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Venus Williams Questions US Open After Record-Late Match Starts at 12:13 A.M.
Venus Williams is questioning why she and Sofia Kenin were forced to begin their first-round US Open match after midnight.
Williams, 46, took the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium at approximately 12:13 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 — reportedly the latest a match has ever started in US Open history.
“I would’ve preferred something else, definitely,” Williams said after the match, per The New York Times. “I think it wasn’t great for either of us. We both tried our best.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also questioned whether athletes in any other professional sport would be expected to begin competing at such a late hour.
“I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late,” Williams said. “I definitely think there’s room for improvement there.”
Per the outlet, the scheduling issue arose after the preceding match between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone lasted four hours and 36 minutes. Their five-set battle pushed Williams and Kenin’s match into the early hours of Monday morning.
(Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA via Getty Images)Williams ultimately lost to Kenin, 2-6, 6-7, but nearly extended the match into a third set.
The tennis legend earned three set points while returning at 5-4 in the second set before forcing a tiebreak. Kenin, 27, then won six consecutive points to close out the match.
Williams wasn’t the only person questioning the late start.
(Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg called the situation “dysfunctional” in a post on X.
“This Venus-Kenin match is setting a new record for latest EVER start to a U.S. Open match,” Rothenberg wrote, noting that the previous record was approximately 12:08 a.m. for Aryna Sabalenka and Ekaterina Alexandrova in 2024.
“This match started at 12:13 by my clock,” he added.
Despite her singles loss, Williams’ run at the US Open isn’t over.
She will next return to the court alongside her younger sister, Serena Williams, after the 14-time Grand Slam doubles champions received a wild card to compete together.
The sisters, who last played US Open doubles together in 2022, are expected to begin their tournament Thursday, Sept. 3, or Friday, Sept. 4.
Walmart’s Fairy Tree House DIY Book Nook Kit Is the Perfect Cozy Fall Activity, Brimming With Cottagecore Vibes
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As September arrives, we’re starting to make the transition from summer to fall. The weather is already cooling down, and the leaves will soon change colors. It’s nearly time to enjoy all your favorite fall activities, from apple picking to cozying up at home. If you’re looking for a way to keep yourself busy on a chilly night in, DIY projects are always a fabulous choice, giving you the opportunity to unplug and create something from scratch.
There are so many types of projects to choose from, including crocheting, candle making, and painting, and one of our favorites is this Strucwood Fairy Tree House Book Nook Kit. It comes with everything you need to build your very own book nook, and it’s currently on sale at Walmart. The kit normally retails for $40, but it’s now marked down to just $35!
Strucwood Fairy Tree House Book Nook Kit, $35 (was $40) at Walmart Shop at WalmartYou’ll be building a darling fairy tree house, featuring a quaint cottage-style home sitting atop a tree trunk. Everything about this piece oozes with cottagecore charm, from the vibrant green moss to the fluttering butterflies. The house itself boasts ornate details, including mossy ladders, scrollwork windows and motifs, and a scalloped roof.
All the decorative accents make the tree house look like a scene plucked straight out of a fairytale. From the ground all the way to the roof, the entire book nook is plastered with moss, giving it a grounded, natural feel. It’s adorned with butterflies, flowers, mushrooms, a bird, and a bunny, creating a buzzy and cheerful scene that brings it to life. The book nook also showcases a dainty little fairy reading a book, serving as a reminder to slow down and enjoy life.
This kit is complete with LED lights, giving it an enchanting vibe when turned on. Placed anywhere in your home, whether it’s on your bookcase, kitchen counter, or console, it’ll instantly add a whimsical and magical feel to your space. For size reference, the completed book nook measures 4.7 inches wide, 4.3 inches deep, and 6.7 inches tall.
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Filled with 137 pieces ranging from large base parts to small accessories, this book nook kit should take between four and six hours to complete. Whether you build it by yourself, with a partner, or with friends, it’s a fun way to stay busy on a cozy fall night.
The main base pieces are made of sturdy wood and snap together for a secure hold. The LED lights are built in and turn on just by tapping the room. The lights are battery-powered, and the tree house has a hidden compartment for the batteries so they don’t create an eyesore.
On those rainy fall days or brisk, breezy evenings, stay indoors and get started on the Strucwood Fairy Tree House Book Nook Kit for a fun and cozy activity. Head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for just $35!
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'Made in Korea' Season 2, the Final Chapter of Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung's KCIA Thriller, Hits Disney+ September 9
Made in Korea is coming back. Season 2 of Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung‘s K-Drama political thriller premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on September 9. It’s the final season — six episodes running through September 23. When Season 1 ended, Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin) had consolidated his grip on power. Season 2 finds him as the deputy director of the KCIA, expanding his drug operations across the region during one of the most turbulent periods in South Korean political history. Prosecutor Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung) has been getting ready for years. He’s prepared. Ki-tae already knows it’s coming. “I’ve kept my head down, kept my claws hidden, and waited for this moment,” he says in the teaser. The final chapter starts in nine days.
If you haven’t seen Season 1, you’ve got nine days to fix that. Made in Korea was Disney+’s most-watched Korean original of 2025, and TIME magazine named it one of the most anticipated Korean dramas of 2026. Hyun Bin’s Ki-tae is a political operator with no moral ceiling and no intention of stopping. Jung Woo-sung’s Geon-young is the prosecutor who’s made it his life’s work to take him down. Season 1 ended with Ki-tae at the top. Geon-young kept preparing.
The KCIA — Korea’s real-world Central Intelligence Agency — was one of the most feared institutions in modern Korean political history. Its actual involvement in assassinations, coups, and political control gives Made in Korea‘s fictional story a weight that most political thrillers can’t claim accurately. This isn’t just a dramatic backdrop. It’s one of the most consequential institutions in modern Asian history.
Season 2 picks up nine years later. Nine years is long enough to build something unassailable. It’s also long enough to build something that can finally tear it down. Both men used the time well. Now, Woo Do-hwan from Bloodhounds joins as Ki-hyun — Ki-tae’s younger brother — who’s pursuing his own path to power. The brothers aren’t necessarily on the same side. Geon-young presses Ki-hyun directly in the teaser: “Choose which side you will stand on.” Ki-tae’s response to both of them: “This is war now.” Director Woo Min-ho and writer Park Eun-kyo — co-writer of Bong Joon-ho’s Mother — are both back. The same team that built Season 1 is finishing it.
