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A lot of people don't realize, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has the hands-down BEST food of all Disney Parks. I should know. As a theme parks writer with more than 15 years experience, and someone who visits Disney monthly, I've tried every food in the park. I'm such a passionate Disney foodie, in fact, that I've even have a book coming out with beloved retro recipes and the stories behind them, The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook/HarperCollins.

When Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened in 1998, it was a labor of love from Walt Disney Imagineering, inspired by far-off global destinations from Asia,Africa and beyond. And while it didn’t necessarily set out to become a foodie hot spot, that evolution was natural with the bounty of culinary influences. Today, it is applauded for its innovative food and beverage offerings. And some of its bites even do good by giving back with proceeds contributing to the Disney Conservation Fund. 

​"Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a guest favorite for foodies: our team creates not only meals, we create experiences as you go through all the lands," Milad Alhir, General Manager of food and beverage for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, tells Parade. According to data, guests stay in the park longer with the sole purpose of trying new and interesting flavors, she adds. 

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From long-standing favorites to new treats that become viral sensations seemingly overnight, it undoubtedly has elevated the theme park dining experience. And those culinary pursuits might best be best on display at the park’s signature restaurant, Tiffins, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

I’ve eaten at every restaurant, trying dozens of dishes, and have ranked the most popular eats so you can plan for your next trip.

Related: This Iconic Disneyland Resort Restaurant Just Got a Massive Glow-Up—And Reservations Are Vanishing

Mickey Cinnamon Roll

Carly Caramanna

Morning, noon or night, Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery is the park’s hidden culinary gem. And the most important meal of the day serves up a classic treat done extremely well. The Mickey cinnamon roll is not only adorable but everything you’d want from the sweet treat. It’s ooey, it’s gooey. It’s perfect. While there’s maybe other more exciting options in the morning around the park, this is a reliable (and delicious) start to the day.

Tiger Tail Chocolate Twist View this post on Instagram

If you begin your trek by heading right to the park’s Asia-themed land, you’ll want to stop by the Isle of Java for a caffeine fix. And while Joffrey’s coffee is a delicious necessity for a marathon park day, I highly recommend pairing it with the Tiger Tail Chocolate Twist, a longstanding dessert pastry. The buttery, flaky pastry is decadently packed with chocolate pieces and chocolate icing on top.

Related: Top 5 'Fancy' Disney Spots That Will Make You Forget You're at a Theme Park

Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries

Carly Caramanna

It might be surprising to many that an unassuming food kiosk in between the park’s Africa and Asia lands draws quite the crowds—and that’s because of the uber popular Mr. Kamal’s seasoned fries. While not adventurous by any means, they are downright delicious fries generously coated in a seasoning that has both a hint of spice and earthiness. It's rounded out with a tangy sriracha mayonnaise that compliments the fried goodness perfectly. Since it's introduction, it has become a rite of passage for any visitor to Animal Kingdom.

Pulled Pork and Cheese French Fries View this post on Instagram

If house-smoked meats and baked beans are your thing, there’s no better barbecue in the mouse’s house than that found at Flame Tree Barbecue. And while the platters are bountiful and delicious, the move here is the pulled pork and cheddar sauce topped French fries. While technically a side, it’s the whole dang meal. The tangy barbecue sauce is a fine match for the creamy cheese and salty fries.

Related: This is Disney's Best Food Festival — And it's Not in a Theme Park

“Teylu” All-Beef Hot Dog Wrapped in Dough

Carly Caramanna

Nestled in the groundbreaking immersive land of Pandora—The World of Avatar, you’ll find Satu’li Canteen, the Na’vi inspired mess hall. You really can’t go wrong with anything here; its wood-grilled bowls are a hearty meal (order the chimichurri beef) that won’t weigh you down. But you won’t want to miss the “Teylu” all-beef hot dog wrapped in dough. Yes, it’s on the kids menu (but we won’t tell). The Parker House dough, a buttery yeast-leavened dough, has a subtle sweetness to it that’s the perfect match for the meaty, savory hot dog. Pair it with the restaurant's cheeseburger steamed pods and it’s a fever dream of a menu of backyard favorites with a fun, distinctly Disney twist.

Stuffed Pancake Sandwich

Carly Caramanna

You might be tempted to beeline it right past Drinkwallah and head straight to thrilling Expedition Everest but you’d make a grave mistake. The stuffed pancake sandwich is a modern breakfast marvel. The “sandwich” portion is actually a perfectly cooked, thick pancake that’s stuffed with a sausage patty, guava paste, egg and cheese. It’s the makings of sweet and savory dreams. And its portable nature makes it a great, protein packed bite to grab while on the way to your first ride. Just be sure to get there before 10:00AM because this must eat is only available in the morning.

Pineapple Crisp Sundae View this post on Instagram

Pineapple Dole Whip is synonymous with Disney parks but there are other pineapple desserts that go beyond the simple swirl or float. And at Tamu Tamu, you’ll find one of the property’s most unique and best versions. The pineapple crisp sundae is a shareable treat that starts with warm pineapple crisp cake. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s topped with vanilla ice cream, pineapple caramel and a crispy streusel topping. The crunch of the streusel pairs well with the creamy ice cream and the dense cake.

Related: This Iconic Disney World Restaurant Has Reopened

Rice Bowls

Carly Caramanna

Looking for a lighter bite that packs a flavor punch? Well, look no further than Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery for its line-up of rice bowls. The makings of a plentiful lunch or dinner, these are packed with delicious meats, African Jollof rice, kachumbari tomato salad, and tzatziki sauce. The ultra tender chermoula-marinated chicken is a star alongside the surprisingly flavorful plant-based option made with Impossible Beef.

Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich

Carly Caramanna

If you spot a long line while exploring Discovery Island, it’s not for an attraction but instead this viral smash hit found at Terra Treats. Unless you’ve been living under a massive rock, you’ve likely heard of the cookie dough brownie ice cream sandwich. The portable dessert is a soft brownie layered with vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, and edible cookie dough — and it is mind blowingly good and comes with an extra sweet story: it’s the brain child of the park’s pastry chef Kellie Matthews who recounted her 8-year-old self desiring the dessert of her dreams. Even if it’s the longest line of your day, it’s more than worth it.

Arepas

Carly Caramanna

If you have one savory snack on your visit, make it this. The arepas from The Smiling Crocodile are the product of the park’s Colombian born executive chef Camilo Velasco so you know it’s the real deal. Available with either pulled pork or pulled chicken, tender ingredients are loaded into the cheesiest arepa and topped with a punchy avocado salsa and queso fresco. This is hands down one of the best savory snacks in all of the Vacation Kingdom. And it might just be a teaser to the upcoming yummy eats we’ll discover in the park’s Tropical Americas expansion opening in 2027.

Related: Disney Announces New Attraction for Hollywood Studios

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

Carly Caramanna

The park’s signature restaurant, Tiffins, is an unrivaled splurge meal at Walt Disney World. The restaurant itself is stunning, with décor and artwork inspired and sourced from the many exploration trips Walt Disney Imagineering took around the world. But it’s not only a feast for the eyes, its everchanging menu is a fitting celebration of adventure and exploration. 

And its must order is the expertly prepared grilled beef tenderloin with sides, spices and preparations updated regularly to reflect the season. A favorite preparation takes Peruvian cues with saltado marble potatoes, chorizo vinaigrette and creamy huancaina sauce. It's a meat masterpiece. And the only appropriate way to finish a meal at Tiffins is with the park exclusive Joffrey’s Peruvian Alto Mayo Protect Forest press pot coffee which supports Conservation International’s Alto Mayo Protected forest project in Peru promoting sustainable coffee practices at a local level.

