Parade

In an era filled with unforgettable love songs, this 1980 hit stood out from the crowd.

Ambrosia's "Biggest Part of Me" didn't start out to be a yacht rock staple. Long before the genre had a name, the song's romantic lyrics and soaring harmonies made it a standout hit.

The band's original four-piece lineup included David Pack, Burleigh Drummond, Joe Puerta, and Christopher North. Together, the musicians blended rock, pop, and progressive influences to create Ambrosia's distinctive sound.

Pack told The Tennessean that the inspiration for "Biggest Part of Me" came as he was getting ready for a family road trip. They were running a few moments behind when the lyrics came to Pack.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

"It was the Fourth of July in 1979. I was waiting for my family to get in the car so I could go to a Fourth of July celebration in Malibu," Pack said.

"They were taking too long, and I realized I had left all of my gear on in the studio, so I ran back to my separate studio building and just sat down at the piano for some reason, and the chords popped out. I kind of went, 'Uh oh, where's the tape recorder?'"

"I turned on my reel-to-reel, wrote the chords and the melody in literally five to 10 minutes. A substantial portion of the lyrics just kind of fell out. I turned off my machine and heard the car horn honking for me."

He admitted, "Yeah. It's one of those things you wait for all your life, but it seemed to just fall out."

Pack said that he shared the song with his friend, Michael McDonald. He wanted his opinion before moving further, as he questioned the sentimentality of the lyrics.

"I played it for Mike at his home. I said, 'I wrote this song. I don't like these lyrics, but the song is pretty cool.' He heard it and said, 'Are you kidding me? (The lyrics) are probably the reason the song is going to be a hit!'"

Pack added, "I'm a perfectionist, so I thought they were too Hallmark Card-sounding lyrics. I said, 'Mike, I can imagine a band singing this in a Holiday Inn.' He goes, 'Well, that's a good thing!' Of course, Mike was right, and I was wrong."

Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images

According to Rhino, "Biggest Part of Me" was released as a single on March 19, 1980. It would peak at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 100, but failed to reach the top spot due to the dominance of Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" and Lipps, Inc.'s "Funkytown."

Chris North, the band's keyboardist, passed in March of this year. David Pack left Ambrosia in 2000 to pursue a solo career. The remaining band members continue to tour.

Related: 1980 Freewheeling Country Classic That Became the Ultimate Road Trip Anthem

Some songs tell a story. Others take listeners on a journey.

When Dire Straits released "Telegraph Road" in 1982, the sprawling 14-minute epic immediately stood apart from nearly everything else on rock radio. Opening the band's Love Over Gold album, the ambitious composition traced the rise and decline of a community built along Michigan’s historic Telegraph Road, combining cinematic storytelling with some of Mark Knopfler's most celebrated guitar work.

Rather than focusing on a single character, Knopfler used the song to chronicle generations of change. Beginning with a lone pioneer carving out a path through the wilderness, "Telegraph Road" follows the growth of towns, factories and highways before ultimately reflecting on economic decline and the fading of the American dream. The result was one of the most expansive narratives ever captured in a rock song.

Knopfler has said the idea came after traveling along Telegraph Road outside Detroit while touring the United States. Struck by the seemingly endless stretch of businesses, neighborhoods and industry lining the highway, he imagined the history that had unfolded there over generations, using it as the foundation for what became one of Dire Straits' most ambitious compositions.

"In fact I was driving down that road, and I was reading a book at the time, called Growth of the Soil and I just put the two together," Knopfler said in a 1994 interview. "[The road] just went on and on and on forever, it's like what they call linear development … I wondered how that road must have been when it started, what it must have first been like … I just put that book together and the place where I was. I was actually sitting in the front of the tour bus at the time."

Despite its length, "Telegraph Road" quickly became a fan favorite and a centerpiece of Dire Straits' live shows. The song's gradual build, from quiet piano and understated guitar to its soaring instrumental finale, showcased the band's remarkable musicianship while giving Knopfler room to deliver one of the most acclaimed guitar performances of his career.

"Some of the guitars are pretty hard to play," Knopfler explained in an interview with Guitar Player. "Playing the beginning of 'Telegraph Road' always seems hard when you’re going from a spiffy electric to that old war horse. You've just got to brace your hands for an old guitar from the 1930s. So that’s all part of the challenge of that song, when the guitar itself doesn’t want to play pretty."

Although it was never released as a commercial single, "Telegraph Road" has endured as one of Dire Straits' defining recordings. Its sweeping sense of movement and vivid imagery have made it a favorite for long drives, earning a reputation among fans as one of rock's ultimate road trip songs.

More than 40 years after its release, "Telegraph Road" remains unlike almost anything else in Dire Straits' catalog. At more than 14 minutes long, it proved that a rock song didn't need to fit neatly into radio formats to become a timeless classic.

Related: 1977 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 17 Minutes, Remains a Classic 49 Years Later

In 1976, Gary Wright released his breakthrough album with The Dream Weaver. And while he was best known for the title track, he actually had a bigger hit with the single “Love Is Alive.”

Written by former Spooky Tooth keyboardist Wright and released as the first single from the album, “Love Is  Alive” featured a synthesizer-driven riff and lyrics about the energy behind love. The futuristic, synth-rock hit became one of the most influential songs of the era—but it didn’t start out that way.

According to Rhino, “Love Is Alive” was “a big ol’ flop” when it was first released as a single in July 1975. It wasn’t until the album’s second single, the title track “Dream Weaver," became a massive hit months later that “Love Is Alive” found a second life.

Fueled by the success of “Dream Weaver,”  Warner Brothers reissued “Love Is Alive” in April 1976. The re-released song climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100— the same peak position as “Dream Weaver.”  But “Love Is Alive” remained on the music chart for 27 weeks, seven weeks longer than “Dream Weaver," making it a bigger all-around hit for Wright.

“Love Is Alive” was ranked the No. 9 song of 1976 by Billboard, beating out songs such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and The Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing” for the coveted spot in the year-end Top 10.

RELATED: 1976 No. 1 One-Hit Wonder Was Written in Five Minutes

Wright, who died in 2023 at age 80, once addressed the delayed success of “Love Is Alive” in an interview with Rock Cellar magazine. In the interview, he recalled that he knew he’d really “made it” when “Dream Weaver” became a radio hit.

“I was on tour with Peter Frampton at the time I heard the news; it was in January of 1976,” he shared. “That song wasn’t released as the first single from my album, instead the record company released 'Love Is Alive,' and it didn’t happen. It stiffed, but ‘Dream Weaver’ kept getting a huge amount of FM radio airplay, so Warner Brothers at the time decided they might as well release this song as a single. It went up the charts…and then the label re-released 'Love Is Alive' and that went to number two."

Wright also revealed that his favorite times as a live performer came during the summer of 1976, when “Love Is Alive” was climbing the charts.

