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Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle covers everything from feeling emotional to music genres, color shades and things that shock.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1173 on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle for Thursday, August 27, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Thursday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today’s NYT Connections Categories on Thursday, August 27

1. Don’t get a shock!
2. Waaaaah!
3. Different versions of one color.
4. Four similar words, each with one letter added.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today’s Connections Game Answers for Thursday, August 27:

1. SELECTRIC THINGS: ELECTRIC EEL, LIGHTNING, LIVE WIRE, PIKACHU
2. MOVED TO TEARS: CHOKED UP, EMOTIONAL, MISTY, OVERCOME
3. SHADES OF GRAY: ASH, DOVE, PEWTER, SLATE
4. MUSIC GENRE PLUS STARTING LETTER: BROCK, NEMO, SPUNK, WRAP

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Wednesday, August 26, 2026

I always think back to my grandmother when I consider what makes a truly great eggplant Parmesan. Her simple, Sicilian version set a standard that nothing else could touch. She bypassed the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, trusting instead in her minimalist philosophy, that the pure harmony of tender eggplant slices, a rich tomato sauce, and a generous dusting of grated cheese was all that was needed.

Baked until bubbling and perfectly golden, my grandma’s eggplant Parmesan was the kind of dish that made the whole kitchen smell like a proper Italian Sunday afternoon and convinced me that some recipes could make an ordinary day feel special. It wasn’t just a recipe to me; it was the absolute benchmark.

Then I watched Italian food icon and celebrity chef Stanley Tucci make eggplant Parmesan on TikTok, and he did something I never expected. He added zucchini. I actually had to take a second look and there they were, along with the eggplant, slices of zucchini.

@stanley.tucci

I think people operate under the false assumption that I must love the sun, I don’t. That’s why I moved to England. I especially don’t like it during a heatwave when I’m slaving over a hot stove. Dinner was delicious though.

♬ original sound – Stanley Tucci

What I have always found appealing about Tucci is the way he approaches classic dishes with equal parts respect and curiosity. He doesn’t seem interested in changing a recipe simply for the sake of changing it. So when he slipped an unexpected vegetable into a dish I thought I knew by heart, I paid attention.

I was intrigued, but deeply skeptical. Eggplant Parmesan already has plenty going on. Did it really need another vegetable? There was only one way to find out, so I headed into my kitchen. I pulled an eggplant from the fridge, grabbed a zucchini, and set out to make Tucci’s version for myself. I was fully prepared to defend my grandmother’s traditional recipe to the bitter end. But, if I’m being honest, a small part of me was hoping Tucci would change my mind.

Related: Recreate Classic Spaghetti alla Nerano From Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy

The “Next Level” Secret That Made Me Rethink My Grandma’s Eggplant Parmesan

Theresa Greco

Sitting on the counter together, the long, skinny, green zucchini looked almost like an afterthought beside the large spherical deep purple eggplant. It certainly didn’t look like the ingredient that was about to make me question a recipe I had loved for years.

Layered between the eggplant, the thin slices of zucchini practically disappeared into the finished dish—but their effect was anything but subtle. They brought a delicate tenderness and a touch of natural sweetness that gave the finished casserole a lighter, more balanced texture. The eggplant still had that hearty, satisfying bite I loved, but the zucchini kept each forkful from feeling quite so dense.

And then there was the way it played with the sauce and cheese. The zucchini didn’t compete with either one or make the dish taste like a different recipe. Instead, it seemed to soften the richness of the eggplant and let the tomato and cheese shine right alongside it. It was a small change, but somehow the whole thing felt more harmonious. The familiar flavors were still there, but the contrast in texture and that subtle hint of sweetness made me pay attention to them all over again.

Related: How to Make a Turin-Style Bicerin Like Stanley Tucci On Searching for Italy

What You Need To Make Stanley Tucci’s Eggplant Parmesan

Theresa Greco

Here’s the full list of ingredients needed:

• 1-2 medium eggplants, sliced lengthwise
• Salt
• 2 cups olive oil for frying 
• 1 small (14 oz) can of San Marzano tomatoes 
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 basil leaves, torn
• mozzarella
• parmigiano reggiano

How To Make Stanley Tucci’s Eggplant Parmesan 

The first thing I noticed when I started making Tucci’s eggplant Parmesan was that it didn’t feel all that different from the version I grew up with. The foundation was still there: eggplant, tomato sauce, grated cheese, and mozzarella. It was familiar enough to make me feel at home in the kitchen. The only real difference was the zucchini.

Theresa Greco

I sliced both the eggplant and zucchini vertically into long, even pieces, keeping the slices as thin as I could. The eggplant got a generous sprinkling of salt and was left to sit for about 30 minutes. This gives the eggplant time to release some of its excess moisture before it hits the pan.

Theresa Greco

While the eggplant is resting, I turned my attention to the zucchini. I fried the slices in a shallow layer of olive oil until they were tender and lightly golden, then set them aside while I did the same to the eggplant.

Theresa Greco

For the marinara sauce, I kept things simple. I added a splash of olive oil to a small saucepan and gently cooked a few garlic cloves until they perfumed the oil. I added the tomatoes, and let them simmer until reduced, about 15 minutes. I added some basil at the very end to preserve the fresh taste.

By this point, my kitchen was starting to smell exactly like my gradma’s. The only difference was that there was now a pile of golden zucchini sitting in a plate alongside the eggplant. With the vegetables cooked, it was time to build the dish.

Theresa Greco

I started with a layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, then added a layer of eggplant and zucchini. More tomato sauce went over the top, followed by a generous scattering of grated cheese and some mozzarella. I kept repeating the layers until the dish was full, finishing with sauce, cheese, and enough mozzarella to create that bubbling, golden top I was hoping for.

As it baked, the tomato sauce bubbled around the vegetables, the cheese melted into the layers, and the zucchini softened alongside the eggplant.

Related: 9 Parmigiano Reggiano Recipes Inspired by Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

How To Keep Eggplant Parmesan From Getting Watery

Eggplant Parm from the oven

There’s one thing that can ruin an otherwise beautiful eggplant Parmesan: too much liquid. Instead of distinct layers of tender eggplant, zucchini, sauce, and cheese, you can end up with a watery dish that falls apart when you cut into it.

That’s why preparing the eggplant properly matters. Eggplant naturally holds a lot of water, and salting the slices for about 30 minutes helps draw some of that moisture to the surface. Pat them thoroughly dry before frying to remove as much liquid as possible.

Frying helps even more. It softens the eggplant, gives it a lightly browned exterior, and cooks off additional moisture while adding the deep, savory flavor that makes eggplant Parmesan so satisfying.

The zucchini deserves the same attention. Since it also contains plenty of water, frying the slices before layering helps reduce excess moisture and gives them enough structure to hold up in the oven. Instead of watering down the sauce, the zucchini becomes a tender, flavorful part of the dish.