Related: Disney World Just Dropped the First Look at Muppet Coaster's 'Mayhem' Makeover

Nomad Churros

Carly Caramanna

This applauded dessert needs no introduction. Nomad Lounge, next door to Tiffins, is a favorite for those in the know looking for a cozy retreat during their theme park day. And while its cocktail program shines, its exotic menu of small bites is just as exciting, including its long-standing Nomad Churros. These churros are perfect, with that desired crunchy exterior and pillowy interior. But things get interesting with its accompanying dips just as worthy to be the star of the show. The vanilla cream is a perennial favorite alongside seasonal sauces, like rich coffee crème anglaise and sweet blueberry.

Related: This Iconic Disney World Restaurant Has Finally Reopened—And I Tried It

When That '70s Show premiered in 1998, its cast of young actors was almost entirely unknown. Ashton Kutcher was a model from Iowa, Topher Grace didn’t even have a headshot, and Mila Kunis was barely a teenager. Now, exactly 20 years since the show ended on May 18, 2006, they are global movie stars—and two of them even got married to each other!

Reflecting on their good fortune, Grace once said, “I was honestly lucky to not only get on That ‘70s Show with all those talented people, but also land on a show that did so well for all of us. We got to choose what we wanted to do from there. You must know that actors don’t often get to do that or have that kind of privilege.” 

Set in fictional Point Place, Wisconsin, That '70s Show followed a close-knit group of teens as they came of age in a smoke-filled basement. Although the show rarely pulled blockbuster ratings, it ran for eight seasons across 200 episodes, generating enough nostalgia to greenlight a spinoff—That ‘90s Show—which premiered on Netflix in 2023. The series brought back original stars Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty) and Kurtwood Smith (Red) alongside highly anticipated guest appearances by Grace (Eric), Kunis (Jackie), Kutcher (Kelso), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez) and Laura Prepon (Donna). 

“Mila and I were contemplating [the possibility of doing the show],” Kutcher told Variety. “We thought, 'Listen, we’re only in the position that we’re in because of that show, so let’s just go back and do this.' We just went back and had fun for a week."

Keep reading to learn more about where the cast of That ‘70s Show is now. 

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Where Are They Now? The Cast of That '70s ShowMila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart): How Old Was She When the Show Started? Mila Kunis is the youngest member of the cast—just 15 years old when That '70s Show premiered on Fox.

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A frequent question among fans is how old Mila Kunis was in That '70s Show: She was just 14 years old when she auditioned for the role of spoiled rich girl Jackie Burkhart, despite producers requiring actors to be at least 18. (She famously lied about her age to secure the role.) At the time, she had a few minor TV credits—including appearances on Days of Our Lives and 7th Heaven. 

Following the show, Kunis built a major film career with hits including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Friendswith Benefits, Black Swan and Bad Moms. She also continued to voice Meg Griffin on Family Guy, a role she began while shooting That ‘70s Show and holds to this day. 

In one of Hollywood’s most full-circle romances, Kunis married her former co-star Ashton Kutcher in 2015.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards

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"We would have never been together if we didn't both go through what we went through in order to be the people that we were when we reconnected," she said on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.

The couple has two kids.

Related: Mila Kunis’ Net Worth in 2026 Could Make ‘That ’70s Show’ Star the ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’

Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde): The Trial and Prison Sentence Danny Masterson in 1997

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Unlike some of his younger co-stars, Danny Masterson already had a lengthy résumé before playing sarcastic rebel Steven Hyde, with roles in Roseanne, Beethoven’s 2nd and Party of Five. Still, That ‘70s Show is the series that catapulted him to fame.

After the show ended, Masterson starred in Men at Work, a TBS sitcom that lasted three seasons, and The Ranch, which reunited him with Kutcher. 

Ultimately, his career was eclipsed by his criminal convictions. In 2023, he was sentenced to 30 years to life prison after being convicted on two counts of forcible rape. The assaults occurred in the early 2000s, when he was still starring on That ‘70s Show.

Danny Masteron at his 2020 arraignment

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Masterson was married to actress and model Bijou Phillips at the time of his conviction, but Phillips filed for divorce shortly after his sentencing. The two share a daughter.

Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso): From the Basement to Tech Billionaire Ashton Kutcher in 1999—he's since become a tech billionaire.

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Before he became Michael Kelso—the lovable pretty-boy dimwit of the gang—Kutcher was a successful fashion model who walked runways everywhere from Manhattan to Milan for major brands like Calvin Klein and Gucci. He was studying to be a chemical engineer before he dropped out to chase his dreams.

That ‘70s Show turned Kutcher into one of the biggest stars of the early 2000s. While still on the sitcom, he launched MTV’s Punk'd and led films like Dude, Where's My Car?, Just Married, My Boss’s Daughter, The Butterfly Effect and A Lot Like Love. 

After the show wrapped, he continued his rom-com streak with No Strings Attached and Valentine’s Day, and eventually returned to TV for more than 80 episodes of Two and a Half Men, which he joined after Charlie Sheen’s departure. More recently, he starred in four seasons of The Ranch on Netflix and Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty.

Hollywood projects aside, Kutcher also became a massively successful tech investor, backing companies—including Airbnb and Uber—in their earliest days.

His personal life made headlines for years—particularly his marriage to Demi Moore from 2005 to 2013, which ended amid reports he was unfaithful. He later reunited romantically with Kunis, and the pair now shares two kids.

Related: Ashton Kutcher’s Net Worth in 2026 Is More Steve Jobs Than Michael Kelso!

Topher Grace (Eric Forman): Why He Really Left Point Place Topher Grace in 2000

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Before landing the role of awkward Star Wars-loving teenager Eric Forman at age 20, Grace had never professionally acted before in his life. He was cast on the series off a play he did in high school, which a couple of “big-time Hollywood producers” happened to see because their daughter worked on the set.

“I was really only in that [play] because I sprained my ankle and I couldn't be on the tennis team," Grace recalled.

After becoming the central face of a sitcom by chance, Grace famously left the show before its final season. He has also been open about the fact that he was never part of his co-stars' tight-knit, off-screen partying clique, noting that they had different lifestyles and he preferred to keep a low profile.

Topher Grace and Ashley Hinshaw will celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary on May 29, 2026.

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He starred as Eddie Brock/Venom in Spider-Man 3, which he followed up with films like Interstellar, BlacKkKlansman and the 2024 A24 thriller Heretic. He also continued to work in television, popping up in series like Comedy Bang! Bang!, Workaholics and Black Mirror, and starring in the short-lived ABC sitcom Home Economics. To the delight of his OG fans, he also reprised the role of Eric for one episode of That ‘90s Show.

Off-screen, Grace married actress Ashley Hinshaw in 2016 and the couple shares three children.

Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti) Laura Prepon in 1999

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Before being cast as Eric’s next-door neighbor and eventual love interest Donna Pinciotti, Laura Prepon had mostly worked as a model and studied acting in New York.

Recalling what sealed the deal for creators Bonnie and Terri Turner to cast her on That '70s Show, Prepon told Couch Surfing, “At the end of the audition, I looked at them and I said, 'We good?' And I put my hands on the table and I pushed off like a total tomboy. It was just how I got up from my table.”

After the sitcom ended, Prepon continued acting steadily but reached an entirely new level of both fame and acclaim playing Alex Vause on Orange Is the New Black. It was the third original show ever to stream on Netflix and turned into a global phenomenon.

In recent years, she’s focused on wellness content, cooking (#GetYourPrepOn) and directing. She helmed eight episodes of That ‘90s Show, where she also briefly reprised her breakout role as Donna. 

Off camera, Prepon married actor Ben Foster in 2018, and they share two children. However, they split in 2024 and finalized their divorce in 2025.

