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"I love you." It's ten characters, eight letters and three words. It doesn't look like much, yet it can immeasurably affect people of any age, especially children.

"'I love you' helps children feel secure and valued," Dr. Dakari Quimby, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for HelpGuide Handbook, tells Parade. "It helps create a secure attachment style that later serves as a model for future relationships. It builds their self-confidence and resilience. When kids know they are loved unconditionally, they're more equipped to tackle challenges and build positive relationships."

Therefore, it should be no surprise that growing up without hearing these words impacts children and their self-esteem as well.

Psychologists say that people who don't hear "I love you" in childhood often develop certain traits in adulthood. There's even one thing these individuals likely "perpetually struggle" with doing. Here's what to keep in mind, along with expert-backed tips for healing.

Related: The One Emotional Skill Psychologists Say Parents and Grandparents Should Teach Before Age 7

Why You May Not Have Heard 'I Love You' in Childhood

Understanding "why" can help you heal (and we'll discuss more tips later). Every situation is different, but cultural norms and generational cycles are common reasons parents and other caregivers may neglect to tell children, "I love you." 

"Some cultures or families don't express emotions openly," Dr. Quimby explains. "If you aren't used to it, saying 'I love you' can feel awkward. Personal experiences can also play a part. If you didn’t hear 'I love you' often as a child, you might not be used to expressing your feelings this way."

Dr. Quimby adds that saying "I love you" can make people vulnerable, exposing them to potential heartbreak.

"[It] can be daunting, especially if they've been hurt before," he shares.

Ironically, the stakes of vulnerability can feel even higher when you love someone so much, as is often the case in a parent-child relationship.

Related: People Who Received Very Little Affection in Childhood Often Develop These 14 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

"As a parent myself, there are times when I can feel an overwhelming love for my children, and that can be almost disorienting," says Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners. "There is this phenomenon, when you're a parent, that immediately following a moment of vulnerability like this, you're also acutely aware that you shouldn't take these little ones in your life for granted. That feeling can be quite scary."

People prone to anxiety or other mental health issues may be particularly inclined to back away and withhold sharing their feelings, Dr. MacBride explains. However, she encourages parents to do the opposite.

"I recommend leaning in and shifting your attention to the gratitude for that child and the moment," she suggests. "Embrace that moment and share the love you feel. Tell them."

Related: Does Narcissism Run In Families? A Psychologist Weighs In

People Who Didn't Hear 'I Love You' as Kids May 'Perpetually Struggle' With a Lack of Boundaries

Lacking boundaries is one issue that can manifest due to not hearing "I love you" in childhood.

"If someone doesn’t believe they are inherently worthy of love due to not having heard it as a child, they may perpetually struggle to set healthy boundaries," Dr. Brittany McGeehan, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, tells Parade. "They may over-commit because they believe they need to do whatever is requested of them to be lovable."

Dr. McGeehan says overcommitting can also lead to flakiness because, eventually, people decide to do what they want and say "no" at the last minute.

Related: A 'Simplicity Advocate' Is Begging People to 'Reconsider' This One Common Habit

12 More Traits of People Who Didn't Hear 'I Love You' in Childhood, Psychologists Say1. Low self-esteem

Hearing "I love you" in early childhood lays a foundation for self-worth. Not hearing it can prompt people to compare.

"Children often understand that others around them are being told they are loved and can be left wondering, 'Why am I not loved? What’s wrong with me? I must be the problem,'" Dr. MacBride says.

Related: People Who Felt Constantly Overlooked as Children Usually Develop These 13 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

2. Constant need for external validation

People can become insecure about themselves and within relationships with others because they don't feel valued, says Dr. Brandy Smith, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks.

"This may manifest as seeking validation from others by asking questions related to their sense of worth and importance to that person," she explains. "While all of us benefit from reassurance, the level of insecurity can manifest in seemingly incessant questions for validation and the sense from the person giving the reassurance that nothing will ever be enough to help the person feel secure."

3. People-pleasing

When a person doesn't feel lovable as a child, it's common to try to prove their worth as an adult by engaging in people-pleasing behaviors.

"The idea is that 'If I can be pleasing enough, then I will get the love I’ve wanted,'" Dr. Smith explains. "This concept connects to the internal locus of control in that sometimes it is easier for us to view that we have control over making something happen rather than the reality, which is that we cannot fully control anything."

Related: Fathers Who Used These 11 Parenting Phrases Often Aren’t as Close to Their Adult Children

4. Lack of self-identity

All that people-pleasing can turn a person into a chameleon. The problem is that they—and others—don't know who they are. Again, insecurity stemming from childhood is a culprit. 

"When an emotionally unavailable parent is raising you, you don’t have a secure base from which to explore and understand the world," says Dr. McGeehan. "When that happens, you don’t have the opportunity to explore the world. This is how we construct our self-identity as we grow up."

5. Perfectionism

The seeds of perfectionism can also get planted during a childhood without much love.

"In an attempt to earn affection that was not freely given in childhood, some might strive for perfection in all they do, believing that they need to earn love and approval through achievements," Dr. Quimby says.

Related: People Who Were Considered 'High-Achievers' in Childhood Usually Develop These 15 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

6. Fear of rejection

Dr. McGeehan says people who weren't told "I love you" as kids usually have an internalized belief that there's something wrong with them. As a result, they may feel wary of putting themselves out there career-wise or in relationships. 

"If we don’t have a sturdy belief that we are loved, we will spend our whole lives being afraid that someone won’t like us, otherwise known as fear of rejection," she explains.

Related: If You Can’t Relax When Someone Is Upset With You, a Psychotherapist Says You Probably Possess These 9 Traits

7. Fear of abandonment

Parental love feels fragile when a person rarely receives it, and those sentiments can grow bigger in adulthood.

"A child may believe that if they don’t behave in a certain way, their caregiver will no longer be there for them," Dr. McGeehan says about this fear of abandonment. "This translates in adulthood to someone who is overly apologetic, doesn’t always share how they feel honestly, doesn’t hold boundaries and can appear flaky because they are over committing."

Related: People Whose Parents Weren't Affectionate With Each Other in Childhood Often Develop These 10 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

8. Troubles with emotional regulation

Dr. MacBride says kids learn to self-regulate in loving and secure relationships.

"If you didn't have a safe practice ground for this when you were young, it might be very difficult to accomplish this as an adult," she explains.

These people may have shorter fuses and have more outbursts. 

9. Emotional withdrawal 

It's also common to emotionally detach. Frankly, it's understandable.

"When an emotionally unavailable parent is raising you, you typically don’t learn how to have a functional relationship with your emotions," Dr. McGeehan explains. "Additionally, because your parents weren't able to be vulnerable with you, it is incredibly challenging to learn to be vulnerable yourself. This shows up as quickly moving from relationship to relationship, difficulty keeping friendships."

Dr. McGeehan says it can lead to isolation in more severe cases. 

Related: 9 Ways To Begin Your Emotional Regulation Journey as an Adult, According to a Licensed Therapist

10. Difficulty trusting and expressing love in relationships

Our relationships with adult caregivers in childhood are the first ones we have. If they're poor, we may sour on whether it's possible to form genuine affection with others.

"Those who are not told they are loved may find it difficult to trust or believe others when they express their love for them," Dr. MacBride says. "They may even see expressing love as a sign of weakness or disingenuousness."

Related: 6 Ways We Sabotage Our Own Authenticity Without Realizing It

11. Difficulty assessing healthy relationships

While people who don't hear "I love you" may form detached adult relationships, others may rush into and cling to them—even if they're toxic. Dr. Smith says that "I love you" is a part of normal, healthy child-caregiver relationships. People who don't hear those words lack that core, foundational experience.

"We tend to replay dynamics throughout our lives unless something motivates us to change," she explains. "Without a motivation to seek something different, this may mean expecting and accepting relationships that are not entirely healthy in regard to emotional expression, interpersonal depth and secure attachments."

Related: Parents Often Rush This Part of Bedtime—but Child Psychologists Say It’s the Most Important

12. Anxiety and depression

People who grew up feeling unloved are more prone to mental health challenges as adults.

"Mental health is impacted when one views that they were...not 'enough' in some way," Dr. Smith says. "It can involve dejected feelings along with wondering if others 'truly' care, which translates into low mood—depression—and anxiousness about what may happen within relationships—anxiety."