And don’t skip the final rest. Straight from the oven, the sauce is bubbling, the cheese is molten, and the vegetables are still releasing steam. Let the meal rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. The layers will settle, the sauce will thicken slightly, and the dish will be much easier to slice.

None of these steps are complicated, but together they make the difference between a beautifully layered eggplant Parmesan and a soggy one.

Related: Stanley Tucci’s Tips for How to Summer Like an Italian (and His Fresh Tomato Pasta Recipe) Are Brilliant On Every Level

Grandma’s Eggplant Parmesan vs. Stanley Tucci’s: My Honest Verdict

Theresa Greco

When I finally tasted Tucci’s version of eggplant Parmesan for myself, I realized I had been asking the wrong question. This wasn’t really about whether his recipe could outdo my grandmother’s. Grandma’s eggplant Parmesan is still the definition of comfort to me. It’s rich, delicious, and completely familiar. Every bite takes me back to her kitchen and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

But Tucci’s version caught me off guard. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. The zucchini was the difference I didn’t know I had been searching for. It added a gentle sweetness and an almost silky tenderness between the layers, giving the dish a little more contrast without taking away any of the flavors that make eggplant Parmesan so irresistible. The eggplant still tasted like eggplant. The tomato sauce was still bright and savory. The cheese still bubbled. It just felt more balanced.

And that was the part I couldn’t stop thinking about. Tucci hadn’t taken a beloved Italian-American classic and turned it into something unrecognizable. He made one small change, and somehow that was enough to make an old favorite feel new again.

So, has Tucci’s recipe officially replaced my grandmother’s? Absolutely not. But he has, without question, convinced me to make room for zucchini the next time I make it.

Grandma’s recipe will always be the one I turn to when I’m cooking for nostalgia. Tucci’s is the version I’ll serve to someone who swears they already know exactly what eggplant Parmesan should taste like.

Up Next: My Grandmother’s Italian Way To Make Olives 10x Better

Today’s NYT Wordle answer makes up half the title of one of Adam Sandler’s most popular recent movies.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1895 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s Wordle begins with a vowel.

Are there any double letters?

There are double letters in today’s Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today’s Wordle?

A hint for today’s Wordle is: the first half of a motion picture starring Adam Sandler.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle Answer for #1895 on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Today’s Wordle answer on Thursday, August 27, 2026, is UNCUT.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Lainey Wilson has lent her rich Southern twang to one of the most beloved coming-of-age country ballads: Deana Carter‘s “Strawberry Wine.”

Wilson put her spin her spin on the ’90s country classic in a TikTok video posted in 2023, where she performed an a cappella medley of Carter’s song mashed up with a track from her own discography.

In the video, Wilson begins by belting out “Strawberry Wine” before transitioning into her own song, “Watermelon Moonshine” — a track that fans often compare to Carter’s 1996 hit. Both songs tap into themes of young love and coming-of-age nostalgia, evoking memories of youthful innocence and carefree days spent drinking cheap, fruity beverages.

“A lot of y’all have been saying ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ is the modern day ‘Strawberry Wine,'” Wilson wrote in her video, which even garnered a response from Carter.

@laineywilson

Me and my lil Hippie Mae just singin away. Thank y’all for lovin this song as much as I do. 🍉 #watermelonmoonshine #songofthesummer #indiemusic #strawberrywine

♬ original sound – Lainey Wilson

Carter responded to Wilson’s cover with her own mashup of the two songs, posted on TikTok several days later.

“SO proud of my girl @laineywilsonmusic, and per request I am returning the #songswap with all the love in my heart! ❤️ 🍓 🍷 🍉🫙” Carter captioned her video, which featured her playing an acoustic guitar as the backing track for her effortlessly smooth vocals.

@deanacarterofficial

SO proud of my girl @laineywilsonmusic & per request I am retuening the #songswap with all the love in my heart! ❤️ 🍓 🍷 🍉🫙

♬ original sound – DeanaCarterOfficial

Wilson later reacted to Carter’s video with another follow-up post on TikTok, where she was practically gushing over seeing the country icon sing one of her songs. Referring to Carter as her “soul sister,” Wilson admitted, “Clearly I was very inspired by ‘Strawberry Wine'” while writing “Watermelon Moonshine.”

“Strawberry Wine” was featured on Carter’s 1995 album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, and it was released as a single in July 1996. It spent two weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and went on to become a multi-Platinum certified album by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Carter’s signature hit is also considered one of the top country songs ever recorded, according to Rolling Stone, which ranks it at No. 141 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.

Related: Country Star Lainey Wilson Makes History at Iowa State Fair

A song born from a frustrating day changed the course of her life.

Valerie Simpson celebrated her 80th birthday on Aug. 26. Born in the Bronx in 1946, the singer, songwriter and producer first found music through gospel, playing piano at her grandmother’s church before beginning a partnership that would produce some of soul music’s most enduring songs.

Simpson met Nickolas Ashford at a New York church while she was still in high school. The pair started writing together and soon joined forces with former Ikette Jo Armstead. Among the trio’s early compositions was “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” which Ray Charles recorded in 1966.

Charles’ version became a No. 1 R&B hit and gave the young writers their first major success. Despite its title, the song originally referred to drinking rather than drug use.

“We weren’t having any luck one day, and Nick just said, ‘Let’s go get stoned,'” Simpson recalled in a 2018 interview. The next day, they sang the small refrain for a publisher who promised to get it to Charles if they completed the song.

The hit caught Motown’s attention and Ashford and Simpson were soon writing for the label. Their songs included “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need to Get By” for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. They also wrote Diana Ross’ “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.”

Simpson and Ashford eventually stepped in front of the microphone as Ashford & Simpson. Their best-known recording, “Solid,” became a worldwide hit in the 1980s. The couple married in 1974 and remained creative partners until Ashford’s death in 2011.

Their work brought them 22 gold and platinum records, more than 50 ASCAP Awards and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Simpson also released solo music and continued writing after losing her husband.

At 80, her name remains attached to songs that have survived changing formats, audiences and generations. What started with one offhand joke became the opening note of a remarkable career.

Related: ’70s Music Legend, Nicknamed ‘Metal God,’ Turns 75 Today

Polyphia, the instrumental progressive rock band, delivered a back-to-back announcement ahead of its BE NOT AFRAID World Tour.

The quartet, composed of Tim Henson and Scott LePage on guitars, Clay Gober on bass and Clay Aeschliman on drums, shared that their new song “Power in the Blood” is officially out.

With the second single out now, the band is giving fans a preview of its soon-to-be-released album BE NOT AFRAID, set for an Oct. 23 launch.

“BE NOT AFRAID 10/23. New song “POWER IN THE BLOOD” out now. Preorders available now at polyphia.com. We poured everything we had into making this album exactly what we wanted it to be,” the caption reads.

