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Amanda Bynes Turned Heads in Tiny Leather Shorts; Now She’s Designing Her Own Bags

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 1:23pm

Amanda Bynes is coming full circle. The former child actress, who has been open about her weight-loss journey using Ozempic, stepped out last week in tiny leather shorts, showing off her slimmed-down figure. Another surprise was on her arm: a bright orange-and-black tiger-striped handbag she designed.

In images shared on Instagram via @backgrid_usa, Bynes stops at 7-Eleven in Los Angeles wearing a white Esdeekid Merch Rebellionaire long-sleeved T-shirt with black leather bottoms tiny enough to reveal the snack tattoo on her upper left thigh.

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She wore her platinum-blonde hair half-up, with minimal makeup but her thick, dark brows still prominent, and the heart tattoo on her right cheek clearly visible. She finished the look with the tiger-striped handbag, ankle socks, and low-top sneakers that let the bunny tattoo on her right shin show.

The handbag, however, wasn’t simply an accessory. It’s part of a new chapter for Bynes, who has been quietly building her own fashion business.

Related: Where Is Amanda Bynes Now? Find Out What Happened to Amanda Bynes’ Life and Career

Amanda Bynes Studied Fashion for 5 Years

In June 2010, Bynes announced that she was retiring from acting. She later enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she earned an associate degree in merchandise product development in 2019 after beginning her studies in 2014.

The former Nickelodeon star’s decision to study fashion made sense given that she’d already begun moving away from acting. Now, more than a decade after announcing her retirement, she’s putting that education to work.

Bynes is designing and producing bags under her New York $peed brand.

“I am so excited about the bag line that I am doing New York $peed,” she said in a video shared on Instagram. “I am so excited about the whole production of it. We are adding decals; we are using fabrics. It’s a whole vibe.”

The collection has included several distinctly playful designs, including the ca$h bby bag she promoted in August. Recent reporting has listed that bag at $218, although prices can vary by design.

She’s Actually Designing the Bags Herself

The distinction is worth noting: Bynes isn’t simply lending her name to a fashion company. In discussing the project, she has talked about the production process, fabrics, and decals, suggesting she’s personally involved in the collection’s creative development.

And this isn’t Bynes’ first recent fashion project.

In 2024, she collaborated with designer Austin Babbitt, also known as Asspizza, on a clothing collection featuring Bynes’ original artwork. The collaboration offered an early glimpse at the creative direction she’d been exploring since studying fashion.

Now she’s taking that interest a step further with a brand of her own.

Bynes Is Making Music Again, Too

Fashion isn’t the only creative pursuit getting Bynes’ attention.

After signing with Create Music Group, she released “Girlfriend” with Zabba and Fenix Flexin on April 10, 2026. The song marked her first new release in four years.

Bynes told E! News that the track was inspired by EDM and rap, adding another unexpected dimension to the creative life she’s been building since stepping away from acting.

For someone who became famous as a child through All That, The Amanda Show, and later movies including What a Girl Wants and She’s the Man, Bynes’ latest work looks very different from the career that made her a household name.

The Former Child Star Is Building Something New

Bynes’ recent public appearances have naturally drawn attention to her changing appearance, particularly after she spoke openly about using Ozempic as part of her weight-loss journey.

But the handbag hanging from her arm tells a different—and perhaps more interesting—story. The 40-year-old isn’t simply revisiting her past. She’s drawing on something she pursued after leaving Hollywood: fashion.

And now, after years spent studying the business and experimenting with her own artwork and designs, Bynes is turning that interest into something she can actually put on the market.

Related: Patrick Clancy Speaks Out on ‘60 Minutes’; How to Watch His First TV Interview and Where to Stream It Online

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Fan Favorite Wanted to Go Home Before Brutal Week 1 Scores

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:54pm

A Dancing With the Stars fan favorite wanted to go home before the competition even began. Speaking on the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast, Season 35 contestant Guillermo Rodriguez admitted he hoped viewers wouldn’t vote to keep him on the ABC celebrity ballroom competition.

“At the beginning, I wanted to go home,” the Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick said on the podcast, to which podcast host Andy Richter confirmed, “You must have said five times, ‘I want to go home. Send me home. Don’t vote for me.’”

Rodriguez, 55, said he’s feeling positive going into Week 2’s “Viral Hits Night” with his pro partner, reigning DWTS champ Witney Carson.

“I feel good. I feel great, but when they announced who was going home, I was like, ‘Yeah!’ And then I go, ‘Wow, wait, I have five days to prepare for a second one,’” he shared. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ I’m already stressed. …Now, it’s like, I gotta learn. I gotta learn how to dance. I gotta practice.  I told Witney before we come here, I got to practice. I want to do good in the second week. It sucks to be in the bottom.”

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Rodriguez and Carson received shockingly low scores on the season 35 premiere of Dancing with the Stars, with just 10 points total for their premiere cha cha to the song “Mr. Big Stuff.” Judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each gave the duo just three points for their dance, landing them at the very bottom of the leaderboard.

Fan votes helped save the pair, and reality TV personality Conner Leavitt and incoming pro Adele Zaikman were sent home instead.

Rodriguez has quickly become a fan favorite on Dancing with the Stars.

“We love Guillermo. He said it best. He’s not there for the judges, he’s there for the fans,” one viewer wrote on Instagram.

“Guillermo the people’s champ!” another fan agreed.

The late-night TV personality is also a favorite behind the scenes, according to Carson.

“I do have to say he’s also the most loved with everyone, the crew, the producers,” the professional dancer told People magazine in an interview. “He’s always going out of his way to say hi to everyone, people who open the door, who are sweeping the floor. He’s always very, very kind. He’s the favorite of everyone.”

On the podcast, Carson confirmed that Rodriguez was working hard during DWTS rehearsals, despite previously complaining that he was “tired” and wanted to “go home.”

“He actually does want to do well,” Carson said on the podcast. “Now he’s like, ‘I want to rehearse as much as I possibly can.’ The fact that he’s putting in the work and putting in the time means a lot to me. That means he really wants to try hard and do well.”

Dancing with the Stars returns Tuesday night on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.

Related: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Week 2 Songs and Dances Revealed: Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, KATSEYE & More

Crocs’ Brand-New Clog Is a Nostalgic Twist on a Beloved Film Favorite

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:46pm

Crocs is “pulling into the fast lane” with its latest clog release. Perfect for Disney and classic animated movie fans alike, the new style is inspired by one of Pixar’s most beloved film franchises: Cars.

Shoppers with a need for speed will love the brand-new addition to the popular product line. The Crocs Cars collection fuses playful, fun accents with bright color “for a collection that’s bringing Lightning McQueen-level personality to your shoe game,” the brand promised in a press release shared directly with Parade.

Included in the lineup is the bright blue Lightning McQueen Dinoco Crocband Clog in toddler ($54.99), kids ($59.99), and adult ($74.99) size options. The design stands out from the rest, with a bold PVC spoiler on the backstrap for ultimate comfort and nostalgic style inspired by the beloved animated flick, which was released in 2006 and celebrates its milestone 20th anniversary this year.