Why the Final Season MattersKorean political dramas operate at a level of moral complexity that most political thrillers can’t match. Made in Korea is among the best the genre has produced. For Hyun Bin, it’s his most politically ambitious role since Crash Landing on You. For Jung Woo-sung, it’s a rare chance to play the moral center of a story this morally complex. For Woo Do-hwan, it’s his biggest stage yet.
Season 1 is on Disney+ and Hulu right now. You’ve got nine days. Ki-tae spent Season 1 grabbing power. Season 2 is about whether anyone can take it away.
That question gets its answer on September 9.
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1975 Rock Anthem Was Almost Cut Down by Record Executives for Being Too Long
The legendary musician Freddie Mercury wasn’t afraid to fight for what would become one of his most beloved songs.
The Queen frontman is remembered for his originality and stage presence. He died in 1991 at 45 from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. He is behind hits such as “We Are the Champions,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “Killer Queen,” but arguably his most well-known track is “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The 5 minutes and 55 seconds song almost didn’t make it on the radio because record executives were worried it was too long.
Mercury’s close friend and ex-fiancée, Mary Austin, is giving fans a look at the rockstar’s life in her new book, A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercury. She tells stories of her late friend’s life, shares pages of his notebooks, and newly released photographs.
Austin wrote about the behind-the-scenes of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Here is an excerpt published in People on Aug. 31:
To discuss the release they held a meeting at EMI from which Freddie returned looking really worried. The record company had said the song was too long and wanted it cut down, but he’d told them that was how it had to be — and then walked out.
If he’d sounded firm to them, he certainly wasn’t so sure in the privacy of his own home. Back at the flat, he said he wasn’t certain he’d done the right thing. He was worried that he’d torpedoed his own career and that of the band. It was unusual for him; I’d never seen him that concerned before.
When the record company dug its heels in, Freddie found an ally in Kenny Everett, who was then a top DJ at Capital Radio (and went on to become a massive TV star). I wasn’t aware of any great friendship between them beforehand, and I couldn’t tell you exactly how they’d been introduced — it may have been through someone he knew at EMI, possibly John Reid, perhaps their publicist, Eric Hall — I honestly don’t know, but what mattered was that Kenny understood the song instinctively and didn’t want to see it ‘edited’ as the record company were suggesting.
Given a copy of the record, I think there was an understanding that he might play it once, maybe twice. But telling Kenny Everett to do something within limits was always a lost cause. He took that as a challenge. His show was at the weekend, and once he started, he played it over and over. He began by teasing it, and then he aired the whole thing, time and time again, and by the end of that weekend it felt as though it was everywhere.
That was also when I heard it properly for the first time. I remember thinking how strange it must sound to people hearing it cold. It was so unlike anything else — you didn’t quite know what you were listening to at first. But it carried you with it. There was such joy in it, such confidence, that it didn’t matter if you couldn’t immediately make sense of every part.
And clearly Kenny felt that, too, because listeners responded straight away. Capital Radio was flooded with requests for a single that didn’t even exist yet.
Freddie was jubilant. I think he felt that someone had finally stood alongside him rather than trying to cut his work down to size. That whole struggle — from the song beginning at the piano, through Wales, through months of work, doubt and turmoil — suddenly tipped the other way. It was as though he’d landed where he’d been trying to get to all along.
I remember a real change in him then. When I think of that time, I see someone centered and happy. He was joyful, of course, but more than that he seemed newly assured — as though he’d found a space he hadn’t quite been in before, and knew he belonged there.
Austin’s book, A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercury, will hit shelves on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Rod Stewart, 81, Reveals the 'Pinch Me' Career Moment That Changed His Life
Rod Stewart has been living the dream for quite some time now!
In a resurfaced interview clip from his chat with Ken Bruce for the U.K.’s Greatest Hits Radio, the 81-year-old “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” singer opened up about an early career milestone occurring in the 1970s that changed him forever.
“The pinch me moment, I think, was when I was in the Faces and I’d released [my third solo record], Every Pictures Tells a Story. And, it got to number one. And, [the song] ‘Maggie May’ got to number one in America and Great Britain,” he began to recall. “I was driving me Bentley. I had a Bentley, right. And I drove it around and it came on the radio. And I drove it back home, knocked on my mum and dad’s house, and gave them a big hug. And they had just heard, too, that it was number one.”
The moment proved to be very emotional for both Stewart and his parents. “We had a big old cry, because my family supported me so much,” he added.
@greatesthitsukRod Stewart reflects on learning that ‘Maggie May’ had gone to number one, a career moment that changed his life… ✨ #rodstewart #70smusic #rodstewartfans
♬ original sound – Greatest Hits RadioStewart continued to find great success in the years that followed. He won a Brit Award in 1993 for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2005. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1994 and alongside the Faces in 2012.
Last year, Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 American Music Awards. Not only did he perform “Forever Young” during the ceremony, but he also gave an inspiring acceptance speech.
He even told the audience how “absolutely flabbergasted” he was over his eight children getting to take the stage with him for the big occassion.
“I started singing in the early ’60s, well before all of you lot were here. The reason I got into it is because I had this burning ambition to sing. That’s all I wanted to do,” he said. “I didn’t want to be rich or famous. And here I am, a few years later picking up this wonderful award. Thank you so much.”
Stewart is still actively performing. He’s been doing the “One Last Time” farewell tour with Richard Marx since 2024, but he’s also has a Las Vegas residency called “The Encore Shows.”
However, the “Sailing” crooner was recently forced to cancel several dates from both tours after undergoing a coronary stent procedure.
“I’m already feeling better and very much on the mend,” Stewart shared in a statement, per Variety. “I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone who has taken such wonderful care of me. I’m deeply disappointed to miss these shows and sorry to let my fans down, but I look forward to getting back on stage and having a good time with you all again soon.”
Stewart’s next scheduled appearance is at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado on September 3, 2027.
Debi Mazar Reveals the ‘Toxic’ Reality of Her Entourage Days After Giving Birth to Her Second Daughter
Debi Mazar is reflecting on a “toxic” environment on the Entourage set after she returned from giving birth.
