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Kristen Bell just proved that you never quite know what’s going to happen at a Savannah Bananas game. The Frozen star made a surprise appearance at the team’s Denver game, and fans absolutely lost it when she started singing.

Bell joined Derek Klena at Coors Field for a surprise Frozen performance that quickly became the kind of Banana Ball moment fans couldn’t stop talking about. In video from the game, Bell suddenly appears in the stands, singing as she walks down an aisle toward the field while fans cheer, scream and pull out their phones to capture the unexpected moment. She then stops to salute Klena, who is waiting on the field in his Bananas uniform, before he joins her for his part of the song.

The duo took the performance a step further with an unexpected recreation of the iconic Dirty Dancing lift. The Savannah Bananas were clearly just as thrilled as the crowd, calling the unexpected crossover “the mashup we never knew we needed” on Instagram. Fans quickly flooded the comments with praise, with one declaring it the “dream collab.”

“Obsessed!!!!” one fan wrote in the comments of a YouTube video of the performance. Another Savannah Bananas fan called it “the best mashup everrrrr” and praised Bell for “living every 80s girl’s dream” by doing the Dirty Dancing lift while singing.

Fans also couldn’t get over Klena’s multi-faceted talents. “Wait- hold up- he sings like that AND PLAYS BANANA BALL?!??!!?!” one person wrote.

The surprise came just hours after Bell reunited with her Frozen costars Idina Menzel and Josh Gad at D23 on Friday, Aug. 14, to preview Frozen 3. The trio sang new songs and teased major developments, including Anna and Kristoff’s wedding and Olaf falling in love. The film is set for a 2027 theatrical release, with Bell returning as Anna, Menzel as Elsa and Gad as Olaf alongside Jonathan Groff as Kristoff. The original Frozen songwriting team is also returning, while Disney has already confirmed Frozen 4 is in development.

Ella Langley’s historic 2026 run isn’t even close to being over.

Unless you’ve been hiding out in one of Aaron Rodgers’ infamous darkness retreats, you already know “Choosin’ Texas” has taken the world by storm. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re working, pumping iron or doomscrolling your life away — the catchy hit is bound to find you.

You know it’s the year of a lifetime when you release new singles after massive success and that very success doesn’t dwindle. Langley now has four different hits simultaneously reaching new peaks across Billboard’s radio charts, including her collaboration with fellow country superstar Morgan Wallen, according to Forbes.

Factor in launching an energy drink and teaming up with Texas brewery Shiner for a Dandelion Honey Kölsch — and it’s icing on the cake.

Radio—yes, radio, as people still turn the dial in their cars—isn’t letting up either. “Choosin’ Texas” just gave Langley her first top 10 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, while her Morgan Wallen duet hit No. 1 on Country Airplay.

Meanwhile, “Be Her” and “Loving Life Again” are reaching new highs of their own, with Langley’s music now gaining ground across country, pop and adult contemporary radio. That gives her the unusual distinction of having four different songs reaching new peaks all at once:

• “I Can’t Love You Anymore” with Morgan Wallen — No. 1 Country Airplay and No. 11 Radio Songs
• “Choosin’ Texas” — No. 9 Pop Airplay, her first top 10 on that chart
• “Be Her” — No. 22 Adult Contemporary
• “Loving Life Again” — No. 23 Country Airplay

Ella (without a fella) was recently spotted on vacation in St. Thomas, joining a local band for an impromptu performance before hitting the road to finish off her Dandelion Tour:

• Aug. 20 — Green Bay, WI
• Aug. 21 — Springfield, IL
• Aug. 22 — North Little Rock, AR
• Aug. 28 — Auburn, AL
• Aug. 29 — Auburn, AL
• Sept. 10 — Newark, NJ
• Sept. 11 — State College, PA
• Sept. 12 — Charleston, WV
• Sept. 17 — Oxford, MS
• Sept. 18 — Athens, GA
• Sept. 19 — Jacksonville, FL
• Sept. 24 — Knoxville, TN
• Sept. 25 — Columbus, OH
• Sept. 26 — Moline, IL
• Oct. 7 — Morrison, CO
• Oct. 9 — Tulsa, OK
• Oct. 10 — Lubbock, TX
• Oct. 13 — Los Angeles, CA
• Oct. 14 — Los Angeles, CA
• Oct. 29 — Des Moines, IA
• Oct. 30 — Lincoln, NE
• Oct. 31 — Saint Paul, MN

There really is a great big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day—and for fans of Walt Disney’s most historic stage show, that future just got some major star power.

Last night at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, host Neil Patrick Harris kicked off the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase with a crowd-thrilling casting announcement: Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis and Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston are officially stepping in to voice Sarah (Mom) and John (Dad) in a brand-new reimagining of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

The update marks the attraction’s most substantial overhaul in over three decades, bringing fresh energy to the most performed stage show in American theater history while honoring the heart and optimism Walt Disney originally dreamed up for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair.

Related: Disney World’s Carousel of Progress Closes Its Current Chapter After 30 Years

For generations of parkgoers who know every word of the Sherman Brothers’ theme song by heart, John and Sarah have felt like family. Handing the microphone to Curtis and Cranston brings an incredible blend of warmth, comedic timing, and charm to the rotating theater.

Curtis—beloved across the Disney community for her role as Madame Leota in 2023’s Haunted Mansion and her recent Disney Legend induction—takes on Sarah at a pivotal moment in the show’s history. For the first time ever, Sarah will take center stage in the brand-new 1980s scene, highlighting how new household tech and gadgets are revolutionizing life for the family. Meanwhile, Cranston steps into John’s shoes with the relatable, everyman dad energy fans know and love, found out on the front porch handing out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.

Related: Disney Just Announced a Massive, Retro-Chic Revamp of a Beloved Classic Attraction

Disney Parks Blog

Originally created to look back 60 years from the 1960s to the turn of the 20th century, the refreshed version will fast-forward to time periods that today’s audiences grew up with:

• Opening Scene: Guests will be greeted by an incredible new Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself, recreating his iconic appearance in the 1964 television special Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair.
• Act 1 (The 1960s): The family gathers around the television on a warm summer night in July 1969 to watch the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
• Act 2 (The 1980s): Set on Halloween night in 1985, Sarah shows off the era’s latest appliances while John manages trick-or-treaters and Uncle Orville complains about having “no privacy around here” in the bathroom.
• Act 3 (The New Millennium): The family rings in Y2K on New Year’s Eve 1999, discovering early dial-up internet while Grandpa nods off before midnight and Grandma sneaks the TV channel over to pro wrestling.
• Act 4 (The Possible Future): Inspired by original concept sketches from legendary Disney Imagineer John Hench, the final act transports the family into a futuristic, out-of-this-world home with helpful home robotics and space travel.

Disney Parks Blog

The attraction is currently closed as Walt Disney Imagineering works on the new sets, props, and animatronics. The reimagined Carousel of Progress is set to officially welcome guests back to Magic Kingdom in late spring 2027.

And don’t worry—the beloved family dog Rover and the timeless chorus of “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” will still be waiting right there to guide you through every spin.

Related: Disney’s Newest Lake Houses Are a Love Letter to Classic Disney Artistry

Beloved by generations, from grandparents to the little kids in your life, these Pixar favorites are seizing their moment across Disney Experiences and Disney Entertainment. Cars celebrates 20 years in a big way with Piston Peak at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and a new television show. Meanwhile, at the Disneyland Resort, the Coco ride is set to embark on a journey to the land of the dead, bringing families together and bridging the story between the first film and Coco 2.

At D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, both franchises unveiled how they’ll continue their stories through Disney Parks experiences as well as on big and small screens near you.

