Parade

Shania Twain explained to PEOPLE how she supported Jon Bon Jovi through his vocal cord surgery.

Bon Jovi needed a vocal fold medialization procedure in June 2022, something Twain had gone through four years prior. So, she was happy to offer her advice to the 1980s rock icon.

Twain met the New Jersey native on an international flight to Europe, with Bon Jovi telling the "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" singer she had a reputation for "being the hardest-working artist in the industry."

When they met, he was suffering from “laryngeal nerve problems,” and she had already been through the same due to Lyme disease.

"He just called me up and said, ‘Share everything you know about how you got back singing live after nerve atrophy in the voice,’” Twain told PEOPLE.

She explained to the outlet how she helped the "You Give Love A Bad Name" singer with his health issues. “I shared my surgeon’s information with him, my experience with him, and I encouraged him to weigh up all the scenarios. I told him that it worked for me, and that I was honest. I think he really appreciated that, was able to take it all on board.”

Michael Trotter Jr. of The War and Treaty, honoree Jon Bon Jovi, Shania Twain, and Jelly Roll perform onstage during the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi during the 66th GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

The "From This Moment On" star wanted to be honest, so she did warn Bon Jovi that this surgery was "scary."

“It’s an open-throat surgery, and you have to be awake. I said, ‘I just have to be honest with you because if you’re going into this, you’re going to hear it from the surgeon anyway, but you might as well hear it from somebody who’s been through it,'” she explained.

Twain admits she doesn't know many other singers who underwent the same surgery as her and Bon Jovi. She told the outlet it was usually an injury suffered by “boxers” or “cancer patients where they have to remove tumors near those nerves and in the throat, neck, or tongue, mouth area.”

Twain also revealed that her voice "has never been the same" since she underwent the surgery eight years ago, but now it is a "gravelly" voice with more "rasp" and "character."

[My voice is] different, I embrace it,” she says. “I’m grateful that I can sing, I can hold a note, and I can be loud and proud,” the 60-year-old concluded.

In his 2024 Disney+ docuseries, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, he described the country singer as his “spirit sister” after she helped him through his ordeal. “Not only did she reassure me that it would be OK, but I think she also pulled my leg a little bit because she told me I'd be out there a lot sooner than I have been. She says, ‘Well, I told you that because I knew that you might back out otherwise.' And so, I couldn't wait to get the operation.”

Related: Country Pop Queen Shania Twain, 60, Opens Up About Body Image Battles

Simone Biles may stand just 4 feet, 8 inches tall, but she is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Her impact on a generation of gymnasts has been anything but small, but it is her floor exercise routines, thanks to their rare combination of explosive power, technical precision, and artistry, that cemented her legacy. Her unforgettable floor routine at the 2016 Rio Olympics combined gravity-defying tumbling, effortless landings, and mind-blowing tumbling passes that propelled this powerhouse athlete to an Olympic gold medal.

Simone Biles' Power Defies Her Size @olympics

Throwback alert! Simone Biles dazzled with a fun floor routine, earning her fifth Olympic medal at Rio2016. 💅 #Olympics #Paris2024 #Sport #Gymnastics

♬ original sound - Olympics - Olympics™

One of the most decorated Olympic gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles is the rare athlete who reached legendary status while still competing. Despite being one of the shortest competitors in elite gymnastics, Biles is a powerhouse capable of reaching heights of up to 12 feet during her tumbling passes. Her ability to launch herself so high into the air while maintaining precise body control allows her to perform skills that few other gymnasts, if any, can match.

The Floor Routine That Defined a Generation

Biles put her full power on display during her unforgettable floor routine at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her confidence, combined with seemingly effortless landings, showcased her command of the sport and earned her the Olympic gold medal on floor exercise. Not only is it one of the defining performances of her career, but Simone Biles' 2016 Rio Olympics floor routine is also one of the defining Olympic gymnastics performances of all time.

