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As Danny Trejo faces ongoing backlash for his involvement in Ben Shapiro’s pro-ICE movie Pawn Shop, new information is coming to light from the actor’s son.

This past weekend, Trejo’s son, Gilbert, claimed that the Machete star signed on to the project without being properly aware of who Shapiro was or “what kind of guy he is.”

While many critics have described the Daily Wire’s new movie as inherently pro-ICE, Trejo’s son defended his father by saying the movie was “not pro anything.”

“For anyone seeing this sh*t with my dad…” Gilbert said a statement on his Instagram Story, (via The San Fernando Valley Sun). “He was booked on a film, it’s not pro-ICE, it’s not overtly pro anything. His agent described it as ‘a complicated story about a complicated time, where everyone looks bad except you, the hardworking Mexican shop owner who just wants peace.’”

As promising as the project might have initially sounded, Trejo and his family learned about Shapiro’s involvement roughly two weeks into filming. By the time Trejo learned more about Shapiro’s controversial politics, however, he was contractually obligated to remain in the shoot.

“He jumped at the idea of playing a good guy,” Gilbert said of his dad. “About 2 weeks into shooting everyone, including us, found out Ben Shapiro was involved. My 82-year-old dad has never heard of Ben Shapiro, I had to explain to him who that is, and what kind of guy he is. My dad contractually can’t bad mouth him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract. He couldn’t even release the statement he wanted to.”

“It’s f***ed up,” he continued. “He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts. Ben Shapiro got Mexicans to abandon one of their heroes, got his own name to the top of Google’s searches, and made us look like angry fools lacking any nuance. He wins.”

Dirty soda fans have three new sugar-free options for whipping up the trendy drinks at home.

Jordan’s Skinny Mixes announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, that it is expanding its Soda Syrup Collection with three new flavors: Shirley Temple, Grape Soda and Sweet Cream.

The new additions are all sugar-free, with Sweet Cream designed specifically to give homemade dirty sodas their signature creamy finish.

Dirty sodas typically combine soda with cream and flavored syrups, creating seemingly endless possibilities for customizing the drinks. The trend has exploded in popularity in recent years, inspiring specialty soda shops and plenty of at-home creations.

Skinny Mixes is leaning further into the trend with what the company calls its “Dirty Soda, But Make It Skinny” platform.

“Sweet Cream Syrup brings the essential creamy finish that defines a dirty soda, making the trending drink easy to recreate at home,” the company said in announcing the new products.

The brand suggests adding a splash of Sweet Cream Syrup to a favorite soda or combining it with one of the other flavors in its Soda Syrup Collection. The new Sweet Cream can be paired with Cherry Cola, Orange Soda, Shirley Temple or Grape Soda to create different dirty soda combinations without adding sugar.

Related: Tropical Smoothie Cafe Launches Its First-Ever Halloween Smoothie With an Unexpected Soda Flavor

The other two new flavors tap into some serious soda-shop nostalgia.

Shirley Temple Syrup is inspired by the familiar drink traditionally made with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and grenadine. Skinny Mixes’ version can simply be added to sparkling water to make a Shirley Temple-inspired soda with zero sugar and zero calories.

Grape Soda Syrup offers another throwback flavor. It can also be combined with sparkling water to make a fruity soda with zero sugar and zero calories.

The three new flavors join Skinny Mixes’ existing Cherry Cola and Orange Soda Syrups, giving customers even more possibilities for mixing and matching drinks. Adding Sweet Cream to any of the flavors transforms the basic soda into a creamy dirty soda.

The company describes the expanded collection as a way for customers to recreate soda-shop favorites at home, whether they’re revisiting a childhood favorite or experimenting with a new flavor combination.

Jordan’s Skinny Mixes was founded in 2009 after founder Jordan Engelhardt began looking for alternatives to sugary cocktail mixers. The brand has since expanded beyond cocktail mixes into coffee syrups, water enhancers, sauces and other sugar-free products.

Skinny Mixes did not announce pricing for the new Shirley Temple, Grape Soda and Sweet Cream Soda Syrups, but their typical 750ML bottle retails for $8.99 and a 375ML bottle retails for $4.99.

Related: Subway Is Giving Away 5,000 Free Footlongs This Week—Here’s How to Get One

“Still” was a hit song released by the Commodores in 1979. It rose all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts. The song was the band’s final number one hit in the United States.

In an interview with Marty Duda, the legendary Lionel Richie spoke about the song-writing process, revealing that he was actually in a good mood when he wrote this heartbreaking song. “First thing I always tell people every day is, about maybe thirty years ago I learned a trick, it’s called… don’t think about what you’re going to write. Because, guaranteed, I will sit down, it is the saddest day of my life. Someone might have died or whatever the case may be, and I am going to write the saddest song I can think of, and I write ‘All Night Long.’ And then I’ll say, ‘OK, I’m happy, this is the happiest day of my life’. And I write a song called ‘Still.’”

Richie went on to explain when he first realized he could write songs. “I didn’t think I was a songwriter until I had a chance to really hang out and watch Marvin Gaye record, watch Stevie Wonder record,” he said. “And then I realized, ‘Wait a minute, where’s the music?’ I realized these guys can’t read or write music. And so once I discovered that you don’t have to have a diploma to be able to hear a new song, then I was a songwriter, babe. It was pretty much the beginnings of The Commodore era into Motown, was where the bell went off.”

Related: 1958 No. 1 Hit, Based on a Real Murder Case, Was Named One of the ‘Songs of the Century’

The Commodores are also known for their songs “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Nightshift,” “Brick House,” and “Lady (You Bring Me Up).” The band was inducted into both the Vocal Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The band never officially disbanded, but they went through a major change when Richie left in order to pursue his solo career.

