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When two of the most celebrated vocal groups in modern music history come together, the results are bound to make waves across genre lines. Country music titans Lady A and R&B legends Boyz II Men have officially joined forces for “I Love The One,” a powerful new collaborative single inspired by the hit global drama series The Chosen.

Featured as the third single from the upcoming album Songs Inspired by The Chosen: Seasons 1–5, the track showcases a six-part vocal harmony between the two Grammy-winning groups. Co-written by Lady A’s Hillary Scott, the inspirational song taps directly into the central themes of the series—reflecting on healing, hope and personal transformation through spiritual faith.

Here’s a look at how the collaboration came together, what inspired the songwriting and where the new track fits into the upcoming release schedule for The Chosen.

Related: ’90s Band’s No. 1 Hit Made History 30 Years Ago With a 16-Week Run on the Charts

How Hillary Scott and Lady A Connected With Boyz II Men

5&2 Studios/Capitol Christian Music Group

For Lady A lead singer Hillary Scott, bringing Boyz II Men onto the track was a career milestone decades in the making.

“Collaborating with Boyz II Men on this song is a ‘pinch me’ moment for all of us,” Scott shared upon the track’s release. “Their voices have been in my ears my whole life, so to hear us harmonize brings tears and goosebumps. Being a writer on ‘I Love The One,’ I was inspired by some of my favorite stories in the Bible. The woman who grabs the hem of His garment and is healed is especially poignant to me.”

Scott noted that her personal connection to the show developed at home alongside her teenage daughter. After becoming deeply moved by the series’s portrayal of Jesus’ life, she began working on music that mirrored those narrative themes, eventually teaming up with Boyz II Men.

For the iconic R&B trio—who hold the title of the best-selling R&B group of all time, with over 64 million albums sold—the message of the song aligned naturally with their long-standing career ethos.

“Our journey has always been grounded in faith and the belief that music can serve a purpose greater than ourselves,” Boyz II Men said in a joint statement. “The message behind The Chosen resonates deeply with us…Collaborating with Lady A allowed us to unite our distinct sounds and share that message in a powerful new way.”

Related: 1992 Power Ballad, Named No. 1 Hit Song for 13 Weeks, Was Written for a Hit Film

What To Know About Songs Inspired by The Chosen: Seasons 1–5

“I Love The One” serves as the latest preview of Songs Inspired by The Chosen: Seasons 1–5, a full-length album created through a partnership between 5&2 Studios (the production banner behind The Chosen) and Capitol Christian Music Group.

The project features original tracks written by top artists across country, pop, R&B and gospel, with songs reflecting specific story arcs from the show’s first five seasons. A dedicated lyric video for “I Love The One” accompanies the audio release, blending studio footage of the vocalists with scenes depicting miracles from the series.

The full-length album officially drops on Oct. 30, 2026, across digital streaming platforms and physical formats.

The Chosen Season 6 Release Date and Movie Details

The release of the new single comes as excitement builds for the next chapter of The Chosen.

Created and directed by Dallas Jenkins, the crowdfunded phenomenon has grown into a global streaming staple. For fans looking forward to the next season, the rollout includes both streaming and theatrical events:

• Streaming premiere: The Chosen Season 6 premieres Nov. 15, 2026, on Prime Video. The multi-episode premiere will be followed by weekly episode drops through Dec. 6.
• Theatrical event: A standalone feature film covering the climactic events of the season is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on March 12.
• Catch-up streaming: Seasons 1 through 5 are currently streaming globally on Prime Video.

Related: Get Down on Saturday Night With the 101 Best Country Songs of All Time

Behind the Artists: Lady A and Boyz II Men

Both groups bring massive legacies to the collaborative track:

Lady A

• Awards: 7-time Grammy winners, 3-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year honors and 11 country radio No. 1 hits.
• Milestones: Their 12x Platinum single “Need You Now” remains the highest-certified song by a country group in history.
• Upcoming: The trio is preparing for their This Winter’s Night Tour 2026 holiday run across the U.S. this December.

Boyz II Men

• Awards: 4-time Grammy winners, 9-time American Music Award winners and 5 massive No. 1 hits.
• Milestones: The group is the best-selling R&B group of all time (64 million records sold).
• Upcoming: Following high-profile festival sets alongside Cody Johnson and headlining national celebrations, the group is currently developing an official biographical film and documentary project.

“I Love The One” is available for streaming and download now on all major digital music platforms.

Related: ‘The Chosen’s Elizabeth Tabish ‘Did Not Have Great Experiences’ With Religion Before Playing Mary Magdalene (Exclusive)

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

On September 24, 1991, Nirvana released their second album, Nevermind, and the rock landscape hasn’t looked the same since. Geffen Records expected it to sell modestly, maybe as well as labelmate Sonic Youth, but “Smells Like Teen Spirit” turned that math upside down almost overnight. The song, and the album behind it, swept the polished, hairspray-heavy glam metal that had ruled the late ’80s off the radio. By January 1992, it had climbed all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, knocking Michael Jackson‘s Dangerous out of the top spot. Thirty-five years later, Nevermind still shows up near the top of just about every “greatest rock albums” list critics put together.

Part of that staying power comes from the sound itself, heavy, punk-rooted guitar tones wrapped around unmistakably catchy melodies. But the real draw was Kurt Cobain‘s songwriting. His lyrics were anxious, contradictory, and often furious in a way that a lot of young listeners recognized in themselves. Almost as soon as the album took off, the press started calling him the voice of Generation X.

Cobain hated that label. In a 1992 Rolling Stone interview, he pushed back: “I’m a spokesman for myself,” he said, adding that the sudden attention left him as confused as everyone else and that he’d never signed up to speak for anyone but himself. Nevermind producer Butch Vig later said that same contradiction, a guy in pain who didn’t pretend to have any answers , was exactly what pulled listeners in.

Whatever Cobain thought of the title, Nevermind cracked the door open for a wave of Seattle bands, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and others, to break into the mainstream close behind him. More than three decades on, it’s still the record most people point to when they talk about how grunge took over rock and roll.

The Voice Blind Auditions continue on Monday night for Season 30 of the singing competition with returning fan-favorite coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine and newbie coaches Queen Latifah and Riley Arnold.

It didn’t take more than a few seconds for Adam to turn around, quickly followed by both Kelly and Queen when 35-year-old Cade Mower from Utah began singing “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan. Riley was the last to turn, but will it not matter because he’s the country music star coach? Check out the sneak peek below:

“I’m proud of you, I’m proud of me, because I turned around first, just barely beat Kelly,” Adam said. “I won last year and I won with an incredible talent who sounds nothing like me, Alexia Jay, who’s one of the best singers I’ve ever heard in my life. Sometimes an unlikely pairing goes far. I think you’re amazing.”

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Then Kelly got her shot at convincing Cade to join her team, saying, “Adam’s working hard down there. You know what I’m saying?”

Adam agreed, saying, “Hey, I fight for what I love.”

Then Queen interrupted with, “An unlikely pairing. That would be me and you Cade, me and you baby. Not to call you baby, but you got me so excited. As soon I heard your voice, I was ‘Ooh, uuh, uhh,’ you made me start making ugly faces. You can take this whole thing. You owned that stage.”