Courtesy of: Disney Experiences

Walt Disney World Cars area: Construction continues in Orlando, Florida, as the Cars area officially gets named Piston Peak at the Magic Kingdom. During the D23 Horizons theme parks main event, Disney Imagineers unveiled more about the attractions that will make up the land inspired by America’s national parks, by way of Pixar’s hit franchise.

First up, Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) will be featured on the main attraction, Cars Ridge Run Rally, a race that takes place up and down a snow-capped Piston Peak. Thrill-seekers should expect off-roading fun with vehicles that will rock, bump, and drop over adventurous terrain thanks to the magic of Imagineering tech.

New to the theme park world of Cars is Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, which brings to life the demolition derby fan-favorite character from Cars 3 in all her glory as a giant school bus Audio-Animatronics figure. The ride is described as a stampede-style demolition derby ride for the whole family. No opening date for the area has been announced.

Related: Disney Celebrates Fan-Favorite Eras With Nostalgic ‘Fanniversary Frenzy’ Collection (Exclusive)

New Cars television show: The world-building doesn’t stop there, as Pixar also announced more details about its upcoming Cars universe series, Cars: Lightning Racers. The Disney Junior and Disney+ show will follow Lightning McQueen and Mater, with its stars returning to reprise their roles for new adventures. We’ll likely see Piston Peak on the small screen first on Lightning Racers before it opens at Walt Disney World. To close out the announcements, Sheryl Crow, who joined the Cars family 20 years ago with the feature film’s hit single “Real Gone”, performed “Built to Last,” a new original song for the show due out in 2027.

F1 and Cars collaboration: Disney expanded their partnership with F1 beyond their Mickey core release, with Lightning McQueen joining the racing lifestyle line-up for the brand. The new collection, which features a Disney Store exclusive pin, hat, and fleece in addition to die-cast vehicles from Mattel, debuted at D23 over the weekend and online at DisneyStore.com.

Courtesy of: Disney Experiences

Disney California Adventure Coco ride update: During the Horizons panel, Disney Imagineers detailed a bit more about the story behind the previously announced Coco boat ride coming to the Disneyland Resort’s second theme park. Set to be built at Pixar Pier by the Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind attraction, fans will enter the “casa museo” set to the music of Miguel’s great-great-grandfather, Héctor Rivera, whose legacy has rightfully been restored. A first look at the animatronic statue figure was revealed earlier on the D23 show floor.

Imagineering revealed that the classic-inspired boat dark ride picks up on Miguel’s story a year after the events of Coco and that they’ve worked with Pixar to make sure the story on the attraction fills in the gap between the original film and the new one. Above all, the journey through memory is the key to the concept and aims to bring in multi-generational families to celebrate Mexico’s culture. The best thing? There’s no height requirement, so the whole family can enjoy the colorful and musical crossing into the land of the dead.

Related: Adam Driver and Christopher Abbott Lead New ‘X-Men’ Cast in D23 Reveal

Coco 2: During the Entertainment showcase, it was announced that Coco 2 is set to be released in November of 2029. Benjamin Bratt, who played the first film’s nefarious music-stealing villain, announced that he’s set to reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz, who returns a few years later to get revenge (over being exposed) but ends up becoming a foe Miguel will need to team up. Why? Well, on that the actor teased a reason that proves “fate has a truly twisted sense of humor.”

Kingdom Hearts IV crosses over with Coco: The Coco 2 presentation was crashed by the iconic Y2K game, as it draws on the power of memory and The Land of the Dead from Coco to set the stage for the Square Enix game’s big return. The lore in the Pixar franchise definitely holds the key to explaining how the Disney video game hero Sora (Haley Joel Osment) returns to the franchise to reunite with Mickey and friends to take on the forces of evil. Kingdom Hearts IV is set to be released in 2027 (finally).

On the second day of D23 during the “Scrubs: Scrubbing Back” panel moderated by Scott Foley, it was announced that former Saturday Night Live writer/performer John Higgins has joined the cast of ABC’s Scrubs revival.

According to Deadline, in the second season, Higgins will play Grant, a new chief resident, “who is envisioned as a thorn in J.D.’s side the way he himself once was for Dr. Cox.”

Donald Faison, who plays Dr. Chris Turk on Scrubs, revealed what it’s been like working on set with the SNL star.

“John Higgins joins the cast; it’s been a lot of fun to watch him work, actually him and Ava Bunn, who plays Tosh. They’ve been great additions,” Faison said.

In addition to Higgins, Keyla Monterroso Mejia will also join the cast, playing a surgical nurse named Mimi. However, recurring players from season 1, like X Mayo and Joel Kim Booster, will not be returning to the show.

Higgins is best known for his work on SNL, where he often appeared with his comedy group Please Don’t Destroy. Alongside Ben Marshall and Martin Herlihy, the trio became a recurring group from seasons 47 to 50. Although he left SNL ahead of season 51, the comedy group continued with the 2023 feature Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain.

The film follows three friends living together who realize they don’t like the trajectory of their lives. Together, they set off to find “a gold treasure that is rumored to be buried in the nearby mountain,” per the logline. The film is now streaming on Peacock, and the Please Don’t Destroy comedy trio is on tour around the East Coast this summer.

Higgins will return to TV screens once again with Scrubs season 2, which is set to premiere on ABC on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Check out the official teaser trailer here:

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting updates on the future of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this weekend’s D23 event in Anaheim just delivered in a major way.

Inside the massive Walt Disney Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, Disney pulled back the curtain on its upcoming 11-acre Tropical Americas expansion, officially named Pueblo Esperanza, which is set to debut in 2027. Through detailed show-scene models, intricate Audio-Animatronics figures, and physical ride vehicles, fans are getting their first real, tangible look inside the land’s three brand-new attractions.

Reporting live from the show floor, theme park expert Tom Bricker of Disney Tourist Blog took an up-close look at the reveals and noted why this expansion carries so much weight for Walt Disney World.

“This project is the one that’s most necessary, as Animal Kingdom badly needs about a half-dozen new rides,” Bricker pointed out. “Three will have to suffice for now, but hopefully this is just the start of big plans to make DAK a full-day park for the average guests and not just super fans.”

Related: One of Disney’s Most Beloved Original Restaurants Is Closing Down for Good

The heart of the expansion centers around Pueblo Esperanza (“Village of Hope”), a lush town square featuring a central gathering fountain, a massive quick-service hacienda restaurant, and a working critter carousel repurposed from an old horse stable.

Beyond the village, guests will find the world’s very first dedicated Encanto ride-through dark ride. The story picks up right as young Antonio receives his magical gift of communicating with animals, transforming his bedroom into a vibrant rainforest. Disney showed off a detailed model set in the kitchen of the magical Madrigal Casita decorated for Antonio’s birthday, complete with animatronic models of a donkey, a toucan, and his capybara friend, Chispi. The ride vehicles are uniquely crafted out of living household furniture, featuring benches shaped like couches and chairs.

Related: A Beloved Disney Ride Is Nearing the End of Its 28-Year Run

As Bricker observed of the ride’s potential, “The Encanto Madrigal Casita dark ride has tremendous potential to be a great family-friendly dark ride, and everything we’ve heard has us optimistic. (It honestly doesn’t bother me in the least that this isn’t trackless–most guests won’t even know as the ride profile should be very dynamic.)”

Across the rainforest, thrill-seekers will find an all-new Indiana Jones Adventure attraction, which takes over the former DINOSAUR building. Rather than a direct copy of existing rides in California or Tokyo, this will feature an original storyline where Indy investigates a newly discovered, perfectly preserved Maya temple in search of a mythical creature.

