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Jim Morrison told people his parents were dead. He said it when The Doors first rose to fame, and he kept saying it. His father, George Morrison, was very much alive. More than alive. He was a US Navy admiral who commanded American naval forces during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964 — the singular event that gave the Johnson Administration the justification it needed to start the Vietnam War. NSA documents declassified in the early 2000s confirmed that the second Gulf of Tonkin attack, which triggered the war, never happened. Jim Morrison spent his entire career writing songs like "The End" that defined the war's destruction. His father may have helped fabricate the incident that started that war.

George Morrison graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1941 and was stationed in Hawaii when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7. He earned his Wings of Gold in 1944 and flew combat missions in the Pacific in the final days of World War II. During the Korean War, he earned a Bronze Star for combat operations against North Korean and Chinese forces.

By summer 1964, he was aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard commanding American naval forces off the coast of North Vietnam. On August 2, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked the USS Maddox. The ship came out of it with a single bullet hole. Two days later, on August 4, during a stormy night, the ships picked up sonar and radio signals suggesting another attack. They fired on targets that may not have existed. Morrison's team later contacted headquarters to say the enemy targets may have been false returns from the weather. Headquarters never passed that information to Defense Secretary McNamara. Congress approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The Vietnam War began. President Johnson later disclosed privately: "For all I know, our Navy was shooting whales out there."

Jim Morrison's response to all of this was to tell journalists his parents were dead. His father had openly said that he didn't believe that rock music was the best career goal for his son. As George later put it: "I had the feeling that he felt we'd just as soon not be associated with his career. Maybe he was trying to protect us." Jim responded by pretending the family didn't exist. What neither acknowledged publicly was the extraordinary historical paradox their estrangement concealed. Jim became the counterculture's most mythological anti-war voice.

Related: 1966 Folk Classic, Written While Gordon Lightfoot Was Still Married, Became Greatest Regret

He wrote "The End." Francis Ford Coppola opened Apocalypse Now with it because no other piece of music captured what it felt like to descend into the war's madness. The son of the man who may have helped start that madness had defined what it sounded like. As one historian wrote: "Even a novelist cannot create a father and son as dramatically in conflict."

On July 2, 1971, George Morrison stood at a podium in Washington and gave the keynote speech at the decommissioning ceremony for the USS Bon Homme Richard — the flagship from which he'd commanded the Gulf of Tonkin operation seven years earlier. The next day, July 3, Jim Morrison was found dead in a Paris bathtub. He was 27. The father had honored the ship the day before his son died. The two men who'd never make up were separated by an ocean and 24 hours. George outlived his son by 37 years.

He Was Just Somebody You Would Like to Know

George didn't stop after Vietnam. In 1975, he personally helped organize relief efforts for nearly 100,000 Vietnamese refugees sent to Guam. He later called that assignment the most satisfying of his career. The man who might have helped start the war spent his later years helping its survivors. Meanwhile, Jim's music kept finding new audiences. His father once said rock music wasn't the best career path for his son. But before his death in 2008, George donated Jim's school report cards, college diploma and Cub Scout uniform to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a Doors exhibit.

For decades, George said almost nothing publicly about Jim. Then, before he died in 2008, he broke his silence. He didn't mention the estrangement or the years of distance or the fact that his son had told people he was dead. He said: "He (his son) was just somebody you would like to know."

George Morrison witnessed Pearl Harbor. He flew combat missions in two wars. He earned a Bronze Star in Korea. He commanded the ships during the incident that may have started the Vietnam War. He didn't believe that rock music was where his son's talent was. His son told people he was dead. His son wrote the music that defined the war's destruction.

Some distances are too wide to cross in a lifetime.

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Canned pinto beans are one of those pantry staples that are always good to have around. They're inexpensive, filling and already cooked, which means you're never too far away from an easy side dish or meal. But if your usual routine is simply heating them up and calling it a day, you might be missing out on some serious flavor.

There's no shortage of ways to use canned pinto beans. You can toss them into chili, pile them into tacos and burritos, add them to soups or salads, or even turn them into a hearty bean dip. With so many possibilities, we started wondering which one is actually the best.

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To find out, we asked three chefs a simple question: If you could recommend just one thing to make with canned pinto beans, what would it be? Despite all the different ways you can use them, their answers pointed us in the same direction.

Even better, their pick is easy to make at home and doesn't require starting with a pot of dried beans. With a few easy additions, that inexpensive can sitting in your pantry can become a creamy, flavorful dish that's just as at home alongside tacos as it is scooped up with tortilla chips.

Here's what the chefs we spoke to recommend as the best way to use pinto beans, plus their tips for buying the best canned pinto beans and dressing them up like a pro.

Our Panel of Chefs

• Jess Rice: Rice is the senior test kitchen editor at Budget Bytes, where she develops and tests affordable, approachable recipes for home cooks. Her culinary career includes teaching food theory and classical techniques as a chef professor at Niagara College, working as a private chef, and co-founding AVO, a Nashville restaurant known for its creative plant-based food.
• Erica Holland-Toll: Holland-Toll is the culinary director at The Culinary Edge, a food and beverage innovation agency that develops menus, recipes, and new concepts for restaurant and manufacturing clients. She has more than 20 years of culinary experience, and she previously served as executive chef of the Stanford Flavor Lab, where she developed innovative dishes and dining experiences for Stanford University.
• Joanne Gallagher: Gallagher is the co-founder and recipe creator behind Inspired Taste, which she launched with her husband, Adam, in 2009. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, she develops and meticulously tests easy-to-follow recipes for home cooks, helping build the site into a resource with hundreds of recipes and step-by-step cooking guides.

Related: The Genius Way to Make Guacamole 10x Better, According to an Award-Winning Chef

What To Look for When Buying Canned Pinto Beans

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You don't need to overthink the ingredient list when shopping for canned beans. “Check the label for a clean ingredient list: pinto beans, water and salt,” says Jess Rice, senior test kitchen editor at Budget Bytes. She doesn't mind seeing calcium chloride either, which helps keep the beans whole and firm.

Joanne Gallagher, the co-founder and recipe creator for Inspired Taste, has similar advice. “Look for beans packed in water with just a bit of salt, nothing more, so you're getting a clean pinto flavor without any added starches or preservatives muddying things up,” she says.

And don't forget to check the can itself. Gallagher recommends passing on any cans that are dented or bulging and grabbing another one instead.

The Best Thing To Make With Canned Pinto Beans, According to 3 Chefs

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Of all the things you can make with canned pinto beans, one stood out among our experts: refried beans.

Keep things simple with grated garlic, a little cumin and a potato masher, says Erica Holland-Toll, the culinary director at The Culinary Edge. “It's super easy to make the perfect refried beans for dips, tacos and breakfast burritos,” she says.

“Refried beans are my answer every time,” Gallagher says. Her method starts by sautéing onion and garlic in oil, butter, or bacon fat until the onion turns sweet and starts browning around the edges. From there, she adds the beans and about a cup of stock, then mashes everything right in the pan, adding a splash more liquid if the beans get too dry. A squeeze of lime and some melted cheese finish things off.

Rice also likes roughly mashing canned pinto beans rather than blending them completely smooth. She says this creates a texture that's “rich and velvety enough to spread smoothly across a crispy shell, yet rustic and chunky enough to give you delightfully tender texture in every bite.” She likes using the mashed beans on tostadas, where they pair perfectly with the crispy shell.

Related: I Asked 3 Chefs the Best Canned Pantry Staple, and They All Said the Same Thing

4 Ways To Garnish Like a Pro

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Once your refried beans are ready, don't stop there. Our experts shared plenty of easy ways to dress them up.

1. Add some cheese.

Cheese was a favorite across the board. “I love to sprinkle a little cheese and some fresh scallions—Cotija is great, feta works, Parm in a pinch,” Holland-Toll says. “Any fresh cheese like farmer's cheese or queso fresco is delicious.”

Rice also recommends queso fresco, shredded cheddar, Cotija or Oaxaca cheese, while Gallagher suggests crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese.

2. Sprinkle on something fresh.

A handful of fresh toppings can brighten up a rich bowl of refried beans. Holland-Toll likes scallions, while Gallagher reaches for diced white onion and fresh cilantro.

3. Give them some acid.

Don't underestimate a little acidity. “A squeeze of fresh lime at the end brings out the rich, savory flavors,” Gallagher says.

Rice also likes adding “something with a touch of acid,” such as pickled red onions, pickled jalapeños or salsa.

4. Turn up the heat.

If you like your beans with a kick, Gallagher recommends a few slices of jalapeño.

Holland-Toll keeps it even easier. “If nothing else, a spoonful of salsa or a few shots of hot sauce is great as well,” she says.

Final Thoughts

Canned pinto beans may be a humble pantry staple, but it doesn't take much to turn them into something special. With a few simple ingredients and the right toppings, you can have creamy, flavorful refried beans on the table in minutes—no soaking or hours of simmering required.

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

On Aug. 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe died at just 36 years old. She was found the following day in her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Her death, while tragic, has since frozen the Hollywood icon in time, with the trove of films, fashion moments, and unforgettable songs she left behind serving as a portal that leads straight back to the Sixties.

