reviewers say it doesn’t go overboard. Some shoppers love its soft texture and balanced sweetness, while a few liked that the mini chocolate chips are scattered throughout the loaf rather than showing up in a few oversized pockets. It’s good straight from the package, but it’s also a good choice for French toast when you want a little chocolate already in the loaf.
4. L’oven Fresh Pains au ChocolatPrice: $5.49 for a pack of 8
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: There’s buttery pastry wrapped around plenty of chocolate.
These little pains au chocolat have earned some devoted fans. One food reviewer picked up a package after seeing Aldi shoppers rave about them and ended up eating one nearly every day that week. They especially liked the soft, buttery pastry and the amount of chocolate tucked inside. They’re good straight from the package, but warming one up for a few seconds gets the chocolate melty and makes the pastry even softer.
Related: The 11 Best French Groceries to Buy at Costco (and 3 to Skip)
Authentic French Cheeses & Dairy Staples You Shouldn’t Pass UpThis is where Aldi’s French selection really gets interesting, with several imported cheeses and a few dairy staples worth seeking out.
5. Specially Selected Triple Crème BriePrice: $2.19
Authenticity Check: Imported from France
Why It Wins: This cheese is extra-rich and creamy with a soft, buttery center.
If you’re going to buy Brie, the triple-crème version is a decadent choice. Aldi’s is made in France and has an extra-rich, buttery texture that gets softer and gooier as it comes to room temperature. Good Housekeeping singled it out for its velvety texture and mild flavor, noting that it looks and tastes more expensive than its price tag suggests. Let it sit out for a bit before serving to get the best texture.
6. Emporium Selection Brie Cheese RoundPrice: $4.39
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: Mild, creamy Brie at an affordable price.
Brie is one of the easier ways to make a cheese plate feel a little fancier, and Aldi lets you do it for about $4. Food reviewers call this wheel mild and creamy, naming it one of their Aldi must-buys. Give it some time on the counter before eating it because once it loses that refrigerator chill, the center gets softer and creamier, which is exactly how we want our Brie.
7. Emporium Selection Plain Goat Cheese LogPrice: $2.19
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: Smooth and creamy with the tang you want from goat cheese.
For a little over $2, this is an easy way to get some chèvre into the fridge. One food reviewer who regularly buys Aldi’s goat cheese described it as silky and smooth, with just the right amount of tang. The plain version is also the one we’d choose over the flavored logs. You can crumble it over a salad, spread it on a baguette or add a few pieces to an omelet without another flavor competing with the cheese.
Gourmet Pantry & Frozen ShortcutsThe French finds aren’t limited to the bakery and cheese case. There are a few good options tucked into Aldi’s pantry and freezer aisles too.
8. Specially Selected Mini Cream PuffsPrice: $5.19
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: A light choux shell with a thick, creamy center.
These little cream puffs have some serious fans. One reviewer said they were “blown away” after the first bite and singled out the generous amount of smooth, thick cream inside. Another reviewer is just as enthusiastic and says they keep a container in their freezer at all times. The puffs thaw in about 30 minutes on the counter, and since they’re individually frozen, you can pull out a few without committing to the whole container.
9. Specially Selected Assorted French MacaronsPrice: $4.99
Authenticity Check: Imported from France/Belgium
Why It Wins: Delicate shells, chewy centers and six flavors in one box.
Macarons are notoriously difficult to make, which makes Aldi’s frozen version an easy shortcut. One review found them good enough to rival some bakery versions, while Aldi shoppers regularly call out flavors like raspberry, lemon and salted caramel as favorites. You get two each of raspberry, vanilla, pistachio, salted caramel, lemon and chocolate, and they only need to thaw before serving. For around $5 a dozen, they’re an inexpensive way to get your macaron fix.
10. Specially Selected Haricots Verts (French Green Beans)Price: $3.99
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: These are thinner and more tender than standard green beans, with the ends already trimmed.
Aldi’s haricots verts are the slender green beans commonly used in French cooking, with a more delicate texture than regular green beans. One food writer called Aldi’s version a definite buy, praising both the price and the fact that they come trimmed. Aldi shoppers on Reddit are fans too, especially when the beans are steamed or sautéed with butter and garlic.
11. Specially Selected Vanilla Crème BrûléePrice: $1.99
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: It offers creamy vanilla custard and a sugar topping you caramelize yourself.
Aldi’s crème brûlée comes with smooth vanilla custard and a separate packet of brown sugar to caramelize just before serving. That little extra step gives you the crisp sugar top and creamy custard underneath that you want from crème brûlée. One reviewer found the dessert comparable to versions the reviewer had ordered at restaurants—not bad for something that you can find in the freezer aisle.
12. Specially Selected Mussels in Garlic Butter SaucePrice: $2.85
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why It Wins: Briny mussels in a simple garlic-butter sauce for under $3.
Frozen mussels might be an unexpected Aldi buy, but these have a loyal following. One reviewer found the mussels chewy without being rubbery, with a salty, briny flavor that also seasoned the pasta served with them. The sauce also gives you something to work with beyond the mussels themselves, whether you spoon it over pasta or soak it up with bread.
The 3 ‘French’ Items at Aldi You Should SkipNot every French find at Aldi is a winner. These are the three we’d leave on the shelf.
1. Bake House Creations Crescent RollsPrice: $2.19
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why We’d Skip It: Dry dough and lackluster flavor miss the mark.
These refrigerated crescent rolls may look the part once baked, but the reviews give us reason to pass. One taste test found them noticeably bland, with only a little butter and salt coming through. Shoppers have been tougher. Multiple customers have complained about dry or greasy dough, uneven baking and rolls that fall apart while being shaped. With that many issues popping up, we’d spend our money elsewhere.