Related: Olympic Gymnast, Best Known for Her 'Not Impressed' Face, Created Pure Magic on the Floor

How Simone Biles Changed Women's Gymnastics

One of the most decorated gymnasts in history with 11 Olympic medals, Simone Biles' dominance on floor extends far beyond her medal count. The event has consistently been her strongest discipline, helping her win multiple Olympic and World Championship titles. But it is her ability to perform skills so difficult—some of them now bearing her name—that has made her so closely associated with floor exercise. Her awe-inspiring tumbling passes and sky-high vertical leaps have raised expectations for what is physically possible in women's gymnastics, inspiring athletes around the world to push the boundaries of the sport while creating generations of fans dazzled by her every move.

A Legacy That Continues to Inspire @usagymofficial

OKAY COMBO PASS‼️ @Simone Biles #gymnastics #usagym #fyp #usag #usclassic

♬ original sound - USA Gymnastics

Simone Biles has also changed the way fans watch gymnastics. Her ability to fill every performance with a showcase of raw power and remarkable precision makes routines that once seemed impossible look nearly effortless in her hands. Every tumbling pass demonstrates her unique combination of strength, speed, and spatial awareness, qualities that have made her one of the most influential and celebrated athletes in Olympic history.

Years after her breakthrough in Rio, Simone Biles' floor routines continue to captivate audiences. Longtime gymnastics fans and first-time viewers alike return to her performances not just to admire the difficulty, but to witness a generational talent who transformed the sport and redefined what excellence on the floor can look like.

Related: Olympic Skating Legend, 62, Who Created Magic at the 1988 Winter Games, Can Still Make the Ice Sing

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

Like most people, I usually pick my favorite donut without giving it a second thought.

But once I started looking into how these classic flavors got their start, I realized each one has its own surprisingly interesting story. From accidental inventions to recipes that date back centuries, here's the history behind seven popular donut flavors.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔

1. Glazed

Getty Images

The first Glazed donut dates all the way back to the mid-1600s, when Dutch settlers were frying up a pastry called olykoek in New Amsterdam (now New York City), according to reports. Olykoek translates to "oily cake" and its dough is made from yeast, eggs, butter and spices. Settlers fried it up in pork fat before topping it with a dusting of sugar.

Fast forward to 1937, when Vernon Rudolph bought a yeast-raised recipe off a New Orleans chef and opened the very first Krispy Kreme shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, he served the glazed donuts we know and love today.

2. Chocolate Frosted

Photo by Z Graphica on Unsplash

Attempting to determine the first baker who put chocolate frosting on a donut is like trying to figure out who decided to put pepperoni on a pizza. But here's what we do know: Its roots trace back to the American donut shop boom that happened after World War II. When chains like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme began popping up everywhere in the 1950s, bakers needed to diversify their menus without reinventing the wheel.

3. Maple Glazed

Indigenous people created the maple sugar flavor profile long before the first donut shop even existed. In fact, the earliest written accounts of maple sugaring date back to 1609, when European settlers documented the Native Americans' process of tapping sugar maples, collecting the sap in birch-bark containers and evaporating the water by dropping red-hot stones into hollowed-out logs.

The flavor got a massive boost in 2003, when Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon, famously put two strips of savory bacon on top of its maple glazed donut.

Related: I Turned My Morning Protein Shake Into a Donut-Flavored Treat—and I’m Obsessed

4. Old-Fashioned

bhofack2 / Getty Images

When baking soda and baking powder first became widely available, the kitchen innovation meant that bakers could skip the time-consuming task of waiting for a yeast dough to rise. And thus, the Old-Fashioned donut was born. Because the flavor is fried at a lower temperature than other donuts, the steam escapes unevenly and creates those unique ridges. While the cracks started out as an accident, bakers realized that they could hold way more glaze and kept it that way.