Laura Prepon attends a 2026 charity event benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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Wilmer Valderrama (Fez) Wilmer Valderrama in 1999

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Wilmer Valderrama was still a high-school senior when he landed the role of foreign exchange student Fez. (His co-stars actually attended his graduation.) 

Since wrapping, he’s had voice work on Handy Mandy and guest appearances on series including Raising Hope, Suburgatory, Grey’s Anatomy and The Ranch, which reunited him with Kutcher. 

One of his biggest post-sitcom roles came in 2016, when he joined NCIS as Special Agent Nick Torres. He also took his voice-acting chops to the big screen with Encanto and Zootopia 2. 

Wilmer Valderrama, fiancé Amanda Pacheco and daughter Nakano Valderrama arrive at the Zootopia 2 premiere in 2026. The growing family welcomed a son, Wolf, in July 2025.

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In his personal life, Valderrama has had several high-profile relationships over the years— including Mandy Moore, Lindsay Lohanand Demi Lovato. He’s been engaged to model Amanda Pacheco—with whom he shares two children—since 2020.

Related: ‘That ’70s Show’ Star Makes Red Carpet Debut With Daughter

Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty Forman) Debra Jo Rupp and Wilmer Valderrama in 2000

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Before becoming everyone’s favorite laugh-happy sitcom mom Kitty Forman, Debra Jo Rupp was already a seasoned television actress known for recurring roles on Friends and guest appearances on everything from Seinfeldto ER.

After That '70s Show ended, Rupp continued working consistently in television and theater, with guest or recurring parts in shows like This Is Us and Grey’s Anatomy. In 2023, she reprised her role as Kitty for That ‘90s Show, which follows Kitty and Red as they look after their granddaughter—Eric and Donna’s kid—for the summer of 1995.

"Seeing all the kids come back, it was almost like no time passed," she said of filming the now-canceled reboot. "It was like a mini reunion every week." Rupp has also appeared in WandaVision and Agatha All Along.

Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman) Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp at the 2023 premiere of That '90s Show

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By the time he was cast as gruff patriarch Red Forman, Smith was already a respected character actor with decades of experience, including memorable turns in RoboCop and Dead Poets Society.

After the sitcom wrapped, Smith remained one of Hollywood’s busiest supporting actors, appearing in series including 24, Patriot and a number of animated projects. He also returned to Point Place, Wisconsin for three seasons of That ‘90s Show. 

Smith has been married to actress Joan Pirkle since 1988 and has two children.

'That '70s Show' Cast Deaths: Remembering Lisa Robin Kelly and Tanya Roberts Tanya Roberts (in the striped v-neck shirt) and Lisa Robin Kelly (in red strapless top) both tragically passed in 2021 and 2013 respectively.

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While most of the core cast has gone on to long careers in Hollywood, the show's legacy also includes the tragic loss of two beloved co-stars.

Lisa Robin Kelly played Eric’s manipulative older sister—Laurie Forman—for the show's first three seasons before departing the show. Kelly struggled with addiction for many years after her departure from the series. She tragically died in 2013 at the age of 43 during treatment at a rehab facility. Her cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose while at a rehab facility.

Tanya Roberts played Donna’s lovable but dim-witted mother, Midge Pinciotti. Before her time in Point Place, Roberts was already a massive star, known for her role as a Bond Girl in A View to a Kill and for starring in the final season of Charlie's Angels. She passed away in January 2021 at the age of 65 following complications from a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis.

Related: Next Up:

There are conversations that take on a weight they were never meant to carry.

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon sat down in his Dakota apartment with a crew from San Francisco radio station KFRC. It was supposed to be a standard promotional chat for "Double Fantasy," the comeback album he and Yoko had released three weeks earlier.

Just hours later, Lennon was no longer with us.

That interview — his last ever— has now been made into a documentary by director Steven Soderbergh. And what it captures is haunting not because Lennon had any idea what was coming later that day, but because he absolutely didn't.

What we hear instead is a man, John Lennon, at perhaps his happiest, most optimistic moment in his life. He's making plans for the future. He's ready to rejoin the world.

That’s what makes watching it so heartbreaking.

The interview happened right after the now-iconic Annie Leibovitz photo session for Rolling Stone with wife, Yoko Ono. Then, Lennon came downstairs and spent the afternoon talking about music, love, and where he was heading in life.

Related: Bob Dylan Played His Wife This 1976 Song to Save Their Marriage - It Almost Worked

He discussed "(Just Like) Starting Over," explaining the song wasn't just about him and Yoko reconciling after experiencing rocky years. He saw it as a message about men and women finding their way back to each other after cultural rifts. That's how Lennon's beautiful mind worked — taking something personal and making it universal.

What John Lennon Said About His Future Just Hours Before His Death

He spoke openly about his five years as a "househusband."                                            

In 1975, when son Sean was born, Lennon decided to put down his guitar completely.  For five years, he focused on raising Sean while Yoko managed their business affairs. At the time, the idea was revolutionary— a famous rock star becoming a stay-at-home dad It was totally unheard of.

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He described his househusband mornings: making breakfast, watching Sesame Street, just being with his family. A softer side of Lennon most people had never seen.

But here's what makes the interview so bittersweet: Lennon was ready to make a comeback.

He talked about wanting to perform live again. He was actually ready to get back on stage and play for people again. At 40, after years of staying out of the public eye, he was preparing for what could have been his incredible second act in life.

"Double Fantasy" was just the beginning of his return. He had big plans.

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Soderbergh has beautifully illustrated the interview, blending Lennon's own words with hundreds of rare photographs — candid shots of Lennon at home, with his wife, Yoko, and occasionally with the Beatles.

There was one non-negotiable condition for the interview: Lennon wouldn't discuss the Beatles or "the past." He only wanted to talk about the future. He was looking forward to his second act, not back.

Photo by Wesley on Getty Images

That's what makes this documentary so heartwrenching for anyone who loves his music. You're watching someone who's just starting over again, who's found true happiness, and who's ready and willing to create and share new work.

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Lennon was murdered that night by a man, Mark David Chapman, waiting outside his building.

Watching John Lennon: The Last Interview means sitting with that reality — that all those plans for the future, all that optimism about what was to come, all that future he was so excited about, ended just a few hours later.

For Beatles fans and Lennon devotees, it's one last chance to hear his voice, talking not about yesterday but looking forward to tomorrow.

A tomorrow that would never come.

An emotional 1977 smash spent decades being viewed as one of music’s ultimate heartbreak ballads, even though that was never the songwriters’ original intention.

Linda Ronstadt's "Blue Bayou" peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard charts in the latter part of 1977. The song remained on the charts for 23 weeks and became one of her most definitive chart classics.

U Discover Music called the tune one of the Best 70s Country Songs. They write, "Linda Ronstadt has often transcended country music, but there’s no denying that her sound is country to the bone. As her sound evolved throughout the 1970s, she embraced new pastures, and there’s a swaying breeze to 'Blue Bayou' that’s ever so funky: call it yacht rock, but pontoon rock might be more accurate."

However, the song was never intended to create the sense of melancholy it so deeply evokes. In fact, it was written to be a happy song.

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In an interview with NME later reprinted by Songfacts, songwriter Roy Orbison, who co-wrote “Blue Bayou” with Joe Melson during a road trip, revealed the surprising truth behind the beloved hit.

"Take a song like 'Blue Bayou' for instance, that's simply a song about being on the road. And that is really a happy song," he began.

RELATED: Soaring 1975 Chart-Topper Gave This Iconic Female Rocker Her Only Solo No. 1

"It probably sounds very strange to you for me to say that. The fellow's bound and determined to get back to where you sleep all day, and the catfish play and the sailing boats and the girls and all that stuff. It's a beautiful thought."