2. Friendly Farms French Onion DipPrice: $1.99
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why We’d Skip It: The onion flavor can get lost.
French onion dip should have a noticeable savory onion flavor, but some Aldi shoppers say that’s what’s missing here. Several Reddit users say they skip Aldi’s version in favor of another brand, while other shoppers have called out its mild onion flavor. More recently, one reviewer went as far as saying it tasted like “99.5 percent sour cream.”
3. Bake Shop Bakery CrêpesPrice: $3.85
Authenticity Check: French-style
Why We’d Skip It: The texture doesn’t quite live up to a good crêpe.
Crêpes should be soft, thin and tender, which is where Aldi’s packaged version loses us. Online shoppers have complained about a grainy texture and filling that can be dry or firm rather than smooth. While some people do enjoy them, texture is crucial with something as simple as a crêpe. With better options out there, we’d leave these behind.
Final ThoughtsYou don’t need to wait for a trip to France to stock up on a few French favorites. Aldi has more of them than you might expect, and many are inexpensive enough to try simply because they sound good. Just don’t assume everything with a French name deserves a spot in your cart.
Related: 8 Secret Hacks for Scoring the Freshest Bakery Items at Costco
Dolly Parton's Christmas Stoneware Pie Plate Is the Sweetest Way to Serve Holiday Desserts
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Holiday prep season is officially here, which means it’s definitely not too early to think about how you’ll serve your favorite winter dishes. Whether you’re a baking enthusiast, a country music lover, enjoy going all out with festive decor, or all of the above, the Dolly Parton Holly Dolly “Baking Spirits Bright” Pie Plate is practically tailor made for you.
Available for just $33 at Wayfair, this 10-inch plate instantly infuses your festivities with charm like only the songstress herself could. Featuring a joyous “Baking Spirits Bright” logo across the center in a font that exudes a distinctly vintage quality, the plate is adorned with a wonderfully Christmassy motif that’s sure to liven up your table.
Dolly Parton Holly Dolly “Baking Spirits Bright” Pie Plate, $33 at Wayfair Shop at WayfairAt the heart of it all is a crisp green wreath festooned with candy canes, miniature trees, and snowflakes in contrasting red. A big bow finishes the wreath’s design, while red and green snowflakes almost appear to sprinkle along the plate’s sides, both inside and out. The effect is everything you might expect of a Dolly original — warm, homey, cute, and cozy.
Made from durable stoneware, the plate is resistant to chips and is more than equipped to hold all kinds of holiday treats. It’s ideal for serving up piping hot pie, of course, but it’s equally well suited to brightening up your end-of-year feasts. If you’re entertaining, it’ll make a gorgeous impression when serving appetizers or putting together an impressive charcuterie spread.
It’s also safe to put in the oven and microwave, so you can safely heat up anything without risk to the material. Keeping it clean is easy, too. Just pop it in the dishwasher to keep the plate as sparkling and deeply saturated with color as it was on day one.
Shop More Deals- Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Mugs Set, $33 at Wayfair
- Dolly Parton Holly Dolly 12-Piece Dinnerware Set, $56 (was $60) at Wayfair
- Dolly Parton “Have a Holly Dolly Christmas” Wine Glass Set, $38 at Wayfair
Related: Dolly Parton’s Colorful $20 Lazy Susan Brings Farmhouse Charm to Any Room
The plate also makes a lovely gift idea for your favorite Dolly fan. According to one shopper, it’s “very sturdy” and features a “beautiful” design finished in rich hues. In other words, it’s sure to impress anyone with its heavy-duty structure and high-end aesthetic. Whether you’re decorating a country kitchen this holiday or simply to make the season more special, the Dolly Parton Holly Dolly “Baking Spirits Bright” Pie Plate is an easy choice for a great price at Wayfair!
Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.
1971 Carole King Song Got an Iconic Second Life as a Duet Recorded in a Laundry Room
Carole King’s Tapestry is one of the most iconic albums of the early 1970s—and one of its tracks has had multiple lives.
The song, “Where You Lead,” not only became a hit for Barbra Streisand—cracking the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 twice, with two versions in 1971 and 1972—but it was rewritten decades later as a TV theme song recorded in a laundry room.
Written by King and lyricist Toni Stern, “Where You Lead” was originally penned as an upbeat, piano-driven celebration of romantic devotion. But 30 years later, the lyrics were revised to pay homage to female solidarity and a mother-daughter bond.
King recorded the revamped song as a duet with her daughter, Louise Goffin, for the Gilmore Girls opening theme, introducing it to millions of new fans when the series premiered on the WB network in 2000. Decades later, it remains a multi-generational favorite.
Goffin has spoken about recording the song as a duet with her mom, and she revealed that the session took place at her home.
“The phone rings and my mom these were her words she said, ‘I’m doing this pilot, and I’m gonna do a version of ‘Where You Lead,’ and instead of it being about a man it’s going to be about a daughter, and I thought it would be really cool if we did it together,’” Goffin recalled to the Today show. “So she came over, and literally we recorded the vocals in what was my laundry room, and the control room was in my bedroom.”
Goffin noted that her one-bedroom Laurel Canyon apartment had been converted into a recording studio after the birth of her baby.
“I remember perfectly where I was. I had this round rug covered in a sheet with my baby in the middle of it, just playing with a ball,” the singer told Yahoo Entertainment in 2020. “The control room was in the bedroom, the vocal booth was in the laundry room. The day of the recording, my mom and I were in the laundry room doing it. I like the fact that it was this whole domestic thing. Like, I had a baby here, my mom was coming over, and we were sitting in a laundry room.”
RELATED: The One Rock Star Moment You May Have Missed on ‘Gilmore Girls’
Goffin also noted that the “Where You Lead” remake had lyrics that her mom preferred over the original.