Related: 8 Signs You Have Toxic In-Laws and How To Respond, According to Psychologists

5 Tips for Healing From a Childhood That Didn't Involve Hearing 'I Love You'

These expert-backed insights can help you move forward.

1. Understand it's not your fault

You may have spent a lifetime in your head repeating a narrative that you're the problem. However, you're not the anti-hero in this story.

"Know that it was not about you but about the adult who struggled to say those words," Dr. Smith says. "This is not about blame. Rather, it is about attributing responsibility where it belongs."

2. Love yourself

A cliché but true: You have to love yourself first.

"While I’m not sure she coined the phrase, Sonya Renee Taylor popularized the term 'radical self-love' in her book The Body is Not an Apology," Dr. MacBride says. "It's this idea that you love yourself unconditionally."

While you may have craved this love from parents and caregivers, Dr. MacBride shares that learning to give it to yourself lets you build a foundation and heal. This process often includes challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with compassionate, accurate ones.

Related: Families Who Eat Dinner Together Tend To Have This One Thing in Common

3. Explore your self-identity

Dr. McGeehan says this one is significant in her work with her clients.

"My clients...usually come in having compensated for a lack of hearing 'I love you' as having become hyper-successful, but underneath the coping skill, they don’t really know who they are," she explains.

Unpacking the layers of you can help you lean into your true interests and values so you ditch the people-pleasing, develop healthy boundaries, learn to say no the first time and show up as your authentic self for the people and events you actually want in your life.

4. Build healthy and supportive relationships

Along your journey of healing from childhood, you'll start to genuinely experience the love you didn't get as a kid, Dr. McGeehan says. This process takes time but is worth it.

"Having supportive relationships around you who understand what you’re going through is critical to this process," she explains. "They will be able to validate your experience, be present as you practice getting vulnerable and support you as you explore new facets of your identity that you gain along this process."

5. Seek help

Your childhood may have felt lonely. Healing doesn't have to—in fact, it's often useful to embark on your journey with the support of a therapist.

"Going to therapy can provide a safe space to explore unresolved emotions and learn healthy ways to express and receive love," Dr. Quimby shares. "Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other types can help restructure negative beliefs about oneself and relationships."

Up Next:

Related: Parents Who Aren't Close With Their Adult Kids Often Have These 12 Traits, Psychologists Say

Sources:

• Dr. Dakari Quimby, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for HelpGuide Handbook
• Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners
• Dr. Brandy Smith, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks
• Dr. Brittany McGeehan, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist

Perez Hilton's family and his team have released a joint statement after he was taken to a hospital in the Miami area on Tuesday night.

"Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers," the statement, posted on Hilton's website, began. "We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being."

"We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time. If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can. Thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued support," the statement continued.

Trigger warning: Self-harm

Hilton was taken to the hospital by ambulance on Aug. 4 after he appeared to be engaging in self-harm during a livestream on TikTok. Users watched as the blogger appeared to cut himself while others watched in horror.

“The individual has been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” a statement from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office read, according to Page Six.

Authorities confirmed that Hilton was home alone at the time of the livestream. Dozens of calls were made to alert emergency services of what was going on.

Sources told TMZ that Hilton was struggling after moving to Miami from Las Vegas, which he reportedly did for his mother, Teresita.

TikTok has removed the footage and appears to have suspended Hilton's account.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

READ NEXT: Distressing 911 Call Reveals Horrific Details Regarding Perez Hilton

Sometimes it takes decades for a song to grow into a classic.

That has certainly been the story of Fairport Convention's "Meet on the Ledge." Written by Richard Thompson when he was just 19 years old, the 1968 recording has evolved from a little-known album track into one of the most beloved songs in British folk rock history.

The song appeared on Fairport Convention's second album, What We Did on Our Holidays, released in late 1968.

"In terms of style, Fairport Convention was all over the place," Thompson told Louderof the band's early days. "We were young and experimenting, seeing if we could keep time, trying to figure out if we could write songs. We could, but most were collaborations because we didn't have the nerve to say: 'I wrote that.'"

Eventually, Thompson worked up the nerve. He was still only 19 when he contributed to the landmark record, an extraordinary achievement considering the maturity of his songwriting. "Meet on the Ledge" showcased that talent early, pairing poetic lyrics with an uplifting melody that would resonate with listeners for generations.

Its meaning has long inspired discussion.

Although Thompson has often resisted assigning a single interpretation to the lyrics, many listeners have embraced the song as one of hope, reunion, and enduring friendship. The mysterious "ledge" has been interpreted in countless ways over the decades, allowing each generation to find its own meaning in the song's evocative words.

"I always believed in an afterlife," Thompson said in an interview. "Even at the age I wrote that I had that belief and that is reflected in the song in a subtle way. It can be taken in many ways, as fans continually remind me!"

While it wasn't a chart hit upon release, its reputation steadily grew.

Fairport Convention continued performing "Meet on the Ledge" throughout its career, and it eventually became the band's unofficial anthem. The song has traditionally closed many of the group's concerts, with audiences singing along to every word, while its importance has also been celebrated at the long-running Fairport Convention Cropredy Festival.

The song has also been embraced by fellow musicians.

Over the years, "Meet on the Ledge" has been covered by numerous artists and frequently cited as one of Richard Thompson's greatest songwriting achievements. Its influence has extended well beyond the folk-rock scene, helping establish Thompson as one of Britain's most respected and enduring songwriters.

"I wrote it when I was 19," Thompson told Relix. "It's always interesting, as a singer/songwriter, to revisit your own work from any era. In some cases, you are playing it when you are 60, so you have to forgive yourself for being naïve, stupid or immature – for not crafting the song as well as you might today."

Nearly 60 years after its release, "Meet on the Ledge" remains a cornerstone of Fairport Convention’s legacy. What Richard Thompson created as a 19 year-old songwriter has become a powerful and deeply personal classic, proving that some songs don't need chart success to leave an everlasting mark on music history.

Related: '90s Rock Band Announces New Album 30 Years After Forming

Garth Brooks has experienced some of the biggest highs in country music—but one unexpected setback nearly took the wind out of his comeback.

After stepping away from the spotlight for more than a decade, Brooks was ready to return to the stage in a major way. But when his highly anticipated comeback plans suddenly fell apart, the moment hit the country music icon harder than fans may have realized.

Brooks reflected on the difficult time and his comments were featured in a blog post on his website.

The country music superstar was slated to launch his comeback with five sold-out shows in Dublin, Ireland. However, the licenses for all five shows were denied, which forced Brooks to cancel.

His wife, Trisha Yearwood, later revealed just how painful the disappointment was, comparing the experience to "a death in the family" and explaining how one city ultimately helped bring Brooks and his team back from the heartbreak.

Brooks returned to the U.S. and prepared to take the stage again, this time in Chicago.

"That was when the life came back into our house," Yearwood said. "Call me dramatic, Chicago saved Garth and that tour."

Now, Brooks is preparing to visit Chicago on his tour and will return to the Windy City in September.

"I owe that city; we all do on this team," Brooks said. "I can't wait to get there to show the people of Chicago our gratitude and how much we love them."

Brooks announced his "Blame It All On My Roots" Tour earlier this year. His first show will be in Indianapolis on August 21. He hasn't shared all of the upcoming dates just yet, but fans are keeping their eyes on his social media accounts, hoping that he makes a stop in their city.

For Brooks, the upcoming Chicago tour stop will be more than another performance—it will be a return to the city he credits with helping revive his career.

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Eric Carmen was only in his early 20s when he penned "Let's Pretend" with the Raspberries, creating a dreamy ballad whose soaring vocals helped make it a beloved fan-favorite love song.

The rock band made their debut in 1972 with their sexually charged hit "Go All the Way," and for their second LP, Fresh, Carmen ramped up the romance. "Let's Pretend" was reportedly inspired by a magazine cover that Carmen stumbled upon one day. He had seen the cover of a Time magazine that had a photo of "a guy and girl dripping wet out in the woods."

Carmen remembers that the headline at the time had something to do with "Teenage Sex," and it soon spawned the idea for the 1973 track. As a result, the lyrics were about young people who are in love and dream of eloping that mimicked The Beach Boys' track "Wouldn't It Be Nice" from 1966.