The actress, 62, rose to stardom in films like Batman Forever and Goodfellas, followed by TV shows like Entourage and Younger. On Entourage, she played Shauna Roberts, the sassy publicist of Adrian Grenier‘s movie star character Vincent Chase. But in a new interview, Mazar made it clear that she didn’t feel so welcome on the Entourage set when she returned from giving birth to her second daughter. Instead, she felt judged.
In the first season, appearing on the hit HBO show was a “joy-fest,” Mazar told the UK’s Times. However, that didn’t last. The star shared that after giving birth for the second time, the vibe changed on set. “They didn’t like that I got fat, even though I got skinny again,” she said.
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“In the third season, the set was a testosterone-fueled environment,” Mazar told the Times. “I’m tough, but it got toxic towards the end for me.” She noted that being on the show was “a lot of fun, until it wasn’t,” she said.
Fox News has since reached out to HBO for a comment.
Despite the bad environment, Mazar did return to appear in the 2015 movie version of Entourage.
Mazar Soaked Up the Summer in ItalyDespite her trouble on the Entourage set, Mazar is thriving. Last summer, she and her husband, Gabriele Corcos, had a dream-like vacation on the Italian coast.
“You are my universe and my inspiration, My strength and my reason, My truth and my obsession. Happy birthday my love, I adore you! #birthday #summer #italy #family,” Corcos captioned the photo set, which showed the stunning Mazar looking as glamorous as ever in two retro-style bathing suits as she stood by the ocean.
View this post on InstagramBack in 2022, Mazar, who lives in Italy, told PEOPLE that she’s always been on a mission to raise her daughters, Evelina and Giulia, with a love of travel.
“I have been dragging my kids on airplanes to countries all over the world since they were born,” she said. “I like that. I want them to understand culture and art and different cities.”
The girls now have the same love of travel as their mom.
“It’s been amazing because now that they live in Europe, my daughter, who’s 16, has friends come from the states,” she shared at the time. “They jump on trains. They go to Venice for the day. They go to Rome for the day. They go to Milan for a weekend. They go to concerts in other cities here. My oldest flies to Israel, Madrid, Barcelona.”
But if you’d like a little flashback to one of Shauna’s vicious insults on Entourage, here’s a quick clip:
Clarks' 'Comfortable' Slip-ons Have a 'Cushiony Sole' That’s Great for Walking and Everyday Errands
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If you’ve been searching for a stylish everyday shoe that’s easy to slip on and comfortable enough for travel, errands, and long days on your feet, Clarks’ Cora Poppy Slip-On Shoes at JCPenney are worth a look. The versatile closed-toe style combines the polished appearance of a leather loafer with the comfort-focused features of a sneaker, offering plenty of support and comfort as you move throughout your day.
Originally priced at $100, the popular slip-ins are currently available for just $35. They feature a full-grain leather upper with subtle metal detailing, providing a classic look that can easily transition from casual everyday outfits to dressier wear. Sizes range from 5 to 12, including half size and wide widths, although availability depends on whether you opt for the black or brown colorway.
Clarks Cora Poppy Slip-On Shoes, $35 (were $100) at JCPenney Shop at JCPenneyDesigned for ultimate comfort, these shoes have a cushioned foam ortholite footbed that molds to your feet and helps absorb impact during every step. The stretchy elastic gores eliminate the need for laces, allowing for an effortlessly secure fit, while the fabric lining enhances breathability and wicks away moisture. The 1.5-inch heel adds a slight lift that gives the shoes a slightly dressier feel, while still remaining wearable and stable enough for everyday use.
Featuring a closed round toe, the shoes have an easy slip-on design that’s ideal for anyone who prefers throw-on-and-go styles that you can keep by the door. They also have a thick durable rubber outsole that provides plenty of traction while navigating wet surfaces, uneven sidewalks, and other terrain.
Shoppers praised the shoes for their soft, supportive feel. “They are extremely comfortable and durable. The fit is perfect, and the cushiony sole is perfect,” one reviewer wrote, while another said they’re “great for walking in.” Several also mentioned that they’re ideal for wide feet, thanks to the “larger toe box.”
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With their stylish look, plush feel, and effortless slip-on design, these Clarks shoes are ones you’re sure to wear on repeat throughout the fall. Snag a pair while both colors are still in stock and on sale for 65% off at JCPenney.
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Why Dolly Parton's Death Is Hitting Fans So Hard, According to a Psychologist
The world seemed to shift to slow motion last Monday, August 25, when news of Dolly Parton’s death hit the news. After a “brief battle with cancer,” Parton passed away at the age of 80, and the public immediately began to collectively mourn the beloved superstar and cultural icon.
From celebrity tributes online and on stages, to the general public looking to her music catalog, best recipes and inspiring documentaries for comfort, this loss was felt instantly around the globe, and it hasn’t lessened in the days since.
This profound sadness has made some people wonder, “Why is it that a celebrity’s death can hurt so much, even if it’s someone we’ve never met?”
“At its core, grief is a painful emotional reaction to the severing of an attachment, and we can underestimate our capacity for attachment,” Stanford Medical School adjunct professor and clinical psychologist Dr. Celeste Birkhofer tells Parade. “You are actually capable of becoming quite attached to someone you’ve never met. The human mind is wired for connection, and it doesn’t fully distinguish between ‘in-person’ relationships and the digital ones we cultivate through media.”
While these digital connections can include remote coworkers, support groups and more, it can also involve somewhat one-sided relationships with certain celebrities and influencers we follow online.
“When we follow a celebrity, we are invited into their life—their work, their narrative, their evolution,” Dr. Birkhofer, the author of Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health and a Fulfilling Life, says. “This creates a parasocial relationship: a one-sided but sometimes deeply felt connection. What makes these bonds uniquely appealing is that they feel safe: they are low-risk. Since the celebrity cannot reject or disappoint us in a direct, personal way, the connection provides a reliable source of comfort without the vulnerabilities inherent in real-world relationships. They don’t know you, which means they can’t dislike you because of your shortcomings and you are not having to directly deal with theirs.”