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Fall fashion is all about the accessories. A cozy scarf, a statement handbag, or a little sparkle can make even the simplest outfit feel more elevated. Earrings are especially easy to work into your wardrobe because they can add a touch of elegance without requiring you to change your entire look. Whether you’re dressing for a casual day out or a special occasion, a versatile pair is always worth having in your jewelry collection.

If you’re shopping for new earrings, the Cate & Chloe Giselle Swarovski Crystal Hoop Earrings are worth a look. They’re currently on sale for 31% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $29 to just $20. Their classic silhouette and sparkly details make them easy to wear regularly, so you can get plenty of use out of them for the price.

Cate & Chloe Giselle Swarovski Crystal Hoop Earrings, $20 (were $29) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The earrings come in three finishes: rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold, which has a silver-tone appearance. Each option costs $20, making it easy to choose a pair that complements your existing jewelry. Their petite design measures approximately 5.5 millimeters wide and 15.2 millimeters high, with an overall length of 16.8 millimeters. 

Each earring features five Swarovski crystals, giving you 10 sparkling stones across the pair. The crystals are arranged to catch the light, creating a diamond-like shimmer that looks elegant without feeling too flashy. The earrings are plated in 18-karat gold and feature a secure latch-back closure to help keep them comfortably in place. They’re also hypoallergenic and free of lead and nickel, making them a good option for shoppers with sensitive ears.

Related: Amazon’s Trendy Scalloped Sweater Looks Straight Out of a ‘Fancy Boutique,’ But Costs Just $20

One of the best things about these hoops is how easily they transition between occasions. Wear them with jeans and a sweater for a simple everyday outfit, or pair them with a blouse and trousers for a more polished look. Their sparkle also makes them suitable for weddings, date nights, holiday gatherings, and other dressier events. They arrive in a gift box, too, making them a thoughtful choice for birthdays, anniversaries, bridal parties, and other special occasions. 

This bestselling style has amassed over 4,500 five-star ratings. One shopper dubbed the earrings their “go-to” pair, writing, “I’m surprised at the quality of these for the price. I’ve had them for about a month now and they look brand new.” Another reviewer called them “classy” and elegant,” adding, “These earrings go great with dressier clothes and also with very casual items. They are small yet you can really see the details when looking in the mirror.”

Shop More Cate & Chloe Jewelry Deals

• Cate & Chloe Sophia Simulated Diamond Halo Necklace, From $18 (was $25) at Walmart
• Cate & Chloe Rosalie Simulated Diamond Tennis Bracelet, From $20 (was $57) at Walmart
• Cate & Chloe Ariel Simulated Diamond Halo Jewelry Set, $31 (was $49) at Walmart

If you’re looking for earrings that feel timeless but still offer a little sparkle, the Cate & Chloe Giselle Swarovski Crystal Hoop Earrings are an easy addition to your collection. Walmart’s current 31% discount brings them down to $20, saving you $9 on a chic and timeless accessory that you’ll be able to style in plenty of ways.

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.

Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love has long been regarded as a modern literary classic. Forty-five years after its publication, the book has now been ranked No. 1 on Collider’s list of “6 Short Story Collections That Have Aged Like Fine Wine.”

Describing Carver’s second story collection as “the one that made him a household name,” the outlet praised the book as “a masterpiece of minimalist fiction” with its stories that “explore the elusive nature of relationships and the difficulty of articulating our wants and needs, finding extraordinary tension in the ordinary lives of working-class Americans.”

Collider noted that in his writing, Carver “trusts the readers to recognize the heartbreak lurking between the lines, the frustration in silences, the yearning behind the carefully chosen sentences, and that trust is what makes his stories so powerful.”

Carver’s 1981 book topped Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery and Other Stories and even The Complete Stories of Ernest Hemingway on Collider’s list.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love contains 17 short stories that explore the difficulty of finding connection and meaning in ordinary life. The stories are as follows:   “Why Don’t You Dance?”; “Viewfinder”; “Mr. Coffee and Mr. Fixit”;  “Gazebo”; “I Could See the Smallest Things”; “Sacks”; “The Bath”; “Tell the Women We’re Going”;  “After the Denim”; “So Much Water So Close to Home”; “The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off”; “A Serious Talk”; “The Calm”; “Popular Mechanics”; “Everything Stuck to Him”; “One More Thing” and “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.”

In an interview for the book Conversations With Carver, Carver described the stories in the collection as “so pared down.”

“Everything  I thought I could live without I just got rid of, I cut out,” he shared.

The author added that after he submitted What We Talk About When We Talk About Love for publication, he didn’t write another thing for six to eight months.

Carver’s career was cut tragically short. He died in 1988 of lung cancer at age 50.

In 1993, the Robert Altman film Short Cuts was inspired by stories by Carver. Two of the stories used—“So Much Water So Close to Home” and “Tell the Women We’re Going” — were adaptations from What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

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Brian Austin Green is cheering on fiancée Sharna Burgess as she competes on Dancing With the Stars, even if he hasn’t been able to make it to the ballroom every week.

The actor recently explained why he has been absent from the audience during Season 35 of the ABC dance competition, revealing that changes to the show’s audience policies have made it more difficult for him to attend while caring for their young son, Zane.

“I was there a lot in the beginning,” Green, 53, told Us Weekly. “[Production] has cracked down a little bit on young kids being there.”

Green shares 4-year-old Zane with Burgess, 41, and is also dad to four sons from previous relationships with Vanessa Marcil and Megan Fox. With restrictions making it difficult to bring the children along, the couple has had to figure out a schedule that works for their family.

“I can’t be there with Zane and the kids. So we have found a time when it works where they can be home with someone and I can go,” Green told the outlet. “I’m always there, whether I’m sitting in the audience or I’m sitting at home watching. I’m always rooting for [Sharna]. So we figure out from episode to episode what works.”

Burgess returned to the ballroom this season after a five-year break, partnering with The Bachelorette alum Tyler Cameron. Her return has meant a busy schedule for the professional dancer, leaving the couple to adjust to spending less time together.

