Parade

The world seemed to shift to slow motion last Monday, August 25, when news of Dolly Parton’s death hit the news. After a “brief battle with cancer,” Parton passed away at the age of 80, and the public immediately began to collectively mourn the beloved superstar and cultural icon.

From celebrity tributes online and on stages, to the general public looking to her music catalog, best recipes and inspiring documentaries for comfort, this loss was felt instantly around the globe, and it hasn’t lessened in the days since.

This profound sadness has made some people wonder, “Why is it that a celebrity’s death can hurt so much, even if it’s someone we’ve never met?”

“At its core, grief is a painful emotional reaction to the severing of an attachment, and we can underestimate our capacity for attachment,” Stanford Medical School adjunct professor and clinical psychologist Dr. Celeste Birkhofer tells Parade. “You are actually capable of becoming quite attached to someone you’ve never met. The human mind is wired for connection, and it doesn’t fully distinguish between ‘in-person’ relationships and the digital ones we cultivate through media.”

While these digital connections can include remote coworkers, support groups and more, it can also involve somewhat one-sided relationships with certain celebrities and influencers we follow online.

“When we follow a celebrity, we are invited into their life—their work, their narrative, their evolution,” Dr. Birkhofer, the author of Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health and a Fulfilling Life, says. “This creates a parasocial relationship: a one-sided but sometimes deeply felt connection. What makes these bonds uniquely appealing is that they feel safe: they are low-risk. Since the celebrity cannot reject or disappoint us in a direct, personal way, the connection provides a reliable source of comfort without the vulnerabilities inherent in real-world relationships. They don’t know you, which means they can’t dislike you because of your shortcomings and you are not having to directly deal with theirs.”

However, that doesn’t make the grief of losing someone like this any easier. Here, Dr. Birkhofer explains the psychology of parasocial grief and why your pain is valid, why Dolly Parton was more than just a celebrity to so many and psychologist-backed ways to process this loss and honor Parton’s legacy.

Related: 7 Phrases To Use When a Loved One Is Grieving, According to a Trauma Therapist

The Psychology of Parasocial Grief: Why Your Pain Is Valid

Some fans might feel surprised by the overwhelming depth of their sadness and grief when a celebrity like Dolly Parton dies. But according to Dr. Birkhofer, it’s a very understandable and valid experience.

“Parasocial grief is valid and psychologically real,” she stresses. “When a celebrity dies, fans experience the loss of a consistent, highly visible person in their life. You can seek them out and be ‘in touch’ with them whenever you want through the internet. Even if the connection is one-sided, the figure may have served as a stabilizing force, a source of solace, or a constant presence during key developmental or emotional milestones in a person’s life. Their music may have helped you navigate a break up, their story may serve as an inspiration or you may live vicariously through them.”

“Grief is the pain we feel when we lose someone or something important to us,” she continues. “No one else gets to determine how bad a particular loss should feel for us. Grief is a personal experience tied to the meaning we assign to a relationship. When that figure dies, the ‘connection’ is severed, and the resulting pain is a legitimate response to that absence.”

Related: 40 Meaningful Songs About Death, Loss and Grief To Help You Cope

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Why Dolly Parton Was More Than Just a Celebrity

Some public figures are much more than just “Hollywood stars,” with their impact felt beyond their discography, credits or general resume. That’s absolutely the case with Parton.

“Dolly Parton represented a rare example of authentic expression of herself and remarkable continuity of that self throughout her long career,” Dr. Birkhofer tells Parade. “She remained grounded in her core identity and values while navigating immense fame. She was not just an entertainer, but for millions of people, she was a powerful symbol of agency, kindness and living a values-driven life.”

Parton’s lifestyle and philanthropy inspired many of us throughout her decades in the spotlight.

“Her degree of self-acceptance was charming and refreshing to witness,” Dr. Birkhofer continues. “She lived an intentional life, despite the temptation celebrities face to morph themselves into what the audience craves or demands. She was an inspiration that you can be yourself and not let success steer you astray of who you truly are and want to be.”

Related: Stop Saying These 9 Common Phrases to People Who Are Grieving, Experts Warn

The Healing Power of Collective Mourning

While some people might prefer to grieve privately, others find solace in public tributes. Dr. Birkhofer explains that this can be a positive way to process grief for many individuals.

“Collective mourning can be profoundly healing,” she tells Parade. “It creates a ‘communal container’ that validates our individual sadness. Sharing grief with a community validates individual emotional experiences and significantly reduces feelings of isolation. It creates a communal container where people can process both their admiration for the public figure and their own personal grief or memories bound up in that person’s work.”

That being said, witnessing collective mourning can sometimes evoke other complicated feelings.

“On the other hand, such an outpouring of public attention to celebrity deaths can sometimes trigger painful existential reflections and evoke ‘grief envy’—highlighting the sharp contrast between the massive, visible love shown to a public figure and a person’s own fears of personal insignificance,” Dr. Birkhofer explains. “In my clinical work, I’ve had patients describe heightened feelings of insignificance after high-profile losses.”

Related: 5 Stages of Grief To Expect After You’ve Experienced Loss, According to a Trauma Therapist

Jim Bennett/Getty Images

How To Process the Loss and Honor Her Legacy

It’s understandable to feel a bit unmoored after a celebrity’s sudden death, especially processing the loss of someone as beloved as Dolly Parton. Here’s what the clinical psychologist recommends for next steps.

“Honor your feelings about the loss,” Dr. Birkhofer tells Parade. “Process your grief with self-compassion. Remember that her death may be reactivating other losses you have experienced that need your attention. Consider writing a personal tribute or reflection to express what her life and work meant to you, and perhaps post it, to connect with others in shared remembrance. Or take it a step further. Choose one quality of hers that moved you—her humor, authenticity, agency or kindness—and intentionally integrate that into your own life. To embody admirable qualities of those we lose is the highest form of remembrance.”

Up Next:

Related: Psychologist Says These 7 Behaviors Often Signal Unprocessed Grief

Source:

• Dr. Celeste Birkhofer is a licensed clinical psychologist, adjunct clinical faculty member at Stanford Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and author of Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health and a Fulfilling Life. 

The entire music community is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who died at age 80 on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer.

Her songs have been taking over the Billboard charts ever since, while fellow artists have paid tribute by covering her songs live in concert, including Chris Stapleton, Brad Paisley and Megan Moroney. There was even a special show in her honor at the Grand Ole Opry.

Now, the rock band Bad Wolves has honored the Queen of Country with a reimagining of her 1973 classic, “Jolene,” which was ranked the best Dolly Parton song ever.

BlabberMouth reports that Parton was intended to cut vocals for the track, which unfortunately didn’t have a chance to manifest before her death.

Related: 1992 No. 1 Hit Ranked the Greatest Dolly Parton Cover of All Time

Upon releasing the song, which was announced last week, the founder, drummer and songwriter, John Boecklin, revealed, “Our singer is a big fan of Dolly and had posted a bunch of videos of her covering ‘Jolene’. So, we decided to make a heavy metal cover version for our next album. On hearing our version, our label CEO Dan Waite sent the finished demo to Dolly’s manager, Danny Nozell, with a request for Dolly to guest feature on our version. We heard back that Danny had played the track to Dolly, and that Dolly loved our version, and that Dolly was going to go into the studio and add her vocals very soon. We then sent over the stems for Dolly’s studio engineers to work with. Like everyone, we were devastated of this week’s news of Dolly’s passing.”

Boecklin further revealed that proceeds from their cover will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to “honor Dolly’s incredible legacy.”

Parton’s manager Danny Nozell confirmed that the country crooner gave the cover “her full blessing,” noting that she was “incredibly excited to collaborate on it.”

