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An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop Doing This One Thing When They Meet Someone
The age-old adage “first impressions are everything” may seem overused at this point, but that doesn’t mean it’s outdated (or wrong). Now more than ever, etiquette experts stress that a first impression can really stick, for better or worse.
For example, classy people with exceptional etiquette skills often use certain techniques in conversations, especially when they first meet people. For starters, they always make another person feel seen and heard by bouncing the conversation back to them. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s the key to avoiding what etiquette expert Jenny Dreizen considers the ultimate first impression ruiner. In fact, she is practically begging people to stop doing one specific thing when they first meet someone.
She says that the first few seconds you meet someone activate what’s called “the primary effect.” More on that later, but what you do need to know is that your willingness (or unwillingness, for that matter) to get to know someone better can really stand out in someone’s mind.
While there are a few things you’ll need to consider if you want to make a good first impression, Dreizen shares the most important thing to avoid when meeting someone below, along with other common etiquette mistakes she spots more often than not.
The Ultimate First Impression Ruiner: What Etiquette Experts Want You to Stop DoingAccording to Dreizen, there’s no faster way to make a bad first impression than doing this: not focusing on the person you’re meeting.
“A lack of focus on the person you’re being introduced to or meeting,” she tells Parade. “It’s not hard to recognize when someone isn’t giving a meeting the appropriate respect.”
There are also smaller things that can indicate someone’s attention is elsewhere.
“Think lack of eye contact, looking over your shoulder, quick, clipped replies,” she continues. “It doesn’t do what good etiquette strives to: make people feel seen, welcome and appreciated.”
The Psychology of the First 7 Seconds: Why Early Blunders StickDreizen also shares a bit about the “primary effect.” The idea behind this is that your brain tends to remember the first piece of information it receives better than information learned later on. In terms of etiquette, the primary effect definitely applies to the first impression you give off when you meet someone new.
“[It’s] kind of like the old expression, ‘You can’t make a second first impression,'” she explains. “It’s very difficult to come back from what the brain imprints upon. It takes a lot of concerted, consistent effort for reasons I imagine are deeply rooted in our evolutionary biology. Negative experiences are weighted more heavily in our brain than positive—so undoing that damage is not easy.”
Related: This Phrase Makes You Instantly Approachable, Psychologist Explains
5 Other Common Introduction Mistakes To AvoidWhile Dreizen mentioned some of these common introduction faux pas previously, here’s a breakdown of why you should avoid these smaller mistakes. Overall, they all tend to indicate the same thing, making the same mistake: your focus isn’t on the conversation at hand.
1. Closed-off body languageBody language can say a lot, and Dreizen says there are key indicators that convey you’re not interested in meeting someone or having a conversation. Perfect examples of this include having your arms crossed, a slight frown on your face or your shoulders turned away from someone.
“It’s like you’re saying ‘I am uninterested in this conversation,'” she adds.
2. No face-to-face connectionHaving that face-to-face connection with someone is the key to making someone feel comfortable. It subtly indicates you’re listening and want to connect. Without this, someone might get the idea that you’re uninterested.
“Eye contact is not for everyone (for some neurodivergent folks it’s tough!),” Dreizen notes. “But gently moving your eyes across someone’s face while they’re speaking will make them feel seen and respected.”
3. Looking over someone’s shoulderThis mistake goes hand-in-hand with avoiding face-to-face connection. If your eyes are wandering elsewhere, the person you’re meeting might think you’re losing interest in the conversation or worse.
“[You may appear like] you’re waiting for someone better to walk in,” Dreizen adds.
4. Short, clipped responsesOverly short responses to someone are an obvious indicator that you’ve checked out of the conversation. While it isn’t great to do to anyone, Dreizen shares that it’s especially rude when you first meet someone.
“It won’t feel like you truly want to engage with someone if you can’t muster more than one-word answers,” she explains.
5. InterruptingInterrupting someone while they’re talking is a no-no in general, but if you constantly do it to someone you just met, they might get the wrong impression of you. It may signal a few things, like you’re impatient, you don’t care about what someone else has to say or you don’t really listen.
“Not letting someone else get a word in makes it seem like you’re more interested in an audience than a connection,” Dreizen adds.
Related: 11 Habits That Make You ‘Instantly Unlikable’ in Group Settings, According to Etiquette Experts
The Golden Rules of a Perfect Modern IntroductionNow that we’ve gotten the first meeting blunders to avoid out of the way, here’s Dreizen’s guide to the perfect introduction every time.
- If you can, make eye contact and have a gentle face, if not a smile.
- Take a breath and a beat when they introduce themselves. There’s no rush, and it will help you remember their name.
- Ask them what brought them here today, and offer your answer as to why you’re there as well.
- Ask an open-ended, circumstance-appropriate question (i.e., What’s been lighting you up recently? What are you looking forward to?)
- Really listen!
Up Next:
Related: How to Politely End a Conversation With Someone Who Won’t Stop Talking
Source:- Jenny Dreizen is an etiquette expert as well as the co-founder and COO of Fresh Starts Registry and author of Simple Scripts to Support Your People.
‘Aliens’ Child Star Carrie Henn Quit Hollywood After Her Breakout Role—Here’s What She Does Now
Carrie Henn was just a little girl in Aliens, but the former child star has found a new career in adulthood.
Henn, 50, rose to stardom as Newt in the 1986 film, a sequel to the 1979 classic, Alien. Starring the iconic Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, Aliens follows the duo as they battle for survival. Directed by James Cameron, the film went down in history as a science fiction classic. But Henn, who is set to appear at the upcoming Stealth Con, decided to say goodbye to the entertainment industry after skyrocketing to fame as Newt. Check out a shot below to see what Henn looks like now:
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Henn Wanted To Be A “Normal Child”While Henn skyrocketed to stardom in Aliens, she longed for normalcy.
“I ultimately wanted to be a normal child,” she told the Alien vs. Predator Galaxy podcast in 2019, Hello! reported. “I just wanted to assimilate into American life and make friends. It was difficult at first because I was obviously different; not only had I been in a major movie, but I also had an English accent. I just pushed forward with my normal life and eventually got my education to become a teacher.”