“The Dancing With the Stars schedule is a pretty packed one,” Green said. “They have a lot of stuff that they do, so it’s not the time that I’m used to [having] with her. It’s just taking getting used to.”

Green added that the next month and a half will be especially busy if Burgess continues advancing in the competition, but the couple is learning how to navigate their demanding schedules and make time for each other when possible.

“When it’s done and then she has time, then it’s cool. Now we have our time back together again and it’s the same thing when I’m working,” he explained.

The couple is also preparing for Burgess to hit the road for the Dancing With the Stars tour next year. According to Green, she is scheduled to perform for one week in February and another in March. Green said he supports the opportunity, noting that Burgess loves dancing and deserves to experience the audience’s enthusiasm for her return.

“She should go do it,” he said, adding that he doesn’t mind holding down the fort at home while she pursues her passion. “Then it’ll be the same thing when I’m gone doing something. She’ll be holding down the fort. We are learning the trade off of that.”

Tina Fey and her husband, Jeff Richmond, rarely step out together publicly. However, the couple looks so in love in a recent appearance.

Fey, 56, rose to stardom on Saturday Night Live, where she helmed the writers’ room and later became a performer and co-anchor of Weekend Update. But it was her groundbreaking NBC comedy series, 30 Rock, which also starred Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, and Tracey Morgan, that solidified her place in the comedy holy grail. Also known for films like Mean Girls and Baby Mama, Fey continues to knock out home runs with her Netflix series, The Four Seasons. But this week, the star brought it back to 30 Rock to toast the iconic series’ 20th anniversary with Dunkin’. Posing at the Times Square EDITION Hotel alongside Richmond, the duo looked so in love in a casual moment as they held Dunkin’s sweet treats. If a couple can find a moment of joy together over a donut, you know they’re going to last.

Noam Galai / Getty Images

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Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond Recently Celebrated Their 25th Anniversary

Fey and Richmond recently celebrated 25 years as a married couple. During a June appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Fey joked about their relationship, PEOPLE reported.

“So you all were wrong,” she told the crowd, noting, “Everybody who said we weren’t going to make it.”

When asked by Fallon how they celebrated the big anniversary, Fey shared that they extended a trip to Los Angeles and lounged by the pool.

“At one point, we said, ‘Do you want to walk around a mall?’ and I was like, ‘Yes,’ ” she said. “Walk around a mall with no kids, not go into Hollister, just do what you want.”

“It was awesome,” Fey shared.

Check out the sweet moment below:

How Many Children Do Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond Have?

Fey and Richmond, who married in 2001 after dating for seven years, have two daughters: Alice, 21, and Penelope, 15.

Related: Amy Poehler and Her Boyfriend Look So Happy Together During a Night Out

In the mid-1980s, the Brat Pack didn’t just star in movies—they owned pop culture.

Between non-stop magazine covers and box office hits like The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, this young ensemble of actors defined an entire generation of cinema. But while the industry pushed them deeper into the star-making machine, Ally Sheedy realized the Hollywood game was one she had no interest in playing.

Instead, she chose to take a different path. A new PEOPLE Magazine article named the actress one of the 7 ’80s Stars Who Left Hollywood.

While Sheedy described the peak of her film career as the “all-consuming love affair” of her 20s, her focus shifted as the decade ended. Beyond her iconic Brat Pack hits, she built an impressive resume throughout the ’80s with roles in WarGames, Bad Boys, Short Circuit, Oxford Blues, Twice in a Lifetime, and Heart of Dixie; she ultimately found deeper purpose away from the Hollywood whirlwind.

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In a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, Sheedy opened up about the decade that changed her life, and caused her to make some tough decisions as she grew older.

 “My 20s were maybe not like other people’s 20s, but [also] kind of not that different,” she says. “Movies and working in film and TV and all that—it was this all-consuming love affair in my 20s. This is what I want to do…. So I understand myself in my 20s, and I also understand how dangerous it can be to simply decide this is my path—period, end of story, nothing else matters. But that’s in your 20s. You’re passionate.”

She continued, “In your 20s, it feels like I have this one thing that I love, my purpose. But actually there are branches that can come off from that, that can really expand your life and are part of the same thing but bring other stuff in. I didn’t know that in my 20s.”

Sheedy became a mother to her son Beckett, in 1994. She admitted that the experience helped reframe her perspective, stating, “I remember thinking, I’m really tired of thinking about myself all the time. I need my life to be about something else. And someone else.”

Outside of acting, Sheedy has spent the past decade pouring her passion into two very different worlds: academia and publishing. Along with teaching theater students at CUNY’s City College as an adjunct, she edits books under a pseudonym. It’s a quiet, hands-on path that offers the entertainer a totally different kind of creative joy than Hollywood ever provided.

Ally Sheedy last starred in Single Drunk Female for Freeform. The series lasted two seasons and ran from January 2022 to April 2023.

Related: ’80s Teen Idol Who Vanished from Spotlight Now Keeps a Low Profile in New York

In an alternate universe, Disney’s Star Wars sequel trilogy might have looked quite a bit different, with Ben Affleck recently sharing that he was approached to direct The Force Awakens back in the mid 2010s.

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the critically acclaimed filmmaker confirmed that he was originally offered the chance to direct the opening chapter in the Star Wars sequels by Disney.

“Yeah, they came to me and asked me, ‘Hey, are you interested in this?'” Affleck said. “And I don’t know that meant they weren’t also talking to J.J. or other people, but I talked to those folks at the time.”

As Affleck said, Disney eventually selected J.J. Abrams to direct the movie, with Affleck expressing his uncertainty about working on a movie that he didn’t feel he could do proper justice towards.

“That was one where I just like, hey, I like Star Wars, and I’m a fan, but I’m not the person to direct this movie,” the actor said. “I just think someone else who has more passion for this is going to do a better job.”