Since she was a “champion of the artists pushing musical boundaries,” Nozell added that, “Releasing this track on Monday as a tribute — with proceeds directly supporting her beloved Imagination Library— is exactly what Dolly and her team wanted.”

The release, however, seemed to be the last straw for the band’s guitarist, AJ Rebollo, who reported that the label released the cover against the band’s wishes.

In a lengthy Instagram post, he noted, “TLDR – I am stepping away as a member of Bad Wolves.”

“In short, I can no longer in good faith remain a member and co-sign the decisions constantly being made FOR this band by the label, among other issues I have with the inner workings of the business,” Rebollo said in a statement, adding that Bad Wolves did not want to release the cover following her death “as her collaboration on the song was no longer a possibility.”

Rebollo expressed that the band did not want it to be “interpreted as somewhat of a capitalization on her passing from an outside perspective.”

“They went ahead and posted that we were releasing it anyway, despite efforts from more than one member, myself included, to oppose it,” he noted.

View this post on Instagram










A post shared by AJ Rebollo (@ajbends)

“While the donation to her Imagination Library is an incredible choice to do something good with the profits, I can’t help but feel there is ill intent behind the decision to release the song,” he added, noting that it underscores a larger issue with the label disregarding other decisions the band has made.

This is the second time the band has released a song shortly after the passing of a major artist. Eight years ago, the band found fame with their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” a mere four days after frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan died. She was also set to record vocals before her death, with the band donating proceeds from the song to her children.

While many were in agreement that the cover was solid, as one wrote, “sounds fire,” while another added, “I’m actually addicted to this cover! RIP Dolly Parton,” most fans took Rebollo’s side, telling the label to listen to their band’s wishes next time.

“The suits in the record label knew this band got big because of the exposure from the zombies cover, so they used the “we’ll just donate the royalties to charity, but the band will get millions of eyes and big radio play again,” one fan commented.

Bad Wolves have undergone a series of lineup shifts in recent years, beginning with the 2021 departure of original frontman Tommy Vext. He was replaced by Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who later left to join Falling in Reverse as bassist, paving the way for Sara “Killboy” Skinner to step in as the band’s latest vocalist, with the first single with her vocals released in June 2026.

Related: Country Music Queen Dolly Parton Makes History Days After Her Death

The winners of Love Island USA Season 8, Bryce Alakai and Trinity Tatum, took home the $100,000 grand prize this summer. Still, with the reunion airing tonight, fans are wondering: Is the breakout couple of Season 8 still together?

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

Are Bryce and Trinity from Love Island still together? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 835 — Pictured: (l-r) Trinity Celeste Tatum, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, Ariana Madix — (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)

YES! The beloved fan favorite couple remains happily together to this day. Life for the couple since leaving the Villa has been nothing short of a whirlwind experience. Bryce has continued to perform as a DJ, while Trinity has recently been signed by WME talent agency.

According to Cosmopolitan, the couple has spent every day since leaving the Villa this summer together.  They kicked off their adventure together with a trip to Los Angeles, Trinity’s first time in the city, and then spent some time in Newport News, Virginia.

Bryce is currently on tour performing alongside Ty Dolla $ign and was recently joined by Trinity and members of the Season 8 cast. Trinity plans to be by his side throughout the whole experience, with the tour expected to take place across the country running through December 12, 2026.

Related: Peacock Makes Major Announcement About the Future of ‘Love Island USA’

What happened between Bryce and Trinity on Love Island USA? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 827 — Pictured: (l-r) Trinity Celeste Tatum, Bryce Alakai Dettloff — (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)

The couple began their relationship on Day 1 of Love Island USA Season 8. Still, their journey wasn’t without its fair share of twists, with the first happening right out of the gate as both Bryce and Trinity decided they wanted to explore their connections with someone else vs. sticking together.

Thus, when Bombshell Kayda Bosse and Gabriel Vasconcelos came in, they pulled the two for a romantic getaway, before ultimately choosing to couple up with someone else. As a result, Bryce and Trinity were coupled up together once again.

The couple then remained together for the rest of the Season, navigating the ultimate challenge of the season, Casa Amor, with ease. While both Trinity and Bryce did explore with other people, their connection with each other proved to be too strong and they found their way back together.

Following the Casa Amor recoupling, the pair had their romantic first date, during which Bryce asked Trinity to be his girlfriend, and she accepted.

The pair ended the season coming out on top, ranked America’s favorite couple, and echoed the sentiment as they entered the next phase of their relationship, sharing three little words: “I Love You.”

Love Island USA Season 8 is streaming now exclusively on Peacock, with the Season 8 reunion premiering August 31, 2026 at 9 PM ET.

Related: How to Watch ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Reunion

Music legend Lionel Richie was hospitalized after taking the stage for a weekend concert in St. Louis.

TMZ reported on Monday, August 31, that the 77-year-old singer checked himself into a local hospital after his performance at The Muny in Forest Park on Saturday night.

Sources told the outlet that Richie sought medical care as a precaution and is undergoing tests. Doctors are reportedly looking into whether mild dehydration contributed to his condition. Richie could be released from the hospital on Tuesday, according to the report.

Did Lionel Richie Appear Unwell During the Concert?

Concertgoers told the outlet that Richie appeared to struggle near the end of Saturday’s performance. He reportedly asked his team to bring him a chair while he performed his final song, “All Night Long.”

During the concert, Richie acknowledged that health problems had affected him during his recent tour. “Some things have been happening on this tour that kind of shook me up a little bit, because I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on,” he told the audience, as reported by St.Louis American. “I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration.’”

What Happened During Lionel Richie’s June Health Scare? View this post on Instagram

Fox News reported that the beloved American Idol judge was previously taken to a hospital after becoming ill during a June 24 concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. Richie told the crowd that he felt “dizzy” and “strange” before sitting down while performing “Dancing on the Ceiling.” 

He later cut the concert short. Paramedics met him backstage and transported him to a hospital by ambulance as a precaution, TMZ had reported at the time. The singer postponed his next two shows on doctors’ advice but returned to the stage in Pittsburgh on June 30. His team later said dehydration had caused the episode.

Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire also postponed their August 6 concert at San Francisco’s Chase Center after drummer John Paris suffered a separate medical emergency.

Richie’s representatives have not publicly addressed the hospitalization. Parade has reached out for a statement.

Actor and retired WWE wrestler John Cena has been open that he became interested in lifting weights because of the bullying he endured during his childhood.

In an August 2026 interview on comedian and former talk show host Conan O’Brien‘s podcast Conan Needs a Friend, Cena confirmed that he was around 13 years old when the bullying occurred and, in response, he decided to “build up [his] body by lifting weights.”

He then explained he was bullied because he had different interests and style than his classmates in his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts. According to Cena, West Newbury is “a farm town” with a largely white population. In addition, he said many West Newbury residents were only interested in music from the rock genre during the ’80s.

“I put my hair up in like a high top fade. I really fell in love with the rap music before it became hip-hop,” said Cena during the podcast episode. “In like the mid ’80s is kind of when rap became public and mainstream with like Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith.”

Cena, now 49, said that he identified with some of the rap song’s lyrics.

“It was just very commercialized, and with that became more exposure, music, television, and all that stuff. So in West Newbury, I’m, you know 12, 13 years old and going through a stage of rebellion in my life, and this music definitely spoke to me. I certainly couldn’t put myself in the shoes of the artists, but what I got from it was like the voice of rebellion, and I embraced it. Like airbrushed overalls, MC Hammer pants,” said the Peacemaker star.

In addition, Cena said he was rather skinny at this point in his life.

“I just didn’t look like everyone else. And I was an easy target. I was skinny and scrawny. I had grown in height but not in stature. And I just hadn’t filled out my frame yet. And I was an easy target,” said Cena in the August 2026 interview.

Visitors planning an overnight stay inside Grand Canyon National Park will need to make other arrangements.