Guitarist Tim Henson of the band Polyphia performs live on stage at the annual Rock Am Ring Festival 2024.

Gina Wetzler/Redferns

However, Polyphia continues to surprise the public with a major change to its highly anticipated North American tour.

The 28-date run, originally scheduled for September and October 2026, has been postponed to early next year, kicking off on Feb. 5, 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona, and concluding the trek on March 20 in Dallas, Texas.

“In order to see that vision all the way through, our North American shows will now take place in February/March 2027. We know a lot of you already made plans to come see us, and we don’t take that lightly. Thank you for being patient with us and sticking with us. We genuinely can’t wait for you to hear this record and experience it with us,” the band captioned its post.

View this post on Instagram

As for the tickets, those who purchased them will remain valid for the new dates.

Following the changes to the North American run, Polyphia’s European and U.K. dates “remain unchanged.”

Joining the band as supporting act throughout the worldwide tour is musician RJ Pasin, while Mexican music group Ladrones will perform on the North American dates except San Diego.

Intervals will also join Polyphia for the Toronto and Montreal shows.

BE NOT AFRAID World Tour Europe and U.K. 2026

Nov 18 – Zurich, CH – Halle 622
Nov 19 – Lyon, FR – Le Radiant
Nov 20 – Toulouse, FR – Interference
Nov 22 – Barcelona, ES – Razzmatazz
Nov 23 – Madrid, ES – Sala La Riviera
Nov 25 – Milan, IT – Alcatraz
Nov 27 – Munich, DE – Zenith
Nov 28 – Prague, CZ – SaSaZu
Nov 29 – Warsaw, PL – Progresja
Nov 30 – Leipzig, DE – Haus Auensee
Dec 2 – Hamburg, DE – Docks
Dec 4 – Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio
Dec 5 – Berlin, DE – Tempodrom
Dec 6 – Oberhausen, DE – Turbinenhalle
Dec 7 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
Dec 8 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
Dec 9 – Paris, FR – Zenith Paris
Dec 11 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy Birmingham
Dec 12 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy
Dec 15 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy Leeds
Dec 16 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton

BE NOT AFRAID World Tour North America 2027
Feb 5 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Feb 6 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Feb 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
Feb 10 – San Diego, CA @ SOMA (no Ladrones)
Feb 11 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Feb 14 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
Feb 17 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Feb 19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
Feb 20 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
Feb 23 – Minneapolis, MN @ Uptown Theater
Feb 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Feb 25 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
Feb 26 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Feb 27 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
Mar 2 – Toronto, ON @ Great Canadian (feat. Intervals)
Mar 3 – Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia (feat. Intervals)
Mar 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
Mar 6 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
Mar 7 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Mar 9 – Washington, DC @ Echostage
Mar 10 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
Mar 12 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
Mar 13 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Mar 14 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
Mar 16 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
Mar 17 – Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Company
Mar 18 – Nashville, TN @ The Truth
Mar 20 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom

Related: 1971 Rock Song by Derek and the Dominos Is Still a Powerful Supergroup Hit 55 Years Later

Ten days after the sudden and tragic death of Hayden Panettiere, her Heroes castmates got together to celebrate her life.

In a touching post to Instagram, Jimmy Jean Louis, who played “The Haitian” on the NBC series, which ran from 2006 to 2010, shared photos of the cast reunion.

Related: Hayden Panettiere’s On-Screen Father Breaks His Silence on Her Death

“A Heroes reunion to celebrate the life of HAYDEN was deeply emotional,” he captioned the photos. “There was sadness in our hearts, but also so much love, gratitude, and warmth as we remembered the beautiful moments shared and the lasting impact of a life that touched so many. Au revoir Hayden.”

Spotted in the snapshots along Jean Louis were actors Adrian Pasdar, Greg Grunberg, Masi Oka, Jack Coleman, Maddy Zima, and Santiago Cabrera.

View this post on Instagram

In the background, fans also spotted Zachary Quinto and Sendhil Ramamurthy, who attended virtually.

“Honored to have breathed the same air as Hayden and this whole Heroes crew, one of the most love-filled rooms I’ve ever been in,” Maddy Zima wrote of the reunion. Jack Coleman’s wife, Beth, also shared, “The love in the room was all Hayden. The ‘little girl’ on the show who set the tone from day one, and the glue that bonded friendships for life. She will always be missed.”

Despite the circumstances, fans were also happy to see the Heroes cast back together again.

“Thanks for sharing — such a beautiful honour for our lovely Hayden,” one fan commented before another added, “This warmed my heart. Heroes was so important to me growing up and Claire was the heart.”

A third chimed in, “This is fantastic to see. Looks like lots of love in the room. All for Hayden and the moments shared. Very powerful.”

We think it’s time for a Heroes rewatch.

On Wednesday night, the cast of “The Rocky Horror Show” on Broadway paid tribute to the late Tim Curry, who originated the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult-classic musical film.

Actor Paul Soileau spoke about the actor at curtain call, remembering him for the incredible legacy he left.

“The way Frank-N-Furter survives is that he finds vessels and he goes into them, and he takes them over, and he keeps moving and moving all around,” Soileau said. “But if you trace it all back, 53 years ago there’s one home and one vessel; one mothership that Frank-N-Furter can actually call home. And it’s Tim Curry”

“[Writer and composer] Richard O’Brien laid a piece of paper in front of Tim Curry with ingredients on it. And he took all of those ingredients, and he created this beast that everyone found something within and could see a piece of themself inside of it,” he continued. “Just as Richard O’Brien created ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ to find something more about himself, you can also say that Tim Curry created Frank-N-Furter to express and find something deeper about himself. And somehow it resonated for this long with this many people in this room here right now.” 

“Obituaries always say that he didn’t have children. And that’s bulls–t, because he has so many children in this world. Tim Curry has more family than I think any of us could ever imagine,” Soileau concluded

As a result, the crowd began chanting, “Tim! Tim! Tim!”

Soileau then brought Tony Award nominee Luke Evans, who was the first actor to play Frank in this revival, onto the stage, as well as Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears, who will also be in the role beginning on Sept. 11. They were then joined by the entire cast, singing a rendition of “I’m going home.”

Netflix’s latest true crime obsession, Death of the Pastor’s Wife, examines the life and death of Mica Miller, the estranged wife of John-Paul Miller,

John-Paul was the pastor of her family’s church, Solid Rock, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when he began having an affair with Mica, who was also married at the time and 15 years his junior. In 2015, they divorced their respective spouses and got married two years later.

However, according to friends and family, Mica was subjected to emotional and mental abuse from her husband, including multiple affairs, before they separated in 2023.

Despite the divorce, John-Paul allegedly continued harassing and stalking Mica. One year later, Mica died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and many are blaming John-Paul Miller for her death.