“Ditto Indiana Jones Adventure, which is very promising both in story and ambition,” Bricker shared. “It should easily surpass DINOSAUR, which admittedly isn’t a high bar.”

As Bricker highlighted, Tropical Americas is currently “the project at Walt Disney World that’s furthest along” with a confirmed 2027 opening timeline, making this rich sneak peek a reassuring sign of the next chapter for Animal Kingdom.

Related: Disney Just Revealed Exciting New Details for Its First-Ever ‘Coco’ Ride—and We Are Officially Feeling ‘Un Poco Loco’

With days getting shorter and nights a little cooler, fall is just starting to creep in. And one of the most delightful aspects of this time of year is the return of comfort food. Costco is already getting into the spirit with the return of two classic deli dinner pies.

Both the Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie and Shepherd’s Pie have begun making their way back into warehouses, giving members two hearty, ready-to-bake options for those nights when you want something warm and satisfying without starting dinner from scratch.

You can see them back in stores in this August 13 Instagram video from @discovering_costco:

First up is Costco’s enormous Chicken Pot Pie, item #16382. It’s priced at $3.99 per pound, and the one shown in the video weighs 5.74 pounds for a total price of $22.90.

Made with 1.5 pounds of all-white rotisserie chicken breast, the pie is loaded with potatoes, peas, carrots, corn, and onions in a rich, creamy gravy. The filling is tucked between a substantial bottom crust and flaky top crust made with Costco bakery pie dough.

Related: Costco’s New Bakery Cake Is a Slice of Pure Bliss With Coffee

At roughly 6 to 8 servings per pie, that $22.90 example works out to approximately $2.86 to $3.82 per serving, depending on how generously you slice it. That’s an especially appealing option for feeding a family or turning one deli pickup into dinner with leftovers.

To prepare it, Costco recommends removing the plastic packaging, placing the pie on a baking sheet, and baking it at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes until it reaches the recommended internal temperature.

Image via Shutterstock/calimedia

Then there’s Costco’s Shepherd’s Pie, item #41217, another substantial cold-weather favorite. It’s currently priced at $4.29 per pound, with containers weighing around 5.5 pounds. The one featured in the video comes to $23.60.

This one starts with seasoned ground beef combined with peas, corn, carrots, and caramelized onions in a savory Burgundy wine gravy. Instead of pastry on top, it’s finished with a generous layer of creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes made with butter, milk, and cream and sprinkled with parsley.

A tray feeds approximately 4 to 6 people, putting the $23.60 example at around $3.93 to $5.90 per serving. Add a simple green salad or a vegetable on the side, and dinner is essentially taken care of.

Costco recommends baking the Shepherd’s Pie at 380 degrees for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or until the center reaches the recommended internal temperature.

With both back in the deli as summer begins winding down, Costco appears more than ready for cozy dinner season to begin.

More often than I care to admit, I ask myself, “Can you ever have enough serving pieces?” This happens whenever I’m faced with a gorgeous tiered tray, lovely serving platter or oversized bowl that I can literally picture filled with spaghetti and meatballs in Sunday sauce. Yes, I may have a problem. It’s just that with every serving piece, I imagine throwing a fun dinner party or, if it looks vintage, pretending I live in Downton Abbey. (I don’t.)

It doesn’t help that I write about home decor for a living, so I’m pretty much looking at pretty things all day, every day. As a Libra, it’s great. As for my budget? Not so great. Still, when I spy tableware that looks versatile, I can’t help but think, “Eh, just one more piece won’t hurt.” And that’s exactly my thought process with Costco’s two-piece fluted serving bowl set.

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Costco

If your serving bowls are going to earn their keep, they should look pretty enough for the table and be practical enough for everyday use. This fluted porcelain set checks both boxes. You get one large serving bowl measuring 11 inches in diameter and one medium bowl measuring 10 inches, giving you a couple of useful sizes for whatever you’re serving up.

Related: Marshalls Is Selling a Stunning 2-Pack of Cordless Wall Sconces to Add Ambient Light Anywhere You Wish

The fluted detailing adds a little texture and visual interest without making the bowls feel stodgy, so they can easily work for both casual weeknight dinners and a table set for company. And because they’re both microwave and dishwasher safe, you don’t have to treat them like precious china. Warm something up, serve it straight from the bowl, and then let the dishwasher handle cleanup.

I also can’t help but notice how much this two-piece set (that costs $29.99) looks remarkably similar to Crate & Barrel’s French Kitchen Marble White Scalloped Serving Bowl, which retails for $169.95—and that’s just for one. Now, obviously, there are some major differences in terms of material—C&B’s bowl is made of heavy marble, whereas the Costco set is made of lighter porcelain—but the overall concept is the same, with the crisp white color and fluted design.

Costco’s nesting bowl set is giving real “get the look for less” energy, and I, for one, am absolutely here for it.

Related: Kohl’s Sweet Scallop-Edged Comfort Mat From Reese Witherspoon’s Line Will Brighten Up Your Kitchen

I’ve covered a lot of viral food trends over the last few years and while a few of them leave me scratching my head in disbelief, most of them are pretty tasty. (In fact, I’m still making cheese-wrapped pickles and that’s a trend that’s been long gone.) The very best food trends are usually the simplest and the ones that make me go, “How come I’ve never thought of that before?” along with any and every French bakery hack. Enter the viral croissant ice cream sandwich.

Lately, croissants are having a moment. We’ve seen smashed and topped croissants turned into open-faced sandwiches, chocolate-dipped flat croissants, crème brûlée croissants…the list goes on. And America’s obsession with the simple French pastry is nothing new. Food & Wine even published the headline “Are Croissant Trends Getting Out of Control?” a couple of years ago.

Apparently, the answer is no because there’s a brand-new croissant trend making the rounds online this summer. The #magnumcroissant hashtag is building on Instagram and the concept could not be easier: Take a chocolate-covered ice cream bar, slide it into a croissant and remove the stick. Eat.

You’re either going to love it or hate it and people are firmly on one side or the other. “I need to try this!! It loooks insane,” one Instagrammer commented. “The perfect mix of flaky, creamy, and delicious. 😍❤️” said another. Others weren’t so sure, commenting about the calorie count and accusing the trend of ruining a perfectly good croissant (or ice cream bar). But very few people have tried this one on camera and turned their nose up at it. I mean, really, how could you?

After seeing the viral croissant ice cream sandwich all over my FYP, I knew I had to try it. I grabbed a croissant from my favorite local bakery, swung by the grocery store for a pack of ice cream bars and got to work. The verdict: It was super easy and it didn’t disappoint.

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Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

The croissant ice cream sandwich works for exactly the reason you think it will: You’re combining a buttery, flaky croissant with cold, creamy ice cream and a crisp chocolate shell. There was very little chance this was going to be bad.

I chose Magnum vanilla ice cream bars covered in chocolate and almonds since Magnum bars seemed to be the trend online (the company itself is even embracing the trend on their Instagram page). The chocolate shell and crunchy almonds were especially good with the buttery croissant, but it doesn’t have to be a Magnum bar, of course (see below for our flavor suggestions!). The finished dessert is good but a tad heavy (obv, it’s ice cream in a buttery pastry pocket). You definitely only need one to get the idea. It’s a little reminiscent of taiyaki ice cream, which pairs ice cream with a fish-shaped Japanese cake. Here, the croissant becomes an ice cream cone of sorts, except it’s buttery, flaky and arguably more satisfying.

Ultimately, this is an outdoor treat, which makes it perfect for the heatwave of 2026 we all seem to be experiencing. It’s also a pretty genius solution for that melting ice cream bar at the pool. You get the ice cream and an edible, delicious wrapper to catch the drips. What more could you want?!

