Parade

A 1972 Bill Withers classic has been sung at graduations, funerals, presidential inaugurations, and Olympic ceremonies.

It's also the song that ended Leonardo DiCaprio's musical career before it ever started.

The story begins with Baz Luhrmann, who’d already worked with DiCaprio on Romeo + Julietin 1996. When it came time to cast Moulin Rouge!, Luhrmann wanted his former Romeo for the role of Christian, a starving romantic poet at the center of a Parisian love story. The role required someone who could sing lush romantic numbers including Elton John's "Your Song" and the film's original ballad "Come What May" in front of a full orchestra. Luhrmann needed a standout voice. To his dismay, he was about to find out DiCaprio didn't have one.

The two sat down for a private session. Just them and a single piano player. They picked a song to try together: Bill Withers' "Lean on Me." 

It did not go well at all.

"To be honest, I'm not really prepared to do a musical, simply because I think I have a pretty atrocious voice," DiCaprio said later. "We had a friendly thing where it was me and him and a piano player, and we tried to sing a song together. It didn't go too well. I think it was 'Lean on Me,' and when I hit the high note, he just turned to me."

What Luhrmann said next was polite, brief, and final.

"Yes, D, I don't know if this conversation should continue."

That was the end of Leonardo DiCaprio's Moulin Rouge! audition.

Related: Linda Ronstadt Hired Two Unknowns for 1971 Disneyland Concert — Accidentally Assembling One of Rock's Greatest Bands

There was also a personal angle to what came next. Ewan McGregor had already lost a major role to DiCaprio once before, missing out on Danny Boyle's The Beach. Taking the Christian role from the actor who had beaten him to that earlier part was, by most accounts, a satisfying turnaround.

There's a particular irony in the song that did it. Bill Withers was in his early 30s when he wrote "Lean on Me" in 1971. He’d spent nine years in the U.S. Navy before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked at a factory making aircraft parts for Boeing 747s to get by. He spent his nights recording demos. At the time, he was already considered old for a first-time artist when his first album came out.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

He wrote that song, drawing on his memories of growing up in Slab Fork, West Virginia, a small coal mining community where neighbors genuinely depended on one another to survive. He stumbled on the phrase "Lean on Me" while running his hands up and down the keys of a new Wurlitzer electric piano and built the entire song around it. It’s been recorded by hundreds of artists since.

The song doesn't require a trained voice or a wide range. It has one moment where the melody climbs and holds, a sustained high note in the bridge that separates the singers from everyone else.

DiCaprio missed it. Luhrmann heard it. The audition was over.

A song that was designed to be sung by everyone, regardless of how they sounded, turned out to be the one that proved Leonardo DiCaprio couldn't sing.

The Role That Went to Everyone Else First

Once DiCaprio was definitely out, the audition queue filled up fast.

Ethan Hawke has claimed that he gave the best screen test of his life for Moulin Rouge! and still didn't get the part. Heath Ledger auditioned. Jake Gyllenhaal even auditioned. Still, each of them walked out without the role.

Ewan McGregor won the role.

His ability to actually sing, combined with the chemistry he built with Nicole Kidman, carried the film to eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Moulin Rouge! won two Academy Awards and turned McGregor into a household name on a scale he hadn't previously experienced.

This year marks the film's 25th anniversary. The film's soundtrack is being rediscovered by a whole new generation who weren't alive when it came out — including my own daughters.

@disneyspain

COME WHAT MAY! Reunidos, por fin ❤️ #MoulinRouge disponible en @disneypluses #CineEnTikTok

♬ sonido original - disneyspain - disneyspain

Meanwhile, DiCaprio’s never attempted a musical since. He’s acknowledged his voice is the reason. No footage exists of the "Lean on Me" audition, and DiCaprio isn’t complaining.

Ironically, DiCaprio is currently attached to play Frank Sinatra in a biopic being developed with director Martin Scorsese. As of February 2026, DiCaprio confirmed the project is "still in the works." The film, if it happens, would require him to embody one of the greatest vocal artists in all of American history.

The man who couldn't hit the high note in "Lean on Me" and told Baz Luhrmann he had "a pretty atrocious voice" is now officially attached to play a man with one of the most recognizable voices in music.

Baz Luhrmann has made no comment.

Since Withers’ death in 2020, his music’s only grown in popularity, with "Lean on Me" turning up at disaster relief fundraisers, sporting celebrations, and graduation ceremonies around the world every single year.

Bill Withers wrote it as a gift for strangers.

It turned out to be a career-defining gift for Ewan McGregor.

And the man it humbled is still, somehow, circling the world of music from a very safe distance. But, maybe not for much longer.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

One of music's most loved synth-pop stars turned 72 today.

Neil Tennant, co-founder of Pet Shop Boys, was born on July 10, 1954 in North Shields, England. Known for major smash hits such as "West End Girls" and "It's a Sin," Tennant founded the band in 1981 alongside Chris Lowe after they, very fittingly, crossed paths at a record store in London. According to reports, Tennant was purchasing a Korg MS-10 synthesizer at the time, which piqued Lowe's interest in striking up a conversation, and a friendship soon blossomed.

At the time, Tennant was working as a music journalist for British magazine, and after he flew to New York City to interview Sting. During the trip, the aspiring musician tracked down famed producer Bobby Orlando, handing him a Pet Shop Boys demo that included "West End Girls."

The track was originally released in early 1984, but a re-recorded re-release in October 1985 is what really took off. Soaring to the top of the charts all over the world, became an instant success. In Nov. 1985, it hit No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart before topping the Billboard Hot 100 a few months later in May 1986.

In 2020, The Guardian named "West End Girls" the greatest U.K. no 1. — but it's not something that Tennant would necessarily agree on.

"Well, I would have chosen ‘Good Vibrations,’" he told the outlet. “It’s obviously intensely subjective. I can see that 'West End Girls' is quite a lot of records in one record."

Touching on the themes of the song, the Grammy-nominated singer explained that it was originally supposed to be a rap track.

"It’s a dance record. It was actually written to be a rap record, back in the day. It’s a moody soundscape," he recalled. "It’s about the city at night. It’s about boys and girls meeting to have fun and presumably to bond. It’s about sex."

Tennant's influence also spans far beyond music, as he was the inspiration behind one of Britain's most beloved actor's stage names.

"I did my first job at 16 — at 16 years old I didn't know actors, I didn't know how you chose a name," Dr. Who actor David Tennant said during a 2016 interview on The Late Late Show with James Corden. "I flicked through a music magazine. So I'm sort of named after Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys."

Related: Last Surviving Original Member of Iconic ’80s Band Turns 69

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

When summer temperatures start climbing, staying comfortable doesn't have to mean investing in an expensive cooling system. Portable air conditioners offer an easy way to bring refreshing cold air into your home without the cost and commitment of central air. 

The Costway 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is currently on clearance at Walmart starting at $180, marked down from $400. Available in three colors — black, gray, and white — it’s an easy way to add cooling power to your home. Discounts vary slightly by color, but the most you’ll pay for any unit is $225. Shoppers said it’s an effective solution for beating the heat and helping their spaces stay comfortable throughout the summer. 

Costway 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, From $180 (was $400) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

A comfortable home doesn’t have to mean cranking up the central air all summer. The Costway 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner offers a flexible cooling solution for bedrooms, offices, and other warm spaces with its 10,000 BTU cooling power and ability to cool areas up to 350 square feet. 

One reviewer said it quickly transformed their space, writing, “Within the first half hour of having it on, it cooled down my room so quickly.” Another Walmart shopper called it an “excellent little machine” that was “worth every penny.”