“In fact, that you’ve seen played out,” Affleck continued, referencing the polarized response to Disney’s sequel trilogy. “It hasn’t been easy for them to reinvent that franchise. Some have done really well, and you’ve got this whole fan base that’s got its own very strong opinions.”

As Affleck remembered it, The Force Awakens served as just one of the many mainstream projects he turned down over the years, citing his own creative vision as being inadequate to the script he was reading.

“I just thought, I don’t think I can do it as well as somebody else, and I don’t want to direct something that I don’t feel like I have a chance to be really proud of,” the Good Will Hunting star said.

Chipotle Mexican Grill wants its customers to carry home their burritos in something the size of a coffee table.

The fast-casual chain is launching a three-foot-wide, 170-liter iteration of its iconic brown takeout sack, dubbed the Big Ass Chipotle Bag. Measuring 36 inches across, 24 inches high, and 12 inches deep, the promotional item is engineered to swallow objects as wide ranging as a tuba, a full-sized traffic cone, or a chair from one of Chipotle’s dining rooms.

The announcement is the anchor for the brand’s Family Meals, a bundle designed to feed between four and six people. Beginning October 13, domestic loyalty program members gain access to a weekly sweepstakes. Securing an entry requires purchasing a multi-person meal bundle through the chain’s app or web portal.

Source: Chipotle

Chipotle

Fernando Machado, the company’s chief brand officer, framed the release around sheer physical scale. “We took one of the most recognizable parts of the Chipotle experience, gave it an outsized upgrade, and created something that’s impossible to miss,” he said.

Formerly marketed under the moniker Build-Your-Own Chipotle, the Family Meal packages provide bulk quantities of proteins, rice, beans, salsas, and taco shells meant for group assembly. Executives report the bundles retail for under $10 per diner, targeting households ordering for evening dinners or sports broadcasts. Stephanie Perdue, senior vice president of brand marketing, noted that group dining occasions represent a growing segment of transactions.

The new print and digital spots treat the oversized brown paper sack with the reverence of a high-end leather handbag, photographing it propped beside Christmas trees and design-forward furniture.

“You see this ridiculously oversized Chipotle bag and immediately get the joke,” said Ricky Casal, chief creative officer at GUT Miami. “We leaned into that simplicity, treating it like a luxury object and letting the scale do the storytelling.”

The sweepstakes automatically logs qualifying app and website transactions, pulling weekly winners from the pool of customers who purchase the group bundles.

“Tom Dooley” was a folk song based on the murder of a woman named Laura Foster in 1866. It was recorded by The Kingston Trio in 1958 and rose all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording.

In an interview with Gary James, Bob Shane spoke about the success of the song. He said, “When the ‘Tom Dooley’ song came off the first album, which had Calypso music, Folk-oriented music, a couple of sea chants, an off-Broadway show tune and a Blues number, they picked that number ‘Tom Dooley’ off the album and started plugging it. It became a single. The single sold several million records in two weeks. A guy from Capitol Records came to us and gave us a big bonus check for ‘Tom Dooley’ and said, ‘Here, you’re Folk singers.’ And as a unit, we said, ‘You bet your ass we are! You’re gonna pay us good money, we’ll be anything you want.’ So, that’s how we got to be Folk singers.”

He continued, “Now, the first year of the Grammys was 1958, and they wanted to give us a Grammy for ‘Tom Dooley.’ They did not have a Folk singing category the first year, so they gave The Kingston Trio the very first Grammy ever given for Best Country And Western Performance Of The Year. The Country people ignored this completely. It saved Country music. Country music was dead at the time. The acceptance of The Kingston Trio’s song ‘Tom Dooley’ pulled Country music back up to where it is again.”

Related: 1962 No. 1 Song, Credited to One Band, Was Secretly Sung by Another: ‘The Crystals Didn’t Sing on Any of Their Own Records’

The Kingston Trio was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. They were also known for their songs “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “Greenback Dollar.” However, “Tom Dooley” was one of their biggest hits. It was named as one of the American Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and was added to the Library of Congress National Registry of Historically Significant Recordings.

Taylor Ann Green may no longer be on Southern Charm, but she recently popped up in the premiere of the latest season of Below Deck on Monday night.

According to BravoTV.com, the reality star is friends with Kenny and Christina Haisfield, the co-primaries of the Below Deck charter taking place in Phuket, Thailand. The couple owns a South Carolina-based clothing and lifestyle brand which has been featured on Southern Charm before. The group, which included several couples, also included Green’s now-ex-boyfriend, Gaston Rojas.

Throughout the episode, cameras captured Green several times, at one point praising the Haisfields’ company, saying, “Y’all have created, like, a family — not just a company, but a family.”

Bravo / Getty Images

At another point in the episode, she cheekily suggested that the Chief Stew of the boat, and fellow Bravo star, Fraser Olender, date TJ Dinch, from the network’s other South Carolina-based show Southern Hospitality.

“Our friend is single, and it makes sense,” she said, per BravoTV.com.

Related: ‘Below Deck’ Star Makes Shocking Confession About Wild Thailand Parties: ‘No Recollection’

Green appeared on the Bravo show — which is set in Charleston and follows the lives of several men and women deeply rooted in the city’s culture — from Season 7 through 10. The cameras mostly followed her dating life, which initially included her connection to the show’s longtime fixture, Shep Rose. In her final season, though, she developed feelings for his friend, Austen Kroll, the ex-boyfriend of her friend, Olivia Flowers, which resulted in tension among the group.

“A bittersweet announcement; but after a lot of conversations and thought this past year, it is with a heavy but peaceful heart to announce that I will be stepping away from Southern Charm next year,” she wrote on Instagram in April of last year. “These past 5 years with NBC and Bravo have been some of the most crazy but exciting times of my life. I will forever be thankful to the network, production teams, Bravo family and all the fans for ultimately cheering me on to where I am today.”