Henn Found Her Passion in TeachingAfter heading to college, Henn pursued a career as an educator.
“They don’t understand that [acting] wasn’t my passion. It wasn’t my dream. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it an amazing experience? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Of course. But it wasn’t my passion. Teaching was.”
Memories From The Aliens Set:Just 9 years old while filming Aliens, Henn has good memories of her time on the set.
“I wasn’t nervous about being on set, because I knew everybody, and they were very friendly,” Henn told WIRED in 2016 while the film celebrated its 30th anniversary. “The aliens were all my friends, wearing suits. I was actually most nervous about going to the cafeteria for lunch, because I had to go in-character as Newt, and I thought everybody would be staring at me. I didn’t have any concept that everybody else was going to be dressed up, too. My tutor actually gave me a big pair of sunglasses to wear when I went in. But it turned out not to be such a big thing.”
If you’d like a reminder of Henn’s acting skills, watch her alongside Weaver in this mashup from Aliens:
Costco's New 2-Piece Organic Towel Set Brings Supersoft Spa Vibes to Your Bathroom
I’m all about treating yourself, and your bathroom deserves nice things, too. You might spend plenty of time obsessing over the “fun” stuff in your home—fluffy bedding, pretty throw pillows, candles that make the whole room smell expensive—but towels? Somehow, those tend to get treated like an afterthought. As long as they’re technically capable of drying you off, they make the cut.
But have you ever wrapped yourself in a genuinely great towel? One that’s soft, substantial and feels more like a little luxury than a piece of laundry? Next thing you know, the humble bath towel starts getting the respect it deserves. And why shouldn’t it? Your towel is part of your daily routine, whether you’re starting the morning, winding down after a shower or emerging from the pool on a hot afternoon.
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Purely Organic Organic Cotton Towel Sets, $26.99 at CostcoCostco
Upgrading your towels is such an easy way to make your bathroom feel a little more special without changing a single thing about the room itself. Just retire those sad, scratchy towels you’ve been hanging onto for reasons even you can’t explain. And Costco makes that upgrade easy with a new two-pack of organic bath towels from Purely Organics.
The towels feature a two-ply loop construction, which basically means the tiny loops that give a towel its soft, absorbent texture are made with two strands of yarn for extra durability. In other words, they’re designed to withstand plenty of showers and trips through the washing machine without looking worn out quickly.
What you’ll really love are all of the color options available—there’s that dusty pink shown above as well as cream, light gray and tan. Each one has a calming, spa-like vibe and also serves as a neutral of sorts to complement whatever your bathroom’s existing color scheme happens to be.
There are a lot of different towel materials out there—linen, microfiber, bamboo… the list goes on. But for most folks, 100 percent cotton (and organic cotton at that) is one of the best all-around materials for bath towels. Just know that “organic” only refers to how the cotton was grown, not necessarily how soft or absorbent a towel is. In this case? These organic cotton bath towels feel super plush while getting the absorbency job done.
Related: Aldi’s 2-Piece Glass Cake Dome Set Is Giving Pottery Barn Vibes on a Budget
First Look at ‘Sinners’ for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
Just weeks ago, Universal released the Halloween Horror Nights menu for Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. As of yesterday, Halloween Horror Nights is officially open at the Orlando parks, with it coming to the Hollywood parks next week on September 3rd. With the Sinners house already open, horror fans and passholders are getting an exclusive first look at Halloween Horror Nights, and people are already posting videos and pictures on social media.
Related: Universal Releases Halloween Horror Nights Menus for ‘Sinners,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and more
Inspired by Smoke and Stack’s Juke Joint in the film, the “You’re In For One Bluesy Bloodbath” haunted house will have bloodthirsty vampires crash the party. And of course you’ll see Smoke, Stack, Mary, Annie, Remmick and Preacher Boy. The haunted house is essentially a maze that you walk through and includes flashing lights, performances and fan-favorite characters.
While the Sinners house at Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t open yet, fans already have a sneak peek of what will be shown in the maze, saying that it captures the vibe of 1930s Mississippi in Smoke and Stack’s juke joint.
@user1701554033818Sinners Lights On Preview for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood!#sinners #halloweenhorrornights #universalstudioshollywood #hhn#themepark
♬ original sound – user1701554033818And, of course, the house at the Orlando parks also captures the vibe of the film and the juke joint. The Sinners soundtrack is also played throughout the house, which means you’ll hear Miles Canton’s I Lied to You and Last Time (I Seen the Sun), along with Ludwig Goransson’s Mound Bayou/Proper Black Folks and Jack O’Connell’s Rocky Road to Dublin.
Along with the Sinners haunted house, fans can also enjoy horror-themed food and experiences from Stranger Things, Hellraiser, Ozzy Osbourne, Evil Dead Burn and more. Halloween Horror Nights runs from August 28 to November 1 at Universal Orlando Resort and from September 3 to November 1 at Universal Hollywood Studios.
View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram1971 Soft Rock Song, Written by Carole King, Became Her First Solo No. 1 Hit
Carole King had already written hits for The Shirelles and Aretha Franklin before she recorded “It’s Too Late,” giving the hitmaker a chance to sing one of her own stories.
The track landed on her 1971 album Tapestry, alongside staples like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The record went on to define an entire era of singer-songwriters.
King had recently left New York for Los Angeles, hoping for a fresh start. She settled in Laurel Canyon, where she became part of a music scene that included James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. It was also there that she met Toni Stern, who would become an important songwriting collaborator.
The story behind the song hit close to home for King. She had divorced her husband and longtime songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin, in 1968. The pair had spent years writing some of pop’s biggest hits together.
This time, King wasn’t handing the song off to someone else to perform. She put her own voice behind it, accompanied by her piano and a restrained arrangement. King recorded the song at A&M Studios in Los Angeles with Lou Adler producing. Adler had also founded Ode Records, the label that released Tapestry.
King’s understated vocal sits at the center of the track, while the piano, drums and guitar help carry the song’s story of a relationship coming to an end. Even the Tapestry cover reflected King’s new chapter.
The songstress is pictured sitting at her Laurel Canyon home with her cat beside her, holding a handmade tapestry. After years of writing hits for other performers, she was now the one behind the microphone.