In December 2025, John-Paul was ultimately indicted on two counts: cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators. The indictment alleges that John-Paul “sent unwanted and harassing communications to his estranged wife” up until her death. This harassment included “posting a nude photo of the victim online without her consent, causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle, and in one instance, contacting her over 50 times in a single day,” according to the release.

So, where is John-Paul now? He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting federal trial, which has been pushed to October 2026. He has also remarried, tying the knot with his girlfriend Suzie Skinner in 2025.

::: BREAKING ::: John-Paul Miller and Suzie Skinner are officially married following a wedding ceremony in Myrtle Beach this afternoon.

If JP and Suzie believe this union will save them from testifying against each other… well… I’ve got some bad news.

Spousal Privilege… pic.twitter.com/VebaNfIGSN

— Robbie Harvey (@therobbieharvey) June 1, 2025

Despite the legal troubles and new allegations of sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl in 1998, he is still preaching at his new church, Mercy Church, according to The Sun News.

“I spent 2024 giving mercy to everyone who slandered me, abused me, defamed me, and invaded my privacy. I gave so much mercy that I helped start a new church called Mercy Church,” he told the outlet via text. “But in 2025 God spoke to me and told me to give the mob what they want. They never asked for mercy, they demanded justice. So in 2025, I’ll be pursuing Justice.”

If you happened to be an 8-year-old girl when Cyndi Lauper‘s iconic debut solo single, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, then you know exactly how much of a huge deal that song was to an entire generation of young women. Did we sing along? Yes. Did we dress up like Lauper? Also yes. (Do we still love the song as middle-aged Gen X-ers? Again, yes.)

Long before the Spice Girls said anything about “girl power,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was already a feminist anthem for the ages. But when Lauper first heard the song, she didn’t want to perform it…because the original lyrics were too sexist. (“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was originally written and performed by Robert Hazard in 1979.)

“[A] man wrote it, so imagine what it’s really about,” she told Dan Rather in 2019 on AXS.tv’s The Big Interview. “There was a whole bridge…[that] was like, ‘Hey dad, we are the fortunate ones, nudge, nudge, ’cause girls they want to have fun.’…And I’m like, ‘And how am I supposed to write this? What am I supposed to get a lobotomy and be like a big dope?!’ I said, ‘I can’t do this.'”

When Lauper’s producer suggested she change the lyrics to “make it what you would sing about,” she had a change of heart.

“I had this idea…'[What] if I sang like a trumpet and the guitar played that Motown feel that I grew up with and I loved?'” Lauper recalled. “‘And we used the electronic snare [drum], that street sound, and [keyboardist] Rob [Hyman] could play it like it was a reggae song?'”

Of course, Lauper’s version of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” released as the first single from the album She’s So Unusual in late 1983, became a cross-generational rallying cry:

Some boys take a beautiful girl / And hide her away from the rest o’ the world / I wanna be the one to walk in the sun / Oh girls, they wanna have fun / Oh girls just wanna have fun

When asked during a 2019 Library of Congress interview why “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” “struck such a chord with women and girls,” Lauper said it “would have been terrible if it didn’t.”

“I heard it a certain way, and I wanted to make it a certain way. It had to be happy and joyful,” she continued. “I had to change a few things from the original; it had to be different. ‘Cause it was by a guy and a guy’s not gonna sing it how a girl does….And there was this snare sound that was really big at the time that I thought was really great and I wanted to mix electronic with something more organic and [producer] Rick [Chertoff] was into that too at the time but didn’t want to go all electronic so we did this mix and created this thing, THIS THING, and it worked!”

Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

“You know, sometimes you try things and it’s genius and sometimes you’re like ‘What was I
thinking?!'” Lauper quipped, adding, “Everyone worked hard on the different keys, the different idea — trumpeting this idea of all girls and all women. That was the idea behind the video for it too. I wanted every kind of girl in that video; my mother was in that video. I wanted everyone to be like ‘WOW! I want to hang with them!'”

Lauper definitely accomplished what she set out to do, since everybody really did want to hang with the cast of that video. As popular as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was, though — even sticking in the #2 spot for two weeks and becoming one of the bestselling singles of the ’80s — the song never quite made it to #1. Van Halen’s “Jump” refused to budge, which is why Billboard eventually ranked “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” at #9 on a list of the “Best #2 Hot 100 Hits of All Time.”

In 2022, the music video for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” hit the one billion views mark.

“A lot of people don’t realize this, but ‘Girls’ is really a political song,” Lauper said in a statement. “When I got my feminist hands on it, I knew I wanted to make it into an anthem for all women.”

Related: Pop Icon Cyndi Lauper Reveals the Tragic Story Behind Iconic Song

Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to four murders at the University of Idaho last year, has been granted a new hearing to potentially take back his guilty plea, ABC News reports.

His status conference is set for June 3, 2027, and his hearing is set for June 17, 2027.

Kohberger was arrested in 2022 for the stabbing deaths of four roommates — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin — at the girls’ off-campus house. Weeks before his trial was set to start, he pleaded guilty, and as part of the plea deal, the death penalty was taken off the table. He was given four consecutive life sentences for the four first-degree murder counts. Kohberger also received an additional 10 years for the burglary count.

Last month, Kohberger filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which is a “process that enables someone convicted of a criminal offense to challenge that conviction for various reasons,” according to the National Legal Professionals Associates.

“This is often a crucial tool in overturning wrongful convictions or mitigating overly harsh sentencing,” the NLPA details on its website. “Errors or misconduct may have occurred during the trial, or new evidence may have been uncovered.”

In the handwritten affidavit, Kohberger is alleging that he was lied to and pressured to falsely confess by his lawyers, adding that there was information that was withheld that could have helped his case.

Judge Steven Hippler, who presided over the proceedings when Kohberger entered his guilty plea and sentenced him to those four life sentences, was the one who also granted him a status conference and an evidentiary hearing in his attempt to take back his guilty plea.

This is his only chance of getting a new trial, as Kohberger agreed to never appeal the case as part of his plea deal. If a new trial is granted, he could face the death penalty.

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If you’ve been waiting for a good excuse to give your patio, porch, or balcony a refresh, this may be the time to shop. Late summer is one of the best times to find deals on outdoor furniture as retailers start clearing seasonal inventory ahead of fall. Since there’s still plenty of warm weather ahead, you can actually enjoy your new setup before the season is over. And if patio weather sticks around year-round where you live, you’ll have even more time to put that new furniture to use. 

One Walmart deal worth checking out right now is the Ainfox Premium Patio 3-Piece Swivel Bistro Set, which is marked down to just $133 from $360. The three-piece set includes two cushioned swivel chairs and a matching glass-top coffee table, making it an easy — and considerably less expensive — way to give your outdoor space a fresh new look.