Next Riley spoke up, first with a compliment, “Good looking moustache,” but then he got down to business, putting on his cowboy hat so he came off more country.

“You’re a songwriter,” he went on. “Something about picking a song like that tells me you’re a lyric driven guy. This is The Voice. A lot of people are looking for people that don’t miss a note or stay in the right key, and I know that the lyrics make a song a lot of time. I think I’m a testament quite a bit to having the career that I’ve got without being a blow-you-away vocalist.”

Kelly interrupted to say, “What are you talking about? You’ve got a great voice.”

To which Riley responded, “Well, I was just thinking if I said that y’all would brag on me.”

Adam pointed out, “You walked right into his trap.”

Related: Meet the Oldest Artist to Ever Get a Four-Chair Turn for His Blind Audition on The Voice

Riley went on, “I was thinking about my next tour and Cade coming out there with an acoustic guitar.”

Adam came back with, “I think it’s maybe more like an international tour.”

Then Riley added, “Seriously I’m a huge fan of you already. Choose Team Riley and then we’ll go and win this thing.”

Kelly asked, “You’re 35. What have you been up to?”

Cade explained, “I’m in finance right now.”

“You’re a finance bro with that voice?” Kelly exclaimed.

“I’ve been juggling three hats of being a finance guy, being a musician and being a father and a husband,” Cade added.

Cade’s family came on stage, including his very adorable daughter.

“I’ve won with country people before,” Kelly continued, “but I’ve also won with people that are like ‘70s folk rock and I’ve also won with pop. I feel like I know how to navigate a competition well. I think it is about strategy. It is about knowing when to use certain things about your voice that are going to draw people in to excite them the next week with something else, maybe throw in a different genre, but keep you, the core essential you as the artist who is the vessel for it. I can’t wait to watch what you do and to coach you.”

Tune in on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC when Cade will reveal who he picks as his coach. Streams next day on Peacock

Next, The Voice Returns for a Milestone 30th Season with Stunning New Format Twists

Sixty years ago, pop band The Left Banke released “Walk Away Renée,” a stunning ballad that was miraculously recorded by a 17-year-old.

Released in July 1966 as the lead single from their debut album Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina, “Walk Away Renée” became a massive success. Upon its release, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 5 on October 29, 1966. In total, the song spent 13 weeks on the tally.

Tom Finn, Jeff Winfield, Mike Brown, George Cameron and Steve Martin of the pop band “The Left Banke” pose for a portrait circa 1965.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

“Walk Away Renée” was recorded by lead singer Steve Martin Caro when he was just 17 years old. The single marked Caro’s first taste of mainstream success in his music career. His hauntingly emotional vocal performance entranced listeners, deeply connecting them with the lyrical themes of the song.

Co-written by band keyboardist Michael Brown alongside Bob Calilli and Tony Sansone, “Walk Away Renée” touches on unrequited love and romantic yearning. Inspired by Brown’s real-life muse Renée Fladen, the song tells the story of a narrator who is lovesick over a woman who doesn’t feel the same.

Instead of being bitter towards her, the narrator accepts their fate in a heartbreaking display of understanding. Consumed by the nostalgia of their relationship, the man processes his pain in private.

Lines like “From deep inside the tears that I’m forced to cry / From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide” articulate the emotional turmoil a breakup can cause. When paired with the single’s lush baroque pop-style arrangement, the ballad became a generational heartbreak staple.

To this day, “Walk Away Renée” remains a beloved anthem across many demographics of listeners. On Spotify alone, the song has accumulated over 13.8 million streams, attesting to its lasting relevance.

Related: 1967 Rock Song, With 16-Year-Old Singer of The Box Tops, Was a No. 1 Hit 59 Years Ago Today

It’s become a bit of a tradition for Taylor Swift fans, aka Swifties, to film blind reactions to her new music.

On September 25, 2026, Swift dropped four new songs with the release “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore”: “Patient Zero,” “Pink Clouding,” “Babylon,” and a song dedicated to her new husband, Travis Kelce, titled “Cleveland!”

Named after Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, fans expected it to be the ultimate love song. However, many listeners, including some of the biggest Swifties, struggled to enjoy it.

In fact, many took to social media to dub it her worst song of all time.

“Hey, not to be dramatic but ‘Cleveland!’ may very well be the worst song I’ve ever heard in my life,” one person tweeted before another added, “‘Cleveland!’ is so bad it’s distracting the gen pop from how bad the other songs also are.”

A third chimed in, “I’m sorry ‘Cleveland!’ is laughably her worst song yet. How did the same woman who churned out ‘Evermore’ just 6 years ago manage to decline to this?”

However, some fans did come to Swift’s defense. Olivia Levin, who runs @swiftiesforeternity, predicted the hate before the songs were even released.

“Listen, you’re gonna wake up tomorrow, and you’re probably gonna see a lot of hate on Taylor’s new songs. And you know what? It’s nothing we haven’t been through before,” she told her followers. “Just ignore them. They don’t know how to have fun.”

Swift fans Ryan and Molly from HitsDifferently shared on YouTube, “I can already see the hater for these lyrics, and that’s fine. Y’all don’t have to get it.”

As for Swift herself, she has responded to criticism of her songs in the past — and welcomes all the feedback.

“I welcome the chaos,” she told Zane Lowe on Apple Music in 2025. “The rule of showbusiness is: if it’s the first week of my album release and you are saying either my name or my album title, you’re helping.”

She continued, “I have a lot of respect for people’s subjective opinions on art. I’m not the art police. Everybody is allowed to feel exactly how they want.”

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From fuzzy throw blankets and cushions to snuggly sweaters and cardigans, fall is the time of year to embrace all things cozy. And honestly, what could be cozier than a good pair of slippers? There’s nothing better than kicking off the shoes you’ve been wearing all day, especially when it’s followed by changing into your favorite pajamas, lighting a candle, and settling in for a movie marathon. 

With chilly mornings and crisp evenings on the horizon, consider this your sign to give your feet TLC. If your current pair has seen better days, JCPenney has a new one that deserves a spot by your bedside. The Clarks Memory Foam Slip-On Slippers, priced at just $32, are a tempting treat for your feet as temperatures start to drop.

Clarks Memory Foam Slip-On Slippers, $32 at JCPenney

Courtesy of JCPenney

Shop at JCPenney

Between the plush faux-fur trim and soft suede exterior, these slip-on clogs have all the makings of a fall footwear favorite. The 100% suede leather upper features a smooth, streamlined silhouette with a rounded, closed toe and decorative stitching along the edge of the sole. 

The fluffy faux-fur lining folds over the opening to create an oversized cuff that looks especially luxe peeking out beneath a pair of pants. The pair pictured comes in a versatile taupe shade with creamy beige trim, but you can also choose from rich chocolate brown and classic black.

Inside, memory foam cushioning provides a soft, comfortable place for your feet to land, while the faux-fur lining adds warmth and a plush feel.  Unlike slippers with soft fabric bottoms, these soles are 100% rubber, making them durable for trips beyond the living room. The sturdy outsole has a low-profile design that complements the rounded toe, while the contrast stitching gives the shoes a subtle, rustic finish. 