“The most memorable shows for me were during the summer of ‘76 when I was touring with Peter Frampton, Yes, and sometimes Fleetwood Mac,” Wright said in an interview published by Get Ready to Rock. “They were huge concerts anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000 at large stadiums to 125,000 at JFK and RFK stadiums. ‘Dream Weaver’ had been a [hit] single, and ‘Love Is Alive’ went to No. 2 that summer. There was enormous positive energy during the tours, my band had great musicians, including Steve Porcaro, Art Wood, and Peter Reilich.”

Related: 1976 One-Hit Wonder Took Months to Get Airplay—50 Years Later It Remains a Soft Rock Classic

On June 21, 1971, Jerry Reed's biggest hit began a five-week run at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, cementing its place as one of the defining country songs of the year.

But the success of "When You're Hot, You're Hot" didn't stop there.

The song crossed over to the pop charts and climbed all the way to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the biggest crossover country hits of 1971. It also reached No. 6 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and eventually earned a gold certification for sales of more than one million copies.

Written and recorded by Reed, "When You're Hot, You're Hot" tells the story of a gambler riding a lucky streak during a back-alley dice game. His fortunes quickly change when a police officer breaks up the game and confiscates the money as evidence. Later, when the singer appears in court, he discovers the judge is an old fishing buddy, but that connection doesn't help matters.

The song's memorable punchline, "When you're hot, you're hot. When you're not, you're not," became a popular catchphrase and helped make the record one of Reed's signature hits. The recording also earned him the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

By the time the song topped the charts, Reed was already known as one of Nashville's most gifted guitar players and songwriters. He had scored a crossover hit the year before with "Amos Moses" and had written songs recorded by stars including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

His career would later expand into television and movies, most famously through his role as the Snowman in the Smokey and the Bandit films and his performance of "East Bound and Down," another of his enduring hits.

Although Reed died in 2008 at age 71, "When You're Hot, You're Hot" remains the biggest chart hit of his recording career and a reminder of a time when a country song could dominate both Nashville and mainstream pop radio at the same time.

Related: The Festival That Invented Woodstock Happened 59 Years Ago Today

When it comes to blissfully warm and sunny summertime, there are certain must-dos that you likely know you want to squeeze in by the end of the season—and screening classic summer movies is one of those timeless activities. From Risky Business to Jaws and Now and Then, classic summer flicks run the gamut of being major thriller blockbusters, coming-of-age films, and rom-coms. They bring to mind memories of days or nights spent seeking respite from soaring temperatures in an air-conditioned movie theater or staying up late at a sleepover with friends. And there’s most definitely a classic summer movie that reflects your personality, based on the birth month you were born during.

Your Classic Summer Movie, Based on Your Birth Month

Read on for the summer film that reflects your personality and perspective, based on the month you were born. 

January: Jurassic Park

If you were born during the first month of the year, the sun was moving through industrious, ambitious Capricorn or science-minded, innovative Aquarius. Both signs are ruled by Saturn, the planet of commitment and hard work, and have an innate appreciation for nature, wildlife, the past, and the future. All of those themes collide in the 1993 smash hit directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Michael Crichton and David Koepp. No matter how old you were when you saw it for the first time, the sci-fi adventure film brings to mind everything we love about summer blockbusters that take us on the ride of our lives—a cause that, as an initiative-taker big picture dreamer, you can absolutely get behind.  

February: Mystic Pizza

If you were born when the sun was spending time in either platonic bond-loving Aquarius or idealistic, rose colored glasses-wearing Pisces, you’re a dreamer who values your relationships, being unique, and even escaping reality from time to time. That echoes the vibe of the 1988 romantic comedy drama and coming-of-age story of three young waitresses in Mystic, Connecticut played by Annabeth Gish, Julia Roberts, and Lili Taylor. Themes of friendship, love, and stepping into who you’re meant to be resonate with your imaginative heart.

MORE: These 4 Birth Months Have a Special Connection With Kids

March: Jaws

If you were born in March, the sun was either in dreamy, empathic water sign Pisces or go-getter Aries, so a heart-pounding adventure that’s water-themed is right up your alley, making Jaws, the 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley, a staple for your summertime viewing. From exploring the fear of the unknown and unseen, which is very Piscean, to depicting how humanity goes head-to-head with threats originating from Mother Nature, a conflict that feels very Aries-esque, Jaws matches your action-oriented, cinematic vibe. 

April: National Lampoon's Vacation

You came into the world when the sun was moving through either go-getter Aries or down-to-earth, tactile Taurus, making you someone who loves to hit the wide open road and also show up for loved ones, much like Clark Griswold in this 1983 classic summertime flick that follows the Chicago family on their cross-country trip to fictitious amusement park Wally World. Written by John Hughes, Vacation features the Griswolds facing a bevy of mishaps that you as a fiery, action-oriented Aries type or a long-fuse, pragmatic Taurus could find plenty of humor in—especially Chevy Chase’s physical comedy!  

EXPAND: The 3 Birth Months Most Likely to Retire Early, According to Experts

May: Before Sunrise

If you mark your birthday in May, the sun was moving through either sensual, grounded Taurus or communicative Gemini, so you’re someone who has a range of interests, values deep, meaningful conversation, and is looking to be stimulated mentally and emotionally by a romantic partner, which makes Richard Linklater’s 1995 romantic drama your best match. The first installment in a trilogy, the cult classic follows Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Céline (played by Julie Deply) who meet on a train and end up spending one night in Vienna together. The plot, which is rooted in their monologues and extended dialogue, mirrors your passion for language, and the way in which Jesse and Céline explore time, self-discovery, and romance in the 1990s reflects your adoration of connecting with others on many levels. 

June: The Parent Trap

You were born with your sun in curious, bubbly Gemini or caregiving, family-oriented Cancer, making you a family-oriented, fun-loving, lifelong learner who gets a kick out of quirky, tricky, goofy humor—which is absolutely a centerpiece of the 1961 Disney flick starring Hayley Mills in a dual role as a pair of teen twins who switch places in an effort to get their parents back together. Whether you’re more influenced by the sign of the Twins or the sign of the Crab, you can get behind the highs and lows of this charming, whipsmart adventure, which, at its core, is a tribute to cherishing your closest bonds.

FUN: Your Classic Soft Rock Anthem, Based on Your Birth Month

July: The Notebook

Your sun is in either family-oriented, sentimental Cancer or dynamic, spotlight-loving Leo, so you’re sentimental, heartfelt, romantic, and deeply loyal. Based on Nicholas Sparks’ hit novel, The Notebook’s film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams hit theaters in June 2004 and swept audiences away with the story of a memorable, magical summer romance between a country boy named Noah and a city girl named Allie in 1940s North Carolina. The power of a deep, soulmate-like love connection and the inextricable bond that Noah and Allie form in that one summer is a concept that truly resonates with your spirit and your heart. 