Ainfox Premium 3-Piece Patio Swivel Bistro Set, $133 (was $360) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

There’s still plenty of time to enjoy your outdoor space, and this three-piece patio set makes it easy to create a comfortable spot for two. The Ainfox set includes two swivel glider chairs and a tempered glass-top coffee table, making it especially well suited for smaller patios, balconies, and porches. Each chair measures 26 by 28 by 32 inches, while the coffee table measures 18 by 18 by 17 inches. 

The chairs feature high-density polyester cushions with weather-resistant fabric and a sturdy steel frame, wrapped in handwoven PE rattan wicker that’s designed to resist fading, cracking, and rust.They also swivel a full 360 degrees and glide back and forth, letting you gently rock as you relax or turn to face another person or a favorite view without having to move the chair. 

Need more seating? The Ainfox collection comes in several styles, including a single loveseat and a four-piece set with two swivel chairs, a loveseat and a coffee table. The bistro set is available in beige, brown, and gray colors, although prices vary by color and configuration.

Walmart shoppers have fallen in love with this “comfortable” set. One reviewer called it “perfect for the patio and summer heat,” while another praised the “good durable material” and said the “metal framing is sturdy and solid.” A third shopper said the set was “very easy to assemble” and looked “very nice” on their porch. 

Shop More Deals

• Costway 6-Piece Stackable Shoe Rack, $122 (was $199) at Walmart
• Zunmos Storage Ottoman, From $21 (was $50) at Walmart
• Scenario Lace Up Low Profile Sneakers, $27 at Walmart

Related: Amazon’s 3-Piece Rattan Patio Set Turns Any Yard Into a ‘Cozy Retreat’ for Just $72

If you’re looking for an affordable way to make your outdoor space feel more finished and inviting, now is a great time to snag the Ainfox Premium Patio Swivel 3-Piece Bistro Set for as low as $133. Head to Walmart and snag one in your preferred color while it’s still in stock and on sale!  

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.

Fatty liver disease is a common condition, affecting 25 percent of Americans (many of whom don’t even know it). It happens when fat builds up in your liver cells. Fatty liver disease can stem from various health factors, such as insulin resistance, an overconsumption of alcohol, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

After receiving a fatty liver disease diagnosis, you may want to gain a better understanding of how to treat the condition (or even reverse it, since it is reversible). Your doctor might tell you which foods to limit, for example, or share other liver health tips (after all, health is about more than food). Plus, adding foods—not just limiting them—can be helpful. In the case of fatty liver disease, it’s about opting for foods that decrease fatty liver cells because yes, some do just that.

Ahead, hepatologists reveal the main thing they tell every patient with fatty liver to start eating more of—plus how much, how it helps and other foods to add to your grocery list. For what it’s worth, and perhaps surprisingly, the No. 1 food they mention isn’t a fruit or vegetable. In fact, you might dip your bread in it or use it to bake a cake.

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If You Have Fatty Liver Disease, Eat This 1 Thing

Believe it or not, the main thing hepatologists are begging individuals with fatty liver disease, which is also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, to eat is extra virgin olive oil (which also has brain health benefits, by the way). It has useful compounds, such as monounsaturated fats, or “healthy” fats, and plant antioxidants called polyphenols.

“Think of extra virgin olive oil as a green light for your liver’s fat-burning machinery,” explains Dr. Hal Brindley, a Doctify-reviewed consultant hepatologist and gastroenterologist at HCA London Bridge Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust. “These compounds act like a traffic controller: They flip off the biological switches that store fat in the liver and flip on the switches that burn fat for energy.”

Related: The Cooking Oil To Avoid if You Have Fatty Liver Disease, According to Gastroenterologists

Not sure how to incorporate it more into your life? You can use it as a salad dressing, drizzle it over roasted vegetables or swap it for butter, just to name a few avenues. In other words, don’t worry: It won’t be as hard as you might think.

“Replacing butter, margarine and other saturated cooking fats with extra virgin olive oil is a simple, actionable change that can be easy to adopt for patients, and this single substitution can reduce hepatic fat independently of caloric restriction or weight loss,” adds Dr. Pradnya Mitroo, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist and managing partner at Fresno Digestive Health. 

Dr. Brindley recommends eating one-and-a-half to two tablespoons a day, while Dr. Mitroo encourages shooting for three to four.

Related: This Is the #1 Most Important Habit for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist

Other Helpful Foods and Drinks for MASLD

Dietary health is all about incorporating a variety of foods, so hepatologists share a few other options that can help people with fatty liver disease.

Fatty, oily fish

This type of fish comes in many forms, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA.

“Omega-3 fats get built directly into the lining of your liver cells, making them more flexible and resilient,” Dr. Brindley explains. “They also lower blood levels of triglycerides (circulating fats), preventing extra fat from settling inside liver tissue.”

Dr. Mitroo adds that the omega-3s “decrease de novo fat production in the liver,” meaning they decrease the amounts of fat produced there.

Eating about four to five ounces of oily fish about two to three times a week should do the trick, hepatologists agree. You can switch up how you eat it for variety, too; for example, you could have grilled fish for your dinner entrée, or throw some fish in a salad or sandwich.

Related: The Common Supplement Hepatologists Wish People Would Stop Taking So Casually

Nuts

Nuts—especially tree nuts and walnuts—are another smart choice. They contain another omega-3 fat, ALA, according to Dr. Brindley. Plus, they have fiber that feeds the “good” bacteria in your gut.

He encourages eating a small handful every day. This could be on top of yogurt for breakfast or as a snack later in the afternoon—whatever you’re feeling.

Other helpful nuts, according to Dr. Mitroo, are almonds and pistachios. They’re a great source of “good” fat. He recalls reading studies that said eating more than three servings a week is protective against fatty liver disease.

Coffee

Yep, your morning caffeine is doing your liver a favor! Dr. Mitroo has seen studies that three cups of filtered coffee a day, without any additives, can decrease the risk of MASLD and liver fibrosis. 

Dr. Brindley explains the science behind it. “When your body breaks down coffee, it produces compounds that block special cells in the liver (hepatic stellate cells) from making scar tissue,” he says. “Over time, drinking coffee helps prevent the formation of stiff, fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that leads to serious liver disease.”

Eating liver-healthy foods like these is crucial—maybe even more so than you think. 

“MASLD/fatty liver disease is fast becoming a major cause of liver transplant in this country, and already the number one cause of a liver transplant in women, and it is reversible with the right dietary changes,” Dr. Mitroo says.

Up Next:

Sources

• Dr. Hal Brindley is a Doctify-reviewed consultant hepatologist and gastroenterologist at HCA London Bridge Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust.
• Dr. Pradnya Mitroo, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist and managing partner at Fresno Digestive Health. 
• A Silent Epidemic: 25% of Americans Have Fatty Liver Disease, Lee Health
• Fatty liver disease (MASLD), Mayo Clinic

Just one day before Dolly Parton’s death, her sister Stella Parton shared a funny story about growing up with the country legend—and fans couldn’t get over how much Stella sounds like her famous sister.