This 3-in-1 design works as an air conditioner, fan, and a dehumidifier that can remove up to 50 pints of moisture per day. It also features a smart touch panel, LED display, and remote control, making it easy to adjust the temperature and settings from wherever you are. 

This unit is on wheels and has built-in handles, which make it easy to move wherever you need extra cooling. It’s also compact, measuring just 27.5 inches tall, 12.5 inches long, and 12 inches wide. Shoppers described it as “small but efficient.”

For even more comfort, adjustable airflow shutters and two fan speeds let you direct cool air exactly where you need it. A sleep mode runs at around 65 decibels — about the sound of a normal conversation — so you can stay comfortable without unwanted noise at night. In addition, the programmable timer lets you set the unit to turn off automatically so you don’t waste energy.

Shop More Deals

• Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan, $110 (was $150) at Walmart
• Beeprincess 10-Piece Cooling Towel Set, $13 (was $26) at Walmart
• Bilispark Portable Neck Fan, $14 (was $18) at Walmart

Related: Walmart's 'Very Cold' $184 Portable Air Conditioner Is a 'Lifesaver' During Hot Summer Days

For a portable AC unit that cools fast, the Costway 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is an enticing deal at $180. At over 50% off, it's worth grabbing before it sells out. 

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 the 1970s, the ABC television drama Family told the story of the tight-knit Lawrence clan, a family whose relatable ups and downs mirrored viewers' lives. At the heart of that magic was a cast of young actors who quickly became some of the decade's defining teen idols.

As the series celebrates its 50th anniversary, two of its actors are reuniting for an unforgettable event. Kristy McNichol and Leif Garrett will be two of several former Family cast members attending Nite of Dreams' Family 50th Anniversary Gala.

Former Family Cast members McNichol (Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence), Gary Frank (Willie Lawrence), John Rubenstein (Jeff Maitland), Elayne Heilveil (Nancy Lawrence Maitland), Louise Foley (Audrey Pfeiffer), and producer Caroll Newman are scheduled to attend the event. Garrett played the recurring character of Zack Russell, McNichols' television boyfriend on the series.

The event promises a meet and greet, cast Q&A, photo-op, and a meal. Raffle items are set to benefit Caterina's Club, a local Orange County, California, organization that provides meals to children in need.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

The reunion of Garrett and McNichol comes almost 50 years after he played the recurring role of Buddy's boyfriend. Their on-screen pairing helped cement their status as teen idols, forging a deep, nostalgic bond with a generation of viewers who grew up alongside them.

In the series, Garrett and McNichol perfectly captured the rush of teenage first love. Their most memorable storyline came in the iconic episode "All For Love," which found Buddy navigating intense pressure as she hesitated to take her relationship with Zack to the next level.

RELATED: ’70s Superstar Scored His Biggest Hit With 1978 Song He Never Wanted to Record

Watching Buddy navigate those relationship issues gave a voice to what millions of teenagers experienced in real life. The role of the fiercely independent young woman cemented McNichol's status as a definitive voice for her generation.

McNichol won two Emmy Awards for her work on Family. She took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in both 1977 and 1979.

Both McNichol and Garrett would go on to other projects after Family ended. Garrett dominated the pop charts with "I Was Made for Dancin'" and starred in The Outsiders. McNichol starred in blockbuster films like Little Darlings, Only When I Laugh, the cult classic The Pirate Movie, and the hit sitcomEmpty Nest. Unfortunately, never worked together again.

However, fans of '70s television and pop culture never really let go of their love for the series or the actors. For many viewers, watching Buddy and Zack navigate the messy realities of growing up was a weekly ritual.

RELATED: ’70s Teen Idol Robby Benson: Where He Is Now?

Sharing a stage again for this 50th anniversary is the kind of full-circle moment classic television fans wait for. This isn't just a reunion; it's a massive piece of childhood coming right back to life.

Family's 50th Anniversary Gala is set to take place on October 25 at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Monter.

Related: Rarely Seen ’80s Teen Icons Reunite for Beloved ‘The Pirate Movie’ Screening

Mötley Crüe has been on a wild ride, from the hair metal era that made them household names to an epic comeback following the usual "retirement" tour we all suspected wouldn't hold up.

While you'll still see Nikki Sixx "slappin' da bass", Vince Neil belting his signature high notes, and Tommy Lee stealing the show behind the kit, the legendary rock band had to regroup after Mick Mars' controversial exit in 2022.

Leaving Rob Zombie behind, virtuoso metal icon John 5 fit the bill to fill Mick Mars' shoes as Mötley Crüe's second full-time guitarist in their four-decade run.

Now, John 5 is back in solo mode, and you'll never guess who teamed up with him for the latest single and music video— especially since it sounds nothing like the fist-pumping anthems Mötley Crüe built its name on.

John 5 Drops New Blues-Infused Single

Getty Images

Do the words folksy, bluesy, and soulful come to mind when you think of Mötley Crüe?

Fat chance, but those are just a few adjectives that sum up John 5's You, Me and the Devil Makes Three.

After dropping 2 singles already from his latest album Ghost — “Fiend” and “Deviant” — the third release features Mötley bandmate Tommy Lee on drums.

What may be even more surprising is that the entire album is an instrumental, letting John 5's unmistakable riffs do all the talking. Essentially a love letter to the guitar, the project takes a very different approach from Tommy Lee's own 2005 solo album, Tommyland: The Ride, which was re-released last spring with a new track featuring his vocals.

Catch John 5 On Tour This Fall

G

As Mötley Crüe wraps up their 33-city tour in September, John 5 will venture "across the pond" on his own run this autumn with 8 shows across the U.K. this October:

• October 11, 2026 — Exeter, United Kingdom
• October 12, 2026 — Southampton, United Kingdom
• October 13, 2026 — Bristol, United Kingdom
• October 14, 2026 — Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
• October 15, 2026 — Chester, United Kingdom
• October 16, 2026 — Newcastle, United Kingdom
• October 17, 2026 — Glasgow, United Kingdom
• October 18, 2026 — Manchester, United Kingdom

According to John 5's official website, he will also circle back to North America for 4 shows in November:

• November 5, 2026 — Guadalajara, Mexico
• November 6, 2026 — Chihuahua, Mexico
• November 7, 2026 — Monterrey, Mexico
• November 8, 2026 — Mexico City, Mexico

Erin Napier couldn't help but get emotional as the HGTV star looked back on the "sacrifice" husband Ben Napier made to secure the start of their life together.

The Home Town star, 40, shared the special story behind her engagement ring in an Instagram post on Wednesday, July 8, after coming across the original payment plan for the sparkler while drying out some of the sentimental items that got wet when the couple's basement flooded.

"It rained for two months, and so our basement flooded," she wrote in the caption. "Ben keeps a shoebox of things that were special to him as a boy down there. Inside it are photos from high school, school and sports awards, colorful notes from girls who were cheering for him at the game, and this."

Included in the post was the original payment contract for Erin's engagement ring, dated Sept. 15, 2007, which outlined how Ben would eventually pay off the $3,210 ring in installments.

“[Ben] had it all spread out on the stairs drying, and I felt a lump in my throat seeing the dollar amount for what he sacrificed and worked so hard to give me when he could barely afford gas for his truck senior year at Ole Miss,” Erin wrote, adding that she "didn't expect" the ring "at all," and "would’ve married him with a dandelion tied around [her] finger.”