The footwear “makes an icon into an instant classic,” the brand noted in its official description, bringing McQueen’s eyes, smirk, and embossed Lightyear tires center stage. The sides are adorned with his racing number, 95, set over a lightning bolt (because he’s just that fast). Finishing off the fresh paint job, the premier sponsor’s dinosaur logo is printed on the clog’s upper, while his lights are featured on the front and back.

The famous racer—known for his signature catchphrase, “Ka-Chow!”—also received his own special set of Jibbitz to go along with the release, including the Disney & Pixar Cars OG 5 Pack ($19.99), Disney & Pixar Cars Piston Cup Elevated ($6.99), Disney & Pixar Cars 95 Elevated ($6.99), and Cars Movie Lightning McQueen ($4.99).

Crocs’ new release follows a string of fun collections over the past several months. Earlier in September, Mckenna Grace teamed up with the brand for The Unfurgettable Clog, and in July it debuted an exclusive clog style with Famous Footwear that brought together elegant accents with whimsical details for the Ticket to Dream Classic Clog.

On Instagram, Crocs devotees and Cars lovers rejoiced. “LETS GOOOO Dinoco blue 😎,” one said in the comments section of a reveal post, while another sounded shocked, writing, “Wait wait wait 😳.”

More hyped social media users chimed in with reactions like, “AAAAAAAA COME ONNNN 😍😍😍,” “you’re exactly who you think you are cars crocs 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️,” and “Oh yeah, I’m gonna be needing these.”

The Crocs x Pixar Cars Collection will be available starting Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, online at Crocs.com.

Next, Crocs’ New Special-Edition Collection Is Specifically Designed for Comfort and Function

Best-Selling Romance Author Danielle Steel Pens Heartbreaking Tribute to Her Late Son: 'His Life Was an Ode to Joy'

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:46pm

Nearly three decades after Danielle Steel lost her son “Nicky” to suicide at age 19, the best-selling romance author shared a heartbreaking tribute to him on Sunday, September 20, calling it “the hardest day” of the year for her family.

Nick Traina died on September 20, 1997; toxicology reports said his cause of death was a drug overdose, and Steel has said it was her son’s fourth suicide attempt in a year. Nick’s biological dad was Steel’s third husband, Bill Toth, but they split amid his struggles with addiction. Nick was adopted by Steel’s fourth husband, shipping magnate John Traina, to whom she was married from 1981 to 1998. They had five children together.

Posting a photo of her and Nick together when he was a boy, Steel, 79, wrote in the caption, “It’s the anniversary of the day we lost my son Nick, at nineteen, by his own hand, to bi polar disease, which he had from the time he was two, when I first noticed it. His life was an ode to joy, and he was an extraordinary person, fun, funny, talented, serious, silly, he made us laugh more than he made us cry, and he left a huge hole in everyone who loved him, and there were many.”

Danielle Steel’s son, Nick Traina via Danielle Steele/Instagram

Photo via Danielle Steel/Instagram

Steel, whose books have sold over one billion copies globally, leveraged the somber anniversary of her son’s death to address the importance of treating mental illness seriously, “even mild depression.” She wrote in her heartfelt post that “life can be a struggle, and for those suffering from bi polar disease, it is a life and death battle every day. If you or someone you love is fighting that battle, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Steel also sympathized with fellow parents who’ve faced similar losses, writing, “And to any of you who have lost a child, my heart goes out to you. That child will be with you forever, in tender memories, always part of you, with gratitude for the time you shared.”

In January 1998, Steel published a book titled His Bright Light: The Life of Nick Traina, remembering her son as a “brilliant, charming child who never slept.” It included her own reflections on his condition and the joy he brought to her family, as well as excerpts from Nick’s “remarkable journals.” She also founded the Nick Traina Foundation that year, with proceeds of her book funding mental health organizations across the U.S.

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Steel’s followers shared an outpouring of love and gratitude in the comment section of her post, including someone who wrote, “I read ‘His Bright Light’ many years ago and it never left me. A very powerful book. Sending you love and prayers. This is a beautiful picture of you and Nick 🙏🏻❤️”

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Sylvester Stallone Admits Why He Wanted No Part in Trump’s Hollywood Plan

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:25pm

Sylvester Stallone was originally apprehensive about being appointed a “special ambassador” to Hollywood by President Donald Trump.

The Rocky screenwriter and star recalled his original thoughts about the ambassadorship in The Sunday Times. He told POTUS it would be “impossible” and that he would not accept the position “if they had asked me in the beginning.”

“Because Hollywood, I guess it’s like feudal states,” Stallone said. “They have their little kingdoms. You don’t go in and tell six studios how to do things. And Mel Gibson and Jon Voight, we’re kind of do-our-own-thing people. No, it won’t work.”

He continued, “I said thank you and ciao, because it’s impossible. Hollywood works and it will evolve. It’s corporate and corporate people won’t want to hear me tell them about finance.”

The three-time Academy Award nominee had no idea he would be appointed a “special ambassador.”

“Well, it just happened. I was watching TV one night and they go, ‘So Stallone and Mel Gibson and Jon Voight will be …’” Stallone recalled. “And I went, ‘What?’ I said, ‘Excuse me? Really?’ Because if they had asked me in the beginning, I would have said, this is not possible.”

While the First Blood star did not believe in the ambassadorship, he has publicly supported the president in the past. At a Mar-a-Lago gala celebrating Trump’s election win in 2024, Stallone called him “the second George Washington.”

“We’re in the presence of a really mythical character,” he said at the event. “I love mythology. This individual does not exist on this planet. Nobody in the world could have pulled off what he pulled off, so I’m in awe.”

20 Years After Leaving ‘The O.C.,’ Mischa Barton Makes a Rare Red Carpet Appearance at 40

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:16pm

Mischa Barton is shining in a rare red carpet appearance 20 years after she left The O.C.

Barton, 40, was once a staple of gossip rags and red carpets thanks to her role as Marissa Cooper on FOX’s hit teen drama, The O.C. While she started acting young in roles like The Sixth Sense and Lost and Delirious, it was her later fame that sent her spiraling. Eventually, she ditched the bright lights of Hollywood for a quieter pace of life in Europe. Now, the star is looking better than ever on the red carpet at the MBFW Madrid closing party at Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, Spain. With platinum blonde hair, the star made it clear that she’s only getting better with age.

Pablo Cuadra / Getty Images

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Barton Opened Up About Her Early Fame

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Being thrust into the limelight at such a young age challenged Barton, who said she was never “fully prepared for that level of fame.” Constantly hounded by paparazzi, Barton wasn’t equipped to deal with that level of scrutiny, and essentially crumbled under the pressure.

“You can go to therapy every day for the rest of your life,” Barton told The Sunday Times. “But there’s just a certain amount of trauma [from] all that I went through, particularly in my early 20s, that just doesn’t go away overnight.”

The incessant analysis of her body from bloggers at the time was incredibly damaging, as well.

“People feel so entitled to you and your body and your image. It’s a strange feeling. It’s strange,” she added. It led to significant depression and anxiety.