He concluded, "Now granted that it is a sad song, a lonely song, but it's a loneliness that precedes happiness. And I'm not sitting here trying to tell you that I don't sing lonely songs or anything like that."

RELATED: Linda Ronstadt Never Expected This ’60s Song to Make Her a Star

Orbison had a hit with "Blue Bayou" in 1963. The song rose to the top of the Irish, Australian, and UK singles charts.

In an interview with Pop Matters, Ronstadt recalled the first time she heard the now-classic Orbison/Melson song. “On that same night that I had the tape of Jackson [Browne] teaching me ‘Poor Poor Pitiful Me’, JD [Souther] taught me ‘Blue Bayou.'"

She continued, "[Jackson] said, ‘I think this would be a good song for you to sing’ and he played it for me. He started to sing it and I started singing harmony. I said, ‘I’m going to learn that.’ That was a profitable night!”

In fact, Linda Ronstadt loved the song so much she asked her father, Gilbert Ronstadt, to write Spanish lyrics for it. The song was then translated into "Lago Azul" and featured on her 1987 mariachi album, Canciones de mi Padre.

MORE: The 1967 Song That Strikes ‘Fear’ in Linda Ronstadt

Albert Hammond is well known for his successful career as a songwriter, but as a solo performer, he’s often considered a one-hit wonder. The song that made him a singing sensation? 1972’s “It Never Rains in Southern California.” Written by Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, the soft rock classic appeared on Hammond’s debut album of the same name and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Dec. 16, 1972.

According to Songfacts, Hammond once said the song was written in London when he was struggling to make it as a musician. “That struggle you go through, that's ‘It Never Rains in Southern California, the story of my life,” he shared. "One of my most important songs, not only because I think it's a great song and I love it, and I think it tells the story of my life in a way, but also because I was the artist, the producer, the writer - I mean, everything was right, it was just like the right thing. If I hadn't had that, I might have got slowly downhill, you know."

Other artists rejected Hammond’s hit song

Hammond co-wrote songs that became huge hits for other artists, including “The Air that I Breathe” (The Hollies), “When I Need You" (Leo Sayer), “One Moment in Time” (Whitney Houston), and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (Starship).

But “It Never Rains in Southern California” was actually rejected by several artists when Hammond first wrote it.

In an interview with the Strange Brew, the songwriter recounted his early issues with his future hit. “The strange thing with that song was, maybe it was meant for me, because I gave it to Glen Campbell and The Seekers. They both turned the song down. So I never played it again to anyone until I auditioned for Clive Davis in L.A. After I played 45 minutes on my guitar, he asked me if I had any other songs. I told him 'yeah,' but that these two wonderful artists had turned it down.”

RELATED: 1977 No. 1 Soft Rock Hit Became a Career-Defining Classic

Hammond considered his meeting with Davis to be his lucky break. Speaking with Music-News.com in 2017, he shared, “I suppose my lucky break was meeting Clive Davis, auditioning for him, and for me playing him 45 minutes of music from ‘The Free Electric Band’ to ‘The Air That I Breathe’ to all these songs but not playing him ‘It Never Rains in Southern California.’”

Hammond noted that Davis asked him if he had any other songs, which led him to the song that had been rejected by others.

“I said, ‘Yes, but when I played it to all these wonderful artists, they told me it was a terrible song, that's why I didn't play it today,’" Hammond recalled. “And he said, ‘Play it for me.’ I played him ‘It Never Rains in Southern California,’ and he said, ‘That's going to be your biggest single, and that's going to be the title of your album.’"

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If you’ve been looking for a reason to pack your bags and head toward Cinderella Castle this summer, the "Most Magical Place on Earth" just gave you a pretty major incentive. Between the high-energy debut of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and the opening of Bluey’s Wild World, the calendar is already packed, but a newly released ticket offer might be the best news yet for locals.

According to a report from Disney Food Blog, a massive new value play has arrived for those living in the Sunshine State. "Starting on May 17th, Florida residents can get into the parks for as low as $65 per day!" The offer runs from May 17th through October 3rd, 2026, allowing guests to grab a 4-Day Ticket for $259 plus tax. As the blog points out, "This is one of the lowest park ticket prices we’ve seen for this year!"

Related: Want to Party Like It's the '90s? Head to One of Disney's Water Parks This Summer

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But the savings don't stop at the turnstiles. If you’re looking to turn that park day into a full-blown "staycation," there are some deep discounts hitting the resort hotels as well.

Florida residents can save up to 35% on Disney Resorts Collection stays most nights during that same May to October window. If you're eyeing a longer retreat of four nights or more, you can snag that full 35% off at heavy hitters like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Even for a shorter one-to-three-night weekend getaway, the blog notes you’ll still see savings of up to 30% at select Deluxe and Moderate resorts.

Related: 8 Things You Can't Miss At America's Best Theme Parks This Summer

It’s the perfect excuse to trade the mental load of the daily grind for a few days of poolside relaxation and new attraction previews. Whether you're aiming for the budget-friendly All-Star resorts or a high-end villa, these deals make it easier than ever to justify that summer Disney fix.

Related: Disneyland Just Dropped a Major Summer Offer—And It’s the Perfect Excuse for a Nostalgic Stay

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If you're looking for an easy way to corral off-season clothing and decorations for spring and summer, Amazon's top-rated Baleine Moving Bags 6-Pack is a smart solution that's currently on sale for over 50% off. The handy set is now marked down to just $24, down from $49, and comes with six clear, oversized storage totes that will help you organize your space. 

At 27 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 15 inches high, these heavy-duty bags have a spacious 24-gallon capacity and are designed to hold up to 50 pounds each. They're made from durable PE material that's both water- and tear-resistant, with a strong zipper closure that keeps your items secure and safe from dust, sun, and other elements.  

Baleine Moving Bags 6-Pack, $24 (was $49) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Though the set comes in several different color options at varying prices, this style's transparent design is best for effortlessly locating your items at a glance. Each bag has reinforced handles located on the top and sides, providing extra support as you move them from room to room or pull them out from garages, closets, or storage units. They also fold flat when not in use, so they won’t take up valuable shelf space all year-round.

The popular six-pack has earned over 11,800 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers, who call it "strong, lightweight, and perfect for seasonal storage." Several highlighted their spaciousness, with one reviewer noting they "hold a lot" and are "great for moving or extra storage."

Related: Amazon’s 'Lightweight' $30 Linen Pants Are 'Perfect for Summer' and Come in 21 Colors

A third buyer praised the flexible design, writing, "These are a lot more convenient than boxes." 

If you've been looking for an easy way to tame clutter in your home or simplify the moving process, this six-pack of heavy-duty storage totes is a practical choice that won't break your budget. Snag a set while they're still on sale for under $25 at Amazon. 

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In 1975, When That’s the Way of the World arrived in theaters, the music-industry drama struggled to leave much of a lasting impression with audiences.

But the film’s soundtrack became something entirely different.

Related: 1942 Humphrey Bogart Classic Just Ranked No. 1 ‘Most Impactful Movie Ending’

Earth, Wind & Fire’sThat’s the Way of the World soundtrack was recently ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 101 Greatest Movie Soundtracks of All Time, with the magazine praising the album as a “three-times-platinum, soul-funk masterwork” that helped launch the band into its most creatively successful era.

Produced and directed by Super Fly producer Sig Shore, the film starred Harvey Keitel as record producer Coleman “the Golden Ear” Buckmaster and followed the cutthroat world of the music industry. Earth, Wind & Fire also appeared in the movie as a fictionalized version of themselves known simply as “the Group.”