The National Park Service announced that all overnight lodging on the South Rim will close beginning Monday, August 31, as the park moves to Stage 4 water restrictions following deadly flash floods that caused significant damage over the weekend. The closures are expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

The decision follows severe flooding along Bright Angel Canyon on August 29 that damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, leaving the system that supplies water for the park inoperable.

While overnight accommodations are being halted, the South Rim will remain open to day visitors. Food and beverage locations, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the Post Office will also continue operating, although some services may have reduced hours. Camping will be limited to dry camping, with most campground water spigots turned off. The park has also banned wood and charcoal fires on the South Rim and in inner canyon areas.

The restrictions come as officials continue responding to the devastating flooding, which has now left two people dead. A second death was confirmed Monday, while 15 people remained missing or unaccounted for.

Search and recovery efforts continue following the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park. Two bodies have been recovered. Preliminary assessments indicate approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed. Forecasted weather may affect the timing and pace…

— Grand Canyon NPS (@GrandCanyonNPS) August 31, 2026

Dozens of visitors were evacuated by helicopter after rushing water and debris swept through trails and damaged infrastructure. Park officials have asked anyone with information about people who may have been hiking or backpacking near Bright Angel Creek to come forward.

The danger may not be over yet. Additional heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger more flash floods, debris flows and rockfalls in the area. “With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday,” the National Weather Service warned.

For now, officials are also urging everyone remaining on the South Rim to conserve the park’s limited water supply while repairs are underway.

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

Drew Barrymore’s line of kitchen essentials at Walmart makes it easy to take your space from plain to chic with just a few simple upgrades. The thoughtfully curated collection is full of adorable, affordable pieces that are truly useful for feeding yourself and your family day in and day out. Even if you don’t cook all that often, having something pretty to use when you do make a meal can help the whole process feel a little less like a chore. 

You don’t have to overhaul your entire kitchen, replace every pot, or invest in pricey bakeware to give your kitchen a boost. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set gives you an effortless starting point. Now on sale for just $15 at Walmart, this set looks pretty and functions wonderfully, letting you add a dash of joy to every dish for less than you’d spend buying yourself a takeout dinner. The set comes in five gorgeous colors, including sage, taupe, hydrangea blue, lavender, and black.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set, $15 (was $18) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This three-piece utensil set comes complete with a spoon, flat turner, and a fish turner. The spoon’s head is conveniently shaped with beveled edges so you can scoop, scrape, stir, and saute without switching tools. For flipping burgers, making grilled cheese, or serving lasagna, the flat turner comes in especially handy, while the fish turner offers a slotted design that’s best suited for handling delicate fish dishes like salmon filets or individual servings of tilapia. 

Heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe, each of these utensils is made from durable, BPA-free silicone. The handles feature a stylish gold accent, adding a sleek, modern touch to your kitchen’s aesthetic no matter which color you choose. There’s also a handy slot on the end of each handle, so you can hang these utensils on a hook for easy storage if you don’t want to clutter up your drawers. 

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set, $15 (was $18) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Walmart shoppers say this “elegant” set is a “simple, reliable, and stylish” kitchenware upgrade. One reviewer who called the tools “sturdy” said they were a “perfect addition to my kitchen.” Another customer shared, “I love the color and gold accents.”

Shop More Deals

• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Acacia Wood Kitchen Utensil Set, $17 (was $20) at Walmart
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 12-Piece Cookware Set, From $99 (was $149) at Walmart
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Stoneware Nesting Mixing Bowl Set, $20 (was $33) at Walmart

Related: Drew Barrymore’s Satiny $8 Stoneware Loaf Pan Is ‘Remarkably Effective’ for Bread Baking

Add a pop of color to your kitchen with the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set when you snag it on sale in one of five gorgeous shades at Walmart. Add the set to your cart now while it’s still just $15!

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.

Mel Gibson sparked a backlash after appearing to mock a sign language interpreter during a Q&A at FanExpo Canada in Toronto over the weekend. 

Videos of the actor seemingly imitating the ASL interpreter’s hand gestures as he walked onto the stage quickly spread on social media. Critics were quick to clap back at what looked like Gibson’s insensitive actions, writing on X, “This choice is bonkers to me. *interpreter just doing their job, people clapping for you, positive vibes* Mel Gibson: *makes fun of ASL interpreter for no reason at all*”, “It’s immaturity. It’s not necessarily hateful. It’s mindless. Like a young child playfully mimicking a foreign accent they hear. It’s just strange behavior to see in an adult, and not an eight-year-old”, “Insecurity. Massive, massive insecurity,” and “He’s a ten-year-old boy who never grew up trying to be funny.” 

Mel Gibson speaks on stage during FanExpo Chicago 2026 on August 15, 2026 in Rosemont, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)

But the comments didn’t end there. “Wow, Mel Gibson mocking ASL to the deaf community in his fan meeting event. This is quite disappointing, because deaf fans are there to support him, but now mocking deaf people,” wrote one former fan on X. Another critic bashed his action, while laying on the sarcasm, “Good way to hype your new movie. Go on stage and mock someone.”

After news broke of the backlash, Gibson quickly apologized, telling multiple media outlets, “Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight, your mind is all over the place, and sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed.” 

Gibson added, “There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”

Based on the responses his apology got on social media, fans/critics aren’t buying it. When Variety posted this story on X, commenters jumped to share, “Apology not accepted”, “Accountability matters more than optics here. Apology accepted?” and “Why didn’t he just wave to the crowd?” 

This isn’t exactly the first time Gibson has landed in hot water over his actions or words. Other controversies include a reported antisemitic rant after a 2006 DUI arrest, leaked tapes (in 2010) of the actor using racist slurs, homophobic comments made to a Spanish newspaper in 1991, and claims from actress Winona Ryder (in 2010) that Gibson had made homophobic and antisemitic jokes at a Hollywood party.

Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo is opening up about the difficult response he has received after sharing some big news with fans earlier this year.

The 33-year-old rocker, who came out as gay in May, reflected on the backlash during an interview on The Break Down with Nath & Johnny on Thursday, August 27. He revealed that criticism actually began before he publicly addressed his sexuality.

Shomo says he faced “a lot of homophobia”

Shomo explained that after privately coming out to friends and family, he made the decision that he wasn’t going to “water” himself down as an artist. “I’m gonna wear what I wanna wear. I’m gonna sing how I want to sing. I’m gonna look how I wanna look,” he recalled of his mindset.

However, that freedom wasn’t welcomed by everyone. “There’s a lot of homophobia and a lot of people who really were not OK with me presenting that way at all with what I was doing any of it,” he said in the interview, describing the reaction as “sad.”

The criticism continued as Beartooth released new music and Shomo eventually confirmed publicly that he is a “proudly gay man” on May 23.

His announcement also came as his 14-year marriage to Fleur Shomo ended. At the time, Fleur acknowledged the difficulty of trying to support Shomo while simultaneously grieving their relationship, but made clear that she wanted him to be happy.

Shomo eventually stepped away from the internet

As the negative comments piled up, Shomo decided to disconnect from the internet while Beartooth toured with Bad Omens in the beginning of the year. He admitted that he spent parts of the tour in a “really, really bad place” and sometimes had to find enough energy to get himself onstage and perform.

But stepping offline also allowed him to see a much different response in person. Shomo recalled fans arriving at concerts with signs and shouting supportive messages from the crowd, calling the amount of encouragement he received “astounding.”

The experience has strengthened his determination to live authentically. “I do just deserve to be happy, and I deserve to be free, and I deserve to live whatever life I want to live,” Shomo said, adding that he believes life is more enjoyable when you’re able to be authentic every day.

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

Lindsey Vonn‘s road to recovery is continuing following her Olympic crash earlier this year.