“The original romantic lyric had a ‘Stand by Your Man’ flavor — you know, ‘I’ll go anywhere to follow you.’ She much preferred having that be about her kid,” she said.
Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino once revealed that King was immediately on board when she approached her about the song.
“She said she wanted to remake the song into a mother/daughter valentine, changing the original theme from the journey of a woman following a man to two women devoted to each other,” she told the Los Angeles Times in an interview.
Fifty-five years after the original song was released, “Where You Lead” remains a soft rock favorite that is still beloved by listeners of all ages.
We Asked Airline Crew Members What They’d Never Pack—and One Item Kept Coming Up
Packing a power bank for a flight probably feels as routine as remembering your phone charger or headphones. But those small portable chargers are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat, catch fire and, in rare cases, cause a serious problem at 35,000 feet.
A recent incident involving a power bank that caught fire near an airplane window offered a sobering reminder of the risk. While these devices aren’t banned from flying altogether, there are strict rules around where and how they can be packed.
So when we asked airline crew members what they’d never pack when flying, one answer kept coming up: lithium-ion batteries.
Power banks, portable chargers and loose lithium-ion batteries may be small, but where you put them matters. And in some cases, tossing one into the wrong bag isn’t just something airline crew members advise against. It’s prohibited.
Related: A Minimalist Carry-On Packing List That Actually Works
The One Thing Airline Crew Members Think Twice About PackingFor flight attendant Naomi Rotolo, a power bank tops the list of things she personally avoids bringing on a flight altogether.
“A power bank is honestly too dangerous to bring and not worth the risk, in my opinion,” Rotolo tells Parade.
She also points out that travelers may underestimate the potential hazard because portable chargers have become such an ordinary part of everyday life.
“A power bank. People don’t realize how risky it is to bring something so small that’s also so fragile—to me, it’s like bringing an uncontrolled explosive on board,” she says. “Personally, I think they shouldn’t be allowed at all.”
That’s Rotolo’s personal stance, and power banks are currently permitted on U.S. flights when they meet FAA requirements. But they cannot go just anywhere.
The FAA requires spare lithium-ion batteries, including power banks and portable chargers, to travel in the aircraft cabin rather than in checked luggage. Most consumer lithium-ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours are permitted in carry-on baggage, while batteries between 101 and 160 watt-hours require airline approval and are generally limited to two spares per passenger. Batteries above 160 watt-hours are prohibited on passenger aircraft, with limited exceptions involving mobility devices. Individual airlines may impose stricter rules.
There’s a reason for the extra scrutiny. According to the FAA, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and enter what’s known as “thermal runaway,” which can result from damage, overheating, overcharging, improper packing or even a manufacturing defect. Keeping them in the cabin means flight crews can respond more quickly if a battery begins overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.
Related: 10 Carry-On Essentials I Trust for Every Trip and Here’s Why
Pilots Are Watching for Them, TooIt’s not only flight attendants who have batteries on their radar.
As Chief Pilot for Tradewind Aviation, Paul Reilly has a particularly hands-on view of what travelers bring aboard. Tradewind offers scheduled and private charter flights, with pilots often involved in the passenger experience from escorting guests to the aircraft to delivering the preflight safety briefing. In other words, they see it all—including some pretty unusual luggage.
His advice is particularly important for anyone checking a suitcase. Asked what he would never put in checked luggage, Reilly points to lithium-ion batteries that don’t meet the permitted limits or required configuration, along with “medications and prescriptions.”
The FAA guidance is unequivocal when it comes to spare lithium batteries: They cannot be packed in checked baggage. If your carry-on ends up being gate-checked, spare batteries and power banks need to come out of the bag and remain with you in the cabin. Battery terminals should also be protected from short-circuiting.
That rule can apply to some less obvious travel gear, too. Reilly points to “power tools or anything with a removable battery” as something travelers may not realize requires extra attention.
The FAA recommends removing the lithium-ion battery from a power tool and carrying the battery in the cabin while checking the tool itself. Spare batteries must be individually protected against short circuits and comply with applicable watt-hour limits.
In other words, before throwing a battery-powered gadget into your suitcase, it’s worth checking both the FAA guidance and your individual airline’s restrictions.
Related: How to Pack for a 7-Day Cruise With a Single Carry-On
The Other Thing You Should Never Put in a Checked BagThere was another piece of advice from the crew that could be even more important: Keep essential medication with you.
Rotolo has seen what can happen when a passenger doesn’t.
“Medication and valuables. Checked luggage can get lost, and I’ve seen firsthand how serious the consequences can be,” she says.
She recalls one flight when a passenger’s wife had packed his daily medication in the suitcase that went into the hold. Mid-flight, he became unwell and needed it.
“We ended up having to land the plane and call an ambulance for him,” Rotolo says. “Things like that should never leave your side.”
Reilly independently gives the same advice, listing “medications and prescriptions” among the things he wouldn’t put in checked luggage.
It’s a compelling reminder that a carry-on isn’t just for the things you want during a flight. It’s where anything you can’t afford to be separated from belongs.
Related: 10 Carry-On Items That Will Fix Your Overpacking Habit for Good
What Airline Pros Say You’re Probably OverpackingWhile batteries and medication are a matter of safety and accessibility, airline pros also see travelers waste valuable suitcase space on things they simply don’t need.
For Rotolo, it’s full-size toiletries.
“Shampoo and other toiletries. You can almost always buy them once you get where you’re going, so leaving them out saves a lot of space,” she says. “The only exception is if you’re only away for one night—then a travel-size bottle makes sense. Otherwise, it’s always better to just buy them there.”
Reilly takes an equally minimalist approach. His skip list includes large containers of toiletries, multiple bottles of vitamins, extra shoes, sneakers and jeans. Instead, he suggests rationing vitamins into one small container and limiting extra clothing and footwear.