Tapestry took home four Grammys, including Album of the Year, while “It’s Too Late” won Record of the Year. The single hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts and went Gold.
More than three decades later, the song picked up one more honor, induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. It also found new life in the early ’90s, when British electronic duo Quartz took a cover of “It’s Too Late,” featuring vocalist Dina Carroll, into the U.K. Top 10.
Related: 1964 Rock Song, Written by Carole King, Launched a 16-Year-Old Singer’s Career
The Cheesecake Factory’s Massive Menu Is Expanding
The Cheesecake Factory has always been popular, but lately the restaurant has been trending on social media. Between debates about the Skinnylicious menu and the dress like a Tuscan mom and eat at The Cheesecake Factory trend, the restaurant has been everywhere on socials lately. With summer coming to a close in a few weeks and fall quickly approaching, The Cheesecake Factory has officially released its new menu. Among the new menu items are delicious brunch plates, appetizers and bites, dinner items and a new cheesecake flavor.
The Cheesecake Factory has a wide variety of menu items. From Skinnylicious salads to pizzas to steak, there’s something for every kind of eater, even the picky ones. There are 33 cheesecake flavors on their menu, including fan favorites like the red velvet cheesecake, cookie dough lover’s cheesecake and the Godiva chocolate cheesecake. For the ones who like it plain, you can also order original, fresh strawberry and vanilla bean cheesecake flavors. Aside from cheesecake, they also offer desserts like carrot cake, chocolate tower truffle cake, tiramisu, warm apple crisp, hot fudge sundae and strawberry shortcake.
Related: Regal Announces It’s Bringing Back the Popular Butterbeer-Inspired ICEE
The Cheesecake Factory serves Saturday and Sunday brunch until 2 pm, with omelettes, waffles, pancakes, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and eggs benedict. Aside from brunch and dessert, choose from a long list of appetizers, small plates, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pastas, steaks, seafood, chicken and specialties for lunch and dinner. View The Cheesecake Factory’s new menu items below.
The Cheesecake Factory New Menu Items:- Chicken and Waffle Skewers: Cheddar cheese and green chile waffle, crispy fried chicken, hot honey and maple-butter syrup.
- Double Smash Cheeseburger Bites: Double patties, double cheese, grilled onions, special sauce.
- Pigs in a Blanket: Pastry-wrapped all-beef hot dogs served with honey mustard.
- Sweet-Soy Glazed Ribs: Tender ribs glazed with soy-garlic chili sauce and topped with sesame seeds.
- Mediterranean Bowl: Charbroiled chicken kabobs with rice, tomato-cucumber salad, feta cheese, garlic, onion, cilantro and pita bread.
- Crispy Factory Fish Sandwich: Fried Pacific swordfish, cheese, coleslaw and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun.
- Blackened Factory Fish Sandwich: Blackened Pacific swordfish, cheese, coleslaw and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun.
- Modern Cheesesteak: Sliced steak with melted cheese and grilled onion on a toasted sesame roll.
- Shakshuka Omelette: Roasted peppers and onion, spinach, feta cheese and spicy tomato sauce in an egg. Served with pita bread.
- Brownie Crunch Choc-a-lot Cheesecake: Milk and white chocolate marbled cheesecake on a crunchy toffee brownie.
- Pineapple Coconut Dream: Pineapple, coconut and sweet cream.
- Lava Flow Punch: Strawberry-infused Planteray 3 Stars and pineapple rum with banana liqueur and coconut. Served on the rocks.
- Peach Bellini Spritz: Giffard Peach Liqueur and Prosecco over ice.
- Raspberry Sour: High West Bourbon with raspberry and fresh lemon.
- White Sangria: Sauvignon Blanc with peach, elderflower and pineapple.
Related: Universal Releases Halloween Horror Nights Menus for ‘Sinners,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and more
Liza Minnelli's Emotional Tribute to Dolly Parton After Her Death at 80
Losing a friend comes with a lifetime of ache. But accepting that loss hits different when the friend walked you through every season of your life. For Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton‘s death is exactly that kind of blow.
The Cabaret star honored the late country icon in an emotional Instagram tribute on Friday, August 28, three days after Parton’s death at 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Minnelli, 80, vulnerably admits that she is struggling to accept the news as she reflected on Parton’s kindness and the private friendship they shared.
What Did Liza Minnelli Say About Dolly Parton?Parton’s loss had left people around the world heartbroken, Minnelli wrote. “The sound we hear isn’t thunder; it’s hearts cracking all over the world. No. It can’t be true,” she shared.
View this post on Instagram“I love Dolly,” Minnelli continued. “And she was always a truly supportive friend. We cheered each other on many times. When I was in trouble? Dolly knew it.” The Liza with a Z and Arrested Development alum celebrated her own 80th birthday on March 12.
Also read: Dolly Parton’s Sister Stella Reveals Their Weekly Tuesday Coffee Ritual in Tearful Tribute
How Did Liza Minnelli and Dolly Parton Become Friends? Musician Dolly Parton and actress Liza Minnelli(Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage for Tony Awards)
Minnelli credited former agent Sam Haskell with bringing Parton into her life. Singer Michael Feinstein also became part of their close circle. “Because of Sam, our tribe has special & beautiful memories of Dolly,” she wrote.
“Sam brought Dolly into our lives in powerful ways. Michael sang ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ with Dolly for his Gershwin Country album, which I Executive Produced. Of course, it was a hit.”
Feinstein’s collaboration with Parton appeared on his 2022 album. For Minnelli, however, the friendship extended far beyond music.
What Will Liza Minnelli Miss Most About Dolly Parton?Minnelli said she would especially miss their private conversations and the time they spent together away from the spotlight.
She recalled the “spicy girl gossip during great meals, after visiting each others’ concerts.” “There’s much to say at this moment,” Minnelli concluded. “I can’t get any words out. My throat … my heart … are full.”
Tributes have continued since Parton’s death. Her younger sister, Stella Parton, remembered the singer with a message about her unmistakable sparkle.
“If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time,” Stella wrote. “I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.”