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One of the most enduring portraits of the star came nearly a decade before her death, when the 26-year-old actress, singer, and model performed the dazzling musical number “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in Howard Hawks’ 1953 film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

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Marilyn Monroe singing “Diamonds are a Girls Bestfriend” in film ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953)🎀 #oldhollywood #goldenage #marilynmonroe #gentlemenpreferblondes #actress

♬ original sound - Fiftiesdaily

“The song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ is just one of many from a movie that, six decades later, still retains much of its carefree if largely camp appeal,” Life magazine wrote. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondeswas not only a huge box office success but proved, once and for all, that Marilyn Monroe could truly anchor a movie as its star.”

For the performance, Monroe wore a gorgeous, floor-length strapless pink gown designed by William Travilla and matching opera-length satin gloves, with the number accessorized by sparklers around her neck and wrists. She danced around a stage and tuxedoed men, with every shimmy accentuated by the dress hugging her curves.

Despite the song’s title, however, the diamonds Monroe rocked weren’t real. The necklace and bracelets were costume jewelry, proving that the illusion she created mattered more than the actual price tag.

The whole performance was a display so dazzling that it perfectly captured her character Lorelei Lee’s tongue-in-cheek philosophy that diamonds—and the men who can afford them—are a girl’s best friend. The spectacle became so synonymous with Monroe that it’s easy to forget the song was already a hit.

Monroe wasn’t the first to turn “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” into a stage classic. That feat actually belonged to another legend—Carol Channing—who introduced the song to audiences in Anita Loos and Joseph Fields’ Gentlemen Prefer BlondesBroadway musical four years earlier.

In 1949, Channing became a star overnight playing the ditzy star of the Loos-Fields play. As Lorelei Lee, Channing was the very first person to sing the showstopping number, using her trademark wide-eyed naivete and raspy vocals to turn the tune into a cultural phenomenon.

“Doesn’t matter what the name of the character, it’s always Carol,” explained one commentator in Channing’s 2012 documentary, Carol Channing: Larger Than Life, People shared, adding, “And that’s what makes a star. Nobody ever says, ‘Get me a Carol Channing type.’ There aren’t any.”

Penned by the legendary songwriting team Jule Styne and Leo Robin, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” became one of the era’s most enduring popular songs of film’s golden age. Their other iconic songs included “A Little Girl From Little Rock,” “Bye Bye Baby,” and “You Say You Care.”

Jack Cole’s legendary choreography then took Styne and Robin’s song into another stratosphere. Helping shape Monroe’s screen persona, Cole’s choreography gave the actress a more precise physical vocabulary for the number, from her posture and gestures to the controlled, stylized movements that became part of the performance’s allure.

The to-die-for combination of Travilla’s hot-pink number, Cole’s hyper-stylized staging, Styne and Robin’s enduring pop hit, and Monroe’s legendary moxie all combined to create an iconic sequence that lives on through homage, from Madonna’s “Material Girl” to Margot Robbie in “Birds of Prey” decades later.

Marilyn Monroe’s 30th movie, Something’s Got to Give, was left unfinished when she died in 1962. Even so, the remarkable cinematic and musical moments she delivered in Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Misfits, How to Marry a Millionaire, and above all, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, are more than enough to fill a legacy that has lasted generations.

She may have left at 36, but more than seven decades after she slipped into that hot-pink stunner, Monroe is still singing, and the world is still watching.

Related: 1964 Heartbreak Hit, Co-Written by Burt Bacharach, Turned a 17-Year-Old Singer Into a No. 1 Star

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There's something about popping open a bottle of bubbly that makes an ordinary night feel a little more special. Champagne is always an option, of course, but a good bottle can get expensive fast. If you're buying a few bottles for a brunch or dinner party, that price can be hard to justify.

Luckily, you can find some incredible Prosecco for less than $20, and we're not just talking about bottles destined for mimosas. There are plenty worth drinking on their own, with everything from crisp acidity and fresh fruit to fine bubbles and a dry finish.

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The harder part is actually figuring out which ones are worth buying. Walk into just about any grocery or wine store, and you'll probably have more than a few bottles staring back at you, often at very similar prices.

To help narrow things down, we asked four experienced sommeliers for their favorite Proseccos under $20. Their recommendations include everything from familiar bottles you can find at your local grocery store to Prosecco Superiore DOCG that comes in right at the top of our budget.

Here are the seven bottles of Prosecco that made our list, straight from the sommeliers that swear by them.

Our Panel of Experts

• Lindsey Geddes is a Master Sommelier and wine director at Carversteak in Las Vegas, where she oversees a wine list with more than 400 selections. She was the 21st woman in the world to earn the Master Sommelier title.
• Vilma Mazaite is an Advanced Sommelier and general manager of Donnachadh Family Wines in Santa Barbara County, California. She previously worked in restaurants in Las Vegas, New York and Aspen, and was named one of Food & Wine's top sommeliers in 2015.
• Marissa Kipp is an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds the WSET Diploma and is a senior project manager at Marq Wine Group. She has worked throughout the wine industry, including at wineries and restaurants and in wine distribution, retail and education.
• Ian Bennett is a Certified Sommelier and owner of The Study Wine Pub in Oklahoma City. In 2025, he was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.

What Makes a Cheap Prosecco Taste Expensive?

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A good bottle of Prosecco doesn't necessarily need a high price tag. According to Mazaite, one of the most important things to look for is balance.

“Like with any price range, I always look for balance,” she says. “A $20 wine may not have the depth or complexity of a more expensive bottle, but it should still offer freshness and a harmonious balance of fruit and acidity.”

That means looking beyond price and paying attention to how the wine is made. Prosecco Superiore DOCG is one designation worth knowing. These wines come from one of Prosecco's two DOCG regions and must meet stricter production standards, including lower harvest yields and more specific geographic requirements.

Related: A 139-Year-Old Brand Is Making National Prosecco Week More Inclusive With a Zero-Proof Sparkler

The Best Proseccos Under $20 to Buy Right Now

These are the seven best Proseccos the sommeliers we spoke with recommend when you're shopping for bubbles on a budget.

1. Adami Garbèl Prosecco DOC Brut, $19.98 at B-21

Wine.com

“This is my favorite Prosecco,” Geddes says. The family-owned Adami winery dates back to 1920, and Garbèl is its entry-level Prosecco made to showcase the producer's style.

Bennett is also a fan, describing it as “dry, crisp, pleasantly tart.” With two of our sommeliers recommending the same bottle, Adami Garbèl was an easy addition to our list.

2. Scarpetta Prosecco, $14.95 at BuyWinesOnline

BuyWinesOnline.com

Mazaite calls Scarpetta “bright, crisp and incredibly easy to enjoy.” She especially likes its balance of freshness and fruit, and says it's one of her favorite everyday Proseccos.

Bennett also recommends it, calling it a “perfect patio pounder.” Scarpetta was founded by Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson.

3. Bisol Jeio Brut Prosecco Superiore DOCG, $19.95 at Zachys

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Kipp recommends Bisol Jeio Brut, which comes from one of the oldest wineries in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, with roots dating back to 1542. She describes the wine as having notes of crisp green apple, citrus and white flowers.

At about $20, it also gives you a chance to try a Prosecco Superiore DOCG while still staying under the $20 mark.

4. Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Treviso DOC, $12.29 at Total Wine & More

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Geddes calls Mionetto Prestige Brut “a consistently great option for sipping and mixing.” Mionetto has been making Prosecco for more than a century and offers several bottles in its Prestige collection for $11 to $15.

It's also easy to track down. Geddes notes that the wines can be found at grocery stores and Target, making this one of the more accessible picks on our list.

5. Poggio Costa Prosecco DOC NV, $13.95 at BuyWinesOnline

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Mazaite calls Poggio Costa “amazing quality for the price.” She describes it as dry and beautifully balanced, with classic Prosecco flavors of pear, melon and apple.

Mazaite prefers Prosecco on the drier, crisper side, and Poggio Costa is one of the bottles she says she reaches for most often.

6. Zardetto Prosecco Brut DOC, $12.99 at Total Wine & More

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Geddes calls Zardetto “always reliable” and says the producer has long made high-quality Prosecco. At about $15 a bottle, it's also one of the more affordable recommendations on our list.

Zardetto describes the Brut as fresh and fruity, with notes of green apple, apricot and citrus. It's an easy bottle to serve as an aperitif, but it also works well throughout a meal.

7. La Marca Prosecco DOC, $13.39 at Total Wine & More Shop It!

“It's everywhere for a reason,” Bennett says of La Marca. He describes it as inexpensive, “easy to find” and “loaded with white peach flavor.”

That combination makes La Marca an especially practical pick if you need a bottle for a party, brunch or last-minute get-together. You shouldn't have to hunt around for it, and at about $14, it leaves plenty of room in the budget.

Prosecco vs. Champagne: What Is the Real Difference?

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Prosecco and Champagne are both sparkling wines, but they're not the same thing. Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, while Prosecco DOC is produced in northeastern Italy.