5. Apple Fritter

bhofack2/Getty Images

The Apple Fritter is way older than I thought! Romans were frying fritters thousands of years ago, and apple versions first started popping up in medieval England. In America, the recipe was circulating well before the Civil War, but they really took off in 1964, when Tim Hortons opened its very first location. The menu had exactly two donuts on it: the Dutchie and the Apple Fritter. The Apple Fritter became so popular in Canada, it started exploding onto U.S. donut shop menus.

6. Boston Cream

Boston Globe / Getty Images

This donut’s origin story traces back to the Parker House Hotel in Boston, now known as the Omni Parker House. In 1856, a chef named M. Sanzian decided to layer sponge cake with vanilla custard before topping it with chocolate glaze, calling his invention the Parker House chocolate cream pie. At some point, someone made a version with fried dough and it became even more famous than Sanzian's dessert.

Fast forward to 1997, when a group of Somerville elementary schoolers led by Emma Krane lobbied to make it the official donut of Massachusetts. The kids started a petition and teamed up with state Sen.Charles Shannon to make it happen. Six years later—on New Year's Day 2003—acting Gov. Jane Swift signed the Boston Cream donut into law as the official donut of the Commonwealth.

7. Raspberry Jelly

Gado / Getty Images

It's said that the earliest known recipe for jam-filled fried dough appeared in a German cookbook from 1485. European settlers introduced this treat to America, but the jelly donut really went mainstream in 1920, when Adolph Levitt invented a machine that could mass-produce donuts and installed it in a New York City window so crowds could watch it work.

On every one of his Mayflower Donuts boxes, Levitt printed the same inspiring quote: "Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole."

These classic flavors have stood the test of time, showing up in everything from bakery cases to new food and beverage launches. In fact, 5-hour ENERGY® recently introduced Boston Cream and Raspberry Jelly energy shot flavors inspired by two of America's favorite donuts—proof that these iconic treats continue to inspire new products generations after they were first created.

5-hour ENERGY's new donut-inspired flavors: Boston Cream and Jelly Donut

Related: Next Up:

It’s hard to imagine a time when banking on the popularity of Elvis Presley felt like a gamble, but on July 31, 1969, his legacy was hanging by a thread.

After spending nearly a decade away from regular concert touring, it appeared Presley's time as a live performer had come to an end. Stepping out under the blazing neon lights of Las Vegas, he had one shot to prove he was still the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Presley stepped onto the stage at the International Hotel with something to prove, according to Biography. An uncertain start to a four-week engagement turned iconic as the room, filled with fans, famous faces, and friends, welcomed the entertainer back to live performing.

This residency wasn't the first time the King of Rock and Roll had graced a Las Vegas stage. He previously played Sin City in April 1956, making his debut at the New Frontier hotel and casino to a less-than-enthusiastic response.

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

Biography wrote, "Unlike the muted response that welcomed his debut in Vegas 13 years earlier, he had the star-studded audience eating out of his hand this time. He punctuated his high-energy, 75-minute performance with karate kicks and off-the-cuff stage patter."

The month-long run was a record-breaking smash, drawing over 100,000 fans to the hotel. Seeing the frenzy, Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, struck a deal right then and there with the hotel’s president: a simple handshake agreeing that the King would return to Vegas twice a year for the next five years.

In total, Presley played 636 shows in Sin City from 1969 through 1976. Parker's massive commitment launched the entertainer into a grueling schedule that ultimately transformed Las Vegas into a centerpiece of his later career.

Vernon and Elvis Presley/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Billboard reported, "Tickets to his dinner show were $17.50 and included lobster or steak. The midnight show included drinks and cost a bit less. In one 29-day period, Elvis played for 101,509 guests. Over seven years, he is said to have sold $43.7 million in tickets, an estimated $171 million in 2015 dollars."

Presley's last performance in Las Vegas was on December 12, 1976, according to Graceland's official website. Eight months later, the King of Rock and Roll had already performed 55 concerts that year and was scheduled to kick off a new 12-date tour beginning August 17, 1977.

On August 16, Presley was at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, readying himself to hit the road again through August 28. He was to kick off a series of dates in Maine and end the mini-tour in Tennessee.