And then there are the things passengers bring that no packing expert could possibly anticipate.
Asked what has surprised him most, Reilly’s list includes “large televisions, monitors, traffic light (yes, a traffic light), furniture.”
Rotolo’s most memorable carry-on was considerably more romantic. She recalls one passenger holding a bouquet of flowers for the entire flight, “from the very start of the flight until the end.”
Flowers, at least, sound easier to explain at security than a traffic light.
The Bottom LineBefore your next flight, give anything containing a lithium-ion battery a second look. A compliant power bank doesn’t necessarily need to stay home, but it does need to stay out of your checked suitcase and meet applicable FAA and airline requirements.
And if you’re forced to gate-check your carry-on at the last minute? Take out those spare batteries and portable chargers before handing over your bag.
Your shampoo, on the other hand, may be better off staying home.
Up next:
1993 Sheryl Crow Ballad, Reimagined by Chris Stapleton, Remains a Powerful Hit 33 Years Later
Before breaking through with massive hits “All I Wanna Do” and “If It Makes You Happy,” Sheryl Crow released a quiet ballad that continues to resonate with listeners more than three decades later.
“I Shall Believe,” featured on her 1993 debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, wasn’t a chart-topping single.
The song never reached No. 1, nor did it crack the Billboard Hot 100 in a major way, but it remains one of her most vulnerable deep cuts. Written with Bill Botrell, it also helped the debut album peak at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200.
The tune offers a soul-stirring and raw reflection on heartbreak, doubt, and holding onto the hope of finding something real again, even if it feels uncertain at the moment.
Despite being released 30 years ago, it’s also remained a timeless classic, finding a second life across new generations as it’s been featured in emotional TV moments, including on One Tree Hill. The song left a lasting impression on fans during Season 1, Episode 14, a 2004 episode fittingly titled “I Shall Believe,” where loved ones wait anxiously at Lucas’ bedside as he awakens from a coma after a devastating crash.
It’s remained a fan favorite ever since, often considered one of her most underrated songs, though it made the cut as one of the best Sheryl Crow songs on Holler Country. The publication wrote, “One of Crow’s earliest compositions is one of her most timeless. Soulful and melodic, ‘I Shall Believe’ cuts to the heart of faith, pure and simple.”
Earlier this month, country legend Chris Stapleton even reimagined the song to recognize Crow’s contributions to music at the BMI Troubadour Award event.
Crow previously revealed she closes out every show, to this day, with “I Shall Believe,” telling Vulture, “Almost every show we end with ‘I Shall Believe’ and as I’ve gotten older and lived through some major life experiences… having cancer, adopting my kids, all the different changes in my industry… that song seems to hold more and more weight for me.”
“One of the things that keeps me going is that I feel like I have not written my best song yet. There are songs that I am proud of, songs that really captured the moment of where I was at. But I understood [“I Shall Believe”] more later, and that’s what you hope. You hope you get out of your own way and allow inspiration to take over.”
It may not have dominated the charts, but it captured something more impactful and lasting: a feeling that audiences can relate to during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
The 'Intermittent Kindness' Pattern People Miss When Dealing With a Gaslighter, According to Psychologists
When most people picture emotional abuse, they imagine a relentless barrage of criticism, hostility and overt cruelty. They envision a partner who constantly belittles them, denies reality at every turn and leaves them feeling perpetually isolated. Because this aggressive narrative is so widespread, many individuals end up enduring subtle emotional mistreatment for years without ever realizing what is actually happening to them. They stay because the relationship is not always awful. In fact, some days it feels surprisingly wonderful. All while not realizing their partner is a gaslighter.
This cycle of unpredictable affection is precisely why cognitive manipulation that gaslighters use can be so difficult to identify. When a toxic partner switches from cold detachment or outright deceit to sudden warmth, grand romantic gestures or heartfelt compliments, it creates profound psychological confusion. You might find yourself rationalizing their toxic outbursts, convincing yourself that the loving version of your partner is their “true” self, while the hurtful behavior is just a temporary anomaly caused by stress, fatigue or misunderstanding.
However, mental health experts warn that these fleeting moments of affection are rarely genuine acts of repair. Instead, they are often a calculated gaslighting manipulation tactic known as intermittent reinforcement—or the “intermittent kindness pattern,” as we’re calling it. Understanding how this pattern functions is essential for protecting your mental well-being, breaking free from toxic dynamics and regaining trust in your own perception of reality.
Related: 9 Tactics High-Level Gaslighters Use That Most People Miss
What Is Intermittent Kindness in a Relationship?Intermittent kindness occurs when a manipulative partner strategically alternates between mistreatment and intense affection. This unpredictable cycle keeps you on an emotional roller coaster, constantly searching for what you might have done wrong and striving to regain their favor.
When someone continuously distorts your reality—a process known as gaslighting—your nervous system enters a state of high alert.
“Gaslighting is essentially a type of emotional manipulation where someone makes you doubt your own memory, perception and in some cases, sanity,” Dr. Crystal Saidi, PsyD, a psychologist with Thriveworks, explained in a previous Parade article about the top trick gaslighters use. “It is extremely harmful because it basically steals your sense of reality. Over time, it can damage your confidence and make you feel dependent on the person who is doing the gaslighting.”
When that same person suddenly offers praise, buys a thoughtful gift or acts deeply affectionate, it provides an overwhelming sense of relief.
Related: The ‘Decision Regret’ Rule: How To Tell if a Friend Is Secretly a Toxic Influence on You
This constant fluctuation between hostility and warmth triggers a powerful psychological bond. The unexpected nature of the reward releases dopamine in the brain, creating a cycle similar to gambling. You become hooked on chasing the next moment of kindness, which makes you far more likely to overlook red flags, excuse deception and second-guess your own instincts.