‘Days of Our Lives’ Icon Returns to Salem Following Real-Life Health Battle
Days of Our Lives fans rejoice! After a months-long absence, Daytime Emmy winner Suzanne Rogers is returning to the beloved Peacock streaming soap opera.
Rogers has portrayed Maggie Horton on the series since 1973 and was written out of the soap opera in April of this year.
Back in October of 2025, it was revealed that Rogers was battling stage II colorectal cancer. The actress confirmed to People the following month in November that she was in remission.
As a result of her battle with cancer, Rogers took some time off from the soap opera. Speaking to TVInsider, the actress explained how supportive those behind the scenes of the show were when they heard the news. “I got calls from Ken [Corday, executive producer] and Noel [Maxam, coexecutive producer] and Sara [Peterson, producer] and they all said, ‘Don’t worry about a thing, take care of yourself, get yourself well. That’s the most important thing. We are here.’”
On-screen, Maggie left Salem to visit her daughter, Melissa, during a time of need.
Maggie has been absent from a few major storylines involving her daughter, Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey), and granddaughter, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis). In addition, her stepson Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) has returned to gambling and has floated the idea of selling the Kiriakis family home to pay back E.J. DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel). So, to say Maggie is going to have her hands full upon returning would be an understatement.
Due to Days of Our Lives’ advance filming schedule, Rogers’ return was actually filmed back in November of 2025.
When Will Maggie Return to Days of Our Lives?Spoilers for next week on Days of Our Lives indicate that Maggie will make her return as Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) reaches out to her beloved friend and family member. This will happen on September 1, 2026.
Earlier this year, Rogers spoke with Digital Journal, where she sent a direct message to her supporters, sharing, “I am very grateful to the fans. They have stuck with me through thick and thin, and they are still there, and they still love the character of Maggie!”
Days of our Lives streams brand new episodes weekdays exclusively on Peacock.
Best-Selling Romance Author 'Cried' When Lacey Chabert Was Cast in New Series Based on Her Novel
Best-selling romance author Jenn McKinlay is still pinching herself after witnessing her 2020 novel, “Paris Is Always a Good Idea,” become a TV series starring rom-com queen Lacey Chabert.
With all six episodes of the limited series now available to stream via Hallmark+, McKinlay celebrated with the cast at a Los Angeles party thrown by Hallmark Media on Wednesday, August 26.
‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ executive producer Carrie Stein, Rebecca Hanssen, Scott Michael Foster, author Jenn McKinlay, Lacey Chabert, Julien Marlon Samani and Barbara Niven attend the Hallmark+ limited series “Paris is Always a Good Idea” finale screening and celebration at The Luckman Club at Soho House West Hollywood on August 26, 2026.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Hallmark Media
In a video posted to the streamer’s Instagram Stories that night, McKinlay gushed, “Having the story of my heart turned into a TV series was the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. And I can’t thank Hallmark, the actors, the cast, the crews, the fans, the viewers, the readers, who all showed up for this show. It meant everything to me and I’m so very grateful.”
Filmed in France and Spain during the spring of 2026, Paris Is Always a Good Idea follows nonprofit executive Chelsea Martin, played by Chabert, on a last-minute business trip to Paris. The unexpected trip is fraught with emotion, because she hasn’t returned to Europe since racing home 10 years earlier upon learning of her mom’s battle with cancer and subsequent death.
With her dad (Mission Impossible star Henry Czerny) and sister (Rebecca Hanssen) accompanying her for moral support, Chelsea is inspired, thanks to a message left behind by her late mom, to revisit three past love interests from her prior travels to Europe in hopes of finding her one true love.
Jenn McKinlay Visited Lacey Chabert on Set of Paris Is Always a Good IdeaMcKinlay was thrilled to visit the set of Paris Is Always a Good Idea in the spring, witnessing her novel adapted into a series. While there, Chabert interviewed her about the experience for a video that Hallmark+ posted on August 28.
Though the actress and author had exchanged messages about the TV adaptation, Chabert excitedly shared that it was their first time meeting in person. She asked McKinlay what it was like to see the story and characters she originally envisioned come to life on set.
View this post on Instagram“When I heard you were cast as Chelsea, I cried,” McKinlay shared, telling a clearly touched Chabert that she was “perfect” for the role. She went on to say that for a writer, characters are “in your head, you know them so well, but then when they become real, and they’re walking around you, it’s just, as the kids would say, next level.”
Even after reading the scripts and watching the Paris Is Always a Good Idea shoot from the sidelines, McKinlay wrote on her Substack blog of the “pure, undiluted thrill I felt when seeing my first screen credit.” She also gave the finished product an enthusiastic stamp of approval, gushing, “Holy Banana Balls! This show is so great! I love, love, love it!”
Rider Strong Reveals 'Girl Meets World' Plot That Still Haunts Him: 'Creepy'
When Girl Meets World premiered in 2014, the Boy Meets World spin-off picked up the story of Topanga (Danielle Fishel) and Cory (Ben Savage), now centered on their daughter, Riley (Rowan Blanchard), with Rider Strong returning as family friend Shawn Hunter. Cory has become a teacher at his daughter’s school, putting Riley directly in his classroom.
The show’s second episode finds Cory confiscating his students’ phones to make a point about screen time. But when he notices Riley growing close to her crush, Lucas (Peyton Meyer), he takes a startling step: he secretly hands a phone to her best friend, Maya (Sabrina Carpenter), and asks her to monitor Riley and report back.
Strong didn’t hold back when the plot came up on his Pod Meets World podcast, calling it unsettling and out of character for Cory.
“This is so inappropriate, it’s so creepy,” Strong exclaimed. “There’s this very simple rule that if an adult asks you to keep a secret. I told my son that, it’s a very basic parenting thing: ‘Any adult asks you to keep a secret, don’t trust that person or come tell me.’ And here is the teacher asking her to keep a secret, and that secret is to keep an eye on his daughter. And he’s giving her a phone, which is anti-everything he’s been this entire time. And not in a funny way. In a really horrible way.”
Strong added that he understood the intended joke, that Cory had absorbed the wrong lesson from his own screen-time crusade, but said the execution “genuinely disturbed” him. He also was surprised that Disney, a company he described as typically cautious about this kind of material, let the storyline through.