Elvis Presley died at Graceland on August 16, 1977. He was 42.

Related: 1972 Chart-Buster Elvis Presley Had to Be Convinced to Record

Big Brother’s house is open once more! Every week, Parade’s Mike Bloom will be bringing you interviews with this season's houseguests as they get evicted from the game.

Jason De Puy learned very quickly that the Big Brother house is no Werk Room. The two-time Drag Race contestant was eager to shed the heels and breast plates of Salina EsTitties, having just competed on an all-star season where, after coming out of the gate gaming hard, he got publicly betrayed, leading to a tense and dramatic fallout. And, from seeing what Jason did across three weeks of Big Brother 28, as the Dining Table Time Machine teaches us, those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The self-proclaimed "messy bitch" filled his 24 days in the house with scheming, fighting, and kettle banging. And, after fighting with his back against the wall for the majority of the game, it was only a matter of time before he'd get the Golden Boot from the house.

Jason came into Big Brother dead-set on not revealing his Drag Race past. He had no idea, however, that he would be joined by three other reality TV vets in Angela Murray, Dee Valladares, and Rick Devens. And so Jason came out hot right out of the gate, one of the most vocal proponents of the anti-"icon" movement, and even fake-cried to Angela, telling her she would be his maternal figure in honor of his late mother. Unfortunately, this would be the first of many times he would pay the price for saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. After simultaneously pitching and gloating to Drew Campbell, the dental assistant immediately went to the icons with the information, putting Jason smack dab on their radar. Perhaps even worse: Angela had a new public enemy number one.

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


When Devens won the next HoH, Angela convinced him to take a shot at Rome Seymour and the gladiators he was amassing on the other side of the house, including Jason. And, when he hit the block, she was more than happy to come out of her shell, hijacking the nomination ceremony to call him out. For what it's worth, Jason was willing and able to clap back, leading to one of the most explosive ceremonies in Big Brother history as he openly declared, "America, please hate me!" Despite getting his entire game aired out, Jason was able to survive the week. After lip syncing for his life four times on Drag Race, the "BB Block Buster" was a piece of cake, as he once again won safety, sealing one of his closest allies' fates in the process.

The next day, new HoH Kamu Kirk told Jason that he wouldn't be putting him up. After getting over the initial shock, though, Jason suspected that there may be a bigger plan in place. Indeed, after losing the Veto to Lyric Medeiros, he knew that Kamu was going to spin around as quickly as he did while dressed in a tutu and wrapped around a pickle, eager to put him in his place through the backdoor. But the MMA fighter was also looking to land a TKO. And so, he staged a coup at the house's tea party, accusing Jason of once again being dishonest, promising all the nominees he'd use the Veto on them and trying to turn the majority against each other.

But while Jason was resolute to leave Salina at home, he was still a drag queen at heart. Rather than give Kamu the face crack he wanted, Jason fought back, clocking the entire "Toolshed" alliance and their efforts to once again stage a distraction by making him a public target. And he was eager to show how Kamu's accusations were a quite literal example of the pot calling the kettle black, spending the next day causing a ruckus around the house. Sadly, Jason's BB movie does not have a happy ending. Losing the Block Buster to tape queen Mallory Aurichio, he was told to "sashay away" unanimously. And while the runway walker had run out of runway in the game, he had the fandom — and even Julie Chen Moonves — denting dishware in his honor.

Now out of the house, Jason talks with Parade about his reaction to playing with the icons (and why he chose not to reveal his own reality TV history), why he chose to fake cry to Angela and tell others about it, and how he handled having his game get called out multiple times.

Related: Meet the Full Cast of Big Brother 28

Let's start with your first hours inside the house. You had most likely assumed you'd be the only reality TV alum to be playing, only to find out that Angela, Dee, and Devens would also be alongside you. What was your reaction to seeing these "icons" come in after you?
Oh my god. It was a little hard because I had just as much "reality TVness" as them. So to dumb myself down was a little hard. I couldn't really own my "star powerness." My whole full experience of life was ready to be used, but I didn't use it. I thought it would have implemented my game in a weird way. So to sit back a little bit and let them take the lead, I think they really clocked my showmanship and my star quality, and I think that was very threatening to them.