They're also made with different grapes. Prosecco is made primarily with Glera, while Champagne is typically made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier.

Most Prosecco goes through a second fermentation in large pressurized tanks using what's known as the Martinotti-Charmat method. According to the Prosecco DOC Consortium, this helps enhance the fresh, fruity and floral qualities Prosecco is known for.

With Champagne, that second fermentation happens inside the bottle instead. It's one reason the two can taste quite different, even though you'll find both of them in the sparkling wine aisle.

What to Pair With Your Budget-Friendly Bubbles

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Mazaite considers Prosecco an ideal aperitif because of its bright, fruit-forward character. For food, she recommends prosciutto and melon, tangy cheeses and seafood crudo.

“Those fresh flavors and lively acidity make it the perfect way to start a meal,” she says.

That gives you quite a few options when serving a bottle at home. Put together prosciutto, melon and a few cheeses for an easy appetizer, or pair your Prosecco with crudo if you're serving seafood. It also works perfectly well on its own before dinner.

Final Thoughts

You don't have to spend a lot to bring home a good bottle of Prosecco. As our experts' picks show, there are plenty of options under $20 that deliver crisp acidity, fresh fruit and plenty of bubbles without the premium price tag.

Whether you're opening a bottle for brunch, serving it with dinner or just want something bubbly in the fridge for the weekend, there's something here for just about any occasion. And at these prices, you might even want to grab a couple.

Related: I Tried Every Flavor of Elizabeth Banks' Canned Wines and Ranked Them Worst to Best

Billy Strings had an unusual accessory for his latest concert: a hockey helmet.

The bluegrass star, 33, took the stage in Indianapolis on Friday, Aug. 7, wearing protective headgear after an attendee reportedly hit him in the head with a lighter during the previous night's performance.

Strings was performing at the Fishers Event Center as part of a three-night run when the incident occurred. According to concertgoers, the musician was hit while onstage after addressing the audience.

Fans reported seeing him return for the following night's show wearing a hockey helmet.

Rather than letting the incident derail the performance, Strings appeared to turn it into a joke.

"Billy came out in a hockey helmet in jest after getting a lighter thrown at him by some Indiana dumba-- the night before," one Redditor said of the act. "Fantastic response."

"Unfortunately, the thrower got exactly what he wanted," another pointed out.

"He interrupted the show and got some attention from the performer. He definitely got a huge thrill when Billy told the crowd to find him and sodomize him.

He walked onto the stage in the helmet for the Aug. 7 show, giving fans an unforgettable visual before launching into his set. Social media footage and fan reports from the concert quickly spread images of the Grammy-winning musician performing in the unexpected protective gear.

The helmet appearance came during a particularly eventful stretch for Strings.

The 33-year-old musician had already dealt with a fractured leg earlier this year after a skateboarding accident backstage, forcing the postponement of the original Indianapolis dates. The rescheduled shows were held Aug. 6–8.

There have been no reports of Strings suffering a serious injury from the incident.

The musician is continuing his 2026 tour, with upcoming dates including shows in Fargo, North Dakota; Bozeman and Missoula, Montana; Vancouver; and Everett, Washington. Several of the dates are already sold out.

RELATED:

Bunnie Xo may have a new cowboy in her life.

The 46-year-old podcaster was spotted holding hands with 24-year-old reality star Dylan Wolf during a Saturday, August 8, outing at the Ventura County Fair in California.

According to TMZ, Bunnie attended the rodeo with friends when Wolf was seen walking hand-in-hand with her as he escorted the group to their seats. The reality star reportedly made sure Bunnie was settled before leaving to work the rodeo, later returning to stand behind the group.

Neither has confirmed they're dating. Wolf previously said to the outlet that they're supporting one another as friends, adding, "sometimes cowboys hunt cougars."

Of course, the sighting comes after Bunnie’s ex-husband Jelly Roll filed for divorce from her in May after nearly a decade of marriage, with their divorce finalized July 17.

Who is Dylan Wolf?

Wolf is a 24-year-old reality personality who appeared on Calabasas Confidential, which follows young influencers and social media personalities in Southern California.

His romantic life has previously played out on-screen, where he pursued connections with co-stars Jemma Durrant, Emma Medrano, and Suede. Wolf was also linked to Delilah Belle Hamlin in 2025, the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

READ MORE:Jelly Roll Shares First Post Since Filing for Divorce From Bunnie Xo

What about Jelly Roll?

Bunnie's ex, meanwhile, is preparing to take some time for himself. During his July 28 concert in Salt Lake City, Jelly Roll revealed he planned to step away from touring for potentially one or two years to focus on "healing."

"I'm fixing to take some time off and heal," the 41-year-old told the crowd. His announcement followed a particularly busy stretch that included touring and television appearances all while going through his divorce from Bunnie. After completing his final scheduled performance, Jelly Roll currently has no additional concerts listed on his official tour calendar.

Thirty years after they captured America’s first Olympic team gold medal in women’s gymnastics, the Magnificent Seven are together again.

Reuniting this weekend at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix, AZ, Amanda Borden,Amy Chow, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strugconverged three decades after their unforgettable victory at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Dominique Dawes, who rounded out the Magnificent Seven, was not present at the weekend’s festivities.

The Magnificent Seven reunion gave fans a chance to see the women who became household names and captured the hearts of gymnastics fans watching around the world, all grown up and celebrating one of the most memorable Olympic moments in American sports history.

The Magnificent Seven Entered the 1996 Olympics With the Weight of a Nation

Thirty years ago, the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team became superstars. The team earned the nickname the “Magnificent Seven” and entered the Atlanta Games with enormous expectations and the weight of an entire nation.

Entering the Games, the team was considered America’s best chance to win its first Olympic team gold medal in women’s gymnastics.

They delivered, and more.

Related: Gymnastics Legend, Who Led the 'Magnificent Seven' to Olympic History, Delivered the Greatest Performance of Her Career

Why the Magnificent Seven’s Olympic Gold Was So Significant

The Magnificent Seven’s Olympic gold medal was more than a victory for America. This was a collection of talented young gymnasts, working toward a common goal and representing a turning point for American women’s sports.

The victory came at a time when American women’s sports was gaining increased visibility and respect. The 1996 Atlanta Games gave millions of viewers a group of young women to root for, remember and follow long after the Games ended.

Part of what made the Magnificent Seven’s gold medal so sweet was the adversity the team overcame to achieve it. Coming into the final rotation, a gold medal was within reach, but Dominique Moceanu fell on both her vault attempts, and Kerri Strug injured her ankle on her first vault.

Strug returned for her second vault, landing on just one foot before hopping away from the vault and collapsing.

The image of Kerri Strug being carried to the medal ceremony by coach Béla Károlyi became one of the most iconic images of the Atlanta Games and one that symbolized the grit and resilience the team showed to earn gold.

The Magnificent Seven Inspired a New Generation @teamusa

Golden now and forever ✨ 30 years ago today, the Magnificent Seven made history and are still inspiring the women of @USA Gymnastics to achieve greatness.

♬ original sound - Team USA

The Magnificent Seven also inspired a new generation of gymnastics fans. Their performances were replayed endlessly and shared in chat rooms during the pre-social media era. Members of the team appeared on magazine covers and television shows and became celebrities beyond their sport.

For fans seeing the Magnificent Seven reunite, this reunion is more than a nostalgic moment.

The team members were ages 14 to 19 in 1996 and are now grown women in their mid-to-late 40s. The Magnificent Seven have been icons in the public eye for most of their lives, giving fans the feeling of watching a family member grow up.

Thirty years removed from the Atlanta Games, the importance of the Magnificent Seven is no less significant. The impact of their gold medal has only grown with time.

This wasn’t just a team that won gold. This was a group of talented young athletes who entered the Olympics with the expectations of an entire nation and showed the world, themselves and young women everywhere that anything is possible.

Related: Olympic Skating Legend, 62, Who Created Magic at the 1988 Winter Games, Can Still Make the Ice Sing

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In the summertime, a maxi dress is the ultimate low-effort staple. It combines the relaxed comfort of your favorite everyday pieces with an elevated silhouette that makes it look like you put in far more effort than you actually did. With soft fabrics, flattering shapes, and an easy flowy fit, the right maxi dress can take you from warm-weather travel to casual weekends, making it a must-have addition to any summer wardrobe.

One beautiful option that won’t break the bank is the OutfitShow Flowy Tiered Maxi Dress. Right now, it’s on sale for 38% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $26 to just $16. 

OutfitShow Flowy Tiered Maxi Dress, $16 (was $26) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The dress is available in sizes small through 2XL and comes in 10 different colors, including five floral print options and five solid shades. Whether you prefer a bold pattern or a simple neutral you can wear on repeat, there’s an option to match your personal style.

Made from a blend of 90% polyester and 10% spandex, the fabric is soft, lightweight, and designed for all-day comfort. The material has just the right amount of stretch without feeling restrictive, making it ideal for hot summer days, travel, and everyday wear. Its smooth texture and flattering drape help create a comfortable fit that still feels stylish.