More than a decade after the episode aired, Strong’s comments have reignited thoughts about how the storyline holds up in hindsight. For a show built around modeling healthy family dynamics, the plot remains a rare misstep; one that even one of its own stars is still processing years later.
Lisa Kudrow Draws the Line at This Classic 'Friends' Fan Request
Lisa Kudrow will happily talk Friends, quote Phoebe Buffay, and reminisce about her castmates, but ask her to break into “Smelly Cat” on the spot, and she’ll politely decline.
“Sometimes people will stop me and say, ‘Oh, sing ‘Smelly Cat,'” Kudrow explained to Tonya Mosley on NPR’s Fresh Air,. “I don’t want to do that. I really don’t want to do that.”
Kudrow made clear she has nothing but fondness for the sitcom that made her a household name. The Comeback star called her time on the show “great” across the board and said she wouldn’t change a thing about it.
That warmth, though, doesn’t extend to impromptu performances of Phoebe’s signature tune. Kudrow admitted that fans regularly ask her to sing it wherever they spot her, and she just isn’t interested in obliging.
Still, “Smelly Cat” hasn’t disappeared from her life entirely. The most memorable exception came on August 26, 2015, when Kudrow surprised the crowd at Taylor Swift‘s 1989 World Tour stop at L.A.’s Staples Center, stepping onstage in character as Phoebe for a duet with Swift. Midway through, Kudrow broke from the song to needle Swift with some tongue-in-cheek coaching.
“I’m sorry, that was good, but you have to really feel the lyrics,” she told her, demonstrating what she meant. “It’s okay, you’ll get there.”
The Romy and Michele star has also opened up about her complicated relationship with rewatching the show itself. She’s said in the past that she avoided watching Friends for years. That changed after the death of costar Matthew Perry, when she stumbled across a marathon airing and found herself pulled in.
“I’m so happy to see Matthew then, and [he’s] so funny,” she said. “It was a great way to sort of process him not being here. And then really enjoy how much he made me laugh, then how much everybody made me laugh, even myself time to time.”
How to Watch the Grand Ole Opry’s Dolly Parton Tribute Livestream
The Grand Ole Opry is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most beloved members, and Dolly Parton fans around the world will be able to watch the special tribute from home.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Opry will dedicate its Saturday night show to Parton, honoring the country legend’s extraordinary life, music and legacy. The celebration comes 67 years after Parton made her unforgettable Opry debut at just 13 years old and earned three encores.
“This Saturday night, we honor a true icon,” the Opry announced ahead of the show. “This show will be dedicated to Dolly Parton, recognizing her extraordinary life, legacy, and contributions to country music.”
Here’s everything you need to know about when the Dolly Parton tribute starts and how to watch it live.
What Time Does the Dolly Parton Grand Ole Opry Tribute Start?The Grand Ole Opry’s special Dolly Parton tribute livestream begins Saturday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
The Opry confirmed the start time in a Facebook event Friday, inviting fans to “tune in Saturday, August 29 at 8/7c pm” for the special livestream honoring Parton.
The show will take place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, but fans don’t need a ticket or a trip to Music City to join in the celebration.
How Can You Watch the Dolly Parton Grand Ole Opry Tribute?Fans can watch the special show live beginning at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on the Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels and through digital streaming partners Circle Country and RFD-TV. The livestream is also embedded above in this post.
The livestream means Parton fans around the world can join the Opry in celebrating her life and extraordinary career from home.
Who Is Performing at the Dolly Parton Grand Ole Opry Tribute?The evening will feature music and storytelling from an announced lineup that includes Carly Pearce, Channing Wilson, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, T. Graham Brown, the Opry Square Dancers and Belle Frantz making her Opry debut, which is apropos because Frantz is a rising country star who has major Dolly vibes.
But those won’t necessarily be the only familiar faces viewers see. The Opry is also teasing appearances by “guest Opry stars” during what it describes as an “unforgettable evening of music and storytelling honoring the one and only Dolly.”
Pearce has an especially poignant connection to Parton. The country singer got an early start in her career performing at Dollywood, and Parton later surprised Pearce with an invitation to become an official Grand Ole Opry member.
Why Is the Grand Ole Opry Honoring Dolly Parton?Parton’s relationship with the Grand Ole Opry began all the way back in 1959, when Johnny Cash introduced the then-13-year-old singer to the audience as “a little girl from East Tennessee.”
Parton performed George Jones’ “You Gotta Be My Baby” that night and made quite an impression: She was brought back for three encores.
“The crowds loved her from the first note,” the Opry recalled in its remembrance of Parton. “And they never stopped.”
Ten years later, in 1969, Parton achieved one of her childhood dreams when she became an official Grand Ole Opry member. She remained a member for the next 57 years and ultimately performed on the Opry more than 100 times.
Following Parton’s death, Dan Rogers, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, reflected on just how deeply she was woven into the institution.
“Every member of the Grand Ole Opry family has a Dolly story, as does everyone around the world who was ever in her orbit,” Rogers said. “That’s just one of the things that made her so special.”
Rogers recalled how Parton used more than five decades of success as an Opry member to bring joy to millions and inspire generations of artists. He also remembered her remarkable ability to make the people she encountered feel “like the most important person in the room.”
“Her impact will live on forever as we all carry forward the kindness, compassion, and generosity she shared throughout her life,” Rogers continued.
And he ended his tribute with a simple message to the late country legend.
“Dolly always knew exactly what to say,” Rogers said. “I’m afraid the best I have on this terribly sad day is a genuine, heartfelt, ‘Thank you for everything, Dolly. We sure do love you.’”
Parton herself once described just how much the Opry meant to her, calling it “the church of my heart.”
“For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York,’” she once said. “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.”
The Dolly Parton Tribute Will Also Benefit Her Imagination LibrarySaturday night’s tribute won’t only celebrate Parton’s music. It will also help continue one of the causes closest to her heart.
The Grand Ole Opry says a portion of ticket sales from the Aug. 29 show will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the children’s literacy program Parton founded in 1995.
What began as an effort to provide books to children in her native East Tennessee eventually grew into an international program. According to the Opry, the Imagination Library has now distributed more than 300 million free books to children.