Shop More Deals

• Isotoner Woodlands Clog Slippers, $21 (were $38) at JCPenney
• Isotoner Hoodback Memory Foam Slip-On Slippers, $19 (were $34) at JCPenney
• Muk Luks Charlee Slipper Memory Foam Slip-On Slippers, $35 (were $50) at JCPenney

These plush clogs are practically made for holiday gifting. Wrap them up for the friend who’s always cold or pair them with a matching pajama set and a favorite book for a winter birthday. You could even add them to a holiday fundraiser raffle basket alongside hot cocoa mix, a ceramic mug, and a gift card to a local coffee shop.

Related: Clarks’ Canvas Sneakers Are ‘Very Cute’ With ‘Great Arch Support,’ Now 35% Off

There’s no place like home, especially when your footwear is this fluffy. Shop the Clarks Memory Foam Slip-On Slippers for $32 at JCPenney!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

In September, The Amazing Race celebrated its 25th anniversary on the air. And the upcoming 39th season of the Emmy-winning reality show, premiering Sept. 30 on CBS, will continue the tried-and-true formula that has had millions of fans tuning in for a quarter of a century.

Thirteen teams of two, all with pre-existing relationships, will hit the road on the adventure of a lifetime. The roadmap of Season 39 has been noted by Amazing Race fans as remarkably old-school, with destinations dotting nine countries and five continents. But that’s not to say the show isn’t looking to innovate. In fact, the 90-minute premiere will kick off with a twist never before seen on the show.

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For the first time in Amazing Race history, every team will start the season with an Express Pass. The advantage allows a one-time skip of a Detour, Roadblock, or general task, something that could be the very difference between staying in the hunt for a life-changing million-dollar prize or getting your race cut short. And now everyone is in possession of this get-out-of-pit-stop-free card.

“I think the strategy part of the race is hugely important,” host Phil Keoghan says about the new twist in an exclusive interview with Parade. “It’s important as far as why fans tune in. They want to see how we choose to use advantages that we get, the choices that we make, how we tackle different challenges, ‘are we going to align with this team?’ Fans love that stuff.”

While this is a brand-new wrinkle in the game, old-school TAR fans may see an echo of the race’s early years. The Fast Forward lets one team skip all remaining tasks and go straight to the Pit Stop, theoretically saving their game in the process. In the show’s first four seasons, Fast Forwards were available on every leg of the race. But a team could only use a Fast Forward once, so it not only shook up the pecking order and gave chances to teams that were out of it, but it also gave another strategic element to the racers.

“What we got as a result of this is that it just totally changed the order and some of the predictability,” Keoghan teases. “Right out of the gate, the stronger teams show themselves, and they tend to show themselves all the way through the race. If you’re strong in the beginning, you tend to be strong all the way throughout the race, and if you’re weaker, you tend to get eliminated early.

“But all of a sudden, this turned everything on its ear. Because all of a sudden now we had weaker teams with the ability to stay in enough that maybe luck would go their way, that maybe they’d make some good decisions, that maybe they would get better at the race as time went on. Because some people just don’t get it in the beginning, and it just hits them, and they’re just not ready, they’re not prepared, and they improve. And so it changed everything, and it was fun.”

Much is still up in the air for Season 40 of The Amazing Race, and Keoghan couldn’t confirm any details about the upcoming milestone season. But he does feel, regardless of how Season 39 went down, this Express Pass twist has some legs to return for future legs.

“I mean, I think down the line, it’s something we can play with,” he says. “I like the idea that people have to earn that power, not just have it handed to them. But I’m super glad that we did it this way this season to totally change how people came into the race. Because prior to that starting line, none of them saw that coming. They just figured the Express Pass would be was going to be won in the usual way. But this was suddenly like, ‘Wait, what? Oh, okay. This is interesting.'”

Related: ‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Amazing Race’ Hosts Admit Reality TV Isn’t What It Used to Be

(L-R) ‘The Amazing Race 39’ contestants Anuar Tager, Andrea Tager Ballesca, Katie Schultz, Charlotte Schultz, Conner Wilson, and Garrett McGuire

Sara Kempner/CBS

That won’t be the only bend we’ll see in the mileslong road of The Amazing Race 39. One particular twist, which has become a staple of the last couple of seasons, will make its fourth overall appearance this fall.

“We bring back some of the things that have worked before, and certainly one of my favorites, and it’s worked really well for us, is a live double U-Turn vote,” Keoghan reveals. “I really think that having the teams come together more is something that I really would love to do more.”

For the uninitiated, Seasons 31, 37, and 38 all kicked off a leg of the race with a different take on the U-Turn (which gives teams the power to disadvantage another duo, making them perform both sides of the Detour). Rather than usage being determined by getting to a board, all the teams vote for the one or two pairs they would like to U-Turn. And while it serves as a healthy dose of strategy from the racers, it also can be the lightning rod for some of the most dramatic moments of the season.

“When you look at a show like Traitors, there’s very little action in Traitors,” Keoghan says of the show’s Emmy-winning compatriot. “It’s a lot of interaction, and I think that audiences have gravitated towards that. So I’d like to see us bringing the teams together a bit more, not just feeling that they have to be constantly moving and racing. We can sit in some of the uncomfortableness that comes from interaction when we bring them together. Like what we did on top of the hill overlooking the Acropolis in Greece, when we brought the teams together, and people were suddenly confronted with having to face up to some truths.”

“You can bring interaction together organically, like you can in an airport, where they maybe are just talking to each other,” Keoghan continues. “That is harder to compress into the show because it’s not facilitated. Whereas when you bring them together in a voting situation, like the live double U-Turn vote, as a host, I can help facilitate those moments. The less I have to do, the better. But I can sort of steer things back on track and be like, ‘Well, hold on, Scott and Lori, did you know that Mark felt that way?’ And I can facilitate the interaction, and then we can help to tighten it on the show.”

Like the Express Pass twist, Keoghan is hoping future seasons will come with more opportunities for the teams to stop running — and start running their mouths.

“I’d like to implement more of the interaction as we hopefully get a chance to go forward with this with Amazing Race,” he expresses. “I’d love to just bring people together and to have conversations. And to trust that out of that you’re going to get great content. It doesn’t have to be like ‘go, go, go, go, go, go, go.’ Because when things are moving so fast, and you don’t slow down, there’s less of the reflection and the introspection for people to maybe emote without the pressure of, ‘We got to go, we got to go.'”

We’ll be seeing a bevy of Express Passes, a live double U-Turn vote, and much more when The Amazing Race 39 kicks off with a two-night premiere, airing Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Related: Meet ‘The Amazing Race 39’ Cast—And Find Out the First Game-Changing Twist

Blair Waldorf and Lily van der Woodsen would not be out of place among the front row at a fashion show and neither would Leighton Meester and Kelly Rutherford.

The two Gossip Girl actresses reunited at the Max Mara womenswear spring/summer 2027 show during Milan Fashion Week, seated side by side in the front row exactly as their characters might have been. Video captured the moment Rutherford arrived to find Meester already in her seat – the two falling immediately into conversation in a scene that felt less like a celebrity sighting and more like a new episode of their on-screen world.

It’s the second time the pair have been spotted together on the fashion circuit. They last reunited publicly at the Elie Saab show during Paris Fashion Week in 2025, posing for a photo with the designer alongside actress Sofia Carson.