Did you ever debate telling them about your time on Drag Race to try to work together?
To be honest, had I revealed to them I was on Drag Race, I don't know if that would have helped my game. So I know that did come up. Julie asked me why I didn't try. Without saying I was on Drag Race, I did try to get in with the icons myself, but then it blew up in my face. So I think it's a good thing I didn't tell them I was on Drag Race. I don't know if it would have been helpful.

You talk about getting in with the icons. We see that in a major way with Angela, when you talk to her about your late mother and how she could be your maternal figure to the house. When she leaves, however, you roll your eyes to the camera. Why did you decide to fake cry to her?
So I literally just came off of Drag Race All Stars 11. And in my pinnacle, Episode 6, it was a big strategy portion. I do a fourth wall break where I smiled at the camera after crying in someone's arms, who is an ally of mine. And I kind of was giving a little nod to that in that moment to my fans who would be watching, like, "The messy girls are still here. Don't worry." But Angela also saw me in the mirrors. A true sign of a vet of Big Brother; they know better than to just walk away. They were looking in the mirrors. I think it was kind of cool and poetic justice in a way to get clocked. And it made for, I think, an iconic fight, I hope, that goes down in history.

Well, even if Angela did see you in the mirror, I can reveal to you that she mainly found out because you chose to tell Drew and Melody about it, as well as your desire to go after the icons. And Drew, who had already been working with the icons, immediately went to tell them. Why did you decide to be so open with that information?
Oh my God, that's so irritating! I think there's a lot of twiddling your thumbs in the beginning of Big Brother. You're like, "When's the game gonna start? Who's strategizing with who?" And I could tell that Melody and Drew were super fans that were ready to play. So that's why I gathered them up and created the Jesters. I was like, "Look, we can work together, since I can tell you're so eager to play. Let's play. And obviously, we need to get out Devens and the icons because they're big threats."

Very quickly I learned that they created an alliance with Rome and Lyric shortly after I created the Jesters. So had I inspired them to start playing? I'll take that. Maybe I did. And it bit me in the butt. And then to hear that, at the end of the day that he got pulled into that big six, that's good for him, great for his game. And I get it. I would have done the same thing had I had the opportunity. So can't be mad at it. But I will say, I'm the one who inspired them to start playing. I don't know, that's how I see it.

That intel from Drew will lead to an incredibly dramatic nomination ceremony, where not only does Devens put you on the block, but Angela proceeds to call out what you had been doing. Give me your reaction to all that, especially as start arguing with her
I thought she was gonna blow up that I was on Drag Race! That's why I was doing all those poses. They were RuPaul poses. And I was like, "She's about to air me out being on Drag Race. So here we go! Let's air it out!" But then when she did it, and it was the smile, I thought, "Oh, that's what we're talking about." So I took a step back. I was like, "Ok, I've still got my Drag Race secret. Sure, I smiled." It was just very interesting because I was prepared for a whole other fight, but it ended up just shifting to something else.

So I just had fun with it. And for me too, I'm not really good at holding on to resentments. I need to clear the air. If I don't clear the air, it's hard for me to continue existing. I don't know if they showed, but we made up literally as soon as the nomination ceremony was over. And I thought it actually I gained favor with her, and I thought I could trust her moving forward. I feel like she wanted to trust me too. We kept having this like energy of "I got you, I don't got you, I got you, I don't got you." So I couldn't read where it landed, but ultimately it was definitely not with me.