“I feel good. I’m getting better,” she told TNT Sports at the U.S. Open over the weekend. “I mean, I still have another surgery so I’m trying to get as strong as possible.”

The update comes as the Olympic skiing icon is continuing take care of her left leg that incurred multiple injuries after a devastating crash during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games — where she was already competing with a torn ACL.

View this post on Instagram

“Once I get my ACL [surgery], then I’ll have another long road ahead of me,” she said. “But for now, I feel great, and I’m very thankful for that. I’m hoping that I can have the next surgery in November, but it’ll be in the winter sometime, and then it’ll be another nine months until I’m fully recovered from that.”

Vonn, 41, who has three Olympic medals to her name, maintained that she’s taking her recovery one day at a time.

“I can’t really look beyond that. I don’t really know what my what the future holds,” she said. “But like I said, I’m just thankful for where I am right now.”

In the meantime, she’s continued to share updates through interviews and social media posts.

Related: Lindsey Vonn Shares Recovery Update After Devastating Olympics Injury

Speaking at the ESPY Awards in July, the skier told People about her struggles during the period when she was unable to walk.

“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” she said. “It was honestly almost three and a half months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”

The progress she’s made is leaps and bounds ahead of where she was at the end February, when she explained to followers that a surgery saved her leg from being amputated.

“I always talk about how everything happens for a reason, but if I hadn’t torn my ACL, which I would have torn anyway with this crash … if I hadn’t done that, [Dr. Tom Hackett] wouldn’t have been there. He wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she said. “So I feel very lucky and grateful for him, for the six hour surgery he put in on Wednesday to rebuild it.”

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

Snickers looks to be dropping a new, more “extreme” flavor, and it has both fans and skeptics enthusiastic about its release.

The iconic Mars, Inc. candy bar traditionally features layers of soft nougat, smooth caramel and crunchy roasted peanuts enrobed in a shell of milk chocolate. Over the years, the company has experimented to transform its classic chocolate bar into something new yet familiar, making Snickers bars with almonds and pecans, occasionally sprinkling in an inclusion or two. While the original remains a standalone staple for many, Snickers’ willingness to experiment with other flavors and textures time and time again is certainly appreciated.

Recently, fans have chased down the return of Snickers Rockin Nut Road, its sought-after seasonal holiday shapes and the original Snickers Xtreme, which swaps the nougat for extra caramel and peanuts. And now, we’re seeing signs that the Snickers Xtreme line is expanding to include an almond-focused version.

Snickers Xtreme Almond: What We Know About the New Candy Bar Flavor

Just like the original Snickers Xtreme, the new Snickers Xtreme Almond bar lacks the layer of nougat (a basic confection made of sugar and egg whites) and doubles up on the smooth caramel layer. Instead of extra peanuts, though, this version features more almonds.

Related: New Snickers Flavor Is ‘A Game Changer,’ According to Fans

“I’m a REESES guy, but that XTREME ALMOND SNICKERS looks awesome,” one Facebook user gushed.

Two more fans were left speechless, with one sharing a series of fire emojis and another writing excited nonsense in response to a photo of the item that influencer CandyHunting posted on Instagram.

“I just need it in [peanut],” one more gushed, apparently unaware that Snickers Xtreme already exists.

View this post on Instagram

Although Snickers hasn’t officially announced its arrival, eagle-eyed shoppers have already spotted the new item at select Speedway stores. The item is also listed as “coming soon” on the Walmart website (prices and availability may vary). Whether the new variety is a limited-time offer or a permanent addition is currently unclear.

Parade reached out to a spokesperson for comment.

Next: A Beloved Lindt Lindor Truffle Flavor Is Officially Back for Fall—Here’s Where to Find It

Before Michael Nesmith found fame as a member of The Monkees, he wrote a breakup song that would play a pivotal role in launching another young artist’s career.

“Different Drum” became a breakthrough hit for the Stone Poneys, with a 21-year-old Linda Ronstadt delivering the poised lead vocal. Released in 1967, the song reached the Top 20 and gave Ronstadt her first taste of national success years before she became one of the biggest solo artists of the 1970s.

Nesmith had written the song several years earlier.

“It’s got the twang, and it’s got the balance, and it’s got all that stuff. That’s real kind of mountain music,” Nesmith told Rebeat of his original vision for the song. “That’s home-style backyard, a hot Saturday afternoon, and fruit jars full of ice tea. That’s where that comes from. I sang ‘Different Drum’ for John Herald of the Greenbriar Boys like that. He took it home and turned it into the ballad that it became.”

The Greenbriar Boys first recorded “Different Drum” for their 1966 album Better Late Than Never!

By 1967, Nesmith was a television star with The Monkees, while the Stone Poneys were building their reputation in Los Angeles.

“[Nesmith] went to the [Monkees] producers in the early days and brought ’em ‘Different Drum,'” Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz told Ultimate Classic Rock. “He played it for them, and they said, ‘Well, that’s nice, but it’s not a Monkees tune.’ He said, ‘Wait a minute. I am one of the Monkees.’ They said, ‘Yeah, yeah, we know. But no thanks. It’s really not a Monkees tune.’ So he said, ‘Okay,’ and gave it to Linda Ronstadt, and look what happened.”

Ronstadt had formed the folk-rock trio with Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards, and “Different Drum” became the song that separated them from the pack. Producer Nick Venet brought in outside musicians for the recording, giving Nesmith’s composition a polished arrangement featuring strings and harpsichord.

At its center was Ronstadt.

“That song had a sentiment that I wanted to say,” Ronstadt told Rock Cellar Magazine. “It was something I wanted to proclaim for myself, which is how I pick all the songs I sing.”

Rather than pleading for a relationship to survive, the narrator calmly explains that two people simply want different things. The independent sentiment proved a natural match for Ronstadt’s clear, confident vocal, even though she later acknowledged that she initially struggled to interpret the song because she lacked the life experience to fully understand its lyrics.

“The version of ‘Different Drum’ that was a hit was the second time we cut it,” Ronstadt said. “We’d cut it first with just guitar, a mandolin and acoustic bass. I didn’t think that version was strong enough so we decided to recut it but then we recut it with the orchestra, which was shocking to me. We only ran through two takes of it and that was it.”

The record took off.

“Different Drum” climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the Stone Poneys’ biggest hit. Although the group’s time together proved brief, its success provided Ronstadt with the foundation for a solo career that would produce hits including “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved.”

Nesmith, meanwhile, continued writing and recording both during and after his years with The Monkees, eventually becoming an influential figure in country rock.

Fifty-nine years after the Stone Poneys released it, “Different Drum” still feels strikingly self-assured. Written by one future star and sung by another, the 1967 hit captured two remarkable careers just as they were beginning to unfold.

Related: 1974 Soft Rock Song, Written in a California Hotel Room, Became a Generational Hit

The Ella Langley reign doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon, as the country singer just marked another milestone with her record-breaking No. 1 hit, Choosin’ Texas. The song is now only the second song in the Billboard Hot 100’s 68-year history to remain in the top spot for 20 weeks—and it makes history as the first non-holiday hit to achieve the feat.

And the country star is closing in on Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” record, which held strong with 22 weeks at No. 1.

As of Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, Billboard provided an updated list of the longest-leading hits, ranked by most weeks at No. 1 ever on the Hot 100:

• 22 weeks, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey, 2019-26

• 20 weeks, “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley, 2026

• 19 weeks, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey, 2024

• 19 weeks, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, 2019

• 16 weeks, “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen, 2023

• 16 weeks, “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, 2017

• 16 weeks, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, 1995-96

As Parade previously reported, the 27-year-old country songstress could possibly have the “biggest song of all time” on her hands. Marissa Moss, a senior writer at Rolling Stone, told Vox’s Today, Explained podcast that Ella Langley‘s smash country hit of the summer, “Choosin’ Texas,” is just weeks away from dethroning Carey’s holiday hit — an incredible feat that Moss said she could have “never predicted.”