"The cover was a shot of two teenagers, a guy and a girl—it looked like they just had sex. The article was about teen sexuality. That picture was so potent in terms of what it said that I put it on the music stand of my piano," explained Carmen in a 2002 interview.

"I was listening to the PET SOUNDS album at the time. And I said, this picture is what I'm going to look at because this is exactly what I want to be writing about for this album. It was the same kind of stuff that 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' was about. I was trying to re-create that picture in a musical sense. Strange but true."

The track ended up being a hit among critics and had moderate success on the charts. It landed at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks and No. 18 on Cash Box. Critics praised Carmen's swooning vocals on what was considered one of the Raspberries' greatest tracks, and it showcased a "sweet" side of the musician. Many even commented on the track's lustful quality that made it a standout love song.

"Let's Pretend" would leave a lasting impact on Carmen, who said, "I thought 'Let's Pretend' was one of the best melodies I'd ever written. That's why I went back and used it for the chorus of 'All By Myself'—the first few notes."

In 1975, Carmen left the band and went solo, and released his debut album with "All By Myself" as the first single. The track would become a signature hit for him as it landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Years later, in 1996, it was reimagined and gained newfound popularity when it was covered by Celine Dion.

The Raspberries track would become a staple, having later been covered by Bay City Rollers in 1976. Hollywood actor Joey Travolta would also release his own cover in 1978.

Related: 1977 Rock Song, Never a No. 1 Hit, Became an Underrated Hard Rock Staple

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A breezy cotton top is a must-have during the summer months, especially when it's one that can be easily dressed up or down for a variety of occasions. The popular Lomon Cotton-Linen Button-Down Shirt is currently on sale for as low as $20, down from $28, at Amazon, and it features a flowy, airy design that's ideal for warm weather wear. 

Available in sizes small to 3XL, the versatile closet staple comes in 20 gorgeous color options. Shoppers can snag classic neutrals like white and apricot, as well as bolder hues like brown, fuschia, light pink, and sage green. 

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The cute top is lightweight, summery and stylish enough to wear anywhere from the office to a weekend barbecue. It features a classic V-neck with button detailing at the front and billowy three-quarter sleeves that can be effortlessly rolled up for a more casual-chic look. The fit is relaxed and comfy, making it easy to tuck into shorts or a skirt or layer under a blazer or sweater. 

Made from 80% cotton and 20% linen, the shirt is designed to feel light, gentle against the skin, and breathable, making it suitable for sweltering summer days. It's also easy to care for. Simply hand wash or machine wash it in cold water, and tumble dry it on low heat or air dry it flat. The brand recommends avoiding bleach to help it maintain its softness. 

Related: Amazon’s Narrow Freestanding Storage Cabinet Is a Genius Fix for Cluttered Bathrooms

If you've been looking for a pretty, breezy top to round out your summer wardrobe, this cotton-linen shirt is a stylish pick to wear on repeat all season long. Grab a couple in your favorite shades for as low as $20 before this deal ends at Amazon. 

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.

Melanie 'Mel C' Chisholm recently revealed that she incorporated a beloved Spice Girls song into her wedding to actor Chris Dingwall in July 2026.

"When I was married, I walked back up the aisle with my husband to '2 Become 1,' played by a beautiful string quartet," the former Spice Girl confirmed in a chat with Australian radio personality, Kent Small.

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"It was it was a little bit of fun, but it's also obviously beautiful song," she added. "I have some friends [that play in] a beautiful string quartet that I've worked with in the past, and they played for us on the day. So yeah, it was really really special."

In attendance at the England ceremony were fellow Spice Girls Melanie “Mel B” Brown, Emma Bunton, and Geri Halliwell Horner.

"When there's three Spice Girls in attendance, you know, you have [to be] very respectful," she joked. "We satisfied everyone."

Victoria Beckham was not in attendance as she was at the World Cup games with husband David Beckhamwho is a FIFA ambassador. However, another sweet detail that emerged from the nuptials was that Mel C's dress was designed by Beckham herself.

Related: This Spice Girl Said ‘I Do’ in a Wedding Dress Designed by Another Spice Girl

Fans in the comments of the radio host's post were absolutely loving the fact that she paid tribute to the girl group in such a sentimental way.

"Perfection!" one wrote, while another added that the song choice was "so special!"

Mel C, who has been doing press in the U.K. and Australia as she returns to coaching on the Australian version of The Voice got to talking about her wedding again this week on Australian morning show, Sunrise.

On the topic of whether or not she'd ever call her husband's native Australia home, she said: "Because of the nature of my work, I just love traveling, and Chris is the same. You know, it's something we have in common. We're so lucky we get to spend a big chunk of time in Australia at the beginning of the year, especially when I'm over filming 'The Voice,'" she added. "But yeah, we we like to move around, so it's nice to to have both best of both worlds."

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Over six decades after its release, one classic rock and roll instrumental song from the 1960s still gets people moving around the holiday time, even if no one realizes where the tune originally came from.

The song in question is "Nut Rocker" by B. Bumble and the Stingers, and it came out in 1962. It is a reworking of the "March" from Tchaikovsky's beloved 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. Producer Kim Fowley gave the classic song a makeover for the band's release.

Pianist Al Hazan was brought in to play on the recording of the song. He recalled the experience as hectic, saying, "Because I was so rushed to learn 'Nut Rocker', I was not happy at all with my performance on that first take. However, in spite of my asking Rod [Pierce of Rendezvous Records] to let me do it over again, he said he liked it just fine the way it was." Pierce appeared to be right, as only weeks later, Hazan started hearing himself play the song on the radio as it became a hit.

Despite being based on a 19th-century classical music piece and having no vocals at all, "Nut Rocker" did just as well as any major rock hit of the era. The song shot up the music charts, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the U.K., it went even further, becoming a true No. 1 hit.

Related: ’80s Metal Icons Announce First U.K. Tour In Over A Decade Amid Farewell Run

But this wasn't the end of its legacy, as it was re-released a decade later, breaking into the Top 20 in the U.K. once again. Prog-rockers Emerson, Lake & Palmer also recorded a version of the song in the 1970s, which was also quite successful.

Now, decades later, "Nut Rocker" is still a raucous hit for rock music fans, especially when the holiday season comes around.

Related: ’80s One-Hit Wonder That Became a Worldwide Hit Still Holds Up 42 Years Later

Hallmark is hoping viewers think Paris is Always a Good Ideais indeed a good idea. The limited starring fan favorite Lacey Chabert takes viewers to the City of Lights. There, Chelsea (Chabert) heads there for work, but ends up staying for a spell to reconnect with her past loves. In this week's episode, Chelsea heads back to Paris after reconnecting with Colin in Ireland and crosses paths with whirlwind love, French photographer Sebastian (Julien Marlon Samani).

Read on for more about this week's episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea, including an exclusive sneak peek.

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What is Paris is Always a Good Idea about?

Career-driven nonprofit executive Chelsea Martin (Lacey Chabert) travels to Paris with her confident rival-turned-ally, Jason Knightly (Scott Michael Foster) to secure a major donation. But a heartfelt message from her late mother — and a loving push from her sister Annabelle (Rebecca Hanssen) — sends her on an unexpected journey to reconnect with the three great loves she once left behind. From the rolling hills of Ireland to the magic of Paris and the sun-kissed vineyards of Spain, Chelsea retraces old footsteps and discovers that sometimes, moving forward means first looking back.

What happened in the premiere of Paris is Always a Good Idea?

The series premiere of Paris is Always a Good Idea consisted of the first two episodes. In "Paris, Revisited," the series premiere episode, nonprofit executive Chelsea (Chabert) heads to Paris to secure a major donor, but begins an unexpected journey across Europe to reconnect with her past loves. 

In the second episode, "Colin, Revisited," Chelsea begins her journey to reconnect to her past and to find Colin (Stephen Hagan), a sheep farmer in Ireland; Annabelle (Hanssen) accompanies her and Knightly (Foster) grows curious.

What is this week's episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea about?

In "Sebastian, Revisited," this week's brand new episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea, Chelsea and Knightly team up and get back to work in Paris. Meanwhile, French photographer Sebastian (Samani) re-enters Chelsea's life.