Related: Classic Series Ranked No. 1 ‘Best Time-Travel Show’ Was the Creator’s Favorite Show to Make

Over time, however, the movie itself faded into relative obscurity while the soundtrack evolved into one of the defining albums of the 1970s.

The album featured some of Earth, Wind & Fire’s biggest and most enduring songs, including “Shining Star,” “Reasons” and the title track “That’s the Way of the World.”

“Shining Star” became the group’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped propel the soundtrack to massive commercial success.

Related: 1985 Film Ranked Among ‘Greatest Cult Classic Movies of All Time’ Almost Never Happened

Rolling Stone noted that while the film itself has not aged especially well, the soundtrack remains “joyous, lush, introspective, innovative, and deeply, deeply funky,” highlighting Maurice White’s signature kalimba playing and the group’s soaring harmonies.

The magazine also pointed out that although Earth, Wind & Fire’s screen time in the film may not be widely remembered today, fans are “still playing ‘Shining Star,’ ‘That’s the Way of the World,’ and ‘Reasons’ nearly 40 years later.”

According to White's article about the 45th anniversary, the soundtrack represented a major turning point for the band creatively and sonically. White explained that he intentionally avoided creating “a soundtrack in the traditional sense.”

Related: 1926 Mystery Writer’s Unexplained Disappearance Is Becoming a Major New Film 100 Years Later

“I made sure that the EW&F concept would be reflected in the score, which meant no departures from our established themes,” White wrote.

White also described the album as the beginning of Earth, Wind & Fire’s larger orchestral sound.

“That’s the Way of the World was the beginning of our big horn-section sound,” he wrote. “We also began to use a full string section from this album forward.”

The recording sessions pushed the group creatively.

“That’s the Way of the World was a tough record for us to cut,” White recalled. “Everybody had to play with more discipline, restraint, and focus.”

Related: 1974 Hit Film, Given a Darker Ending After Bitter Feud, Ranked Among Greatest Films of All Time

White also revealed that one of the album’s biggest songs emerged unexpectedly during the sessions in Colorado.

“The song ‘Shining Star’ was born out of a hook Larry Dunn was working on,” he explained. “The title and theme came out of a walk Philip and I had in the Colorado woods late one nite.”

Another fan favorite, “Reasons,” developed a reputation that White later found amusing.

“For all our good intentions ‘Reasons’ was completely misunderstood,” he wrote. “People would use the song at weddings as a musical expression of endless, undying love, when in fact it’s a cautionary tune expressing the opposite.”

More than four decades later, That’s the Way of the World remains one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s most celebrated albums and one of the rare soundtracks to completely outshine the film that inspired it.

Related: Last Surviving Original Member of Iconic '70s Rock Band Dead at 76

When Shrek hit theaters on May 18, 2001—25 years ago today—it flipped the fairy-tale formula on its head, replacing polished princes and perfect princesses with an unlikely cast of unforgettable misfits. The movie—a parody with a heartfelt message about self-acceptance—stuck the landing in large part thanks to its all-star voice cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diazas Princess Fiona and Eddie Murphy as Donkey.

All three actors returned for the franchise’s sequels, Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007) and Shrek Forever After (2010), and they’re set to reprise their roles for the fifth installment due out next year. 

“I love the theme of ‘You are beautiful to me,’” Myers once told Vulture. “Because, listen, I’ve never traded on my looks. I’m a comedy actor, I’m not like Rob Lowe … I always thought, 'What if I could play a guy who learns to love himself and find himself beautiful?' I can really connect to that.”

Keep reading to find out what the stars of Shrek (and its sequels) have been up to since the original movie premiered—plus, who will be back for more.

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‘Shrek’ Turns 25: Where Is the Voice Cast Now? Mike Myers as Shrek Mike Myers will return for the fifth installment of Shrek.

Photo by Julian Hamilton on Getty Images

By the time Myers was cast as Shrek, he was already one of the biggest comedy stars in the world with a seven-season run on Saturday Night Liveand two massive franchises (Wayne's World and Austin Powers) under his belt.

He famously wielded that power on the set of Shrek when he insisted to DreamWorks Pictures co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg andSteven Spielberg that he re-record his part in a Scottish accent rather than the Canadian one he went with initially. 

“I said [to Katzenberg], ‘Let me just try it one more time,’” Myers recalled in an interview with Vulture. “He said, ‘It’s gonna cost millions.’ I said, ‘I’m not getting paid more to do this. Let’s do it.’ We did it, and later on, I got a letter from Steven Spielberg saying, ‘Thank you so much for caring.’ It’s framed in my house.”

After Shrek, Myers continued voicing the character through multiple sequels while also starring in films like The Cat in the Hat and The Love Guru. He’s also taken on dramatic supporting roles in such movies as Inglorious Basterds and Bohemian Rhapsody. In 2022, he returned to television with the Netflix miniseries The Pentaverate, and in 2027, he'll be back as Shrek for the fifth movie in the franchise.

Myers married Kelly Tisdale in 2010, and the couple share three children.

Related: Comedy Legend Mike Myers Is Now a Full Silver Fox, and We’re Here for It

Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona Cameron Diaz is married Good Charlotte's Benji Madden in 2015.

Photo by Kristina Bumphrey on Getty Images

Diaz was already one of the biggest actresses in Hollywood when she voiced Princess Fiona, and that didn’t change after Shrek premiered — at least not right away. In the first ten or so years that followed, she starred in The Holiday, My Sister’s Keeper and Bad Teacher, to name just a handful of her films. Then, after appearing in 2014’s Annie, she stepped away from acting for nearly a decade.

Speaking at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, Diaz said that taking a break “felt like something I had to do to reclaim my own life. And I just really didn’t care about anything else.”

“Nobody’s opinion, nobody’s success, no one’s offer, no one’s anything could change my mind about my decision of taking care of myself and building the life that I really wanted to have,” she added. “It really comes to: What are you passionate about? For me, it was to build my family.”

Diaz married Benji Madden of Good Charlotte in 2015 and the couple shares three children, the third of whom they welcomed via surrogate in 2026.

In recent years, the Mask star returned to acting with movies—including Back In Action and Outcome, and she has a lineup of pictures due out over the next few years, including Shrek 5.  

Related: Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden Welcome Third Baby

Eddie Murphy as Donkey Eddie Murphy's Donkey is a fan favorite.

Photo by Michael Kovac on Getty Images

When Eddie Murphy signed on to voice Donkey, he was already a comedy legend. Still, Shrek introduced him to an entirely new generation of fans, many of whom counted Donkey as their favorite character from the movie. (Even Myers gushes over him. “I love Donkey so much. I want Donkey to live in my house,” he’s said.) 

Following Shrek, Murphy earned an Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls and later returned to beloved franchises with Coming 2 America and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. He was also the subject of an authorized documentary, Being Eddie, on Netflix, and he'll return as Donkey for Shrek 5.

Murphy has 10 children and married Australian modelPaige Butcher, with whom he shares two of those kids, in 2024. He was previously married to Nicole Murphy, with whom he has five children.

John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad In 2026, John Lithgow garnered a Tony Award nomination for his performance in GIANT on Broadway.

Photo by Kristina Bumphrey on Getty Images

Before voicing insecure villain Lord Farquaad, Lithgow was already considered one of the most respected actors of his generation — on Broadway (The Changing Room), in film (Terms of Endearment) and on TV (3rd Rock from the Sun).

After Shrek, Lithgow continued to master the form, most memorably with Emmy-winning roles on Dexter and The Crown, as well as with funny guest turns on How I Met Your Motherand 30 Rock. On the big-screen, he appeared in movies such as Bombshell and Conclave. (Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the Shrek sequels because his character got killed off by the end of the first one.)

