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Alex Murdaugh will return to court on Monday, following a shocking twist in his murder trial. In March 2023, a South Carolina court convicted Murdaugh of murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his 22-year-old son, Paul Murdaugh, sentencing the former attorney to consecutive life sentences in prison. 

Three years later, in May of 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh’s conviction. And now he is heading back to court for one of the most high-profile retrial cases in recent history.

Why was Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction overturned?

Power and privilege were at the center of Murdaugh’s highly publicized case. The unthinkable double murder of his own wife and child put the defendant in the spotlight. 

Not only did every news outlet cover the case, but it also became the subject of a slew of documentaries and true crime specials, including Netflix’s Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, Hulu’s Murdaugh: Death In the Family, HBO Max’s Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty, and Prime Video’s American Greed: The Decline of A Dynasty and A Legacy of Fraud.

Despite what seemed like a pretty open-and-shut case, the state supreme court tossed the conviction in 2026, citing jury interference by a court clerk. 

According to court documents, “Both the State and Murdaugh’s defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter. However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.” 

In a decision that shocked the nation, the court added, “Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial.”

Was Alex Murdaugh released from prison?

No, Murdaugh was not released from prison. Even though the double murder conviction was overturned, he remains in prison, serving concurrent sentences for state (27 years) and federal (40 years) financial crimes.

When does Alex Murdaugh return to court, and what will happen?

Murdaugh’s retrial begins on Monday, June 29. While he won’t take the stand immediately, he will appear at the pretrial hearing (a status conference in front of Judge Debra McCaslin in Lexington) where attorneys for both sides are expected to address scheduling and procedural matters.

Reportedly, specifics the defense and prosecution aim to iron out during this hearing include setting deadlines for the exchange of evidence and dates for future hearings/Murdaugh’s next trial.

In pre-trial motions, Murdaugh’s attorneys have asked prosecutors to turn over DNA evidence found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails for testing by a private lab. Additionally, his attorneys are requesting that Murdaugh, who still maintains his innocence, be provided a laptop in prison to review evidence. 

Is there a date for Alex Murdaugh’s new trial?

Even though the status conference will include scheduling, no date has been set for Alex Murdaugh’s retrial yet.

Full House almost had a very different Danny Tanner.

Jodie Sweetin, who played middle child Stephanie Tanner throughout the beloved sitcom's run on ABC, recently recalled shooting the series' original pilot with another on-screen dad before Bob Saget was brought in as the Tanner family patriarch.

"We started doing the show, and we'd shot an entire pilot, actually, with John Posey, who was a lovely human being and very sweet and wonderful," Sweetin, 44, said on the Tuesday, June 23, episode of Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo's Comics & Kicks podcast.

Posey, who would go on to become a household name on shows like Better Call Saul, Boston Legal and Teen Wolf, was a relative unknown at the time of his original casting as Danny Tanner, having only just made his on-screen debut as Mr. Jacobi in Manhunter in 1986.

But despite Posey making a positive impression on Sweetin during the original pilot, Full House creator Jeff Franklin had always had Saget in mind for the role of Danny. Unfortunately for him, Saget was originally under contract for The Morning Program on CBS at the time and was unable to take the part. However, when that show came to an early end, Franklin jumped at the chance to redo the pilot with the up-and-coming comic in the lead role.

"Bob was the first choice for Danny. So when he was no longer doing the show that was conflicting with Full House, we reshot the entire pilot, which Jeff Franklin had to fight for so hard because that's a lot of money," Sweetin explained. "He was like, 'I just know it. I just know this is who we need as the dad. This is going to be it.' And he was right."

Posey, 70, previously recalled receiving the call that his Full House role was being recast during a 2014 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, saying at the time, "It was my agent saying, 'I don't know what's going on, but for some reason they're testing Bob Saget.' And I said, 'What are you talking about? Why would they do that?' I didn't know at the time that he was the guy that they originally wanted, that he was just unavailable."

“Do You Love Me” was a 1962 song from The Contours that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on two separate occasions. The first time was after the song was originally released, when it peaked at No. 3. The second time was after it was included in the 1987 classic film, Dirty Dancing, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. The song reached No. 11.

Although this song ended up being the band’s biggest hit, it almost didn’t belong to them. It was originally supposed to be sung by another popular Motown band. However, when they didn’t show up, and the Contours arrived to record another song, “It Must Be Love,” Berry Gordy asked them to try performing “Do You Love Me.”

“That song was supposed to be for the Temptations," Sylvester Potts, one of the band members, explained in an interview with the Augusta Chronicle. "But they didn't show up, so (Motown founder) Berry Gordy gave it to us." Potts continued, "Dirty Dancing made it brand new again. We sold a million copies of that song in 1962. We sold 2 million in 1988. Because of Dirty Dancing, we went more places and saw things we only dreamed of in the early days."

Gordy confirmed the story in Billboard, saying, "Getting the concept for 'Do You Love Me' was easy. I remembered the days when I could never get the girls I really liked because I couldn't dance. I was planning to record it on the Temptations, but when I was ready to record the voices, they were nowhere to be found. I had everyone out looking. Because we couldn't find them, the Contours got to record it, and it was a smash. I later found out that the Temptations were in the one place nobody thought to look, in church!"

Related: 1962 Classic Hit, Named One of the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, Never Reached No. 1

Joe Billingslea, the lead singer of the band, also spoke about the creation of the song with Mojo magazine. “I didn't like the song,” he admitted. “It reminded me of 'Twist And Shout.' I said: 'This song ain't gonna do nothin', man.' That same week it was released, and the following week it made the charts. I turned around and said: I love that song! Did I change my opinion? Of course! We realized later that The Temptations could never have sung that song because it wasn't suited to them, but Berry had motivated us to sing it the way he wanted it."

Technically, the Contours were a one-hit wonder since they never had another song appear on the Top 40. However, they released a few other songs that were played on regional radio stations, like “Shake Sherry” and “Can You Do It.” The band officially disbanded in the late 1960s.

The Highwaymen, the four-piece band fondly called the "Mount Rushmore of country music," not only cemented their status as one of the most iconic country rock bands but also earned a place among the greatest supergroups of all time.

Often created as side projects or creative collaborations, these bands were made up of renowned musicians from highly influential bands.

While supergroups have existed from the mid to late 1960s through the modern rock and hip-hop era and into the present, the music industry has produced a slew of these all-star bands, but only a few have left an enduring mark.

Rolling Stone ranked its 10 greatest supergroups of all time based on a readers' poll.

While the Traveling Wilburys, Eric Clapton's Cream and Temple of the Dog made it to the top three spots, The Highwaymen secured the eighth spot.

The Highwaymen members Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson at the Central Park Summer Stage in 1993.

The Highwaymen members Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson at the Central Park Summer Stage in 1993.

Officially formed in 1985, The Highwaymen consisted of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, who were all successful solo artists at the time. 

Although they did not initially intend to form a permanent band, they began by discussing ways to bring fresh ideas and a new sense of energy to country music.

"We did nothing we didn’t want to do. And we stood up for things we believed in. And it was a beautiful life that way," Kristofferson mentioned in an excerpt from The Highwaymen: Friends Till The End.

Bringing together four of country music's biggest stars, the quartet became "country music's first bona fide supergroup" with the release of their debut album, Highwayman, in 1985.

The title track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart while songwriter Jimmy Webb took home the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

The album also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Five years later, the country rock supergroup released their second album, Highwayman 2, as the follow-up to their debut album.

The sophomore album earned The Highwaymen a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

In 1995, the band released their third and final album, The Road Goes on Forever, with the title track and "It Is What It Is" becoming two of their signature anthems.