Related: Hallmark Is Giving Lacey Chabert a Major First—and Fans Will Love It

How to watch Paris is Always a Good Idea

Paris is Always a Good Idea streams exclusively on Hallmark+. The "Sebeastian, Revisited" episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea premieres on Thursday, Aug. 6. New episodes drop weekly on Thursdays on the streamer.

Related: Nathan Has a Secret Plan—Is a Proposal Finally Coming on ‘When Calls the Heart’? (Exclusive)

Watch an exclusive sneak peek of this week's episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea

Yes! Check out this Parade exclusive sneak peek of the "Sebastian, Revisited" episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea below:

PARADE Exclusive - Paris is Always a Good Idea - Ep. 103 - Sneak Peek (1:17) Check out images from this week's episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea

Take a look at some select images from this week's episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea in the gallery below.

Paris is Always a Good IdeaHallmark Media Scott Michael Foster, Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro

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Scott Michael Foster Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro

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Barbara Niven, Henry Czerny Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Rebecca Hanssen Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Lacey Chabert, Julien Marlon Samani Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Scott Michael Foster Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro

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Julien Marlon Samani, Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Julien Marlon Samani Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Julien Marlon Samani, Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro

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Julien Marlon Samani Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Rebecca Hanssen Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

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Rebecca Hanssen, Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

Hallmark Media

Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

Hallmark Media

Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo

Hallmark Media

Next up: The Historic Crossover No One Saw Coming: Hallmark and Disney Make a Shocking Announcement

If there's ever a good excuse to grab a burger, a birthday deal might be the best one—especially when it's someone else's birthday and you still get the deal.

Over the years, restaurant chains have turned anniversaries into an annual tradition of giveaways, limited-time offers and exclusive perks, and Whataburger is going all in for its 76th birthday. Rather than keeping the celebration to a single day, the Texas-born burger chain is stretching the festivities across the entire month of August with a lineup of app-exclusive offers for members of its free Rewards program.

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The biggest event arrives on Aug. 8, 2026, which has been officially declared National Whataburger Day. To celebrate, Rewards members can score a buy one, get one free Whataburger. But that's far from the only birthday surprise. Every Wednesday throughout August, Whataburger is also offering several menu items for just 76 cents, giving guests plenty of reasons to open the app every Wednesday.

Whether you're already a loyal Rewards member or just looking to get in on a great deal, August may be the perfect time to stop in. Here's everything you need to know about National Whataburger Day and the chain's birthday deals throughout the month.

What Is Whataburger Day?

Whataburger

National Whataburger Day celebrates the anniversary of the very first Whataburger restaurant, which opened on Aug. 8, 1950, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Founder Harmon Dobson set out to create a burger so big it required two hands to hold and so good that after one bite, customers would want to say, "What a burger!" The name stuck, and more than seven decades later, that same spirit of made-to-order burgers and fan loyalty continues.

While Whataburger has celebrated its birthday for years, National Whataburger Day became an official annual observance in 2023 through the National Day Calendar. The day gives fans a chance to celebrate the brand's history, its iconic menu and the communities that have helped it grow from a single Texas burger stand into a chain with more than 1,100 restaurants across 17 states.

This year, Whataburger is taking the celebration beyond a single day with a monthlong lineup of exclusive offers for Rewards members throughout August. Some participating restaurants will also get into the birthday spirit with balloons, selfie stations and other festive touches to help guests join the festivities.

As Whataburger President and CEO Debbie Stroud said in a press release, "Birthdays are meant to be shared, and that's exactly what we're doing all month long. Whether you've been ordering the same Whataburger for years or you've been waiting for the perfect excuse to try something new, we're celebrating the Guests who've made the last 76 years so special. Consider these weekly surprises our way of saying thank you."

Related: The Genius Way To Make Lamb Burgers Taste 10x Better

How to Get Free Whataburger on August 8

Whataburger

Before Aug. 8 rolls around, here's everything you need to know about National Whataburger Day.

When Can You Get a Free Whataburger?

Whataburger

On Saturday, Aug. 8, Whataburger Rewards members can redeem a Buy One, Get One Whataburger deal from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time at participating restaurants.

Who Can Get It?

Bloomberg / Getty Images

The offer is available exclusively to members of the free Whataburger Rewards program, and it must be redeemed through the Whataburger app. Each account is limited to one redemption.

If you're not already a Rewards member, it's worth signing up before the celebration begins so you don't miss out when it goes live.

Other Exclusive Whataburger Day Deals and Merch View this post on Instagram

The birthday celebration doesn't end after Aug. 8. Every Whataburger Wednesday in August brings another app-exclusive deal celebrating the chain's 76th anniversary.

The August Sweet 76 Lineup

These are the sweet deals dropping on the Whataburger app every Wednesday for the month of August, plus the deal on National Whataburger Day on Saturday, Aug. 8.

• Wednesday, Aug. 5: 76-cent Taquito with Cheese (entrée only), 6 a.m.–11 a.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 8: Buy one, get one Whataburger (entrée only), 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 12: 76-cent 16-ounce Whatafresher, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 19: 76-cent Big Ranch Wrap (entrée only), 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 26: 76-cent Signature Whatachick'n Sandwich (entrée only), 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Each offer is available exclusively through the Whataburger app, with one redemption per Rewards account.

Celebrate Beyond the Drive-Thru

Whataburger

If discounted burgers and menu items aren't enough to satisfy your Whataburger fandom, you can also check out the Whatastore, where fans can shop official apparel, drinkware, sauces and other branded merchandise. It's a fun way to commemorate National Whataburger Day and declare your burger loyalty.

How to Sign Up for Whataburger Rewards

The Washington Post / Getty Images

Joining Whataburger Rewards is free. Simply download the Whataburger app for iOS or Android, and create an account before the birthday celebration kicks off.

Once you're signed up, eligible offers will automatically populate in the app on their scheduled dates, making it easy to redeem each week's deal.

As an added bonus, new Rewards members also receive a free Whataburger just for creating an account, and they'll earn points on future purchases that may be redeemed for future savings.

So, if free burgers are your love language, August may now be your favorite month of the year. After all, birthdays are better when everyone gets a present—especially when it comes in an orange-striped bag.

Related: I Tried A&W's New Root Beer Float Soda, and It Surprised Me in the Best Way Possible

Jennifer Stone charmed audiences in Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place in the role of Harper Finkle, the best friend to Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo. Now, almost 20 years later, after becoming an ER nurse just before the pandemic, Jennifer is back as Harper to lend a helping hand and words of wisdom for Alex in the four-part finale of the show’s continuation, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

Executive produced by Gomez and David Henrie, who plays Justin Russo in the franchise, the spinoff follows the Russo siblings’ children and their journey in coming into their own magical abilities. In the Season 2 finale, Alex discovers that Billie, the wizard-in-training she took under her wing and asked her brother Justin to mentor, is actually her daughter. In order to save her family, Alex pushes Lord Morsus into a rift that Billie was forced to open and disappears behind it. Season 3 explores Alex in what seems to be her apartment that she shares with her best friend Harper. But she later learns that she has been placed in a dream-state, once again emphasizing that everything is really not what it seems. 

Although their characters only reunited in a dream state, Stone and Gomez’s chemistry is as real as it can get. Ahead of the Season 3 premiere, Parade got to speak with Jennifer about reuniting with Selena on set and stepping back into their characters’ close-knit friendship. “The fact that I got to come back with Selena and Greg [Sulkin], it was like no time had passed,” she said about returning to the role.

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What was your initial reaction to being called back to step into the role of Harper in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?
It was a wonderful surprise, to be honest. When the reboot came about, David Henrie was telling me about the premise, and it was something where it's like Selena and Alex weren't really in the show that much. And so he said, “Look, it doesn't really make sense for you to come in.”

So I kind of came to terms with the fact that I wasn't ever going to come back. And of course, I was sad about that, but it was something where I'm like, for the overall project, it makes sense. So then when I got the phone call, I was like, coming out of the rock climbing gym and my manager called me, and I just wasn't expecting it.

I had heard that it was going to be the last season [of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place], and I kind of already mourned the fact that I probably wasn't going to come back as Harper, and that was what it was. So it was a really pleasant surprise. And then the fact that I got to come back with Selena and Greg, it was just like no time had passed, but tons of time had passed. It was that weird dichotomy that was like really beautiful to kind of exist in. It was trippy. How quickly we just slid right back into it.