Stella, who is a singer and songwriter in her own right, has the same unmistakable twang, warmth and playful sense of humor that made Dolly so beloved. Hearing her tell a story about the sister she knew long before the rhinestones, hit songs and worldwide fame is especially poignant now. Stella also called Dolly “one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” a simple tribute that carries even more weight following Dolly’s death on August 25.

View this post on Instagram

“What’s funny is, I thought, ‘This woman sounds exactly like Dolly.’ I never knew she had a sister,” one fan shared in the comments on Stella’s social media tribute.

Another added, “If they ever do a movie again about Dolly’s life, she needs to play her, as she sounds exactly like how Dolly sounded way back when.”

One more gushed, “Are all of the Parton women naturally funny? I’ve never seen Stella perform, but judging from this clip, she’s great!”

And honestly, they have a point.

There’s something immediately familiar about hearing Stella speak. The twang is there. So is the cadence, the warmth and that perfectly timed Southern humor. If you closed your eyes, you might think you were listening to Dolly tell the story herself.

Related: Lily Tomlin Reacts to the Death of Her Beloved ‘9 to 5’ Costar Dolly Parton

Stella Parton Gives Fans a Glimpse of Dolly

What’s remarkable about Stella’s post isn’t just discovering that Dolly Parton had a sister named Stella.

It’s getting to see another side of Dolly Parton, this time through the eyes of someone who knew her before the rest of the world did.

Long before the awards, accolades, big hair, movie roles and late-night talk show appearances, Dolly Parton was simply one of 12 children growing up in a one-room house in the mountains of Tennessee.

Stella was one of Dolly’s five sisters, and the two grew up sharing the kind of childhood stories that don’t make it into a celebrity biography.

That’s what makes Stella’s anecdote so charming. She isn’t talking about Dolly the superstar. She’s talking about Dolly the sister.

Dolly Parton Was a Big Sister Before She Was a Superstar

Dolly Parton was the fourth oldest of 12 children, with six brothers and five sisters. She was a big sister long before she became one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world.

And while Dolly eventually became known for her enormous career, she never seemed to lose that ability to make people feel like they were sitting in the room with her.

That quality showed up everywhere, from her music and movies to her friendships and collaborations.

Dolly’s 9 to 5 co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin became lifelong friends. Her Trio albums with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt became some of the most celebrated collaborations of her career. Dolly had a way of making professional relationships feel personal, and friendships feel like family.

But Stella’s story gives fans something those famous collaborations can’t.

It gives us Dolly at home.

Stella Called Dolly One of the Greatest Songwriters Ever @stellaparton

✨BREAK MY MIND✨1970

♬ original sound – Stella Parton

Stella’s admiration for her sister is also impossible to miss.

While sharing her funny childhood story, she called Dolly “one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” a fitting description for an artist whose songs have been recorded by generations of performers and whose songwriting became one of the defining parts of her legacy.

Dolly could write a heartbreaking ballad, a hilarious country song or a pop crossover hit, but so many of her best songs had something in common: They felt like stories someone was telling you directly.

Stella knew that gift long before the rest of us did.

And now, following Dolly’s death, hearing her sister talk about that talent feels particularly meaningful.

Dolly Parton’s Sister Sounds Remarkably Like Her

There’s another reason Stella’s tribute is resonating with fans: She really does sound like Dolly.

It isn’t just the Southern twang. There’s a similar musicality in the way she speaks, the same warmth in her delivery and a similar sense of humor that makes even a simple childhood anecdote feel like a performance.

For fans who grew up listening to Dolly, the resemblance is almost startling.

And in the wake of Dolly’s death, it makes the clip feel even more special.

Fans are understandably revisiting Dolly’s performances, interviews, movies and music right now, looking for the moments that remind them why they loved her in the first place. Stella’s video offers something different.

It gives them a glimpse of Dolly before she was Dolly Parton.

A Little Piece of Dolly Lives On

In the days since Dolly’s death, the tributes have understandably focused on the enormous legacy she leaves behind: the songs, the movies, the awards, the philanthropy and the millions of people she inspired.

Stella’s tribute offers a much more intimate reminder.

Before Dolly belonged to the world, she belonged to her family.

She was a daughter, a sister and a little girl from Tennessee who grew up in a crowded home with 11 siblings and a dream that eventually became bigger than anyone could have imagined.

And somehow, listening to Stella tell her story, with that familiar twang and unmistakable sense of humor, it feels like we get a tiny piece of Dolly back.

Related: Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt Delivered One of the Most Flawless Harmonies Ever Covering a Neil Young Classic

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Not every teenager can write a hit song while sitting around at home recovering from the flu, but Paul McCartney? Well, that guy was not every teenager. And not every band can record a future classic in less than 10 takes, but the Beatles? Well, they were not every band.

Released in 1964 on Beatles for Sale in the U.K. and the next year on Beatles ’65 in the U.S., “I’ll Follow the Sun” was recorded in just eight takes on Oct. 18, 1964, according to the Beatles Bible. Interestingly enough, the final take was apparently the only one to include electric guitar, as all the others had an acoustic guitar break.

The song’s genesis, however, dates back several years earlier, to 1959, when McCartney was just a kid.

“I wrote that in my front parlor in Forthlin Road. I was about 16,” McCartney explained in Mark Lewisohn’s The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions.

“‘I’ll Follow the Sun’ was one of those very early ones,” he continued. “I seem to remember writing it just after I’d had the flu and I had that cigarette — I smoked when I was 16 — the cigarette that’s the ‘cotton wool’ one. You don’t smoke while you’re ill but after you get better you have a cigarette and it’s terrible, it tastes like cotton wool, horrible. I remember standing in the parlor, with my guitar, looking out through the lace curtains of the window, and writing that one.”

In his book The Lyrics, McCartney expanded on the meaning behind “I’ll Follow the Sun,” calling it a “leaving of Liverpool song.”

“I’m leaving this rainy northern town for someplace where more is happening,” McCartney continued. “It’s an interesting melody too. I’d been searching for striking new combinations of notes. There’s something quite original about it. One of my favorite songs of my dad’s era was ‘Cheek to Cheek,’ the Fred Astaire song, and what I liked was that it starts with ‘Heaven, I’m in heaven,’ and it goes through two verses and comes back at the end of the middle eight to ‘heaven.’ It’s a single sentence. It was like our house in Forthlin Road. You went in the front door, went around through the living room, dining room, kitchen, hall, and ended up back where you started. ‘I’ll Follow the Sun’ does that too.”