NEXT: Which Classic Movie Star Matches Your Birth Month 

August: Dirty Dancing

Whether you were born when the sun was in leadership-oriented, romantic fire sign Leo or cerebral, intuitive, service-oriented earth sign Virgo, you’re capable of experiencing a great deal of passion that you find hard to deny. This mirrors the experience of Frances “Baby” Houseman, played by Jennifer Grey, in this 1987 sleeper hit, inspired by writer Eleanor Bergstein’s own life. When Baby meets Johnny, played by Patrick Swayze, at a Catskills resort in the summer of 1963, their slow-burn chemistry and steamy, verboten romance is impossible to brush aside. Add in lots of show-stopping dancing, which is so very Leo, and heated conversations and endless memorable lines, which any Virgo can appreciate, and you have the perfect summer film for an August baby.   

September: Say Anything

Born under either cerebral, whipsmart earth sign Virgo or partnership-adoring, diplomatic Libra, you’re equal parts brainy and romantic, which feels very representative of the heroine of Cameron Crowe’s 1989 “summer-after-high-school” film, Diane Court (played by Ione Skye), a class valedictorian. When Diane falls for Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack), a “basic” underachiever, following their high school graduation, their relationship is something “nobody thinks will work,” but is actually an illustrated example of everything you believe in and champion as a sensitive, heartfelt intuitive and a harmony-seeking idealist.  

October: Now and Then

During your birth month, the sun moves through partnership-oriented, balance-seeking Libra and powerful, magnetic Scorpio, which makes the plot of 1995’s coming-of-age story with an all-star cast—Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, and Rita Wilson—aligned with your energy. As someone who is eager to pour themselves into their most cherished relationships, you can get behind this group of devoted BFFs who take a walk down memory lane and celebrate girlhood as they remember spending the summer of 1970 holding séances, solving mysteries, falling for boys and building a lifelong bond with one another. 

RELATE?: Your Signature Cocktail, Based on Your Birth Month

November: Grease

Whether you were born under intimacy-seeking, intense Scorpio or go-big-or-go-home, party-loving Sagittarius, you believe in making the most of every moment, especially with the people who you consider your nearest and dearest, which is why the 1978 summer musical’s themes of friendship, romance, sexual exploration, rebelling against the status quo, and embracing your own wild, free spirit are sure to resonate with you. Its memorable over-the-top dance numbers, classic tracks that read like pop radio hits even decades later, and starry performances by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Sid Caesar, and others make Grease unstoppable, much like you.  

December: Risky Business

Born with your sun in either adventurous, go-big-or-go-home Sagittarius or rock steady, ambitious Capricorn, you believe in putting in the work to rise to any challenge, which is very much an underlying theme of Paul Brickman’s 1983 summer hit starring a young Tom Cruise in his breakout role as Joel Goodson. The coming-of-age story follows Joel’s summer exploits home alone in the Chicago suburbs while his parents are on vacation, navigating the highs and lows of totalling his dad’s Porsche, interviewing with a Princeton admissions officer, and falling for a prostitute named Lana played by Rebecca DeMornay. His badassery and resilience mirror your own. 

UP NEXT:

Most people picture a Walt Disney World vacation as a frantic sprint through crowded parks, flashing lights and roller coaster lines. But if you've ever daydreamed about where you’d actually live if you could retire inside the Disney bubble permanently, the plan changes completely. You aren't necessarily looking to be right next to the nearest Monorail station. Instead, you're probably craving total privacy and a quiet escape from the park hubbub. Right now, a major design overhaul is throwing the spotlight directly on one of the property's new secluded, hidden gems that could be a perfect fit.

Walt Disney World just shared an exclusive first look inside the newly reimagined Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Tucked away along the woodlands of the Sassagoula River, these standalone, three-bedroom units are elevated right in the trees and are slated for a total design completion later in 2026.

This specific pocket of the property is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort. Because this timeshare program caters to families who return year after year, guests can think of these accommodations as a genuine second home. The entire layout trades standard hotel rooms for spaces that capture the quiet comfort of a neighborhood.

Related: Disney World Is Giving This Fan-Favorite Resort Its First-Ever Major Room Makeover

Disney Parks Blog

Over at the popular Disney Tourist Blog, insider Tom Bricker argues that these units are hands-down the absolute best place on property to live out your golden years, specifically because that DVC layout helps them function a bit differently. Bricker notes that their unique arrangement makes them feel like a genuine neighborhood rather than a transient tourist hub. "They are standalone units that offer the requisite privacy, along with spaciousness and lovely views, while also offering relatively easy access to Disney Springs," he explains on the blog. "If you’re living at Walt Disney World for the rest of your days, you need to view the resort through a different lens. The serene setting is valuable, as is the lack of shared walls with your neighbors."

Disney Parks Blog

The upcoming refresh draws heavy inspiration from classic New England-style craftsmanship and the Arts and Crafts movement, replacing the old furniture, fixtures and finishes with a rich color palette of natural wood and stone. Each villa sleeps up to nine guests and comes fully loaded with a kitchen, a private deck and an in-room washer and dryer. But what has people talking isn't just the upscale structural polish—it's the incredibly tasteful way Disney storytelling is being integrated into the decor, featuring hidden nods to classic woodland characters from films like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Fox and the Hound carved directly into the furniture and wall murals.

Disney Parks Blog

While the remote, heavily forested location has historically made the Treehouse Villas a bit divisive among fast-paced tourists who rely strictly on Disney's internal bus systems, the new aesthetic successfully bridges the gap between old-school charm and modern luxury.

Reporting on his first impressions of the top-to-bottom refurbishment, Bricker notes that the creative teams did an excellent job threading the needle. Writing on Disney Tourist Blog, he notes that "the new rooms look fresh and modernized, which will minimize the complaints about them being dated and too rustic, but they’re thankfully not bland, boring or basic."

Related: Disney's Newest Resort Will Offer First-Ever Accommodations With Unprecedented Theme-Park Views

Of course, actually moving into a treehouse permanently isn't a realistic option—and financing a year-round residency would require an astronomical fortune in DVC points. But for a few weeks a year, these standalone sanctuaries allow families to live out that "retire at Disney" fantasy in a pristine, wooden wonderland.

The buzz around these refreshed homes perfectly captures the rise of "slow travel" at Disney, proving that some of the best vacation moments happen outside the park gates. These villas are an absolute dream for DVC families who want to slow down, decompress and enjoy a genuine indoor-outdoor lifestyle with family. If you've been searching for an excuse to plan a multi-generational trip or just want to scout out your hypothetical dream retirement home, these freshly styled treehouses are proving to be the ultimate bucket-list find.

Related: Disney Shares First Look at New Resort Attraction That Fans Are Dying to Try: 'Looks Incredible'

Long before she became one of country music's biggest stars, Reba McEntire was already proving just how dedicated she was to her career, even on her honeymoon.