Harper's fashion in the original show was so loved. Were you ever able to give any input into what her costumes were going to be?
It was one of my favorite parts because it was such a collaborative process. In the original show, we were such a family that we were all just excited to make the best thing that we could make every single week. The costumes were a huge part of that, especially for my character. And so we would all start with the writers at the beginning of the week. Once we got the theme thing going around Season 2, they would be like, ‘Well, Harper's wearing this kind of outfit." Or sometimes they'd just be like, "Harper's wearing something crazy."

When we had a theme, me and the costume designers would just run with it. Ad it would be very much like, "Okay, well, what about a bag? What about a headband?" And we would use so many small creators on Etsy because it all had to be handmade because it was so specific. It just was so cool to see it go from page to screen. All of those crazy costumes. I look back at some of the stuff I wore, and I was like, “Oh my God, that's a work of art!” or “I can't believe I wore that.”

What do you remember about the iconic marker dress?
It's in my closet right now! I know, so there's fun lore with the marker dress. At D23, they had the marker dress, and everyone was like, “I thought you said you had it.” I'm like, "No, no, no. There were two of them!" One of them was for Bridgit Mendler because we had an offshoot where Juliet wore it, and then I have mine. So I have the original marker dress with a few other stolen costumes in my closet.

Do you have a favorite outfit of Harper's?
It changes every day. I, as Jennifer, love a period piece. It's something I've always wanted to do. I've never gotten to do, like a full fledged period piece, I don't know why. It's going to happen one day. So, in the silent movie episode, that one episode where she's in a suffragette dress for one scene because they had a test on it, those were my favorites. Because I love vintage and I love period pieces and I love those kinds of costumes.

As far as Harper’s specific outfits, the marker dress is a hard one to beat. There was a Fruit Roll-Up dress that I have fond memories of just because they would fall off in the middle of takes. It was just funny. Literally, I'd be in the middle of a joke and I would just hear this Fruit Roll-Up fall off and have to stay in it and just hope nobody noticed. And there's a beef jerky jacket that smelled awful. And Jake [T. Austin], [David] DeLuise and I all had to be in this tiny little Ferris wheel cart together while I'm smelling like literally a carcass. So it's all the costumes that have a funny memory behind-the-scenes that are my favorite.

Related: Who’s Returning for ‘Camp Rock 3’? Full Cast and Demi Lovato Details

You and David [DeLuise] had a rewatch podcast for the show. It's on hiatus right now. Do you have any plans on bringing it back?
It breaks our hearts because we just enjoy each other so much, and we had so much fun reliving this and sharing that with the fans, because our fan base has been so incredible for so long. Which still amazes me that people still have so much love for it so many years later. But it was just something where it didn't work out with the production company we were working with. David and I like to stay really busy. And so we talked about how we can keep this going without the additional help, and we don't have the capacity right now. So unfortunately, it's on hiatus indefinitely. But maybe if at some point our lives slowed down a little bit, we'll bring it back because we did really love doing it. But it just was something that realistically, we couldn't keep up, and we don't want to have to do it. If we're going to do it, we want to do it completely.

What do you imagine Harper's real life is like right now in terms of her job, her relationships, her home?
I think Harper is kind of like me in the sense that we're multifaceted. Right? I know there's a lot of people that know it's canon that she's writing the young adult novels about the Russo kids. But I think two things can be true, right? I think she is doing that, obviously, because we want to honor the Rachel Dratch of it all. But also she has to be doing something in design. She has to either be like a teacher at FIT or Parsons, or she has to have her own kind of design [studio]. There's just no way that this is something she just does on the side. Knowing Harper, she had to have turned that into something. I think she's still in New York. I could totally see her as a quirky teacher at Parsons that's teaching fabric making or something.

As far as her and Alex's relationship, I mean, I've had this happen in my life where when your friends have kids, things change, the dynamics change. And so I think what's so beautiful about that last moment I'm talking about getting together [with Alex] is the fact that it's a very real thing that happens when friendships mature. It's like when you're a teenager, it's so much easier to see each other all the time. And then life happens and you drift apart. But it doesn't mean that that love for each other goes anywhere. It's still there. It's just something you have to work a little harder to actually get to see each other sometimes. And so I liked the fact that our relationship had matured that way.

There was a reference to Harper's former crush on Justin. What did you think of the show bringing that back up?
The happy accident of me being a redhead, we couldn't not talk about that. That was something that I talked to Jed and Scott when we first were talking about bringing Harper back. But I was like, "We have to mention that." When the commercial for the first episode of Wizards Beyond came out, everyone was like, “Harper and Justin got married!” And I'm like, “That's not me.” But I know the redhead of it all. That to me, that's such a great comedic opportunity to bring up and so much fun to play, just like comedy tennis.

Do you think that Harper and Zeke are perhaps still together?
I think they're still in touch. I think they still have a lot of love for each other. But it's also high school relationships, you know what I mean? Very rarely do I feel like, especially someone living in a big city in New York, there's so many people. So to end up with your high school sweetheart, I don't think it's statistically the most common. But I think they still have a lot of love for each other. And she might call him every now and again for the raptor dancer. So some nice little memories.

You currently work as an emergency nurse. Was nursing something you had an interest in as a child, or did it sort of grow over time?
No. I mean, if you had told me when Wizards had ended that, "Hey, so in a few years, you're going to be an ER nurse," I would have been like, "What are you talking about?" But it was something that [I figured out] through my own journey as a patient. Because I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 20, and it was kind of tumultuous because I wasn't a traditional case.

I spent a lot of time with nurses, and I spent a lot of time as a patient, and I realized that I come from a very I come from an educated family. So I knew I had to get a college degree. I was in college, ready to transfer to UCLA for psychology. And then when I had this patient journey of my own, I totally messed up my timeline. I went back to do nursing because I felt like I could really make a difference, in that not knowing diagnosis part that I found so challenging. And it was always my plan to act and nurse at the same time.

It does make me laugh. And people are like, "She quit acting." No, no, no, the pandemic just happened and the business changed. Acting was never off the table. I just took a little reprieve for a second to go to school. It was definitely a beautiful, unexpected challenge. But also a gift because it's changed the way I view the world and people, and it's given me great perspective, and it's made me a better actor.

You became a nurse right before the pandemic, is that correct?
My timing is impeccable! The cosmic comedy of it all is I graduated nursing school in December 2019. I remember vividly thinking, "Okay, great, I can get a nursing job and get back to acting. I've missed it so much." And then I started in March 2020. So like I said, the cosmic timing is insane. It's so silly.

And the weirdest part? Talk about inception. They shoot some of the exteriors for The Pitt at the E.R. that I started in. So there's an old E.R., and then they built a new E.R. that's across the parking lot. And so I'll be driving to work in the new E.R. and the E.R. that I started in during the pandemic, when I was a baby, I can see little me still in the rooms they're shooting The Pitt in. So it just is like this weird acting/nursing, two worlds colliding thing. It's very trippy.

Related: 'Wizards of Waverly Place's Jennifer Stone Reacts to Selena Gomez’s Wedding: 'I Was a Total Mess' (Exclusive)

The Challenge is back for its 42nd season and this time, it is solely airing on Paramount+. This season is taking things back to 2010 by resurrecting the "Cutthroat" game style—three teams of eight will compete until one team is left standing at the end.

Twenty-four veterans and newbies are coming together, including two from the original Cutthroat season—Brad Fiorenza, whose team won that season, and Cara Maria Sorbello, whose team came in second place.

Related: Who Wins ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’? Season 42 Spoilers, Eliminations, Disqualifications and Finalists

The August 5 premiere is actually two episodes dropping at the same time—'Return to Cutthroat" and "Crying Won't Get You Off This Roof"—so we have a whole lot of competition and drama to kick things off. Let's get right to it.

SPOILER ALERT: There are spoilers ahead for the first two episodes of The Challenge: Cutthroat, so don't keep reading if you don't want to be spoiled.

The First Big Twist

The episode kicked off with the players racing across Bangkok with the top eight finishers winning the chance to vie to be one of team captains. On Cutthroat, you win or lose as a team and the teams are permanent. But unlike on the first Cutthroat season, being team captain is a massive advantage because when the winning team crosses the finish line, only the captain will have the power to determine how the prize money is split.