It features a classic scoop neckline, an elastic waist for a flattering shape, and a flowy tiered skirt with subtle ruffle details. Two side pockets make it even more practical, giving you an easy place to keep small essentials like your phone or keys. The airy silhouette is comfortable for a variety of body types and can even work well as a maternity-friendly option.

Shoppers praised the dress for its comfort, fit, and pretty design. One reviewer described it as “absolutely adorable,” noting that the pockets are “deep enough for a phone.” They added, “It fits so well and is such a cute summer dress. The material is very lightweight for summer.” Another called it “beautiful” in a five-star review, highlighting the “vibrant colors” and “true-to-size” fit.

Styling this dress is incredibly easy. For a casual everyday look, pair it with white sneakers, a crossbody bag, and a denim jacket. For a more elevated outfit, add strappy sandals, layered gold jewelry, a structured clutch, or an oversized blazer. If you love a boho-inspired aesthetic, woven accessories, suede ankle boots, or a lightweight cardigan create an effortless cottagecore-inspired look.

Beyond being cute and comfortable, this maxi dress is also a timeless wardrobe piece. It works for errands, weekend brunches, outdoor garden parties, vacations, and even casual work settings when layered with a cardigan or blazer. The tiered ruffle design gives it a subtle boho feel, while the classic silhouette keeps it versatile enough to wear season after season.

Shop More Deals

• Uvn Flowy Square Neck Tiered Dress, $18 (was $33) at Walmart
• Snorda Striped Dress, From $7 (was $9) at Walmart
• Free Assembly Strapless Cotton Poplin Tiered Midi Dress, $29 (was $38) at Walmart

Related: Walmart Has a $6 'Stretchy' Knit Swing Dress That 'Packs Like a Dream for Travel'

For a simple yet put-together dress you’ll reach for all summer long, the OutfitShow Flowy Tiered Maxi Dress is a great pick. And with Walmart’s current 38% discount bringing the price down to just $16, it’s an easy choice to grab one, or even a few, in your favorite colors.

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.

Stockard Channing is loving her reclusive life almost 50 years after starring in Grease.

Channing, 82, earned acclaim for her role as tough-talking Pinky Lady Rizzo in 1978's film version of Grease alongside Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Over the years, she's navigated endless memorable film and theatrical roles ranging from The First Wives Club to Practical Magic. On TV, she made waves on The Good Wife and as Martin Sheen's wife, Dr. Abbey Bartlett, on the beloved series The West Wing. But in a rare new interview, Channing opened up about prefering a different kind of life these days.

Dave Benett / Getty Images

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Channing Prefers a Reclusive Life

Channing just shared that she enjoys a quiet life in London these days. She relocated across the pond of Maine in 2019, following the death of her partner, producer Dan Gillham, in 2014.

"I’m happy being a recluse," Channing explained in a rare interview with the UK's Sunday Times, noting that Gilham's death was "more devastating than I realized; it had a lag effect. The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life from Maine."

She went on to say that children didn't end up being part of the plan.

"Children were thought about and, yeah, I think about them now because it’d be great to have someone taking care of me. But hey, children can be just as selfish as everybody else out there."

The changing tide of American politics also contributed to her departure, she noted, sharing her move "vaguely coincided with Trump getting elected and the way politics has changed in the US."

'People look at The West Wing and go, “ Wow, wasn’t it great when politicians had an ounce of integrity?”' Channing added, recalling the public's adoration for the hit NBC political series.

She's Tackling Directing

While Channing praised her reclusive life, it doesn't mean she isn't taking on exciting new challenges professionally. She's currently making her directorial debut with a production of Krapp’s Last Tape at the Edinburgh Festival. She'll also be participating in a bunch of events this fall for the premiere Practical Magic 2, in which she reprises her role of Aunt Frances Owens from the original alongside Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

Check out the trailer for Practical Magic 2 below:

Related: Goldie Hawn Dancing With a Giant Bottle of Wine in Her Hand Is the Ultimate Vacation Vibe

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If you're a fan of popular romantasy books like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) or Fourth Wing, then you've probably read Callie Hart's Quicksilveror, at least, have thought about it. This viral TikTok sensation is the first in Hart's Fae & Alchemy series. If you are a fan, you'll be delighted to know that Netflix bought the film rights for an adaptation that will come soon enough, too. Romantasy-lovers were instantly hooked by this novel due to its strong female lead and plethora of interesting fae lore. Not to mention the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers plot.

I actually happened to pick this one up after I finished the ACOTAR series a while back and wanted to read something similar to get over my book hangover. Let me tell you: it got me right out of my reading slump. It felt like an agonizing wait for the second novel, Brimstone, which came out in November 2025. But, without giving too much away, I can say that it was worth the wait.

Not only is the romance top-tier in both these novels, but it's also got some spice if you're into that. Because I'm a huge fan and finished two books of this planned trilogy (the third isn't out quite yet)—plus just due to its sheer popularity—I spoke with librarians for Parade to get 11 books like Quicksilverto, once again, get me out of my post-Fae & Alchemy slump. Read on to see what they shared, including a much-appreciated spice meter for each recommendation.

Related: 11 Epic and Captivating Books Like ‘The Odyssey,’ According to Librarians

The Librarian-Approved Book Spice Scale

According to the Allegheny County Library Catalogue, librarians define the spice scale as a way to clue readers in to the amount of sexual content to expect in a book. This is usually indicated using the pepper emoji.

Another good source to check out for a better understanding of the spice scale is romance.io. This is a website where readers and on-staff romance readers can submit their reviews and give an opinion on what they think the spice level is.

The consensus on the spice scale is as follows:

Spice LevelReasoning

🌶️

Pretty much no sexual content or references to sexual content.

🌶️🌶️

Some mild references to sexual content, but there are no overly explicit sexual scenes.

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Has at least one intimate scene with some sexual euphemisms.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Features two or more sexually explicit scenes with explicit language.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Contains several sexually explicit scenes and has explicit language throughout the book.

Related: We Asked 4 Librarians, ‘What’s the Best Murakami Book?’—And They All Said the Same Thing

What Is 'Quicksilver' by Callie Hart?

Quicksilver is the first book in Callie Hart's Fae & Alchemy series. This spicy romantasy novel—romance.io rates it a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5 on the spice scale—follows Saeris Fane, who isn't your typical heroine. Saeris lives in a poor district of the city, Zilvaren, with her younger brother Hayden. Together, the two of them have to fight and steal to survive. One day, Saeris's fate changes when she's caught stealing and pulls an ancient, magical sword from a portal to the fae world. Instantly transported there, she soon finds herself in an epic game of survival and meets a feared fae warrior named Kingfisher.

This debut in the series immediately interested me because Saeris is a trained blacksmith—not your typical female lead! I don't want to spoil too much about the story if you haven't read it just yet, but you can expect BookTok favorite tropes like enemies-to-lovers, a "shadow daddy," forced proximity and a morally gray MMC (male main character).

Romantasy-lovers and librarians alike can't get enough of this one. If you are already a huge fan of this series, see a few librarian recommendations for others like it below.

Related: The 101 Best Young Adult Books of All Time

11 Books Like 'Quicksilver,' According to Librarians1. 'Heir of Prophecy' by Analeigh Sbrana

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5

While this romantasy novel won't be out until August 25, Jessica P. Pryde—a librarian and the founder of Why Choose: A Romance Bookstore, a queer-Black-woman-owned pop-up bookstore experience—says this one will be a must-read for die-hard Quicksilver fans. It contains key story elements that will get readers hooked—from a magic system to the Fae, and of course, a forbidden romance.

"A woman possessing [a] secret, unknown magic is being hunted and has to hide her identity, all the while she's seeing visions of a being who could be the bringer of the end," Pryde sums it up a little more. "Sbrana's world building is always interesting, and the setting will scratch the same itch as Quicksilver."

Related: 17 Books Like ‘Harry Potter,’ According to Librarians

2. 'Her Soul for a Crown' by Alysha Rameera

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️/5

While this book hits lower on the spice scale, focusing on more of a slow-paced type romance, Pryde says Quicksilver readers will absolutely eat this book up. It has a unique premise inspired by Sri Lankan mythology. A young woman and orphan goes on an epic revenge quest against the ruling class, stopping at nothing to achieve her goals.

"While the plot is nothing like Quicksilver, the vengeance theme and the interaction between the main characters in this slow-burn romantasy would definitely work for someone looking for similar reads," she shares.

3. 'Terror at the Gates' by Scarlett St. Clair

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

As a big fan of unique world-building and, of course, Quicksilver, I've had this novel on my reading list for a while. It's the first in the Blood of Lilith series, and Pryde pretty much affirms that this gritty reimagining of Lilith's story is perfect for fans of Hart's series. The themes in this book are dark, but complex and interesting. Expect an urban dark romantasy with an enemies-to-lovers trope along with themes like politics and misogyny.

"Everyone should be reading Scarlett St. Clair, no matter what, but this is another one in which a young woman... has fallen into hard times and a complicated situation," the librarian explains. "[She] finds herself in the hands of a much more powerful man. The proximity they're thrown in leads to revelations on all sides, and the power between them both could lead to devastation and ruin."