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

For this one, you’ll need one full-size croissant and one chocolate-covered ice cream bar on a stick. This would also work with a day-old croissant since the goal is to support the melting ice cream and that doesn’t require a soft, fresh-from-the-bakery croissant…but that is the only time you’ll hear me say that. You’ll also need a small knife or sharp kitchen shears to cut the end off the croissant. That’s it.

Related: Magnum’s New Ice Cream Bar Flavor Is ‘Heavenly,’ Fans Say

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Start by taking the ice cream bar out of the freezer and letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. In the comments, people are saying to leave the ice cream bar out for a bit to make it easier to take the stick out (and they’re right)

Next, cut the end off the croissant and eat it (duh). Once you can see the airy interior, use your fingers to gently push the center inward and make room for the ice cream bar.

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

A note about “hollowing out” the croissant here: When you cut the end off, you’ll notice that it’s much more about pushing in the center than actually hollowing it out and throwing away the innards of your precious croissant. Quelle horreur!

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Keeping the ice cream bar on its stick, carefully slide it into the pocket you created. Once the ice cream is securely inside the croissant, slowly pull out the stick. The croissant should grip the slightly softened bar and hold it in place.

Some people online are toasting their croissants, but I didn’t find that to be a necessary step. In fact, I would not personally recommend it.

I experimented with the idea of using a toasted croissant because: 1. A warm, crisp pastry and cold ice cream sounded pretty good, and 2. People online were saying this was a necessary step. Toasting my croissant made it crispier, yes, but croissants are already hard to eat, with their shatteringly crisp exteriors and bits of pastry going everywhere. Why make this any more difficult than it has to be? It made a complete mess when I attempted it and I didn’t notice much of a difference in taste from the un-toasted one. If you’re eating one in the privacy of your own home, a bit of flaky mess is no big deal. But IMO, there’s nothing worse than eating a croissant in public. And one filled with ice cream? Pass.

Related: Häagen-Dazs Just Turned One of Its Best-Selling Flavors Into a New Ice Cream Bar

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Surprisingly, the ice cream stays inside the croissant “cone,” even when it’s slightly soft. I expected it to slide out or drip everywhere, but I made three of them and the croissants held the ice cream in place even in the heat of a summer afternoon. I was surprised when I didn’t need all of the napkins I took out.

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

The best ice cream for croissants is ultimately whichever bar you already love. Vanilla, chocolate, caramel, coffee or fruit-flavored bars could all work. As long as it’s on a stick, you’re in business. If you want to move beyond the classic vanilla-and-Magnum version, here are four combinations to try out:

1. Oreo ice cream bar: A cookies-and-cream bar adds plenty of chocolate-cookie crunch to the buttery croissant.
2. Diana’s Bananas chocolate-covered banana: This swaps ice cream for a frozen banana, but you still get a creamy center and crisp chocolate shell. It’s basically breakfast now, right?
3. Magnum Dubai chocolate bar: Pair one of Magnum’s Dubai chocolate-inspired bars with a croissant for pistachio, chocolate and buttery pastry that combines two viral trends in one.
4. Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream bar: For the fruit fans, strawberry cheesecake-flavored ice cream and a buttery croissant feel like a combination that screams summer.

Related: Your Perfect Ice Cream Truck Treat, Based on Birth Month

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Coastal jewelry is having a major moment this summer, but it’s evolved far beyond classic puka shells. This season’s take on the trend feels more elevated, bringing in seaside-inspired details that can easily work with everything from vacation outfits to everyday looks.

Fortunately, Anthropologie has plenty of jewelry that puts a sophisticated spin on the coastal trend. We rounded up three of our favorite necklaces: a colorful layered set, a sleek shell pendant, and a modern pearl necklace. Whether you prefer something eye-catching or understated, there’s an option here for you.

Courtesy of Anthropologie

The Threaded Layered Necklace Set comes in five colors, ranging from easy neutrals to brighter shades like blue and red. Each set includes two necklaces designed to be worn together or separately. One features a longer pendant decorated with playful motifs like fish, shells, and pearls, while the shorter necklace sits closer to the collarbone with a colorful crystal fringe.

Made with 14-karat gold-plated brass, stone, cubic zirconia, glass, and polyester thread, the set has a lobster clasp and plenty of texture. Since the necklaces already create a layered effect, they work especially well with simple, solid-colored tops that let the charms and crystals stand out. 

One shopper called the set “so cute,” writing, “I love this set together but also as separates! I have been wearing it nonstop!” Another described it as “pretty and fun,” adding, “This necklace is a staple piece for my jewelry collection — a simple and easy way to add to your outfit.”

Related: Amazon’s ‘Darling’ $10 Seashell Trinket Tray Adds So Much Coastal-Charm to Any Space 

Courtesy of Anthropologie

For a more understated take on the trend, the Metal Shell Pendant Necklace features a wide, fan-shaped seashell pendant. Five delicate teardrop charms hang along the bottom edge, giving the simple silhouette a little extra movement and detail.

The necklace comes in gold-tone or silver-tone finishes and is made with 14-karat gold-plated brass with a lobster clasp. It’s easy to wear on its own for a sleek, minimalist look, or layer it with thinner chains when you want to create a more personalized combination.

Courtesy of Anthropologie

The Pearl Duet Necklace offers a fresh take on the traditional pearl necklace. Rather than using one continuous strand, it combines two contrasting sections: a delicate strand of tiny faux pearls that rests along the collarbone and a sleek chain on the other side. Made with faux pearls and 14-karat gold-plated brass, it has a chic yet wearable look.

The result feels modern, classic, and easy to wear every day. It looks refined on its own, but it can also be layered with a simple chain or dainty pendant for a curated look without feeling overly busy.

• Summer Shell Crystal Earrings Set, $35 (was $58) at Anthropologie
• Metal Shell Cuff Bracelet, $20 (was $38) at Anthropologie
• Ceramic Star Post Earrings, $25 (was $44) at Anthropologie

Anthropologie’s necklace selection makes it easy to bring the coastal jewelry trend into your wardrobe without going overly beachy. Between colorful charms, seashell motifs, and classic pearls, these pieces strike a nice balance between playful and wearable, making them easy choices for vacations, brunch, summer outfits, and beyond.

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When planning a trip to Central Florida, it’s easy to picture soaring roller coasters, massive resort complexes, and endless smartphone apps dictating your daily schedule. But long before Orlando became the polished theme park capital of the world, road trips through the Sunshine State had a very different kind of magic.

They looked like roadside fruit stands, cypress swamps, and a giant concrete alligator mouth welcoming families to an attraction that felt authentically, wonderfully wild.

Founded in 1949 by Owen Godwin Sr., Gatorland—affectionately known as “The Alligator Capital of the World”—predates Walt Disney World by more than two decades. Today, while the surrounding region has transformed into a bustling metropolis, this family-owned 150-acre park and wildlife preserve remains a peaceful pocket of classic Americana.

At the center of its modern renaissance is Savannah Boan, Gatorland’s Crocodilian Enrichment Coordinator and International Ambassador for Gatorland Global. A former U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Orlando radio personality who spent seven years applying for her dream job at the park, Boan has built a massive social media following by introducing millions of people to animals they might otherwise fear.

Here’s what makes this vintage Florida institution so special today, how one resilient little reptile inspired the world, and why a visit to Gatorland offers the kind of authentic connection travelers are craving.

Related: This Serene Florida Beach Is One of the Best in the Country for a ’90s-Style Digital Detox

Gatorland

In an era of hyper-planned theme park vacations, stepping into Gatorland feels like taking a refreshing breath of fresh air. The nostalgic vibe is everywhere, right down to the Gatorland Express train—a staple that has taken families over the alligator habitats since the park’s early days.