Despite the commercial success of their previous albums, The Road Goes on Forever failed to meet the same fate and was unable to "produce any chart hits despite containing high-quality material," as cited by Legends of Country Music.

After 10 years together, The Highwaymen stopped touring, effectively bringing the supergroup's run to an end.

Related: '60s Rock Band, Disbanded After Two Years, Ranked 'Best Supergroup' of All Time

More than 70,000 people turned out to welcome Garth Brooks back to the United Kingdom after an almost 30-year absence.

The legendary performer was "stunned" at the turnout for his one-night-only performance at BST Hyde Park in London on June 27, 2026. The last time he played the United Kingdom was in 1994 at Wembley Arena.

Brooks posted a message via Instagram, sharing his thoughts about the unforgettable evening.

"England…I’m STUNNED! YOU were the entertainer tonight!!" he wrote. "I just became your biggest fan!! THANK YOU for showing me how to love music!!!! Love, G."

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According to The Times, Brooks told the sellout crowd, "We should have come back here a hell of a lot sooner." However, he did not elaborate further about why it took so long for him to play a concert in the U.K.

The entertainer barreled through a 19-song setlist. The songs included "Two Piña Coladas," "The River," "Papa Loved Mama," "The Thunder Rolls," and "Unanswered Prayers."

Additionally, Brooks played his hit Billy Joel cover "Shameless," along with "The Dance." He closed out his setlist with "Friends in Low Places."

According to a press release, he now holds the record for the largest show ever performed at Hyde Park. Ahead of Brooks' concert, an announcement was made to concertgoers."

“You turned out in such incredible numbers today that the promoter actually had to increase the site’s capacity. Because of all of you, this is now officially the biggest show ever to play at BST Hyde Park!  Thank you for making history with us. Let’s make it a night to remember!”

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Brooks added, “Normally the magic comes from the stage, but today it came from the audience. I am shocked at the love that was sent this way tonight!"

In a post on his official website, Brooks shared the following remarks ahead of his performance.

"I've played for European audiences before, and it always surprises me how well they KNOW their country music,” he said. “I'm torn between the anticipation of hearing all those different voices sing and laugh and the honor it is anytime you get to be part of country music taking the global stage. This is going to be too much fun!"

Related: 1990 Beloved Garth Brooks Classic, Written on a Napkin, Is Ranked His Greatest Song Ever

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My kitchen cupboard is packed with a variety of spices and seasonings, but the ones I reach for most are good old salt and pepper. I own a pretty cheap pepper mill and salt shaker, and they've served me well for years, so I never considered upgrading. Then I was given the opportunity to test Quince’s Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set.

Electric mills have become somewhat trendy in recent years, and to be honest, I never thought they were necessary, since traditional ones aren’t exactly a chore to operate. But after trying Quince’s Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set, I can only say that I wish I had made the switch sooner. 

These electric mills actually make meal prep easier. I can grind salt or pepper with one hand, while simultaneously stirring, flipping or pouring with the other. Seasoning raw chicken is less messy, since I can keep one hand clean and dry while I use the other to turn the meat and coat it evenly. Another bonus? The mills have a sleek, modern design that adds a dash of style to my kitchen. 

Like all Quince products, the excellent Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set is inexpensive. It’s nearly identical to a $200 set from Williams Sonoma, but at $60, it costs just a fraction of the price. Read on to find out why this wallet-friendly duo is nothing to sneeze at.

What Is the Quince Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set

Mark Marino

Quince’s electric salt and pepper mills have a sturdy stainless steel exterior with copper-colored accents at the top and near the base. Each has an ovular acrylic window that reveals the quantity of seasonings inside. At the bottom of the mills is a small plastic dial for adjusting the coarseness of the grind from a fine powder to a chunky, cracked texture. The mills are equipped with ceramic burrs for grinding, which are more durable than steel and resistant to rust. 

Each mill requires six AAA batteries to operate. To insert batteries and add salt or peppercorns to the mill, turn the top to the left so that the arrow icon above the copper ring aligns with the “unlocked” icon below it. Then lift the upper casing to remove it. Peppercorns or coarse sea salt can now be poured into the mill’s base and batteries placed into the compartment inside the upper casing. To close the mill, return the casing to the base, and twist it to the right so that the arrow aligns with the “locked” icon. 

Using the Quince Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set is easy: Turn the plastic dial to select your preferred grind, then press the copper button at the top. The mill’s base lights up as the ceramic burrs grind and dispense the seasoning. 

My Honest Review of the Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set

Mark Marino

After testing Quince’s electric salt and pepper mills in my kitchen, I have to admit that they’re a game changer. I love the convenience of being able to add freshly ground salt and pepper to any dish I’m preparing with just the touch of a button. It’s especially helpful when I’m stirring or sautéing ingredients over high heat. Since I don’t need both hands to twist a traditional mill, I can keep contents moving in the pan and not worry about scorching or burning.

The stainless steel salt and pepper mills have a sturdy, slightly weighty feel and an ergonomic design for a comfortable grip. The lights at the bottom are a really nice touch because they allow me to see exactly how much salt and pepper I’m adding to a dish without overseasoning. And while my old pepper mill always left black flecks on my countertop after I used it, I haven’t noticed a speck from these mills. 

If there are any cons to the Quince Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set, it’s that it takes some practice to find the exact grind size you’re looking for. The plastic dial at the bottom of the mills must be turned left for a coarser grind, but there are no definitive markers to show how far to turn it for a specific level of coarseness. I was able to get a better idea of the output of the various dial settings by grinding salt and pepper onto a clean plate and examining the textures.

Mark Marino

My only other issue is that when I first attempted to put batteries in the pepper mill, the battery compartment got jammed as I slipped it back into the casing. I spent about five minutes trying to twist it loose or push it further into the casing before it finally budged and slid into place. Thankfully, I haven’t had that problem since. 

Regardless of these glitches, Quince’s Stainless Steel Electric Salt & Pepper Mill Set is still a fantastic buy. The mills are chic, affordable, well-made, and extremely convenient. If you want meal prep to feel less like a grind, switch to this electric set.

Related: Quince's New Seasonal Carry-On is the Perfect Pop of Color for Your Summer Travel Capsule

Little Singles star Krista conquered a grocery store with the help of her friends.

Ahead of the June 29 episode of the new series, TLC shared an exclusive sneak peek of the shopping trip the 30-year-old blond bombshell took with John, 28, Sammy, 26, Stephanie, 32, and JJ, 37, while vacationing in Palm Springs, Fla.

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Earlier in Season 1, Krista confessed that she had never gone shopping for groceries alone, without the help of her average-height family members.

The clip begins with John asking Krista if she'd like to grab alcohol from the top shelf at a store, to which she replied, "Um, you do the honors."

"I told Krista that I would love to be her right-hand man at the grocery store," Sammy told producers in a confessional. "Since I don't want to hurt Steph, I'm gonna take a step back and let John take the lead here." (Sammy and Steph have a "thing" going, and he was previously flirting with Krista in front of Steph, which upset her.)

'Little Singles': Krista Conquers Grocery Store First (Exclusive Clip) (1:56)

Related: Little People, Big World’s Tori Roloff Shares Exciting Family Update: "So Much Joy"

"How are you feeling so far?" John asked Krista, prompting her to point out, "This lady, just staring at us..."

"Yeah, she fully is. That happens, though," John acknowledged. "I feel like that happens everywhere, though. Like, somebody ends up just looking at me without even realizing that I can see them."

"You can feel their energy," Krista said, to which John added, "They don't ever think, like, 'Hey, I can completely see you looking at me right now.'"

She agreed, sharing, "It's like, hello. I have eyes," as John speculated, "I don't even believe it hits them, like, this is kinda rude."