Leighton Meester and Kelly Rutherford reunited at the Max Mara spring/summer fashion show in Milan. pic.twitter.com/irLxafaMpz

— Leighton Meester Daily (@leighmeesterorg) September 24, 2026

The timing feels particularly resonant for Gossip Girl fans. The original series, which ran from 2007 to 2012, continues to draw new audiences – a fact that hasn’t been lost on Rutherford. “It was how many years ago, and it’s still pretty relevant,” she said earlier this year. “There’s so many things I loved on the show; so many good outfits.”

The Gossip Girl universe is also quietly expanding. Author Cecily von Ziegesar has a new book in the works focused on Blair Waldorf, and Meester herself has read the early chapters. As for whether she’d ever reprise the role that made her famous? “You never say never,” she said in 2022 for Town & Country.

XOXO, indeed.

Meghan Markle is getting a visit from one of her closest friends as she settles into her family’s new chapter in the U.K.

Kelly McKee Zajfen, one of Meghan’s longtime friends from California, recently traveled to England with her infant son, Jack, and shared a series of photos from the trip on Instagram. The images offer a rare glimpse at Meghan, Prince Harry and their children following the family’s move across the pond.

“Having the best time,” Zajfen wrote in the caption. “There’s something so special about getting a taste of this magical place with my bestie, and having my sweet Jack along for the adventure.”

One photo shows Meghan, 45, smiling as she holds baby Jack during a cozy pub meal. Another features Harry, 42, sitting on the floor and playing with the baby.

Zajfen also shared a sweet photo of Jack spending time with Meghan and Harry’s 5-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. Their 7-year-old son, Prince Archie, was not pictured in the slideshow.

View this post on Instagram

The visit also included some grown-up time. In another photo, Meghan posed with Zajfen and longtime friend Markus Anderson as they played mahjong in a garden and enjoyed glasses of wine.

Zajfen, who co-founded the Alliance of Moms, said she has enjoyed watching Meghan experience this new chapter firsthand.

“I’ve loved seeing this sweet chapter through her eyes and daily adventures!” she wrote, adding that “family time is just what the heart ordered.”

She also thanked people they encountered during the trip for welcoming Meghan.

“To everyone we’ve met or bumped into, thank you for being so loving to my friend,” Zajfen wrote. “It’s been beautiful to witness. She missed you too!”

The visit comes nearly one month after Meghan and Harry returned to the U.K. with Archie and Lilibet. The family arrived in England on Aug. 26, and have said they plan to spend an extended period in the U.K. while maintaining their home in Montecito, California.

Related: Prince Harry Reveals Princess Lilibet’s Favorite Things – And They’re Surprisingly Relatable

If it feels like your grocery bill has started auditioning for the role of your second mortgage, you’re not alone. Lately it feels like a quick trip for milk, eggs and a few things for dinner can turn into a receipt long enough to double as a scarf. And don’t even get us started on the total when you’re shopping for a family.

The frustrating part is that groceries aren’t exactly optional. We all have to eat, which means there’s only so much belt-tightening you can do before you’re staring at your cart wondering how a few bags of food got that expensive. So, naturally, we’ve all become a little more strategic about where we shop, what makes it into the cart and whether we really need that $7 bag of snacks.

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Courtesy Aldi

That’s why any opportunity to save a little at the grocery store feels worth paying attention to right now. Even a few dollars here and there can make a difference when you’re buying food week after week. Aldi just announced it’s giving shoppers a little help in the savings department by lowering prices on some of its groceries through Nov. 3.

In fact, nearly one-third of the products it carries every day now cost less than they did a year ago and the savings are expected to add up to about $86 million for shoppers. The reductions cover plenty of fall grocery staples, including seasonal produce, organic picks and lean proteins. And a couple of familiar favorites are getting especially noticeable price drops: Kirkwood chicken breast family packs and Honeycrisp apples are now selling for $1.99 a pound—some of their lowest prices in years.

Related: Aldi’s Cheerful 2-Piece Kitchen Set Is All You Need to Bring Fall Energy to Mealtime

Why Is Aldi Lowering Prices Now?

Given that the grocery chain is known for its more inclusive pricing, it’s both exciting and surprising that Aldi has found a way to cut prices even further.

“At Aldi, value is a year-round promise, not a promotion,” said Scott Patton, Aldi’s chief commercial officer, in a statement. “Customers trust us to help them make the most of their grocery budget, and we never stop looking for ways to run our business more efficiently so we can pass along savings.”

Aside from price drops on the aforementioned Kirkwood chicken breast and Honeycrisp apples, you’ll also see Autumncrisp grapes, Bartlett pears, Brussels sprouts, butternut and spaghetti squash, fresh herbs, garlic and French beans ring up significantly less at checkout. It’s so nice to see fresh foods get a price reduction instead of simply shelf-stable pantry staples.

Related: Aldi’s $10 Pumpkin Serving Board Brings Fall Spice to Your Kitchen

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It isn’t officially fall until you’ve swapped out your summertime doormat, and Walmart makes it easy to do for as little as $11. The bestselling Smile Low-Profile Decorative Fall Doormat comes in several designs, from colorful maple leaves to pumpkins and more neutral farmhouse-inspired prints. The “Hello Fall” version is currently the best deal at just $11, down from $21, while the other available styles range from $14 to $16.

The mat measures 17 by 29 inches and is designed for indoor or outdoor use. It has a 95% rubber backing to help keep it in place, plus a polyester top that’s easy to clean. Its low-profile shape also makes it a perfect fit for a front door, mudroom, back entrance, or patio.

Smile Low-Profile Decorative Fall Doormat, From $11 (was $21) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

A doormat swap might seem like a small seasonal change, but it can have a surprisingly big impact on an entryway without requiring a full porch makeover. The dark background on the “Hello Fall” version is designed to make the orange, brown, and golden leaves pop, while the large lettering gives guests a cheerful greeting before they even knock. You could even add pumpkins or mums nearby if you want to dress things up a little more, or let the mat do the work on its own.

One shopper called it “absolutely beautiful” and noted that although it’s thin, the rubber backing helps it stay in place. Another described it as “bright, festive, and durable for the outdoors,” adding that “the bright colors draw your eye to the front door.” A third reviewer wrote, “This doormat is adorable and perfect for your fall porch.”

Related: Anthropologie’s Cordless Glass Pumpkin Lamp Is an ‘Elevated’ Fall Decor Find, Now 64% Off

The current clearance price is also a great excuse to switch things up without spending much on decor you’ll only use for part of the year. The “Hello Fall” design is nearly half off its original $21 price, and the other versions are still marked down to $14 or $16, so you can choose a bolder print or something more understated without prices varying too much.

Shop More Deals

• HiberyHom Pumpkin Fall Doormat, $12 (was $23) at Walmart
• Better Homes & Gardens Soleil Woven Coir Doormat, $15 (was $20) at Walmart
• Ktaxon 30-Inch Heavy-Duty Front Door Mat, $6 (was $10) at Walmart

The Smile Low-Profile Decorative Fall Doormat is an easy way to add a little more personality to your entrance for the season. With several designs to choose from, a grippy rubber backing, and prices starting at just $11, it checks all the fun and practical boxes. Grab your favorite at Walmart while the clearance prices are still available.