Dr. Holly Schiff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with South County Psychiatry, noted in the same past article that gaslighters intentionally pepper in just enough compliments, gifts or loving words to confuse you and keep you tethered to the relationship.
“A top trick a gaslighter may use to keep you hooked is alternating cruelty with kindness,” Dr. Schiff shared. “They may criticize or belittle you one moment and then shower you with affection or validation the next.”
Dr. Saidi called this “intermittent validation” in the same article, and said, “it’s basically hot and cold behavior.”
“Think: Showering you with love, compliments and attention and then suddenly pulling away or ignoring you,” she continued.
By interspersing genuine toxicity with brief moments of adoration, the manipulator ensures you remain hooked on the possibility of their return to kindness.
Why Intermittent Kindness Keeps You Trapped—and How To Break FreeThe primary reason intermittent kindness is so effective—and dangerous—is that it systematically erodes your self-esteem while increasing your dependency on the manipulator. Over time, you begin to rely on the person causing your emotional distress to be the one who relieves it.
In another past Parade article, Dr. Schiff emphasized that gaslighting can severely harm mental health, leading to:
- Constant second-guessing of your own beliefs and perception of reality.
- Deep-seated self-blame and a persistent negative inner dialogue.
- Chronic stress and anxiety as you navigate unpredictable mood swings.
- Feeling like you must constantly walk on eggshells to avoid conflict.
Recognizing the cycle of intermittent kindness is the first step toward reclaiming your autonomy. Experts emphasize that healing requires shifting your focus away from a manipulator’s promises and toward their long-term patterns of behavior.
Related: 11 Common Signs You’re ‘Parenting’ Your Partner, According to Psychologists
To regain control and protect your emotional health, consider these essential strategies recommended by clinical psychologists:
- Document your experiences. Keep a private written journal or digital record of conversations and events as they happen. Having a tangible record helps ground you in reality when a partner attempts to rewrite history or deny their actions.
- Focus on actions over words. Apologies and grand romantic gestures mean very little if they are repeatedly followed by the same toxic behaviors. Pay attention to consistent daily patterns rather than occasional high points.
- Seek external perspectives. Manipulative partners often attempt to isolate you from loved ones. Reconnecting with trusted friends, family members or a qualified therapist can provide an objective gut check and help validate your feelings.
- Release the desire to fix them. Many gaslighters developed these behaviors as coping mechanisms in childhood or as part of complex personality traits. But it’s not your job to fix them. Your priority must always be your own safety and peace of mind.
Breaking free from a cycle of emotional manipulation is rarely easy, but recognizing intermittent kindness for what it is—a tool of control rather than a sign of true change—allows you to stop second-guessing yourself and start building a healthier, more stable future.
Adapted from Parade’s “Psychologists Reveal the #1 Trick Gaslighters Use To Keep You Hooked” and “What Is ‘Gaslighting’? Examples and How to Deal With It, According to Psychologists,” both by Beth Ann Mayer.
Up Next:
Related: Relationship Psychologists Are Begging Couples To Stop Using This ‘Toxic’ 7-Word Phrase
Sources:- Dr. Crystal Saidi, PsyD, is a psychologist with Thriveworks.
- Dr. Holly Schiff, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist at South County Psychiatry.
Presley Gerber's Body Released by Medical Examiner After Sudden Death at 27
Presley Gerber’s remains have been released after authorities completed his autopsy.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that his body was released and transferred to a mortuary on September 22, according to PEOPLE. The mortuary is reportedly designated by the “legal next of kin,” although it has not been confirmed who is currently in custody of his remains.
In a statement issued to the outlet, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner noted that Gerber’s death remains under investigation.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and there is limited information available,” the statement said. “Death was pronounced at 09:45 hours on September 20, 2026, by responding paramedics. The Santa Monica Police Department is the investigating law enforcement agency.”
Presley Gerber attends the Balmain Homme Menswear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 aftershow as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2018, in Paris, France.Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Balmain
In a separate statement, the Medical Examiner’s office added that the “cause and manner of death have been deferred, which means additional testing and/or studies were requested in order to make a determination.”
Meanwhile, Santa Monica Police Detectives “are investigating the death as a suspected overdose.” The statement also confirmed that there is no indication of foul play at this time.
Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and brother of Kaia Gerber, was pronounced dead at 09:45 a.m. on September 20, 2026, by responding paramedics.
Rande Gerber, Kaia Jordan Gerber, Presley Walker Gerber, and Cindy Crawford.Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos
Months before his passing, Gerber opened up about undergoing psychedelic drug treatment for his addiction struggles. He shared a video of himself before undergoing an “ibogaine flood dose.”
“Quiet moment before everything changed,” he captioned the post. “I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this.”
Gerber continued, “Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why I was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself. We shall see.”
Add Stylish Storage to Small Bathrooms With Walmart's Freestanding Cabinets, Starting at $43
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Fall has officially arrived! Organizing your space is always such an invigorating way to start the new season, and the bathroom always seems to be first on the decluttering list. Luckily, we’ve scoured Walmart for you and found plenty of affordable organization finds designed to help maximize storage in the bathroom and keep everyday essentials in order.
From storage cabinets to over-the-toilet shelves, these simple solutions can make a big difference in a smaller space. Plus, some of these pieces add beautiful decor that truly give your space a chic flare. Whether you are doing a fall reset on every room or just the bathroom, these products are a great place to start. Shop them now while they’re on sale for as low as $43.
Costway Wooden 4-Drawer Bathroom Cabinet Storage Cupboard, $80 (was $129) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThis bestselling bathroom storage cabinet comes in five different finishes. It alsobhas over 1,500 five-star ratings from shoppers who love just how well it works for all their bathroom essentials.