That's when John switched gears and decided to help Krista get outside her comfort zone at the grocery store. "So is there anything right now that you're, like, afraid of that you want to, like, conquer your fear in the grocery store?" he asked. "I mean, honestly, you could try to climb one thing, if you want."

Although Krista hesitated at first for fear of knocking over the shelving, John demonstrated what to do and assured her that he would catch her if she fell.

"This is your moment, grab that oatmeal!" he encouraged, as she scaled the shelves to snatch something from the top. "See? It's that easy. I knew you could do it. Look at you conquering your fears on this trip!"

To producers, Krista admitted, "Shelf climbing may very well be a skill that I'm gonna take home with me after this vacation."

Catch new episodes of Little Singles on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on TLC and streaming the next day on HBO Max.

Next: Little Singles: JJ Makes Bold Dating Confession After Gym Pick-Up Attempt (Exclusive Clip)

Stargate has been here before. A series is greenlit, anticipation mounts, and then fans hoped are brought back down to earth as things stop. It happened in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2020. In June 2026, it happened again.

On June 2, Variety reported that Amazon MGM Studios had cancelled its new Stargate series for Prime Video, scrapping a project that had completed a 20-week writers room and entered pre-production in the United Kingdom. The show had been greenlit in November 2025 with Martin Gero as creator and showrunner, a franchise veteran who had written for both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis. Brad Wright and Joseph Mallozzi, two of the architects of the franchise's television run, were attached as consulting producers. According to Variety, Amazon executives were concerned the series "would not have broad appeal beyond the franchise's already dedicated fanbase."

The cast and creative team rejected that characterization immediately. Mallozzi posted on X within hours: "Nope. No. Sorry. Gonna have to push back on this. We were ever mindful of creating a show that would have broad appeal." Michael Shanks, who played Dr. Daniel Jackson across multiple Stargate series, added on the same platform: "I also dispute their claim." In a blog post confirming the cancellation, Mallozzi described what was lost. "Creator Martin Gero developed a new Stargate series over two years, ultimately crafting a show that offered a fresh jumping-on point for new viewers while deeply respecting existing canon."

The executives who championed the project at Amazon (Nick Pepper and Matt King), had both since departed the studio. Incoming leadership, operating under Blair Fetter as the new Head of Worldbuilding and Genre Series, determined that Gero's vision no longer aligned with the studio's direction. The decision came late enough that the project could not be retooled rather than cancelled outright. Amazon is reportedly still open to revisiting the franchise, potentially with a different creative team and a full reboot rather than a continuation.

Shanks turned his X account into a rallying point, urging fans to contact Amazon directly and sign petitions. A campaign calling for the reinstatement of Gero's series surpassed 100,000 signatures within days. Shanks addressed the stakes by saying "if you are at all interested in a Stargate show with any of the original creators/performers involved, now is the time to say something. Otherwise it really will be the end of that chapter forever."

Stargate SG-1 premiered in 1997 and ran for 10 seasons, first on Showtime and then on Syfy. Spinoffs Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate Universe followed, with the franchise producing more than 350 television episodes before going dark in 2011. For a devoted audience that has spent 15 years watching revival attempts stall, the familiarity of this outcome doesn't make it easier.

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The music world is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most influential figures as stars gather in New York City this morning for his funeral.

Clive Davis, who died on June 22 at 94, will be remembered on Monday, June 29, as family, friends, and music's biggest stars gather in New York City to celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Davis helped launch and guide generations of artists whose songs became some of the biggest hits in music history.

According to Billboard, Davis' funeral is a private, invitation-only event. A source confirmed to the publication that celebrity attendees include Kenny G, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteenand Dionne Warwick, among others.

On Instagram, a post shared further details. "The private, invite-only funeral service for five-time Grammy Award-winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, legendary music icon Clive Davis, will be made available to the public via livestream due to widespread demand. " 

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"The service will be held on Monday, June 29 promptly at 10:00am ET. Those who wish to view the livestream can find the link in bio. The service will feature illustrious guest speakers and performers who will celebrate the life of the 'Man with the Golden Ears.'”

David earned that nickname by spearheading the careers of Janis Joplin, Aerosmith, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, The Grateful Dead, Kenny G, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, and Billy Joel. In a statement on Davis' official website, the music mogul's family shared the following remarks about his legacy.

“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations."

The statement continued, "To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”

Clive Davis' service will be livestreamed beginning at 10 a.m. ET, allowing fans around the world to pay their respects. Viewers can watch the funeral here.

Related: 'Queen of Psychedelic Soul' Named One of Rock’s Greatest Frontwomen of All Time

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If you’re hosting this Fourth of July, you still have some time to figure out where everyone is actually going to sit once all of the food is ready. The Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo is an easy way to give your backyard, patio, or lawn more shade before guests arrive, and right now, the brown colorway is available at Walmart for just $150, down from $280. It also comes in gray and silver, though the brown shade is currently the best deal.

The gazebo measures 16 by 16 feet and has a hexagon shape with 256 square feet of shade coverage. It has a six-leg frame, a soft-top roof, full-surround mosquito netting, and three adjustable height levels, with the center height reaching up to 9 feet. The canopy is made with durable fabric and has a silver coating that blocks 99% of harmful UV rays. It also has a double-vented roof to help with airflow, and the frame is made with rust-resistant, powder-coated steel.

Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo, $150 (was $280) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Instead of having everyone crowd under a single umbrella or constantly move chairs around to chase the shade, a gazebo offers a convenient covered area where people can eat, talk, and hang out longer. The mosquito netting is also a huge perk for summer nights, especially if your yard gets buggy once the sun starts going down, so you get a more comfortable place to sit without making the setup feel closed off.

One reviewer described the gazebo as being “easy to set up and take down” and said it’s “very well made.” Another agreed, noting that it “sets up super fast” and helped keep them covered during a rainstorm while they sat inside. They also said it was “perfect to get the bugs away,” which is especially important if you’re hosting and don’t want to get bitten all night.

Related: Walmart's Bestselling Pop-Up Gazebo Is Now $105, and It's Perfect for Outdoor Gatherings

This $150 deal offers a lot of the same features you’d see from more expensive gazebos for much less. It has netting, adjustable height, UV protection, and a vented roof, so it’s definitely more functional than a basic canopy. It’s also a great option if you host often but don’t want to commit to a permanent gazebo, or if you don’t have the space to keep one up all season.

Shop More Deals

• Sanopy Outdoor Pop-Up Gazebo, $104 (was $210) at Walmart
• Cobizi Pop-Up Gazebo, $100 (was $300) at Walmart
• Sunmthink Hardtop Gazebo, $379 (was $700) at Walmart

A little extra shade can go a long way when you’re hosting outside this summer If your backyard could use more coverage before July 4th, the Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo is worth adding to your cart while the sale is still live. Be sure to grab it while it’s $150 during Walmart’s Summer Deals event.

In 2000, Madonna walked onto the MTV Europe Music Awards stage wearing a rhinestone-studded tank top with one name emblazoned across the chest: Kylie Minogue. It looked like the ultimate gesture of pop sisterhood, a high-profile endorsement from the reigning queen of pop to her Australian counterpart.

Twenty-six years later, fans finally have the real story behind that shirt.

The iconic singer has revealed that underneath the display of solidarity lay a classic case of insecurity. Madonna admitted to Minogue that she was once deeply jealous of her, convinced that her partner was harboring a massive crush on the "Can’t Get You Out of My Head" singer.

"I was actually a little bit jealous of you," Madonna told the star.

The admission shatters the myth of Madonna’s legendary confidence. When pressed on why she felt threatened by the Australian pop star, Madonna’s response was surprisingly vulnerable, stripped of her usual witty one-liners.

"Because she was so cute," Madonna said. "I think my ex-husband at the time had a crush on her. I was like, 'I'll never be as beautiful as Kylie.'"