While Barton has done significant work to find peace in the present day, she admits that these days, she “really would much rather be anonymous.” Luckily, we still get to see her rocking the screen on occasion!

It also looks like she has a very fulfilling life in her off-hours, as well. On Memorial Day weekend of 2025, she shares a carousel of fun photos that include everything from canoeing to cuddling with dogs, which we’re definitely in favor of.

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Related: Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson’s Daughter, 11, Hits the Red Carpet Holding Hands With Dad

Patrick Clancy Speaks Out on ‘60 Minutes’; How to Watch His First TV Interview and Where to Stream It Online

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:11pm

Patrick Clancy is speaking publicly for the first time on television tonight (Sunday, Sept. 20), sitting down with 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat to discuss the deaths of his three children, his grief, and the events surrounding the murder trial of his estranged ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy.

In a preview of the highly anticipated interview, Patrick reveals that he still talks to his children “all the time.” When Douthat asks what he says to them, Patrick answers, “Help me. All the time.” He says he likes to believe they help him, too, seeing it as a way of staying connected to the children he lost.

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According to CBS, Patrick Clancy and his new wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, will also discuss the online conspiracy theories and social media speculation that have surrounded the case, as well as the mental-health issues surrounding the tragedy.

Related: Lindsay Clancy’s Ex Patrick Clancy to Break His Silence in First TV Interview—First Look Is Already Sparking Heated Reactions

“I think I did the best I could with what I had at the time,” Clancy says. “And I live with the outcome. I live with it every day. But I think I did the best I could.”

“I don’t understand how the story has been so twisted,” Danis shares. “I would hope people know that Pat is the most selfless father and supportive partner.”

The interview comes just weeks after a jury deadlocked in Lindsay Clancy’s trial.

When and Where to Watch Patrick Clancy’s ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

The interview airs tonight, Sunday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. ET/PT, on CBS. Correspondent Ross Douthat will lead the discussion.

How to Watch Patrick Clancy’s ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

The interview will air on CBS and Paramount+. Cable TV viewers can tune in to their local CBS station. Viewers who don’t have cable can watch it live or on demand after it airs on Paramount+. CBS has confirmed that the interview will be available on Paramount+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT tonight, Sept. 20.

Where to Stream Patrick Clancy’s ‘60 Minutes’ Interview Online

Further online streaming options include services that carry CBS, such as Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream. Some services even offer free trials for new users.

What Lindsay Clancy Did

On Jan. 24, 2023, Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months—at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Afterward, Clancy attempted suicide by jumping from a second-story window and survived with paralysis from the waist down.

What Happened in Lindsay Clancy’s Trial

Lindsay Clancy pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility. She faced three first-degree murder charges. Her defense did not dispute that she killed the children; it argued she was not criminally responsible because of severe postpartum psychosis and related mental illness.

The prosecution argued that Lindsay intentionally killed the children and maintained that she was criminally responsible for her actions.

On July 27 and 29, Patrick Clancy testified as the prosecution’s first witness, describing his then-wife’s deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to the killings and recounting what happened that night.

Related: Lindsay Clancy Juror Says She’ll ‘Never Be the Same’ After Patrick Clancy’s ‘Horrifying’ 911 Call

“She didn’t talk about our kids, she talked about what she went through,” Patrick said of a phone call from his then-wife at the hospital. “She said she heard a man’s voice telling her that if she didn’t do it now, she would lose her chance, or something like that.”

Patrick testified that Lindsay had been a loving mother, but that her struggles intensified after the birth of Callan. He also confirmed that by December 2022, Lindsay openly stated she was feeling suicidal.

On Sept. 4, 2026, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict following seven days of deliberations. Juror accounts and notes to the judge indicated an 11-1 split, with 11 jurors favoring a finding that Clancy was not criminally responsible and one holdout disagreeing.

What Happens Next

Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will retry Lindsay Clancy. A status hearing was scheduled for Sept. 29, 2026.

Tune in to 60 Minutes tonight at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Related: 1977 Bond Girl, Who Lost a Major TV Role to Another Actress 47 Years Ago, Is Now 80 and Unbothered

Greg Evigan Shares Sweet ‘My Two Dads’ Throwback With Paul Reiser and Staci Keanan: ‘I Adore These 2 People!’

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:54am

In 1987, Greg Evigan, Paul Reiser and Staci Keanan became one of television’s most unconventional families on My Two Dads. Now, 39 years later, Evigan is looking back fondly on the people who made the NBC sitcom so memorable.

Evigan marked the anniversary of the show’s Sept. 20, 1987, premiere on Instagram with a throwback photo of himself alongside Reiser and Keanan.

“So, this show premiered on today’s date in 1987!!” Evigan wrote. “I can’t believe next year will mark its 40th anniversary. I adore these 2 people! ❤️.”

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The series starred Evigan as free-spirited artist Joey Harris and Reiser as straight-laced financial adviser Michael Taylor, two former romantic rivals who unexpectedly found themselves sharing custody of 12-year-old Nicole Bradford, played by Keanan.

Nicole’s mother, Marcy, had died, leaving behind a daughter whose biological father could have been either Joey or Michael. Rather than determine which man was Nicole’s father, the two were awarded joint custody, setting up the show’s unusual family dynamic.

My Two Dads ran for three seasons on NBC, ending in April 1990. The sitcom also featured Florence Stanley as Judge Margaret Wilbur, the family court judge responsible for putting the unlikely household together, as well as Dick Butkus, Giovanni Ribisi and Chad Allen.

One question the show deliberately left unanswered was whether Joey or Michael was actually Nicole’s biological father. In one episode, the men took a DNA test, but Nicole destroyed the results without looking at them because she didn’t want to know. Judge Wilbur eventually saw the results but threw them away without revealing the answer to viewers.

Evigan’s connection to My Two Dads extended beyond starring in the series. The actor and musician also wrote and sang its theme song, “You Can Count On Me.”

The 72-year-old has been revisiting another of his best-known television roles lately as well. During a recent appearance on the Pop Culture Retro podcast, Evigan reminisced about working with his chimpanzee co-star on NBC’s B.J. and the Bear, which ran from 1979 to 1981.

But on Sept. 20, Evigan’s attention was squarely on his other beloved TV family and the milestone waiting just around the corner: My Two Dads turns 40 in 2027.

Related: ’80s TV Heartthrob Stuns Fans With New Album Recorded at Abbey Road

Octavia Spencer's Hit Summer Series Canceled After Just 1 Season — But Studio Could Bring It Elsewhere for a Revival

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:33am

A star-studded action-comedy series dropped on Prime Video back in July, quickly finding both critical and commercial success.

With an impressive 96% average critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 85% average Popcornmeter with audiences, Deadline reports that Ride or Die was the No. 1 most watched Prime Video original series globally for its first three weeks.

But the media outlet is now reporting that the Octavia Spencer–Hannah Waddingham starrer has been canceled by the streamer after just one season. Deadline also took to social media this weekend to share the update (see below), and fans didn’t hold back in sharing their unfiltered reactions.