“This cabinet works great in my bathroom,” one shopper wrote. “It holds my makeup and hand towels, and then the right side holds my hair dryer, curling irons and curlers. It was perfect for me.”
Homfa Bathroom Storage Tower, $90 (was $170) at Walmart Shop at WalmartIf your bathroom is short on space but boasts higher ceilings, leaning into vertical storage is the move. This slim storage tower from Homfa is a great budget-friendly option, now on sale for under $100. It features two cabinets with two shelves of storage each, a pull-out drawer, and frosted doors at the top for a bit of privacy. It also comes in multiple color options, including a green that’s really quite chic.
Costway Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet, $120 (was $179) at Walmart Shop at WalmartA great cabinet not just for bathrooms but for kitchens and entryways too, the Costway Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet is particularly durable: each shelf can hold up to 22 pounds and the top can hold a whopping 66 pounds. One shopper praised the “easy to follow assembly instructions,” adding that there’s “lots of storage for toiletries.”
Ktaxon 5-Tier H Bathroom Cabinet, $43 (was $78) at Walmart Shop at WalmartShort on floor space? This alternative vertical storage option stands at nearly 5 and a half feet tall. It comes with five adjustable shelves, including two that can be tucked away in a cabinet. You can easily shove towels inside, as well as toilet paper and spare shampoos. Shoppers noted that it “fits perfectly in small bathrooms.”
Ktaxon Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet, From $75 (was $120) at WalmartCourtesy of Walmart
Shop at WalmartOver-the-toilet shelves are a classic for a reason. They don’t take up much floor space, and they help fill up the empty space above your toilet. This particular cabinet has an open shelf to showcase whatever little bathroom trinkets you want to show off. There’s also a cabinet above it with two extra shelves that can hold everything from spare toiletries and towels to your beloved hot tools. It’s available in white, gray, green, and black. This piece is as chic as an over-the-toilet organizer can get.
Related: Walmart’s $29 3-Shelf Portable Closet Is a Handy Solution for an Overflowing Wardrobe
Tidying up your space can make your daily routines feel much easier and more seamless. Being able to clearly see your products in a cabinet or have neatly folded towels displayed on a storage tower can completely change how you begin and end your day. While reorganization might feel like a daunting task, a few simple upgrades like these top-rated Walmart cabinets can make a big difference. Shop them now while they’re still on sale!
Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.
Who Is Tom Bateman? Meet Daisy Ridley’s Husband and ‘The Love Hypothesis’ Leading Man
Prime Video’s upcoming rom-com, The Love Hypothesis is a highly anticipated and much-hyped film starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman. The film finds its roots from a Star Wars fan-fiction that was transformed into a university-set rom-com feature film. Fans are likely familiar with Reinhart, who starred as Betty in Riverdale and more recently appeared in the music video for “Swim” from super K-Pop BTS, but who is Tom Bateman? U.S. might not be familiar with the British actor who happens to be married to Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, but with have the scoop! Read on for more about Tom Bateman and The Love Hypothesis.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Who is Tom Bateman?Bateman is a British actor who is best known for his roles on Da Vinci’s Demons, Murder on the Orient Express, and Vanity Fair. He has 13 siblings, including a twin brother named Merlin.
Who does Tom Bateman play in The Love Hypothesis?Tom Bateman plays Dr. Adam Carlsen, a professor at Stanford.
What is The Love Hypothesis about?The Love Hypothesis follows Olive (Reinhart), a brilliant Ph.D. candidate focused on her future in academia. But when she realizes her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) has fallen for her crush Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), Olive impulsively kisses intimidating professor Adam “Dr. Evil” Carlsen (Bateman) to prove she’s moved on. What begins as a desperate act of friendship spirals into a fake relationship with rules, boundaries, and a mutually beneficial agreement. When their arrangement begins to blur the lines between performance and reality, Olive is forced to test her most daunting hypothesis yet: that love might actually be worth the risk.
Is The Love Hypothesis based on other material?The Love Hypothesis is based on the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Ali Hazelwood.
Six Shades of Tom Bateman: The Love Hypothesis began as a fan-fiction inspired by the Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo played by Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, respectively. Bateman is married to Ridley and his character’s name in the movie is Adam!
When does The Love Hypothesis premiere?The Love Hypothesis premieres on Prime Video on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Who else stars in The Love Hypothesis? Lili Reinhart, Tom BatemanPrime Video
Lili Reinhart, who plays PhD student, Olive Smith, stars opposite Bateman in the film. Reinhart is best known for her role in Riverdale and more recently, in the BTS music video for “Swim.”
How old is Tom Bateman?Tom Bateman is 37 years old (born on March 15, 1989).
Where is Tom Bateman from?Tom Bateman is British. He was born in Oxford, England.
Related: The Five-Star Weekend Was Really Filmed on Nantucket—Here Are the Stunning Locations You Can Visit
What movies and TV shows has Tom Bateman been in?Aside from Murder on the Orient Express and Vanity Fair, Bateman has had roles in Death on the Nile, Jekyll and Hyde, and Hedda.
Is Tom Bateman married?Yes, Tom Bateman is married to fellow actress Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Murder on the Orient Express).
How did Tom Bateman and Daisy Ridley meet?Daisy Ridley confirmed in a January 2023 interview that she and Bateman had already been married though an exact date had not been revealed.
Related: Netflix’s Steamy New Series, The Early Spring, Breaks One of the Genre’s Biggest Traditions
When did Tom Bateman and Daisy Ridley get married?They are married, but no date or year is confirmed.
Does Tom Bateman have children?No. Tom Bateman does not have any children at the moment.