View this post on Instagram

The Laurel Mercantile Co. couple got engaged on Sept. 21, 2007, three years after meeting one another, and they tied the knot on Nov. 22, 2008. The duo now shares daughters Helen, 8, and Mae, 5.

Last month, Erin took to Instagram to declare herself and her daughters "the luckiest" to have Ben in their lives. "If I went out of town for 2 weeks, he would know just what to do. He would know how much syrup Mae likes on her waffles in the morning, and how Helen falls asleep faster if you rub her feet at bedtime," she wrote in the June 21 post. "He knows when a girl is crying she probably needs a snack, a hug and a swim. He carries us. We are the luckiest."

Agnostic Front announced additional dates for their 2026 concert calendar.

The '80s hardcore punk and metal band fronted by Roger Miret treated fans to a series of multigenerational shows as they teamed up with fellow hardcore punk band Angel Du$t for a co-headlining tour.

Adding to the band's jam-packed 2026 run, the duo is set for an exciting East Coast tour that will kick off during the last week of September in Richmond, Virginia before concluding in Reading, Pennsylvania in October.

Throughout the two-month tour, Agnostic Front and Angel Du$t will also perform in major cities across North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and beyond, giving fans an intense night of hardcore and punk music.

Singer Roger Miret and guitarist Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front during the 2022 Hellfest Open Air .

Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images

In addition to the 11-date trek, the duo has invited Florida hardcore band STEP 2 THIS to join as the supporting act.

The fun doesn't stop there as the East Coast tour was scheduled around Turnstile's upcoming NEVER ENOUGH tour, which means fans will get to see Agnostic Front and Angel Du$t open for the rock band's Sept. 29 concert in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“We are excited to hit the road with our friends Angel Du$t this fall for a short East Coast blitz,” Miret said in a statement as cited by Revolver Magazine. “A highlight moment for sure will be our date with Turnstile where we can all celebrate the phenomenal evolution of Hardcore then and now! It’s going to be a blast!”

View this post on Instagram Agnostic Front and Angel Du$t's Co-Headlining Tour 2026 Schedule:

Sep. 27 - Richmond, VA
Sep. 29 - Raleigh, NC (opening for Turnstile's "NEVER ENOUGH" tour)
Sep. 30 - Asheville, NC
Oct. 1 - Atlanta, GA
Oct. 2 - Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 3 - Miami, FL
Oct. 4 - Bradenton, FL
Oct. 5 - Orlando, FL
Oct. 7 - Lexington, SC
Oct. 8 - Norfolk, VA
Oct. 9 - Reading, PA

Prior to this, Agnostic Front, with its current lineup of Vinnie Stigma and Craig Silverman on guitar, Mike Gallo on bass, Danny Lamagna on drums and Miret on vocals, has been touring Europe, which continues through mid-August.

As for the 2010s hardcore band, the upcoming tour follows the release of Angel Du$t's sixth studio album, COLD 2 THE TOUCH.

Justice Tripp of Angel Du$t performs at Teragram Ballroom on September 30, 2021

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Officially released in February under Run For Cover, the 26-minute album showcases the quintet's brand of “aggressive rock’n’roll.”

Agnostic Front’s European and North American Tour 2026

Jul. 10 – London, United Kingdom
Jul. 11 – Düsseldorf, Germany
Jul. 25 – Töging, Germany
Jul. 26 – Tolmin, Slovenia
Jul. 27 – Pula, Croatia
Jul. 28 – Azzano Decimo, Italy
Jul. 29 – Roma, Italy
Jul. 30 – Settimo Torinese, Italy
Jul. 31 – Albi, France
Aug. 1 – Gränichen, Switzerland
Aug. 2 – Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, France
Aug. 3 – Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Aug. 4 – Weinheim, Germany
Aug. 5 – Aachen, Germany
Aug. 8 – Duffel, Belgium
Aug. 9 – Essen, Germany
Aug. 10 – Braunschweig, Germany
Aug. 11 – Augsburg, Germany
Aug. 12 – Jena, Germany
Aug. 13 – Kraków, Poland
Aug. 14 – Graz, Austria
Aug. 15 – Sulingen, Germany
Aug. 21 – Montréal, QC
Sep. 12–13 – México, Mexico
Sep. 19 – Louisville, KY
Sep. 26 – Brooklyn, NY

Related: '80s Rock Band, Disbanded After Four Years, Ranked Among 'Greatest Supergroups' of All Time

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) has been a fan-favorite phenomenon since its inaugural year in 1970, and in the decades since, this massive event has only grown bigger, bolder and more exciting. This year's SDCC will take place from July 23 to July 26 and will feature some of the biggest names in movies and TV today, along with a host of exclusive merch and collectibles.

Among the latter are various new products from Mattel, but one line in particular, named "Fandom in the Fast Lane," is a must-have for fans of Top Gun, Stranger Things and KPop Demon Hunters—the first two of which have made more than $1 billion as franchises overall, and the third of which has earned millions.

These exclusives will also bring some 1960s (and beyond) nostalgia, as all three new products merge these hugely popular franchises with the tried-and-true brand Hot Wheels.

The SDCC exclusive Hot Wheels Top Gun 40th Anniversary set comprises an F-14 Tom Cat model and an MiG-28 model aligned one on top of the other, showcased on a collectible display box that includes Goose's line from the first Top Gun movie, "Watch the birdie."

The Hot Wheels Stranger Things 10th Anniversary Hawkins Van features the iconic Hawkins Power and Light van from the beloved Netflix show, along with figures of Mike Wheeler, Eleven, Lucas Sinclair and Dustin Henderson on their bikes from the first season.

Finally, the Hot Wheels KPop Demon Hunters Porsche 911 GT3 R features the design of the lovable "demon cat," Derpy Tiger, from the smash hit musical and the sleek body of a Porsche in a classic Hot Wheels car. Decals along the body of the car also depict various images and words from the movie, including a reference to the Grammy Award-winning song "Golden" and the logo for HUNTR/X.

All three products will debut at Mattel's SDCC booth on July 23, and they will be available for pre-order on Mattel's website.

Vicki Gunvalson is back with her RHOC orange, but she still hasn’t let Andy Cohen forget the day he took it away.

During a Watch What Happens Live appearance following the premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20, Gunvalson and Cohen looked back on their two-decade Housewives journey — with Gunvalson making sure to remind him that she wasn’t exactly thrilled when he fired her.

Gunvalson was let go from The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2020 after 14 seasons with the franchise, including a Season 14 demotion to “friend.” Bravo said the decision was made to bring in newer blood and fresh storylines. After her controversial exit, Gunvalson returned as a full-time cast member for RHOC’s 20th season.

“Since I gave Vicki the orange, it’s like I feel like every time I see you, we are more connected,” Cohen said, reflecting on their longtime relationship after Gunvalson praised him for respecting her.

Gunvalson quickly fired back: “Because I didn’t like it when you fired me!”

“I know,” Cohen replied with a laugh.

While Gunvalson has brought up her frustration with her exit before, Cohen shifted the conversation to celebrating RHOC’s unprecedented 20-season run.

“It’s unheard of for a series to be on the air for 20 years, 20 seasons,” Cohen said, adding that he has known Gunvalson since the beginning and that the show has changed both of their lives.

"So, I feel very connected to you in a really nice way," Cohen said. "And I feel like, this has been such an amazing ride and I'm so grateful for it and I'm grateful for you and I'm grateful for every housewife that has stepped in front of the cameras and opened up their lives to to fans of the show like me and Sarah [Sherman] and all of you and our queens and it's it's an amazing thing."