The 80-year-old actor is currently wowing Broadway audiences with his role as Roald Dahl in the play GIANT, which runs through June 28, 2026. The part earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

He’ll next be seen as Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series.

Lithgow has been married to UCLA professor Mary Yeager since 1981, and they share two children.

Vincent Cassel as Monsieur Hood Vincent Cassel at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

Photo by Mondadori Portfolio on Getty Images

French actor Vincent Cassel had already built a strong international reputation when he voiced Monsieur Hood in Shrek, delivering intense performances in movies like La Haine.

After turning in a brief-but-memorable Robin Hood parody in Shrek, Cassel continued working steadily in both European and Hollywood productions, appearing in Ocean's Twelve and Thirteen, Black Swan and Westworld, among other projects. 

Cassel was married to actress Monica Bellucci from 1999 to 2013, and they share two daughters. He later remarried model Tina Kunakey and welcomed another daughter, but the couple split in 2023. 

Conrad Vernon as Gingerbread Man Conrad Vernon is an accomplished voice actor and film director.

Photo by Variety on Getty Images

Unlike many of the celebrity voices in Shrek, Conrad Vernon came from the animation world itself. Before voicing the Gingerbread Man — better known as Gingy — he worked as a storyboard artist and animator at DreamWorks Animation.

After the film’s success, Vernon continued taking voice roles in projects like Bee Movie, Monsters vs. Aliens and The Emoji Movie, but he also became a prolific director in the field, helming such movies as Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and Sausage Party.

Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian We won't be seeing Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian) in Shrek 5.

Photo by Steve Granitz on Getty Images

Julie Andrews, star of Mary Poppins,The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries, was Hollywood royalty before she joined the Shrek franchise as Queen Lillian in Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After —  and she remains Hollywood royalty to this day.  

After bringing Fiona’s mother to life in the Shrek sequels, she continued voice acting with roles in the Despicable Me franchise, Aquaman and Bridgerton, to name just a few. She’s also rumored to be returning for an unconfirmed third installment of The Princess Diaries. Alas, she’s not signed on for Shrek 5.

She was married to acclaimed director Blake Edwards from 1969 until his death in 2010 and has three daughters, including one with her first husband, Tony Walton. 

John Cleese as King Harold John Cleese will launch his new tour in October 2026.

Photo by Karwai Tang on Getty Images

As co-founder of the Monty Python comedy troupe, John Cleese was a comedy legend when he joined the Shrek universe. 

Since lending his dry wit and upper-crust British sarcasm to the film’s sequels (with the exception of Shrek 5, which he’s not set to star in), he’s popped up in projects ranging from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. He also continues to tour, delivering the same sort of biting commentary that made him famous in the late ‘60s. (His upcoming 2026 tour is called “Not Dead Yet!”)

In his personal life, Cleese has been married four times and has two daughters—including comedian Camilla Cleese.

Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots Antonio Banderas enjoyed leading the Puss in Boots franchise.

Photo by Stefano Guidi on Getty Images

Antonio Banderas joined the franchise in Shrek 2 as the scene-stealing Puss in Boots, a character so popular that he eventually starred in his own spinoff films, including Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which earned critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination.

Outside the Shrek universe, Banderas has remained a busy leading man—starring in films like The Legend of Zorro, Pain and Glory, Uncharted and Babygirl. Much to fans’ disappointment, however, he revealed in 2025 that he had not been contacted to return for Shrek 5.

“Puss in Boots did very well. Number two got a nomination for the Oscar, and the movie behaved beautifully at the box office,” he told Parade in February 2025. “But I am totally satisfied with the five Puss in Boots that I did. I don’t know what is going to happen in the future. Maybe they [will] call me tomorrow.”

Banderas was married to actress Melanie Griffith from 1996 to 2015, and they share daughter Stella Banderas. He has since been in a long-term relationship with Nicole Kimpel.

Jennifer Saunders as Fairy Godmother Jennifer Saunders in 2025

Photo by Sébastien Courdji on Getty Images

Long before she belted out “Holding Out for a Hero” in Shrek 2, Saunders was best known in the U.K. as the co-creator and star of the sitcomAbsolutely Fabulous. After Shrek, she wrote and starred in a 2016 feature film adaptation of the star-making series. 

She also continued voice acting with roles in Coraline, Minions, Sing and Sing 2. 

She’s been married to comedian Adrian Edmondson since 1985, and the pair share three daughters.

Rupert Everett as Prince Charming We first met Everett's Prince Charming in Shrek 2.

Photo by Daniele Venturelli on Getty Images

When Everett signed on to play Prince Charming in Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, he was already known for films like My Best Friend's Wedding and An Ideal Husband. 

Since his turn as the vain and entitled prince, he’s appeared in series including Black Mirror, The Musketeers, TheSerpent Queen and Rivals.

In 2018, Everett took on one of his most personal projects yet: The Happy Prince, a biographical drama about Oscar Wilde that he wrote and directed.

He exchanged vows with his longtime partner, a Brazilian accountant named Henrique, in 2024.

Next: Everything to Know About 'Shrek 5'

Joni Mitchell was just nine years old when she faced a life-threatening battle with polio. "My spine was twisted up like a train wreck," she said. "I couldn't walk. I was paralyzed." Later, she'd describe it as "a rehearsal for the rest of my life." It built the resilience, hope and unshakeable spirit that the "Both Sides Now" artist continues to embody at the age of 82.

Roberta Joan Anderson was born on November 7, 1943, in Alberta, Canada. Her dad Bill was a grocery store manager, while her mom Myrtle was a former schoolteacher. When Joni was seven, a classmate introduced her to classical composers and she begged her parents for piano lessons. However, instead of memorizing the notes, she'd start hearing new melodies in her head. It frustrated teachers, but was just a sign of what was to come.

But in the fall of 1952, Joni's life would change forever when the polio epidemic hit Saskatchewan. One October morning, she woke up feeling oddly different. She made it three blocks toward school before her body gave out and she had to sit down to rest. By the next day, Joni couldn't get out of bed—she was paralyzed.

Sent to a hospital 100 miles from home, she continued to lie in a polio ward as Christmas approached. Her mother only came to visit once and wore a mask. As for her father, he didn't come at all. One doctor told Joni she'd never walk again and the physical therapists gave up, too. It's horrifying to think about going through this as an adult—can you imagine how a nine-year-old would feel?

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But Joni refused to let anyone—or anything—stop her. At night, she did exercises by herself, guided by the light on her Christmas tree. "I turned myself around," she told NPR in 2014. "I came back, and I said, 'Now can I go home?' You know, it's the fighting Irish, eh? But that's another thing that made me more of an artist. So, you know, no doubt in the universe is unfolding as it should be."

After months in the hospital, Joni finally made it home. But polio had permanently weakened her left hand. As a teenager, she saved up $36 to buy a baritone ukulele and taught herself to play from a Pete Seeger songbook. When she finally graduated to guitar, her weakened hand couldn't form standard chord shapes—but why would she let that stop her? Joni invented her own alternate tunings just to play, taking what was once considered a disability and building the foundation for her legendary sound—those iconic "Joni chords" no one else in music has ever been able to replicate.

By 20, she'd left Saskatoon for Toronto to chase her folk singer dreams—busking in church basements and working at a department store to pay the rent. After a brief marriage to fellow folk singer Chuck Mitchell, Joni moved to New York City in 1967.

Photo by Robert Knight Archive on Getty Images

By 1968, Judy Collins had turned one of the most classic Joni Mitchell songs, "Both Sides Now," into a Top 10 hit, and a young David Crosby had spotted her in a Florida club—calling her "stunningly good, right off the bat." Crosby brought her to LA, produced her debut album Song to a Seagull and introduced her to the legendary Laurel Canyon music scene. The little girl who was told she'd never walk again and refused to believe it was now sitting at the center of one of the most important music movements in history.