Related: Netflix’s New K-Drama, Our Sticky Love, Has a Wild Ending—And That Final Twist Changes Everything
Is Tom Bateman related to Jason Bateman?No Tom Bateman is not related to Jason Bateman.
Is Tom Bateman on Instagram?No. Tom Bateman does not have an Instagram account nor does he use social media.
Is there a trailer for The Love Hypothesis?Yes, check out the official trailer for The Love Hypothesis below:
The Love HypothsisPrime Video(l-r) Nicholas Duvernay, Rachel Marsh, and Jaboukie Young-White
Prime Video
Tom Bateman, Lili Reinhart
Prime Video
Tom Bateman
Prime Video
Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman
Prime Video
The Love Hypothesis
Prime Video
Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman
Prime Video
‘Sister Wives’ Fans Sound Off on What Season 21 Will Really Look Like Without Kody and Robyn Brown
Sister Wives without Kody and Robyn Brown? That’s the reality fans face after TLC’s Season 21 trailer revealed their exit.
With Christine Brown Woolley, Janelle Brown, and Meri Brown now carrying the show, online forums are buzzing with one major question. Can the series hold onto its audience without its biggest source of drama?
The debate across Reddit isn’t about whether Meri, Janelle, and Christine deserve their happy endings; fans are thrilled for them. The real issue is whether happy endings actually make for good reality TV.
For 16 seasons, the show’s entire core storyline was the ongoing chaos between Kody, Robyn, and the rest of the family. Remove that, and viewers are left wondering if routine life updates and casual dating scenes are really enough to keep fans tuning in every week.
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Fans were clearly outspoken about what Robyn and Kody actually brought to the series over the past several years, and how Sister Wives will change now that they’re gone. One fan wrote, “It was boring when Robyn watched Kody cut down more trees; they rode those stupid four-wheelers, and his apologies. All that was a snooze fest.”
“I agree and disagree. [This season] has the potential to be more interesting than recent seasons if they’re very frank about issues they’ve previously glossed over (the money, the mistreatment of the children, etc.). But we know they won’t, so yeah, it’ll be boring. To be fair, the recent seasons with Kody and Robyn were also extremely boring,” deduced a second viewer.
A third Redditor shared their hopes for the season. “I hope the fact that K&R are off the show means the OG 3 can and will spill more about the issues within the family. I would prefer they not speak of the children, but if they’re going to give us the real tea on money issues, specifically Coyote Pass, then I am here for it.”
“Absolutely! Kody had control for most of the seasons, because all of the wives would follow whatever he wanted. Now that none of the OG3 have ties to him, he can’t threaten to withhold money or affection from them, so they don’t care anymore. I HOPE they spill a bunch of tea,” penned a fourth viewer.
The official TLC press release states, “This season follows each woman as she embraces life on her own terms. Janelle steps back into the dating world and explores a promising new relationship, opening herself up to the possibility of finding love again. Meri continues her search for companionship while exploring new experiences and gaining confidence in what she wants from her future. Meanwhile, Christine settles into married life with David, balancing her new world while continuing to discover new sides of their relationship.”
It continues, “While their journeys are separate, the women remain connected through their shared history. Throughout the season, Christine, Janelle, and Meri come together for gatherings and difficult conversations. Old wounds and unresolved feelings don’t disappear overnight, and their relationships continue to evolve as they navigate what moving forward means for each of them.”
The statement concludes, “The season also brings emotional milestones. The Browns return to Flagstaff to honor Garrison’s memory at a memorial held at an animal shelter, creating a space for reflection, remembrance, and healing. Later, a long-discussed mini family reunion finally becomes a reality, bringing family members together and highlighting both the enduring bonds and ongoing complexities that continue to shape the Brown family.”
Sister Wives Season 21 airs beginning Sunday, Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.
Related: ‘Sister Wives’ Fans Spot Major Loophole in New Season 21 Trailer About Kody and Robyn Brown
Ed Sheeran Loses More Followers After Tearful Apology to Fans
Ed Sheeran has reportedly lost nearly 500,000 Instagram followers amid the ongoing backlash surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour.
On Saturday, the 35-year-old British singer tearfully apologized to fans during his first concert since the controversy, acknowledging his mistakes.
Now, new reports indicate that Sheeran is continuing to lose social media followers, according to data from Social Blade.
View this post on InstagramPrior to the controversy, the “Perfect” singer had 47.6 million followers on Instagram. However, that number reportedly dropped to 47.3 million within 24 hours of Macklemore’s announcement that he had been removed from Sheeran’s tour.
Then, on September 15, after Sheeran issued a statement on Instagram, his follower count reportedly fell by nearly 150,000.
The decline continued over the weekend, when the singer made an emotional apology to fans during his concert in Philadelphia. As of this writing, Sheeran’s follower count stands at 47.2 million.
View this post on InstagramDuring his concert on Saturday, Sheeran fought back tears as he addressed 50,000 concertgoers onstage.
“The last week of my life has been one of the worst weeks of my life,” the singer shared. “I really didn’t know whether this tour would be carrying on. I really didn’t know whether I’d even be getting on stage again, whether I even wanted to be an artist at all. In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it’s been a weird week.”
Sheeran also revealed that people closest to him had urged him to cancel the tour amid the controversy.
“In the back of my mind, I saw the ticket sales and I didn’t see the cancellations. I saw people buying tickets for this gig,” he continued. “And everyone’s telling me to cancel and I’m feeling all of my friends and family and people I know abandon me and I look at the end of the week and I see 50,000 people who haven’t abandoned me.”
The Carry-On Essentials Senior Travelers Should Never Leave Home Without
Packing light will always make travel easier, but the key is knowing which items deserve valuable carry-on space and which can do multiple things. Choosing versatile, practical essentials can help keep your bag organized and manageable without leaving behind the things you’ll actually need.