However, according to the network, she’ll also appear in Season 12, slated to premiere on November 12.

While she was still with Rojas when she filmed Below Deck, she confirmed in June of this year that they were no longer together while chatting on The Viall Files podcast.

Below Deck airs on Monday nights at 8 p.m. EST.

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Every few months, another ingredient takes over hair care TikTok, promising longer, thicker hair with minimal effort. Castor oil has managed to stick around longer than most. Search for it online and you’ll find thousands of before-and-after videos crediting the thick, sticky oil with everything from faster hair growth to fuller eyebrows and dramatically less shedding.

I’ll admit I was skeptical. After all, if a single bottle of oil could actually make hair grow faster, dermatologists probably would’ve been recommending it decades ago. Still, after years of bleaching my hair blonde, I know firsthand how easily color-treated hair can become dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Between regular touch-ups and heat styling, my hair was overdue for some extra nourishment, so I figured it was finally time to see what all the castor oil hype was about.

So, for four weeks, I used castor oil consistently as a pre-shampoo treatment and documented what happened along the way. I also spoke with certified trichologist Bridgette Hill to separate hype from reality and find out what castor oil can actually do for your hair—and, just as importantly, what it can’t.

Related: 12 Best Hair Oils To Soften and Smooth Strands, Tested by Celebrity Stylists

What Is Castor Oil—and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil extracted from castor beans that’s been used in beauty routines for generations. Thanks to its rich texture and high concentration of fatty acids, it’s long been a go-to treatment for dry hair, helping condition the hair and lock in moisture. Unlike lighter oils like argan or jojoba, castor oil coats the hair more heavily, making it especially popular as a deep-conditioning treatment.

Its recent surge in popularity, though, has little to do with hydration. Instead, social media has turned castor oil into one of the internet’s biggest hair-growth obsessions, with countless creators claiming it transformed thinning hair, sparse brows and patchy lashes. Those dramatic before-and-after videos are hard to ignore—but they also raise an obvious question: Does castor oil actually grow hair?

Related: The 18 Best Hair-Growth Oils for Stronger, Thicker Strands, Tested by Trichologists Themselves

Getty

Does Castor Oil Actually Grow Hair? Here’s What a Trichologist Says

According to Hill, the answer is no—or at least, not in the way many viral videos suggest. “Current research has not confirmed that castor oil directly stimulates hair growth,” she tells Parade.

That doesn’t mean it’s all hype, though. “Because it’s rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil helps moisturize hair, reduce breakage and support scalp health,” Hill clarifies. “It may help hair look fuller, feel stronger and be better able to retain length over time.” 

That’s an important distinction. Over time, healthier strands are less likely to snap, meaning hair can retain more length and appear fuller—not because it’s growing faster, but because it’s breaking less.

Related: The 14 Best Scalp Serums for 2026, According to a Dermatologist

What Castor Oil Can Actually Do for Your Hair

While hair growth gets most of the attention, Hill says castor oil’s biggest strengths lie elsewhere. Rather than changing how quickly your hair grows, it works by conditioning both the hair and scalp, making it an especially good option for anyone dealing with dryness, damage or brittleness. Those nourishing properties can help improve the overall look and feel of your hair over time, even if they don’t change what’s happening at the follicle.

Hill tells Parade that those improvements can be observed almost immediately.

“Many people notice immediate benefits after just one treatment, including softer, smoother and shinier hair,” she says. With consistent use, she adds, castor oil can also help support more hydrated hair and a more comfortable, moisturized scalp, though results vary depending on your hair type, routine and overall hair health.

How To Use Castor Oil on Your Hair Without Making a Mess

Because castor oil is much thicker than most hair oils, a little goes a long way. Hill recommends using a bottle with an applicator nozzle—or transferring the oil into one—to make it easier to apply directly to the scalp without creating a mess.

To distribute the oil evenly, divide the hair into sections with clips and apply it one section at a time, working from the nape of the neck toward the hairline. Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes before shampooing thoroughly.

How often castor oil should be used depends on your hair type. Hill recommends those with fine hair apply a small amount to the mid-lengths and ends once or twice a month as a pre-shampoo treatment.

Medium to thick hair types can typically use it once a week for deeper conditioning, while wavy, curly and coily hair may benefit from incorporating it into a regular moisture-maintenance routine. Because castor oil is so rich, regular clarifying can also help prevent product buildup.

Can Castor Oil Damage Your Hair or Scalp?

For most people, castor oil is safe to use, but more isn’t necessarily better. Because it’s such a rich oil, using too much can weigh down finer hair or lead to product buildup if it isn’t washed out thoroughly.

Hill also recommends avoiding scalp oils altogether if you’re dealing with visible irritation, inflammation or certain scalp conditions unless you’ve been advised otherwise by a medical professional. Using the right amount for your hair type—and making sure to cleanse well afterward—helps you get the conditioning benefits without the drawbacks.

How I Used Castor Oil for 4 Weeks—and What Actually Changed

Hana Hong before

Hana Hong

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

I used castor oil (I recommend Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil because it’s made with 100% organic castor oil without unnecessary fillers or additives) as a pre-shampoo treatment for four weeks, applying a small amount to my scalp and working the rest through my mid-lengths and ends before washing it out.

I typically left it on for about 30 to 45 minutes, then shampooed twice to remove the residue. (After my first application, I quickly realized one round of shampoo wasn’t enough.) Since castor oil is much thicker than most hair oils I’ve used, sectioning my hair and applying it with a nozzle applicator also made the process much less messy.

Going into the experiment, I wasn’t expecting dramatic hair growth. After speaking with Hill, I knew the evidence simply isn’t there to support the idea that castor oil can stimulate new hair from the follicle. Instead, I was more interested in whether it could improve the overall health of my hair—and whether those benefits would be noticeable after a month of consistent use.