A relative newcomer to the country scene, in 2024, she released her debut album, Hungover, featuring her hit duet with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me.” Her 2026 sophomore album, Dandelion, debuted in the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart and “Choosin’ Texas” was its first single, released in October 2025.

“We loved the song when we wrote it, but none of us thought that it would be the song to do everything it’s doing,” Langley told Billboard earlier this year of the massive breakout hit, which she co-wrote with Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor. “It keeps giving us a reason to celebrate new ­milestones.”

Next, 1986 Country Ballad, Reimagined By Ella Langley, Still Holds Up Over 40 Years Later

Kelly Clarkson is finally giving fans the “Kellyoke” cover they’ve been begging for—and trust us, it was so worth the wait.

Months after announcing her Emmy-winning talk show would be coming to a close, the bittersweet day is here, and in a special nod to her fans, Clarkson’s loyal viewers are being treated to the tune they’ve been asking her to sing since last summer: “Golden” from the animated Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters.

While it’s not the first tune from the soundtrack that Kelly and My Band Y’all have covered (the group previously thrilled fans with a version of “What It Sounds Like”), according to producers, “Golden” received the most fan requests ever.

The Kelly Clarkson Show’s Final ‘Kellyoke’ Features Her Most Requested Cover Song Ever: “Golden” From KPop Demon Hunters

Originally sung by artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami (the voices of the film’s fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X), the American Idol alum suggested that perfecting her version of the tune was not an easy feat. As Parade sat in the audience during the final taping of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 44-year-old pop star confessed that the song is not easy to sing, suggesting she may have even been intimidated by it.

Related: One of the ‘Best Country Love Song Duets’ Gets ‘Incredibly Sad’ Reimagining by Kelly Clarkson

Still, Clarkson managed to put her nerves aside and deliver an incredibly energetic, confident, and passionate final “Kellyoke” segment—which you can watch below:

After wrapping up the highly anticipated “Kellyoke,” the Grammy winner went on to belt out her own hits as part of the grand finale celebrating the seven seasons of her NBC talk show. Featured in the special “Kelly By Request” episode were performances of “Since U Been Gone,” “Sober,” “Stronger,” “Piece by Piece,” “Didn’t I,” and the first-ever TV performance of her newest song, “I’d Be Lyin’.”

Although the talk show won’t be producing any new content with its namesake after today, fans can still tune in to past episodes and interviews and enjoy over 800 “Kellyoke” performances via the official Kelly Clarkson Show website and on YouTube.

Next: 2004 Power Ballad, Written by Teenage Pop-Punk Queen, Became a Motivational Hit for Kelly Clarkson

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 conversation around GLP-1 medications and rapid weight loss usually covers everything except one thing: what happens to your skin. Which is a little ironic, because your skin is keeping score.

When fat disappears quickly, the skin doesn’t always have time to catch up, and what you’re left with can be skin laxity, crepiness and possibly a gaunt look to the face.

This is a very good reason to take your skincare seriously during the process rather than waiting until afterward. The dermatologists and skincare experts who work with rapid weight loss patients—both surgical and GLP-1-related—are nearly unanimous on this: start skincare early, stay consistent and treat this like the preventive measure it is.

To build the most useful routine possible, we talked to five experts—Beverly Hills plastic surgeons Dr. Brian Shafa and Dr. Michelle Lee of PERK; Dr. Dmitriy Schwarzburg, board-certified cosmetic physician and founder of Skinly Aesthetics in New York City; Paula Brezavscek, PA-C, founder of Azala Skin Clinic in Miami and Dr. Elizabeth Kream, board-certified dermatologist at Aesthetx in Los Gatos, California.

Related: Forget ‘Baby Botox’: This Peptide Hack Is the Secret to Naturally Plumper Skin

How Does Rapid Weight Loss Affect Your Skin Elasticity and Collagen?

Dr. Kream has a helpful analogy: “Imagine a tablecloth stretched smoothly over a table,” she tells Parade. “If the table suddenly shrinks, the tablecloth begins to wrinkle and sag.”

When underlying fat volume decreases quickly, the skin that was once taut simply doesn’t have enough time or collagen and elastin to contract and snap back. The faster and greater the weight loss, the more noticeable this becomes—particularly in the face, neck, abdomen and arms.

Dr. Shafa adds that rapid weight loss doesn’t just reduce volume—the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin actually become thinner and more poorly organized. As Dr. Schwarzburg says, when fat disappears, so does the support system beneath the skin.

Dehydration compounds things further, as does a lesser-known effect: GLP-1s decrease the oil-producing cells in skin, which helps with acne but makes dryness worse. Dry skin appears crepey and dull. But, there are ways to address these issues.

Related: This Cult-Favorite Lactic Acid Serum Gets a Dermatologist’s Seal of Approval for Dull, Uneven Skin After 50

What Skincare Ingredients Are Most Important To Prevent Sagging During Weight Loss?

No topical product can prevent loose skin from major volume loss—every expert says this clearly. What the right ingredients can do is support collagen production, protect what you already have and keep skin quality as healthy as possible throughout the process.

• Retinoids are the consistent first recommendation among the experts. Dr. Schwarzburg calls them the cornerstone of the evening routine for their collagen remodeling evidence. “Creams with retinoids are vital for everyone, but even more so in weight loss patients,” Dr. Shafa agrees.
• Vitamin C follows closely—it supports collagen synthesis and provides antioxidant protection against the oxidative stress that accelerates collagen breakdown. Dr. Schwarzburg recommends pairing it with a peptide.
• Dr. Kream calls peptides “signaling molecules that encourage the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.”
• Barrier support and hydration are more important than ever during weight loss when skin is often drier than usual, so ceramides and hyaluronic acid are important to incorporate into the routine.
• Dr. Brezavscek adds urea and lactic acid for the body, which is an area often overlooked, despite being that can have dramatic crepiness.

Dr. Shafa specifically recommends the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex for its TriHex technology, which he describes as clearing away poor-quality collagen to make space for new collagen deposition—paired with ingredients that support volume formation to counterbalance some of the fat loss effects in the face. He often pairs it with Sente Dermal Repair Cream for additional collagen stimulation.

Related: 11 Best Skin-Tightening Moisturizers, According to Celebrity Derms

Getty

The Best Skincare Routine During Rapid Weight Loss, According to Dermatologists

So, should you proactively change your skincare routine if you are losing weight?

“Absolutely patients should proactively protect their skin and hair during rapid planned weight loss,” Dr. Shafa says.

Dr. Brezavscek shares that consistency with a retinoid, antioxidant, moisturizer and sunscreen “can go a long way toward maintaining healthy skin throughout the process,” and importantly, this doesn’t require a complicated 10-step routine.

Dr. Kream recommends adding a peptide serum if you’re not already using one and switching to a richer moisturizer than you’re currently using—for both face and body. Neck, abdomen, arms and above the knees: the crepiness complaint she sees in her office affects all of it.

Related: Does PDRN Skincare *Actually* Have Salmon Sperm In It? Here’s What a K-Beauty Expert Says

The best morning skincare routine for rapid weight loss support

Dr. Schwarzburg’s morning framework: gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturizer with ceramides or hyaluronic acid if needed and broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.

“Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to collagen breakdown,” he explains, making sunscreen the most important anti-aging product in any routine—and especially in one designed to protect skin during weight loss.

Dr. Brezavscek adds that a hydrating serum can go between the antioxidant and moisturizer if skin is feeling particularly dry, which is common during weight loss for the reasons Dr. Kream outlined around GLP-1 effects on oil production.