The Real Housewives of Orange County is on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

Ramen is practically a staple food in my house, where you can spot someone snacking on it any time of day. But while we tend to stick with the same one or two brands, it's hard to ignore the excitement surrounding Samyang's Buldak ramen.

This brand has popped up all over TikTok and YouTube, with people doing their best to see how much of the spicy noodles they can take. After all, Buldak translates to "spicy chicken," and this ramen is no joke.

I love spicy foods, but Buldak seriously tests the limits of heat. We have a family friend from Mexico who regularly talks about how she's been eating spicy foods since she was a toddler—and even she said she steers clear of some flavors of Buldak.

Of course, these instant noodles are more than spice. They get high marks for having complex flavors, and they come at you in waves, making for a really interesting eating experience.

Naturally, I had to try these out for myself. Could packaged ramen actually be that spicy? And, if the brand has caught your eye, which flavor should you try? I dove into the most popular Buldak flavors to learn more and rank them all from worst to best. (And, spoiler alert: Yep, these are really, really spicy. My tongue is still recovering.)

Related: Suddenly Craving Spicy Food? Here's What It Could Mean

Courtesy Korin Miller

How I Tested the Buldak Ramen Noodles

To test Buldak noodles, I spent solid time going through TikTok, YouTube and Reddit to see which flavors people talked about the most. From there, I picked up 11 of the most popular flavors and prepared them.

Courtesy Korin Miller

Each type of Buldak ramen was tested on its own, and then head-to-head with the other flavors. Because these are so spicy, I had bites of bread and sips of milk in between noodles.

My nine-year-old, who loves spicy foods, was excited to try these as well, so he recruited several neighborhood friends to try the noodles and do their own Fire Noodle Challenge. From there, word spread and other adults joined in the fun. Here's what we discovered.

Related: I Tried 21 Different Spicy Chips To Find the Very Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide

Parade

11 Popular Buldak Ramen Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best

If you don't like spicy foods, there's no flavor of Buldak that will do it for you. But if you're into some heavy spice or even just want to test the limits of your tongue, there are certain flavors that rise above the rest. Consider these.

11. Swicy

Courtesy Korin Miller

Swicy is Buldak's sweet and spicy option. In fact, the package shows sprinkles over ramen to showcase how sweet this is. That's no exaggeration. This ramen tastes like spicy noodles with sugar mixed in. It's not bad, but it tastes more like something Buddy the Elf would love. This flavor got the thumbs up from some kids, but was consistently ranked as least favorite by adults.

10. Cheese

Courtesy Korin Miller

Buldak's Cheese ramen is unique. There's a definite cheesy flavor, but it tastes artificial. (To be fair, the package even says that it's artificially flavored.) It's not quite as spicy as some of the others, but still has a very high level of heat. You're unlikely to get very far into this bowl before needing to cool off your tongue.

9. Original

Courtesy Korin Miller

It's not entirely clear what Buldak Original is supposed to taste like. It has a strong noodles and hot sauce flavor that's unique, but not bad. This ramen hits you with spice, and then gets spicier with time. It tastes like it could use a little more salt and flavoring, though. The spiciness from these noodles stays with you over time, too.

8. 2x Spicy

Courtesy Korin Miller

This is the ramen that keeps popping up in the viral Fire Noodle Challenges online. At first, it tastes like regular ramen, but slowly gets spicier in your mouth after that first bite before becoming an inferno in your mouth.

Unless you have a tongue of steel, I'd have something ready to cool off with. This ramen is so spicy, it will hurt your lips. I'm sure it has a flavor, but it's hard to tell what it is over all that heat.

7. Yakisoba

Courtesy Korin Miller

Yakisoba is a classic Japanese stir fry made with noodles, vegetables and pork in a sweet and savory sauce. Buldak's Yakisoba has a strong chicken flavor to start, followed by a slight savory-sweet taste. It has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor with a smoky aftertaste that's tasty. That's followed by a wave of heat.

Related: I Tried the Viral 2-Ingredient Japanese Cheesecake Hack and the Internet Is 100% Correct

6. Quattro Cheese

Courtesy Korin Miller

Buldak really shines with its creamier ramen, and the Quattro Cheese is a tasty place to start. This ramen forms a creamy, cheesy consistency that really draws you in. But you only get a little of the cheese flavor before you're hit with heat. Your lips will be left burning after this one.

5. Habanero Lime

Courtesy Korin Miller

Many of the Buldak ramen flavors taste similar to each other, but the Habanero Lime option has a distinct taste that makes it stand out. There is a clear lime flavor with your first bite to give this a tangy taste to start. A few seconds later, it gets very, very spicy. But the flavor is unique and fun, making it something you'll crave again in the future (once your tongue recovers, of course).

4. Carbonara

Courtesy Korin Miller

While Buldak has several cheesy ramen flavors, the Carbonara tastes the most like a spicy mac 'n cheese. It's creamy and slightly sweet, with an impressively cheesy flavor. It's not the spiciest option on this list, allowing you to taste more of the ramen itself before experiencing the heat.

3. Cream Carbonara 

Courtesy Korin Miller

While Buldak has a Carbonara flavor, the Cream Carbonara option is slightly different. This ramen is a littler creamier than the "regular" Carbonara, and it has a tasty flavor profile with a slight pork edge to balance out the cheesiness. It also looks creamy and pretty in a bowl. Don't be fooled by the creaminess, though. It's spicy and gets hotter every few seconds.

2. Taco

Courtesy Korin Miller

It can be hard to know what some Buldak flavors are supposed to be, but Taco has a very clear taco spice flavor. It tastes like taco seasoning blended into noodles for a different ramen experience than I've ever had. It's fun, it's unique and, of course, it's really spicy.

1. Rosé

Courtesy Korin Miller

There are several Buldak ramen flavors that were top contenders, but Rosé was a clear favorite. They're a blend of all of the best elements of Buldak ramen—there's creaminess, a tomato edge and heat. It's spicy, but not unbearable, and the creamy consistency is perfectly balanced with a nice kick. The rose color it delivers is also really pretty, making this the total package.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried 15 of the Best Soy Sauces—and One Completely Changed My Mind

If you've been watching the cruise industry completely shatter records lately, you already know that the race to build the next grand marvel at sea is moving at an absolute breakneck pace. We're barely living through the massive cultural waves of the mega-ship era before the masterminds behind the curtains start pulling back the tarp on what is coming next.

Case in point: Royal Caribbean Group just dropped the very first details about its highly anticipated, next-generation Discovery Class, and it's poised to completely rewrite the formula for how we tackle our ultimate bucket-list destinations.

During a recent global press briefing aboard the brand-new Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty and President and CEO Michael Bayley sat down to discuss the company's long-term vision. Naturally, everyone in the room was desperate to get the real scoop on what this mystery class of ships will actually look like.

Related: Everything We Know So Far About Royal Caribbean’s High-Stakes New ‘Discovery Class’

When pressed for concrete details on the new build, Bayley didn't hesitate to give a masterclass in corporate teasing. "Discovery Class is a class for Royal Caribbean," Bayley shared. "Class by its name, it will go to Asia, it will go to Alaska, it will go to Europe. One of the things that we have done, which we've already spoken about, is that ship will be specifically designed for those types of more exotic experiences."

The response was so carefully vague that it prompted a laugh from the big boss himself. "I thought that was a brilliant answer because you really didn't say anything about it," Liberty joked from the stage.

Bayley laughed right along with him, offering a peek behind the executive curtain. "Actually, that's because of my best experience in corporate America, you know. I've learned to say it a lot, but then when you analyse it, you think, 'What did he say?'"