On June 21, 1976, the future country icon, 71, married steer wrestling champion Charlie Battles at the First Baptist Church in Stringtown, Oklahoma. While many newlyweds spend their honeymoon relaxing and celebrating the start of married life, McEntire took a decidedly different approach.

Instead of stepping away from work, the singer and her new husband headed to Texas, where they spent their honeymoon promoting her latest single, "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand," at local radio stations.

It was that work ethic that would later help transform McEntire into one of the most successful artists in country music history. At the time, she was still working to establish herself in the industry and was focused on getting her music in front of as many listeners as possible.

Years before she would become known as the "Queen of Country," rack up dozens of No. 1 hits and build a career spanning music, television and film, McEntire was putting in the groundwork, even at the expense of a traditional honeymoon.

The unconventional trip highlights the determination that has defined her career from the very beginning. Rather than taking time away from her budding music career, McEntire used the occasion to continue promoting her work, visiting radio stations across Texas in hopes of helping her latest release gain traction.

Looking back, it's easy to see how that level of commitment paid off.

McEntire went on to become one of country music's most enduring stars, earning multiple Grammy Awards, selling millions of records and building a legacy that has spanned nearly five decades.

Related: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s 1976 Hit Confuses Listeners and AI Alike

You don't pull into a McDonald’s drive-thru at 7:30 a.m. looking for a fancy, five-star meal. You're there because you're tired, hungry and a warm bag of fast food sounds perfect.

But if you keep ordering the exact same plain Egg McMuffin or basic stack of Hotcakes every single morning, you could be missing out on the best stuff. People on TikTok and Instagram have figured out a whole world of breakfast combos that can completely change your morning routine at McDonald's, and we've rounded up the best ones.

😋😋SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔

The kitchen crew already prepares all of these basic ingredients fresh every morning. All it takes on your end is ordering a couple of regular menu items and doing a quick, messy assembly job right at your table or in the front seat of your car.

It's an easy way to get a totally custom, massive breakfast without paying expensive coffeeshop prices. Whether you want a giant stack of savory meats to get you through a long workday or a sweet coffee hack to fix a sugar craving, these tricks are total game changers.

These are the seven best McDonald's secret breakfast menu items to try on your next drive-thru run.

What to Order on McDonald's Secret Breakfast Menu

Ready to elevate your morning routine? Skip the basic menu boards and try these seven food combinations on your next trip to McDonald's.

1. Hash Brown McMuffin

To get a Hash Brown McMuffin, just order your go-to Egg McMuffin alongside a crispy hash brown. Pull apart the English muffin bun, slide that golden potato patty right on top of the egg and melted cheese, and squish it back together.

This quick little upgrade is a must-try if you love good textures. The contrast between the crunchy potato and the soft, chewy English muffin is incredibly satisfying.

The hash brown injects a great burst of salty, buttery flavor right into the middle of your sandwich, making it feel way more comforting without costing you more than an extra buck or two.

Related: We Asked 5 Chefs What Trader Joe's Products They Love—and We're Taking Plenty of Notes

2. The McCrêpe View this post on Instagram

To pull off a McCrêpe, you need to order a stack of Hotcakes and a Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait. Take one of the warm pancakes, spoon a generous amount of the vanilla yogurt and mixed berries right down the middle, and fold the edges over the filling just like a real crêpe.

Top it off with a drizzle of maple syrup, and you're good to go. This hack is awesome because it completely changes the vibe of your meal. The cool, tart berries and creamy yogurt contrast perfectly with the warm, fluffy hotcakes, making a cheap drive-thru breakfast feel like a fun weekend brunch.

3. Snickers Iced Coffee @sarahmargareteats

MCDONALDS SNICKERS ICED COFFEE thank you @secretmenudrinks for this #mcdonalds #mcdonaldssecretmenu #snickers #snickerscoffee #mcdonaldshack #coffee

♬ original sound - Sarah Margaret

You don't need to visit an expensive coffeehouse to get candy bar flavors in your morning cup. Just ask for a large McCafé Iced Hazelnut Coffee customized with one pump of chocolate syrup, one pump of caramel syrup and a heavy drizzle of caramel on top.

This sweet mixology trick perfectly replicates the rich, nutty and chocolatey notes of a Snickers bar. It gives you an incredible jolt of sweet energy to power you through tough mornings, all while saving you a few bucks compared to a fancy café.

4. Breakfast Tacos @jaskam_

McDonald’s Pancake Breakfast Tacos. •2 Big Back Breakfast Platters with Hot Cakes •Extra Eggs •Extra Sausage •Cheese on Eggs Would You Try? #mcdonalds #mcdonaldshacks #breakfasttacos #fastfood #foodhacks

♬ original sound - jaskam_

If you're craving a massive comfort meal, order a Big Breakfast with Hotcakes and ask for an extra sausage patty. Skip the biscuit entirely and fold the warm hotcakes down the middle to use them as taco shells.

Cut up the sausage, layer it inside the pancakes with the scrambled eggs, crumble your crispy hash brown right over the top and finish it with a heavy drizzle of syrup. It’s an amazing hack because it gives you a sweet and savory bite, packing fluffy egg, savory meat and crunchy potato into every single mouthful.

Related: 7 'Secret Menu' Items at Olive Garden Even Regulars Don't Know About

5. Meat Lovers McMuffin @hellthyjunkfood

#meatlovers #mcmuffin @McDonald’s #hack #foodhack #specialorder #order #meatlovers #breakfast #sandwich #hungry #fyp

♬ original sound - HellthyJunkFood

For a major protein boost, ask for a classic Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin, but tell the crew to add regular crispy bacon and Canadian bacon directly into the build. Loading three different breakfast meats onto one English muffin turns a simple morning sandwich into a hearty meal.

It gives you a massive punch of fuel to keep you full for hours on a long workday. Because it's so heavy on the savory meats, it's probably best to keep this one as an occasional morning indulgence, but it completely changes the game when you want something filling.

6. Honey Buttered Chicken Biscuit @sarahmargareteats

McDonald’s Breakfast Hack #mcdonalds #mcdonaldshacks #foodhacks #mcdonaldschallenge #mcdonaldssecrets #fastfood thanks @HellthyJunkFood

♬ trickn - BLUEPRINT™️

If you live in an area that doesn't officially serve Southern-style honey butter chicken breakfast items, you can easily build your own at the counter. Just grab a standard McDonald's Chicken Biscuit, then snag a few butter and honey packets from the condiment station.

Open up the warm biscuit, spread the butter over the crispy chicken patty and drizzle honey all over it before closing it back up. The way the sticky honey melts into the rich, salty butter completely transforms the basic chicken biscuit into a sweet, savory and incredibly comforting morning meal.