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.

Brooke Hogan is opening up about a relationship-altering moment with her late father, Hulk Hogan.

The 38-year-old television personality and singer revealed that after his alleged affair with one of her friends, their relationship was never quite the same.

“A major turning point came after he slept with my friend Christiane [Plante],” Hogan told Us Weekly. “I forgive people very easily — sometimes probably too easily — and I forgave him, but something between us changed afterward. I don’t think he ever related to me in quite the same way again.”

The professional wrestler and media personality died of a heart attack in July 2025 at age 71. He was married to Linda Hogan (formerly Linda Claridge), and they had two children together: Brooke and Nick Hogan.

Plante was rumored to be romantically involved with Hulk while he was still married to Linda. The married couple split in 2007, with the divorce finalized in 2009. The affair was confirmed by Plante in 2008 to the National Enquirer.

“Then the divorce happened, and our entire family structure changed,” Brooke explained. “Over time, things became increasingly complicated until eventually the relationship I had always believed could survive anything couldn’t survive what was happening around us anymore. That’s probably the biggest thing I wish people understood about the Hogan family: Public perception reduces families into heroes and villains. Real families aren’t that simple.”

Brooke stressed that there was “tremendous love” within her family, but that this time was incredibly difficult.

“There was also dysfunction, fear, resentment, enormous betrayal, money, fame, image management and decades of unresolved hurt all existing underneath the same roof,” Brooke shared. “I can love my father profoundly and still tell the truth about where he hurt me. I can acknowledge the wonderful things my family gave me while also acknowledging that eventually the dynamic became something I could no longer live inside. Both things can be true.”

The Price Is Right is looking a little different these days.

Fans of the long-running daytime game show hosted by Drew Carey have noticed that something is missing from recent episodes.

“An entire week of The Price Is Right without any female models,” one person tweeted. On Reddit, another viewer asked, “As the new season begins, I’ve noticed some changes. Zero ‘models’ on Monday. Just James O’Halloran for now (so far). Are they eliminating models? Budget cuts?”

So, what happened to all the models on The Price Is Right?

The show has a new format, where there are still six models, but they each rotate episodes rather than appear in pairs or trios. Those models are Rachel Reynolds, Amber Lancaster, Devin Goda, Alexis Gaube, and Manuela Arbeláez, and the one male model, James O’Halloran.

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Recently, O’Halloran opened up about what it takes to film an episode of the iconic CBS show, now in its 55th season.

“It’s very busy. I would say that’s probably the key thing. It’s nonstop. We’re doing three shows a day now. It used to be two shows, so they’re really squeezing more and more in,” he told TV Insider. “There’s one rehearsal for all three, and so it just takes a lot of focus throughout the day, hitting all your marks, making sure I’m there for every cue because we’ll run the whole Showcase, and I’ve got to remember every spot that I’ve got to be for every show.”

Since there are now three episodes filmed per day, chances are you are going to see the same model in back-to-back episodes, which also may explain the confusion among viewers.

Despite the switch-up, The Price Is Right is not going anywhere anytime soon. CBS recently announced that this year marks Carey’s 20th season as host, and the series is still the longest consecutively running game show in television history.

Death Wish Coffee Co. is adding a new flavor to its lineup just as fall coffee season gets underway. The Saratoga Springs, New York-based brand is launching White Chocolate Pistachio, a medium-roast blend that combines toasted pistachio and sweet white chocolate notes.

The new coffee will be available exclusively through Death Wish Coffee’s website, with a broader retail rollout planned for 2027. Here’s everything you need to know.

Related: If You Love Coffee a Latte, Here Are 31 Types of Coffee—From Affogato to Vienna

When Does Death Wish Coffee’s White Chocolate Pistachio Coffee Launch?

Death Wish Coffee’s White Chocolate Pistachio blend launches online Sept. 29, 2026. It will initially be sold only through the brand’s website in 9-ounce ground bags for $13.99, with plans to expand to major retailers and Amazon in 2027.

The timing puts the release squarely into the fall period, but the flavor is less traditional than the pumpkin and spice combinations that typically dominate seasonal coffee shelves. Instead, Death Wish Coffee is leaning into pistachio, a flavor that has increasingly appeared in desserts, chocolate, beverages and other specialty products.

The coffee is described as a medium roast, giving the seasonal flavor a different profile from the company’s better-known dark-roast positioning. Death Wish Coffee says the blend was developed around a smooth cup with low acidity.

What Does White Chocolate Pistachio Coffee Taste Like?

White Chocolate Pistachio combines toasted pistachio with sweet white chocolate notes in a medium-roast coffee. The blend is made with Certified Fair Trade arabica and robusta beans and contains no artificial flavors, according to Death Wish Coffee.

The flavor combination is designed to deliver a dessert-inspired character without making the coffee itself a flavored syrup or confection. Pistachio supplies the nutty, roasted note, while white chocolate adds sweetness to the profile.

Death Wish Coffee says the blend also maintains its focus on Fair Trade sourcing. The company describes its coffee as being made with Fair Trade and organic beans, while the new White Chocolate Pistachio release specifically identifies its arabica and robusta beans as Certified Fair Trade.

“Pistachio profiles are exploding, but we weren’t interested in making just another play-it-safe fall coffee,” Sasha Auguste, chief marketing officer of Death Wish Coffee, said in a statement. “We built a blend that offers deep, cozy indulgence without compromising on our sustainably sourced standards or our signature smooth taste.”

Related: The Healthiest Way To Brew Coffee, Cardiologist Says

Why Is Pistachio Showing Up in So Many New Foods?

Pistachio has moved well beyond its traditional role as a snack or ice cream flavor, appearing in chocolate, baked goods, drinks and other products. Recent interest in pistachio-based desserts has helped push the ingredient into more mainstream food and beverage applications.

Grand View Research estimates that the U.S. pistachio market was worth $2.3 billion in 2025 and projects it will grow from $2.4 billion in 2026 to $3.2 billion by 2033. The research firm points to applications including snacking, bakery, confectionery, ice cream and dairy, food processing and foodservice.

The report also notes that the popularity of pistachio-filled chocolate has contributed to increased U.S. demand for pistachio products. That broader flavor trend gives coffee brands another opportunity to translate pistachio into a familiar everyday format.

For Death Wish Coffee, the new blend pairs that trend with a flavor profile suited to the colder months, without relying on the more familiar fall-spice formula.

Related: The Canadian Way To Make Coffee 10x Better

Where Can You Buy White Chocolate Pistachio Coffee?

White Chocolate Pistachio will initially be available through Death Wish Coffee’s website starting Sept. 29, 2026. But the company says the coffee will reach major retailers and Amazon in 2027 (although it has not announced a specific date or retailer list for that expansion).

Death Wish Coffee currently sells ground coffee, whole beans, single-serve pods, canned lattes and other coffee formats through its online store. Its existing flavored coffee lineup includes options such as Chocolate Hazelnut, Coconut Caramel, Pumpkin Chai and Vanilla. The company says its coffee is sold in more than 25,000 stores nationwide.

Related: Dollar General’s $3 Tarot Card Mug Is a Must-Have for Lovers of ‘All Things Spooky and Coffee’

If you’ve ever considered trying out a BJ’s Wholesale Club membership, now might be the perfect time. To celebrate 42 years in business, the warehouse club is taking 42% off dozens of everyday grocery staples, including ground beef, chicken, fresh produce, and more.