But despite the good-natured evasion, if you listen closely to the operational math, there is actually a tremendous amount of concrete news baked into this announcement.

For starters, we finally have an official timeline. The first Discovery Class ship is officially scheduled for delivery in 2029, with the formal marketing and "go-to-market" booking communications slated to launch in late 2027. The ships will be built at the legendary shipyards in France, continuing Royal Caribbean's deep tradition of European naval craftsmanship.

Perhaps the most significant design revelation is the physical footprint of the ship itself. Unlike the record-breaking, towering hulls of the Icon and Oasis classes, the Discovery Class is being engineered with a very specific, nimble superpower: it is custom-built to seamlessly pass right through the Panama Canal.

Related: Why Royal Caribbean’s Move Away From Mega-Ships Is Great News for Your Travel Bucket List

In the cruise world, that layout change is an absolute logistical game-changer. Right now, if a mega-ship wants to transition from a summer season in Alaska back down to the warm waters of the Caribbean, it has to undertake a grueling, 60-day journey all the way around the southern tip of the continent. By sizing the Discovery Class to cut directly through the canal, Royal Caribbean is shrinking that transition window down to just two weeks. This gives the fleet unprecedented agility to chase the best global weather and deploy ships to exotic markets much more efficiently.

Longtime fans of the line can also expect a curated "best-of" compilation when they step on board. The design team is cherry-picking the absolute favorite elements from every single generation of ships that came before them. "We've taken many of the things we've learned from this class," Bayley explained, referring to the brand-new Legend. "Moved them across into discovery, along with what we learned in Oasis class, and Freedom class, and Voyager class, and all the classes that we built over time."

As industry expert Stewart Chiron, widely known as "The Cruise Guy," recently noted when analyzing the line's aggressive expansion strategy, Royal Caribbean's ability to consistently introduce new hardware is exactly what keeps the market completely hooked. It stimulates an immense amount of consumer demand and captures that coveted "new-to-cruise" crowd who might have previously thought a seafaring vacation wasn't for them.

It turns out that when it comes to checking off your dream vacation, size actually matters. "Slightly smaller gets them through Canal. Their big issue now is critical mass with ports and destinations," notes Chiron. "Mid-size ships give them more options to access more ports and destinations." 

Ultimately, whether you're already daydreaming about a smooth glacier cruise through the pristine waters of Alaska, an immersive tour through Asia, or a late-summer Mediterranean escape, the Discovery Class is shaping up to be the ultimate vessel to take you there. We might have to wait until 2027 to see the actual deck plans and water park renderings, but one thing is already abundantly clear: Royal Caribbean’s massive dream machine isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Related: Every Incredible New Surprise Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Latest Megaship, Legend of the Seas

Bunnie Xo has some words for body-shamers who took aim at her for gaining weight while going through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Bunnie, 46, shut down "miserable" people who make rude comments during the Tuesday, July 7, episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast.

"As I was going through IVF, it put weight on me, and people would be like, ‘Oh, she’s bigger than her husband now,'" said Bunnie, who is currently going through a divorce from estranged husband Jelly Roll. "And you’re literally trying to make a baby with your body."

She added, "It’s like people just have no respect. ... I’ve learned that it’s just miserable people who have nothing better to do than just comment on other people’s lives. So, you can’t ever let that get to you."

Bunnie explained that her endometriosis "just fed off of" the IVF hormones, causing her lower stomach to "pooch out" and look "three months pregnant."

“The only thing that took it away was microdosing the GLP-1," she revealed, adding that taking the drug was "not just about losing weight or taking a shortcut," but reducing inflammation in her body.

Jelly Roll, 41, filed for divorce from Bunnie after nearly a decade of marriage back in May, but the former couple has still expressed interest in continuing their IVF journey together.

"You guys are going to be shocked to hear this, but we’re still having a baby," Bunnie revealed last month on her podcast, saying that she and the country star, who is already father to 18-year-old daughter Bailee Ann and 9-year-old son Noah, still planned on co-parenting a child together.

"I’m so excited to live my life through a child’s eyes, which is why, with this baby journey, I’m not going to let it break me," she continued. "And I’m not going to detour it. J has been so great about us still having a baby together, and he wants the same thing."

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Snackle boxes were once an internet phenomenon, earning recognition as a game changer for snacking with their simple yet genius design. Essentially a tackle box for food, they’re now a staple for many, allowing users to conveniently bring a variety of snacks wherever they're headed, in one nifty container. If you’re looking to get yourself one for an upcoming road trip, beach picnic, or flight, this Cook With Color 8-Compartment Snackle Box at Walmart is a great option, having racked up over 900 five-star ratings.

Right now, you can score this snackle box on sale for a limited time with a flash deal. Normally retailing for $15, the blue version is now marked down to just $13. This snackle box is also available in brown, green, pink, and teal styles. Those normally retail for $16 and are now on sale for $14. 

Cook With Color 8-Compartment Snackle Box, From $13 (was $15) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This snackle box is ideal for road trips, movie nights, beach days, picnics, and more. Featuring eight compartments, it’s a must-have for anyone who appreciates having a variety of foods to choose from. Each compartment has a 7-ounce capacity and measures around 4 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches tall. It’s a convenient way to bring a generous amount of all your favorite snacks on the go without having to tote around eight separate bags. 

You can pack nearly any kind of snack in these compartments, whether it’s chips, candies, fruit, nuts, or crackers. This snackle box is also great for summer hosting, as you can create a charcuterie board with it or even use it to serve different dips and sauces. Reviewers attested to this, mentioning that it’s always a hit at gatherings. 

This box comes with a secure, airtight lid with snap closures on all four sides, keeping your food fresh and allowing you to pack it in a bag with peace of mind. The container measures around 12 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 3 inches tall. Placed sideways, it should be slim enough to fit in coolers, backpacks, and beach totes. For easy portability, the lid is equipped with two foldable top handles so you can carry it with one hand as you walk around the beach or park. 

“It keeps all my snacks sealed, fresh, and perfectly organized in their own little compartments,” one reviewer raved. “It's super convenient, super cute, and honestly just makes snacking on the go so much easier.”

Cook With Color 8-Compartment Snackle Box, From $13 (was $15) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Made of 100% food-safe plastic, the box and compartments are free of BPA and other harmful chemicals. This snackle box is fridge-safe, so you can also use it to refrigerate cut-up fruits and veggies or ingredients for meal prep. 

Even though this snackle box is intended for food, you can also use it for storage and organization purposes. This multipurpose box is great for storing craft supplies and hardware for DIY projects and organizing jewelry and trinkets to streamline your home. 

While you should handwash this snackle box, it’s designed for easy cleanup. The compartments are removable so you can wash them thoroughly and clean the base of the box without having to snake through the gaps. 

Shop More Deals 

• Taimaisi 34-Piece Glass Food Container Set, From $33 (was $56) at Walmart
• Sindcom 18-Piece Meal Prep Container Set, $9 (was $21) at Walmart
• Foukus 6-Pack of Glass Jars, $25 (was $40) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ $5 Flower Shop Doormat Brings Anthropologie-Inspired Charm to Your Front Porch for Less

Whether you’re looking to organize your home or thoroughly enjoy your summer outings, the Cook With Color 8-Compartment Snackle Box is sure to help. Head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for just $13!

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.

When Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie came out, we ran to the shelves. This was a novel we’d been waiting for, thanks to Marie’s ability to raise awareness and build an audience on social media.