Mutinous team members can dethrone the captain throughout the season, but again, the team's are still permanent. Oh, this is going to be amazing. Bananas fully admits he will do everything he can to screw his team out of all of the money. Shocker.

Related: What Happened to Nelson Thomas? Why ‘The Challenge’ Star Lost Part of His Leg

Who Went Home on 'The Challenge' Season 42 Last Night? Cedric Hodges

Jonne Roriz/Paramount+

Cedric Hodges, 23 (Veteran) and Reilly Smedley, 26 (Rookie) Reilly Smedley

Jonne Roriz/Paramount+

Related: How Old Are Johnny Bananas, CT Tamburello, Cara Maria and Brad Fiorenza From 'The Challenge'?

Advancing Contestants on 'The Challenge: Cutthroat'Adrienne Naylor, 29 (veteran)
Alexis “Lete,” 29 (rookie)
Anna Leigh Wilson, 30 (rookie)
Brad Fiorenza, 45 (veteran)
Cara Maria Sorbello, 40 (veteran)
Cassidy Clark, 30 (veteran)
Chris “CT” Tamburello, 45 (veteran)
Chris Underwood, 33 (veteran)
Cory Wharton, 34 (veteran)
Deb Chubb, 29 (rookie)
Isabella “Izzy” Fairthorne, 26 (veteran)
Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, 44 (veteran)
Josh Goldstein, 29 (rookie)
Justin Hinsley, 26 (veteran)
Keanu Soto, 33 (rookie)
Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio, 24 (veteran)
Michele Fitzgerald, 35 (veteran)
Nelson Thomas, 37 (veteran)
Nurys Mateo, 31 (veteran)
Sydney Segal, 30 (veteran)
Victoria “Tori” Deal, 32 (veteran)
Will Gagnon, 29 (veteran)

Related: Where Was ‘The Challenge’ Season 42 Filmed? Here’s Every Location Featured in ‘Cutthroat’

What Were the Challenges on the 'Cutthroat' Premiere Episode & Episode 2?

The race for captaincy came down to (in order of finishing) Sydney, Izzy, Josh, Chris, Will, Justin, Leo and Anna Leigh. After the puzzle portion, the three captains were Anna Leigh (1st, blue), Chris (2nd, gray) and Justin (3rd, orange).

Wow, way to come out of the gate swinging, rookie Anna Leigh! And Justin's practically a rookie too, this is only his second season.

That night, when they started to discuss teams who they did or didn't want on their team, the general female consensus was "anybody but Bananas." LOL.

And then TJ introduced a great twist for the draft. The captains would be picking each other's teams, not their own. It wasn't great for Anna Leigh because Chris and Justin totally worked together to screw her over.

The teams are:

Gray: Chris, Adrienne, Sydney, Nurys, Cory, Cassidy, Keanu, Leo
Blue: Anna Leigh, Cedric, Reilly, Lete, Brad, Nelson, Josh, Cara Maria
Orange: Justin, Deb, Will, Bananas, Michele, Tori, Izzy, CT

Each captain had to pick a co-captain of the opposite gender, so Anna Leigh picked Nelson, Chris picked Sydney and Justin picked Michele.

Related: ‘The Challenge’ Season 42: Cast, Premiere Date, Trailer and More

The first Daily Challenge, "Right This Sway," haha, involved getting the team across a bridge as fast as possible while the other teams were making the bridge sway. The team with the most players across the fastest wins.

Gray got four, while Orange and Blue only got two apiece, so those were the teams going into elimination and only the Gray team captains were allowed to vote on who would be going into elimination. Also, the team captains of the second place team (Orange) were safe, so Justin and Michele were safe, and the orange team was allowed to nominate two people for Chris and Sydney to pick from—the captains got to pick one, and the rest of the Orange team got to pick the other. Everybody with me so far, because that was weirdly complicated.

It's a man's week, so Chris and Sydney could pick any man from the blue team between Josh, Cedric, Brad and Josh, while Orange was struggling with how to vote between Will, Bananas and CT.

Michele and Josh nominated Will, forcing Orange to vote between CT and Bananas. They decided to stalemate, but before they could decide for sure, CT argued that they should actually vote because he was sure he would be safe against Bananas. It devolved into two middle-aged men yelling at each other about when the last time was either of them did anything on this show. Snort.

But the team stuck with the stalemate, so the opposite gender captain had to break the tie. Michele voted Bananas in and then was bawling about it. Good lord, girl.

Related: How to Watch ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ Season 42: Streaming, Premiere Date and Time

Then Chris and Sydney chose to pit Bananas vs Cedric in an elimination called "Burn Out." It felt like Cedric would crush this, but in a rather stunningly bad display of strategy, Bananas managed to get all the posts lit up in his color before time was even up. Cedric was sent home.

After the competition, the captains are forced to choose their replacements. Everyone has to be the captain once before anyone else gets to do it twice.

They also have to choose someone of the same gender. Chris and Sydney picked Keanu and Adrienne, Justin and Michele choose CT and Tori, and Anna Leigh and Nelson picked Josh and Cara Maria.

The next Daily Challenge was "If You Know, You Know," where they had to guess a mystery teammate based on the way they answered questions.

Orange team came up with a code to solve the puzzle, which was very clever (until it wasn't). Meanwhile, Cara Maria was freaking out so badly she got her team disqualified in the first heat, and then Anna Leigh couldn't stop coughing, so she got the Blue team disqualified again.

Afterward, Nelson and Brad got in a huge argument about the rules, which, as Lete pointed out, was insane because it's not even a guy's week! Good lord. Why are the guys so mad about this?! It's not their elimination! What good does it do to get in a fight about it?!

In a hilarious twist, TJ disqualified Orange for their code system, so Gray team won! LOL. To decide a second-place team, TJ made the female captains (since it's an elimination week) face off in trivia. Cara Maria was weirdly fine. I wonder if it's the being blindfolded part of it? I feel like that would make it so much scarier.

Back at the villa the next day, Blue convened to decide who to nominate. Nelson accused Cara Maria of DQing on purpose and then Josh attacked her about it, while Cara Maria was like, "Why would I do that?!" Because for real, at this point, that is so dumb.

Reilly and Anna Leigh tried to get the team to vote Lete in, but the guys aren't stupid. Lete's huge and very athletic, they would never send her in this early. Cara Maria and Josh vote Reilly in, and Lete, Brad and Nelson vote Anna Leigh. They actually have a good reason beside not wanting to risk Lete; Keanu would never put Anna Leigh in, so they're sacrificing Reilly basically and she got all upset about it. But c'mon, girl, look at your team. You're the weak link among the girls and nobody knows you.

At the elimination, Adrienne and Keanu chose Reilly to go up against Deb from the Orange team. The challenge was "Line 'Em Up." It was a puzzle, but it was an extremely physical puzzle.

Reilly got ahead and Deb seemed like she was really running out of steam, but somehow Cara Maria got confused shouting out instructions to Reilly (and Reilly wasn't paying attention?!). It was really strange and the editing didn't really show what went wrong.

Either way, Reilly was eliminated. The new captains became Cory and Nurys on Gray, Brad and Lete on Blue and Deb and Bananas on Orange.

Meanwhile, the hookups got started—Will and Deb, Adrienne and Josh, Cory talking to Izzy (and he should not be) and Bananas making a play for Lete.

The Challenge: Cutthroat season 42 premieres Wednesday, August 5 at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT on Paramount+ with two back-to-back episodes. Subsequent new episodes drop every Wednesday at the same time.

Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is just weeks away and we already have our first bit of drama.

Longtime pro dancer Gleb Savchenko has released a statement months after Season 35 cast member Maura Higgins said that she did not want to be partnered with him.

"Until I was asked to comment on this story, I’d genuinely never heard of Maura, so I was quite surprised to learn she’d spoken about me so negatively," he told People magazine. "We've never met, and she doesn’t know me personally, so it’s disappointing to be judged based on a one-sided version of events rather than the facts."

Savchenko's comments come after Higgins told E! News that she'd be "happy with anyone except Gleb."