4. 'Dominion' by Jean Kwok

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Dominion is the first book in Kwok's Silk and Iron trilogy, inspired by Chinese mythology. According to Pryde, there's lots to love about this book, especially if you're a Quicksilver fan. While some elements are similar to other romantasy books like Fourth Wing (it features trials with large, powerful beasts), the main character, Rubi, is similar to Saeris Fane in many ways. With a classic enemies-to-lovers trope and moderate spice, this recommendation from Pryde is now at the top of my reading list.

She also breaks the plot of this down a bit more for us.

"In a world broken into dominions, Rubi has no power and almost no memories," she shares. "When she's forced into a trial that promises to kill her, neither she nor anyone else knows what to do when it doesn't. Now she has a tyger companion and a mage warrior to deal with."

5. 'Silver and Blood' by Jessie Mihalik

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Pryde once recommended this book, and I devoured it in two days. While I'll be honest, it doesn't have the most unique premise (it's heavily based on Beauty and the Beast), it's just a really fun, spicy read that features fae romance elements and magic. The romantic tension between the leads definitely mirrors Quicksilver, making it an absolute page-turner.

"Accidental portal fantasy, you say? A young woman finds herself captive in a castle in the woods and then discovers that her captor has been trapped on the wrong side of a portal for who knows how long," Pryde sums it up nicely. "The other side is all kinds of bad, but she's willing to do what she can to help him stay there."

Related: 29 'Must-Read Magical Realism Books, According to Librarians

6. 'Rose in Chains' by Julie Soto

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Julie Soto's first novel in her Evermore trilogy is Rose in Chains. While this novel definitely differs from Quicksilver, Jasmine Saunders—a librarian at the Los Angeles County Library—recommends it for its strong female lead and the similar enemies-to-lovers trope. I've read this one myself, and it definitely features some dark themes (read the trigger warnings), but I read it all in a matter of days, proving it hooked me enough to want to read the next novel.

"Similar to Saeris in Quicksilver, the main character in Rose in Chains, Briony Rosewood, is thrust into a game of survival with high political stakes and magic," Saunders says. "The magic system is interesting and unique. Plus, the slow-burn romantic tension between the lead characters is the cherry on top of an action-packed experience."

7. 'Fall of Ruin and Wrath' by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Most romantasy lovers know Armentrout for her popular series From Blood and Ash, but Saunders says that this other book from her is a must-read, especially if you love the first book in the Fae & Alchemy series.

"The world-building in this novel is really unique and just as intricate as Quicksilver," she explains. "It does start off a bit slow, but builds to the spice-level that Armentrout is known for writing. The fated lovers trope is also similar to Quicksilver, and the romantic leads are really well-written."

8. 'King of the Damned' by Ariel N. Anderson

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This is a quicker read and the first novel in the Echoes of Eternity duology.

"This dark and sexy vampire romance definitely gives Quicksilver vibes due to the male lead," Saunders states. "Much like Fisher, Kaius Voroninov is tortured in a way that attracts the female main character Adelasia. Expect tropes like fated mates and forced proximity."

9. 'On Wings of Blood' by Briar Boleyn

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Bloodwing Academy is a dark academia series packed with lots of fun tropes, with the first novel in this series being On Wings of Blood. Think enemies-to-lovers, a magical school, vampires, dragons and a morally gray male lead. Saunders recommends this series to Quicksilver readers for its action-packed scenes, interesting magical elements and its true enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance.

"This romantasy series is a bit of a bully romance, but the slow-burn tension between the leads Medra Pendragon and Blake Drakharrow is steamy, complicated and keeps you coming back for more," she shares.

10. 'Powerless' by Lauren Roberts

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5

Saunders and I both love Lauren Roberts's Powerless trilogy. And luckily, if you're someone who likes to devour a series fully (guilty), all three books are already out so there's no agonizing waiting.

"This series follows Paedyn Gray, an 'ordinary' in a world full of 'elites' who possess magical powers," Saunders explains. "Being without magic in her world means automatic death and her love interest, Kai Azer (right-hand man and brother to the king), is meant to hunt her kind down. Inevitably, this leads to swoon-worthy romantic tension, high-stakes political situations and lots of character growth. While it's definitely different from Quicksilver in a lot of ways, the romance is next-level in this one and a great read for those who love interesting world-building."

11. 'Gild' by Raven Kennedy

Amazon

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Gild is the first novel in Kennedy's The Plated Prisoner series. Saunders says that if more fae elements are what you're looking for, this one is a good option.

"This novel is a unique take on the myth of King Midas," Saunders says. "The FMC (female main character), Auren, lives a life of luxury in a gilded cage, acting as a prize for King Midas. She believes that Midas loves her, but he soon betrays her for political gain. There's romance, magic, fae elements and political situations that Quicksilver readers will love."

Up Next:

Related: 7 Books To Read After 'Heated Rivalry,' According to a Librarian

Sources:

• Jessica P. Pryde, librarian and founder of Why Choose: A Romance Bookstore, a queer-Black-woman-owned pop-up bookstore experience
• Jasmine Saunders, librarian at the Los Angeles County Library

One of rock's most influential bass players is celebrating a milestone birthday.

Rinus Gerritsen, the founding bassist of Dutch rock legends Golden Earring, turns 80 on Aug. 9. Over a career spanning six decades, Gerritsen helped shape the band's signature sound on classics like "Radar Love," "Twilight Zone" and "When the Lady Smiles," making Golden Earring one of the Netherlands' most successful rock exports.

Related: Rock Legend, Who Was Just 15 When He Co-Founded U2, Turns 65

The band released 25 studio albums, scored nearly 30 top 10 singles in their home country and became international stars thanks to the enduring success of "Radar Love."

But one of the most remarkable stories from Gerritsen's career has nothing to do with the charts.

According to his official biography, Gerritsen's aggressive, melodic bass playing drew the attention of none other than Jimi Hendrix during Golden Earring's early years. Hendrix was so impressed that he tried to recruit the young bassist for his own band. Gerritsen, however, remained committed to the group he had founded alongside childhood friend George Kooymans, choosing to continue building what would become one of rock's longest-running lineups.

Related: 1973 Rock Song, Written by a 22-Year-Old Bruce Springsteen, Became an Obscure Band's Only No. 1 Hit

Born Marinus Gerritsen in The Hague on Aug. 9, 1946, he formed what would eventually become Golden Earring with Kooymans in 1961, when the pair were just teenagers. The group was originally known as the Tornados before changing its name to the Golden Earrings and later Golden Earring. After years of lineup changes, Barry Hay joined as frontman in 1967, drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk completed the classic lineup in 1970 and the four musicians remained together for more than 50 years.

Golden Earring's international breakthrough came in 1973 with "Radar Love," which became a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band toured extensively in the United States, sharing stages with artists including Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Santana and Rush while building a reputation as one of Europe's premier live rock acts. Their second major American hit arrived in 1982 with "Twilight Zone," whose MTV video helped introduce the band to a new generation of fans.

Beyond Golden Earring, Gerritsen released a solo album in 1979, produced recordings for other artists and became widely admired for his innovative bass playing. Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris has cited Gerritsen as an important influence, a testament to the lasting impact of his style on generations of rock musicians.

Related: ’70s Rock Legends Announce New Album 51 Years After Breakthrough Hit ‘Dreamboat Annie’

Golden Earring ended its active career in 2021 after Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS. Following Kooymans' death in July 2025, the surviving members reunited one final time for a series of sold-out farewell concerts in the Netherlands, celebrating the band's extraordinary legacy and honoring their longtime friend and bandmate.

Now, as Gerritsen celebrates his 80th birthday, he remains forever linked to one of rock's most recognizable bass lines and to the decision that kept Golden Earring together, even after one of music's greatest legends came calling.

Related: '70s Guitar Legend Who Helped Bring Pink Floyd Back to the Stage Turns 77

The "better-for-you" soda movement is having a serious moment. It feels like every week there's another colorful can promising to replace your afternoon cola with something made from cleaner ingredients. Between prebiotic and probiotic sodas, botanical wellness tonics, adaptogenic drinks and functional beverages packed with vitamins or fiber, the beverage aisle looks completely different than it did just a few years ago.

And to enter a popular sparkling water brand to the mix, Spindrift is joining the movement, but in a way that feels very true to the brand.

Instead of creating another pre/probiotic soda, Spindrift soda is leaning into what it's always done best: sparkling drinks with real squeezed fruit. If you've followed my taste tests before, you know I'm already know I'm a huge fan of sparkling waters. I recently ranked every Spindrift sparkling water flavor and all the Waterloo sparkling water flavors, so when I spotted this brand new soda line, I knew it had to be next.

I'll admit, though, I wasn't sure what to expect. Without added sugar or artificial sweeteners, could these actually scratch the soda itch? Or would they taste more like sparkling water pretending to be soda? And once I saw the flavors of the Spindrift sodas, I got really excited....I'm an absolute sucker for anything Shirley Temple flavored, so my expectations immediately shot up. Then I saw Orange Vanilla, and as a huge creamsicle ice pop fan, I was very intrigued. If they could nail these classic, nostalgic soda flavors, I'd be hooked.