Then there came THAT cliffhanger (and yes, she knows how cruel it was), and while we know that we should expect it because Immortal Consequences was always set to be more than one book, it didn’t mean we liked it.

The good news is that the wait for the answers and the rest of the story, with Ruinous Ends coming out on July 14, 2026. To mark the release, Parade chatted with Marie about her novel, building an audience before the release, and another release that is coming in 2026!

I had to ask about Ruinous Ends being a duology at first. There are many stories of authors realizing that they have more to tell as they get into the story, and while Marie knew that “it would be more than one book,” she didn’t quite know exactly how many books there would be in the story at first.

“I had a very clear picture of the beginning of where these characters started, the climax of their story in the middle, and the ending. I know very clearly where all six would end up, and I think it became clear very quickly that I would need more than one book to be able to fit it all in.”

It ended up being a conversation with her editor and agent about how many extra books it would take. “I think there could have been a world in which it was a trilogy, but ultimately, I’m happy with how it all wrapped up. I feel like I was able to get the character arcs fully fleshed out in two books.”

At the time we chatted, I’d just received the advanced reader’s copy (ARC), and I quickly found myself mesmerized by the cover, which the artist, Abel Klaer, did an amazing job on. He has also done the cover for the prequel novella, which is coming out at the end of 2026!

“After the first book, I trusted him wholeheartedly with turning something in that I knew would be gorgeous. I remember being in a coffee shop when the first cover came through, and I got the email. A friend and I both collectively gasped out loud. It was so much better than I thought it was going to be.”

Yes, there is a prequel story, which will focus on Wren and August 18 years before the events of Immortal Consequences. It gives us more backstory on Wren’s first week at Blackwood, so we know just why she and August had such a “tumultuous and twisted rivalry and relationship” that they do at the beginning of the first book in the duology.

Could we end up seeing prequels of the other characters? It’s certainly possible, with Marie sharing, “That’s always something that I feel like maybe later down the line can be revisited.”

For now, it’s just Wren and August, which isn’t that surprising considering the “intense fan base” that there is out there. Marie saw you and shared, “I thought it would be a great idea to get to know them a little bit more.”

Courtesy of Delacorte Press

There are six characters who take the lead throughout the duology, though, and you can always tell who is telling their story based on flow and language. They have distinct personalities that aren’t always easy to show in the writing, so I asked Marie more about that.

“I’m very much a discovery writer,” Marie explained, which isn’t the same as a panster. “I spend the first 15,000 to 20,000 words just writing. I don’t have any sort of outline or plan. I allow myself to get into the heads of these characters, and I naturally figure out their voices. Once I allow myself that room to free-write and meet these characters, then I go back and create an outline and finish the rest of the draft from there.”

Marie took advantage of social media to build an audience before she published Immortal Consequences, and it certainly helped the romantasy fly off the shelves.

“I wanted to find people who would resonate with these characters and feel connected to the story,” Marie admitted as we chatted about the new way to build traction, “And also just openly share my journey to get published. I know there are others Googling how to become an author, and I wanted to find those people, and it snowballed from there.”

Over time, people have found themselves drawn to particular characters. They’ve come to know the people who will tell them the stories, while also learning a little more about the highs and lows of publishing, but there was a little pressure after that, as it meant that people had already come to get an idea of what to expect.

“You never want to disappoint the readers,” Marie admitted to me as we talked about directions the novels could take based on fan expectations, “But the best book that you can write is the book that you want to write, so I trusted the gut feeling.”

She also knows that not everyone is going to love the ending, and that’s okay. It’s not a Game of Thrones ending, by the way! I can now say that for sure! Marie had a rule to follow and that’s to “not promise something that you’re not going to deliver.”

Marie has continued to remain active on social media while working on the second novel, which was originally set for a July 28 release date but is now coming out on July 14! It’s been less than a year since Immortal Consequences, although it feels like a lot longer with that cliffhanger.

“I continue to connect with my community online by posting on Instagram, giving them updates of what I’m doing, and have the aesthetic character videos that I post on Instagram and TikTok, which I think is a fun way to connect with pre-existing readers, but also find new ones.”

You won’t find spoilers, as Marie understands that not everyone wants a hardback book. Some people will only read paperbacks, and Immortal Consequences was only just recently released in paperback.

Marie has also been busy with other tasks, including planning for her wedding! She’s on tour for her book release; she’s working on another series that she hasn’t announced yet (we’ll be keeping an eye on things!); and she is also working on the release of Twisted Vows: An Immortal ConsequencesStory.

“There’s a lot to look forward to this year,” she beamed as we chatted about the upcoming tour. “I love meeting readers in person. It’s one of my favorite things about this job, being able to hear, in person, how much they connect with these characters and books. It makes it all worth it.”

So, if you do get to see her on tour, make sure you grab one of her books and get it signed! Don’t feel like a geek for telling her how much Wren, August, Masika, Irene, Olivier, and Emilo mean to you. She wants to hear all about it!

I will say that Ruinous Ends is packed with action, adventure, and emotion. You will go through every single emotion possible, so make sure you have the tissues for when you get to specific points. Marie sort of warned about this when she said, “I get a lot of people who ask me if they’ll cry, and you might! That doesn’t mean it’s a sad ending for everyone.”

Ruinous Ends is out on July 14, 2026. This is the end of a duology you will not want to miss.

Spider-Man has been a beloved Marvel character since he first appeared in the 1960s, and on July 31, the fan-favorite web-slinger will be swinging back into theaters once again for the fourth installment in Tom Holland's MCU Spider-Man movies, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Ahead of that thrilling new release, prebiotic soda brand Poppi has launched a collaboration that Marvel fans aren't going to want to miss.

In celebration of the upcoming superhero flick, Poppi has partnered with Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: Brand New Day to create limited-edition soda packs featuring unique webbed designs. The collectible 4-packs include the flavors Cherry Limeade and Wild Berry, as well as Poppi's new flavor, Lemonade.

In addition to the mix of flavors and the Spider-Man-themed design, this collaboration between Poppi and Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes with a perk for fans who want to catch the movie in theaters. Specifically, with the purchase of four participating 4-packs of Poppi in one transaction, guests will be eligible for a $15 Fandango movie ticket reward.

These limited-edition 4-packs are available at Walmart, Target, Kroger and elsewhere.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an especially exciting addition to the MCU's Spider-Man story, as this narrative will pick up right where the most recent Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home, left off—with Peter Parker on his own, having been forgotten by the entire world. That includes his girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya), and best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon).

However, this sad situation might not stick around for long, as Brand New Day trailers have already revealed that Peter Parker has become the literal "friendly neighbor" to MJ and Ned, having moved into their apartment complex and, seemingly, taken steps towards reconnecting with them.

Also exciting is the addition of Sadie Sink to the cast, in a role that remains mysterious for now (although many fans suspect that Sink may be playing the iconic X-Men hero Jean Grey).

For a sci-fi show, there wasn't a whole lot of high tech in The X-Files. But one of the tech trends that did make it's way into the show was cell phones. When Mulder and Scully starting using them, it let the characters connect across autopsy bays, motel rooms and weird crime scenes. At FAN EXPO Denver, David Duchovny let fans in on a secret about his end of those calls. He used them to remember his lines.

The fun confession came during the reunion panel at the Colorado Convention Center, where Duchovny and Gillian Andersonappeared together for the first time in almost a decade, with the click making the rounds on TikTok. They were joined by Mitch Pileggi, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, Nicholas Lea and William B. Davis in what organizers billed as the biggest X-Files cast gathering ever, a centerpiece of the four-day convention that ran May 28 to 31.