Over the next five decades, Joni won 11 Grammys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone named her one of the greatest songwriters of all time. But in March 2015, she suffered a brain aneurysm that left her unconscious in her Los Angeles home. The health crisis made global headlines, but Mitchell was ready to fight—just as she'd done as a child and in every chapter of her life. Over the next several years, she slowly relearned how to walk, talk and even play the guitar.

A beaming Joni Mitchell surprises fans with a performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.

Photo by Douglas Mason on Getty Images

Then, in July 2022, Joni shocked the world with a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival—her first public concert in nine years. Friends joined her on stage as she performed for nearly 80 minutes, even treating guests to a guitar solo! The recording—Joni Mitchell at Newport—won her a Grammy in 2024. On the same night, she had her first-ever Grammys performance at 80 years old, bringing Taylor Swift to tears.

Throughout her life, Joni Mitchell has defied the odds and overcome the unthinkable—and that's why she's today's quote of the day.

Quote of the Day by Joni Mitchell

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"My life has changed for the better. Out of a catastrophe, like a phoenix, rose a better life."

In just 18 words, Joni captures one of life's most beautiful, hard-won truths: The very thing that nearly destroys you can ultimately become the foundation for your most beautiful chapter. The phoenix—that mythical bird that rises from its own ashes—isn't just a poetic metaphor here. For Joni, it's a literal description of how she rebuilt her life after one of the most devastating medical events imaginable. And coming from a woman who's already risen from her own ashes more than once, those words carry the weight of a lifetime spent proving them true.

Related: Quote of the Day: John Denver’s 15 Words on Surviving Life’s Lowest Moments Will Transform Your Mindset

Deeper Meaning of Joni Mitchell's Quote—The Power of Rising Again

If you've ever known pain—and let's face it, we all have—the worst thing someone can say is "Everything happens for a reason." What I love about Joni's quote is that she's not saying anything even close to this. She's saying that the ashes left behind are not the end of your story.

Let's take the myth of the phoenix. The lesson isn't that the bird successfully avoided the fire—it's that the fire is part of what made her rise. She didn't get to skip the burning. She didn't get to bypass the loss—she had to go all the way through it. But once she made it to the other side, she was able to enjoy a better life—one that simply couldn't exist if she hadn't endured that pain.

So whatever pain you're feeling right now, just keep going like Joni did. Fight for yourself and never give up because eventually, you'll feel yourself rising above it.

Related: Folk Rock Legend, 82, Sounds ‘Amazing’ Singing Iconic 70’s Hit and Fans Are ‘Crying With Joy’

More Quotes by Joni Mitchell

• "Depression can be the sand that makes the pearl. Most of my best work came out of it."
• "They'll crucify you for staying the same, and they'll crucify you for change. I'd rather be crucified for changing."
• "Freedom to me is a luxury of being able to follow the path of the heart, to keep the magic in your life."
• "I sing my sorrow, and I paint my joy."
• "I've been around a long time, and life still has a whole lot of surprises for me."
• "Something's lost, but something's gained, in living every day. I've looked at life from both sides now."
• "You've got to keep the child alive; you can't create without it."

Related: Next Up:

Lauren Alaina took a moment to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month during the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, May 17, as part of its ACM Lifting Lives segment. While speaking to the audience, the country star and Season 10 American Idol runner-up, 31, became visibly emotional, unable to hold back tears. 

During the moment, Alaina was also on stage preparing to introduce Dan + Shay, who were set to debut the live performance of their latest single, “Say So,” a deeply personal, mental health-themed song inspired by the loss of the duo’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney’s close friend and mentor Ben Vaughn, who served as the president and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville. Vaughn died by suicide in January of 2025 at age 49.

“Sometimes, lifting lives can mean saving lives,” Alaina said, beginning her message to the audience from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to say, if you are secretly suffering, you are not alone.” 

“Like too many of you out there, I know what it’s like to lose someone who struggled with their mental health, so to anybody out there tonight suffering, please know,” she said, then, pausing and covering up her face with her hand to try and fight back tears.  

Showing both love and support for Alaina, the crowd then cheered her on as she summoned the courage to finish her speech. 

“There is always someone to listen and someone to help. Just please, please reach out,” Alaina said. “Oh, man, OK, I’m doing a great job ... Tonight's ACM Lifting Lives’ performance is by two friends of mine, Dan + Shay, whose powerful new song ‘Say So’ was inspired by a heartbreaking loss in our country music family. When I first heard it, I knew this song is going to save lives.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or visit their website.

Related: The 2026 ACM Awards’ Most-Nominated Artist Won’t Attend the Show — Here’s Why

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Sometimes it makes more sense to do a full bedding refresh instead of replacing pieces one by one. Whether you’re updating your bedroom for spring, setting up a guest room, or moving into a new space, a complete set can simplify the process. It ensures everything coordinates perfectly and saves you the hassle of trying to match separate items.

Complete bedding sets can also be surprisingly budget-friendly — one bestselling option right now is the U by Bedsure 7-Piece Comforter Set. It’s currently $6 off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $25 to $19. For a full bed-in-a-bag setup, that’s a pretty impressive deal.

U by Bedsure 7-Piece Comforter Set, From $19 (was $25) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The set is available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Each one includes a comforter, a flat sheet, and a fitted sheet. The twin size also comes with one pillowcase and one pillow sham, while the larger sizes include two of each. It’s designed to give your bed a finished, coordinated look right out of the package.

Care is simple, too. The entire set is machine-washable and can be cleaned in cold water on a gentle cycle. Just tumble dry it on low to keep everything soft and fresh. Easy maintenance like this makes it practical for everyday use.

The comforter itself is crafted from ultra-fine microfiber and filled with fluffy fibers that create a cozy balance of softness and warmth. It’s designed to work year-round, offering comfort without feeling too heavy. The extra-durable polyester microfiber fabric also helps the set resist fading, shrinking, and pilling over time.

Related: Walmart's $150 Tall Bookcase Is 'Beautiful' and 'Sturdy' With 'Lots of Storage'

Style-wise, the set comes in several color options including beige, sage green, black, and burnt orange, though availability can vary by size. A subtle contrast between the sheets and pillow shams adds a bit of visual interest, while the quilted design helps keep the comforter evenly distributed. It’s simple enough to work with many decor styles, whether you prefer modern, cozy, or minimalist rooms.

This bestselling style has nearly 1,000 five-star reviews. One shopper shared, “This is some of the most comfortable bedding I’ve ever ordered — it’s so soft and really comforting to snuggle into.” Another described it as “absolutely beautiful,” “so warm,” and “silky.”

If you’re looking for a complete bedding set that’s affordable and comfortable, the U by Bedsure 7-Piece Comforter Set is a great pick, especially now that it’s just $19 with Walmart’s discount. 

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.

You'll need all your wits about you to solve today's NYT Connections Sports puzzle. 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 Monday, May 18, 2026, you've come to the right place.

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Today's NYT Connections Sports Puzzle for Monday, May 18, 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 May 18, 2026

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

• Yellow: Not going up.
• Green: Gridiron plan.
• Blue: Pacific Northwest teams.
• Purple: Add two letters to form a baseball team's name.

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: SLIDE
• Green: FOOTBALL RUNNING PLAYS
• Blue: AN OREGON ATHLETE
• Purple: MLB TEAMS, MINUS THE LAST TWO LETTERS

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 #602 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

What Are the Answers to Connections Sports Edition Today?