What may not have helped is when you pitch yourself to both of the big trios in the house, saying they can use you as a shield to take out the other. What was your intention in doing that?Did you expect them to eventually compare notes?
I had a feeling they might compare notes. But there was a part of me that felt if they didn't compare notes, it could actually be an asset to their game. So I kind of was playing every group. The Kamu/Haley/Chuk trio, the icons trio, and then I had everyone else on the other side. I had my hand in every pot, and I wanted to see which pot would accept me. If one turned, I can go with them if they took me. If they all turned, I can go with these kids who who could trust me. But ultimately, no one trusted me, so none of the spaghetti stuck to the wall.

Let's go from having your hands in every pot to you eventually banging on a teapot. What was going through your head as Kamu's takeover of the tea party went down, and he proceeded to try to air your game out to the entire house again?
Oh my God! It was honestly so awkward to sit there with everyone in silence. No one had anything to say. I felt very great about standing up for myself. I realized no one was going to come to my rescue. Kind of like with Angela, I had to stand up for myself again. And I don't do that in my everyday life. I let people walk all over me, especially in this industry. [With] managers, producers, I just take the backseat and get the brunt of it. But I couldn't do that in this game. I had to stick up for myself. So that I think was the biggest takeaway for me. It was very disheartening to hear no one speak up and everyone just hold their heads down. I was like, "No one has anything to say at all?" I get for their game why they had to do that, but it really showed me in that moment I had no one in the house.

So what fueled you to pick up the kettle? Was there game intentions behind it, or was it purely to cause a ruckus?
You know, I was tossing and turning, trying to go to sleep, trying to be a cordial human being. And Kamu kept playing in my head. So I was like, "I'm not gonna let Kamu ruin my sleep. I'm gonna ruin his sleep if that's the case." And what did you know? He was up strategizing with Drew in the kitchen while everyone was asleep when I went to go look for the teapot. So the next morning, I was like, "It's time to wake it up! If y'all are gonna try to come for me and no one's got my back, if I'm gonna be voted out, I'm gonna make a splash before I do. And I'm gonna let y'all know who the real icon is in the house." [Laughs.]

You spoke with Julie about being "the only 'me' in the house." And there has been discussion online about you being the only out LGBTQ+ houseguest this season. How isolated did you feel in that house, especially in the aftermath of the tea party?
I think they accomplished their mission. I definitely live in a very extravagant world in my life. I have very creative and out-there friends. Being in the house, it was really cool how I was able to connect with people on certain levels, right? I didn't have just one aspect of me. I was able to meet people where they were at based off my whole life experience. So realizing I was 35 in the house was a big deal for me. Because I live my life like I'm 21, and my life allows for that. And I get congratulated and I get paid to act as such.

So to be in the house and realize I'm 35, I'm one of the oldest guys, I'm one of the least fit guys in the house other than Devens, was very scary for me. But stepping up to the plate, working out every day, and then finding a way to connect with each person individually, I found too that ultimately they just couldn't connect with me on a deeper level because like attracts like.

Devens was the father figure. Angela and LaTrice were the mommy figures for all the young kids. They're so young and impressionable, and it was very clear how easy it was to get them in the palm of your hands. Devens was great at that. Dee was the cool, hot sister. She had all the girls in her hands, all the guys wrapped around her finger. I couldn't win. I couldn't match up. And I think that was the biggest takeaway. Knowing, no matter what I do here, I don't have anyone who truly trusts me here. Especially continuously being blown up, with my game and looking untrustworthy.

To finish, give your rapid-fire thoughts on each of the remaining houseguests. Starting with Angela.
Oh, she's the queen! That's a queen.
Barrett.
Oh my God, bestie! Honestly, I'd be his best friend out of the house. I really truly love Barrett. He's a great guy. Also, I hope he wins.
Chuk.
Ew, boring. Please, swipe left.
Dee.
Hottie with the body! But also, good job, girl! She's doing it.
Devens.
Oh, God. Adam Sandler. That's the first thing that comes to mind. Low-budget Adam Sandler.
Drew.
Drewski! I hope he wins too. I hope it's Drew and Barrett or Taylor that wins. Love Drewski. Nothing bad to say.
Haley.
Ugh, gross. Barf. Throw up in my mouth.
Kamu.
That's a drag queen, honey, if I've ever seen one!
La Trice.
Lala, my queen! That's a true D-I-V-A, diva!
Lyric.
Lyric, cutie pie! She's the next big star.
Mallory.
Cute. The best little weirdo in town. I love her.
Melody.
That's my girl. Love her!
Taylor.
Oh my God, Tay Tay! I love Tay Tay. I have nothing bad to say about Tay Tay. Maybe just wake up, girl, get out of bed!
And finally, Yash.
Yash is an awesome guy. I'm gonna just say "Kiwi," and he'll know what that means. [Laughs.]