"I don’t really like the way he speaks about women," Higgins continued, adding, "I don’t really want to spend all my time with someone like that. I’m like, no thank you."

She supported her statement by saying that she's "loyal" and "friends with" Brooks Nader, whom Savchenko was partnered with on Season 33. The two also dated, albeit briefly, and things didn't end on the best of terms. Nader reportedly suspected that Savchenko had cheated on her and she swiftly ended the relationship. Savchenko has denied stepping out on the model.

In addition to Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, and Guillermo Rodriguez have all been confirmed as contestants on the new season of the popular reality dancing competition. It's unknown who these celebrities will be partnered with when the season gets underway in a couple of weeks.

The full cast—including pros and stars—will be announced on the Sept. 2 episode of Good Morning America with the new season of Dancing With the Stars will premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

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Martha Stewart is making a few subtle digs at Meghan Markle.

Stewart, 85, a legendary domestic goddess and entrepreneur, opened up about a recent event she attended where Markle was also spotted. But the Martha Stewart Living tycoon had a few thoughts when asked about Markle's culinary endeavors.

"I had dinner with Meghan Markle the other night. We were both guests at a dinner party in California. And she had just gotten back from the palace. I didn’t talk to her really more than to say a couple words, but I know she was talking about it," Stewart told PEOPLE.

When asked what she thought of Markle stepping into the cooking show space, Stewart didn't mince words.

"If you’re an actress, it’s hard to then transition to a princess and then from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show. It doesn’t sort of follow. So go from there," Stewart continued, referring to Markle's Netflix show, WithLove, Meghan.

John Lamparski / Getty Images

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Stewart Has Spoken About Markle Before

Last summer, Stewart shared her thoughts on Markle during another interview.

"Meghan, I don't really know very well, and I hope she knows what she's talking about," Martha told Yahoo Lifestyle. “Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important."

Still, Stewart made it clear that there's plenty of space in the market for her successors.

"I don't mind. Good luck," she noted.

What Do Martha Stewart’s Grandkids Call Her?

When she's not throwing shade, Stewart is a proud grandmother. In an interview last year, she shared that she doesn’t exactly go by “Nana” or “Granny.”

“They’ve called me Martha since the day they were born,” Stewart shared on the Nov. 30 episode of QVC+’s 50+ & Unfiltered podcast, E! reported. “And all their friends call me Martha. None of them call me Mrs. Stewart. I’m not a Mrs. Stewart.”

But the grandkids aren’t alone. Alexis Stewart, Martha’s daughter, also calls her that.

“My daughter calls me Martha,” Martha explained. “She’s always called me Martha.”

Related: Martha Stewart’s Adorable Grandson, 14, Steals the Show During Heartwarming ‘Today’ Appearance Together

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As an avid reader, I am forever looking to make more space around my house to store books. It's borderline embarrassing how many shelves hung on my walls are used solely for that purpose. If my family didn't also live here, I may very well have stacked books from floor to ceiling, taking up every inch of available space. Sadly, I cannot turn my home into an actual library, so efficient storage is necessary — and one of the most efficient ways I've seen lately to stash a stockpile of books (or whatever else you may choose to collect and display) is a rotating bookcase.

Instead of letting your TBR stack take over your nightstand, Walmart has a five-tier bookcase you can set up in a corner and swivel a full 360 degrees to access books, collectibles, plants, and anything else stored on its 20 shelves. Normally $100, the  Vgbyuj Rotating Bookcase is on sale for $81 thanks to a limited-time flash deal. Whether you use it to create your own personal book nook or to house all the odds and ends around your house without a proper home, this deal on such a handy storage solution is one you won't want to let spin away.

Vgbyuj Rotating Bookcase, From $81 (was $100) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The standout feature of this bookcase is right in the name: it rotates. Everything you store on it is just a quick swivel away, keeping all of your favorite reads, framed photos, and trinkets within easy arm's reach. Each shelf is reported to support up to 44 pounds, with a total capacity of 300 pounds for the unit. 

Ideal for small spaces like apartments, dorm rooms, and home offices, this rotating bookcase measures nearly 63 inches tall, taking advantage of unused vertical space. It requires only an 18-by-18-inch square of floor space at the base, making it perfect for adding extra storage in a spare corner. Beyond being incredibly practical, it’s genuinely pretty with a clean white finish, rounded edges, and modern lines that blend seamlessly with most decor styles.

Though reviews are limited, Walmart shoppers so far have noted that it's "easy to put together." One customer who is using the unit as toy storage for their grandchildren shared, "If it's taken care of, I believe it will last a long time, so between that and the price it's a win." 

Should you need more storage space, there's also a six-tier version of this rotating bookcase available at Walmart for $107.

Shop More Deals

• Ophanie 2-Pack Wood Floating Shelves, $19 (was $45) at Walmart
• EDX 5-Tier Bookcase, $50 (was $64) at Walmart
• Yoobure 4-Tier Ladder Shelf, $37 (was $65) at Walmart

Related Card Link:https://parade.com/shopping/walmart-hiphuta-10-shelf-bookcase-sale

If your houseplants aren't as accessible as you'd like or your book collection has taken over every available corner of your home, the Vgbyuj Rotating Bookcase is a smart fix. Walmart flash deals don't last forever, so add this shelving system to your cart for $81 now before the price goes back up.

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Dungeons & Dragons has included over-the-top fighting since it began. But the combat hasn't generally been overly graphic with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions was the blood-soaked desert world of Athas, which many fans thought may never be revisited due to what many considered its problematic nature.

But Hasbro / Wizards of the Coast surprised the gaming community by not just revisiting it, but going all-in on the violence. Dungeons & Dragons is returning to Dark Sun in 2027 as the first mature-rated setting in the game's history, and it will arrive shrink-wrapped with an 18+ warning for violence, bloodshed, nudity, and sexuality.

The reveal came during the Gen Con keynote on July 30, where executive producer Greg Bilsland told press to expect gore and adult content "so much so the lawyers told us we had to shrink-wrap it and put a warning on it." The plastic wrap is meant to keep the pages out of the hands of anyone under 18 on store shelves. A brutal animated trailer drove the point home, filled with psions and warriors eviscerating their foes. Bilsland described Athas as a place where "the dragon leaves you splattered in gore, your bones and viscera spread in the sand."

Related: Simon Pegg Joins 'The Rings of Power' as the Balrog Speaks

The return spans roughly 500 pages across five products. Blood and Power is a player-facing gameplay expansion that introduces the Psion, a psychic warrior class long tied to the setting and last seen in a 2025 playtest built around Psionic Energy Dice. Edge of Oblivion is a setting guide for Dungeon Masters covering the locations, history, and monsters of the dying desert world, with tools to build campaigns rather than a single pre-written adventure. Rounding out the lineup are a Dungeon Master's Screen, a map pack, and a limited-edition Player's Handbook with new Dark Sun cover art. Wizards has not confirmed pricing.

The decision reverses a stance Wizards of the Coast held for years. As recently as 2023 the studio called Dark Sun too problematic to bring back, citing themes like slavery and genocide. First introduced in 1991 and absent since D&D's fourth edition in 2010, the setting swaps the heroic fantasy of Forgotten Realms for a broken world where, as Bilsland put it, "survival is its own act of defiance."

Athas is ruled by tyrannical sorcerer-kings and scarred by magic that has drained the planet of life, leaving gladiatorial arenas and raw psionic power in place of the usual sword-and-sorcery magic and steel. Fans had suspected the revival for a while, thanks to public playtests of the Psion and a run of apocalyptic subclass material that dropped months before the keynote.

Dark Sun is the anchor for the game's Season of Survival, which runs from February through July 2027 and opens Wizards' publishing calendar for the year. That release is part of a broader plan that also includes a World of Warcraft crossover and a return to the classic setting of Greyhawk with the new Crown of the Witch Queen adventure.

Fan and players will all see if the upcoming Dark Sun's 18+ rating sets a new ceiling for what an official Dungeons & Dragons product is allowed to contain.

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After an initial attempt to save the franchise from shutting down completely, salad restaurant chain Salad and Go has had to file for bankruptcy. A disappointing announcement was made on the Angie's Facebook page, with the news that all 70 locations would be closed after the final customers leave on Aug. 5, 2026.