The program became an especially poignant part of Parton’s legacy following her death, when a final message she left for Imagination Library families took on new meaning.
Saturday’s show will bring the celebration of Parton’s life back to a place that helped launch her career nearly seven decades ago.
“Dolly’s love is like a butterfly—a rare and gentle thing—one whose effect will be felt for generations,” the Opry wrote in its remembrance.
The Grand Ole Opry’s Dolly Parton tribute livestream begins Saturday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on the Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels, with additional streaming available through Circle Country and RFD-TV.
Related: Hours After Dolly Parton’s Death, Tropical Storm Dolly Began Forming in the Atlantic
1983 Hit by Journey Ranked Among the 'Greatest Power Ballads in Rock History'
The power ballad can be divisive among fans of the rock genre. However, when a power ballad is done right, it usually becomes a crowd favorite that’s nearly impossible not to dramatically sing along to.
The publication Ultimate Classic Rock compiled a list of arguably the most beloved rock ballads with a ranking titled “50 Greatest Power Ballads in Rock History.” According to the publication, the “greatest power ballads in rock history,” include 1990’s “Blaze of Glory” by Jon Bon Jovi, “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses from 1988, and Bryan Adams’ “Heaven,” released in 1984. One of Journey‘s biggest hits, 1983’s “Faithfully,” off the band’s record Frontiers, secured the list’s 12th spot, with Ultimate Classic Rock complimenting the Jonathan Cain-penned track for its poignant storytelling about a relationship enduring despite the strain of distance.
In a 2018 video promoting his memoir, Don’t Stop Believin’: The Man, the Band, and the Song That Inspired Generations, Cain gave some insight into how the song came to be. The keyboardist said he had vocalist Steve Perry, who was in Journey for over 20 years until his 1998 departure, listen to the track while they were “on a plane.” According to Cain, Perry was interested in recording “Faithfully” for his solo record, 1984’s Street Talk.
“I took the cassette back. And I said, ‘No deal. It’s got to be on a Journey album, someday,'” said Cain.
He then said that while Journey was recording Frontiers, their producer Mike Stone requested “another ballad for [the] album.” After warning Stone that Perry might take issue with “Faithfully” because he had said “no to Steve for a solo record,” the producer encouraged him to “bring it in” to record it.
Cain said Perry was fine with recording the song, under the condition that he was able to do so without the keyboardist’s presence.
“He said, ‘I can’t have you around when I’m doing it. I want to just be left alone with this music.’ And I said, ‘You got it, Steve,'” said Cain.
Cain then said he “got chill bumps” the first time he heard Perry’s vocals for “Faithfully,” which ended up reaching the number 12 Billboard Hot 100 spot in June 1983, four months after the release of Frontiers.
1985 Pop-Rock Hit, Which Closes a Kilmer Cult Classic, Became One of the Greatest ’80s Movie Songs
Val Kilmer set the benchmark for making science cool. As Chris Knight, the brilliant physics prodigy who was also the life of the party in Martha Coolidge’s 1985 sci-fi comedy Real Genius, he represented rebellion and fun, snark and good nature. So, only a song as effortlessly cool and clever as Coolidge’s star could cap off this wild ride.
So, when Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” kicks in over the film’s finale and closing credit, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting ’80s send-off. Even better, the pairing has endured far beyond the movie itself, with RTÉ Gold ranking the song No. 16 on its Top 100 ’80s Movie Songs list, while Choaspin named it the best song on the Real Genius soundtrack.
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View this post on InstagramIn the Coolidge cult classic, young geniuses Chris and Mitch (Gabriel Jarret) learn that their corrupt professor has military weapons plans for their laser research. Taking matters into their hands, the two hatch a revenge scheme that culminates in thwarting—or popping—the professor’s sinister agenda.
“It’s the movie that Weird Science wanted to be, yet it’s made of equal parts wit and cheese, with one of those big-beat ’80s synth-pop scores and a villain who says things like ‘You’re laborers—you’re supposed to be laboring!’” Variety wrote.
As the film ends, Tears for Fears’ upbeat chart-topper brilliantly captures the movie’s triumphant, anti-authority finale. The tune also caps off a fascinating 12-track soundtrack.
A masterclass in sonic whiplash, the film’s soundtrack blends everything from classic jazz to hair metal, with hits from Don Henley, Bryan Adams, The Call, Y&T, and more mirroring the unpredictable minds of the Pacific Tech students. Interestingly, the soundtrack was never officially released—a fact Coolidge has publicly called to correct on X (formerly Twitter).
Released a few months before the film, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” appeared on Tears for Fears’ 1985 album Songs From the Big Chair. Its “concept is quite serious—it’s about everybody wanting power, about warfare and the misery it causes,” Curt Smith explained on the band’s website.
According to producer Chris Hughes, frontman Roland Orzabal arrived with the song’s simple two-chord foundation after months spent on the band’s “Shout.”
“‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ was so simple and went down so quickly, it was effortless, really. In fact, as a piece of recording history, it’s bland as hell,” Hughes said in an interview with Mix magazine, via Songfacts.
The song became a massive global smash and a defining new wave anthem, not to mention Tears for Fears’ first U.S. No. 1, with “Shout” following it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 two months later.
Beyond Real Genius, the song took on a life of its own. It appeared in films like Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Straight Outta Compton, and Ready Player One, as well as on television shows including The Wire, Psych, Riverdale, ER, and Malcolm in the Middle. It has also been covered numerous times, with Lorde’s 2013 version for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Weezer’s faithful 2019 cover for The Teal Album among the best-known.
As the song continues to find new audiences, its legacy only grows. But it will always be inseparable from the late Kilmer, whose presence helped cement Real Genius as a lasting ’80s cult favorite.
“Val suddenly popped into my life when he submitted an inventive and funny self-made videotape audition,” Coolidge told Rolling Stone. “So we asked him to fly in to L.A. to audition in person. When Val walked into the room, I knew ‘Chris Knight’ was there. He was charismatic, energetic, and funny.”
That same effortless energy carries through to the film’s final sequence, with Real Genius drawing to a close to the tune of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
The song’s bright shuffle and deceptively serious message about power make it an almost perfect match for a movie about kids outsmarting the authorities who want to control them. Still today, it remains one of the greatest marriages of song and screen.