Madonna, wearing the famous Kylie Minogue shirt. (Photo: Getty)

Photo by Dave Hogan on Getty Images

Madonna has two high-profile ex-husbands: Sean Penn, whom she married in the mid-1980s, and British director Guy Ritchie. While she didn't explicitly name the man in question, the timeline leaves a glaring trail of breadcrumbs. Madonna tied the knot with Ritchie in December 2000, the same year she wore that infamous Kylie T-shirt to the awards show.

For fans who track the shifting alliances of pop star friendships, the revelation reframes a historic era. The turn of the millennium was a competitive sandbox for female pop stars: Minogue was mounting a massive career resurgence with "Spinning Around," commanding the British tabloids with her gold hotpants and disco-pop while Madonna was launching her “Music” country-esque era.

To hear Madonna, a woman who built an empire on dominance and unmatched self-assurance, confess to feeling awkward about another woman’s beauty is a rare peek behind the curtain of celebrity ego. The difference is, Madonna didn't fight the feeling; she put the woman's name on her chest and walked into the spotlight.

If you've ever found yourself standing at the edge of a massive life transition, staring down a sudden detour you didn't plan for, travel writer and entrepreneur Jen Ruiz has a piece of advice: go buy a plane ticket.

Ruiz—the bestselling author and digital creator behind the massive platform Jen on a Jet Plane—initially walked away from a career as a full-time trial attorney to navigate the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship. But her new memoir, All You Need Is Flights (on sale June 30, 2026 via Blackstone Publishing), explores an entirely different kind of pivot. The travelogue chronicles how she transformed a sharp, out-of-the-blue breakup on her birthday cruise through the Mediterranean into a year of radical solo exploration across Egypt, Kenya and Japan.

For women in their 40s and 50s navigating their own chapters of reinvention, Ruiz’s journey offers far more than a collection of beautiful stamps in a passport. It provides a practical guide for reclaiming your timeline, running your life like a business and finding beauty in the unexpected cracks. Here are the four major takeaways from her journey on how to leverage travel as the ultimate catalyst for your next act.

Related: We Asked 3 Travel Experts for the Top Vacation for Solo Female Travelers—They All Said the Same Thing

View this post on Instagram 1. Solo Travel is the Ultimate "Hack" for Mindful Presence

When navigating a major life shift, the instinct is often to ruminate on the past or over-analyze the future from the comfort of your own couch. But staying home frequently traps you on autopilot. True internal work requires breaking the monotony, and high-contrast, bucket-list destinations force a level of presence that daily routines simply cannot replicate.

"I love advocating for solo travel as a hack for presence," Ruiz notes. "When you’re home, you’re constantly in your head, worried about the future or ruminating over the past. It’s easy to get on autopilot as we go through the routine of daily life. Traveling forces you to be present in the moment as every sense is bombarded with something new—new sights, new smells, new sounds. Travel snaps you out of the haze of monotony and helps you feel alive again."

Choosing destinations that challenge your comfort zone—whether that means exploring deep under the tombs of the Great Pyramids in Egypt or visiting Giraffe Manor in Kenya—serves as a tangible reminder of your own capability. "These destinations are singular, one-of-a-kind places," Ruiz says. "As a result, it’s a massive accomplishment just to make it there. You’re already living out the wildest dreams of so many people. When you make visiting a place like this a reality for yourself, you come back feeling like you can conquer anything. That sense of accomplishment is lasting and changes you. It makes you believe any goal you have is possible."

Related: Emma Straub on 'American Fantasy' and Midlife Reinvention

2. Embrace the "Kintsugi" Philosophy of Midlife Transitions

One of the hardest hurdles of starting over in your 30s, 40s or 50s is confronting the feeling that you have somehow fallen off track or failed to meet societal milestones. During her travels, Ruiz took a class in Japan focusing on Kintsugi—the traditional art of mending broken ceramics with gold lacquer. The experience completely transformed how she views personal setbacks and how she tells her own stories.

"That Kintsugi class was one of the most meaningful lessons of my life," Ruiz shares. "I keep the dish behind me in my office to remind me that my path is unique, and what might be perceived as a setback initially is just part of my greater story. We are meant to embrace our flaws, not try to hide them. As a memoir writer, this holds doubly true. As someone who curates a social media presence online, my instinct is to sanitize and pre-edit myself to be more palatable to others."

For Ruiz, writing about a difficult "restart moment" like leaving her home in Puerto Rico at age 35 required leaning directly into that vulnerability rather than trying to present a hyper-curated version of her life online. "In writing about my travels now, I haven’t been as afraid to include scenes I might have omitted beforehand," she says. "It’s in the cracks where our gold shines through, and my hope is that my flaws attract readers who appreciate and can relate to the honesty."

Standing at the back of the Monopoly board at 35 or 45 can feel terrifying, but it's often a necessary redirection. "We’re at the stage of life where things have stopped being rosy. This is the hard one—the really hard stage—and there’s that bell curve of human satisfaction where the 30s and 40s are at the very bottom," Ruiz explains. "We put the most pressure on ourselves to meet those goals we set. Sometimes you have to surrender and realize that an outcome wasn't meant for you—it was meant to be a lesson or a temporary step. Just realize that maybe you’re not off track. Your path winds in ways you can't see fully yet."

Related: This Recent College Graduate Makes Up to $200 Per TikTok Video—Plus How Other Regular People Make Money on the App

3. Treat Your Nomad Life—and Your Freelance Career—Like a Business

Transitioning from a structured corporate career to the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship and freelance writing is notoriously daunting. However, the professional habits developed in your previous career chapters are often your greatest assets. For Ruiz, her background as a trial attorney allowed her to approach the modern gig economy with a rare, business-first mindset.

"Navigating the unknown has been a really big asset for me, and preparing for all possibilities," Ruiz explains. "I loved the excitement of a trial, but a trial is unpredictable. Because of that, you over-prepare. As an entrepreneur, that’s helped me a lot because you really never know. All I can do is navigate these unknowns, which has helped me stay steady and flexible."

That legal background also taught her the importance of contract negotiation and income diversification as a form of personal job security. "A lot of content creators look at the work they do as something where 'I should be so lucky just to be traveling,' and they'll accept anything they're given. That’s how people end up in a trap of free work," Ruiz warns. "I use different ways to phrase what it is that I’m doing in legal and business terms, to show what the actual return on investment will be. It makes it a business rather than a hobby or a favor." This exact transparency is why she launched a successful Substack that actively pulls back the curtain on the travel industry, sharing well-paid leads and remote opportunities to help other independent writers find their footing.

4. Lean into Over-Planning to Conquer the Safety Myth

The single biggest misconception holding women back from booking their first solo trip is an overarching anxiety regarding personal safety. While safety is a valid priority, it shouldn't be a barrier to entry. The antidote to fear isn't staying home—it is meticulous preparation.

"Most places can be visited safely if you do your research ahead of time and take the proper precautions," Ruiz advises. "To that end, my biggest piece of advice is to err on the side of over-planning if you’re nervous. When I was first getting started, I would research everything. I’d have my desired train time, and the five train times before and after just in case. I’d Google Street View the walk from the train station to the hotel. The more you know, the more prepared you feel—and the more you travel, the less you’ll feel you need to prepare to this extent."

That practical, protective mindset extends right down to her carry-on luggage. When asked for her one non-negotiable travel item that isn't a passport or a tech gadget, Ruiz points straight to a simple pack of alcohol cleaning wipes. "I don’t want to sound a little bit neurotic, but cleaning wipes," she laughs. "There are just so many germs everywhere. I’ve found that because I was traveling so much, being exposed to all those people in an airport when you're not sleeping as well can lower your immune system. The combination of wiping everything down and wearing masks on the plane has helped me just limit my exposure and travel a little bit safer."