However, that doesn’t make the grief of losing someone like this any easier. Here, Dr. Birkhofer explains the psychology of parasocial grief and why your pain is valid, why Dolly Parton was more than just a celebrity to so many and psychologist-backed ways to process this loss and honor Parton’s legacy.
Related: 7 Phrases To Use When a Loved One Is Grieving, According to a Trauma Therapist
Some fans might feel surprised by the overwhelming depth of their sadness and grief when a celebrity like Dolly Parton dies. But according to Dr. Birkhofer, it’s a very understandable and valid experience.
“Parasocial grief is valid and psychologically real,” she stresses. “When a celebrity dies, fans experience the loss of a consistent, highly visible person in their life. You can seek them out and be ‘in touch’ with them whenever you want through the internet. Even if the connection is one-sided, the figure may have served as a stabilizing force, a source of solace, or a constant presence during key developmental or emotional milestones in a person’s life. Their music may have helped you navigate a break up, their story may serve as an inspiration or you may live vicariously through them.”
“Grief is the pain we feel when we lose someone or something important to us,” she continues. “No one else gets to determine how bad a particular loss should feel for us. Grief is a personal experience tied to the meaning we assign to a relationship. When that figure dies, the ‘connection’ is severed, and the resulting pain is a legitimate response to that absence.”
Related: 40 Meaningful Songs About Death, Loss and Grief To Help You Cope
Why Dolly Parton Was More Than Just a CelebritySome public figures are much more than just “Hollywood stars,” with their impact felt beyond their discography, credits or general resume. That’s absolutely the case with Parton.
“Dolly Parton represented a rare example of authentic expression of herself and remarkable continuity of that self throughout her long career,” Dr. Birkhofer tells Parade. “She remained grounded in her core identity and values while navigating immense fame. She was not just an entertainer, but for millions of people, she was a powerful symbol of agency, kindness and living a values-driven life.”
Parton’s lifestyle and philanthropy inspired many of us throughout her decades in the spotlight.
“Her degree of self-acceptance was charming and refreshing to witness,” Dr. Birkhofer continues. “She lived an intentional life, despite the temptation celebrities face to morph themselves into what the audience craves or demands. She was an inspiration that you can be yourself and not let success steer you astray of who you truly are and want to be.”
Related: Stop Saying These 9 Common Phrases to People Who Are Grieving, Experts Warn
The Healing Power of Collective MourningWhile some people might prefer to grieve privately, others find solace in public tributes. Dr. Birkhofer explains that this can be a positive way to process grief for many individuals.
“Collective mourning can be profoundly healing,” she tells Parade. “It creates a ‘communal container’ that validates our individual sadness. Sharing grief with a community validates individual emotional experiences and significantly reduces feelings of isolation. It creates a communal container where people can process both their admiration for the public figure and their own personal grief or memories bound up in that person’s work.”
That being said, witnessing collective mourning can sometimes evoke other complicated feelings.
“On the other hand, such an outpouring of public attention to celebrity deaths can sometimes trigger painful existential reflections and evoke ‘grief envy’—highlighting the sharp contrast between the massive, visible love shown to a public figure and a person’s own fears of personal insignificance,” Dr. Birkhofer explains. “In my clinical work, I’ve had patients describe heightened feelings of insignificance after high-profile losses.”
Related: 5 Stages of Grief To Expect After You’ve Experienced Loss, According to a Trauma Therapist
How To Process the Loss and Honor Her LegacyIt’s understandable to feel a bit unmoored after a celebrity’s sudden death, especially processing the loss of someone as beloved as Dolly Parton. Here’s what the clinical psychologist recommends for next steps.
“Honor your feelings about the loss,” Dr. Birkhofer tells Parade. “Process your grief with self-compassion. Remember that her death may be reactivating other losses you have experienced that need your attention. Consider writing a personal tribute or reflection to express what her life and work meant to you, and perhaps post it, to connect with others in shared remembrance. Or take it a step further. Choose one quality of hers that moved you—her humor, authenticity, agency or kindness—and intentionally integrate that into your own life. To embody admirable qualities of those we lose is the highest form of remembrance.”
Up Next:
Related: Psychologist Says These 7 Behaviors Often Signal Unprocessed Grief
Source:- Dr. Celeste Birkhofer is a licensed clinical psychologist, adjunct clinical faculty member at Stanford Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and author of Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health and a Fulfilling Life.
’90s-Inspired Rock Band Drops Heavy Metal ‘Jolene’ Cover That Had Dolly Parton’s Blessing
The entire music community is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who died at age 80 on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer.
Her songs have been taking over the Billboard charts ever since, while fellow artists have paid tribute by covering her songs live in concert, including Chris Stapleton, Brad Paisley and Megan Moroney. There was even a special show in her honor at the Grand Ole Opry.
Now, the rock band Bad Wolves has honored the Queen of Country with a reimagining of her 1973 classic, “Jolene,” which was ranked the best Dolly Parton song ever.
BlabberMouth reports that Parton was intended to cut vocals for the track, which unfortunately didn’t have a chance to manifest before her death.
Related: 1992 No. 1 Hit Ranked the Greatest Dolly Parton Cover of All Time
Upon releasing the song, which was announced last week, the founder, drummer and songwriter, John Boecklin, revealed, “Our singer is a big fan of Dolly and had posted a bunch of videos of her covering ‘Jolene’. So, we decided to make a heavy metal cover version for our next album. On hearing our version, our label CEO Dan Waite sent the finished demo to Dolly’s manager, Danny Nozell, with a request for Dolly to guest feature on our version. We heard back that Danny had played the track to Dolly, and that Dolly loved our version, and that Dolly was going to go into the studio and add her vocals very soon. We then sent over the stems for Dolly’s studio engineers to work with. Like everyone, we were devastated of this week’s news of Dolly’s passing.”
Boecklin further revealed that proceeds from their cover will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to “honor Dolly’s incredible legacy.”
Parton’s manager Danny Nozell confirmed that the country crooner gave the cover “her full blessing,” noting that she was “incredibly excited to collaborate on it.”
Since she was a “champion of the artists pushing musical boundaries,” Nozell added that, “Releasing this track on Monday as a tribute — with proceeds directly supporting her beloved Imagination Library— is exactly what Dolly and her team wanted.”