Related: The One Thing Women Over 50 Don’t Realize About SPF, According to a Pro Makeup Artist

The best evening skincare routine to prevent crepey skin

Every expert here builds the evening routine around a retinoid—applied after cleansing, followed by a nourishing moisturizer with ceramides, glycerin or hyaluronic acid to support the skin barrier and offset retinoid dryness.

Dr. Kream layers peptide before moisturizer, then retinoid, then another layer of moisturizer if skin feels dry, and adds an eye cream, recommending Colorescience Total Eye specifically.

For anyone whose skin is particularly dry, she suggests applying hyaluronic acid to slightly damp skin immediately after cleansing, before any other products. Dr. Schwarzburg says to add something as simple as Aquaphor as an overnight mask since the occlusive barrier it creates supports everything you’ve layered underneath.

Dr. Brezavscek includes the body in the evening routine, not just the face—a richer moisturizer for neck, chest, arms and abdomen, where crepey skin from weight loss is just as common and often less addressed.

Related: 12 Body Lotions That Actually Work for Crepey Skin, According to Dermatologists

Getty

In-Office Treatments That Can Help Tighten Skin

In-office treatments to help with loose skin should start before the weight loss is complete—not after, the experts say. 

A procedure called XERF earns a top spot for skin tightening, because it works at two separate depths simultaneously—structurally tightening and lifting in the deeper layers while heating the skin surface to stimulate collagen deposition and skin thickening.

“Xerf is currently the king of skin tightening and lifting while providing some thickening and textural improvements,” Dr. Shafa says.

Microneedling is Dr. Lee’s go-to for improving skin quality and stimulating the body’s own collagen and elastin production during and after weight loss. “By creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin, it activates the natural wound-healing response, gradually improving skin texture, firmness and resilience over a series of treatments,” she explains.

Beyond those two, the experts point to several other options worth discussing with a provider depending on degree of laxity and goals. 

Dr. Kream sees patients referred from weight loss clinics at the beginning of their GLP-1 journey specifically to get ahead of the skin changes. “I love to combine injectable biostimulatory agents such as Sculptra or Radiesse with energy-based tightening devices,” she explains, treating not just the face but the neck, chest, arms, abdomen and legs where laxity accumulates.

Resurfacing lasers like CO2 and Mosaic3D can help with skin thickening and textural improvement for fine lines and wrinkles that develop with laxity, Dr. Shafa says.

The consensus across every expert is that in-office treatment works best as a continuous strategy throughout the weight loss process that is tailored to the patient’s individual needs.

Up Next:

Related: My 60-Year-Old Mom Struggled With Dry, Crepey Skin—This Body Cream Completely Changed It

Sources:

• Dr. Brian Shafa, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon
• Dr. Michelle Lee, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon
• Dr. Dmitriy Schwarzburg, board-certified cosmetic physician and founder of Skinly Aesthetics
• Paula Brezavscek, PA-C, founder of Azala Skin Clinic
• Dr. Elizabeth Kream, board-certified dermatologist, Aesthetx

The Challenge Season 42 is here! Throughout the season, Parade will speak with the challengers who were eliminated from Cutthroat.

Keanu Soto was one of only two rookie men on The Challenge Season 42. But you wouldn’t know it from the confidence he had throughout the season. Keanu was coming off a fan-favorite run on Big Brother last season, where he was not afraid to get into confrontations, call shots, and back them up with his physical acumen. And he did just that from the jump, being incredibly vocal about going after the people who won the season’s opening run, pegging them as the biggest threats.

Unfortunately, Keanu being so vocal didn’t rally the troops so much as make him a lone soldier. When he was made captain of his team, he attempted to get Alexis Lete and Izzy Fairthorne against each other, in the hopes of saving his allies Reilly Smedley and Anna Leigh Wilson. But there was only so much he could push against a team full of vets, as they bucked up to him and made him back down. Then, to add possibly injury to insult, he was thrown into elimination the very next round, set to earn his stripes against Brad Fiorenza. And he did so in a major way, absoluting dominating the former champ and turning a speed climbing challenge into a contact sport. Having shown his mettle, Keanu confidently declared he could be thrown in to help winnow down the other teams, something Tori Deal was more than happy to help him with. Unfortunately, Nelson Thomas had the benefit of both size and experience against him in the sand. After five rounds, Keanu had reached the end of his rope — literally.

Read on for our full interview with Keanu. New episodes of The Challenge: Cutthroat drop Wednesdays on Paramount+.

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

I want to start with the elimination that took you out. Because, as Chris mentioned in confessional, it didn’t seem like you were listening to the advice people like Bananas and CT were giving Nelson. Was that actually the case?
You know, it’s funny. Editing is a little tricky. And obviously, in hindsight, Chris is just gonna say like, “Oh, why don’t you copy what they’re saying to him?” But they didn’t immediately just start shouting out what to do. And by the time I heard what he was telling them, I had already kind of enlisted a different strategy. So the things that they were telling him, like, “Alright, dude, loop that thing over here and loop that thing over here and do this and drop through the middle,” my rope setup was not set up exactly like that.

So once I understood like what kind of strategy they were kind of trying to get him to do, my rope was completely different. They basically had him do a bird nest and clump everything up. At that point, if you go look, I was literally just stringing it through. I had never seen that competition before, and Nelly was more aware. He’d seen CT do that. He told me afterwards, “You know, brother, I had a huge advantage there because I’ve seen CT do this three or four times already.” It wasn’t as black and white as the editing makes it look. It was definitely a little different there.

Well, it looked like one of the reasons why you were down there in the first place is because you were fired up after the daily, saying that you could be put into elimination again. Why were you so vocal?
That’s another thing. Like I said, editing is a little tricky. They made it seem like I was willing to go into the sand just for the sake of going. The premise of that whole argument or conversation, whatever you want to call it, was that I had gotten together with the blue team before we started the daily. And I was like, “Guys, listen, it’s not about Grey team winning or blue team winning. It’s about Orange team not winning. It doesn’t matter which one of us wins. It’s making sure that they don’t continue to steamroll us.”

And so when we had that argument back there in the house, what I really said was, “Listen, I’m down to go down there every single time. I understand my position on this team, and I’m willing to play it to my full potential. But you’re gonna waste it by making me go against one of us.” Because at that point, Blue and Grey needed to work together. Coincidentally enough, like Johnny had said, it was a Blue and Grey team.

You mention the Blue team. I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up your time as captain, when you tried to protect Reilly and Anna Leigh, your two closest allies. Talk to me about how that was received, and did you change your game after your team was so against it?
It was weird. It’s a team format and I think I really underestimated how much people were wanting to protect those friendships over the team. Because yes, I was trying to finesse my way into being able to protect the people that I was close with. But it wasn’t like I was trying to tell people something that wasn’t the optimal move for my team. You know what I mean?

I think something that gets lost in translation here is the initial challenge that we did running through the streets of Thailand was like a seven-mile run. It wasn’t like just a quick little sprint to the house. It was a pretty lengthy run. So when people say like, “Oh, I don’t know why he’s putting so much stock into that one challenge,” it wasn’t the be-all challenge. But seven miles is a pretty decent indicator of how well you could at least run a final. And if you can get people that did well on essentially what could show you if they’re going to do decent in a final, why wouldn’t you want to get them out? So I was basically trying to relay like, “Hey, Will versus Josh. Take a shot and you can’t miss. Lete versus Izzy, you take a shot and you can’t miss.” So it wasn’t like I was trying to just protect the people that I was close to; that was objective B. But objective A was always put my team in the best position to win.

And you’re vocal about that objective in the first episode when talking to CT, who comments on how hard you’re playing out of the gate. Were you aware the vets were seeing you that way?
I guess it was kind of brought to my attention that I was maybe gaming too hard. What’s funny about that conversation with CT is the whole premise of that conversation was like keeping him safe. It wasn’t like I was just like talking to him, like, “Hey, by the way, we want to throw in one of the strong guys on your team.” He and I had gotten pretty close at the beginning. We decided that we were gonna be workout buddies in there and things like that.