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“Prime Video has shot itself in the foot so many times, I can barely believe they’re even standing,” one Instagram user commented on the Deadline post, while another person wrote, What the hell!! That show was so good, received great reviews, was #1 and stayed in the top ten for several weeks… it makes absolutely no sense at all to cancel this phenomenal show. I hope it gets picked up by another streamer… just like Lucifer got picked up by Netflix after “we” the fans protested the fox cancellation.”

Per the latter comment, Deadline also noted in its Saturday, September 19 report that the lead studio behind the buddy spy comedy, Paramount Television Studios, is shopping the series to other buyers.

Hannah Waddingham’s Busy Year

The Emmy-winning English actress, 52, has made headlines earlier this year when she hosted Saturday Night Live UK during its first season. Plus, there’s Ted Lasso season 4, which is currently underway.

Looking ahead to season 2 of SNL UK, it was announced earlier this month that Jeff Goldblum will host the first episode, alongside musical guest CMAT on Sept. 12. Plus, Stath Lets Flats’ Jamie Demetriou will host the second episode, and Chicken Shop Date’s Amelia Dimoldenberg will host the third.

Robert De Niro, 83, and Tiffany Chen, 46, Turn Heads With Rare Red-Carpet Kiss

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:33am

Robert De Niro and his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, just had a rare romantic moment on the red carpet.

De Niro, 83, known for iconic films ranging from Taxi Driver and Raging Bull to Meet the Parents and Analyze This, hit the red carpet with Chen, 46, to attend the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening night in Los Angeles, California. While the legendary actor separated from his former wife, Grace Hightower, back in 2018, he’s happier than ever with Chen. The couple showed off a smooch for the camera as they worked the red carpet.

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De Niro and Tiffany Chen Have a Daughter Together

While De Niro is the dad of 7 children, he and Chen have a daughter named Gia. In May 2023, De Niro revealed that he had welcomed a seventh child in an interview with ET Canada.

View this post on Instagram What Else Has De Niro Said About Parenting?

Last year, De Niro opened up about supporting his kids through everything.

“The main thing is to support your kids,” De Niro told ET. “As long as they’re not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them—period… Even if you don’t go with it or think that they…you have to support them,” he continued. “And they have to know that you support them. Always.”

De Niro Made a Rare Podcast Appearance

De Niro made a rare podcast appearance on Amy Poehler’s hit show, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. The star, who does his best to avoid talking about himself in the press, sat down with Poehler and got an education when she shared that he’s a TikTok sensation. It seems young people love to make mash-up videos of De Niro in his younger years, showing off how handsome he was. However, the star wasn’t so clear on the meaning of “thirst trap,” which is an attractive social media post or video that’s usually meant to garner attention or sexual interest. Check out the hilarious moment below:

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Related: Robert De Niro, 83, Gets Candid on Raising 7 Children

Walmart's Shutter Door Cabinet Is a ‘Lovely’ Way to Declutter Bathrooms, Basements, and More

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:30am

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Clutter has a sneaky way of accumulating. What starts as one small pile of items you promise yourself you’ll put away eventually becomes a whole slew of things that don’t have a home. It can be frustrating, especially if you’re low on space. A smartly designed piece like the Costway Shutter Door Floor Cabinet can make a huge difference.

The smartly designed furniture is an awesome deal at Walmart right now, reduced from its usual $119 to only $65 in your choice of black, white, brown, or gray. Featuring open shelving and a roomy cabinet, it offers plenty of space for essentials anywhere in the home.

Costway Shutter Door Floor Cabinet, $65 (was $119) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Standing 31.5 inches tall by 23.5 inches wide and 12 inches deep, it’s incredibly durable thanks to the manufactured wood construction. The material is suitable even in humid areas, making this a great choice if you’re organizing a bathroom or basement. It’s equally useful in living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.

That’s down to the practical design, which begins with a wide tabletop that can support up to 77 pounds — meaning it’s equipped to handle both lighting and decor. It can even serve as a makeshift nightstand, with room enough to keep all of your bedside essentials within reach. The open shelf has a 7-inch clearance space with a 22-pound capacity, making it especially ideal for holding sleeker items, like towels, books, or toiletries. 

Swing open the double shutter cabinet doors to reveal a wide compartment with a shelf that conveniently adjusts to three heights. You can easily move it up or down to accommodate jars, tall bottles, towel stacks, and anything else that might need a little more wiggle room. Altogether, there’s ample real estate to hold assorted items that might otherwise clutter your countertops.

Several people noted that assembly was simple and straightforward. One reviewer called it “lovely,” adding that it “appears much more expensive than it is.” Another person praised the “beautiful” design and “very sturdy” construction. 

Because it’s such a classic style, you can make this work in so many different interior layouts. There’s a coastal-chic aesthetic that makes it especially well suited to a breezy or cottage-themed living space. At the same time, it has clean lines that give it a more contemporary feel, so it could also work in a transitional or modern farmhouse interior.

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Related: Walmart’s Colorful 6-Piece Ceramic Bowl Set Is a ‘Gorgeous’ Way to Serve Fall Meals

No matter your preference, you can find a way to integrate the Costway Shutter Door Floor Cabinet into your home. Built to stand the test of time, it’s a true workhorse for a room that could use a little extra attention. Grab it now in the color of your choice while it’s on sale at Walmart!

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JoAnna Garcia Swisher Breaks Her Silence After Shocking 'Sweet Magnolias' Cancellation: 'How Do You Say Goodbye?'

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:24am

Like millions of stunned fans, JoAnna Garcia Swisher is mourning Netflix‘s cancellation of Sweet Magnolias, the romantic drama she starred in for five seasons with Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley, and executive produced alongside showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson.

On Sunday, September 20, Garcia Swisher broke her silence on the show’s end, which Deadline first reported two days earlier, with a social media slideshow of behind-the-scenes photos from the series, set in the fictional town of Serenity, with Colbie Caillat and Sheryl Crow singing I’ll Be Here.

Garcia Swisher, 47, began her lengthy and eloquent caption by writing, “How do you say goodbye to something that became so much more than a job? Seven years. Five seasons. A million tiny moments that somehow became a whole life.”

Brooke Elliott, Sheryl J. Anderson, Heather Headley, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher on the set of “Sweet Magnolias”

Photo via JoAnna Garcia Swisher/Instagram

“Sweet Magnolias came into my world during a chapter that held some of my deepest loss and, somehow, some of my greatest joy,” she continued. “I lost both of my parents during those early seasons, and in a time when I wasn’t always sure how to keep moving forward, Serenity gave me somewhere to go. These people gave me somewhere to belong.”

Garcia Swisher faced a trio of losses as she was getting Sweet Magnolias off the ground. Her dad, Jay Garcia, died in November 2019, followed by her grandma Helen in February 2021, and her mom, Loraine Garcia, just one month later. She wrote on Instagram in 2023, “I have struggled so deeply with the loss of my mother because my brother and I had watched her mind slip away for so long. We grieved ‘losing her’ for years and after our father passed, we knew the only place she wanted to be was with him.”