Related: 1971 Chart-Topper, a Medley of Unfinished Songs, Became Paul McCartney’s First No. 1 Solo Hit 55 Years Ago

According to McCartney, “I’ll Follow the Sun” wasn’t originally a regular part of the Beatles’ live repertoire.

“We had this hard R&B image in Liverpool, so I think songs like ‘I’ll Follow the Sun,’ ballads like that, got pushed back to later,” he said.

Another thing that set “I’ll Follow the Sun” apart from the rest of the band’s early tracks was the fact that Ringo Starr kept the beat in an unusual way.

“On the record we got Ringo to tap his knees. McCartney revealed in Many Years From Now. “We were thinking in terms of singles and the next one had to always be different. We didn’t want to fall into the Supremes trap where they all sounded rather similar, so to that end, we were always keen on having varied instrumentation. Ringo couldn’t keep changing his drum kit, but he could change his snare, tap a cardboard box or slap his knees.”

Of course, the Beatles clearly had the right strategy, considering they went on to have a whopping 20 hits go to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Related: 1968 Rock Song, ‘Openly and Vocally Detested’ by John Lennon, Took 42 Hours to Record

Taylor Sheesh, a beloved drag queen best known for impersonating Taylor Swift, has just been revealed as a contestant on the upcoming fourth season of Drag Race Philippines, and fans can’t wait to support the viral sensation.

Sheesh, whose non-drag name is John Mac Lane Coronel, has perfectly recreated Swift’s tour outfits, makeup looks, and dance routines, and even appears to be wearing a nod to the Eras Tour Lover bodysuits in the video clip announcing her involvement in the latest season.

“My name is Taylor Sheesh, your international superstar,” she introduced herself, draped in a gown that resembled the aforementioned bodysuit, with an extended skirt and flouncy teal tulle attached along the seams that gave it major mermaid vibes. “I’ll bring a lot of glamour, but always stupid and camp,” she promised of her time on the series, addressing the rest of the cast, too, when she quipped: “To my fellow competitors, better book a ride home, because I’m sending you all home.”

View this post on Instagram

Sheesh exploded in popularity during the Eras Tour, recreating Swift’s onstage outfits and drawing massive crowds as she toured in clubs and malls to perform her own version of the record-breaking concert.

@taylorsheeshofcl

NEW FEARLESS DRESS! 💛🫶🏻✨ Thank you @rampaclub for having me for your 1st anniversary! More to come! ⭐️😍 Dress: @robertgayeta Video: Mama Real Nails: @prettypinkie.s PS. I bejeweled the dress by myself for almost 2 weeks. 🥲 #FYP #ForYou #ForYouPH #ForYouPagePH #TTPD #TheTorturedPoetsDepartment #Swifties #Swiftie #TaylorSheesh #TaylorSheeshQueen #Drag #DragRace #DragRacePH #DragRacePhilippines #DragQueen #TheErasTour #TSTheErasTour #TaylorsVersion #TheErasTourTokyo #Tokyo #Japan #Swiftie #SwiftiesPH #Swifties #TaylorsVersion #RepTV #TheErasTour #TaylorSwiftImpersonator #TaylorSwift #TaylorNation #TheErasTour #TheErasTourTaylorSwift #TSTheErasTour #TSTheErasTouronTikTok #TSTheErasTourFilm #SwiftieTok #SwiftTok #Reputation #ReputationTV #ReputationTaylorSwift #ReputationTaylorsVersion #DontBlameMe #DontBlameMeTV #DontBlameMeTaylorsVersion #TheErrorsTour #ErrorsTour #GatewayMall2 #HappyBirthdayTaylorSwift #HappyBirthdayTaylor #TheSmallestManWhoEverLived #TSMWEL

♬ original sound – Taylor Sheesh – Taylor Sheesh ⸆⸉

Swifties are clamoring to support the Swift-loving queen, already confident in declaring, “she’s winning.”

“CROWN HER ALREADY,” another exclaimed.

Another likened her appearance to “a close friend I’ve never met being in the Olympics,” while others continued to gush, “ARE YOU SERIOSU THIS IS SO GOOD OMG.”

Sheesh’s season of Drag Race Philippines premieres on Sept. 25, and can be streamed on the WOW Presents Plus app.

Sandra Bullock is joining the throngs of celebrities paying homage to the late, great Dolly Parton.

While at the Practical Magic 2 premiere in London, Bullock, 62, opened up about working with the “Jolene” singer on Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous in 2005, and shared her favorite memory.

She detailed how, due to her fear of flying, she avoided planes and would use a tour bus. While filming the sequel in Las Vegas, Parton also traveled via her tour bus, and the two ultimately slept side by side.

“[Parton] came to Vegas, and she pulled her tour bus up next to mine—I think it was pink, of course—And I said, ‘Okay, so, Miss Parton, we’ve got a hotel and room for you that’s massive.’ And she goes, ‘No, I’ll stay in the bus,'” Bullock told People magazine. “Then I’m sleeping on the bus.”

She went on to sweetly add, “She’s here. She sprinkles everywhere. She’s not going anywhere.”

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

In Miss Congeniality 2, Bullock’s character, Gracie, tackles Parton, mistaking her for an impersonator, and at the time, Bullock applauded Parton’s sense of humor while filming the scene.

“I was literally lying on top of her, and I didn’t feel comfortable with this, but she looked at me and said: ‘We’re going to put the Madonna-Britney kiss to shame,'” Bullock said in an interview with the BBC. “Really, she was everything you’d want her to be and more.”

Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, inspiring many to share their favorite memories of the country legend, including Bullock’s Practical Magic co-star Nicole Kidman.

Kidman shared a rare photo with her two daughters, ex-husband Keith Urban, and Parton in her Instagram Stories, along with the caption, “We will always love you, Dolly.”

She also paid tribute to Parton at the Practical Magic 2 London premiere, adding, “She was so genuine and so philanthropic… what a songwriter, what a woman, and what a person who came from nothing and built herself. Everything she did was extraordinary.”

To solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you’ll be exploring things like kitchen staples, sea creatures, long narrow passageways, casual farewells, state abbreviations, things you butter, ways to show off your muscles and things that can be saved to your desktop.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Thursday, August 27, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Thursday, August 27, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: A watched one never boils, it’s said — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

4 Across: “See ya later!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “F”

7 Across: Sea ___, animal that builds the conch shell — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

8 Across: Airplane seating choice — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

9 Across: James Talarico’s state: Abbr. — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Leaning Tower city — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

2 Down: All: Prefix — HINT: Ends with the letter “I”

3 Down: In the morning, a food; in the evening, a speech — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”

5 Down: Something that can be AirDropped — HINT: Starts with the letter “F”

6 Down: Show off, as muscles — HINT: Ends with the letter “X”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: A watched one never boils, it’s said — POT

4 Across: “See ya later!” — IMOFF

7 Across: Sea ___, animal that builds the conch shell — SNAIL

8 Across: Airplane seating choice — AISLE

9 Across: James Talarico’s state: Abbr. — TEX

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Leaning Tower city — PISA

2 Down: All: Prefix — OMNI

3 Down: In the morning, a food; in the evening, a speech — TOAST

5 Down: Something that can be AirDropped — FILE

6 Down: Show off, as muscles — FLEX

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Andy Cohen has spent years putting other people’s relationships in the spotlight. Now, the Bravo boss is taking his own romance to the next level. Bravo Boss and his boyfriend, Kevin Sobieski, have officially stepped into the spotlight together.