7. Egg Bun McMuffin @hellthyjunkfood

#replaced the #mcmuffin #with #roundeggs @mcdonalds for the #ultimate #keto #lowcarb #breakfast #sandwich #sausage #egg #weird #special #order #fastfood #foodhack #foodhacks #inspo @Blondeswhoeat

♬ original sound - HellthyJunkFood

Health-conscious diners looking to avoid extra bread can easily hack their way to a low-carb morning meal. Just order your favorite breakfast sandwich, but explicitly ask the kitchen crew to completely replace the toasted English muffin bun with two fluffy round eggs.

Holding the hot sausage patty and melted cheese slice together between two warm, high-protein round eggs yields a surprisingly clean and delicious breakfast experience. It gives you a great keto-friendly alternative that doesn't skip out on the classic morning flavors you want, keeping you full for hours without any of the carb crash later.

Can You Order It on the App?

You can order most of these secret creations on the McDonald's mobile app, but it definitely has its limits.

For simple customizations like adding extra bacon to your McMuffin or mixing syrup pumps for your coffee, just hit the "Customize" button on the base item. For DIY builds like the Hash Brown McMuffin or Breakfast Tacos, just add the individual items to your cart and stack them yourself at your table.

However, the app completely falls apart on structural swaps like the Egg Bun McMuffin. Customizing a sandwich by removing the bread and adding side eggs usually breaks the kitchen ticket. You'll likely end up with an unassembled mess in your bag, so it may be best to order that one at the counter.

Whether you're stuffing a hash brown into your McMuffin or trying a viral coffee build, these hacks prove a little customization goes a long way. Next time you roll through the drive-thru, skip your usual basic order and completely change your fast-food breakfast game with these McDonald's breakfast secret menu creations.

Related: 7 'Secret Menu' Items at Texas Roadhouse Even Regulars Don't Know About

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

The best kitchen finds aren't always the flashiest ones. Sometimes the pieces you reach for again and again are the simplest. They make weeknight dinners feel a little more special and instantly elevate the table without trying too hard.

That's why shoppers are taking notice of IKEA's latest release. The new serving bowl has a classic look that never goes out of style and costs less than dinner for two. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue or serving a simple salad on a Tuesday night, this IKEA serving bowl has the effortless elegance that works anytime.

🍳 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳

IKEA recently added a new serving bowl to its popular IKEA 365+ collection. The 13-inch bowl costs just $14.99 and comes in a simple white finish that feels both modern and timeless.

365+ Serving Bowl, White, $14.99 at IKEA

IKEA

Shop It!

Made from feldspar porcelain, the bowl is designed to resist impacts and stay beautiful over time. It's also dishwasher-safe so that you can use it every day without extra cleanup.

The minimalist design is part of what makes this IKEA find so appealing. A crisp white serving bowl pairs with almost any dinnerware and looks just as at home on a casual breakfast table as it does at a big family gathering.

IKEA says the bowl is large enough for salads, fruit and snacks, but shoppers will likely find even more uses for it. Picture it piled high with a Wendy's-inspired strawberry summer salad or filled with a bright pasta dish at your next cookout. It could just as easily hold popcorn for movie night or fresh peaches from the farmers market.

Related: IKEA Is Selling New $15 Storage Baskets That Make Clutter Look Cute

Why Simple Kitchen Pieces Never Go Out of Style

Trends come and go, but classic tableware tends to stick around. That's especially true when it combines beauty with practicality.

The IKEA 365+ line was designed to work for everyday life while still feeling special. The name itself is a nod to its versatility. These are pieces meant to be used 365 days a year, whether you're eating takeout on the couch or hosting friends for dinner.

This new serving bowl fits that idea perfectly. The clean lines and glossy finish give it an elegant look, but the durable porcelain means you won't have to worry about using it regularly.

And while plenty of serving pieces are reserved for special occasions, this one encourages the opposite. It makes everyday meals look a little chicer and helps create the kind of table you actually want to gather around.

Related: IKEA Just Dropped a $25 Home Decor Find That's Giving Peak English Countryside Energy

If you’ve ever looked into booking an Alaskan cruise, you probably know the usual scenario. Most of the massive ships heading up the Pacific Northwest are packed with thousands of passengers, flashy top-deck water parks and a high-energy family crowd. If your idea of a dream getaway involves quiet, residential-style luxury and small-group excursions led by actual local experts, the options have always been a bit limited. Luckily, a major luxury line is officially stepping into the region next year to shake things up.

Explora Journeys—the ultra-elegant ocean brand that’s been making serious waves in Europe—just announced its highly anticipated debut season in Alaska for the summer of 2027.

Sailing from May through September 2027, the line is deploying its brand-new, eco-conscious ship, EXPLORA III. Because the ship is launching this July, its upcoming Alaska run will be its very first time exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Instead of the frantic, rush-to-the-next-port pace you find on mainstream lines, Explora is leaning into an unhurried, destination-first approach. The whole idea is to combine the big, bucket-list sights with lesser-known, smaller coastal communities that larger mega-ships simply can't access.

Related: Your Favorite Adults-Only Cruise Just Reimagined Its Signature Spaces for Alaska

View this post on Instagram

The ship itself features 14 spacious decks and 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences. Every single room comes with floor-to-ceiling windows and its own private sun terrace, meaning you can watch glaciers calve or spot eagles from bed without having to fight for a spot at the deck railing. Onboard life is geared entirely toward upscale relaxation, featuring a 700-square-meter wellness spa with a hydrotherapy pool and a salt cave, along with heated pools and indoor whirlpools designed for crisp Pacific weather. They are also debuting a couple of new culinary spaces, including an immersive Chef’s Table and a specialty wine cellar.

When it comes to the actual excursions, they’ve completely skipped the standard, crowded tour buses in favor of highly curated, intimate experiences split into themes that highlight both the dramatic coastline and the rugged interior. If you are looking to explore Alaska's most iconic glaciers, you can hop into a helicopter for a flight over the Juneau Icefield before landing directly on the Mendenhall Glacier for a guided trek. Over at Hubbard Glacier, the line is running specialized catamarans to get you incredibly close to the calving ice face, while jet boats out of Wrangell skim the water toward LeConte Glacier Bay to spot harbor seals and eagles amid the icebergs.

Related: The Best Alaska Cruise for People Who Love to Eat as Much as They Love a Glacier View

For wildlife lovers, the focus is entirely on unscripted encounters in native habitats. You can take a floatplane journey deep into the Tongass National Forest from Ketchikan to watch black bears fishing for salmon from elevated rainforest platforms, or catch a late-season whale-watching boat out of Prince Rupert to spot humpbacks, orcas and sea lions.

The itineraries are also deeply rooted in local history and community storytelling. In the Great Bear Rainforest, guests will be welcomed by the indigenous Kitsumkalum community with traditional drumming and dance before savoring a unique nomadic gastronomy experience. For a taste of the gold rush era, a vintage rail journey in Skagway retraces the historic, mountain-climbing route up to the White Pass Summit.