The release, however, seemed to be the last straw for the band’s guitarist, AJ Rebollo, who reported that the label released the cover against the band’s wishes.
In a lengthy Instagram post, he noted, “TLDR – I am stepping away as a member of Bad Wolves.”
“In short, I can no longer in good faith remain a member and co-sign the decisions constantly being made FOR this band by the label, among other issues I have with the inner workings of the business,” Rebollo said in a statement, adding that Bad Wolves did not want to release the cover following her death “as her collaboration on the song was no longer a possibility.”
Rebollo expressed that the band did not want it to be “interpreted as somewhat of a capitalization on her passing from an outside perspective.”
“They went ahead and posted that we were releasing it anyway, despite efforts from more than one member, myself included, to oppose it,” he noted.
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A post shared by AJ Rebollo (@ajbends)
“While the donation to her Imagination Library is an incredible choice to do something good with the profits, I can’t help but feel there is ill intent behind the decision to release the song,” he added, noting that it underscores a larger issue with the label disregarding other decisions the band has made.
This is the second time the band has released a song shortly after the passing of a major artist. Eight years ago, the band found fame with their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” a mere four days after frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan died. She was also set to record vocals before her death, with the band donating proceeds from the song to her children.
While many were in agreement that the cover was solid, as one wrote, “sounds fire,” while another added, “I’m actually addicted to this cover! RIP Dolly Parton,” most fans took Rebollo’s side, telling the label to listen to their band’s wishes next time.
“The suits in the record label knew this band got big because of the exposure from the zombies cover, so they used the “we’ll just donate the royalties to charity, but the band will get millions of eyes and big radio play again,” one fan commented.
Bad Wolves have undergone a series of lineup shifts in recent years, beginning with the 2021 departure of original frontman Tommy Vext. He was replaced by Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who later left to join Falling in Reverse as bassist, paving the way for Sara “Killboy” Skinner to step in as the band’s latest vocalist, with the first single with her vocals released in June 2026.
Related: Country Music Queen Dolly Parton Makes History Days After Her Death
Are ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Winners Bryce and Trinity Still Together? Inside Their Post-Villa Life
The winners of Love Island USA Season 8, Bryce Alakai and Trinity Tatum, took home the $100,000 grand prize this summer. Still, with the reunion airing tonight, fans are wondering: Is the breakout couple of Season 8 still together?
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Are Bryce and Trinity from Love Island still together? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 835 — Pictured: (l-r) Trinity Celeste Tatum, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, Ariana Madix — (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)YES! The beloved fan favorite couple remains happily together to this day. Life for the couple since leaving the Villa has been nothing short of a whirlwind experience. Bryce has continued to perform as a DJ, while Trinity has recently been signed by WME talent agency.
According to Cosmopolitan, the couple has spent every day since leaving the Villa this summer together. They kicked off their adventure together with a trip to Los Angeles, Trinity’s first time in the city, and then spent some time in Newport News, Virginia.
Bryce is currently on tour performing alongside Ty Dolla $ign and was recently joined by Trinity and members of the Season 8 cast. Trinity plans to be by his side throughout the whole experience, with the tour expected to take place across the country running through December 12, 2026.
Related: Peacock Makes Major Announcement About the Future of ‘Love Island USA’
What happened between Bryce and Trinity on Love Island USA? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 827 — Pictured: (l-r) Trinity Celeste Tatum, Bryce Alakai Dettloff — (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)The couple began their relationship on Day 1 of Love Island USA Season 8. Still, their journey wasn’t without its fair share of twists, with the first happening right out of the gate as both Bryce and Trinity decided they wanted to explore their connections with someone else vs. sticking together.
Thus, when Bombshell Kayda Bosse and Gabriel Vasconcelos came in, they pulled the two for a romantic getaway, before ultimately choosing to couple up with someone else. As a result, Bryce and Trinity were coupled up together once again.
The couple then remained together for the rest of the Season, navigating the ultimate challenge of the season, Casa Amor, with ease. While both Trinity and Bryce did explore with other people, their connection with each other proved to be too strong and they found their way back together.
Following the Casa Amor recoupling, the pair had their romantic first date, during which Bryce asked Trinity to be his girlfriend, and she accepted.
The pair ended the season coming out on top, ranked America’s favorite couple, and echoed the sentiment as they entered the next phase of their relationship, sharing three little words: “I Love You.”
Love Island USA Season 8 is streaming now exclusively on Peacock, with the Season 8 reunion premiering August 31, 2026 at 9 PM ET.
Lionel Richie Reportedly Hospitalized in ICU After St. Louis Concert
Music legend Lionel Richie was hospitalized after taking the stage for a weekend concert in St. Louis.
TMZ reported on Monday, August 31, that the 77-year-old singer checked himself into a local hospital after his performance at The Muny in Forest Park on Saturday night.
Sources told the outlet that Richie sought medical care as a precaution and is undergoing tests. Doctors are reportedly looking into whether mild dehydration contributed to his condition. Richie could be released from the hospital on Tuesday, according to the report.
Did Lionel Richie Appear Unwell During the Concert?Concertgoers told the outlet that Richie appeared to struggle near the end of Saturday’s performance. He reportedly asked his team to bring him a chair while he performed his final song, “All Night Long.”
During the concert, Richie acknowledged that health problems had affected him during his recent tour. “Some things have been happening on this tour that kind of shook me up a little bit, because I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on,” he told the audience, as reported by St.Louis American. “I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration.’”
What Happened During Lionel Richie’s June Health Scare? View this post on InstagramFox News reported that the beloved American Idol judge was previously taken to a hospital after becoming ill during a June 24 concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. Richie told the crowd that he felt “dizzy” and “strange” before sitting down while performing “Dancing on the Ceiling.”
He later cut the concert short. Paramedics met him backstage and transported him to a hospital by ambulance as a precaution, TMZ had reported at the time. The singer postponed his next two shows on doctors’ advice but returned to the stage in Pittsburgh on June 30. His team later said dehydration had caused the episode.
Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire also postponed their August 6 concert at San Francisco’s Chase Center after drummer John Paris suffered a separate medical emergency.
Richie’s representatives have not publicly addressed the hospitalization. Parade has reached out for a statement.