In her September 20 post about the show’s end, Garcia Swisher wrote that the cast and crew of Sweet Magnolias “made me laugh when I was sure I had forgotten how. They let me be sad when I needed to be. They showed up. Again and again and again. And maybe that’s what I will carry with me most.”

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“This show was always about showing up for the people you love,” Garcia Swisher continued. “About friends becoming family. About life not turning out exactly the way you planned, and choosing to build something beautiful anyway. Somewhere along the way, while we were telling those stories, we started living them too.”

The comment section of her post was flooded with notes from heartbroken fans, and a comment from Anderson that said, “I thought I was cried out. I am not. Thank you for this. Thank you for everything you did every day to make the show richer and more joyful.
Thank you for coming to Serenity. ❤️”

Why Did Netflix Cancel Sweet Magnolias?

Sweet Magnolias premiered on Netflix in 2020 and has generated 100 million views since. During its run, it appeared 14 times in Netflix’s Global Weekly Top 10, which tracks the streamer’s biggest hits across more than 60 countries, per Deadline.

After the fifth season premiered on June 11, it brought in 2.8 million views during its first week. But according to the outlet, that was 30 percent fewer viewers than the show’s season four premiere week, and after three weeks, season five dropped out of Netflix’s Top 10 most-watched shows. 

Meanwhile, Garcia Swisher and Anderson have also been developing another show, Ladies Of The House. That series, about the wife and two daughters of a winery owner who dies, was greenlit by Netflix just before the streamer canceled Sweet Magnolias. Garcia Swisher will star in that show, too.

‘We Got This Wrong’: Converse Issues Apology for Ad Compared to KKK Hoods and Lynching

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:14am

Converse is apologizing after photos from a recent ad campaign sparked racism accusations.

The footwear brand was attempting to promote the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush. The campaign featured Karina, a member of the K-pop girl group Aespa. She posed in a long, white skirt under a bright star-shaped light, holding a pair of black Converse.

The photos quickly spread, and many social media users called out the imagery as racist, comparing it to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching imagery.

The heavy outpour criticizing the shoes led the brand to release a statement.

“We’re sorry,” Converse told People. “We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.”

“We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared,” the company continued. “This should not have happened and we will do better.”

The fashion brand also received backlash earlier this month for the Converse x Palmes collaboration with the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the campaign included a photo of a model on a wooden ladder holding a pair of shoes that were hanging above him from a tree, with another model looking up as well. The photo was posted to the Converse Malaysia Instagram account.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter spoke out against the company for these campaigns.

“Nike and Converse, what the hell were you thinking?” he stated in a press release. “I am a Black man, a son of the South and a Member of Congress from Louisiana. Where I come from, the image of Black people hanging from trees is not ancient history.”

“Your campaign shows what looks like a hooded Klansman, framed by what appears to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim. There is nothing creative or artistic about it. It is racist, reckless and deeply offensive,” he wrote.

“This campaign should never have been created, approved or released. Nike and Converse must answer for it,” he ended the statement. “You have caused real harm, and repairing that harm will require more than an apology written by your public relations department.”

DIY Ant Baits vs. Professional Gel: What’s the Difference?

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 11:00am

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Store-bought ant baits and professional gel treatments work on the same basic principle: attract foraging ants, let them carry it back to the colony and use a slow-acting insecticide to spread the treatment beyond the ants you can see. The difference is in how that bait is selected and applied.

Ant species have different feeding preferences, and those preferences can change over time. A bait that works well for one infestation may barely interest another. Placement, freshness and competing food sources can also affect how much of it the ants actually collect.

The University of Minnesota Extension notes that bait is often the best way to treat indoor ant nests, but different species are not equally attracted to every formulation. Professional ant control takes those variables into account by matching the treatment to the species, feeding behavior and activity found during the inspection.

But why do some DIY ant baits work while others seem to do almost nothing? The answer usually comes down to what the ants are actually willing to eat.

If several store-bought baits haven’t made a noticeable difference, Orkin can inspect the infestation and determine whether the issue is the bait, its placement or the type of ant you’re dealing with.

Why Don’t Store-Bought Ant Baits Always Work?

Store-bought ant baits may fail when the ants aren’t attracted to the bait, competing food is available, the bait has dried out or the product doesn’t match the species present.

Colorado State University Extension says one of the most important factors in bait success is whether the ants actually find the bait acceptable. Some ants prefer sweets, while others are more attracted to greasy or protein-rich foods. That means a bait can be perfectly functional and still perform poorly against the ants in your kitchen. Here are some other things to consider:

Why Bait May Fail

What Happens

Wrong food attractant

Ants ignore or barely feed on it

Competing food

Crumbs or spills attract ants instead

Bait dries out

It becomes less attractive

Poor placement

Foragers never encounter enough bait

Spray used nearby

Workers may die or avoid the area

Wrong ant species

The formulation may not suit its feeding habits

Are Professional Ant Gels Stronger Than Store-Bought Baits?

Not necessarily—and “stronger” isn’t always better with ant bait. An effective one needs to work slowly enough for foraging ants to return to the colony and share it before they die.

UC Integrated Pest Management explains that ant bait must be slow-acting for this reason. Killing workers too quickly can prevent the active ingredient from reaching queens and other colony members.

Even low concentrations can therefore be intentional. UC IPM recommends low concentrations of boric acid for some sugar-feeding ants because the goal is colony transfer rather than immediate knockdown.

The professional advantage is less about simply using “more pesticide” and more about having several formulations available and knowing which one fits the infestation.

Why Do Professional Gel Baits Work Better?

Gel formulations offer several practical advantages, particularly indoors. For example, their moisture content can make them attractive to ants that prefer liquid or sugar-rich foods. Colorado State University Extension notes that liquid and gel baits may be more readily accepted because dry baits can become less attractive as they lose moisture.

Gels can also be placed in small amounts near trails, cracks, crevices and other locations where ants are already traveling. Orkin says liquid and gel formulations are generally among the best bait options and notes that its Pros may use several different kinds of bait and switch them periodically because ant food preferences can change with the season.

When ants repeatedly ignore one bait, professional identification can help narrow down which food attractant and formulation they’re most likely to accept. Orkin can build the treatment around the species and activity found during the inspection.

Does the Type of Ant Change Which Bait Works Best?

Yes—considerably. UC IPM notes that ant baits may contain sugars, proteins, oils or combinations of those foods. Different species—and sometimes the same species at different times of year—respond differently to those attractants.

For example, some household ants readily accept sweet liquid baits, while fire ants are more commonly targeted with oil-based granular baits. This is also why repeatedly buying a different brand of the same type of bait may not solve the problem. If all of them offer essentially the same food source, the ants may ignore them.

Professionals can test or rotate bait types rather than assuming a single formulation will work for every colony.

Related: How To Get Rid of Tiny Ants on Kitchen Counters and Keep Them From Coming Back

Can Cleaning Make Ant Bait More Effective?

Yes. Bait has to compete with whatever else the ants can eat.

Colorado State University Extension recommends removing food debris, securing garbage and correcting leaking faucets or other water sources when using baits. Orkin gives similar advice, explaining that competing food sources can reduce the ants’ interest in bait.