Even the iconic, giant alligator mouth entrance has stood the test of time, enduring decades of Florida hurricanes and fires to welcome generations of visitors.

“If you’re coming to Florida, you want to see real Florida—and Gatorland is real Florida,” Boan explains. “It’s not manufactured. Gatorland was here before Disney and all the big parks. If you want real value for your dollar, to have fun, learn something, and have a great family day without being stressed out about a $25 Coca-Cola—or paying for parking—come visit us.”

Boardwalks wind beneath natural cypress canopies, giving visitors a shaded look at Florida’s native landscape that remains unchanged by nearby commercial growth. That blend of nostalgia and simplicity is exactly why generations of visitors keep coming back.

“We see the same families year after year, and we still have the same decorations from way back in 1949—like this big fiberglass alligator everybody sits on to take pictures,” Boan shares. “Occasionally, people send me photos of themselves on it when they were four or five, and then photos in the exact same spot at 40 or 45. It’s such a beautiful thing and a part of Florida family history. Grandparents bring their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids over and over again.”

Related: 10 Great Things to Do in the Orlando Area Before or After a Cruise

Gatorland

Beyond the throwback atmosphere, what sets Gatorland apart is the deep, genuine connection between the staff, the visitors, and the resident reptiles.

“We definitely don’t have an app—the most progressive thing we have is a YouTube channel, which I started when I came to work here,” Boan notes. Through their videos and livestreams, the team has built an intimate community: “Our guests are like our family. We’re very bonded with them through YouTube, and we get to watch annual passholders’ kids grow up.”

While Gatorland spans 150 acres, only about 25 to 30 acres are developed as the main park—leaving the surrounding property as an untouched natural sanctuary. The preserve is a thriving Florida ecosystem home to wild otters, wood storks, herons, and raccoons. During nesting season, thousands of wild migratory birds fill the trees directly over the alligator lakes, using the gators below as natural protection against tree-climbing predators.

Inside the park’s expansive lakes, Boan knows the animals’ distinct quirks and behaviors intimately.

“Our CEO is so smart in encouraging us to develop relationships with the animals under our care,” Boan says. “I have favorite alligators that are mostly tuned to my voice. I know everything they do, what they like, and what they don’t like. Crocodiles, on the other hand, are a lot of drama—they’re like a soap opera or a telenovela, especially the male crocodiles.”

That daily dynamic unfolds across interactive park experiences like the iconic Jumperoo Show, where gators leap out of the water to demonstrate their natural power, and Adventure Hour, where guests go behind the safety fence to feed giant gators up close. For handlers like Boan, every reptile is a distinct individual. She tracks the daily movements of resident gators like Terminator, using subtle clues to figure out why he might have moved across the lake on any given afternoon.

Related: This Orlando Theme Park Was Just Named No. 1 in the Country—and It’s Not Disney or Universal

Gatorland

No story at Gatorland has captured more hearts than Jawlene, an alligator rescued in Sanford, Florida, in September 2023 who had lost her entire upper jaw.

When she first arrived, her chances of survival seemed bleak. “When we got her, she was bone thin and on death’s door,” Boan recalls. “Our vet gave her an assessment and said, ‘I don’t know, Savannah.’ But I said, ‘Nah, she’s going to be fine.'”

Through endless patience and creative feeding techniques—from floating food pellets with crickets to hand-feeding—Jawlene made a miraculous recovery. Today, Jawlene lives comfortably alongside her unexpected pool mate—a small donated pet turtle named Nelly Wafer—and continues to inspire visitors from all over the world.

“You’d think Jawlene would love me, but she’s still an alligator and tries to bite me every morning when I clean her pool,” Boan laughs. “She’s super feisty, but she wouldn’t have survived if she wasn’t. She’s the queen of all alligators and probably the most famous alligator on the planet.”

Today, as Jawlene approaches the third anniversary of her rescue, Boan is working on a children’s book to share her message of resilience: “We’re writing a children’s book about her with the message to not give up. We were just amazed at how inspirational she’s been and what a great ambassador she is for her species.”

“Gatorland Global is something my boss, Mark McHugh, and I created,” Boan explains. “We use it for all of our conservation projects in Florida and around the world, and none of that money stays in-house.” Funded in part by revenue from their massive YouTube channel, the initiative supports hands-on crocodilian research, habitat preservation, and community education across the globe:

In Cuba, Gatorland Global partners directly with scientists at the Enterprise for the Conservation of Zapata Swamp to protect critically endangered Cuban crocodiles through head-start and release programs. The initiative also provides financial backing and resources to the Holland Bay Sanctuary in Jamaica to support breeding, microchipping, and wild release efforts for American crocodiles.

Halfway across the world in Timor-Leste, Boan travels to communities like Suai Loro to consult with village elders on safe human-crocodile coexistence while honoring local cultural beliefs that revere the crocodile (Avo Lafaek, or Grandfather Crocodile) as sacred.

Closer to home, Gatorland serves as a primary rescue facility for local Florida “nuisance” alligators displaced by suburban expansion and human interaction.

“Gatorland is alligator paradise for a reason—our alligators are like high society,” Boan says. “They live a sweet life.”

To learn more about Savannah Boan’s global conservation work with reptiles, check out her TEDx Orlando Talk, read about her rescue efforts with Jawlene in Orlando Weekly, or explore Gatorland Global to support wildlife initiatives around the world.

Related: Disney Cruise Line Just Extended Its Huge Discount—Here’s How to Save Up to $1,500

Elizabeth Berkley is reflecting on the tumultuous period that followed her role in the disastrous 1995 erotic drama Showgirls.

Berkley, 54, is best known as caffeine pill queen Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell. The actress rose to stardom as the overachieving teenager on the Saturday morning TV series, which ran from 1989 to 1993 on NBC, and has found a tremendous career in film and television in recent years. But in a new Instagram post, Berkley is opening up about the intense response that Showgirls received from critics, and the ways she kept going during the tumultuous period.

Sharing a photo she found of herself at 21 years old that she found at her parents’ house, Berkley noted that it came from the world tour for Showgirls. In the film, Berkley played Nomi Malone, a young drifter who came to Las Vegas aspiring to be a showgirl.

“Having to defend myself and a movie that was made by many people. I didn’t ask ‘why’- I stood in my power, despite the journalists wanting to try to take it away. In my world, that wasn’t an option. I’m sure you all have moments, whether public or private that have tried to destroy your sense of self. While being tested over and over, I refused to self-destruct and because of the choices I made, it emboldened mine. The reality that replaced the fantasy might have been brutal at the time, it ended up being far more fantastic. Hold onto your dreams and yourself no matter what!💕,” Berkley shared. “I found this today at my parents’ house… there were other far more glamorous pics I sorted through, but something about this one struck me that I wanted to share… Hope it reminds you of how special you are if you needed that today ❤️❤️🎥✨.”

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While she made waves with her film Showgirls, Berkley went on to become an indie darling and appeared in a variety of TV series, including NYPD Blue and Titus. In 2011, she wrote a guidebook, Ask Elizabeth, for teenage girls.

These days, her acting career is still thriving, with appearances on Cobra Kai and All’s Fair. She even starred in a recent campaign for Betsey Johnson, looking better than ever.

We were stunned by a recent photograph that Berkley shared on her Instagram page. The black-and-white shot showed the blonde beauty with her hair smoothed down in soft waves.