So we were in the middle of one of our workouts, and we’re kind of going over ways that we could keep him out of that elimination, and that’s what ended up, I guess, being talked about. They didn’t show that we were kind of going over ways to keep him safe. And I was trying to say like, “Hey, you let me know if this is the logical reason for being able to throw him in there over you.” And then that was when I was saying, “They both did well in the run. Maybe throw them in there so you can take a shot and not miss.” And so it kind of surprised me a little bit when he was like, “Oh, he’s being really ambitious.”

Talk me through the feeling of beating Brad in that first elimination.
I mean, you watched me on Big Brother, so you know I never get too high, I never get too low. I knew that I needed to have like a dominant performance at some point in the season if I wanted to make sure that I got invited back. Because that’s my thing. In Big Brother, it was like the drama got brought to me a lot of the time. I wasn’t like necessarily going out and seeking it, because I’m not that guy.

I feel like my place in this franchise, if there’s gonna be a place for me, is gonna be being a force in a lot of the eliminations and things like that. I’m not the guy that is gonna be hooking up, because I’m not single. I’m not the guy that’s gonna be getting super s—t-faced and talking s—t about people. That’s just not me. So I knew I needed to have a dominant elimination performance, and fortunately, I did have one of those. And with that came, “Hey, I’m probably gonna get thrown in every single time.” So I knew that I couldn’t really like ride that high for too long because I knew I was gonna have to get my head right probably for the next one. And look, the next one came, and that’s the one that sent me home.

There’s some talk about how close you were with Anna Leigh by the end of your time on the season. Who else were you working with by the time you left?
I think towards the end of my time there, I would say that I actually ended up getting pretty close to some of the people in Grey for sure. I would say Adrienne and I got a little bit closer towards the end there. Sydney and I got significantly closer towards the end. It’s crazy, man. Editing is everything because there’s a lot I feel like that was left out. There’s so much footage that they have to sift through. You can’t just put everything in.

I love Nurys as a person, but in the context of the game up until she had left, there were a couple things that were making it like, “Hey, there’s a little bit of chemistry that’s being thrown off here because of this one person.” Especially towards me specifically. There was a thing with me and Cory at the beginning where we had kind of gotten into it because apparently I was saying I was better than him, and that wasn’t the case.

Me and Cory had a little fight, which ended up being the reason why I didn’t make a deal with Josh and decided to make Corey captain. The deal that Josh refers to that I was trying to make with him was if he threw Lete in to the elimination, I would make Leo captain next week. But the reason why I didn’t make Leo captain next week was because I had that whole fight with Cory and his birthday was coming up. And I was like, “Okay, you know what? This is like an olive branch. I’ll keep you safe on a guys’ week, just to show you that, ‘Hey, I’m about the team and not just about myself.'”

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t get your thoughts on everything that’s been happening on Big Brother 28 so far, considering this is your first season watching as an alumni! Who are you rooting for at the moment?
Yeah! And I was recruited, so this is the first season that I’m actually watching live. I would say, dang, right now, dude, it’s like ever-changing. But I really want Devens to win. I think everything that he does is so funny to me, dude. So I hope he can pull it out. But you know who’s really surprising me that at the beginning I was like, “Wow, this guy doesn’t know what he’s doing” — not that I’m one to talk? Yash. I feel like he’s learning quite a bit as he’s going, and he’s playing a lot better than he was at the beginning. Hopefully that trend continues, and he can he can pull one out. I’ve become significantly more of a fan of his. I’m always a fan of the people that make me laugh. So Devens and Yash are the two that are making me laugh the most right now. I’m always gonna go for the funny guy.

Related: ‘The Challenge’ Star Nurys Mateo Calls Out Josh’s Lies and Slams Sydney: ‘You’re Disgusting’ (Exclusive)

Beyond the Gates breakout star Brandon Claybon has taken to social media to show off a brand-new look ahead of production on the beloved CBS soap opera’s 3rd Season.

The Martin Richardson actor took to X to share a new photo of himself. In the photo, Claybon was spotted in his bed, rocking a brand-new blonde haircut.

*missy voice* 🗣️ waaake uuuupppppp pic.twitter.com/8hu07a4Vow

— Brandon Claybon (@BrandonClaybon) August 31, 2026

Fans immediately took to the comment section to share their appreciation of the new style. One user wrote, “We feeling the blonde! It’s an amazing look on you, Brandon!”

A second fan added, “Sir. That blonde is a different kind of sexy. 😮‍💨.”

Fans will remember Claybon originally showed off the new look following the wrapping of production of Season 2, as the actor took to Instagram with his fresh new look with the caption, “Vacation starts now! Let’s Go! 😎.”

View this post on Instagram

It is currently unknown whether Claybon will be able to maintain his fresh look when production on Season 3 begins, or if he will have to revert to his original look.

On-screen, Claybon’s character Martin Richardson is having an eventful year. Having just won his congressional primary, the congressman is up for reelection this November and is hot on the campaign trail. Recently, members of The Young and the Restless Genoa City came to Fairmount Crest to show their support, including the great Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).

Elsewhere in Martin’s life, his eldest son Tyrell Richardson is going off to Banneker University, while his husband Smitty (Mike Manning) is in the midst of reporting on an investigation as to the identity of the head of a criminal enterprise working on the trading of blood plasma on the red market entitled The Impaler, little does he know hes closer to her than he ever believed as Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) is the Impaler and knows that Smitty is investigating and is determined to get him off her trail.

Brand-new episodes of Beyond the Gates air weekdays on CBS, with episodes streaming weeknights on Paramount+. Viewers can catch up on all of the drama from the very beginning of Beyond the Gates on Paramount+, Tubi, and PlutoTV’s dedicated 24/7 Beyond the Gates FAST channel.

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

Lounge sets are one of the easiest fall uniforms: They’re cozy, comfortable, and effortless to throw on, while still looking coordinated enough for heading out of the house. But not every lounge set strikes that balance. Classic hoodie-and-sweatpants sets can be incredibly comfy, but depending on the fit, they can also feel a little too frumpy for coffee runs, errands, or your morning walk.

That’s where the Grecerelle 2-Piece Half-Zip Sweatsuit Lounge Set stands out. It combines the comfort you’d expect from loungewear with a more elevated silhouette, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for coziness. Right now, select colors are up to 44% off at Amazon, bringing the price down to as low as $20 for the two-piece set.

Grecerelle 2-Piece Half-Zip Sweatsuit Lounge Set, From $20 (was $36) at Amazon 

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Available in sizes extra small through XXL, the set has a relaxed fit designed for everyday comfort. It’s made from a blend of 50% polyester, 44% rayon, and 6% spandex, giving it a smooth feel, light stretch, and flattering drape. It’s also machine washable; wash it in a cold water, gentle cycle for simple care.

The half-zip sweatshirt features a lapel collar, long sleeves, and split cuff details that give it a little more structure than a traditional hoodie. The matching wide-leg sweatpants have a high-rise waist, relaxed silhouette, elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring tie, and side pockets for keeping your phone and keys close.

With 14 colors to choose from, it’s easy to find one that fits your style. Options range from classic black, gray, and brown to more colorful choices like green and blue. You can also mix and match the pieces with other wardrobe staples, like wearing the half-zip with jeans or pairing the wide-leg pants with a simple white tee. Finish the look with anything from slippers and sneakers to fleece-lined boots.

Related: Amazon’s Teacher-Approved $17 Pointed-Toe Flats Feel ‘Like Clouds’ For Your Feet

It’s an especially useful set for fall days when you want comfort without looking like you just rolled out of bed. Wear it for travel days, weekend coffee runs, grocery trips, farmers market visits, apple picking, or casual walks. It can even work for working from home or informal video calls, thanks to the collared top.