As someone who covers shopping and travel for outlets like Editorialist, Coveteur, Martha Stewart Weddings and Harper’s Bazaar, I’ve learned that thoughtful packing is less about bringing more and more about choosing wisely. From versatile apparel to compact travel tools that serve multiple functions, this minimalist carry-on packing list for seniors prioritizes pieces that save space while making travel easier and more comfortable.
Related: 8 Best Carry-On Essentials for Travelers With Pets
An Anti-Pickpocket Wallet Clip VULKIT RFID Blocking Belt Pouch Anti-Pickpocket Wallet Clip on BackpackAmazon
This compact pouch clips onto a belt, backpack or shoulder strap, keeping cards, cash and ID within easy reach. Its lightweight design, water-repellent fabric and RFID-blocking lining make it a practical pick for traveling light.
Get it on Amazon A Foldable Travel Bag BAGSMART Foldable Travel Bag, 37L Expandable Personal Item Bag, Kelp GreenAmazon
This lightweight bag starts compact and expands when you need extra room, making it convenient and handy for souvenirs or an unexpected shopping haul. It also is easy to use over a suitcase handle for a more hands-free experience, while navigating through the airport.
Get it on Amazon Packing Cubes for Travel Packing Cubes for Travel 10 Set Luggage Organizer BagsAmazon
Packing cubes keep a minimalist carry-on organized by giving everything a designated place. They also make unpacking at your hotel a breeze—just transfer each cube from your suitcase to a drawer and you’re settled!
Get it on AmazonRelated: 8 Wrinkle-Free Packing Essentials Every Over-50 Traveler Needs
Dr. Scholl’s White Sneakers Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Time Off Sneaker, Comfortable Walking ShoesAmazon
These popular white sneakers have earned their reputation: They’re comfortable enough for long days on your feet and versatile enough to go with practically everything in your suitcase. The classic style works across multiple scenarios, so you can pack fewer pairs of shoes without sacrificing style.
Get it on Amazon A Lightweight Jacket Women Winter Puffer Jacket Lightweight Oversized Warm Quilted JacketAmazon
A lightweight jacket is worth packing for chilly flights, unpredictable weather and cool evenings without adding too much bulk to your bag. This one is water-resistant and versatile enough to layer over nearly anything you’ve packed.
Get it on Amazon An Electronic Organizer FYY Electronic Organizer, Travel Tech Pouch Bag, Cable Organizer BlackAmazon
Instead of packing multiple pouches for cords and electronics, this compact organizer keeps everything together in one place. Its pockets keep chargers, cables and other small tech essentials organized, easy to find and tangle-free.
Get it on AmazonRelated: 8 Minimalist Carry-On Finds For Travelers Over 50
Travel Essentials Toiletry Bag Travel Essentials For Women TSA Approved Toiletry Bag & Travel Size KitAmazon
If you don’t have time to portion out and pack all your toiletries, this ready-made kit makes the process much easier. It comes with TSA-friendly sizes of pretty much everything you’ll need, including shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant and soap.
Get it on Amazon A Quick Dry Towel Rainleaf Microfiber Towel Quick Dry Camping & Travel & Gym Towel. CompactAmazon
Packing your own towel comes in handy for everything from workouts and long walks to beach days. This lightweight option absorbs up to five times its weight in water, dries quickly and packs into a compact ventilated carry bag for easy storage.
Get it on AmazonWayfair’s Vintage-Style Trunk Set Is Nearly 40% Off and Looks Like an ‘Antique Statement Piece’
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
If you love vintage decor or pieces that look like they came from an antique market, this set has plenty of old-world charm. The World Menagerie Barthes 2-Piece Vintage Trunk Set is currently $97 at Wayfair, down from $154, which is nearly 40% off. Inspired by classic European luggage, the pair gives you a decorative place to tuck away everything from travel memories to everyday odds and ends.
The larger trunk measures 17 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 6 inches deep, and both pieces are made from wood and faux leather. Their green, travel-inspired print, brown straps, and brass-toned hardware, handles, and snap closures give them a gorgeous aged look. Both arrive fully assembled with lift-up lids, so you can use them right away.
World Menagerie Barthes 2-Piece Vintage Trunk Set, $97 (was $154) at Wayfair Shop at WayfairTravelers could use the trunks to keep ticket stubs, postcards, maps, photos, and other souvenirs together instead of letting them disappear into different drawers. They’re also handy for books, letters, or anything else you’d rather keep tucked away. You could also stack them for the full vintage luggage look, or move them into different rooms depending on where you need storage.
One reviewer said they’re “sturdy and stack well while providing storage,” noting that they used theirs for books and CDs. Another shared that they “love these as an antique statement piece in a spare room or office!” A third shopper wrote, “So adorable. Nice and hardy. They store my art supplies in such a cute way.”
Related: Coach’s New Vintage-Inspired Bags Look Straight From the ’70s
They could also make a thoughtful gift for someone who’s always saving little reminders from their trips. You could fill one with photos, tickets, handwritten notes, or souvenirs from somewhere you visited together, and the container becomes part of the present. It’s a sweet way to turn a collection of memories into something they can keep on display.
Shop More Deals- Alcott Hill Charlostin 3-Piece Vintage Trunk Set, $233 (was $424) at Wayfair
- Gracie Oaks Croce 2-Piece Vintage Trunk Set, $149 (was $228) at Wayfair
- World Menagerie Prem 2-Piece Leather Vintage Trunk Set, $98 (was $151) at Wayfair
The World Menagerie Barthes 2-Piece Vintage Trunk Set is a fun shortcut to achieving the layered, collected look that usually takes years of flea-market finds to build. Their details give the pair lots of personality, but they still serve a purpose once you bring them home. Be sure to snag the set at Wayfair while the discount lasts.
Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.