What's Next on the Horizon: Following the June launch of All You Need Is Flights, Ruiz is already scouting new landscapes for creative inspiration. Up next is a cross-country road trip along the historic Lincoln Highway to explore American landmarks, followed by two major milestone birthday trips: a journey to the salt flats of Bolivia, and an exploration of Vietnam's legendary fashion hubs to have a wardrobe of custom-tailored pieces created. It is yet another reminder that no matter how many times life forces a rewrite, there is always another beautiful destination waiting to be written.

All You Need Is Flights officially releases on June 30, 2026, via Blackstone Publishing. You can pre-order or purchase your copy directly on Amazon here.

Related: The Greek Islands, Hotels and ‘Secret’ Beaches Chef Suzy Karadsheh Is Loving Right Now

Some people are happiest when they know they can count on themselves. They don't wait around for someone else to solve their problems, and they rarely need much encouragement to keep moving forward. According to Dr. Steve Taylor, a psychologist via Psychology Today, such self-sufficiency is defined as "the quality of feeling secure and content with oneself, (carrying) a deep-rooted sense of inner completeness and stability."

Looking at astrology, the cosmos may play a role in how self-sufficient you are. While every birth month has its own strengths, the following four birth months are known for producing people who are especially independent and comfortable standing on their own two feet. Read on to discover if your birth month is listed by a pro astrologer.

Which Birth Months Are Most Self-Sufficient?

Being self-sufficient isn't limited to just these four birth months. Every birth month has capable, determined, independent people. Still, January, April, August, and November stand out for their ability to handle life's ups and downs with confidence, resilience, and very little need for anyone else to carry the load.

January

People born in January seem to develop resilience early in life. When something needs to get done, they usually don't waste time hoping someone else will handle it. They figure things out, make a plan, and keep going. They take pride in being dependable and enjoy proving that they can overcome challenges without asking for much help. Whether they're fixing something around the house, building a career, or working toward a personal goal, January people trust themselves first. Whether you're a determined Capricorn or a forward-thinking Aquarius, independence usually comes naturally to you.

RELATE?: These 4 Birth Months Make the Best Grandparents

April

April-borns have an adventurous streak that pushes them to take chances others might avoid. They don't mind learning through experience, even if it means making a few mistakes along the way. Their confidence allows them to tackle unfamiliar situations without waiting for permission or approval. If they don't know how to do something today, they'll learn by tomorrow. That willingness to rely on themselves is one of their greatest strengths. Whether you're a bold Aries or a steady Taurus, people born in April tend to believe that action is almost always better than standing still.

FUN!: This Is Your Perfect Cruise Escape, Based on Your Birth Month

August

People born in August are very self-assured. They know their limits, and they don't spend time trying to impress others. When something goes wrong, they're more likely to deal with it rather than panic. They're the kind of people others often turn to when things get stressful because they stay level-headed and find practical solutions. Whether you're a confident Leo or a thoughtful Virgo, you like the fact that you can rely on yourself when it matters most.

READ: The 4 Birth Months Radiate a Nurturing Aura

November

November-borns are incredibly resourceful. If one door closes, they'll start looking for another before most people have finished complaining. They're strong, adaptable, and work hard. They trust their judgment, and they have an inner confidence that helps them overcome obstacles and keep progressing, no matter what life brings. Whether you're an intense Scorpio or an adventurous Sagittarius, you're someone who believes the best safety net is the one you've built for yourself.

UP NEXT:

In 1974, Ian Thomas charted his only U.S. hit with the song “Painted Ladies.”

Written by the Canadian singer for his self-titled 1973 album, the acoustic guitar-driven soft rock song featured a clavinet intro and lyrics about loneliness.

“Painted Ladies” peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1974 and was an even bigger hit in Canada. Fifty-two years later, it remains Thomas’s signature song.

Sealing with NMC Amplify, Thomas recalled the songwriting process for his sole Top 40 hit.

“‘Painted Ladies’ was one of two songs out of the first album that I wrote during the day,” he shared. “I had the idea for it at night and scribbled notes down, and then when I picked it up in the morning and I looked at what I’d scribbled down the night before, I went, ‘Whoa.’ It was a great springboard and then it was almost like automatic writing. I couldn’t keep up with the incoming.”

Thomas also explained how the instruments, most notably the clavinet, came into play.

“I had written the song in my basement,” he told Boom 97.3’s Behind the Vinyl. “It was a sound-on-sound Sony tape recorder, so I could stack up harmonies and guitar parts. So I had the whole song together, with the exception of bass and drums. And the clavinet was an idea of John Lambardo, who was the producer for me on that.”

“And then that song I just watched it sail up the charts,” Thomas continued. “I often wondered why the song didn't go farther [on] Billboard. And then I read the book Hit Men, and I realized 250,000 dollars had to change hands to break the Top 20. And then that was just such a revelation to me. I just thought, ‘Oh man, what a rotten business this is.’ Because we were Top 10 in so many major cities, and I couldn't understand how we could be Top 10 in all those cities and [not go higher] on Billboard. It made no sense.”

Thomas once described “Painted Ladies” as “strangely autobiographical.” The song came from a defining moment in his life when he was a young musician.

“Here I was the song of a former Baptist minister, now a University philosophy professor,” he told Behind the Vinyl in 2016. “So I had lived a pretty sheltered life in the world of academe, and all of a sudden I was in a band playing just the hell holes of Ontario, sharing dressing rooms with strippers. … It was culture shock.”

“And when you're stuck in some dumpy hotel in the middle of nowhere, playing really questionable social experience, you miss home like the dickens,” he added. “So lyrically, the song sort of came out of that. You know, I wake up one morning, you know, one of the strippers would be coming out of her room, you’re heading down to breakfast together. It was a real culture shock for me.”

Thomas told Amplify that the song was really about “longing for home” while on the road.

“There was a melancholy to the song about a strange city, the night lights, etc. and all you really longed for was being home,” he said. “So it was all very true to my life experience of the shadier sides of nightlife. And so, that ended up as the lyric.”

Related: 1974 Classic Rock Hit, Inspired by Run-In With Truckers, Remains a Road-Trip Anthem 52 Years Later

Reality TV has brought us some of the most beloved boy bands in music history, and while everything may have looked like it was smooth sailing, there has been plenty of behind-the-scenes drama plaguing our favorite manufactured groups.

From fights between members to rivalries with other made-for-television bands, not everything is as it seems on the surface. These made-for-TV groups became household names, but life behind the scenes was often marked by rivalries, disagreements and personal conflicts.

The Monkees

(Bettmann/Getty Images)

The Monkees are considered to be the blueprint for manufactured boy bands, forming in 1966 simply to star in a slapstick comedy that would air for two seasons on NBC. The majority of the tension came between Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones, who reportedly clashed over the band's musical direction and lifestyle. Nesmith and Peter Tork also had a rift due to their differences in personalities.

Members departed one-by-one, with Tork being the first to wave goodbye to the group in 1968. Nesmith followed suite a year later in 1969. However, the band reunited several times over the years — including in 2001, when tensions exploded and Tork left the reunion tour early.

In a 2011 interview withRolling Stone, Tork accepted full responsibility for the problems that arose. "We were getting along pretty well until I had a meltdown," he told the outlet. "I ticked the other guys off good and proper and it was a serious mistake on my part. I was not in charge of myself to the best of my ability — the way I hope I have become since. I really just behaved inappropriately, honestly. I apologized to them."

One Direction

(Photo by JM Enternational/Redferns)

One Direction were put together bySimon CowellandNicole Scherzingerduring the 2010 season of The X Factor U.K. after each member auditioned separately but the judges thought they would work best as a group.