The Unreleased Prince Album is Finally Here
The unreleased Prince album Timeless is finally here, giving fans a new glimpse into the legendary musician’s famously guarded vault.
Released on Aug. 29, ten years after his passing, Prince’s new music spans his entire career. Timeless, the new posthumous album from the Prince estate, compiles 10 previously unreleased tracks drawn from five decades of recordings, offering fans a rare window into the vault Prince himself once described as holding music no one had ever heard.
It should come as no surprise that the vault runs deep. Prince was one of the most extraordinarily prolific musical geniuses in pop history. He was a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who reportedly played more than 20 instruments and wrote, produced, and arranged virtually everything he ever released. In his final Rolling Stone interview in 2014, Prince hinted at the sheer scale of it: there were several vaults, not just one. In a Rolling Stone exclusive, estate co-manager L. Londell McMillan confirmed that the team has only digitized roughly half of what’s believed to be in it: *”tens of thousands of assets” spanning audio recordings, concert footage, and photographs.
Highlights from Timeless include a 1977 home recording, a 1981 original version of “Tick Tick Bang” that he later handed off to the Time, a piano ballad written for Celine Dion in 1991, and a 2012 track called “Bestest Friend” that fans had no idea even existed.
The timing couldn’t be better for a new generation of Prince fans. “Purple Rain” featured prominently in Stranger Things, introducing the song to millions of younger viewers discovering Prince for the first time. McMillan told Rolling Stone the estate is mindful of those new fans while staying true to Prince’s own selective approach: “if we were flooding the market with Prince everywhere, it wouldn’t have been so special.”
More music is expected later this year and into next, along with a Broadway musical arriving in March. “We’re gonna do it at a pace that is indicative of what Prince and his estate deserves,” McMillan said. For longtime fans and new ones, Timeless is just the beginning.
BIGGBY Coffee Just Unveiled Its Limited-Time Fall Menu
It’s hard to believe the fall season is just weeks away — especially with this heat wave that has swept the U.S.
But the current weather is no matter for businesses aimting to thrive on the spooky season complimented by pumpkin spice, apple cider and more.
That includes BIGGBY COFFEE, which officially unveiled its fall lineup on Friday, August 29. Running through November 1, it’s bringing back fan-favorite drinks and food while adding new ways for guests to enjoy seasonal flavors.
The high-energy coffee franchise also took to social media recently to promote its limited-time offerings. “Fall has entered the chat,” reads the caption of BIGGBY’s Instagram carousel, in part. See below.
View this post on InstagramFans have since commented on the post to throw their support behind the new and returning menu items. “Thank you for bringing back the ciderberry mocktail. I’ve never been so happy🍂🎃,” wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, “I’m so ready for hot Carmel apple cider it’s all I think about.”
Pumpkin, Apple and Halloween at BIGGBYPumpkin is taking center stage with a lineup that appears to go well beyond BIGGBY’s classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, according to the brand’s recent news release. The featured pumpkin beverages include:
- White Pumpkin Latte (pumpkin + white chocolate)
- Chumpkin (pumpkin + chai)
- Sweet Foam Pumpkin Cold Brew
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Jack-O-Lantern Latte (pumpkin + vanilla + marshmallow)
- And for the kiddos, the Jack-O-Lantern Jr. (pumpkin + vanilla + marshmallow)
For fans who might favor apple over pumpkin, BIGGBY is also bringing back its Apple Cider lineup, which includes:
- Caramel Apple Cider
- Caramel Apple Creme Freeze
- CiderBerry Red Bull Mocktail
- Chaider
And then, of course, there’s Halloween. Have you picked out your costume yet, by the way? Starting October 1, here are the featured themed beverages:
- Vampire Creme Freeze (white chocolate + strawberry)
- Jack-O-Lantern Latte (pumpkin + vanilla + marshmallow)
- Sweet Foam Black Forest Cold Brew (blackberry + mocha + caramel)
- Caramel Apple Blast® (granny smith apple + caramel)
- Ghoul Fuel Red Bull® Mocktail (granny smith apple + blue raspberry)
Cher Once Recalled the First Time She Saw Bob Dylan Perform Live: ‘What Is This?’
Cher and Bob Dylan have had different ideas about what a concert should offer. She believes audiences want to hear the songs they know, performed the way they remember them. Dylan, meanwhile, has often taken a different approach to his own material onstage.
That contrast came up when Cher recalled seeing Dylan perform live. Speaking with The New York Times in 2023, she looked back on seeing one of his shows around the time of Blood on the Tracks and admitted she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
“I remember seeing Bob Dylan — I think it was Blood on the Tracks, and I went to the first concert and some of the songs I went, ‘What is this?’” Cher recalled.
Her reaction makes more sense given Dylan’s long history of reworking his songs in concert. Rather than reproduce his studio recordings, he has frequently changed arrangements, tempos and vocal phrasing, giving his songs a different sound onstage.
For Cher, though, that approach was difficult to understand. She explained that she takes a different view of performing her own music. “I’m not going to do things differently. If people come to see you, they want you to do things they like,” she said.
She went on to explain why she feels that responsibility toward her audience. “He got tired of singing the songs the same way. But people really want to hear their favorite song exactly the same way. It doesn’t make any difference if I’m tired of it. I have to find it inside myself to love it and to love what I’m doing,” she added.
It’s an interesting contrast between two artists who have each built remarkably long careers. Cher sticks close to the familiar version of her hits, while Dylan tends to treat his songs as something he can keep reshaping.
Neither approach is necessarily right or wrong. For Cher, performing a beloved song is about giving fans the experience they came to hear. For Dylan, changing those songs can be part of keeping the music alive for himself as an artist.
Every performer eventually has to decide whether to give fans what they expect or take their songs in a new direction. Cher and Dylan just landed on opposite sides of that choice.