Don’t immediately clean away the ants that begin feeding on bait, however. Increased activity around a bait station can actually mean workers have found it and are recruiting other ants.

Related: Ant Control 101: How To Get Rid of Sugar Ants, Carpenter Ants and Fire Ants

Should You Spray Ants While Using Bait?

Usually not near the bait. University of Minnesota Extension warns against spraying insecticide while baiting because killing workers interferes with their ability to carry the bait back to the nest. The visible trail may be frustrating, but those workers are also the delivery system.

Professional programs may use additional treatments in conjunction with bait when appropriate, but product choice and placement matter.

When Is Professional Ant Control Worth It?

DIY bait is a reasonable first step for a small household ant problem. Mississippi State University Extension notes that readily available liquid and gel baits can be effective against many ants that invade homes.

Professional treatment becomes more useful when ants repeatedly return, ignore several baits or appear in multiple areas of the house. At that point, the challenge may not be finding a “stronger” bait. It may be identifying the ant, locating where it’s nesting and giving the colony a formulation it will actually take.

That’s the practical difference between repeatedly setting out another bait station and building a treatment program around the infestation.

FAQ Are Household Ants Dangerous to Your Health or Home?

While most common indoor ants are primarily nuisance pests, certain species pose real health and property risks. Orkin notes that ants can contaminate food and countertops with bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. Additionally, species like carpenter ants can cause structural wood damage, while fire ants inflict painful, venomous stings.

What Attracts Ants Inside Your House?

Ants invade homes in search of three primary necessities: food, moisture and shelter. According to Orkin, small crumbs, sugary residues, exposed pet food and unsealed trash easily attract foraging workers. Indoor leaks, bathroom condensation and damp wood provide essential moisture, while foundation cracks as tiny as 1/64 of an inch give them effortless access inside.

How Long Does It Take for Ant Bait to Work?

Ant bait is intentionally slow-acting so foraging workers can return to the nest and distribute the active ingredient throughout the entire colony. Individual ants typically die within 24 to 48 hours after feeding. However, as extension experts and pest control specialists observe, completely eliminating a full colony usually takes anywhere from several days to a few weeks.

If store-bought baits aren’t making a noticeable difference, Orkin can inspect the ant activity, identify the species and recommend a treatment plan based on what is actually causing the infestation.

Map Shows the Exact Line Where Summer Collapses and Fall Arrives This Week

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:46am

There’s a very specific moment this week when the thermostat is going to give up. One day it’s pushing 90 degrees with the kind of humidity that makes a T-shirt feel optional; a few days later, people are digging out a light jacket for the first time since spring.

Cincinnati is ground zero for the swing. Rain and storms rolled through the Tri-State on Sunday morning, with meteorologists flagging flash flooding as the immediate concern. Behind that system, temperatures were still climbing into the high 80s and low 90s through the afternoon, with dew points sitting in the upper 60s, sticky enough that the “feels like” number matched the actual one. Storm chances build again into the evening, climbing toward 40% overnight as scattered thunderstorms move through.

That’s the last gasp of the pattern, not a new one settling in. Behind this round of storms, meteorologist Erin Ashley and the First Alert Weather team are tracking a drop that sends highs tumbling from the 90s into the low 70s within days, landing right around Tuesday, September 22, which also happens to be the astronomical equinox this year. It’s rare for the calendar and the thermometer to agree that closely; usually one lags the other by a week or two in either direction.

Cincinnati isn’t the only place watching this happen. Forecasters in Middle Tennessee flagged the same setup earlier in September, describing cooler air arriving just ahead of fall’s official start, a sign this is a broader Ohio Valley and Mid-South pattern shift, not an isolated local forecast quirk.

For anyone who’s spent the past few weeks running the air conditioner and dodging afternoon storms, the timing could not land better. Open a window this weekend, and the air coming through it should finally match the season on the calendar.

1983 Hit, Ranked Among 'Greatest Songs of All Time,' Was Written in a Rolls-Royce in California

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:30am

Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit “Billie Jean” was more than just a record-breaking success; it was also a timeless classic that earned its place among the greatest songs ever recorded.

However, its journey to becoming an iconic hit began with an unexpected moment.

Celebrating some of the most influential and culturally significant music in history, Rolling Stone compiled its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, covering a wide range of genres and decades.

Landing at No. 44 on the list was Michael Jackson’s song “Billie Jean.”

Rolling Stone emphasized the track’s massive impact and how it made the King of Pop “the biggest star since Elvis Presley.”

Released as a single in 1983, “Billie Jean” was part of Jackson’s second album, Thriller.

The song’s unique blend of post-disco, funk, R&B and dance-pop, accompanied by its dark yet cinematic music video, made the song stand out among its contemporaries.

Shortly after the song’s debut, “Billie Jean” entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 for seven weeks, making it Jackson’s longest-running No. 1 hit, tied with the 1991 song “Black or White.”

The song’s massive popularity also helped propel Jackson’s Thriller to even greater heights, with the album going on to become Guinness World Records’ best-selling album of all time, with estimated global sales exceeding 67 million copies.

While the song received major recognition and became one of his most iconic hits, the story behind its creation is just as fascinating.

According to Jackson, he was riding in a Rolls-Royce and was so focused on thinking about “Billie Jean” that he barely noticed the car was on fire.

“A musician knows hit material. It has to feel right. Everything has to feel in place,” he mentioned in his autobiography Moonwalk, as cited by Songfacts, adding, “It fulfills you and it makes you feel good. You know it when you hear it. That’s how I felt about ‘Billie Jean.’ I knew it was going to be big while I was writing it. I was really absorbed in that song. One day during a break in a recording session, I was riding down the Ventura Freeway with Nelson Hayes, who was working with me at the time. ‘Billie Jean’ was going around in my head and that’s all I was thinking about. We were getting off the freeway when a kid on a motorcycle pulled up to us and says, ‘Your car’s on fire.’ Suddenly we noticed the smoke and pulled over and the whole bottom of the Rolls-Royce was on fire. That kid probably saved our lives. If the car had exploded, we could have been killed. But I was so absorbed by this tune floating in my head that I didn’t even focus on the awful possibilities until later.”

Decades later, Jackson’s song remains influential and continues to stand as one of the greatest songs ever recorded.

Related: ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson’s Historic Song Hits 1 Billion Streams 42 Years After Release

Benjamin Franklin Started Every Morning With 1 Question—Psychologists Say He Was Onto Something

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:27am

“What did Benjamin Franklin ask himself every morning?” You may wonder whether it matters what a Founding Father—who died in 1790, long before the internet and light bulbs—did every day. But psychologists say we can learn from figures from our distant past.

“What I like about looking at someone like Benjamin Franklin is not necessarily that we should try to live the way he did,” says Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, PhD, a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor. “Obviously, our lives are completely different. However, I do think it’s interesting that the question he asked himself 100s of years ago still feels pretty relevant.”

Indeed, Dr. Lira de la Rosa feels like we’re always looking for the next routine or habit that’ll make us happier or more productive, but Franklin stuck to asking himself this very simple question each morning.