The birthday event kicked off September 24, and some of the savings are substantial. For example, Wellsley Farms 80% Lean Ground Beef dropped from $5.39 to $3.12 per pound. That brings a 9.75- to 10.5-pound package, priced at its max weight, from $56.60 to $32.83. That’s nearly $24 in savings on one package.

And this promotion isn’t limited to a handful of specialty foods. BJ’s says the 42% savings cover select groceries, pantry staples, household essentials, health and beauty products, apparel, and more, giving you plenty of opportunities to save on things you may already have on your shopping list.

Bloomberg / Getty Images

Other 42% off deals include Wellsley Farms chicken drumsticks, organic russet potatoes, organic sweet potatoes, and organic Honeycrisp apples. A 12-pack of Kraft Original Mac & Cheese dropped to $6.37 from $10.99, while a 4-pound bag of organic Honeycrisp apples fell from $9.99 to $5.79.

The chicken may be one of the biggest bargains for anyone planning meals ahead. Wellsley Farms drumsticks, regularly $1.09 per pound, drop to just 63 cents per pound with the discount.

Even household essentials are getting in on the deal. A three-pack of Dawn Platinum Plus Powerwash dropped from $12.99 to $7.53, saving shoppers another $5.46.

Shoppers are spotting the savings in stores, too. In a September 24 TikTok, @ly.talks showed several of the 42% off deals currently marked down at BJ’s:

@ly.talks

#shopping #bjswholesaleclub #deals

♬ original sound – LY.TALKS BJ’s 42% Off Birthday Celebration Sale Runs Through October 31

The overall birthday event runs from September 24 through October 31, 2026, and members can shop the deals in their local club, through the BJ’s app, or online.

One important thing to know before filling your cart: While BJ’s 42nd birthday event runs through October 31, individual 42% off offers may have shorter promotional periods. Several coupons for items mentioned here expire September 26, so check the dates on individual offers.

Related: 3 BJ’s Cakes Under $20 With Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews

That doesn’t mean the savings end there. With the overall celebration continuing through October 31, 42% off offers will be available throughout the event. BJ’s also notes that prices and availability can vary by club and online, and offers are available while supplies last.

And if you’re not a member yet, BJ’s is currently offering its Club membership for $10 for the first year, down from the regular $60, when you sign up for BJ’s Easy Renewal. Terms apply.

With savings on everything from meat and produce to pantry and household staples, this sale is worth checking before your next grocery run. And if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to stock the freezer, saving nearly $24 on one package of ground beef isn’t a bad place to start.

Fifty-nine years ago today, blue-eyed soul group The Box Tops were topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit song “The Letter.”

Released in August 1967 as the lead single from their debut studio album, The Letter/Neon Rainbow, “The Letter” became a major mainstream phenomenon. Upon its arrival, the song climbed up the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 1 on September 23, 1967, for four consecutive weeks. In total, the song spent 16 weeks on the tally.

“The Letter” was an unparalleled commercial success for the band. Since it debuted, it has moved over 4 million copies worldwide, securing a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1967 for its dominance in the U.S. alone.

Bill Cunningham, Danny Smythe, Alex Chilton and Gary Talley of the band “Box Tops” pose for a portrait circa 1967.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Alex Chilton & “The Letter”

Although “The Letter” is widely recognized as a pop-rock classic, it was recorded when lead singer Alex Chilton was just 16 years old. Chilton delivered a shockingly mature vocal performance on the track, captivating listeners with his natural talent and raspy, soulful sound.

Chilton reflected on the moment he topped the Hot 100 in a 2000 interview with Rolling Stone. The acclaimed singer noted his parents encouraged his music career after his struggles in school.

“At the time I was failing tenth grade and I was going to have to repeat my sophomore year in high school, but I got lucky and had a No. 1 hit that summer,” he recalled. “So my mom and dad were like, ‘Why don’t you go ahead and give this “rock” thing a try?’”

Following his chart success, the young star went on to become a cult-hero. Throughout his career, he founded beloved power-pop band Big Star and released several fan-favorite staples with The Box Tops, including “Cry Like a Baby” and “Soul Deep.”

To this day, “The Letter” maintains its status as a staple of early soul and pop-rock. In the digital era, the track has persevered among new demographics, racking up a staggering 239 million streams on Spotify alone.

Related: Judas Priest Bassist Misses a Show for the First Time in 56 Years

The holiday season is officially coming into focus, and music fans have a lot to celebrate. iHeartMedia has revealed its full performer lineup and city schedule for the 2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One, bringing together pop superstars, nostalgic icons and breakout artists across nine major U.S. markets this December.

This year’s roster packs serious star power, featuring headlining sets from Olivia Rodrigo, the Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, Hilary Duff, OneRepublic, Ludacris, Teddy Swims, Alex Warren, RAYE and KATSEYE.

For fans hoping to score seats, ticket presales kick off before the end of September. Here’s everything you need to know about tour stops, presale access, charity partnerships and how to watch the annual television special at home.

Related: Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell Concert Film Trailer Is Here

2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball City Dates and Artist Lineups

iHeartRadio/Capital One

The nine-city arena tour kicks off in Texas on Dec. 1 and runs through mid-December, making stops at legendary venues like New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ new Intuit Dome.

Lineups vary by city, so fans will want to check who’s performing at their nearest arena stop:

• Dallas/Fort Worth (Dec. 1 at Dickies Arena): KATSEYE, RAYE, Ludacris, Myles Smith, Tove Lo, Kylie Cantrall, The Beaches and JYT.
• Los Angeles (Dec. 4 at Intuit Dome): Olivia Rodrigo, Hilary Duff, RAYE, OneRepublic, SIENNA SPIRO, Freya Skye, Bella Kay, Stella Lefty and The Beaches.
• Chicago (Dec. 7 at Allstate Arena): RAYE, OneRepublic, Ludacris, Dominic Fike, Tove Lo, Freya Skye, The Beaches and JYT.
• Detroit (Dec. 8 at Little Caesars Arena): Alex Warren, OneRepublic, Ludacris, Tove Lo, Jason Derulo, Bella Kay, Freya Skye, The Beaches and JYT.
• New York City (Dec. 11 at Madison Square Garden): SOMBR, Alex Warren, Charlie Puth, Hilary Duff, Teddy Swims, SIENNA SPIRO, TOMORROW X TOGETHER & YEONJUN, Stella Lefty and Freya Skye (with special guests Bella Kay and The Beaches).
• Boston (Dec. 13 at TD Garden): SOMBR, Hilary Duff, Nickelback, TOMORROW X TOGETHER & YEONJUN, Freya Skye, Stella Lefty, ADÉLA, The Beaches and JYT.
• Washington, D.C. (Dec. 14 at Capital One Arena): Jonas Brothers, SOMBR, OneRepublic, Ludacris, Nickelback, TOMORROW X TOGETHER & YEONJUN, Kylie Cantrall, The Beaches and JYT.
• Philadelphia (Dec. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena): SOMBR, Charlie Puth, OneRepublic, Ludacris, ADÉLA, Jason Derulo, Kylie Cantrall, The Beaches and JYT.
• Nashville (Dec. 17 at Bridgestone Arena): Alex Warren, Hilary Duff, Teddy Swims, OneRepublic, Nickelback, Stella Lefty, The Beaches and JYT.