The first thing I noticed was how soft my hair felt. Even after the first couple of treatments, my ends looked smoother and my hair had a healthy shine that lasted between wash days. I also found that my hair stayed hydrated longer, especially through the ends, which are usually the first part of my hair to feel dry.

As the weeks went on, I started noticing less breakage when brushing and styling my hair. I also saw fewer strands collecting in my brush and during wash days. While that’s obviously not the same thing as growing new hair, it aligns with what Hill explained: by conditioning the hair fiber and helping reduce breakage, castor oil can help hair retain more length over time. In other words, healthier hair is less likely to snap before it has a chance to grow longer.

Hana Hong after using castor oil and with styling.

Hana Hong after and with styling

By the end of the four weeks, I hadn’t suddenly gained inches of new growth, but I also didn’t feel disappointed. My hair looked shinier, felt softer and seemed healthier overall—and honestly, that’s enough for me to keep using it. Rather than thinking of castor oil as a miracle hair-growth treatment, I now see it as an effective conditioning treatment that supports stronger, more resilient hair, which feels like a much more realistic (and believable) expectation.

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Source:

• Bridgette Hill, certified trichologist

Metallica frontman James Hetfield has no interest in telling fans what to think when they come to see his band perform.

During Metallica’s Saturday, Oct. 10, concert at Sphere in Las Vegas, Hetfield, 63, paused to thank the fans who had traveled to see the legendary heavy metal band during its “Life Burns Faster” residency. He then took aim at fellow entertainers who use their time onstage to push an agenda.

“Unless you live in Vegas, you’ve come a long way to spend some time with Metallica,” Hetfield told the crowd, according to video from the show. “We’re grateful for that—your travels, the money you spend, the time it took, thanks for coming to celebrate with us.”

But Hetfield wasn’t finished.

“I just gotta say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bulls–t, OK?” he continued, drawing applause from the audience.

The rocker explained that Metallica’s concerts are intended to give fans a break from everything happening beyond the venue.

“We’re here to forget about all the outside s–t, OK?” Hetfield said. “Metallica’s agenda is love, energy and heavy music, baby!”

Hetfield did not name any of the “other entertainers” he was referring to.

His comments come amid renewed debate over musicians bringing political issues into their concerts. Macklemore was recently dropped from his remaining scheduled appearances on Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” after repeatedly calling for a “Free Palestine” and performing his pro-Palestinian protest song “Hind’s Hall” while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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Macklemore later said New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had told Sheeran that the rapper would not be permitted to perform at the Massachusetts venue. Kraft subsequently confirmed his opposition to Macklemore performing there, citing the rapper’s “recent actions” and what he characterized as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Sheeran said he was not responsible for Macklemore being removed from the tour and has spoken publicly about the Israel-Gaza conflict while also defending the idea that concerts should not become political forums.

Hetfield’s comments in Las Vegas, however, are hardly a new position for the Metallica singer.

In a 2016 BBC interview, Hetfield said the band deliberately stayed away from subjects that could divide its audience.

“We stay away from politics [and] from religion,” he said at the time, explaining that those subjects tend to “polarize people even more.”

A year later, Hetfield similarly declined to offer his opinion of the president during an interview with Chilean newspaper La Tercera.

“My opinion stays with me,” he said, adding, “I’m a singer and guitar player in a rock band.”

“I hate politics,” Hetfield continued. “I don’t want to talk about politics. That separates people, and I want to connect them with music.”

Nearly a decade later, it appears Hetfield’s philosophy hasn’t changed.

Metallica launched its 24-show “Life Burns Faster” residency at Sphere on Oct. 1. The Las Vegas run is scheduled to continue through March 13, 2027.

Related: Iconic Rock Guitarist, Called ‘The G.O.A.T.,’ Turns 63

Jerry Seinfeld is finding himself in some hot water yet again for his controversial stance on the ongoing war in the Middle East.

According to several new posts shared across social media, the iconic stand-up comedian had his performance in Chicago this past Friday interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters in the audience.

As Seinfeld went through his comedy routine for the crowd in attendance, the comedian ended one joke by saying, “I’ve definitely had enough.”

At this, a protester shouted from the audience, “Well, I’ve had enough of genocide!”

As other members of the crowd began to loudly boo the outburst, the protester went on, citing estimated death tolls of Palestinian killed by the war in Gaza.

As the protester was escorted out of the show, Seinfeld was seen dancing on stage while mocking the protester. “I’m racist,” the comedian sarcastically said. “It’s a genocide. I’m into it.”

Seinfeld then went on to tell the protestor, “I’m going to find out how much your ticket was and I’m sending it to Israel.”

The clash between the comedian and the protesters in Chicago comes after several controversial comments made by Seinfeld in relation to the war in Gaza, with Seinfeld firmly defending Israel while denouncing Palestine.

During a 2025 appearance with Duke University, the comedian went so far as to compare the Free Palestine movement to the Ku Klux Klan, calling it an anti-Semitic movement.

“Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews,” Seinfeld said.

“By saying Free Palestine, you’re not admitting what you really think,” he continued. “So it’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ Okay that’s honest.”

In spite of his unwavering support for Israel, dozens of social media users came to the defense of the protester in Chicago, praising her for her actions while dissing Seinfeld.

“Seinfeld is apathetic to his fellow man,” one user wrote.

“For the woman, whoever she is, I salute you!” echoed a second account.

“Number one: Jerry Seinfeld is not funny,” added a third user. “Easiest boycott of all time.”

Caribou Coffee is getting ready for the holiday season.

Beginning Monday, November 2, the coffee chain will roll out its 2026 holiday menu at participating locations nationwide. This year’s lineup introduces four new Cookie Butter White Mocha beverages, alongside the return of popular seasonal drinks, including the Ho Ho Mint Mocha, Spicy Mocha and Cranberry Dark Chocolate collection.