One shopper described the lounge set as “breathable” in a five-star review, writing, “It is so soft and comfortable.” Another said it’s “casual but chic,” noting that it’s “ideal for lounging or on the go.” They added, “The material feels silky smooth on both the inside and outside, making it very comfortable while still looking polished.” 

Shop More Deals

• Lillusory Two-Piece Matching Lounge Set, $25 (was $45) at Amazon
• Ekouaer Knit Two-Piece Lounge Set, From $20 (was $50) at Amazon
• Automet Two-Piece Sweatsuit Lounge Set, From $30 (was $55) 

For a cozy set that still looks polished enough to leave the house in, the Grecerelle 2-Piece Half-Zip Sweatsuit Lounge Set is tough to beat. And with Amazon’s current 44% discount, you can snag the set for as little as $20 right now.

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.

In 1974, Dolly Parton released two songs that would become among the most famous of her extraordinary career. Now, 52 years later, both recordings are reaching the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time.

Parton’s original recording of “Jolene” reenters the Sept. 5-dated Hot 100 at a new peak of No. 16 following the country legend’s death on Aug. 25 at age 80.

And “Jolene” isn’t alone. Parton’s original 1974 recording of “I Will Always Love You” makes its Hot 100 debut at No. 27, meaning that one of the most famous songs she ever wrote had never appeared on the chart in its original form until now.

The two milestones are part of a remarkable resurgence for Parton’s music, with five of her songs appearing on this week’s Hot 100 as listeners continue celebrating her life and legacy.

Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ Finally Becomes a Top 40 Hit

“Jolene” was Parton’s first song to reach the Hot 100, but its original pop-chart performance was surprisingly modest given the stature it would eventually achieve.

Released in 1973 before appearing on Parton’s 1974 album of the same name, “Jolene” reached No. 60 on the Hot 100 in March 1974. It was a much bigger country hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

In the decades since, the song has become one of Parton’s signature recordings, covered and reinterpreted by generations of artists.

Beyoncé’s reimagining of “Jolene” even reached No. 7 on the Hot 100 in 2024, meaning Beyoncé’s version became a top 10 pop hit before Parton’s original had ever reached the top 40.

That changes this week.

According to Billboard, “Jolene” earned 10.2 million official U.S. streams during the Aug. 21-27 tracking period, up 583 percent. The song also reached a radio audience of 5.5 million and sold 15,000 copies.

Those numbers send “Jolene” to No. 16, giving the original recording its first top 40 appearance more than half a century after its initial chart run.

It also debuts at No. 7 on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart, marking Parton’s first-ever top 10 on that ranking.

‘I Will Always Love You’ Makes Its Hot 100 Debut

The achievement for “I Will Always Love You” is perhaps even more remarkable.

Parton wrote the song as a farewell to her longtime musical partner Porter Wagoner, and her original 1974 recording became a No. 1 country hit. But despite eventually becoming one of the defining compositions of Parton’s career, that recording never made the Hot 100.

Parton recorded the song again for the 1982 movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. That version reached No. 53 on the Hot 100, making it the only Parton recording of the song to appear on the chart until now.

A decade later, Whitney Houston transformed “I Will Always Love You” into a pop phenomenon with her recording for The Bodyguard, which spent a then-record 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1992 and 1993.

Now Parton’s original has finally joined it on the chart.

The 1974 recording debuts at No. 27, after earning 6.5 million streams, reaching a radio audience of 5.1 million and selling 16,000 copies during the tracking week.

It also leads an extraordinary Parton takeover of Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart, where 15 of her songs appear in the top 20. “I Will Always Love You” sits at No. 1, followed by “Jolene” at No. 2.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Final Message to Millions of Children Is Breaking Hearts After Her Death: ‘Promise Me’

5 Dolly Parton Favorites Hit the Hot 100

Three more familiar Parton recordings join “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on this week’s Hot 100.

“9 to 5” reenters at No. 18, “Islands in the Stream,” Parton’s duet with Kenny Rogers, returns at No. 26, and “Here You Come Again” reenters at No. 44.

“9 to 5” became Parton’s only solo Hot 100 No. 1 in 1981. Two years later, she returned to the top alongside Rogers with “Islands in the Stream,” giving Parton two career No. 1s on the chart overall.

“Here You Come Again,” meanwhile, was Parton’s first Hot 100 top 40 hit and remains one of her highest-charting solo recordings, peaking at No. 3 in 1977.

With “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” joining the club, Parton now has 10 career top 40 Hot 100 hits.

It’s also her first appearance in the top 40 in more than 20 years. Parton was featured on Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going,” which peaked at No. 39 in 2006.

The surge extends well beyond the Hot 100. Parton holds the top six positions on Digital Song Sales this week, with “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Islands in the Stream,” “Here You Come Again” and “Coat of Many Colors” occupying Nos. 1 through 6, respectively.

Even “Hard Candy Christmas” has found an audience in the middle of summer, landing at No. 12.

Tributes to Dolly Parton Continue Across Country Music

The extraordinary resurgence for Parton’s music comes as artists across country music continue to honor the legend in the days following her death.

On Friday night, Aug. 28, Ella Langley stopped her concert at Auburn University to perform “Jolene” in Parton’s honor.

“Tonight’s show didn’t feel right without doing something like this,” Langley told the crowd before launching into the tribute.

One night later, the Grand Ole Opry devoted its Aug. 29 show to Parton with OPRY 100: The Opry Remembers Dolly Parton.

Among the night’s performers was rising country singer Belle Frantz, who made her Opry debut and paid tribute to Parton by performing the gospel song “Where No One Stands Alone.” Frantz became emotional after receiving a standing ovation and later explained how Parton’s example had given her the confidence to make her upcoming debut album, Hymns From a Barstool, a gospel record.

“Dolly was a bold person,” Frantz told the Opry audience. “She was witty and a little naughty, and she was faithful.”

Frantz later added, “I felt bold enough to do that because of Miss Dolly Parton.”

Related: How to Watch the Grand Ole Opry’s Dolly Parton Tribute Livestream

Ariana Grande is giving fans a heads-up that she may look a little different on stage as she finishes the final stretch of her Eternal Sunshine tour.

The singer shared a health update on her Instagram Stories Monday, August 31, ahead of her latest London performance, revealing that she’s recovering from a foot injury that could make it difficult for her to put her full weight on it.

“My sweet petals,” Grande began, before explaining that she would “need to be in cozy footwear” for the evening’s show and potentially the following night because she is “bandaged up underneath, recovering from a minor injury.”

Grande quickly reassured concerned fans that the injury wasn’t a sprain or muscle-related. Instead, she explained that she is dealing with “just a deep cut!”

A screenshot of Ariana Grande’s Instagram account on August 31.

“So when you see me tonight without my signature heels, or even possibly having a little trouble putting weight on that foot, that is why! but please do not fret,” she continued.

Despite the setback, the “We Can’t Be Friends” songstress made it clear she has no plans to sit out the performances. “On with the show and i am on the mend!” she wrote, adding that she couldn’t wait to perform for fans “even if i am a few inches shorter than usual.”

The update comes as Grande prepares to wrap her Eternal Sunshine tour on September 1. Afterward, the Grammy winner is expected to take a break from public-facing appearances following months of intense attention surrounding her health and appearance.

READ MORE: Ariana Grande ‘Taking a Step Back’ After Tour Wraps Amid Ongoing Health Concerns

A representative for Grande previously confirmed to People that she plans to take “a step back from visibility” once the tour concludes, noting that public appearances have resulted in “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”

At the time, a source close to Grande also emphasized that she is healthy, pointing to the physical demands of her nightly performances and saying she has continued to perform “healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”

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