I recently packed the six flavors in my cooler for a beach day with my family. After tasting all six flavors side by side, I can confidently say we had some we loved, and some we wouldn't seek out again. They aren't just sparkling water wearing a soda costume. These sip like something entirely in it's own class.

Related: Here’s What Happens to Your Body if You Drink Sparkling Water Every Day

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

What Is Spindrift Soda?

Spindrift Real Fruit Soda is the brand's take on a naturally sweetened soda made with real squeezed fruit juice instead of artificial flavors or added sugar. Unlike many of today's better-for-you sodas that rely on stevia, monk fruit or sugar alcohols for sweetness, Spindrift lets fruit do the work.

The lineup currently includes six nostalgic flavors: Concord Grape, Lemon Lime, Orange Vanilla, Shirley Temple, Ginger Ale and Strawberry Vanilla.

Every can contains real fruit juice, lightly carbonated water and no added sugar. That means the sweetness is much more subtle than a traditional soda, allowing the fruit flavors to come through naturally instead of tasting syrupy.

It's less sweet than the soda many of us grew up drinking, but that's also what makes it feel refreshing instead of heavy.

Related: We Asked ‘The Water Sommelier’ To Rank His Favorite Bottled Waters and His Answers Surprised Us

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

When Did Spindrift Soda Launch?

Spindrift was founded in 2010 with a simple idea: sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit instead of "natural flavors." That philosophy helped the brand stand out in an increasingly crowded sparkling water category.

In early 2025, the company expanded beyond sparkling water and introduced Spindrift Soda with five nostalgic flavors inspired by classic American soda flavors. Shortly afterward, they renamed a few of the flavors and added in Lemon Lime.

Rather than competing directly with traditional sodas, Spindrift positioned the new line as a real-fruit alternative for people looking for a cleaner ingredient list without giving up the fun of cracking open a can of soda.

Related: I Tried 8 Popular Sprite Flavors To Find the Best

All 6 Spindrift Soda Flavors Ranked From Worst To Best

Which soda flavors were popping and which ones fell flat...

6. Lemon Lime

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Lemon Lime landed at the bottom of my ranking, not because it was bad, but because it was much more tart than I expected. The bright citrus flavors are definitely there, but the apple juice used to sweeten it doesn't quite balance the sourness.

Instead of tasting like a classic lemon-lime soda, it drinks more like a slightly sweeter version of their lemon lime sparkling water. My son spit this one out and said, "Way too tart!" But if you prefer a super tangy drink over sweet sodas, this one may be right up your alley.

Related: Does Sparkling Water Hydrate You?

5. Ginger Ale

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This is a ginger ale made for serious ginger fans. The fresh ginger flavor is bold, spicy and unmistakable, making it taste more like a wellness drink than a traditional soda. It's smooth and refreshing, but the ginger takes center stage from the first sip. I enjoyed it, but it reminded me more of something I'd reach for with an upset stomach than a soda I'd casually crack open on a hot day.

Related: Martha Stewart’s Refreshing Strawberry Ginger Smash Is the Only Drink You’ll Want to Make This Summer

4. Shirley Temple

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Spindrift missed the mark with this flavor. I was expecting a sweet, cherry-forward Shirley Temple, but this version takes a different approach. Instead of relying on artificial cherry flavor, it's built around pomegranate and citrus juices for a lighter, cleaner take on the nostalgic drink.

It was very good, but I missed that signature strong cherry flavor. The real fruit juices create a refreshing soda that's balanced and easy to sip, but I might call it pomegranate punch over a classic Shirley.

3. Concord Grape

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

If you've ever eaten a Concord grape straight off the vine, you'll immediately recognize this flavor. It tastes remarkably authentic, capturing that rich, juicy grape flavor without tasting overly sugary. My husband described it as a melted grape ice pop, and after one sip, I couldn't think of a better comparison. It's one of the most accurate fruit flavors in the lineup. Would buy again.

2. Strawberry Vanilla

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Strawberry Vanilla came incredibly close to taking the top spot. The strawberry flavor is juicy, sweet and vibrant, while the vanilla adds a creamy finish that makes each sip taste like a yummy dessert. I only wish the vanilla played an even bigger role, but even so, this was one of the easiest, and most enjoyable, flavors to drink.

1. Orange Vanilla

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Orange Vanilla was the clear winner of my taste test. It delivers all the nostalgic flavors of an orange creamsicle with bright citrus balanced by a smooth hint of vanilla. I did find myself wanting just a touch more creamy vanilla flavor, but the refreshing orange ultimately won me over. It's nostalgic, incredibly drinkable and the flavor I'd happily stock in my fridge all summer long.

My Honest Thoughts on Spindrift Soda

My husband and I were impressed...my son, not so much.

I would say these skew towards an adult audience, given a lot of the fruit juices are very tart and I would use the term soda for sure, but it's not anything like a classic soda.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

I loved that there was absolutely no lingering aftertaste from artificial sweeteners or even natural sweeteners like stevia, which is something I notice immediately. Instead, each flavor tasted clean, bright and refreshingly simple.

Are these as sweet as a regular soda? Definitely not. But personally, I don't love overly saccharine drinks anyway. These hit that sweet spot where they still feel like a refreshing drink without making me feel like I just drank a ton of sugar.

The cans are gorgeous. The bright, colorful packaging instantly catches your eye and would look right at home in an ice-filled party cooler.

They're also surprisingly versatile. Every flavor is enjoyable on its own, but I couldn't stop thinking about how fun they'd be as cocktail mixers. The Ginger Ale is practically begging to become a Dark 'n Stormy, while Shirley Temple be delicious with a little vodka twist.

Would I buy them again? Absolutely, but with the understanding that they are much more sweeter sparkling waters than they are classic sodas.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Where To Buy Spindrift Soda

Right now, availability is probably Spindrift Soda's biggest downside.

Unlike traditional sodas that seem to occupy entire grocery store aisles, these can still be a little tricky to track down depending on where you live.

Here in New Jersey, the easiest place for me to find them was Wegmans. According to Spindrift's store locator, they're also available at additional retailers, like Hannaford and are continuing to roll out nationwide.

As distribution expands, I wouldn't be surprised to see them pop up in many more grocery chains over the next year. They're good enough that I hope they do.

If you're expecting Spindrift Soda to taste exactly like a can of traditional soda, you might be surprised.

But if you're looking for something that delivers real fruit flavor, refreshing bubbles and just enough sweetness to satisfy a craving without relying on added sugar or artificial sweeteners, I think Spindrift has created something pretty special. It doesn't try to imitate soda...it reimagines it.

Up Next:

Related: 10 Popular Low-Calorie Ice Creams, Tested and Ranked From Worst To Best

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Here's the thing: My social feeds are filled with DIYers and crafty types rummaging through thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets all in the name of finding items with potential and fixing them up. In fact, there are so many of these videos recommended to me (thanks, algorithm) you'd think that I, too, were an expert and putting a fresh shine on someone else's throwaway. And yet ... that is not the case.

I love home decor that has vintage appeal, but I don't have even the slightest talent for taking something old and making it look new again. Thankfully, some retailers embrace that antiqued look with retro-style lamps, quilted bedding and rugs that look elegant but lived in, all requiring no DIY skills on my part.

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Orange Floral Wall Décor by Ashland, $35.99 (originally $59.99) at Michaels

Michaels

Shop It!

Take Michaels' Orange Floral Wall Decor by Ashland, for example. This three-tier wall shelf has a charming, slightly rustic look, with three open shelves that give you plenty of room to show off things like framed photos, kitchen collectibles and small plants. The scalloped edges add a little personality, keeping it from feeling like a basic storage piece, while the wood finish gives it that warm, casual feel that works especially well with farmhouse, cottage or vintage-inspired decor.

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

At 12.75 inches wide, 4.25 inches deep and 18.5 inches tall, this shelf is compact enough to use a smaller stretch of wall without sticking out too far. Each of the three shelves can hold up to one pound, with a three-pound maximum for the entire piece, so it's best suited to lighter decorative touches like those small plants and collectibles I mentioned earlier.

There aren't any reviews on the wall shelf yet, but it seems to be selling like hot cakes. Michaels has it marked as a "top seller" on the product page, and each time I check, the number of shoppers who've purchased it in the past 48 hours keeps ticking up.

Michaels is primarily known for its craft supplies, but if you sleep on its home decor, you're really missing out. And if you love the vintage-inspired look as much as I do, you'll probably add this pretty domed cake stand to your cart as soon as you lay eyes on it. In fact, a lot of the retailer's fall 2026 decor finds veer towards the antiqued aesthetic, so now's the time to pounce if you're working on a home refresh.

Related: Hobby Lobby's 3-Tier Tray Embraces French Country Charm and Is Perfect for Afternoon Tea

Some of the biggest names behind Disney's movies and franchises are opening up about the worlds they helped bring to life.

Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature-length documentary from Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, premieres Aug. 20 on Disney+. The film explores the memories, creative breakthroughs and personal inspirations that have shaped some of Disney's most influential storytellers and how those ideas eventually become real-world experiences at Disney Parks around the globe.