John Cena Reveals Why He Was Bullied During His Childhood
Actor and retired WWE wrestler John Cena has been open that he became interested in lifting weights because of the bullying he endured during his childhood.
In an August 2026 interview on comedian and former talk show host Conan O’Brien‘s podcast Conan Needs a Friend, Cena confirmed that he was around 13 years old when the bullying occurred and, in response, he decided to “build up [his] body by lifting weights.”
He then explained he was bullied because he had different interests and style than his classmates in his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts. According to Cena, West Newbury is “a farm town” with a largely white population. In addition, he said many West Newbury residents were only interested in music from the rock genre during the ’80s.
“I put my hair up in like a high top fade. I really fell in love with the rap music before it became hip-hop,” said Cena during the podcast episode. “In like the mid ’80s is kind of when rap became public and mainstream with like Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith.”
Cena, now 49, said that he identified with some of the rap song’s lyrics.
“It was just very commercialized, and with that became more exposure, music, television, and all that stuff. So in West Newbury, I’m, you know 12, 13 years old and going through a stage of rebellion in my life, and this music definitely spoke to me. I certainly couldn’t put myself in the shoes of the artists, but what I got from it was like the voice of rebellion, and I embraced it. Like airbrushed overalls, MC Hammer pants,” said the Peacemaker star.
In addition, Cena said he was rather skinny at this point in his life.
“I just didn’t look like everyone else. And I was an easy target. I was skinny and scrawny. I had grown in height but not in stature. And I just hadn’t filled out my frame yet. And I was an easy target,” said Cena in the August 2026 interview.
Grand Canyon Shuts Down All Hotels Indefinitely After Deadly Flash Floods Kill Two
Visitors planning an overnight stay inside Grand Canyon National Park will need to make other arrangements.
The National Park Service announced that all overnight lodging on the South Rim will close beginning Monday, August 31, as the park moves to Stage 4 water restrictions following deadly flash floods that caused significant damage over the weekend. The closures are expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
The decision follows severe flooding along Bright Angel Canyon on August 29 that damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, leaving the system that supplies water for the park inoperable.
While overnight accommodations are being halted, the South Rim will remain open to day visitors. Food and beverage locations, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the Post Office will also continue operating, although some services may have reduced hours. Camping will be limited to dry camping, with most campground water spigots turned off. The park has also banned wood and charcoal fires on the South Rim and in inner canyon areas.
The restrictions come as officials continue responding to the devastating flooding, which has now left two people dead. A second death was confirmed Monday, while 15 people remained missing or unaccounted for.
Search and recovery efforts continue following the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park. Two bodies have been recovered. Preliminary assessments indicate approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed. Forecasted weather may affect the timing and pace…
— Grand Canyon NPS (@GrandCanyonNPS) August 31, 2026Dozens of visitors were evacuated by helicopter after rushing water and debris swept through trails and damaged infrastructure. Park officials have asked anyone with information about people who may have been hiking or backpacking near Bright Angel Creek to come forward.
The danger may not be over yet. Additional heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger more flash floods, debris flows and rockfalls in the area. “With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday,” the National Weather Service warned.
For now, officials are also urging everyone remaining on the South Rim to conserve the park’s limited water supply while repairs are underway.
Drew Barrymore's $15 3-Piece Silicone Utensil Set Is a 'Simple, Reliable, and Stylish' Kitchen Upgrade
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Drew Barrymore’s line of kitchen essentials at Walmart makes it easy to take your space from plain to chic with just a few simple upgrades. The thoughtfully curated collection is full of adorable, affordable pieces that are truly useful for feeding yourself and your family day in and day out. Even if you don’t cook all that often, having something pretty to use when you do make a meal can help the whole process feel a little less like a chore.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire kitchen, replace every pot, or invest in pricey bakeware to give your kitchen a boost. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set gives you an effortless starting point. Now on sale for just $15 at Walmart, this set looks pretty and functions wonderfully, letting you add a dash of joy to every dish for less than you’d spend buying yourself a takeout dinner. The set comes in five gorgeous colors, including sage, taupe, hydrangea blue, lavender, and black.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set, $15 (was $18) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThis three-piece utensil set comes complete with a spoon, flat turner, and a fish turner. The spoon’s head is conveniently shaped with beveled edges so you can scoop, scrape, stir, and saute without switching tools. For flipping burgers, making grilled cheese, or serving lasagna, the flat turner comes in especially handy, while the fish turner offers a slotted design that’s best suited for handling delicate fish dishes like salmon filets or individual servings of tilapia.
Heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe, each of these utensils is made from durable, BPA-free silicone. The handles feature a stylish gold accent, adding a sleek, modern touch to your kitchen’s aesthetic no matter which color you choose. There’s also a handy slot on the end of each handle, so you can hang these utensils on a hook for easy storage if you don’t want to clutter up your drawers.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set, $15 (was $18) at Walmart Shop at WalmartWalmart shoppers say this “elegant” set is a “simple, reliable, and stylish” kitchenware upgrade. One reviewer who called the tools “sturdy” said they were a “perfect addition to my kitchen.” Another customer shared, “I love the color and gold accents.”
Shop More Deals- Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Acacia Wood Kitchen Utensil Set, $17 (was $20) at Walmart
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Related: Drew Barrymore’s Satiny $8 Stoneware Loaf Pan Is ‘Remarkably Effective’ for Bread Baking
Add a pop of color to your kitchen with the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensil Tool Set when you snag it on sale in one of five gorgeous shades at Walmart. Add the set to your cart now while it’s still just $15!
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Mel Gibson Sparks Outrage After Mocking Sign Language Interpreter, Apology Falls Flat with Fans
Mel Gibson sparked a backlash after appearing to mock a sign language interpreter during a Q&A at FanExpo Canada in Toronto over the weekend.
Videos of the actor seemingly imitating the ASL interpreter’s hand gestures as he walked onto the stage quickly spread on social media. Critics were quick to clap back at what looked like Gibson’s insensitive actions, writing on X, “This choice is bonkers to me. *interpreter just doing their job, people clapping for you, positive vibes* Mel Gibson: *makes fun of ASL interpreter for no reason at all*”, “It’s immaturity. It’s not necessarily hateful. It’s mindless. Like a young child playfully mimicking a foreign accent they hear. It’s just strange behavior to see in an adult, and not an eight-year-old”, “Insecurity. Massive, massive insecurity,” and “He’s a ten-year-old boy who never grew up trying to be funny.”