Despite their huge global success, One Direction faced well-documented tensions behind closed doors. The biggest turning point for the group came in 2015, when Zayn Malik announced he was leaving the band during their On the Road Again tour, stating that he wanted to live a more private life away from the spotlight. The "What Makes You Beautiful" hitmakers continued as a four-piece before going on an indefinate hiatus the following year.

In the years that followed, Liam Payne acknowledged that he and Harry Styles had their differences during the band's time together, describing moments of friction while insisting there was still mutual respect. Most recently, Louis Tomlinson said that disagreements were inevitable given the band's whirlwind rise to fame, though the singer suggested many reports of feuds were overstated.

Day26

(Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

R&B group Day26 formed bySean "Diddy" Combsin 2007 during the fourth season of MTV's Making the Band. The group enjoyed early success, with two Top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, but tensions soon emerged behind the scenes. Qwanell "Que" Mosley was dismissed from the group in 2009 following disagreements with his bandmates and management, with the other members citing ongoing conflict within the group. Although Day26 later reunited in various lineups over the years, the fallout surrounding Que's departure remained one of the defining chapters in the band's history.

Related: Iconic Rock Duo Announces First-of-a-Kind Tour Update

Every year, approximately 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. Here’s the good news: there are easy ways to reduce your risk, which can prevent many forms of skin cancer. More good news? The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma (a common form of skin cancer) is detected and treated before it spreads is 99 percent. (After it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate drops down to 68 percent.) This is exactly why knowing the early signs of skin cancer is essential.

Not sure what the early signs are? Keep reading to find out and to get tips on how to lower your risk.

Related: Here's the Latest on Skin Cancer Treatment

The Best Ways To Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer

Dr. Michael I. Jacobs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the medical technology director at Cortina, explains that the number one cause of skin cancer is UV rays from sunlight. Because of this, he says that the number one way to minimize your risk is to limit unprotected exposure to the sun (and tanning beds—using UV tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer too).

“I recommend always using SPF 50+ anytime you will be in the sun and wearing sun-protective clothing as well,” Dr. Jacobs says. He also says that UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so if you’re outside during that time frame, you should be extra mindful about sun protection. “Harmful sun rays are stronger at the beach in a boat with reflection of sunlight from the water and sails, and at a high altitude,” he adds.

Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, a skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London, says that having a family history of skin cancer or having fair skin increases the risk of skin cancer. So if either applies to you, it’s even more important to be diligent about protecting your skin from UV rays.

Related: The Top Three Types of Skin Cancer—And How You Can Avoid Them 

The Most Commonly Missed Early Skin Cancer Sign, According to Dermatologists

As with other forms of cancer, when it comes to skin cancer, early detection is key. That’s where being able to identify the early signs comes in. There’s one early sign in particular that Dr. Jacobs says people often miss. “A new pigment spot that appears to be a mole or freckle is the most commonly missed early sign of skin cancer,” he says.

Dr. Jacobs explains that many people are told to look for changes in existing moles, like color, shape or size, but they may not pay as much attention to new pigmented lesions that form which can lead to them being overlooked. 

So, if you have what looks like a new freckle or mole that didn’t exist on your body before, it’s absolutely worth it to book an appointment with a dermatologist so they can get a closer look.

Related: Your Top Skin Cancer Questions Answered

Of course, if you do notice a change in existing moles or spots on your body, Dr. Glass says that that’s worth getting checked out too. “Skin cancer will often present as a changing or enlarged lesion on the skin,” he says, adding that this may be a change in shape or color. He says that, sometimes, a lesion can bleed or become sore and itchy.

Dr. Glass says that many people believe that a lesion has to be raised or darkly pigmented to be concerning. This isn’t true. “In fact, skin cancers can be flat and can be red in color—not only dark brown or black,” he says.

With all of this in mind, any changes in spots on your body should be checked out by a dermatologist. That includes spots that are new, have changed color, changed shape or changed texture.

Dermatologists are trained in finding early signs of skin cancer, which is why it’s important to see a dermatologist once a year (and even more frequently if you are at high risk for skin cancer). There could be a lesion on part of your body you can’t see but a dermatologist will be able to.

By protecting your skin from the sun, getting any changes on your skin checked out, and seeing a dermatologist once a year, you will be taking three majorly important steps to minimize your risk for skin cancer—dermatologist-approved! 

Next up, find out what skin cancer apps doctors recommend and tips for how to use them.

Sources

• Dr. Michael I. Jacobs, MD, board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the medical technology director at Cortina
• Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London

One of country music's biggest hits from the early 1990s was the emotional send-off of to a farewell concert that few fans will ever forget.

The end of an era deserved a fitting soundtrack, and one chart-topping country hit proved to be the perfect choice. For Alan Jackson, that milestone moment occurred during his farewell concert at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, when he performed his 1993 hit, "Chattahoochee."

The event, which marked Jackson’s retirement from touring, was announced in 2025. Titled “One More for the Road – The Finale,” Jackson wanted the chance to say a proper goodbye to live performances after a diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease made it increasingly difficult for him to continue touring.

The entertainer first revealed his diagnosis on the Today Show in 2021. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a rare, progressive, and genetic neurological condition that damages the nerves in the arms, legs, and feet.

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Jackson's final show hosted some of country music's best and most beloved performers, who banded together to honor Jackson as he ended his run as a live performer. According to The Tennessean, these artists included Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Adam Wright, Big City Brian Wright, and Carlisle Wright.

RELATED: The ‘King of Country Music’ Holds the Record for the Most No. 1 Hits in History

Jackson's setlist featured many of the biggest hits that defined his decades-long career. But one of the night's most emotional moments came when he performed his 1993 smash "Chattahoochee," the final song before returning for a two-song encore of "Mercury Blues" and "Where I Come From."

"Chattahoochee" was the third single released from Jackson's 1993 album A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). It would reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in July 1993 and remain there for a remarkable 20 weeks.

“It’s a song about having fun, growing up and coming of age in a small town—which really applies to anyone across the country, not just by the Chattahoochee,” Jackson wrote in the LP's liner notes, according to American Songwriter. “We never thought it would be as big as it’s become.”

“Jim McBride and I were trying to write an up-tempo song, and Jim came in with the line ‘Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee,’” he continued. “It kind of went from there.”

The song's music video was equally unforgettable. It featured Jackson water-skiing on the river, wearing a bright orange life jacket and ripped jeans.

Alan Jackson: The Last Show will air as an NBC special later this year. The primetime event will feature highlights from his three-decade career in the country music industry, as well as his final concert at Nissan Stadium.

Related: 1990 Beloved Garth Brooks Classic, Written on a Napkin, Is Ranked His Greatest Song Ever

There are a handful of pantry staples that quietly do more work than they ever get credit for, and soy sauce is definitely one of them. It's the ingredient that seems to find its way into almost everything from stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, salad dressings, noodle dishes and even the occasional unexpected recipe that just needs a little extra something. A splash can make vegetables taste more savory, deepen the flavor of soups and stews and bring balance to everything from rice bowls to roasted meats. But what's the very best soy sauce?

At its core, soy sauce is all about umami, that rich, savory flavor often described as the fifth taste. Made through a fermentation process involving soybeans, wheat, salt and water, soy sauce develops layers of complexity that go far beyond simple saltiness. Some varieties are deeply savory and almost meaty, while others lean sweeter, fruitier or even slightly smoky. And while many of us reach for the same bottle year after year without thinking twice, the differences between brands can be surprisingly dramatic.