Related: 1964 Folk Song, Written by Bob Dylan, Launched a 19-Year-Old Singer’s Solo Career
Walmart's 'Stunning' Set of 4 CZ Earrings Offers Diamond-Like ‘Sparkle’ for a Fraction of the Price
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Adding something spectacular to your jewelry box doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The right piece isn’t necessarily the one that costs the most, but the one you’ll wear time after time. With the Apsvo Cubic Zirconia Earrings Set, you’ll receive not one, but four pairs that are suitable for both day and evening wear. The savings here are unmatched: While the quartet is typically $125 at Walmart, right now you can get the entire set for only $15.
That’s a whopping 88% discount, and it breaks down to less than $3.75 a pair. Each one is a classic in its own right, too. You’ll receive four 18-karat gold-plated varieties in assorted shapes and sizes, giving you options for date nights, work days, brunches, errand runs, and anything else your day brings.
Apsvo Cubic Zirconia Earrings Set, $15 (was $125) at Walmart Shop at WalmartIf you want something demure, you can reach for the 8-millimeter round or princess-cut studs. Both feature sparkling cubic zirconia stones boasting a classic, diamond-like appearance. These are the types of luxe studs that can make an ordinary outfit feel a little more polished and complement more formal looks instantly.
A larger 8.5-millimeter round stud is also included in the set. Trimmed with a halo of minuscule cubic zirconia stones surrounding the larger center stone, these evoke the timeless beauty of solitaires and look absolutely exquisite from every angle. And if you want a flashier option, the 10-millimeter stud will light up your lobes instantly. The center stone is framed by a smattering of smaller ones, giving the earrings a glamorous vibe.
Hundreds of shoppers love them, with many offering praise for their quality. They’re “really pretty,” according to one reviewer who loved their “big sparkle factor.” Another person agreed, writing that they’re “stunning” and “look so expensive.” Another customer pointed out that they’re especially well made, with strong prongs that keep the stones secure.
This is a wonderful time of year to begin thinking about gifting, too. These arrive packaged in a sleek, clear container and are ready to wrap and give for any occasion, be it Christmas, a birthday, an anniversary, or another special occasion.
Shop More Deals- Lunvky Infinity Love Heart Bracelet, $15 (was $110) at Walmart
- Turandoss Clover Necklace, $20 (was $113) at Walmart
- Mula Stars Moon Sun Ring, $14 (was $23) at Walmart
You couldn’t ask for a better deal than four pairs of earrings that look strikingly expensive but cost a mere fraction of the real thing. Pick up the Apsvo Cubic Zirconia Earrings Set while it’s on sale at Walmart for a limited time.
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Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway Team Up for the Sequel to Iconic ‘90s Film Nearly 40 Years Later
Nearly 40 years after the first film, Variety announced today that Anne Hathaway will join Tom Cruise in the sequel to his iconic Days of Thunder.
Cruise and Hathaway shared the announcement on social media, releasing a promotional image of them posing next to a NASCAR vehicle wrapped with the words “Days of Thunder, Summer 2028.” In the photo, the actors match in button-down shirts and blue jeans, with Hathaway stunning in a cowboy hat.
View this post on InstagramAccording to Variety, Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, with Hathaway playing a racecar team owner and engineer. Jonathan Levine will direct, and Cruise will produce the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
“Let’s make the movie,” Hathaway said to Cruise in an Instagram reel. “I’m gonna have this baby, and then we’re gonna make this movie.”
“That’s a good idea,” Cruise replied. “You have the baby, then we’ll go make the movie. We’re coming out summer of 2028. Don’t be late.”
Fans quickly took to the comment section, expressing their excitement for the sequel and Hathaway’s casting announcement.
“I’ve been waiting forever for this moment, this is history in the making,” one user said.
“Wake up babe, a new Annie movie announcement just dropped,” another joked.
Hathaway has celebrated a successful year, with four films in theaters, including The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey. Before the end of 2026, she’ll also appear as Verity Crawford in Verity, the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Hathaway will star alongside Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, with the film releasing in theaters exclusively on Oct. 2.
As Hathaway looks ahead to Days of Thunder 2, Paramount Pictures has announced that the film will be released in theaters on June 2, 2028, shot for IMAX screens and released in formats like Dolby Cinema and 4DX. Although plot details remain under wraps, the announcement teaser can be seen here:
View this post on InstagramFans Celebrate What Would've Been Michael Jackson's 68th Birthday
68 years ago today, a legend was born. Born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family. Although he is no longer with us, Jackson left his mark on the world, cementing the title of “King of Pop” with hits like Billie Jean, Human Nature, Thriller, Beat It, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, and so many more songs that this list would be exhaustive.
Earlier this year, the Michael movie, which was released in April, grossed over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing music biopic of all time and Lionsgate’s highest-grossing release. Jackson is portrayed by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the film, with his siblings LaToya Jackson and Marlon Jackson and son Prince Jackson serving as executive producers.
@celestecallecHappy birthday, Mimi! 😭🫶 we love you and miss you so much 💗 #michaeljackson #mjfan #michaeljacksonforever #michaeljacksonbirthday #fy
♬ sonido original – celeste♡The film follows Jackson’s life from the 1960s to the Bad Tour in the late 1980s. Lionsgate has confirmed a sequel, with plans to begin production and filming in 2026 or 2027. It will follow Michael Jackson’s life from the 1980s up until his death in 2009.
Jackson made his debut at the age of six as the lead singer in the Jackson Five. The group debuted in 1964, signed with Motown Records in 1969, and parted ways with the label in 1975. Two years later, Jackson released his first solo album, Off the Wall, which includes hits like Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough, Rock With You and Workin’ Day and Night. The album sold over 20 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time and receiving two Grammy nominations and one win. Soon after, Jackson rose to solo stardom, with the global success of albums Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and Invincible.
Jackson died at the age of 50 years old, preparing for his “This Is It” 50-show comeback residency.
@mjkingofpop1818HAPPY BIRTHDAY MJ!!! #fyp #viral #michaeljackson #mjinnocent #mjforever
♬ original sound – mjkingofpop1818Happy birthday to the legendary Michael Jackson, who would’ve turned 68 today.
From his early Jackson 5 days to his ‘Thriller’ dominance, the icon cemented his permanent place as the King Of Pop. His legacy boasts unparalleled success with one of the best-selling catalogs ever… pic.twitter.com/4lDfYRup8e