The documentary features an impressive lineup of Disney creative minds, including James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter and Jared Bush, along with Disney leaders Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro.

For Cameron, 71, the conversation offers a look at how the world of Avatar expanded beyond the screen and into Disney Parks. Favreau, 59, and Dave Filoni bring the Star Wars perspective, exploring the creative process behind a universe that has become an enormous part of Disney's theme-park storytelling.

Marvel Studios president Feige, 53, also appears, offering insight into the characters and stories that have become part of Disney's expanding Marvel presence.

Meanwhile, Lee, 54, Docter 57, and Bush, 52, represent the animation side of Disney's storytelling legacy, with their work spanning some of the company's most beloved modern films and franchises.

Rather than simply looking back at Disney Parks history, Disney Worldbuilders focuses on the connection between the stories audiences love and the immersive environments created from them.

That includes a look at how ideas that begin as movies, characters or fictional worlds can eventually become attractions, lands and experiences that guests can physically step into.

The documentary also looks toward the future, offering glimpses of projects and experiences still in development at Disney Parks.

Iwerks, 56, is no stranger to documenting the creative forces behind Disney. Her previous work includes The Imagineering Story, the acclaimed Disney+ documentary series that explored the history and innovation behind Walt Disney Imagineering.

Disney Worldbuilders will give viewers another opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping Disney's storytelling universe and see how their ideas continue to move from imagination to reality.

The documentary premieres Aug. 20 on Disney+.

RELATED: Happiest Baby Recalls XS and XL SNOO Sacks Over Safety Concern

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formally known as fatty liver disease, is a health condition that can really sneak up on you. It happens gradually with no symptoms, so many people don’t realize they have it. Often, people with MASLD find out they have it when tests are done for other reasons. 

Since MASLD doesn’t have any early symptoms, it’s easy to brush it off as no big deal, but its effects can be detrimental. Without treatment, it can cause more serious liver diseases.    According to the American Liver Foundation, an estimated 25% of adults in the US have MASLD, and instances of it are on the rise.

“As our diets have changed to a more ultra-processed food diet, obesity and incidences of MASLD have risen,” says Dr. Pradnya Mitroo, MD, a gastroenterologist and a managing partner at Fresno Digestive Health. To this point, Dr. Mitroo notes that 70% of people with type 2 diabetes and 70 to 80% of people with obesity have MASLD.

Related: Tips for a Healthy Liver: What Experts Recommend for Optimal Liver Function

Dr. Marta Trejor Bravo, MBBS, PhD, MSc, a hepatologist at University of Iowa Health Care, explains that obesity and type 2 diabetes increase the risk of fat building up in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and, over time, liver scarring. This is why having them is a risk factor for MASLD.

There’s one simple habit both doctors say can help lower the risk of MASLD, and it’s something especially people who sit all day can benefit from.

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The Simple Habit People Who Sit All Day Should Have To Lower Their Risk of MASLD

Most people spend the majority of their time sitting. Many people are tied to their computer all day for work, and even after work, it can feel more enticing to relax on the couch than to do something active. But all that sitting has a price. According to scientific research, physical inactivity is a core independent driver of MASLD. 

There’s one simple habit that can help lower your risk and it’s one Dr. Tejedor and Dr. Mitroo recommend to everyone—especially to people who spend most of their time sitting: going for a short walk after each meal. 

“Walking after a meal can help prevent blood sugar from rising too high. When you walk, your muscles use some of the sugar from your bloodstream for energy, which helps lower the amount of sugar your liver needs to handle after eating. By helping the body manage blood sugar more effectively, regular walks after meals can reduce fat buildup in the liver and improve the body's response to insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels,” Dr. Tejedor tells Parade.

Related: This Is the #1 Most Important Habit for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist

Dr. Mitroo points to scientific research showing that walking alone—even without dietary intervention—significantly decreases liver fat. “Walking also supports liver health by producing various peptides that decrease inflammation in the liver,” she adds.

She highlights scientific studies showing that walking after eating reduces postprandial glucose spikes significantly, compared to exercising before a meal, explaining, “This really matters because it has been shown that 30% of fat that gets deposited in the liver is actually produced in the liver in response to these postprandial glucose surges."

In addition to decreasing inflammation and reducing fat buildup in the liver, Dr. Mitroo says that walking also restores the intestinal barrier function disrupted by diets with ultra-processed foods. This helps rebalance the gut microbiota composition. “It’s really important since we know that gut dysbiosis activates inflammatory pathways that drive MASLD progression,” she explains.

Related: The Common Supplement Hepatologists Wish People Would Stop Taking So Casually

Other Health Benefits of Walking After Meals

Taking a short, post-meal walk isn’t just good for your liver; it benefits the whole body. According to Dr. Tejedor, even a walk as short as 10 minutes is enough to lower blood sugar levels, a benefit that has a positive domino effect throughout the body.

For example, better blood sugar control helps the body process food better. It’s also good for your heart. “Reducing blood sugar spikes may help protect blood vessels and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease over time,” she explains.

Balanced blood sugar also supports mental health. Once you start taking a short walk after eating, you’ll likely find that your energy remains more stable throughout the day and you’re in a better mood. This is because blood sugar crashes can lead to fatigue and irritability.

Scientific research shows that walking after meals is a helpful habit for weight management too. A scientific article published in the International Journal of General Medicine found that walking after eating was more effective for weight loss than waiting for one hour to walk after a meal.  

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Masld

While going on a short walk after eating is a great way to reduce your risk of MASLD, other habits can also help. In terms of diet, Dr. Mitroo says that the Mediterranean diet is a great eating plan to follow for lowering the risk of many chronic conditions, including MASLD. This eating plan emphasizes eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins, seafood and olive oil while minimizing ultra-processed foods and red meat.

“Ultra-processed foods change our gut microbiome, which causes gut microbiome dysbiosis and contributes to the liver inflammation seen in MASLD,” Dr. Mitroo says.

She adds that it’s especially important to be mindful of your sugar intake, explaining, “An important thing for people to understand is that sugar is what causes MASLD, not fat."

Another way to support your liver is to minimize alcohol consumption.

“Alcohol can worsen liver damage in people with MASLD. Research suggests that even moderate amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of liver disease progression. For this reason, experts recommend limiting alcohol intake if you have MASLD. People with more advanced liver scarring should avoid alcohol altogether,” Dr. Tejedor says.

It’s also important to consistently get good sleep. “Optimizing sleep is very important because poor sleep quality is a substantial risk factor for MASLD development. Fragmented or restricted sleep causes a significant reduction in insulin sensitivity, even after a single night of partial sleep deprivation,” Dr. Mitroo explains.

Reducing your risk of MASLD doesn’t come down to one specific habit; what your overall diet and lifestyle look like matters more. But committing to going on a 10-minute walk after each meal is a great first step to take toward supporting your health. It’s something your whole body will benefit from.

Up Next:

Related: This Is the Best Breakfast for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist

Sources

• Fatty liver disease (MASLD). Mayo Clinic.
• Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Cleveland Clinic.
• Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). American Liver Foundation. 
• Dr. Pradnya Mitroo, MD, gastroenterologist and a managing partner at Fresno Digestive Health.
• The American Diabetes Association Announces a Statement on Liver Disease in Diabetes. American Diabetes Association.
• Koliaki, C., Dalamaga, M., Kakounis, K., et al. (2025). Metabolically Healthy Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): Navigating the Controversies in Disease Development and Progression. Current Obesity Reports. 14(1):46.
• Dr. Marta Trejor Bravo, MBBS, PhD, MSc, hepatologist at University of Iowa Health Care.
• Sheikh, M. Y., Younus, M. F., Shergill, A., et al. (2025). Diet and Lifestyle Interventions in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 26(19):9625. 
• John Baker, C., Martinez-Huenchullan, S. F., D’Souza, M., et al. (2021). Effect of exercise on hepatic steatosis: Are benefits seen without dietary intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes. 13(1):63-77.
• Engeroff, T., Groneberg, D. A. and Wilke, J. (2023). After Dinner Rest a While, After Supper Walk a Mile? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis on the Acute Postprandial Glycemic Response to Exercise Before and After Meal Ingestion in Healthy Subjects with Patients with Impaired Glucose Intolerance. Sports Medicine. 53(4):849-869.
• Breymeyer, K. L., Lampe, J. W., McGregor, B. A., et al. (2017). Subjective Mood and Energy Levels of Healthy Weight and Overweight/Obese Healthy Adults on High-and Low-Glycemic Load Experimental Diets. Appetite. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.08.008.
• Hijikata, Y. and Yamada, S. (2011). Walking just after a meal seems to be more effective for weight loss than waiting for one hour to walk after a meal. International Journal of General Medicine. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S18837. 
• Marti-Aguado, D., Luis Calleja, J., Vilar-Gomez, E., et al. (2024). Low-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with increased fibrosis in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Journal of Hepatology. 81(6):930-940.

If you are looking for a beautiful statement piece of furniture that is also super functional, look no further than World Market. The retailer sells so many stunning artisan finds, from statuesque bookshelves to elegant cabinets that look like pieces of art. Now, you can also add cozy armchairs to the list. This particular style caught our eye for its enchanting folklore style. This chair honestly looks like something you'd be lucky to score at an estate sale or an antique store.