Related: ‘Saved by the Bell’ Star Elizabeth Berkley, 53, Has Only Gotten More Stunning Since Her Jessie Spano Days

In 1983, Madonna was just beginning to break through with her self-titled debut album. More than four decades later, she is still adding No. 1 albums to her résumé, and on Aug. 16, the woman once dubbed the “reigning queen” of video celebrates her 68th birthday.

Madonna Louise Ciccone was born Aug. 16, 1958, in Bay City, Mich., and eventually became one of the defining artists of the MTV era. But her influence on music video went far beyond simply being in the right place at the right time.

Cultural critic Mark C. Taylor went so far as to call the music video the quintessential postmodern art form in his 1993 book Nots, naming Madonna its “reigning queen,” a title that she arguably still holds today.

Decades later, Billboard backed up that lofty assessment in a major way, ranking Madonna No. 1 on its 2020 list of the 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time.

In its ranking, Billboard credited Madonna’s “high-concept videos” with helping her achieve era-defining fame, noting that the visuals were “an integral part of her ever-changing image.”

The publication pointed to videos including “Material Girl,” “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue” as particularly significant moments in her career, ultimately choosing the David Fincher-directed video for “Vogue” as her finest.

The honor came nearly two decades after MTV also ranked Madonna as the greatest music video artist of all time, citing her “innovation, creativity and contribution to the music video art form” and “her ability to always intrigue the audience captivates.”

In 2010, Rolling Stone named her no. 36 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and several of her albums have been named to the publication’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

It’s hard to separate Madonna’s rise from the music-video revolution of the 1980s. Videos became an essential part of her work, from the old-Hollywood homage of “Material Girl” to the religious imagery and controversy surrounding “Like a Prayer.”

“Vogue,” meanwhile, became another defining visual achievement. The black-and-white video drew heavily on the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age while bringing voguing and elements of ballroom culture to an enormous mainstream audience.

But Madonna’s ability to reinvent herself wasn’t limited to her visuals.

After moving to New York City in 1978 to pursue dance, Madonna played drums and guitar in bands before eventually turning her attention toward a solo music career. She released her debut single, “Everybody,” in 1982, followed by her self-titled debut album the next year.

Then came Like a Virgin.

Released in 1984, the album became Madonna’s first No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while its title track gave her the first of her 12 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

Over the decades that followed, Madonna amassed 38 Hot 100 top 10s and 50 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. She also became the best-selling female music artist of all time and generated more than $1.6 billion in concert ticket sales over the course of her career.

More than 40 years after her breakthrough, Madonna isn’t simply celebrating past accomplishments.

Her 15th studio album Confessions II arrived on July 3, 2026, as a follow-up to her hugely successful 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor. The new album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving Madonna her 10th chart-topper.

That achievement put her in extraordinarily rare company: Madonna and The Beatles are now the only acts to have accumulated at least 10 No. 1s on all four of the Billboard 200, Billboard Hot 100, U.K. Albums Chart and U.K. singles chart.

She’s been busy elsewhere in 2026, too. Madonna joined Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella in April, performed during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show in July and recently teamed up with Kylie Minogue for a new version of “Love Sensation.”

The collaboration became another milestone when it reached the top 10 in the U.K., giving Madonna her highest-charting single there since “Celebration” in 2009.

More than four decades after music videos helped turn her into one of the world’s biggest stars, the “reigning queen” of the medium is still finding new ways to rule the charts.

Related: Paul McCartney’s No. 1 Duet Partner Swooped In to Outbid Him For The Beatles’ Catalog For $47.5 Million 41 Years Ago Today

In 1978, Frankie Valli traded a movie role for a No. 1 hit.

The song was “Grease,” and it was the theme song for the blockbuster movie of the same name.

Written by Bee Gees legend  Barry Gibb, “Grease” featured a funky beat and a catchy chorus, with Valli’s high-flying vocals giving it instant appeal. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1978 and gave Valli a new record deal with Warner Bros. Records.

It all started when Valli rejected a role in the movie that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in favor of recording the title song.

“Barry Gibb called and said, ‘I wrote a song. I think it’s for you. It’s going to be the title song for this motion picture,'” Valli recalled in an interview with Billboard.

He noted that his manager at the time, Allan Carr, who was partnered in the movie Grease with Robert Stigwood, offered him the choice of taking a role in the movie or recording the theme song.

“Well, I had already heard the title song, and I loved it,” Valli shared “I called [arranger] Don Costa up and told him to come over right away and hear this song. He said, ‘If you don’t record this song, you’re crazy.’ So I said, ‘What’s the song if I want to be in the movie?’ And they said, ‘Beauty School Dropout.’ It was done by Frankie Avalon. It never became a hit, but he made a lot of money from it being on the soundtrack. But ‘Grease’ was one of the biggest records I ever had in my career.”

Interestingly, Avalon also initially turned down the role, which was the character Teen Angel in the iconic  1978 film.

“I turned it down,” Avalon told the Riggle’s Picks podcast of the first time he was offered the part of Teen Angel. “I had seen the play on Broadway, and I said ‘pass.’”

Producers wouldn’t take no for an answer, but Avalon insisted, “I’ve seen the play. Teen Angel is an extension of Elvis. I’m not Elvis. I don’t have the long sideburns, I don’t do the gyration, I don’t sing like that. I got my own style.”

Producers told the singer they would change the character and have him wear all white instead of black. “So they designed the role the way I wanted to do it,” Avalon revealed.

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Avalon performed the song “Beauty School Dropout” in a dreamy scene with Frenchy (Didi Conn) as he advised her to go back to high school.

He later described the filming experience for Grease as a good one. “I was on the set for about six days, rehearsing, and then two days of filming, and that was it,” Avalon told Remind magazine in 2025.

Elvis, who died in 1977 during the summer that Grease was filmed, had actually been considered for the Teen Angel role, accoing to Entertainment Weekly. Donny Osmond was also considered to play the crooning angel in the fantasy sequence.

Decades later, it’s hard to imagine Grease any other way. Valli delivered the perfect theme song, while Avalon pulled off a swoon-worthy performance in the film that fans still adore.

Related: 1978 Pop-Rock Duet, Written Overnight for Hit Film, Climbed the Charts to No. 1 48 Years Ago Today

For Disney travelers who appreciate immersive resort storytelling, the bar has never been higher. Today’s vacationers aren’t just looking for a convenient place to sleep after a long day in the parks; they want accommodations that feel elevated, serene, and deeply rooted in Disney artistry without feeling like a child’s cartoon bedroom.

Now, Disney is offering a stunning glimpse into the future of luxury resort design.

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Walt Disney Imagineering pulled back the curtain on Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, the brand-new, nature-inspired Disney Vacation Club and Deluxe property currently rising along the shores of Bay Lake. Scheduled to officially open in Summer 2027, the resort is generating major buzz—especially with the first look inside its standalone, waterfront Lake Houses.

Reporting on the newly revealed interior design plans, Arica Conrad of WDW News Today broke down the unique creative vision behind these one- and two-bedroom lakeside cabins, which draw inspiration from Disney’s 2003 animated classic Brother Bear.

Rather than leaning on overt character graphics, Conrad highlighted how Imagineers are approaching the spaces: “These one- or two-bedroom cabins will be themed to Disney’s animated film, Brother Bear (2003). They are designed as ‘artists’ retreats,’ paying tribute to the Disney artists who worked on the film”.

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

For travelers who love rich aesthetic detail, the design choices mark a refreshing evolution in Disney hotel interiors.

Inside the cabins, the vibe blends contemporary lakeside luxury with clever artistic nods. The living spaces feature rich cherry hardwood floors, dark stone kitchen countertops, wood-beamed ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. The Brother Bear touches feel organic to the wilderness setting—from subtle woodland decor and animal-den artwork beneath pull-down twin beds to a show-stopping design feature in the master bedroom.