As someone who spends a lot of time testing foods and ingredients, I was curious to see whether one soy sauce truly stood above the rest. Could a premium bottle justify a higher price tag? Would a grocery store favorite hold its own against imported brands? To find out, I gathered 15 widely available options and put them head-to-head in a blind soy sauce taste test. Some were household names that have been sitting in American pantries for decades, while others were newer discoveries I spotted on grocery store shelves. The results were eye-opening and in a few cases, completely unexpected.

Related: Wait, What’s the Difference Between Tamari and Soy Sauce?

How I Chose the Soy Sauces

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

For this soy sauce taste test, I focused on a combination of longtime favorites and the brands most commonly available at my local grocery stores. I wanted the lineup to reflect what the average shopper would actually encounter while browsing the condiment aisle, while also including a few highly regarded soy sauces that food lovers frequently recommend. The result was a mix of classic household staples, imported options and newer brands that have developed devoted followings.

Related: 50 of the Best Asian Food Brands To Support Right Now

How I Tested and Ranked These Soy Sauces

Before tasting a single drop, I started by smelling each soy sauce, almost like a wine tasting. It was incredible how different they were from one another. Some had fruity, almost floral aromas, while others smelled deeply savory and fermented. A few immediately announced their saltiness, while others seemed surprisingly mild and understated.

After evaluating the aroma, I tasted each soy sauce on its own before comparing them side-by-side. I paid close attention to saltiness, sweetness, depth of flavor, complexity, balance and overall umami. I then tried them over some plain white rice to see how the flavor felt on something bland. The highest-ranking soy sauces delivered much more than just sodium; they offered layers of flavor that made me want to keep tasting. The lowest-ranked bottles tended to be one-dimensional, overly salty or lacking the richness I look for in a great soy sauce.

Related: We Tried 8 Store-Bought Mayos and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear

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15 Soy Sauces, Ranked From Worst to Best

Let's see how they stacked up...

15. Kikkoman Umami Joy Sauce - The Soy Sauce Alternative To Avoid, $9.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Who doesn't love a little joy with their soy? Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. Made with tomato extract as a soy sauce alternative, it has a noticeably fruitier, almost tomato-forward flavor that never quite captured the deep umami richness I was looking for. It's an interesting concept, but it felt more like a specialty condiment than something I'd reach for in everyday cooking.

Related: Out of Worcestershire Sauce? Here’s What To Use Instead, According to Chefs

14. La Choy All Purpose Soy Sauce - Too Salty Overall, $2.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This is about as basic as soy sauce gets. It's salty, one-dimensional and lacks the complexity or fermented depth that makes a really good soy sauce shine. It certainly gets the job done in a pinch, but compared to the rest of the lineup, it didn't leave much of an impression.

13. Burman's All Purpose Soy Sauce (Aldi) - Not Very Memorable, $1.65

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Burman's is exactly what you'd expect from an everyday soy sauce. It has a savory aroma and a familiar, salt-forward flavor that's perfectly serviceable without being particularly memorable. If I'm already at Aldi and need soy sauce, I'd happily grab a bottle, especially for under $2, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

12. Bragg Liquid Aminos - An OK Soy Sauce Alternative, $5.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Despite often sitting next to soy sauce on store shelves, Bragg Liquid Aminos is actually made from soybeans rather than traditionally fermented soy sauce. It has a lighter body with a subtle savory flavor that's less complex and slightly sweeter than classic soy sauce. It's a solid gluten-free alternative, but it doesn't quite deliver the deep umami punch as some of the others on this list.

11. Lee Kum Kee Gluten-Free Soy Sauce - Great Gluten-free Option, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

For a gluten-free soy sauce, this one does a really nice job of preserving that familiar savory flavor. It leans a bit cleaner and lighter than traditional soy sauce with a slightly softer finish, but it never feels watered down. If you're avoiding gluten, this is a solid bottle to keep stocked.

10. Trader Joe's Soy Sauce - Good Value Overall, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Trader Joe's soy sauce landed squarely in the middle of the pack. It delivers a pleasant balance of salt and umami without leaning too heavily in either direction. Even if it isn't especially memorable, it's a great value for two full cups of soy sauce.

9. Kikkoman Soy Sauce - Great Choice for Marinades, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. Kikkoman delivers the familiar savory, salty, slightly roasted flavor that most people immediately associate with soy sauce. It's bold, dependable and incredibly versatile, making it an easy choice for marinades, stir-fries and dipping sauces alike.

Related: The Genius Soy Sauce Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

8. 365 Organic Shoyu - Extremely Versatile Option, $6.00

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Shoyu is the Japanese style of soy sauce and is traditionally brewed with both soybeans and wheat, often resulting in a slightly milder, more balanced flavor than some Chinese-style soy sauces. This one happens to be the bottle I always keep in my own pantry, so it tasted wonderfully familiar. It has a rich savory aroma, a balanced blend of salt and umami and an easygoing flavor that works with just about everything. A great product.

7. Wegmans Reduced Sodium Sushi Soy Sauce - Solid Choice for Dipping, $3.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This soy sauce feels like it's dressed up specifically for sushi night. With ingredients like sake, sugar and rice vinegar, it offers a sweeter, rounder flavor than a traditional soy sauce while still delivering plenty of umami. It's incredibly enjoyable, though I see it as more of a finishing or dipping sauce than an all-purpose pantry staple.

6. Thrive Market Organic Coconut Aminos - Great Alternative for Cooking, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

While coconut aminos isn't technically soy sauce, it's often grouped alongside soy sauces because it serves a similar purpose in cooking. Made from fermented coconut blossom sap rather than soybeans, it's naturally soy-free and gluten-free. It has a noticeably sweeter, almost floral flavor with less salt and a gentler umami finish. If you have a soy allergy or simply prefer a milder alternative, it's an excellent option, though it doesn't fully replace the richness of traditional soy sauce.

Related: What to Know About Coconut Aminos, The Soy Sauce Alternative Registered Dietitians Love

5. Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Organic Soy Sauce - Excellent Rich Flavor, $4.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

There was a noticeable difference between this and the original Kikkoman. The aroma is deeper and more robust, while the flavor has richer roasted notes and a fuller fermented character that lingers on the palate. It still has that classic Kikkoman identity, just with a little more complexity.

4. Kikkoman Less Sodium Tamari - Best Reduced Sodium Option, $3.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Tamari differs from traditional soy sauce because it's typically made with little or no wheat, giving it a richer, smoother soy flavor while naturally being gluten-free in many varieties. This reduced-sodium version still delivers plenty of savory depth but finishes lighter thanks to a subtle tang that likely comes from the added vinegar. It's balanced, flavorful and the best reduced-sodium option I tasted.

3. Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce - Perfect for Braises and Fried Rice, $3.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Don't let the lighter aroma fool you, this soy sauce packs serious depth once you taste it. Dark soy sauce is designed more for richness, color and subtle sweetness than everyday dipping, making it perfect for braises, fried rice, lo mein and red-cooked dishes. It's beautifully balanced, deeply savory and tastes like a premium product from the very first bite.

2. Lee Kum Kee Supreme Authentic First Draw Soy Sauce - Great Umami Flavor, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

First draw soy sauce refers to the very first pressing after fermentation, which produces the most concentrated, flavorful liquid. This one absolutely lives up to that reputation. It has an intensely savory aroma and a vibrant, lively flavor that almost sparkles across your palate, delivering layers of umami with a remarkably fresh finish.

1. Thrive Market Organic Soy Sauce - The Bottle That Changed My Mind and the Clear Winner, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This Thrive Market find was the biggest surprise of the entire taste test and my clear winner. The flavor is incredibly fresh, clean and crisp, with just the right amount of salt supporting rather than overpowering the natural umami. And, you cannot beat this price for the quality of the product. Every sip and bite tasted balanced, complex and remarkably smooth, making this the bottle I'd happily keep stocked in my pantry year-round.