"Thank God for cell phones," Duchovny said during the panel, recalling that the technology arrived around the show's third season and finally let the two leads film separate scenes. Then he turned to Anderson. "Did I ever tell you my cell phone trick? It's what the kids call a hack." On a normal phone scene, the script supervisor would read the absent actor's lines off camera. Duchovny asked for the opposite. "I would say, just do my lines, and then I would just repeat," he explained. Anderson, who spent nine seasons on the receiving end of those calls, seemed genuinely delighted. "It's pretty brilliant," she said. "I can't believe I've never thought about that before. That's such a good idea."

@fanexpohq

And the Emmy goes to.... the script supervisor #TheXFiles #acting #bts #lifehack #thetruthisoutthere

♬ original sound - FAN EXPO - FAN EXPO

The reunion arrived at a busy moment for the franchise. Hulu has greenlit a pilot for a new X-Files series written and directed by Sinners filmmaker Ryan Coogler, with Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel starring as two new FBI agents and creator Chris Carter serving as executive producer. The pilot shot in Vancouver, the same city that housed the original show's first five seasons, and Patel has confirmed that filming is complete while Hulu weighs a full series order. Anderson has already praised the script, and Coogler has spoken with her about a possible return.

Related: X-Files Fans Have Spoken on the Best Episodes — and Two Are Tied at the Top

Whatever the revival becomes, the Denver panel showed why the original endures. Thirty-three years after the premiere, a story about getting lines fed to you via a fake phone call still creates smiles between costars and fans alike.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

A perfect Rotten Tomatoes score wasn't enough to save Scott Foley's latest series—and fans are just as baffled as he is.

After Prime Video canceled It's Not Like That following just one season, Foley thanked viewers in a heartfelt Instagram video and admitted he was "disappointed" to see the well-reviewed drama come to an end. His comments quickly filled with fans calling the decision "heartbreaking," asking, "What else do they want?" and pleading with Netflix, Hulu, and other streamers to give the show a second chance.

“After six or so weeks in Prime Video’s Top 10, I think getting as high as like three or four, really great reviews — I think we have like 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes — our little show called It’s Not Like That has been canceled at Amazon Prime,” Foley shared in a video on Instagram.

He continued by adding, “I think I’m just ... I’m disappointed, obviously, but I’m so grateful for the chance. I get to make — I got to make a show I’m so proud of with people I grew to like a lot, and now we don’t get to make it anymore, and you don’t get to watch it.”

View this post on Instagram

Foley thanked those who watched the series, too. “If you watched it, thank you. I appreciate it. If you didn’t, it’s still on Amazon Prime. It’s not going to change the cancellation, but I wanted to thank everybody who took the time to check it out. Whether it was you found it on your own, whether it was a recommendation you saw on social media, it’s appreciated. So thank you.”

Fans wasted no time flooding the comments with messages of confusion and frustration. Many also noted the unfortunate timing, coming just two months after Foley spoke out about his Will Trentcharacter's heartbreaking death in the season 4 finale.

"Why does this always happening to you?! What a bummer, it was such a cute show, I really enjoyed it," one person pointed out with another expressing frustration with streaming services. "The economics of streaming video can be a bit baffling. You had viewers, what else do they want?" they wrote.

Many others just expressed sadness and disappointment, also hoping the series could find a home on a new streaming service. "Legit do not know what they want?!? This show is not only so good you could actually watch with YOUR FAMILY… Love to all the cast and crew - You made something Beautiful and Entertaining too bad this industry is," one person shared.

Cody Johnson is one of the most successful singers in modern country music, but the Texas native paved his way to success as a professional bull rider and later as a prison supervisor. Unlike many modern country stars, Johnson became the ultimate word-of-mouth sensation, using very little social media to promote himself. Instead, he became one of country music’s most important stars by self-releasing albums and relentlessly touring before signing a major-label record deal. A new ranking naming the most important modern country artists puts Cody Johnson at the top of the list, an accolade that comes as no surprise to his fans.

In a new ranking by Taste of Country, Johnson bests country music darlings like Luke Combsand Lainey Wilson. The outlet cites Johnson’s old-fashioned rags-to-riches road to success as a testament to the singer’s enduring talent, writing, “Cody Johnson isn't the flashiest personality in country music today, but he's arguably the most consistent. That's the biggest reason why he clocks in at the top of our list of Country Music's 25 Most Important Modern Artists.”

@kendranicole911

@Cody Johnson on repeat 💛 @Ariel🖤 #COJO #codyjohnson #concert #fyp

♬ original sound - Kendra Nicole📚💛🖤

Related: 1970 Blues-Rock Album Born From a Band's Breakup Named an Underrated Gem

How Cody Johnson Built His Country Music Career

Cody Johnson may be country music’s newly anointed most important artist, but the 39-year-old Texas native’s road to success didn’t come easily. A well-known independent country artist known for his old-school grit, he didn’t have his breakthrough into mainstream country until 2021 with his inspirational anthem "’Til You Can’t." The song became his first No. 1 country radio hit and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, establishing him as one of the genre’s leading voices.

Why Cody Johnson's Independent Success Matters @kendranicole911

@Cody Johnson on repeat 💛 @Ariel🖤 #COJO #codyjohnson #concert #fyp

♬ original sound - Kendra Nicole📚💛🖤

While many of country music’s biggest stars found success through television singing competitions or viral social media clips, Cody Johnson built his audience over more than a decade, selling out dance halls across Texas before signing with Warner Music Nashville in 2019. By then, he had already established himself as an independent artist with a devoted following.

Why Cody Johnson Is One of Country Music’s Most Important Artists

One of modern country music’s biggest stars, Cody Johnson has become a leading voice for traditional country music at a time when the genre continues to evolve and many artists blur the lines between country and pop. Johnson’s songs embrace classic country themes like faith, family, and small-town life, proving that commercial success doesn’t have to come at the expense of authenticity.

Related: Taste of Country Names the Best Song on Luke Combs' New Album 'The Way I Am'

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Béla Fleck, the Grammy-winning musician whose innovative career has earned him the title of "The World's Best Banjoist," turns 68 today, July 10. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Fleck has transformed perceptions of the banjo, blending bluegrass, jazz, classical, folk and world music while becoming one of the instrument's most celebrated ambassadors.

In a 2018 profile, The Forward described Fleck as "the world's best banjojist," highlighting a career that has taken him far beyond traditional bluegrass. The publication noted that he has collaborated with everyone from jazz legend Chick Corea to the Dave Matthews Bandwhile earning Grammy recognition across an astonishing range of musical genres.

Fleck's musical journey began with an unlikely source of inspiration. As a young boy growing up in New York City, he became captivated after hearing Earl Scruggs' banjo playing on the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies. Years later, his grandfather found a banjo at a garage sale and gave it to the teenager, setting him on a path that would change his life. On the train ride home, a stranger tuned the instrument for him and recommended Pete Seeger's instructional book "How to Play the Five String Banjo," advice Fleck eagerly followed.

That early passion soon paid off. After studying with acclaimed banjo players Erik Darling, Marc Horowitz and Tony Trischka, Fleck joined the progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival before launching Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, whose adventurous blend of jazz, bluegrass and funk earned widespread acclaim. Along the way, he also collaborated with artists including Jerry Garcia, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain and Dave Matthews, continually expanding the possibilities of his instrument.

Fleck told The Forward he still remembers exactly why the banjo captured his imagination.