"The collection brings guests closer to the glaciers, wildlife, and cultures that define the region," says Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. She notes that the ship's massive outdoor spaces and uninterrupted views give travelers the ultimate vantage point to slow down and truly connect with the wilderness.

Because Explora limits its guest count to maintain a highly personalized, quiet environment, booking windows for inaugural seasons like this tend to fill up incredibly fast. If you are looking to secure a spot for a rugged yet highly refined summer escape, the books are officially open. A perfect example of the new lineup is their 7-night Journey through Ice-Carved Treasures and Cultural Discoveries aboard EXPLORA III. Departing July 16, 2027, the ship sails from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, Canada, calling at Sitka, Skagway and Wrangell, alongside breathtaking scenic cruising past the spectacular Dawes Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Related: Why Repositioning Cruises Are the Low-Cost, Slow-Travel Trend to Watch Right Now

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Who doesn’t love a dress, especially in the summer? It’s an easy one-and-done ensemble that’ll help keep you cool in muggy weather. If you’re looking to add one to your seasonal wardrobe, this Celebrity Pink Cotton Eyelet Dress is a fantastic choice, and it’s currently on sale at Walmart for less than $15 ahead of its summer deals event. 

Normally retailing for $27, this adorable eyelet dress is now marked down to as low as $12. Prices vary slightly depending on size and style, but most options are on sale between $12 and $14. It’s available in two colors, including peachy pink and bright white. Sizes range from extra small to 3XL, and shoppers noted that it fits true to size. 

Celebrity Pink Cotton Eyelet Dress, From $12 (was $27) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Sustainable and environmentally friendly, this dress is made of 100% cotton, which is a natural material. Cotton is lightweight and breathable, allowing air to flow throughout this dress to help regulate your body temperature. It’s also absorbent and will draw sweat away from your body to keep your skin dry. A must-have for the warmer months, it’ll help keep you cool on sweltering summer days. 

This dress looks and feels summer-ready, featuring an airy eyelet design with patterned holes plastered all over the fabric. The bust and skirt are lined, ensuring that passersby won’t be able to see through the fabric and holes. Lending itself to the cottagecore aesthetic, the fabric is subtly embroidered with floral details, and the eyelet holes are at the center of each flower. 

Leaning even more into this charming aesthetic, the hem and neckline boast a dainty ruffled scalloped trim, giving this dress a playful and romantic feel. The center of the neckline is also accented by a delicate bow. Shoppers loved the style of this dress, describing it as “super cute.”

Celebrity Pink Cotton Eyelet Dress, From $12 (was $27) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Combining elements of a babydoll dress and fit-and-flare dress, this number is fixed with two elastic seams right below the bust. This dress is fitted at the bust and flares outwards, featuring a flowy and breezy silhouette. The hem ends around the mid-thigh, offering ample coverage while allowing your legs to breathe. 

While the elastic seams create some shape, it’ll stretch along with your movements so you won’t feel restricted. The shoulder straps also have elasticity, preventing them from painfully digging into your shoulders so you can comfortably wear this dress all day. 

You can wear this dress for any summer outing. Depending on how you style it, you can dress it up or down and take it from day to night. For fancier occasions, pair it with some jewelry and kitten heels. If you’re throwing it on for laid-back outings, wear it with sneakers, and it’ll look just as fabulous. 

Caring for this dress is easy. Whenever it needs a refresh, turn it inside out, toss it into the washing machine with cold water, and tumble dry it on low afterwards. If the fabric happens to wrinkle, you can iron it with low heat. 

Shop More Deals 

• Nanette Lepore Tie-Waist Shirtdress, $35 (was $148) at Walmart
• Fantaslook Eyelet Tank Dress, $15 (was $27) at Walmart
• Prettygarden Floral Lace Maxi Dress, $60 (was $74) at Walmart

Related: Walmart's 'Gorgeous' $20 2-Piece Woven Scalloped Tray Set Oozes Cottagecore Charm and Is Great for 'Organization'

Several customers have purchased the Celebrity Pink Cotton Eyelet Dress in the past few days, and it’s no surprise why. A 100% cotton dress that’s on sale for as low as $12 is a rare find, so head to Walmart right now and snag it while it’s still in stock in your size and preferred color! 

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.

Camille Gottlieb, the granddaughter of the legendary Grace Kelly, is showing off the stunning looks she inherited.

Gottlieb, a Monaco-based content creator, is the daughter of Princess Stéphanieof Monaco and Jean Raymond Gottlieb. Kelly, of course, was an American actress and Princess of Monaco thanks to her marriage to Prince Rainier III. While Kelly tragically died in a car accident in 1982, her legacy lives on forever, particularly due to her tremendous contribution to film. She earned acclaim for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock‘s classics Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief.

In the present day, Gottlieb has inherited her grandmother's blonde hair and classic beauty. Lounging on the beach in Mauritius in a leopard print bikini, Gottlieb looked like she was having the time of her life on vacation.

"Sunshine, friends, turquoise water, our favorite island on earth and lots of love. 🥰," Gottlieb captioned the post, which was originally written in French.

View this post on Instagram

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

She Recreated One of Her Grandmother’s Most Famous Looks

Back in July, Gottlieb wore a gown similar to the one that Kelly wore in Alfred Hitchcock‘s iconic 1954 film Rear Window. Dressed to the nines for the 76th Red Cross Ball in Monaco, Gottlieb looked absolutely stunning.

“When I was very little, I was often told that I looked like my grandmother,” Gottlieb told French publication Galawhile getting ready for the big event. “To me, it’s one of the best compliments I could ever receive.”

In the photo’s caption, originally written in French, Gottlieb wrote, “Thanks to [Elisabetta Franchi] was able to pay tribute to my grandmother with this magnificent dress.”

View this post on Instagram

While the jewelry is a bit different than what Kelly wore in the film, the dress is pretty close.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives on Getty Images

Her Dreams of Meeting Her Grandmother

While Gottlieb never got to meet her grandmother due to her untimely death, she has heard endless stories about her wit from her own mother.

“For me, she is above all my mother’s mother. I would really have liked to know her and talk with her. From what my mother tells me, from what we hear, she was a very funny person, with ideas, who had character and who was a very admirable person on all levels,” Gottlieb told Vanity Fair last year, Tatler reported.

Related: Grace Kelly’s Granddaughter Camille Gottlieb Looks Just Like Her Legendary Grandmother

For fans hoping to someday see a beloved '90s child star compete for the Mirrorball Trophy, Mara Wilson has already provided a definitive answer.

In a candid blog post from 2012 that has since been taken down, the former Matilda actress, 38, made it clear that returning to the spotlight isn't something she's interested in.

That includes one of television's most popular celebrity comeback vehicles.

"And no, you will never see me on Dancing With the Stars. Sorry," Wilson wrote at the time.

The comment wasn't a throwaway line. It came as part of a larger reflection on her complicated relationship with childhood fame and why she never felt a strong desire to return to acting after becoming a household name at a young age.