The new Cookie Butter White Mocha combines the caramelized, spiced flavor of cookie butter with Caribou’s signature mocha, made with real white chocolate chips and cookie crumbles. Guests can order the new flavor hot or iced, as a blended Caribou Cooler, or as an espresso shaker finished with oat milk.

The four new beverages offer options for different coffee preferences. The hot version features steamed milk and whipped cream, while the iced version delivers a chilled take on the seasonal flavor. The Cookie Butter White Mocha Espresso Shaker combines fresh espresso and cookie butter flavor over ice with a splash of oat milk, and the blended Cookie Butter White Mocha Caribou Cooler features real white chocolate and cookie butter flavor, topped with whipped cream and crumbled cookies.

Several beloved holiday flavors are also returning to the menu, including Ho Ho Mint Mocha, Spicy Mocha, Cranberry Dark Chocolate, and Cranberry Energy.

The Ho Ho Mint Mocha combines real chocolate and espresso with refreshing mint, while the Spicy Mocha brings together chocolate, ancho chile and cinnamon. The Cranberry Dark Chocolate collection will also return, pairing rich chocolate with tart cranberry flavor across several beverage options. Guests can also order the returning Cranberry Energy Drink, a sparkling cranberry beverage that can be customized with lemonade and coconut milk cold foam.

Caribou is also adding something new to its bakery lineup. The Warm Spice Morning Bun is a flaky, buttery pastry rolled in a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and ginger.

The holiday menu also comes with a fresh look for Caribou’s cups. This year’s hand-illustrated designs take inspiration from cozy sweaters, blankets and wrapping paper, bringing a festive touch to the chain’s handcrafted drinks.

“One of the things we love most about this time of year is seeing guests reconnect over seasonal favorites while discovering new beverages to match their holiday mood,” Carrie Sazama, Caribou Coffee’s director of product, said in a statement shared with PARADE. “We wanted to create a collection that celebrates the many tastes of the season, and cookie butter felt like a perfect addition because its caramelized sweetness and warm spice pair beautifully with our signature White Mocha. Alongside returning classics like Ho Ho Mint Mocha, Cranberry and Spicy Mocha, these distinct flavor profiles come together in a menu that captures the coziness of the holidays and feels unmistakably Caribou.”

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Table lamps tend to fall into two categories: strictly decorative or purely utilitarian. Some add a pop of color or a sculptural shape to a room, while others are more practical picks for reading or working. It’s rare to find one that blends form and function — something that looks intentional on a nightstand or end table but also fits seamlessly into the rhythms of daily life. 

The Mercer41 Navreet Dimmable Table Lamp Set at Wayfair, now 54% off, is a perfect example of accent lighting that’s both practical and good-looking. These lamps don’t just sit in the background or fade into the decor. They become part of your everyday routine, quietly making the space more comfortable and more put together.

Mercer41 Navreet Dimmable Table Lamp Set, From $87 (was $189) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Wayfair

This set checks a few boxes for modern living. The most immediately useful feature is the built-in charging. Each lamp has USB-C and USB-A ports, so you can charge a phone and a pair of headphones without hunting for an extra outlet. Charging works whether the lamp is on or off, a handy detail for busy bedside tables or living room corners where device cords tend to multiply.

The dimming function is another thoughtful touch. The lamps offer stepless dimming, allowing you to customize the brightness from 0% to 100%, so you can rotate the switch to go from a soft glow for movie nights or a nursery to a brighter light for reading or work. The set also includes two dimmable LED bulbs that emit a warm white light and use far less energy than traditional bulbs.

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With four finishes to choose from (black, dark brown, gold, or silver), the set can blend quietly into modern or transitional spaces or add a subtle metallic accent where needed. The overall effect is clean and understated, without veering into generic hotel room territory. Visually, the lamps have a minimalist, mid-century-inspired silhouette and a drum-shaped linen shade. The simple design keeps the footprint small, so it will not crowd a side table or nightstand. Each lamp is 23 inches tall with a slim stem, while the shade measures 10 inches wide by 6.5 inches tall.

These lamps are created for dry locations only, not for bathrooms or outdoor use. Each lamp takes a standard E26 bulb up to 60 watts if you want to swap out the included LEDs later. Assembly is simple, too. Just attach the shade and plug the lamp in.

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For those looking to update a bedroom, living room, or home office with lighting that quietly does more than just illuminate, the $87 Wayfair table lamp set is a sensibly chic choice. At more than half off, the price makes a small upgrade easier to justify, especially when it means one less charger to track at bedtime.

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The cast of Breaking Bad is mourning the loss of RJ Mitte following the actor’s death at age 34.

Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. — also known as Flynn — on the hit AMC drama, died on Monday, Oct. 12. Following the news, his former co-stars took to social media to remember the actor, disability rights advocate and philanthropist, sharing emotional tributes to the young star they watched grow up on set.

Bryan Cranston, who played Mitte’s on-screen father, Walter White, shared a particularly heartfelt message, revealing that the two had been texting about getting together for lunch just weeks before his death.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston, 70, began in his tribute.

“RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died.”

Bryan Cranston Remembers His ‘Sweet Son’ RJ Mitte

Cranston recalled meeting Mitte when he was just 14 years old, after the teenager was cast as Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad. The actor praised Mitte’s enthusiasm for the role, his determination and the progress he made throughout the show’s run.

Born with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought aspects of his own experience to the character, who also has the condition. Cranston remembered how his young costar approached the demanding filming schedule and gradually developed into a talented actor.

“He was one of the stars of a hit TV show — but still a kid,” Cranston wrote, reflecting on the early days of filming in 2007.

Cranston also praised Mitte for using his career to advocate for performers with disabilities and for his philanthropic work supporting the disability community.

The tribute took an especially heartbreaking turn when Cranston revealed that he and Mitte had recently been making plans to meet for lunch.