The couple posed at SiriusXM’s John Mayer concert in New York on Wednesday, August 26, marking their first red carpet together. Per the video shared by E! News on X, Cohen, 58, and Sobieski, 42, smiled for cameras during the milestone outing.

Andy Cohen and Kevin Sobieski make their red carpet debut at SiriusXM’s John Mayer concert in New York. (🎥: Instagram/jpasc24) pic.twitter.com/I4eweq57XM

— E! News (@enews) August 26, 2026

Cohen wore a faded denim shirt over a white T-shirt with pale jeans and white shoes. Sobieski paired a fitted navy T-shirt with olive trousers and light slip-on shoes. Their relaxed outfits complemented each other without appearing overly coordinated.

When Did Andy Cohen Confirm Their Relationship?

Cohen confirmed his relationship with the businessman in June after more than a year of dating. Speaking on his SiriusXM show, Radio Andy, the Bravo host said he had waited for a relationship that genuinely felt right.

“I don’t want to be with the wrong person. I value my time too much. I value my life too much. I have great friends and a great life and great kids,” he said. “My criteria about what I was looking for never changed. It’s always been a feeling for me. I’ve always followed the feeling. I am really happy to say that I met the person.”

How Did Andy Cohen Meet Kevin Sobieski?

According to Page Six, the couple met at a Hamptons party in July 2025 — an event Cohen nearly skipped. They talked throughout the evening, and Sobieski was gradually introduced to Cohen’s family. Cohen is a father to son Ben, 7, and daughter Lucy, 4.

Cohen dished about his love story during the show and added, “This man is kind and strong and smart, and he is an adult, and he loves my children, and they love him, and I love him. Introducing him to the kids and just entering him into the equation of my family so slowly, I have to say, it has been so easy.”

Has Kevin Sobieski Watched The Real Housewives? View this post on Instagram

The couple made their relationship official on Instagram last month after Cohen shared their first photos as a pair. “Date Night ♥️🌟🌈☀️⚡️,” he captioned the photo.

Sobieski remains unfamiliar with a major part of Cohen’s professional world. During an August 5 appearance on Today, Cohen revealed that his boyfriend had never watched The Real Housewives.

The longtime executive producer has said Sobieski’s relationship with him and his children matters most.

In 1961, a 21-year-old singer named Joe Dowell walked into his first recording session with just three hours to learn a song that Elvis Presley had already taken to No. 1 overseas. Within weeks, Dowell’s version of “Wooden Heart” would accomplish something Elvis’ hadn’t: reach No. 1 in America.

Sixty-five years ago this week, “Wooden Heart” was in the midst of its run atop the Billboard Hot 100, completing one of the more unlikely journeys to No. 1 of the early 1960s.

Elvis had introduced “Wooden Heart” in his 1960 movie G.I. Blues. Adapted from the German folk song “Muss i denn,” the tune was written by Bert Kaempfert, Kay Twomey, Fred Wise and Ben Weisman and even retained portions of the original German lyrics.

Elvis’ recording became an enormous international success, spending six weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. in 1961 and topping the charts in several other countries. But American fans couldn’t simply go out and buy “Wooden Heart” as an Elvis single.

And that opened the door for Dowell.

How Joe Dowell Ended Up Recording Elvis’ ‘Wooden Heart’

According to music historian Fred Bronson’s “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” producer Shelby Singleton Jr. went to a screening of G.I. Blues the day before Dowell was scheduled to record his first four songs for Mercury Records’ new Smash label.

One of the songs Singleton heard was “Wooden Heart.”

Elvis already had another single climbing the Hot 100 at the time, “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame,” and Singleton believed it was unlikely RCA would also release “Wooden Heart” as an Elvis single in the United States. He decided Dowell should record it instead.

There was one rather significant obstacle: Dowell didn’t know the song.

He arrived at the recording session at 11 a.m. and was given three hours to learn it. A man named Eddie Wilson came to the office to teach him the German portion.

“I didn’t have any idea what I was singing; I learned the song phonetically,” Dowell recalled to Bronson.

Then he went into the studio and recorded it.

The session also featured a musician who would soon become famous in his own right. Ray Stevens, then at the beginning of his career, played organ on Dowell’s recording.

‘Wooden Heart’ Became Joe Dowell’s First and Only No. 1 Hit

Smash released Dowell’s “Wooden Heart,” and the record entered the Hot 100 at No. 98 on June 26, 1961.

Nine weeks later, it was No. 1.

“Wooden Heart” knocked Bobby Lewis’ “Tossin’ and Turnin'” out of the top spot after Lewis had spent seven weeks at No. 1. Dowell’s record ultimately spent one week atop the Hot 100 and also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart.

It was an extraordinary beginning for both singer and label: “Wooden Heart” was Dowell’s first single and became the first Smash Records release to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Related: 1957 Ballad, the Only No. 1 by a Female Singer in More Than 2 Years, Dethroned Elvis 69 Years Ago Today

Dowell remembered that his recording had been completed in just three days before he was sent on what Bronson described as a month-long promotional tour.

The young singer had dreamed about hearing himself on the radio for years. Growing up in Illinois, he listened to WLS and later recalled imagining that one day his own voice might come through the speaker.

With “Wooden Heart,” it finally did.

Elvis’ ‘Wooden Heart’ Eventually Came Out in America

Elvis’ recording, meanwhile, had already become a major hit across Europe. In addition to its six-week run at No. 1 in Britain, “Wooden Heart” topped the charts in countries including West Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway.

American listeners eventually got an Elvis single release, but not until years after Dowell’s No. 1 run. RCA issued “Wooden Heart” as the B-side of “Blue Christmas” in the United States in 1964.

For Dowell, matching the success of his debut proved impossible. He followed “Wooden Heart” with “The Bridge of Love,” which reached No. 50, and “Little Red Rented Rowboat,” which climbed to No. 23. He was dropped by the label at age 23.

Dowell eventually stepped away from the recording industry and found another use for the voice that had taken him to No. 1, working in radio and television and writing commercial jingles. He died in 2016 at age 76.

But for one week in the summer of 1961, the young singer who had been given only three hours to learn an unusual song from an Elvis movie sat at the very top of America’s biggest music chart.

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