To explain her feelings, Wilson compared acting to finger-painting as a child. She described it as something she enjoyed and happened to be good at, but not something that defined who she would become as an adult. Years later, she said, people still ask when she'll return to that part of her life, even though she's moved on to other creative pursuits.

Her analogy struck a chord with fans because it captured a reality many former child stars face: the public often sees a famous role as the beginning of a lifelong career, while the performer may view it as something they did during a very specific chapter of childhood.

That perspective helps explain why Wilson has never embraced the kind of nostalgia-fueled comeback that often lands former stars on reality competition shows.

While many celebrities use programs like Dancing With the Stars to reconnect with audiences, Wilson's comments suggest she has little interest in revisiting the fame that came with her early success.

For fans, she'll always be the star of one of the most beloved family films of the 1990s. But if anyone is holding out hope for a future ballroom debut, Wilson has already answered that question herself, and her answer couldn't be much clearer.

Related: Tom Bergeron Reveals the Unexpected 'DWTS' Tradition That Led to 'Hangovers and Hookups'

The Queen of Pop doesn't seem to be ending her reign anytime soon.

Over four decades after kickstarting her legendary career, Madonnacontinues to find success on the music charts, most recently with her newest single, "Love Sensation."

After the new track dropped earlier this month, "Love Sensation" debuted on the Billboard charts this week, adding another impressive achievement to Madonna's history-making resumé.

According to new Billboard standings dated the week of June 20, "Love Sensation" landed at No. 3 on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Madonna's 25th song to appear on that chart and twelfth to reach the Top 10.

"Love Sensation" also debuted on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart this week, landing at No. 16.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Madonna's latest chart feat is especially noteworthy, considering her ability to continue churning out chart-topping hits, even over four decades after her career first started.

At the age of 67, Madonna is gearing up for the release of her next album, Confessions II, a sequel to her career-defining 2005 album, Confessions on a Dance Floor.

So far, Madonna has released two other singles from the upcoming album, in addition to "Love Sensation." The first single to release was "I Feel So Free," which hit No. 1 on the Dance Digital Song chart last month. One week later, the news was followed-up by "Bring Your Love," a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, which also ended up at No. 1.

The rest of the album, Confessions II, will be released on July 3.

View this post on Instagram

All of Madonna's Top 10 hits on Billboard's Dance Digital Song Sales chart:

1. "I Feel So Free"
2. "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter
3. "Vulgar" with Sam Smith
4. "Levitating" with Dua Lipa
5. "Love Sensation"
6. "Frozen" with Sickick
7. "Living For Love"
8. "B**** I'm Madonna" with Nicki Minaj
9. "Gone Gone Gone" (Original Demo Version)
10. "Who's That Girl"
11. "Vogue"
12. "Me Against the Music" with Britney Spears

Related: Iconic '80s Movie Soundtrack Re-Enters Billboard Charts Over 40 Years Later

Did you know that the five stages of grief are also known as the Kübler-Ross model? Probably not if you’re not studying psychiatry or a similar field (so most of us). But yes, as the Cleveland Clinic reported, it is also known by its second title, named after the creator of the concept: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. She was a Swiss-born American psychiatrist who researched the dying process throughout her career, including how their surviving relatives and loved ones were impacted. In her work studying humans who are dying, she came to really understand people and why they acted certain ways (or didn’t). And our quote of the day from Kübler-Ross highlights her belief in human nature and our innate ability to shine bright even in times of darkness.

Born in 1926 in Zurich, Switzerland, Kübler-Ross knew she wanted to be a doctor from a young age because of her work helping refugees from WWII. She eventually went against her father’s wishes to become a secretary, leaving home at 16 and joining the International Voluntary Service at 18 in 1945, according to the National Library of Medicine. She graduated from medical school at the University of Zurich in 1957. 

Decades later, when she was an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Billings Hospital (associated with the University of Chicago) in the ‘60s, she witnessed the fact that many healthcare professionals didn’t discuss death with patients. This got her interested in the concept of dying, and preparing for it or understanding it, which jump-started her research.

As the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation reported, her “groundbreaking” 1969 book, On Death and Dying, is where she introduced the world to her important “Five Stages of Grief": denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. This model has been majorly influential in so many fields. 

Today’s quote focuses on Kübler-Ross’s thoughts on how beautiful people are and that they can really show their true nature in hard times.

Related: Quote of the Day: Psychologist Gordon Allport on Humor Being the Best Way To Fight Life’s ‘Tangles’

Quote of the Day by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

CanvaPro/Parade

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

As quoted in The Leader's Digest: Timeless Principles for Team and Organization (2003) by Jim Clemmer, in Chapter 4, titled “Authenticity.” 

Clemmer writes that “our values are most truly revealed when times are toughest.” He then quotes Kübler-Ross, noting that she once said the above line.

Related: Quote of the Day by Elsie Lincoln Benedict: ‘Each One of the World’s Great Successes Was a Failure First'

Deeper Meaning of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s Quote—Inner Light and Resilience

This Kübler-Ross quote is a strikingly beautiful sentiment that perfectly illustrates human beings and inner light. It also might give a little hope and humanity to those who might not be at their brightest right now. 

This quote reminds us that we are all gorgeous like stained-glass: hand-made works of art that sometimes tell stories and often live in beautiful cathedrals or historic buildings. But that’s not where the similarities stop. 

Stained-glass windows are obviously transparent enough to let light through both ways: from outside, thanks to natural light, and from the inside at night when the lights are turned on in whatever building they’re adorning. And Kübler-Ross notes that humans are also like that, able to accept light from external places and from within.

It’s really easy to bask in the light that an outside source might give you—whether that’s from a partner, a parent, your boss or even just innate pride at something you did well. But life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, unfortunately. So when “darkness sets in”—maybe in the form of a bad day, a personal loss, a major disappointment or mental illness, just to name a few examples—you can still shine bright. You’re still a gorgeous glass art piece; the light source just has to come from inside of you. 

Basically, this quote is saying that it’s important to understand who you are and have self-confidence that allows you to stand on your own, even (and especially) in trying times. Not vanity or arrogance, but an inner light that consists of strength and self-assurance.

Related: Quote of the Day: Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius on Having ‘Power Over Your Mind—Not Outside Events’

More Quotes from Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

• “Live, so you do not have to look back and say: ‘God, how I have wasted my life.’”
• “It is difficult to accept death in this society because it is unfamiliar. In spite of the fact that it happens all the time, we never see it.”
• “Those who learned to know death, rather than to fear and fight it, become our teachers about life.”
• “Every individual human being born on this earth has the capacity to become a unique and special person, unlike any who has ever existed before or ever will exist again.”
• “I always say that death can be one of the greatest experiences ever. If you live each day of your life right, then you have nothing to fear.”
• “Our only purpose in life is growth. There are no accidents.”