“There is something about the simplicity of that that I really like,” the psychologist states.

So, no, you don’t have to replicate Ben Franklin’s morning routine completely. But you can use it as inspiration. In fact, it’s worth getting familiar with intention-setting psychology and purpose-driven morning habits.

“Waking up to a startling alarm clock can set you up for an anxious day, and perhaps you continue to rely on this method without considering how it’s impacting your mental health,” says Dr. Michele Leno, PhD, a licensed psychologist and host of “Mind Matters with Dr. Michele.” “Being intentional about your behavior allows you to more effectively manage the ups and downs of the day.”

OK, so what did Benjamin Franklin ask himself every morning? Below, psychologists reveal the question and why it still works today.

Related: Psychologists Reveal That People Who Let Others Go Ahead of Them in Line Share These 7 Unique Traits

‘What Good Shall I Do This Day?’—The Power of Franklin’s Morning Question

Each morning, Benjamin Franklin’s morning routine included this question: “What good shall I do this day?” (which he outlined in his autobiography, per the New York Times). Though Franklin died more than 200 years ago, psychologists still recommend this question today because it shifts focus to something positive, gives us agency and can reduce stress.

“We are so used to measuring our days by how much we accomplished,” Dr. Lira de la Rosa states. “Did I get through my list? Did I answer everything? Was I productive enough? Asking what good you want to do makes you think about the day a little differently.”

Getty Images

It’s also easy to focus on the doom and gloom. Dr. Brandy Smith, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks, says we need to make space for difficulty and the negative aspects of life. However, having a positive “North Star” can help.

“It ensures we consistently make space for positives,” she states. “With this particular prompt, it involves a person motivated to make themselves an agent of ‘good.’ That comes with an added layer of benefit because we generally feel better about ourselves when we do something we view as ‘good.'”

On that note, Dr. Leno says Benjamin Franklin-style morning routines are especially appealing to people who want to feel some sense of control over their futures.

“Such questions encourage you to take time to think about what you want and the steps you will take to get it,” she points out. “Being proactive, not reactive, reduces stress and improves coping.”

Related: If You Say These 7 Things Regularly, People May Think You’re Difficult to Be Around, Psychologists Warn

The Psychology of ‘Cognitive Priming’

Psychologists say using cognitive priming in a morning routine is useful. But what is that, exactly?

“Cognitive priming is an automatic or subconscious process that occurs in the brain when it senses something familiar,” Dr. Leno tells Parade. “You experience, you think, you feel, in a matter of seconds. The brain has an implicit memory storage that connects emotions and thoughts to prior experience.”

For instance, Dr. Lira de la Rosa says you may start your day with the intention, “I want to be more present today.”

“That idea is now somewhere in my awareness,” he states. “Later, I might catch myself checking my phone while someone is talking to me and think, ‘Oh, I’m doing that again.’ It doesn’t mean that because I thought about being present at 8 a.m., I’m suddenly going to be present all day.”

We are human, after all, Dr. Lira de la Rosa notes.

“We’re going to get distracted and pulled into things, but having that intention gives us something we can notice and return to,” he shares.

Related: 6 Things Successful People Never, Ever Do at the Start of Their Day

The Crucial Bookend: Franklin’s Evening Question

Benjamin Franklin’s evening question was, “What good have I done today?” Dr. Smith suggests bookending your day with this question, too.

“This is a helpful reflective question to allow space to look back over the day that has happened thus far and take inventory of what “good” [you have] done,” she explains. “Doing that helps you more fully soak in what you did. Depending on the time of day it is asked, it can also serve as a realization that you have not done ‘good’ thus far and want to make that a priority within the remaining day.”

She says it’s beneficial to engage in thoughtful reflection, but there’s a caveat:

“Just be sure not to live in the past to the point of robbing your present self of life and living,” Dr. Smith shares.

Related: I’m an Organizational Psychologist—This Is the ‘Shutdown’ Ritual I Swear by Every Night

How To Adapt a 1700s Schedule for the Modern Workday

You don’t need to mimic Benjamin Franklin’s daily routine perfectly. Instead, psychologists suggest taking the meat and spitting out the bone by adapting what you like about it to your life—and modern living. Here’s how.

1. Be mindful of sleep and wake times

No, you don’t have to go to sleep with the sun like they did “back in the day.” Still, sleep matters, even if you carry your work email in your pocket (thanks, smartphones).

“It’s worthwhile to consider if you’re getting enough hours of sleep to function as needed,” Dr. Smith says. “If going to bed earlier because a certain wake-up time is needed, be willing to make that change.”

2. Don’t start the day with everyone else’s stuff

Seriously. Take a beat. Just because your work email is within arm’s reach doesn’t mean you have to check it. Just because your nagging boss is up and antsy doesn’t mean you’re on the clock before you get out of bed.

“If you wake up and immediately open your email, texts, news, Instagram, whatever it is, you’re starting your day by taking in what everyone else wants from you,” Dr. Lira de la Rosa states. “Even giving yourself five minutes before doing that can help. You could have your coffee, get ready or just think about what you want from the day before checking what’s waiting for you.”

Unless you have a baby, small child or an elderly person to care for, it’s unlikely anyone actually needs you at 6 a.m.

3. Don’t make ‘doing good’ another huge thing you have to accomplish

You may love checklists, but Dr. Lira de la Rosa advises against turning intentional morning habits (and self-care more generally) into another “to-do.”

“We don’t need another thing to perform well at,” Dr. Lira de la Rosa emphasizes. “’Good’ can be really small… Maybe you want to actually take your lunch break. Maybe you want to text someone you’ve been thinking about. These are small things, but they’re also the things that make up our lives.”

Up Next:

Related: A Productivity Expert Says This Is What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Eisenhower Matrix

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Carole King Wrote 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' at 18 and It Became the First No. 1 Song by Any Girl Group; She Sang It 11 Years Later on Tapestry                                                 

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:17am

Carole King was 18 years old when she wrote the famous question. She and her husband Gerry Goffin were staff songwriters at Aldon Music in New York — she wrote the melodies, he wrote the words — and their boss Don Kirshner assigned them to write a follow-up single for the Shirelles. Goffin wrote the first verse about a young woman lying awake the morning after, plagued by wondering whether the night before had meant anything. King heard it, and the music came almost immediately. They finished the song in one sitting. It asked a question everyone already knew how to ask. They gave it to the Shirelles, and the lead singer, Shirley Owens, heard it and said no. It sounded too country. She didn’t want to record it.

The producer, Luther Dixon, talked Owens into it by adding strings. The Shirelles recorded it, and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” was released in November 1960 and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the first time a girl group had ever topped that chart. Goffin and King quit their day jobs the following week. For the rest of the decade they wrote hit after hit for other artists. King wrote the music for Aretha Franklin‘s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” in 1967 and never stood at a microphone to perform it herself. The reason was simple. She was terrified of performing live. Her stage fright was so severe that The City — the band she formed with bassist Charles Larkey in 1968 — canceled their only scheduled show at the Troubadour and never played live once. “She was very against playing live at that point,” guitarist Danny Kortchmar said later. “She had such stage fright. We never did any gigs.”