• SLIDE: DECLINE, DIP, DOWNTURN, SLUMP
• FOOTBALL RUNNING PLAYS: COUNTER, DIVE, DRAW, SWEEP
• AN OREGON ATHLETE: BEAVER, DUCK, THORN, TIMBER
• MLB TEAMS, MINUS THE LAST TWO LETTERS: ANGE, DODGE, MARINE, RANGE

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: 8 Discontinued Breakfast Cereals From Your Childhood You Completely Forgot About

41 years ago today, on May 18, 1985, Simple Minds topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with their pop-rock hit, “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” but if it weren’t for the cult classic The Breakfast Club, the band never would have been able to celebrate the milestone achievement. 

In fact, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” was written for the movie, and later presented to the band as a request for them to learn for the film. Upon hearing the Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff-penned tune, Simple Minds was reluctant to record it and declined the offer at first.

“It was a record that we didn’t want to do initially,” Simple Minds’ lead singer Jim Kerr confirmed during a 2023 interview with AXS TV, explaining that he and his bandmates had already been preparing songs for their next album, so they had initially hoped to use one of their originals for the film.

“....We went ‘Hang on a minute. We do our own songs,” Kerr recalled. “And, we had just had this thing up our sleeve called ‘Alive and Kicking’ that we thought was pretty good. I remember saying, ‘Hang on a minute. You want us in there because you love the band, and you love the band because of the songs? But you don’t want us to do our songs? I didn’t get it.”

“But, of course, we were young…and we weren’t really listening,” he continued. “He did want the sound of Simple Minds, but they had a song specifically written for the script. What made us get on board was when we met Keith Forsey and John Hughes (Director, Co-producer, and Writer of The Breakfast Club). We just loved them as people.” 

Luckily, Simple Minds agreed to cut the song in the end, and reaped the benefits as it went on to become their biggest North American hit, topping the charts in both the U.S. and Canada. The song, which plays in the opening and closing credits of The Breakfast Club, also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, where it stayed for three weeks. 

Aside from chart success, “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” which became a cultural touchstone of the ‘80s, still resonates with listeners today.

“That’s just one of those songs that, you know, has taken on its own life,” Kerr acknowledged. “We just feel proud to be connected with the record.” 

Related: 1992 No. 1 Cover Initially Deemed Unimpressive by Its Songwriter Became a Massive Arena Rock Ballad

Today's NYT Strands puzzle is positively zesty. 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 #806 on Monday, May 18.

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: "The daily rind"

A hint for today's Strands game: Your daily dose of vitamin C.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

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

• LI
• OR
• CL
• PO
• TA
• KU
• CI (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today's Spangram is mostly diagonal.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for May 18

Today's Spangram answer on Today's NYT 'Strands' Hints, Spangram and Answers for Monday, May 18, 2026, isCITRUS.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Monday, May 18?

• LIME
• ORANGE
• CLEMENTINE
• POMELO
• TANGERINE
• KUMQUAT
• SPANGRAM: CITRUS

Related: 8 Discontinued Breakfast Cereals From Your Childhood You Completely Forgot About

In 1975, country music legend Loretta Lynn released what would prove to be the most controversial song of her career. Despite becoming her highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, Lynn's "The Pill" has been banned from country music radio for more than 50 years.

The song — which was penned by Lorene Allen, Don McHan, T. D. Bayless, and Loretta Lynn — is an ode to the sexual revolution of the decade.

"This incubator is over-used because you've kept it filled / But feeling good comes easy now since I've got the pill," Lynn sings.

Country radio stations refused to play the song due to its focus on the taboo topic of birth control.

"If I'd had the pill back when I was havin' babies I'd have taken 'em like popcorn," Lynn previously told People. "The pill is good for people. I wouldn't trade my kids for anyone's. But I wouldn't necessarily have had six, and I sure would have spaced 'em better."

Following her death in 2022, "The Pill" was played by a country radio station for the first and only time, according to Luminate (formerly Nielsen Music), Time reported.

"It's just a wife arguin' with her husband," Lynn explained to People. "The wife is sayin', 'You've kept me barefoot and pregnant all these years while you've been slippin' around. Now you straighten out or I'll start, now that I have the pill.'"

Despite its radio ban, "The Pill" was "selling 15,000 copies a week" simply through word of mouth, the outlet reported.

You'll find today's NYT Connections puzzle easy if you understand semantics. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today's Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We've warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you've completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today's NYT 'Connections’ hints and answers for #1072 on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Today's NYT Connections Puzzle for Monday, May 18, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Monday's puzzle, you're not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I'll reveal the answers further down.

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

Hints About Today's NYT Connections Categories on Monday, May 18

1. "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo."
2. What might happen to a gasket.
3. Baseball pro.
4. Smoothie scramble.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today's Connections Game Answers for Monday, May 18:

1. HOMOPHONES: PAIR, PARE, PEAR, PERE
2. RUPTURE: BLOW, CRACK, POP, SPLIT
3. MLB PLAYER: PADRE, RED, ROYAL, TWIN
4. FRUIT ANAGRAMS: CHEAP, EARP, LUMP, WIKI

How'd you do?

Up Next:

- 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
- Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let's Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: 8 Discontinued Breakfast Cereals From Your Childhood You Completely Forgot About

When they're not screaming at each other in their own private yachts, mansions, and waterfront patios, the Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast brings the fire to some of the Ocean State's most scenic bars, restaurants, and hot spots. Here are some of the RHORI stars' favorite places to eat and hang out!

Audrey's View this post on Instagram

Audrey's will likely be the first RHORI restaurant to come to fans' minds as it's a huge topic of conversation on the series. Ashley Iaconetti and her husband Jared Haibon own the South Kingstown cafe, and it's a major bone of contention in their relationship.

Despite the on-screen drama, the coffee shop itself was ranked the second highest-rated celebrity owned restaurant in the United States, so it's very much worth a visit.

RELATED: Bachelor’s Ashley Iaconetti Thought She Knew Reality TV — Then She Joined ‘Real Housewives’ (Exclusive)

Pizza Mamma View this post on Instagram

Iaconetti and Haibon aren't the only ones on the cast that own a restaurant. Alicia Carmody's fiancé Billy has several eateries, but her "favorite" is Pizza Mamma in Cranston, where she shares "her love for authentic, expertly crafted pizza and creating a space where every bite feels like something special," according to the website.

Newport Vineyards Newport Vineyards Entrance

Newport Vineyards

This beautiful vineyard and winery in Middletown is the perfect spot for a serene afternoon with friends, as long as you don't break out the truth box like the housewives did on an episode of the show!

Matunuck Oyster Bar

South County Tourism

When we first meet Jo-Ellen Tiberi and her husband, Gary Tiberi, they're suggestively sucking down oysters at this beloved bayside spot in Wakefield, along with extra dirty martinis with blue cheese-stuffed olives.

Rail Explorers Rail Explorers Rhode Island

Rail Explorers

The girls got adventurous at this unique New England activity, and fans can do the same! Rail Explorers is located in Portsmouth, and allows riders to coast along the scenic railroads in the sunshine.

While they don't serve food, the carts have plenty of space for backpacks and coolers, and guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics!

Check back for new hotspots as the season continues!

Carl Fredricksen perfectly embodies today's NYT Wordle puzzle answer. But the day just isn't complete until I've solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. And, of course, I can’t forget about Wordle, too! If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1794 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

There are two vowels in today's five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today's Wordle start with?

Today's Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle?

A hint for today's Wordle is: unwilling or reluctant.

OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We'll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today's Wordle Answer for #1794 on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Today's Wordle answer on Monday, May 18, 2026, is LOATH.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: 8 Discontinued Breakfast Cereals From Your Childhood You Completely Forgot About