World Market's striking Bloomfield Ivory Cotton Embroidered Floral Turned Leg Chair brings the most charming folklore vibes to any space. The cozy chair features cotton upholstery with a bright, cheery Scandi-inspired design, complete with pretty florals and birds, giving it a super unique, handcrafted look. The colors are vibrant, popping against the crisp ivory fabric and making a beautiful statement. You are bound to earn tons of compliments on this piece. Your friends and family will be surprised to hear it's from World Market!

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Bloomfield Ivory Cotton Embroidered Floral Turned Leg Chair, $699.99 at World Market

World Market

Featuring four chair legs made out of mango wood in a deep brown finish, this chair boasts a traditional silhouette, complete with padded arms, a rounded back and an apron front. This chair makes the perfect spot for reading, lounging and relaxing. For dimensions, this chair measures 30.5 inches in width, 34 inches in depth and 36.5 inches in height.

Related: World Market's Chic 3-Tier Rolling Kitchen Island Adds Extra Space to Small Kitchens

Customers adore this beautiful chair, giving it an average rating of five stars on World Market's website.

"I walked in to get an ottoman and walked out with the ottoman and the chair, simply beautiful, fun whimsical and fits in any room. Thank you, World Market!!!!" raved one fan in a five-star review on WorldMarket.com.

"I absolutely love this chair! It is so unique and the embroidery is really special. It feels like a custom-made piece," said another happy World Market customer in a five-star review on WorldMarket.com.

You can find this enchanting armchair on World Market's website or in select World Market stores. It retails for $699.99.

Related: World Market's Charming Floral Wreath Is Perfect for Transitioning Your Front Door From Summer to Fall

The idea of home as a refuge runs deep. Netflixspent this week dismantling that assumption in the most literal way possible, stranding a real performer inside a billboard high above one of the busiest corners in Los Angeles.

The stunt promotes The Last House, the streamer's sci-fi thriller that began streaming Friday, Aug. 7. The film follows a suburban family of four who wake to find themselves sealed inside their house with no way out. To bring that premise into the physical world, Netflix built a fully furnished living room into a billboard roughly 30 feet above the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Selma Avenue, then placed a live performer inside to occupy it from Thursday through Saturday, communicating with commuters below using a whiteboard beneath the words "How long can you survive?"

Many people passing underneath were not convinced. Netflix's Tudum confirmed that he is a working performer, describing the installation as an eerie echo of the movie's story. Footage of the living room suspended over traffic spread quickly across Instagram, LinkedIn and X, with viewers reacting to the sight and debating whether the man inside was real. The billboard overlooks a heavily trafficked stretch of Sunset Boulevard, putting the image in front of a large audience before the film's reviews landed.

Inside the film, an ordinary Seattle morning turns when an apparently sentient storm seals every home in the neighborhood, welding doors shut and leaving windows unbreakable. Neighbors, trapped in their own houses, are reduced to signaling one another through the glass, and shadowy shapes move across the lawn whenever the rain grows heavier. Greta Lee, known for Past Lives and Russian Doll, and Wagner Moura of Narcos play married parents straining to keep their two children calm as days of confinement stretch into something far longer and their supplies run down. Lee has said the family's "superpower... is actually just their love for each other."

Director Louis Leterrier, whose credits include Now You See Me and the Netflix hit Lupin, has said the story grew directly out of the collective experience of pandemic lockdown. He describes the film as turning "a family home into a hostile environment where survival demands unity." Screenwriter Matthew Robinson wrote the first act during that period, and Leterrier changed it to focus on how a family endures not only physically but emotionally once the outside world disappears. Netflix acquired the project, originally titled 11817, in early 2025, with Moura stepping into a role first attached to Kingsley Ben-Adir. Moura has promised "layers and twists that I can't wait for everyone to see."

The film has drawn mixed reviews, with critics praising the two lead performances and the claustrophobic production design while questioning how satisfyingly the central mystery resolves. But the marketing has been harder to dispute. By converting a Hollywood billboard into a livable, inescapable room and putting a person inside it for three days, Netflix handed passersby a brief public taste of the isolation the movie aims to deliver.

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What better way to honor a pop icon than with her own collector's doll?

As loyal fans are well aware, Sunday, August 9 marks the birthday of Whitney Houston, who would have been 63 this year.

It's hard to believe today marks the first time Barbie has given the "How Will I Know" singer her flowers with a dedicated doll — but better late than never.

Barbie and Mattel took to social media this weekend to unveil the Houston doll for fans, who are already flocking to the usual shopping sites to order their own.

"'The Voice' is now 'The Doll,'" reads the caption of their joint Instagram post below.

View this post on Instagram

Fans have since flooded the post's comments section to show their love for Houston and the doll release. "OMG ! SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY!!!" wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, "Omg a dream come true!! 💜 a long time coming !! Buying this as a gift to myself !!! happy birthday to an icon , a legend , the black woman who changed POP forever !!! My role model 💜💜💜💜💜💜 happy birthday Whitney !!! 💜💜💜"

The Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll captures her iconic look from the "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" music video, celebrating the historic success and anniversary of the single hailed as one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Styled in a replica of the purple tank dress with colorful drop earrings and vibrant eye makeup, her doll is performance-ready with a microphone stand.

Houston's doll was created in close collaboration with Pat Houston, executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and President of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation. Houston, 67, also worked closely with the Barbie design team throughout the creative process, according to Barbie/Mattel, helping shape the doll's design — from Houston's fashion and signature glamour to the thoughtful details that celebrate one of her most memorable performances.

The Lindsay Clancy trial is set to enter its third week after the jury heard from several key witnesses during week two.

One person who took the stand on day 7 was Elaine Rossi, the woman who Lindsay and her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, hired to help care for their three young children, Cora, Dawson, and Callan.

Elaine stated that she was hired by the Clancys in 2022 after responding to a Facebook post written by Lindsay. She cared for the children three days per week from about 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m and also helped around the house with light chores, including laundry.

Related: Lindsay Clancy Trial: Read the Transcript of the 911 Call

"She shared with me that she was suffering from postpartum," Rossi said during her testimony, which you can watch in full below.

When Rossi was asked if she'd seen anything alarming in the interactions between Lindsay and her kids, Rossi replied, "None at all, she was a wonderful mom."

"I observed a wonderful mom who loved her kids," Rossi said. "She was very concerned about their safety. She was very concerned with Callan's eating and sleeping. She was a wonderful mother."

Lindsay has admitted to killing her three children but has pleaded not guilty to murder due to lack of criminal responsibility. Her defense claims that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated at the time of the crime.

People who have been following the case have been sharing their opinions on social media, with many feeling that Lindsay is guilty and others feeling empathy for her. However, Rossi's testimony struck a chord with many viewers.

"Omg i started crying when she said she was a wonderful mom," one person wrote on Facebook, adding a broken heart emoji.

"Heartbreaking…'She was a wonderful mom,'" another comment read.

The Lindsay Clancy trial is set to resume on Monday, Aug. 10. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks total.

READ NEXT: Why Weren’t Lindsay Clancy’s Fingerprints Found on Exercise Bands? (Exclusive)

Tina Turner’s life and career were explored in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. Many A-list actresses in Hollywood wanted the lead role, including Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, Robin Givens, Pam Grier, and Vanessa Williams. 

According to Studio Spill, Houston was sought after for the lead role. At the time, Houston was at peak superstardom status thanks to her role in the 1992 film The Bodyguard. Disney, the studio behind What’s Love Got to Do With It, offered Houston the part. Initially, she said yes, but quickly had a change of heart.

Houston discovered she was pregnant. She’d previously suffered miscarriages, including one while filming The Bodyguard. Houston passed on the project, and the role ultimately went to Angela Bassett. 

Bassett transformed into Turner for the role, but the preparation was rigorous. In an interview with Variety celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film’s release, Bassett spoke about what it took to physically embody a performer like Turner.

“You got up at five in the morning, went to the gym to workout for two and a half hours. Then you would head to Michael Peters and learn routines — which were all intense cardio — for about 10 hours. Ten hours! You had to be so focused and so determined,” Bassett explained. “Pain was irrelevant. Fear was real and physical pain and torture was just going to be a part of it. Every part of your body hurt and there was no time to eat anything.”

Ironically, Houston and Bassett would co-star in the 1995 film Waitin to Exhale together just two years later. The film followed the lives of four close friends at various stages in life, love, and career. It became an instant classic. Bassett and Houston were fast friends on set. Though their relationship didn’t necessarily continue beyond filming, Bassett told Entertainment Weekly in 2014 that she maintained an affinity for Houston.

“I think that I had an opportunity, of course, to appreciate and love her from afar and then to spend time with her in a working situation,” she recalled. She shined in a room but didn’t suck up the energy. Some people suck up all the air and it’s all about them. They mistake their presence for the event. But she didn’t do that. She was there to work, to work hard, she was joyful, she laughed a lot, she played, she was easy to be around. You know, she was a delight.”