James Taylor changed that. He’d hired King as his touring pianist and night after night he stepped aside on stage and invited her into the spotlight. The turning point was the moment he brought her out to perform “Up on the Roof” in front of his audience for the first time. She got through it. She kept going. “Writing songs for others felt safe,” King said later. “But singing them myself required a new level of confidence.” That confidence — hard-won and specific — is what she brought into the studio in January 1971 when she recorded Tapestry with producer Lou Adler.

Related: Linda Ronstadt Rejected Don Henley’s Songs But Hired Him as a Drummer — What Was Left Became ‘Hotel California’

The session was unlike anything happening in American music at that moment. King was in Studio B of A&M Studios in Hollywood. Joni Mitchell was recording Blue in Studio C down the hall. The Carpenters were in Studio A. Three albums that would define the decade were being made at the same time in the same building and nobody outside those hallways knew it yet. Mitchell walked down the hall between her own sessions and added her voice to “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Her part and Taylor’s — who also played guitar and sang on the track — were recorded on separate audio channels. Their voices are never actually mixed together on the finished track. They exist in parallel.

King sat at the piano and sang the question she’d written at 18, given away and not sung publicly for eleven years. She was 28 – almost 29. She’d written songs about every kind of love and loss without anyone knowing they were hers. Critic David Hepworth later described the difference between the two versions precisely: the Shirelles’ recording sounds like a teenager’s plea while King’s sounds like a mature woman who already knows the answer and is asking anyway.

The Same Song Eleven Years Later

Tapestry spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for over six years. It has sold over 25 million copies. “It’s Too Late” was released as a single from Tapestry in April 1971. It has been covered more than a dozen times since.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is touring worldwide through 2027. Gerry Goffin — who wrote the words she sang that January in Studio B — left no known public record of what he thought when he heard his own lyrics come back to him that way. The question Carole King wrote at 18 for a girl group that didn’t want it is still being asked. It just sounds different depending on how old you are when you’re asking it.

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Nicolas Cage, 62, Reveals Striking White Hair and Beard Transformation With Wife Riko Shibata, 31

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:10am

Nicolas Cage just shocked on the red carpet with white hair and a full white beard alongside his young wife, Riko Shibata.

Cage, 62, was born into the iconic Coppola family and kicked off his career with roles in the teen comedy hit Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Martha Coolidge‘s cult-classic Valley Girl. However, he soon proved his acting chops with roles in films like Raising Arizona. His Academy Award-winning role as a self-destructive alcoholic opposite Elisabeth Shue in 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas went down in film history, as did his several classic action flicks like Con Air, Face/Off, and Gone in 60 Seconds. They’re still quoted endlessly to this day! But the star has also found success in his personal life and is happily married to Riko Shibata, 31. The duo stepped out to attend the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening night, and Cage showed off a different look that’s a sharp contrast to the dark hair and clean-shaven face he was sporting just a few months ago.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Earl Gibson III / Getty Images

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Cage Recently Made the Leap to TV

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

These days, Cage is still having regular hits at the box office, like 2024’s horror film Longlegs. But in a unique twist on his storied career, the film legend recently leaped to TV, taking on his first leading television role. The actor starred in Amazon Prime Video’s Spider-Noir, a live-action series based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir. It tells the story of Ben Reilly, played by Cage, a seasoned, down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life following a deeply personal tragedy, as the city’s only superhero, according to a release.

In a unique twist, Spider-Noir is available to stream in two ways: In “Authentic Black & White” and “True-Hue Full Color,” so audiences can choose their own adventure to watch. While the series was canceled after one season, you can still check it out.

Check out the black-and-white trailer for Spider-Noir below.

Related: Nicolas Cage’s Stunning Transformation Into Football Icon John Madden Has Fans Doing a Double Take

Hobbymaxxing Is in for Fall, and This Floral Bookmark Crochet Kit Is ‘Beginner-Friendly’

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 10:00am

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Ironically, hobbymaxxing has taken over social media. With electronics consuming our everyday lives, this trend is an attempt to take a break from screens and replace free time with productive hands-on activities. Instead of doomscrolling through TikTok or watching Netflix for hours, many people are discovering new activities that range from DIY projects and crafts to sports and workout classes. 

@misshannahashton

HAPPY SEPT 1! ☕️💫🕯️📖✨ #hobbymaxxing #hobby #hobbies #crafts #athomehobbyideas

♬ original sound – Hannah Ashton

Looking to embrace a screen-free lifestyle this fall? Crocheting is a fun and relaxing activity for a cozy night in. If you’re new to the crochet world, check out this Joyclub Flower Bookmark Crochet Kit at Amazon. According to several customers, this kit is very “beginner-friendly.” It comes with everything you need to create 10 bookmarks, and it’s currently on sale for just $12, marked down from $13. This crochet kit is also available in four other styles, including plants, various animals, cats, and chickens. Those normally retail for either for $16 or $17, but are now on sale between $14 and $15. 

Joyclub Flower Bookmark Crochet Kit, From $12 (was $13) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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During those rainy fall days when you refuse to step outside, snuggle up with a blanket and grab this crochet kit for a fun activity that’ll keep you entertained for hours. Plus, crocheting is known to help reduce stress and anxiety, making it a relaxing project whenever you need to unwind and de-stress. 

Designed for beginners, this kit comes with all the materials you need to start your crocheting journey, including yarn, a yarn needle, crochet hooks, stitch markers, and a manual. Shoppers commented that the instructions were very easy to follow, so you can get to stitching in no time. The hooks will give you a comfortable grip, and customers attested to this, noting that they were easy to use. 

Depending on your preference, you can either read the instruction manual and go at your own pace, or watch a step-by-step video tutorial if you’re more of a visual learner. This kit will teach you basic stitch patterns and comes with 40% more yarn than you’ll need, so you can eventually go on to create your own designs. 

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With this kit, you’ll craft 10 whimsical floral bookmarks in various hues and designs. You’ll learn how to crochet all kinds of flowers ranging from sunflowers to tulips, and stems to tie everything together. Once you’re done, you’ll have 10 functional bookmarks that you created with your own two hands. Numerous reviewers raved about the top-notch quality of the yarns and their soft feel. 

“It’s a fun and relaxing craft, and the finished flowers look adorable,” one reviewer said. “I would definitely recommend this kit to anyone looking to learn crochet or enjoy a creative hobby.” The same reviewer also mentioned that it’s a “great value for the price.”

You don’t have to use these flowers solely as bookmarks. They work well as curtain tiebacks, car pendants, bracelets, and more! Boasting a variety of vibrant colors, including red, orange, yellow, butter yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, light pink, brown, and black, these flowers will add a pop of color and a touch of whimsy to your space. 

Related: Martha Stewart’s $20 Needlepoint Pumpkin Pillow Is the Cutest Cottagecore Find of the Season

If you want to go screen-free for a bit, don’t hesitate to snag the Joyclub Flower Bookmark Crochet Kit at Amazon while it’s still on sale for just $12! 

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