As Conrad detailed from the preview, “Above the bed is a large wood decor piece shaped like a mountain range. Rainbow lights shine behind the mountains, mimicking the Northern Lights seen in the film. The Northern Lights motif continues in the bathroom with artwork above the tub. The shower tiles are rainbow-colored, and there are wood beams above the double sinks“.

Related: Disney Is Quietly Building a Major New Resort at Walt Disney World

For Disney Vacation Club members and resort enthusiasts, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge represents the ultimate “best of both worlds” getaway.

Tucked quietly along Bay Lake near Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, the resort is designed to offer a peaceful, unhurried retreat immersed in nature, while still keeping you just a short, scenic boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.

By designing the standalone Lake Houses as authentic artists’ retreats inspired by ‘Brother Bear,’ Disney is leaning into what Disney fans love most: incredible Imagineering creativity, thoughtful artistic craft, and the kind of immersive Disney magic that makes a stay truly unforgettable.

Whether you’re planning a multi-generational family milestone or looking for the perfect luxury rest-day haven, this new lakeside sanctuary is shaping up to be one of Walt Disney World’s most sought-after bookings when it debuts in 2027.

Related: Disney World Just Dropped a Major Reveal for Its Next Resort

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Over a decade before it became a viral TikTok hack, I learned how to jazz up a box of cake mix watching Food Network chef Sunny Anderson demonstrate her version of a “cake-over” on Rachael Ray’s talk show. Replacing the oil with melted butter, adding an extra egg, swapping water for milk (or blooming cocoa powder mix in hot water for chocolate cake), and tossing in a couple of teaspoons of vanilla or almond extract worked like a charm to make my kids’ birthday cakes taste as if they came from a bakery without ever stepping foot inside one. It’s been my go-to for years when I don’t want to spend the money on a store-bought cake. 

It literally meltsss in your mouth. 😩 This my 2nd one ina week &a half.😭 #boxcake #cakemix #foodie #chocolatecake

While I can nail the flavor and texture of bakery cakes thanks to the aforementioned tricks, decorating is not my forte. Another hack I’ve leaned on recently is a cake pan that does the decorating for me, like Dolly Parton’s version with an embossed stamp that adds a delicate butterfly imprint to whatever you bake in it. Just $11 at Walmart, the Dolly Parton Butterfly Stamp Square Cake Pan can make a homemade layered cake look pretty enough to display in a confectionery shop window. 

Courtesy of Walmart

This nine-inch square pan leaves a subtle butterfly motif on the bottom of your cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, cornbread, casseroles, or anything else you decide to whip up. Durable carbon steel construction provides consistent heat distribution, while the silicone-based non-stick coating allows your baked goods to slide out of the pan without sticking. 

A Walmart shopper called this rose gold pan a “beautiful and affordable” way to bake a pretty cake at home, adding that they were “very happy” with the decorative butterfly imprint. The same design is also available in rectangular and round cake pans, as well as a cookie sheet.

To try the TikTok cake hack, you’ll need a box of cake mix, and what better kind to use in Dolly’s pan than one from the queen of country herself? Dolly Parton’s Duncan Hines cake mixes come in classic yellow, chocolate, strawberry, banana, and coconut, each retailing for $2, and all with rave reviews from Walmart customers who’ve tried them. While you’ll probably want to leave the top of any cake you bake in this embossed pan unfrosted or dusted with powdered sugar so the butterfly design shows, Dolly has a selection of creamy frostings in buttercream, chocolate, and strawberry flavors (also just $2) that you can slather between the layers.

• Dolly Parton Stainless Steel Short Turner, $9 (was $10) at Walmart
• Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Covered Mug Set, $20 (was $25) at Walmart
• Dolly Parton Stainless Steel Tumbler, $20 (was $27) at Walmart

Related: Dolly Parton’s $11 Dish Towel Set Has the Sweetest Butterfly Design That’ll Bring a Touch of Country Charm to Your Home

You can spend $11 on the Dolly Parton Butterfly Stamp Square Cake Pan today and bake pretty cakes in it for years to come. Snag it now at Walmart and add a sweet touch of Dolly’s signature style to your desserts.

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It’s hard to believe that the “Queen of Screen” turns 68 today, but sure enough, Angela Bassett was born on Aug. 16, 1958.

She has done it all. Whether it’s performing as the great Tina Turner or saving Los Angeles from some of the wildest situations, Bassett makes it clear that when she is on the screen, we all need to be seated.

Age has certainly not slowed Bassett down, as she continues to star on 911, which returns for its 10th season in fall 2026. Formerly a sergeant, her character Athena Grant is now a detective, and that means the potential for darker and wilder cases. At the same time, she shows her humanity, as she continues to support her children’s dreams and deal with being a widow after the loss of Bobby Nash.

If you’re not watching 911, then you’re likely watching American Horror Story. Returning for its 13th season at the end of September, Bassett will reprise the iconic role of Marie Laveau, which she originally played during the third season. 

Marie Laveau is not the only real person from history Bassett has taken on, with many likely remembering her as Tina Turner in the 1993 movie What’s Love Got to Do with It. That role would lead to an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win, making it clear early on that she was a star not to be reckoned with.

Bassett isn’t just an iconic actress, though. She has worked as an executive producer and director on multiple projects, including 911 and American Horror Story, and she holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Yale University, along with an Honorary Doctorate. And while much of her private life remains private, she is always supportive of her husband, Courtney B. Vance, making it clear that Hollywood marriages can last — they’ve been married since 1997! — and thrive.

Currently, eyes are on whether she will return to the Marvel universe in Black Panther 3. After playing Queen Ramonda during the first two movies, her character made the ultimate sacrifice to save an innocent, but that won’t prevent her from returning. The Ancestral Plane is slated to play a bigger role in the third movie, making it possible for Basset to return.

There is no stopping the “Queen of Screen,” and we just want to wish her a happy birthday! Now we just get to see what type of wild saves Athena will make during 911 Season 10 when it premieres in October.

Related: Long Before ‘The Boys’ TV Show, Brandon Sanderson Wrote His Own Story About Evil Superheroes

On August 16, 1977, the world lost Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. But inside the gates of Graceland, a small circle of women lost the man they loved.

Over the years, Priscilla Presley, Linda Thompson, Ginger Alden, and the late Lisa Marie Presley each shared unforgettable accounts of that devastating day. In their own words, here’s how the women closest to Elvis experienced the darkest moment in rock history.

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Priscilla Presley’s relationship with Elvis spanned 14 years. Married for six years, they were rock and roll’s first true power couple.

Priscilla was not at Graceland on the day Elvis died, but the tragic news reached her in Los Angeles. She vividly remembered receiving the phone call that would forever change her life.

In her book, Softly As I Leave You: Life After Elvis, she recalled meeting her sister, Michelle, for lunch when she learned something was wrong with her ex-husband. Michelle informed her that Joe Esposito, one of Elvis’ closest friends, was desperately trying to reach her.

“It was something about Elvis being in the hospital. My heart stopped. I knew Joe wouldn’t be doing that if it was just another of Elvis’s hospital stays. Something was terribly wrong,” she wrote, in an excerpt published by CBS News.

Priscilla continued, “I did a U-turn and raced home, running traffic lights and going far too fast. Cars skidded to a halt to miss me. It’s a miracle I didn’t get hit. All the way home, I prayed over and over, ‘Dear God, please let it be all right.’ Lisa was at Graceland, due to come home later that day, so she was part of whatever was happening.”