Related: Oasis’ Liam Gallagher Bluntly Shuts Down Fans Complaining About Upcoming Concert Ticket Prices

How To Get Presale Tickets and On-Sale Dates

Because Jingle Ball arena shows routinely sell out within minutes, ticket presales offer the best window for securing seats at face value.

• Capital One Cardholder Presale: Begins Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 10:00 AM local time and runs through Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10:00 AM local time (or until presale supplies last). Cardholders can purchase tickets via iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne and have the option to add a Capital One Access Pass for select cities to attend an exclusive pre-show party with a performing artist.
• General Public Sale: Starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 12:00 PM local time on TicketMaster.com.

How To Stream and Watch the Jingle Ball Holiday Special on TV

If your city isn’t on the concert map or seats sell out in your area, you won’t miss out on the performances.

iHeartMedia is partnering with ABC to broadcast an exclusive iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026 network television special in December. The televised event will capture highlight sets and backstage moments from tour stops across the country.

For cord-cutters and digital viewers, the broadcast special will be available to stream the following day on Hulu, Disney+ and Video On Demand (VOD).

Related: Ed Sheeran Loses More Followers After Tearful Apology to Fans

Jingle Ball Charity Partnerships Give Back During the Holidays

Beyond bringing pop music to major arenas, the tour continues its long-standing tradition of supporting youth health initiatives during the holiday season.

For the 13th consecutive year, eight cities on the tour schedule (Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Nashville) will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. A portion of ticket sales will fund interactive media studios inside pediatric hospitals, allowing young patients to record podcasts, host radio shows and interview special guests while receiving medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Dallas/Fort Worth concert stop will partner with Kidd’s Kids, an organization that creates special holiday trips and memories for children dealing with critical medical conditions.

Exclusive JCPenney Fashion Collection and Sweepstakes

Adding a fun style element to this year’s tour, iHeartRadio is teaming up with JCPenney to launch an official iHeartRadio Jingle Ball x JCPenney fashion collection, debuting on Oct. 21.

Fans can also enter an exclusive sweepstakes running from Oct. 13 through Dec. 17. Prizes include flyaway trips to Jingle Ball, VIP concert passes, merchandise signed by artists and JCPenney shopping gift cards.

Related: Is Your City Listed? Cirque Dreams Holidaze Flash Sale Cuts Tickets by 25%

Santana’s 1970 hit “Black Magic Woman” became one of the band’s most celebrated tracks and a notable song in music history, later earning recognition among the “greatest classic rock songs” of all time.

An expert-curated Amazon Music playlist highlights iconic rock anthems from the genre’s golden years.

“Black Magic Woman” claimed the No. 65 spot on the playlist. The Santana single blended Latin rock with Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues and psychedelic rock influences.

The track was a popular hit at the time, becoming one of the band’s notable charting singles and peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.

Moreover, “Black Magic Woman” was included on their 1974 compilation album Santana’s Greatest Hits.

Carlos Santana performs live on stage with the rock group Santana in London during the Welcome tour in November 1973.

David Redfern/Redferns

However, before the song became one of Santana’s defining tracks, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green originally wrote “Black Magic Woman,” with the British-American rock band releasing it as a single in the United Kingdom on March 29, 1968, per Songfacts.

While the song peaked at No. 37 on the UK Singles Chart, “Black Magic Woman” failed to enter the U.S. Billboard chart.

Santana later recorded a version of the song after keyboardist Gregg Rolie brought the Fleetwood Mac song to the band, while Carlos Santana, a longtime admirer of the group, added his own musical influences to the arrangement.

“I used to go to see the original Fleetwood Mac, and they used to kill me, just knock me out,” the iconic Mexican guitarist and musician told The Guitar Greats, as reported by Farout Magazine. “To me, they were the best blues band.”

The band made Fleetwood Mac’s song their own with its distinctive groove and Latin flair, with lead vocalist Gregg Rolie handling the vocals, while the instrumental “Gypsy Queen” was incorporated into the recording to create a distinctive medley with “Black Magic Woman.”

Interestingly, Santana’s 1970 rendition of “Black Magic Woman” continued to resonate across generations while generating royalty income for original songwriter Peter Green, providing him with continued financial support during the 1970s.

On the other hand, Santana wasn’t the only musician who was drawn to the Fleetwood Mac original.

In fact, legendary Jamaican “Reggae Crown Prince” Dennis Brown recorded his version in 1972, offering a smooth, slow-jam reggae cover.

In addition, Peter Wolf, best known as the lead vocalist of the J. Geils Band, featured a rock/pop cover in 1971, following the popularity of Santana’s rendition.

Related: 1975 Dr. Hook Song, Originally by Sam Cooke, Is Still a Beloved Hit 51 Years Later

Want good liver health? You might want to consider limiting (or even completely eliminating) alcohol from your life. That’s the prevailing wisdom on how what we drink can affect our liver. And hepatologists aren’t here to argue it.

“Alcohol still is the number one cause of chronic liver disease in this country, so that shouldn’t be forgotten,” Dr. Varun Saxena, MD, a transplant hepatologist with Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco, tells Parade.

But he warns that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (or MASLD) is “creeping up quickly.” You may know it as “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” but multiple medical societies agreed to change it in 2023. What is MASLD?

“It essentially means that excess fat is being placed into the liver,” Dr. Saxena says. “It’s usually from other metabolic syndrome stresses, predominantly diabetes, overweight or obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. When people have some component of those four pieces, that stress can lead the body to add excess fat into the liver, which ends up creating the condition MASLD.”

Non-alcoholic drinks that we consume daily—sometimes without a second thought—can contribute to liver disease.

“Over time, diets high in added sugars, refined carbohydrates and excess calories can contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,” explains Dr. Brian T. Lee, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Hoag.

Dr. Lee notes that when you know which drinks can raise your risk of chronic liver disease, you can order beverages that can actually reduce fat in the liver by improving insulin response and lowering inflammation.

Here, hepatologists share the everyday drink they wish people would stop drinking so casually, and what to sip instead.

🩺SIGN UP for Parade’s health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self💊

The Everyday Drink To Stop Having So Casually, Hepatologists Warn

Four hepatologists agree that drinking iced coffee with add-ins daily can damage the liver. We often think of coffee as “healthy” (and necessary)—and it can be. However, hepatologists flag some of the add-ins iced coffee can contain.

“An iced coffee may sound like simply coffee over ice, but many popular coffee drinks are closer to dessert with caffeine,” Dr. Lee says. “Flavored syrups, sweetened creamers, cold foams and whipped toppings can add a substantial amount of sugar and calories, almost equivalent to or sometimes in excess of that of a soda.”

Hot coffee doesn’t get off scot-free, either. “It is not the temperature of the coffee but what is added to it,” Dr. Lee adds. “A hot coffee filled with flavored syrups, sweetened creamers, whipped cream or several spoonfuls of sugar carries many of the same metabolic concerns as a sugary iced coffee.”