Related: How to Make Your Tuna Salad Taste Like It Came From Jimmy John's

Final Takeaways

Whether you're looking for an everyday soy sauce to keep on your kitchen counter or a premium bottle to elevate homemade stir-fries and marinades, there's a soy sauce for every type of cook. While a few bottles surprised me with their complexity and balanced umami, others proved that not all soy sauces are created equal. No matter which one you choose, having a quality soy sauce in your pantry is one of the easiest ways to add rich, savory flavor to countless meals, and after this taste test, I know exactly which bottle I'll be reaching for first.

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Related: I Tried 12 Kimchi Brands To Find the Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide

Nigella Lawson remains the antidote to the modern, optimized wellness industrial complex. In an era where internet trends demand frozen faces and pulverized greens, the veteran broadcaster and food writer recently broke down her philosophy on aging.

Speaking to The Mirror, Lawson tackled the all-too-common anxiety surrounding the passage of time with characteristic bluntness, labeling the standard complaints about growing older a failure of perspective.

"It would be immoral if I complained about ageing – so I don't. We shouldn’t complain about being old. Life is precious. I'm not saying we can't all moan about things – I think one has to be allowed to do that."

It is a refreshing, grounded take from a public figure who has spent decades under the harsh glare of scrutiny. Lawson frames aging not as a disaster, but as a privilege. In her world, the standard groans about wrinkles are traded for a reality check.

The domestic goddess extended this confidence straight to the dinner plate. While modern celebrity culture offers restrictive diets and focused meal-prepping, Lawson chooses the pantry.

“I’m a great believer in butter. I just eat what I want. I enjoy life but also, I know myself. I’m not punishing myself trying to look like a model. So that’s good – I just waddle and enjoy myself.”

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Fans say this is the core of her appeal: a refusal to perform the ritual self-punishment expected of women in the public eye. She bypasses the industry's sizing constraints and beauty standards, choosing pleasure over performance.

When pressed on her famously radiant complexion, a frequent topic of obsession for beauty editors looking for a peek into her bathroom cabinet, Lawson skipped the product placement and credited luck and logistics instead.

“I think [good] skin is genetic, really. I’m also allergic to the sun so I don’t go into the sun and that makes a difference. It’s been [that way] my whole life but it’s got worse. I just can’t go in it. It’s a bore, actually.”

There are no expensive, twelve-step nightly routines or secret clinic visits here. Just shade and a heavy dose of dairy. Lawson's commentary cuts through the noise of an industry that treats beauty as a moral failure if consumers don't buy the right cream. She offers a simpler blueprint: eat the butter, stay out of the sun, and definitely stop apologizing for growing older.

When planning an international summer getaway, it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of assuming you need a massive, six-figure stash of frequent flyer miles just to get your passport stamped.

For years, the conventional wisdom has been that unless you’ve been aggressively hoarding points on a premium credit card or traveling constantly for business, an overseas vacation is largely out of reach.

But according to a fascinating new data index released by the real-time award search platform point.me, that assumption is officially a myth.

By analyzing real-time seat availability across the 25 largest airports in the United States, the platform mapping tool has made it easier than ever to see how far you can fly with the absolute fewest number of points—and the results prove that international travel is far more accessible than you think.

Related: The Most Affordable International Getaways for Summer 2026, According to the Numbers

Point.me

"It has definitely gotten harder but it’s not impossible, as deals still exist," explains Jimmy Yoon, Head of Points Intelligence at point.me, an award search and loyalty travel platform for travelers. "As travel rewards credit cards have gone mainstream, more people are competing for the same limited award availability… [but] dynamic pricing also can work in a traveler’s favor when airline programs are more aggressive with their dynamic pricing and set lower floor prices… I believe this is really about having to adjust to a new normal."

The data reveals that travelers departing from major aviation hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Dallas are sitting on a goldmine of under-the-radar value, with dozens of international destinations ringing in at under 10,000 points one-way.

Surprisingly, London stands out as by far the absolute best value bet for an iconic European vacation, with multiple U.S. cities unlocking award seats to the U.K. starting at an astonishingly low 6,000 points.

Meanwhile, if a tropical beach escape is on your radar, the index shows that direct flights down to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean can regularly be scooped up for as little as 4,500 to 9,000 points from a majority of domestic gateways.

Related: The Secret to Choosing the Best Airline Loyalty Program I Wish I Learned Sooner

Leverage Alliance Ecosystems and Airline Alliances

Unlocking these jaw-dropping international point thresholds requires a complete shift in how you shop for airfare. According to point.me, the single biggest mistake travelers make is blindly redeeming their points directly through standard credit card travel portals, which often ties the value of your points directly to the high cash price of a summer ticket. Instead, the real strategy lies in understanding the complex web of airline relationships, global alliances, and partner redemption programs.

"Many international airline programs still use fixed award charts… and this is typically where the best deals are found," notes Yoon. "Some of these programs price their awards more competitively than their North American counterparts… The key strategy is to then book a flight on a partner airline with one of these international airline programs… This is why we always recommend earning flexible currencies (bank points)… as they transfer to many different programs."

Major international hubs likeJFK, LAX, ORD and MIA are exceptional breeding grounds for uncovering hidden point value because they play host to massive airline networks.

For example, if you live near Chicago O'Hare (ORD), you might find incredible award deals on direct routes to Europe because both United Airlines and American Airlines maintain massive hubs there. However, instead of just checking United's standard award calendar, savvy travelers look at their Star Alliance partners.

Because United operates alongside heavy-hitting international carriers like Lufthansa and Air Canada, you can often transfer your flexible credit card points directly into those partner loyalty programs to score the exact same economy seat for a fraction of the mileage price.

Ditch the Hubs and Go Niche

If you are hunting down the absolute best international deals to highly competitive European hot spots like Italy, point.me experts suggest broadening your search constraints and studying your favorite airline's seasonal route map. When everyone is frantically searching for award space into massive, bottlenecked entry points like Rome’s Fiumicino or Milan’s Malpensa, point-economy demand skyrockets, causing dynamic award pricing to spike into the hundreds of thousands of miles.

To bypass the surge, look for niche, seasonal direct routes that fly just under the mainstream travel radar. For instance, United Airlines operates highly specialized seasonal flights straight into Bari, Italy, along the stunning Adriatic coast. Because the average leisure traveler forgets to check secondary regional airports, these routes experience significantly lower point-booking demand, meaning you face far less competition and have a dramatically higher likelihood of uncovering an absolute steal of a deal.

"During peak seasons like summer, airlines strategically deploy aircraft on seasonal routes… Since these aren’t heavily marketed, fewer people think to search and book travel to those destinations, which means availability can be better than more mainstream destinations… A few seasonal routes that United did for this summer is Newark-Bari (Italy), Split (Croatia), and Santiago de Compostela (Spain)."

Ultimately, the latest data proves that even a modest bank of points holds immense power if you deploy the right timing, route flexibility, and partner program routing. By using dedicated award search engines to compare real-time rates across more than 150 airlines, you can stretch your travel rewards up to 90% further than traditional portal bookings—allowing you to save those hard-earned miles, pack your bags, and head overseas without draining your account.

Real Deal Examples

Point.me

To prove just how low these thresholds can drop, Yoon points to several standout economy and premium economy deals found this season:

• Orlando to Edinburgh on Virgin Atlantic Economy for 5,800 points
• Las Vegas to London on Virgin Atlantic Economy for 6,900 points
• New York/JFK to London on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy for 8,100 points (via a 30% Amex transfer bonus)

You can check your own routes using point.me's real-time flight calculator before hitting the paywall.

Related: How to Book a Quick, Last-Minute 'Points-Cation' Without Getting Burned