She concluded, “When I reached home, I could hear the phone ringing as I got out of the car. I prayed it would keep ringing until I reached it. I let myself into the house with shaking hands and grabbed the receiver. It was Joe. I said, ‘What’s happened?’ He replied, ‘It’s Elvis. Cilla, he’s dead. We’ve lost him.'”

RELATED: Priscilla Presley Reveals Her Real Feelings About Losing Elvis 49 Years After His Death

Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, was published posthumously in October 2024. Within its pages, she shared her own recollections about the moment her father, Elvis Presley, died.

PEOPLE Magazine published an excerpt from the book. In it, Lisa wrote of learning of Elvis’s passing. She was nine years old.

“I ran to him, but somebody grabbed me, pulled me back. They were trying to work on him. I was screaming bloody murder. I knew it was not good.”

She added that she would “never get past” the sound of her grandfather, Vernon Presley, crying out loud.

“That noise. I’ll never get past that sound of him wailing. I could hear, ‘Oh, he’s gone. He’s gone.’ My life as I knew it was completely over.”

RELATED: ’80s Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Makes First Trip to Graceland in Decades for Elvis Week

For four years, from 1972 to 1976, Linda Thompson lived at Graceland and shared a deeply intimate chapter of Elvis’s life. They were together almost every moment of every day, during a time when the King of Rock and Roll was heavily touring and made twice-a-year trips to Las Vegas for his residency.

Linda was not with Elvis when he passed; they had ended their relationship eight months earlier in December 1976.

Thompson recalled the moment she learned of the king’s death via a phone call from his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. The New York Daily News shared her remarks via PEOPLE Magazine.

Thompson wrote that she was “frozen by a dread of acknowledging the truth.” Lisa Marie exclaimed, “Linda, my daddy’s dead!”  

RELATED: Elvis Presley’s Longtime Love Shares Rare Photos of Their Private Life Together

Ginger Alden was engaged to Elvis Presley and with him at Graceland at the time of his death. They had become engaged in January 1977 after knowing one another for two months.

Alden said she woke and realized Elvis was not in bed, but thought nothing of it, as he often went into his bathroom to read. She called her friend, followed by her mother, before checking on him, she explained in her book, Elvis & Ginger.

“I glanced at the clock and saw it was close to 2:20. The bathroom door was cracked open a little,” she began.

“I knocked on the door and asked, ‘Elvis?’ There was no answer. Slowly opening the door, I peered in and saw Elvis on the floor off to the left. I stood paralyzed as I took in the scene,” Alden continued.

She called for help, and security guard Al Strada and Joe Esposito rushed up Graceland’s stairs. They later called Elvis’ personal physician, Dr. George Nichopoulos, and his friend, Charlie Hodge, who all tried to revive him until paramedics arrived. Elvis was declared dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee at 3:30 p.m.

Almost five decades have passed since that quiet late-summer afternoon at Graceland. But the loss still feels real for those who shared his life. Elvis belonged to the world, but to Priscilla, Linda, Ginger, and Lisa Marie, he was family.

Related: Elvis Presley’s Private Bedroom: The Real Reason It Was Never Opened to the Public

In the 1980s, Madonna was no stranger to controversy. But one of her biggest songs took on a life of its own after its release in the summer of 1986.

The song, “Papa Don’t Preach,” appeared on Madonna’s third album True Blue, and quickly became more than a pop song as it sparked a debate over teen pregnancy and the choices that young women make.

Written by Brian Elliott, the song opens with a dramatic string arrangement before snapping into an upbeat ‘80s dance pop groove, with Madonna singing about a pregnant teen who begs her father to accept her decision to keep her baby.

“Papa Don’t Preach” was fueled by a popular music video shot in Staten Island starring Madonna, Alex McArthur, and Danny Aiello, helping the song reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 16, 1986.

Madonna predicted the song would be controversial.

“’Papa Don’t Preach’ is a message song that everyone is going to take the wrong way,” she told The New York Times in 1986. “’Immediately they’re going to say I am advising every young girl to go out and get pregnant. …This song is really about a girl who is making a decision in her life. She has a very close relationship with her father and wants to maintain that closeness. To me it’s a celebration of life. It says, ‘I love you, father, and I love this man and this child that is growing inside me.’ Of course, who knows how it will end? But at least it starts off positive.”

As predicted, as “Papa Don’t Preach” climbed the charts, the song was debated by Planned Parenthood and pro-life groups.

Planned Parenthood of New York City executive director Alfred Moran said the song was “destructive” as it romanticized teen pregnancy.

“The message is that getting pregnant is cool and having the baby is the right thing and a good thing and don’t listen to your parents, the school, anybody who tells you otherwise -don’t preach to me, Papa. The reality is that what Madonna is suggesting to teenagers is a path to permanent poverty,” he told The New York Times.

Feminists for Life in America praised “Papa Don’t Preach” as a “pro-life” song that told of an alternative to abortion.

Everyone from  activist Tipper Gore to feminist attorney Gloria Allred weighed in on the song, with Allred suggesting to The Los Angeles Times that Madonna should “make a public statement noting that kids have other choices, including abortion, or if she doesn’t want to make a statement, then she has the responsibility to make another record supporting the opposite point of view.”

Songwriter Elliot explained that he simply penned the song as “a sensitive plea for compassion and understanding about a young girl who found herself at a crossroads in life and didn’t know where to turn.”

He also noted that Madonna brought “a lot of depth” to the song.

“But once she sang it, it became the property of everybody, and they’ve all brought their different set of interpretations to it,” Elliott added. “I still feel it’s a lucky thing for me. Any time a song can galvanize the public and create this kind of debate, it’s as much as any pop song can ever hope to be.”

Forty years later, “Papa Don’t Preach” still stands out as one of Madonna’s boldest and most debated songs, a snapshot of the provocative pop star at the height of her cultural influence.

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If you know the famous banjo-and-guitar showdown from Deliverance, you know Eric Weissberg, even if you don’t immediately recognize his name.

Weissberg, who was born Aug. 16, 1939, would have turned 87 today. The New York-born musician became best known for playing banjo on “Dueling Banjos,” the memorable instrumental featured in the 1972 film Deliverance. The recording became an unlikely pop sensation, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973.

It was by far Weissberg’s biggest commercial success, but his career extended well beyond that one famous song.

“Dueling Banjos” was featured prominently in the 1972 film starring Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox.

For the recording, Weissberg played five-string banjo while Steve Mandell played guitar. The single became a major hit after the movie’s release, spending four weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 behind Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” It also reached No. 5 on Billboard’s country chart and No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart.

The song wasn’t just a commercial success. Weissberg and Mandell won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “Dueling Banjos.”

And the album connected to the recording was even more successful: Dueling Banjos reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

There’s another surprising part of the story. One of the most recognizable pieces of music associated with a 1970s Hollywood movie actually had roots nearly two decades earlier

Because the music wasn’t actually written for Deliverance.

“Dueling Banjos” was based on “Feudin’ Banjos,” a 1950s composition by musician Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith. Weissberg and Mandell arranged and recorded their version for the movie, but Smith was initially not properly credited. He eventually sued and received songwriting credit and royalties.

The recording was released under the name “Dueling Banjos” after the movie made the tune famous.

Before his biggest hit, Weissberg had already built a substantial career as a folk and bluegrass musician.

He was a member of the Tarriers and later became a prolific session musician. His credits included work with artists such as Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, John Denver, Billy Joel, Melanie, Art Garfunkel, Jim Croce and the Talking Heads, among others.

He had studied at Juilliard and was known for playing a wide range of instruments, including banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dobro and bass.

Weissberg died in 2020 at age 80. But decades after “Dueling Banjos” became a No. 2 hit, that instantly recognizable banjo performance remains his lasting musical calling card.

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