Up Next:

Related: Quote of the Day: Ralph Waldo Emerson on Self-Reliance and Staying True to Yourself

Long before the first episode of HBO's Harry Potter series reaches screens this Christmas, the show's second chapter is already seeing some changes.

The season, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has entered one of the messiest phases of any production: recasting. Gracie Cochrane, who was announced as Ginny Weasley during the series' original casting round, has departed the role. Fans who've been tracking every announcement since 2024 now face the peculiar reality that one face they'd mentally filed away as 'their Ginny' won't appear in that role after all. The Harry Potter series has been renewed for a second season, with filming expected to begin in the fall.

But the Ginny news isn't the only thing stirring up the fandom this week. Sources say Harry Potter casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann are searching for a young actor to play Colin Creevey in Season 2, with auditions already underway. For readers of J.K. Rowling's novels, that name might be welcome addition. Colin Creevey, the endlessly enthusiastic boy who idolized Harry Potter and couldn't stop photographing him, never appeared in any of the original eight films. He existed only on the page, and his antics against the students of Hogwarts have never been seen in a film adaptation of Harry Potter.

Related: Daniel Radcliffe's Paralyzed Stunt Double Is Telling His Harry Potter Story in an Unexpected Way

Peeves the Poltergeist, another character cut from the films, was just cast for Season 1, signaling that the HBO series is adapting Rowling's world more completely than the films. Colin Creevey potentially carries even more emotional weight. Creevey is a recurring character in six of J.K. Rowling's novels, meaning the Hogwarts student could become a fixture in the HBO series, which is aiming to adapt every book. Fans of the series will remember without needing to be reminded what ultimately happens to Colin, which makes the announcement even more interesting.

Season 1, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will premiere on Christmas Day in 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. The full cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron, with John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu as Snape among the adults. Jon Brown has been elevated from writer on Season 1 to co-showrunner for Season 2 alongside Francesca Gardiner.

Quite a lot of movement on a show that hasn't released yet. A recast and an open call, both announced before a single frame has aired suggests a production that is already thinking very seriously about what comes next, rather than waiting for reactions to season 1. That kind of confidence (or pressure) tends to produce either the most careful work a franchise has ever done, or the most chaotic. For a series with this much history attached to it, Harry Potter fans will be watching closely either way.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Tammy Wynette, often regarded as the “First Lady of Country,” built one of the most defining catalogs of the genre. Helping shape the country sound of the late 1960s and 1970s, she delivered a string of timeless hits such as “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” and “‘Til I Can Make It On My Own.”

But it’s the loyalty-driven anthem, “Stand By Your Man,” that ultimately stands as her signature song. 

Written alongside Billy Sherrill, who had signed her to Epic Records, “Stand By Your Man,” according to a report by Garden & Gun, was originally titled “I’ll Stand By You.” However, after a title change, the pair got to work, penning the song rather quickly. 

“We wrote the song in about twenty minutes,” Wynette confirmed, per the outlet’s citing of a 1994 interview. 

Sonically, “Stand By Your Man” puts the late Wynette’s vocals front and center as she showcases her soft, gentle yet emotional voice over a simple melody. Lyrically, the tune embraces the idea of remaining committed to a relationship with a man, despite his flaws or mistakes. 

At the time, Wynette, who was in a relationship with George Jones, following two divorces, faced controversy due to the lyrics of the song, which drew criticism as it was released during the rise of the women's liberation movement in the late ‘60s.

Wynette, who insisted she had no intention of writing a song to make a social statement, also claimed Jones disliked "Stand By Your Man,” according to American Songwriter, which stated that she explained in a 1978 interview: “I went home and played it for George, and he didn’t like it. He didn’t know I’d written it, so I asked him what he didn’t like, and he said, ‘I dunno, I just don’t care for the song.’ That kinda got me started off wrong with ‘Stand By Your Man,’ but it’s grown on me now.” 

Despite the lack of support from various folks in the beginning, “Stand by Your Man” has gone on to become a timeless classic.

Along with many other accomplishments, the tune ranked at No. 473 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Released in September of 1968, “Stand by Your Man” also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart before crossing over into pop, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Related: 1989 No. 1 Hit, Reviving a Nearly Broken-Up Band, Remains a Timeless Party Anthem 37 Years Later

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is easy to solve if you're a FIFA fanatic. Get excited—there's another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you're looking for some hints and answers for today's Connections Sports Edition on Sunday, June 21, 2026, you've come to the right place.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox

Today's NYT Connections Sports Puzzle for Sunday, June 21, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

What Is Connections Sports Edition?

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it's a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It's up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you "group sports terms that share a common thread."

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints for Today's Connections Sports Edition Categories on June 21, 2026

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: Stars.
• Green: Bucs is another one.
• Blue: Think World Cup.
• Purple: Fore!

Here Are Today's Connections Sports Edition Categories

OK, time for a second hint…we'll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: A TEAM'S BEST PLAYERS
• Green: INFORMAL NICKNAMES FOR NFL TEAMS
• Blue: BRAZILLIAN SOCCER GREATS
• Purple: OLD TERMS FOR GOLF CLUBS

If you're looking for the answers, no worries—we've got them below. So, don't scroll any further if you don't want to see the solutions!

The answers to today's Connections Sports Edition #636 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

What Are the Answers to Connections Sports Edition Today?

• A TEAM'S BEST PLAYERS: A-TEAM, FIRST STRING, REGULARS, STARTERS
• INFORMAL NICKNAMES FOR NFL TEAMS: BOLTS, G-MEN, PACK, VIKES
• BRAZILLIAN SOCCER GREATS: KAKÁ, MARTA, PELÉ, RONALDINHO
• OLD TERMS FOR GOLF CLUBS: BRASSIE, CLEEK, MASHIE, NIBLICK

Don't worry if you didn't get them this time—we've all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: We Asked 3 Chefs the Best Thing To Make With Canned Chicken, and They All Said the Same Thing

Today's NYT Strands puzzle comes with three free drink tickets to use during your stay. Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times' recent game, "Strands," is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and "spangrams" to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We'll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today's Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #840 on Sunday, June 21.

How to Play Strands

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here's exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle's theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word's letter order.

What Is Today's Strands Hint for the Theme: "That's included!"

A hint for today's Strands game: But you'll have to pay for the minibar.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today's puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• LA
• SA
• FR
• BR
• IN
• HO (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today's Spangram is a mix of horizontal and vertical.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for June 21

Today's Spangram answer on Today's NYT 'Strands' Hints, Spangram and Answers for Sunday, June 21, 2026, isHOTELAMENITIES

What Are Today's NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Sunday, June 21?

• LAUNDRY
• SAFE
• FRIDGE
• BREAKFAST
• INTERNET
• SPANGRAM: HOTELAMENITIES

Related: Pizza Hut to Be Sold in Massive $2.7 Billion Deal—What It Could Mean for Your Next Slice