Other hepatologists agree. “The most concerning ingredients that are included in sweetened drinks and linked to the development of MASLD are sucrose, high fructose corn syrup and fructose,” Dr. Saxena says.

One review found that consuming less than 1 cup of sweetened drinks per week could increase the risk of MASLD or excess fat in the liver by 14% compared with people who didn’t consume these beverages. If you had six drinks per week—so nearly every day—this risk went up to 26%, and it surged to 53% if you had seven or more drinks per week.

“It’s very clearly dose-dependent and clearly impactful directly to the liver,” Dr. Saxena says.

Related: You May Want To Stop Pairing This Popular Food With Your Morning Coffee, Dietitians Warn

What Happens to the Liver When You Drink Sugary Iced Coffees

You may reach for a sugary iced (or hot) coffee each morning or for a regular afternoon pick-me-up. But hepatologists warn that too much sugar in your diet can harm your liver, even if you’re getting through a drink like iced coffee.

“Much of that sugar is processed by the liver, where the excess amount of the sugar is converted to fat and deposited, causing fatty liver,” notes Dr. James Park, MD, the co-director of the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at the Northwell Transplant Institute and the chief of hepatology at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital.

If you have to have a pumpkin spice latte (iced or otherwise) at the start of each fall, that’s not the problem. One sugar-sweetened drink won’t trigger liver disease. It’s the consistent, daily (or near-daily) consumption of sugar-laden iced coffees that concerns hepatologists.

“Over time, this fat buildup inside the liver can trigger inflammation and liver damage,” Dr. Park says. “If this continues for years without symptoms, it can lead to scarring of the liver, even liver cirrhosis.”

Iced coffee with sugar in it can, unfortunately, harm the liver in other ways, too, if you drink it too frequently.

“These types of drinks will increase the number of calories consumed on a daily basis,” says Dr. Abdul Nadir, MD, an HonorHealth hepatologist and gastroenterologist specializing in hepatology. “Even if the appetite is suppressed due to these beverages and results in weight loss, this might also cause a deficiency of certain vitamins, minerals and/or other food elements, and it is not the best way to lose weight.”

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Liver When You Drink Green Tea

Is Black Coffee Good for the Liver?

“Water and unsweetened coffee remain the best choice,” Dr. Park says.

Ugh—but a spoonful (or five) of sugar makes the bitter taste of coffee go down, right? Still, research suggests that people with preexisting liver disease who drank more than two cups per day had lower risks of fibrosis and cirrhosis.

“The caffeine component of it…can potentially even reverse some scar tissue in patients’ livers if they have scar tissue in their liver,” Dr. Saxena says. “I actually tell a lot of my patients, ‘Please feel free to drink coffee because we know that if you drink even more than three cups per day, it can really be quite beneficial to your liver. But please, take it black, no cream, no sugar, none of these added sweetened components.'”

But Dr. Nadir stresses it’s important not to go overboard even with unsweetened caffeinated beverages, especially later in the day.

“Taking caffeinated beverages at night can result in insomnia, causing fatigue, leading to harm to one’s health,” he notes.

Related: ‘I’m a Hepatologist and This Is the One Thing I Tell Every Patient With Fatty Liver To Stop Eating’

Are Artificial Sweeteners Hard on Your Liver?

The data is mixed on whether or not artificial sweeteners are “safe” for the liver. Dr. Lee says that alternative sweeteners, like sucralose (Splenda), may not cause liver disease for most people when consumed in moderation.

However, he notes that some studies have associated regular consumption of artificially sweetened beverages with higher rates of MASLD. He says scientists are still researching how some artificial sweeteners can affect your gut health, appetite and metabolism, all of which matter for your liver.

“Sweeteners can stimulate appetite and also reinforce a preference for very sweet foods and drinks, making it harder to reduce overall sugar intake,” Dr. Lee adds.

Related: We Asked 3 Dietitians About the Best Breakfast for Weight Loss and They All Said the Same Thing

How To Order a Better Beverage for Liver Health

You can still enjoy a daily iced coffee, but keep a few things in mind for your liver’s sake. Hepatologists share top tips for ordering beverages for liver health.

• Take it slow. If sugar-sweetened iced coffees are a staple in your routine, Dr. Park suggests reducing your intake gradually, explaining, “Even doing one pump or syrup….makes a difference.”
• Watch portion size. As with food, the size of a drink matters, especially if you’re adding some sweet stuff. “If you have to use milk or sugar, small-sized coffee with a splash of milk is usually a much healthier choice than a large, extra-large specialty drink loaded with sugar and calories,” Dr. Park says.
• Pay attention to other beverages. Iced coffee isn’t the only culprit drink. Dr. Lee says flavored waters, soda, energy drinks and sweetened teas also contain added sugars. “Check the nutrition facts label…and look for the ‘added sugars’ line,” he recommends. “Stay away from empty calories.”

Up Next:

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Liver When You Eat Bananas

Sources:

• Dr. Varun Saxena, MD, a transplant hepatologist with Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco
• Dr. Brian T. Lee, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Hoag
• Dr. James Park, MD, the co-director of the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at the Northwell Transplant Institute and the chief of hepatology at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital
• Dr. Abdul Nadir, MD, an HonorHealth hepatologist and gastroenterologist specializing in hepatology
• Rising Mortality From Chronic Liver Disease in Young US Adults: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER)-Based Analysis. Cureus.
• No More NAFLD: The Term Is Now MASLD. Endocrinology and Metabolism.
• Artificial sweeteners are related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Microbiota dysbiosis as a novel potential mechanism. EXCLI.
  
  

Emmy Rossum played the iconic Fiona Gallagher on Shameless, which aired on Showtime from 2011 until 2021. Rossum recently revealed that the nude scenes on the show led to issues in her dating life when she appeared on the “Pretty Tough” podcast.

“It got quite tricky because of the nudity on the show,” Rossum admitted. “All of the guys that I would go out with had preconceived notions of who I was or how I was sexually.”

She went on to describe a man she met who was concerned with her career choice. “I met this guy on a plane, and he was very cute, and he took me out on a date,” she explained. “We were not meant to be together. But he was like, ‘I really want to be president someday.’ He’s like, ‘But I feel like running for office and dating someone who’s been exposed in the way that you have … do you think that would be tricky for me?’ And I was like, ‘This is an insane conversation to have.’”

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She continued, “I think growing up in your 20s, you’re dating and you’re trying to figure out who you are. There’s also all these preconceived notions about you that are out there because your body is your art, right? And people can get confused. So that certainly came up for me.”

Rossum is currently married to Sam Esmail, a producer and director. They have two children.

According to US Magazine, she spoke about their relationship in July, saying, “We knew each other for about a year. We developed the movie [Comet], went and found financing for the movie, put the movie together. He cast it. And then we had spent time together over that year. And I remember I started thinking about life through the lens of him. I would be eating a sandwich, and I’d be like, ‘I wonder if Sam likes tuna.’ Or I’d be like, you know, I drove past a museum and was like, ‘I wonder if Sam would like to see the Kubrick exhibit. I wonder if Sam would think that’s funny.’”

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Rossum has appeared in many other projects, including The Phantom of the Opera, Mystic River, and The Day After Tomorrow. Recently, she has been starring in Furious as an FBI agent on the hunt for a female serial killer.