“We were texting each other just a few weeks ago — figuring out when we could meet for lunch,” he wrote. “I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future…”

Cranston ended his message with a direct expression of love for his former costar: “I’ll miss you, son.”

He also encouraged anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek support, sharing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as a resource.

Aaron Paul Shares Heartbreaking Message for His ‘Friend’

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman opposite Cranston and Mitte throughout the series, also shared his grief following the news.

“I am at a loss,” Paul said in a statement reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed.”

Paul also used the moment to share an important message with anyone who might be struggling.

“And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that,” he added.

Paul’s words echoed the sense of loss expressed by his fellow cast members, while offering reassurance to people who might be experiencing difficult times of their own.

Dean Norris Says He ‘Always Looked Out’ for Mitte on Set

Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank Schrader, Mitte’s uncle on Breaking Bad, remembered looking out for the actor when he was still a young teenager working on the series.

“Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken,” Norris wrote in a message shared on X.

“Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed,” he continued.

“This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”

Norris’ tribute offered another glimpse into the relationships formed behind the scenes of the acclaimed drama, which ran for five seasons from 2008 to 2013.

Daniel Moncada Pays Tribute to His ‘Little Brother’

Daniel Moncada, who played Leonel Salamanca on Breaking Bad, also shared a tribute to Mitte.

“RIP RJ,” Moncada wrote. “I love you and I’ll miss you little brother.”

The message added to the outpouring of grief from the show’s extended cast, whose members have continued to remember Mitte not only for his performance but also for the person he was away from the cameras.

RJ Mitte Leaves a Legacy Beyond ‘Breaking Bad’

Although Mitte became widely known for playing Walter White Jr. across all five seasons of Breaking Bad, his work extended well beyond the series.

He appeared in shows including Switched at Birth and The Guardians of Justice, as well as films such as The Oak Room and Triumph. He also became a prominent advocate for disability representation in entertainment, drawing on his own experience with cerebral palsy to challenge stereotypes and encourage greater inclusion.

Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and led the Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic and community initiatives.

His representatives described him as a beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate in announcing his death.

As his former costars continue to share their memories, their tributes reflect the lasting impact Mitte made on the people who worked alongside him — both as a performer and as a friend.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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James McAvoy had just graduated from acting school when he landed a role on the HBO show Band of Brothers, which won several Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Although the series became a major success, when appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on October 12, McAvoy revealed that he was bullied by another actor on set.

“I’m not gonna tell you who it was,” McAvoy said, admitting the costar was in a promotional photograph that Cohen showed the audience. He later clarified that it was not David Schwimmer, because he was not in the photograph.

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McAvoy explained what happened during the incident, saying, “On my first day on set, there was a ton of actors … it was one of those scenes with everybody in it, and we’re all at a bar. I had a scene. And all these guys were in it for nine months, 10 months, and they get one line in one episode and one line 10 episodes later. They were all pissed. I come in for one episode, and I’ve got an arc and scenes. I’ve got tons of lines.”

McAvoy continued, “So, one of the guys in that picture decided to bully me on my first day as a professional actor out of acting school. He got him and his buddies to just stand pointing at me and laugh at me for like three minutes.”

Luckily, other people on set intervened. “Dexter Fletcher, who now is a great director, and a lovely Scottish actor called Robin Laing, they took me aside, and they were like, ‘Come hang with us, man,’” McAvoy explained.

Related: ‘Dead Poets Society’ Star Says the 1989 Set Was Unique Because ‘A Lot of People Are Really Cold and Crass and Mean’

Even though one costar treated him terribly, he revealed that he had a good experience filming Band of Brothers overall. “I’d say apart from that day [my Band of Brothers experience] was a nine,” he said. “But that day it felt like a two.”

If an epic voyage Down Under has been sitting on your retirement vision board for years, you already know the sheer logistics of planning it can feel a little dizzying. Between booking the 15-hour flight across the Pacific, coordinating hotel stays, and figuring out domestic flights between Sydney and southern Australia, putting the pieces together takes real work.

Now, one of our favorite lines for seamless bucket-list journeys is making that dream trip a whole lot smoother.

Princess Cruises has officially announced that Crown Princess will make Melbourne its home base for the 2028/29 cruise season. The ship sealed the deal as Captain Petar Lesic sailed her right into Port Phillip Bay on a breathtaking 28-day circumnavigation voyage around Australia, marking a long-awaited homecoming to Victoria’s vibrant cultural hub.

For travelers who love soaking in local culture before stepping onto the gangway, Melbourne is pure magic. It’s known as Australia’s coffee and arts capital, where you can spend a couple of relaxing days browsing the historic stalls at Queen Victoria Market, hopping aboard the vintage Puffing Billy steam train through lush fern forests, or strolling under the giant eucalyptus trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens before your ship pulls away from the pier.

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As Matthew Rutherford, Princess Cruises Vice President Asia Pacific, explained, having a dedicated ship stationed here answers what travelers have been asking for:

“Victorian guests had told the line they preferred to start their holidays closer to home and had missed having a Princess ship based in the city.”

Rutherford credited collaboration with the Victorian government in securing the new season, emphasizing that Melbourne has remained a beloved cornerstone for Princess throughout its five decades of sailing Australian waters.

Related: This 115-Day World Cruise Visits 49 Destinations

What Cruisers Need to Know About the Upcoming Season

While exact route maps and the total count of departures are still tucked away for a few more days, vacationers won’t have to wait long to start sketching out their calendars. Princess Cruises is set to pull back the curtain on its full 2028/29 deployment schedule on October 28.

Sydney fans won’t be left out, either. Princess is expected to keep a strong footprint sailing out of Sydney Harbor across the same season, with provisional plans pointing toward visits from Grand Princess, Emerald Princess, and Royal Princess.

Whether you are an Aussie traveler looking forward to an effortless getaway out of Station Pier or planning that once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, having Crown Princess docked in Melbourne puts one more dreamy voyage within easy reach.

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