"That Earl Scruggs three-finger picking, that whole style of bluegrass, had nothing to do with me culturally. But the sound of that banjo just grabbed my ear. I felt intoxicated," said Fleck.

His curiosity eventually led him far beyond American roots music. In 2008, Fleck released the acclaimed documentary Throw Down Your Heart, traveling across Africa to explore the banjo's musical ancestry while collaborating with local musicians. The project reflected the same musical openness that has defined his entire career.

Today, Fleck has won 18 Grammy Awards and has been nominated dozens of times across genres ranging from country and bluegrass to jazz, classical, folk, pop and spoken word. More than half a century after first hearing a banjo on television, he remains one of music's most inventive and influential instrumentalists.

Related: Dave Matthews Band Fans Just Got Some Huge News

There's a very specific kind of magic to Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-class ships. For many longtime cruisers, this is the fleet that made them fall in love with the brand in the first place—balancing a classic, premium cruise feel with spacious, breezy decks that let the ocean do the talking.

But even the most beloved classics deserve a little rejuvenation.

Celebrity has officially announced that Celebrity Reflection is getting a top-to-bottom transformation. When the ship heads back out to sea in March 2027, it will be sporting 13 brand-new spaces. The line is essentially taking the absolute best, blending modern design hits from its cutting-edge Edge Series with brand-new concepts freshly introduced on Celebrity Solstice, all seamlessly woven into the classic layout we know and love.

According to Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge, this fleetwide project is way more than just a quick cosmetic refresh. “With Celebrity Reflection, we’re evolving the guest experience in meaningful ways,” Hodges Bethge shared, “introducing 13 new spaces designed to help guests relax, explore, and connect in ways that feel effortless and unforgettable.”

Whether you're planning a quick long-weekend escape or a week-long island-hopping adventure, here is a look at the most exciting new spots to put on your radar:

Related: Celebrity Cruises Just Relaunched Its Most Iconic Ship—and It's Heading to Alaska This Summer

The Redesigned Outdoor Decks

Celebrity Cruises

If your favorite part of a cruise is spending the afternoon with your feet up, drink in hand, listening to the water, you are going to love the new top-deck setup. The heart of the outdoor space is being transformed into the Celebrity Pool Club, which is getting a lush, tropical makeover complete with plush daybeds, extra shade and two brand-new poolside dining spots:

• Orange Peel Bar & Grille: A casual, sunny spot serving up premium smashburgers and grilled classics alongside frozen cocktails.
• Tacos del Sol: A laid-back, open-air taco bar where you can build your own custom plates with fresh toppings right by the pool.

If you head further up to the top deck, you’ll find Sunset Park—a half-acre green oasis designed to feel like a real park at sea. It’s the perfect, relaxed spot for morning meditation, afternoon lawn games, or catching an open-air concert or movie under the stars. You can even rent private cabanas with dedicated attendants, grab a light bite at the Sunset Park Café, or enjoy a cocktail at the expanded Sunset Bar.

I experienced the new Sunset Park firsthand on Celebrity Solstice this spring. As we sailed past icy glaciers and the brilliant Alaskan wilderness, the open-air deck offered a perfect connection to the sea—and a fantastic backdrop for catching up with friends and family. Bringing this space to Celebrity Reflection makes perfect sense; it's bound to become a Solstice-class staple.

Related: The Most Popular Alaska Cruise for Families Is This 2008 Classic

Sophisticated Indoor Hangouts

Celebrity Cruises

On the inside, Celebrity is introducing some of its most popular modern signature spaces. The center of the ship will now feature a dramatic, three-story Grand Plaza—an open-air hub anchored by a spectacular new Martini Bar underneath a giant, show-stopping suspended chandelier, reminiscent of the Edge Series.

For evening entertainment, you can also drop by The Boulevard Lounge, a cabaret-inspired space that will host everything from daytime game shows to intimate, candlelit dueling piano performances at night. Right next door, you can grab a pre-show drink at the new Boulevard Bar, or head over to The Parlor—an elevated sports and gaming lounge packed with classic board games, billiards, craft whiskies, and over-the-top gourmet milkshakes. Both spaces have already proved instantly popular on Celebrity Solstice.

Related: 8 Best Refurbished Cruise Ships to Experience Luxury for Less This Spring

Exciting New Dining Spots

Celebrity Cruises

The ship's restaurant lineup is also getting a massive upgrade, pulling in a few fan-favorite concepts from Celebrity’s newest vessels:

• Bora:Bora: First introduced on Celebrity Xcel, this gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired rooftop venue shifts from a breezy, customizable brunch by day to chef-led, shareable plates at night. It instantly became one of my favorite all-time cruise spaces.
• Trattoria Rossa: A cozy Italian eatery serving Roman classics and fresh, house-made pastas prepared tableside. The atmosphere is incredibly warm and homey—you truly feel transported the moment you walk through the door.
• Fine Cut Steakhouse: Celebrity's award-winning signature steakhouse, widely celebrated for its premium 30-day dry-aged steaks, upscale seafood, and panoramic sea views.

The Travel Details

The newly modernized Celebrity Reflection will begin sailing year-round out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida in March 2027.

If you want a quick taste of the new amenities, you can book one of her short three- and four-night escapes down to Key West and The Bahamas. If you want a longer, slow-paced vacation, she will also be running six- and eight-night journeys down to the southern Caribbean, stopping in sun-soaked ports like Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. (And if you are a loyalist of the brand, you can also look out for the highly anticipated 2027 President’s Cruise, sailing on the renewed ship from May 10–14, 2027).

What Cruise Fans Are Already Saying

As soon as the news broke, the Cruise Critic forums were abuzz with excitement. Celebrity Reflection has long been a fan-favorite, a sentiment echoed by Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic: "Celebrity Reflection is consistently one of the most popular ships on Cruise Critic, coming in as the most-searched cruise ship on the site for the past two years. So it's really exciting to hear of the upcoming updates to such a beloved ship—especially as many of them have already been rolled out on sister-ship, Celebrity Solstice, and have been getting a really positive response from cruisers. If what we're hearing from cruisers is any indication, this is sure to be another huge win for Celebrity and travelers, alike." Everyday cruisers wasted no time sharing their thoughts on the massive redesign—especially those who have already experienced the layout updates firsthand:

• A Massive Entertainment Upgrade: Cruisers are already praising the new layout choices over older setups. Cruise Critic member Ship Traveler, who sailed the newly updated Solstice in Alaska, noted: "We did like the Boulevard Lounge so much better for game show events than the middle of hall Celebrity entertainment court. The Parlor was also a very popular new venue." They added that while their chilly Alaska itinerary kept them from fully testing the new top-deck features, they "look forward to seeing the changes on the Reflection" for sunny Caribbean sailings.
• A Welcomed Fleet Investment: For longtime loyalists, seeing love given to existing ships is a huge win. Member Stem to Stern summed it up perfectly, sharing: "It is great to know [Celebrity] is investing in their aging hardware."
• Hopes for the Itineraries: With a ship this thoroughly modernized, some fans are already crossing their fingers for more diverse sailing options down the road. Member foodsvcmgr commented: "It would be nice to see such a thoroughly renovated ship be assigned to some longer, more interesting Caribbean sailings, not just the constant 3-4 night rotation."

By listening to passenger feedback and investing heavily in the venues travelers already love, Celebrity Cruises is proving that a ship doesn't have to be brand new to offer a world-class, state-of-the-art vacation.

Related: Celebrity Unveils the Newly Reimagined Solstice in Alaska and It’s a Super-Chic Way to See the Last Frontier