Angie’s is not being affected by the closure, which is a chain owned by Salad and Go’s co-founders, Tony and Roushan Christofellas, who exited the salad chain in 2021. The salad company was sold to an investment firm at the time.

Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 4. This usually gives the company time to reorganize in an attempt to remain open. However, it looks like the chain has decided to bring everything to a close, and this may not come as a surprise to many. The chain had originally closed 40 stores in September 2025 due to financial problems.

Even before that, there were issues within the company. After originally becoming one of the fastest-growing concepts in the United States, in 2022, Wingstop’s CEO Charlie Morrison was hired. However, he left two years later to work with Jersey Mike’s, and Mike Tattersfield, who was the CEO of Krispy Kreme, took over. That was when Tattersfield decided to close 40 restaurants in Oklahoma and Texas, leaving just Nevada and Arizona.

Many loyal customers have commented that the restaurants were always packed and the food was reasonably priced, so they can only assume that “mismanagement” caused the bankruptcy issues. However, Fast Company shared that in July 2026, the company's competitors saw significant foot-traffic drops, which alludes to Salad and Go also facing problems, as just the smallest of drops in foot traffic has a high impact on a business that operates on close profit margins.

Salad and Go wasn’t directly affected by the recent Cyclospora outbreak that caused issues for Taco Bell and other fast-food chains that sold iceberg lettuce, but it did note that the news about lettuce products did put customers off from risking the purchase of it from anywhere.

In a Facebook statement, Angie's announced that Salad and Go started 13 years ago, and the aim was to bring “good-for-you food” at affordable prices. There was a dream to create a healthier McDonald's, but it wasn’t just about that. According to the Christofellas, the dream was to make “great food affordable for everyone,” according to The New York Post. That’s what Angie’s is all about.

By the late 70s, the rock band Kansas was going through a rough patch trying to develop a worthy hit to land on the radio, with "Carry on Wayward Son" having been their ticket to long-lasting fame from the charts, TV, and even sporting events.

Kansas were working on their fourth studio album, Leftoverture, when they felt that they were diminishing into the backdrop of the rock scene. Guitarist and chief songwriter Kerry Livgren called it a "frustrating time," according to Louder AAA. They were opening for every major name possible at the time, but "nobody would play with us any more" due to being a hard act to follow.

Until 1976, the band had yet to release a hit track that would land them notoriety on the charts, much less become a radio staple. When developing the album, vocalist Steve Walsh experienced writer's block that left the entirety of the songwriting up to Livgren, recalling, "on the very first day of rehearsals, Steve came to me and said that he had nothing – not a single song."

The pressure to develop an entire album wasn't something Livgren relished, but it would result in Kansas's biggest hit track that made them stars: "Carry on Wayward Son." Livgren would develop a new track every night and bring it to rehearsals at a vacant store in a strip mall in Topeka that the band was using. The track was "a song I’d written at the last minute," as the band had the needed seven songs for the album and were ready to pack up and head to a remote Louisiana location to record them.

“We were packing up our stuff when Kerry walked in with his last-minute addition,” drummer Phil Ehart remembers. “For such a very, very special song, it barely made the record.”

Livgren added that once the members heard the track, it changed everything. "Carry on Wayward Son" landed at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was put into heavy rotation, leading it to become a classic rock radio staple.

The track would become a generational staple as it became a sports arena anthem, although it wasn't intended that way. Over the years, NFL teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers have played it in pregame warmups and stadium breaks. It's also commonly featured at MLB games by clubs including the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, as well as at NHL and NCAA sporting events, where its iconic opening guitar riff and sing-along chorus make it a popular choice for energizing crowds.

Livgren developed the track with his own life and religious beliefs in mind, as he explained "It’s an autobiographical song. Parallel to my musical career I’ve always been on a spiritual sojourn, looking for truth and meaning. It was a song of self-encouragement. I was telling myself to keep on looking and I would find what I sought."

Part of its charm is its overall energy, with Livgren explaining its an "inspiration" to fans and, "When that a cappella vocal intro kicks in, there isn’t an audience in the world that doesn’t go crazy."

Related: 1973 Rock Song, Inspired by a Missing Guitar, Became a Defining Radio Hit 53 Years Ago

If you’ve been holding out on booking an autumn getaway, your patience just paid off in a big way. JetBlue has officially launched a massive 48-hour flash sale, offering one-way domestic flights starting at just $54 and transatlantic fares to Europe from an incredible $299 one-way.

The limited-time sale is live right now and runs through Thursday, August 6 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Eligible travel dates span from September 9 through November 18, 2026—making it the ultimate excuse to lock in a shoulder-season escape without the peak summer price tag or suffocating crowds.

Related: JetBlue Plans to Launch a 'More Affordable' First Class Option for Travelers

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For cruise enthusiasts and autumn beach seekers, the timing couldn't be better. Fall is prime shoulder season for Florida’s major cruise ports, and JetBlue’s sale makes getting to your ship cheaper than ever. You can snatch up one-way fares to Orlando (MCO) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for as low as $104 from Boston or $109 from New York (JFK). That means swapping crisp autumn weather for warm sunshine, palm trees, and a smooth disembarkation onto a Caribbean or Bahamian sailing, all while saving your budget for onboard oceanfront specialty dining and port shore excursions.

If your autumn travel dreams lean more toward European cobblestones, crisp fall foliage, and sweater weather, JetBlue’s transatlantic deals are equally tough to beat. Travelers flying out of New York (JFK) or Boston (BOS) can hop across the pond to London Heathrow (LHR) for just $299 one-way.

Related: JetBlue Just Launched a First-of-Its-Kind Monthly Subscription

Other legendary European hot spots are also steeply discounted, with one-way flights to Paris (CDG), Dublin (DUB), Barcelona (BCN), and Madrid (MAD) starting at just $329. Imagine spending an October afternoon sipping espresso along the Seine, touring quiet museums in Madrid without the summer heat, or taking in the historic beauty of Dublin as the season turns.

Domestic wanderlust is well covered, too. Short hops within Florida start at a rock-bottom $54 (like Fort Lauderdale to Orlando or Tampa), while flights to cultural hubs like Nashville start under $100.

To snag these low fares before they disappear tomorrow night, head directly to JetBlue's official sale page at jetblue.com/sale/live and start planning your fall escape!

Related: JetBlue's New Mint Menu Brings Dishes From NYC's Most Buzzy, Cult-Favorite Restaurants to 35,000 Feet

Pierce Brosnan and his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, are more in love than ever on their 25th wedding anniversary.

The beloved Irish actor, 73, who has tackled diverse roles in films ranging from Mrs. Doubtfire to James Bond flicks like Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough, wed Smith, 62, back in 2001. But in a new post honoring their anniversary, it's pretty clear their connection is a lasting one.

"Happy 25th wedding anniversary my love! What an adventure life is with you.
Looking forward to the next 25 years beside you @piercebrosnanofficial ♥️," Shaye captioned the photo. Scroll through to the final slide to see a sweet selfie of the duo celebrating their big anniversary.

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How Does Brosnan Have Such Great Hair?

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Last year, Brosnan had a delightful answer when asked by Page Six why Irishmen seem to have such good heads of hair.

“It’s all in the hair, the old Celtic hair,” he explained, saying that his father, “Dear Tom…had good hair. I have no idea. Maybe it’s in the potatoes, or the butter, or the Guinness.”

 When told he’s aging like a fine wine, Brosnan said, “I’m doing my best!”

Brosnan recently starred opposite Ben Kingsley and Helen Mirren in The Thursday Murder Club, a Netflix murder mystery based on the popular book by Richard Osman. His character is a bit of a departure from some of his most famous roles.

“I’ve done rough-around-the-edges before,” said Brosnan, who knows a thing or two about being slick, as any 007 fan knows. “So entrenched in the world of the sophisticated man and Mr. Slick and Mr. Elegance, you know, sometimes you paint yourself into a corner with your own…you get hoisted by your own canard so to speak! It’s paid the rent over the years and given me the great joy of having the career that I’ve got.”

When it was suggested that he may be amidst a renaissance thanks to his role in MobLand, Brosnan said he wouldn’t fight the idea as he navigates his seventies.

“If not now, when? The clock is ticking,” he smiled.

Related: Pierce Brosnan’s Artist Son Is a Dead Ringer for His Handsome Father