Mel Gibson speaks on stage during FanExpo Chicago 2026 on August 15, 2026 in Rosemont, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)But the comments didn’t end there. “Wow, Mel Gibson mocking ASL to the deaf community in his fan meeting event. This is quite disappointing, because deaf fans are there to support him, but now mocking deaf people,” wrote one former fan on X. Another critic bashed his action, while laying on the sarcasm, “Good way to hype your new movie. Go on stage and mock someone.”
After news broke of the backlash, Gibson quickly apologized, telling multiple media outlets, “Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight, your mind is all over the place, and sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed.”
Gibson added, “There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”
Based on the responses his apology got on social media, fans/critics aren’t buying it. When Variety posted this story on X, commenters jumped to share, “Apology not accepted”, “Accountability matters more than optics here. Apology accepted?” and “Why didn’t he just wave to the crowd?”
This isn’t exactly the first time Gibson has landed in hot water over his actions or words. Other controversies include a reported antisemitic rant after a 2006 DUI arrest, leaked tapes (in 2010) of the actor using racist slurs, homophobic comments made to a Spanish newspaper in 1991, and claims from actress Winona Ryder (in 2010) that Gibson had made homophobic and antisemitic jokes at a Hollywood party.
2010s Rocker Says He's Faced ‘A Lot of Homophobia’ Since Coming Out and Ending 14-Year Marriage
Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo is opening up about the difficult response he has received after sharing some big news with fans earlier this year.
The 33-year-old rocker, who came out as gay in May, reflected on the backlash during an interview on The Break Down with Nath & Johnny on Thursday, August 27. He revealed that criticism actually began before he publicly addressed his sexuality.
Shomo says he faced “a lot of homophobia”Shomo explained that after privately coming out to friends and family, he made the decision that he wasn’t going to “water” himself down as an artist. “I’m gonna wear what I wanna wear. I’m gonna sing how I want to sing. I’m gonna look how I wanna look,” he recalled of his mindset.
However, that freedom wasn’t welcomed by everyone. “There’s a lot of homophobia and a lot of people who really were not OK with me presenting that way at all with what I was doing any of it,” he said in the interview, describing the reaction as “sad.”
The criticism continued as Beartooth released new music and Shomo eventually confirmed publicly that he is a “proudly gay man” on May 23.
His announcement also came as his 14-year marriage to Fleur Shomo ended. At the time, Fleur acknowledged the difficulty of trying to support Shomo while simultaneously grieving their relationship, but made clear that she wanted him to be happy.
Shomo eventually stepped away from the internetAs the negative comments piled up, Shomo decided to disconnect from the internet while Beartooth toured with Bad Omens in the beginning of the year. He admitted that he spent parts of the tour in a “really, really bad place” and sometimes had to find enough energy to get himself onstage and perform.
But stepping offline also allowed him to see a much different response in person. Shomo recalled fans arriving at concerts with signs and shouting supportive messages from the crowd, calling the amount of encouragement he received “astounding.”
The experience has strengthened his determination to live authentically. “I do just deserve to be happy, and I deserve to be free, and I deserve to live whatever life I want to live,” Shomo said, adding that he believes life is more enjoyable when you’re able to be authentic every day.
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Lindsey Vonn Shares New Update Following Olympic Injury: 'I'm Getting Better'
Lindsey Vonn‘s road to recovery is continuing following her Olympic crash earlier this year.
“I feel good. I’m getting better,” she told TNT Sports at the U.S. Open over the weekend. “I mean, I still have another surgery so I’m trying to get as strong as possible.”
The update comes as the Olympic skiing icon is continuing take care of her left leg that incurred multiple injuries after a devastating crash during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games — where she was already competing with a torn ACL.
View this post on Instagram“Once I get my ACL [surgery], then I’ll have another long road ahead of me,” she said. “But for now, I feel great, and I’m very thankful for that. I’m hoping that I can have the next surgery in November, but it’ll be in the winter sometime, and then it’ll be another nine months until I’m fully recovered from that.”
Vonn, 41, who has three Olympic medals to her name, maintained that she’s taking her recovery one day at a time.
“I can’t really look beyond that. I don’t really know what my what the future holds,” she said. “But like I said, I’m just thankful for where I am right now.”
In the meantime, she’s continued to share updates through interviews and social media posts.
Related: Lindsey Vonn Shares Recovery Update After Devastating Olympics Injury
Speaking at the ESPY Awards in July, the skier told People about her struggles during the period when she was unable to walk.
“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” she said. “It was honestly almost three and a half months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”
The progress she’s made is leaps and bounds ahead of where she was at the end February, when she explained to followers that a surgery saved her leg from being amputated.
“I always talk about how everything happens for a reason, but if I hadn’t torn my ACL, which I would have torn anyway with this crash … if I hadn’t done that, [Dr. Tom Hackett] wouldn’t have been there. He wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she said. “So I feel very lucky and grateful for him, for the six hour surgery he put in on Wednesday to rebuild it.”
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New and 'Xtreme' Snickers Flavor 'Looks Awesome,' Fans Say
Snickers looks to be dropping a new, more “extreme” flavor, and it has both fans and skeptics enthusiastic about its release.
The iconic Mars, Inc. candy bar traditionally features layers of soft nougat, smooth caramel and crunchy roasted peanuts enrobed in a shell of milk chocolate. Over the years, the company has experimented to transform its classic chocolate bar into something new yet familiar, making Snickers bars with almonds and pecans, occasionally sprinkling in an inclusion or two. While the original remains a standalone staple for many, Snickers’ willingness to experiment with other flavors and textures time and time again is certainly appreciated.
Recently, fans have chased down the return of Snickers Rockin Nut Road, its sought-after seasonal holiday shapes and the original Snickers Xtreme, which swaps the nougat for extra caramel and peanuts. And now, we’re seeing signs that the Snickers Xtreme line is expanding to include an almond-focused version.
Snickers Xtreme Almond: What We Know About the New Candy Bar FlavorJust like the original Snickers Xtreme, the new Snickers Xtreme Almond bar lacks the layer of nougat (a basic confection made of sugar and egg whites) and doubles up on the smooth caramel layer. Instead of extra peanuts, though, this version features more almonds.
Related: New Snickers Flavor Is ‘A Game Changer,’ According to Fans
“I’m a REESES guy, but that XTREME ALMOND SNICKERS looks awesome,” one Facebook user gushed.
Two more fans were left speechless, with one sharing a series of fire emojis and another writing excited nonsense in response to a photo of the item that influencer CandyHunting posted on Instagram.
“I just need it in [peanut],” one more gushed, apparently unaware that Snickers Xtreme already exists.
View this post on InstagramAlthough Snickers hasn’t officially announced its arrival, eagle-eyed shoppers have already spotted the new item at select Speedway stores. The item is also listed as “coming soon” on the Walmart website (prices and availability may vary). Whether the new variety is a limited-time offer or a permanent addition is currently unclear.
Parade reached out to a spokesperson for comment.
Next: A Beloved Lindt Lindor Truffle Flavor Is Officially Back for Fall—Here’s Where to Find It
1967 Folk Rock Song, Written by Michael Nesmith, Is Still a Powerful Hit 59 Years Later
Before Michael Nesmith found fame as a member of The Monkees, he wrote a breakup song that would play a pivotal role in launching another young artist’s career.
“Different Drum” became a breakthrough hit for the Stone Poneys, with a 21-year-old Linda Ronstadt delivering the poised lead vocal. Released in 1967, the song reached the Top 20 and gave Ronstadt her first taste of national success years before she became one of the biggest solo artists of the 1970s.
Nesmith had written the song several years earlier.
“It’s got the twang, and it’s got the balance, and it’s got all that stuff. That’s real kind of mountain music,” Nesmith told Rebeat of his original vision for the song. “That’s home-style backyard, a hot Saturday afternoon, and fruit jars full of ice tea. That’s where that comes from. I sang ‘Different Drum’ for John Herald of the Greenbriar Boys like that. He took it home and turned it into the ballad that it became.”
The Greenbriar Boys first recorded “Different Drum” for their 1966 album Better Late Than Never!
By 1967, Nesmith was a television star with The Monkees, while the Stone Poneys were building their reputation in Los Angeles.
“[Nesmith] went to the [Monkees] producers in the early days and brought ’em ‘Different Drum,'” Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz told Ultimate Classic Rock. “He played it for them, and they said, ‘Well, that’s nice, but it’s not a Monkees tune.’ He said, ‘Wait a minute. I am one of the Monkees.’ They said, ‘Yeah, yeah, we know. But no thanks. It’s really not a Monkees tune.’ So he said, ‘Okay,’ and gave it to Linda Ronstadt, and look what happened.”
Ronstadt had formed the folk-rock trio with Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards, and “Different Drum” became the song that separated them from the pack. Producer Nick Venet brought in outside musicians for the recording, giving Nesmith’s composition a polished arrangement featuring strings and harpsichord.
At its center was Ronstadt.
“That song had a sentiment that I wanted to say,” Ronstadt told Rock Cellar Magazine. “It was something I wanted to proclaim for myself, which is how I pick all the songs I sing.”
Rather than pleading for a relationship to survive, the narrator calmly explains that two people simply want different things. The independent sentiment proved a natural match for Ronstadt’s clear, confident vocal, even though she later acknowledged that she initially struggled to interpret the song because she lacked the life experience to fully understand its lyrics.
“The version of ‘Different Drum’ that was a hit was the second time we cut it,” Ronstadt said. “We’d cut it first with just guitar, a mandolin and acoustic bass. I didn’t think that version was strong enough so we decided to recut it but then we recut it with the orchestra, which was shocking to me. We only ran through two takes of it and that was it.”
The record took off.
“Different Drum” climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the Stone Poneys’ biggest hit. Although the group’s time together proved brief, its success provided Ronstadt with the foundation for a solo career that would produce hits including “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved.”
Nesmith, meanwhile, continued writing and recording both during and after his years with The Monkees, eventually becoming an influential figure in country rock.
Fifty-nine years after the Stone Poneys released it, “Different Drum” still feels strikingly self-assured. Written by one future star and sung by another, the 1967 hit captured two remarkable careers just as they were beginning to unfold.
Related: 1974 Soft Rock Song, Written in a California Hotel Room, Became a Generational Hit
Country Star Ella Langley's No. 1 Hit Makes Billboard Chart History
The Ella Langley reign doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon, as the country singer just marked another milestone with her record-breaking No. 1 hit, Choosin’ Texas. The song is now only the second song in the Billboard Hot 100’s 68-year history to remain in the top spot for 20 weeks—and it makes history as the first non-holiday hit to achieve the feat.
And the country star is closing in on Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” record, which held strong with 22 weeks at No. 1.
As of Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, Billboard provided an updated list of the longest-leading hits, ranked by most weeks at No. 1 ever on the Hot 100:
• 22 weeks, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey, 2019-26
• 20 weeks, “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley, 2026
• 19 weeks, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey, 2024
• 19 weeks, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, 2019
• 16 weeks, “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen, 2023
• 16 weeks, “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, 2017
• 16 weeks, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, 1995-96
As Parade previously reported, the 27-year-old country songstress could possibly have the “biggest song of all time” on her hands. Marissa Moss, a senior writer at Rolling Stone, told Vox’s Today, Explained podcast that Ella Langley‘s smash country hit of the summer, “Choosin’ Texas,” is just weeks away from dethroning Carey’s holiday hit — an incredible feat that Moss said she could have “never predicted.”
A relative newcomer to the country scene, in 2024, she released her debut album, Hungover, featuring her hit duet with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me.” Her 2026 sophomore album, Dandelion, debuted in the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart and “Choosin’ Texas” was its first single, released in October 2025.
“We loved the song when we wrote it, but none of us thought that it would be the song to do everything it’s doing,” Langley told Billboard earlier this year of the massive breakout hit, which she co-wrote with Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor. “It keeps giving us a reason to celebrate new milestones.”
Next, 1986 Country Ballad, Reimagined By Ella Langley, Still Holds Up Over 40 Years Later