Related: 'Big Brother 28's Rome Seymour Reveals the Actual Moment He Fell in Love with Lyric (Exclusive)

Let's be real: we love Pottery Barn, but the retailer is definitely on the pricier side and not always within budget. Sigh. Luckily, we are well into the modern year of 2026, and dupes abound, where you can get similar items found at PB for a fraction of the cost. In fact, right now, Aldi is selling a beautiful area rug that looks almost identical to a popular Pottery Barn style.

Kirkton House's Blue Floral Border Soft Area Rug looks so similar to the LoveShackFancy Floral Border Reversible Washable Rug at Pottery Barn, only PB's version retails for $169 while Aldi's is priced at just $39. Pottery Barn's is over four times the price of Aldi's. Talk about a major savings.

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

Kirkton House Blue Floral Border Soft Area Rug, $39.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Just like Pottery Barn's area rug, Aldi's Kirkton House rendition features a pretty powder blue background and crisp white color floral border surrounding the entire perimeter of the rug. The dainty floral pattern also features cutesy bow accents, adding even more whimsy and charm to the piece.

Related: Martha Stewart's 2-Tier Rolling Cart Is a Versatile Storage Solution

Made from 100 percent polyester, Aldi's Kirkton House Blue Floral Border Soft Area Rug is easy to keep looking beautiful with routine vacuuming and spot cleaning as needed. For spot cleaning, only use a solution of mild detergent and warm water, blotting with a clean towel. Make sure to avoid rubbing.

Because it is polyester, Aldi's area rug feels super soft and cozy underfoot. This also makes it feel a bit more high-end than it actually is. What's more, this area rug is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it was tested and confirmed to be free of any harmful substances.

For dimensions, the rug measures four feet by six feet, making it a great size for everywhere from your living room to your home office or even a bedroom. And for just $39.99, you really cannot beat the price.

This whimsical area rug is available at select Aldi stores now as part of the retailer's current rotation of Aldi Finds, limited-stock product specials. You can shop these in the center aisle of stores.

Related: This 'Effortless' Fleetwood Mac Band Shirt at Target Is the Cutest Everyday Tee

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

Whoever said “beauty is pain” didn’t know the stress that uncomfortable footwear brings. Nowadays, we’re prioritizing three things when it comes to our shoe collection: support, comfort, and style. Thanks to Macy’s, you can now check off all these boxes by picking up a pair of top-tier Clarks Solevana Star Round-Toe Sandals while they're 50% off.

The shoes originally cost $75, but have been marked down to just $38. The available colors include black, blue, pink, navy blue, and off-white. We love the black and white hues for those who want an everyday style, while the pink is an adorable statement option for summer events. The sizes range from 6 to 12, and Clarks shoes sometimes run large, so we recommend utilizing Macy's size chart to aid you in your shopping. 

Clarks Solevana Star Round-Toe Sandals, $38 (was $75) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

The sandals feature a 2-inch wedge heel, round toe, and two straps with a cool graphic design that will add a unique texture to your outfit. There is a riptape closure that keeps the sandals secure while walking, but allows you to take them on and off with ease. They're made with a synthetic upper, textile lining, and a foam sole that offers support in the arch of the foot, which is ideal if you plan on sporting them for long hours. 

Clarks Solevana Star Round-Toe Sandals, $38 (was $75) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

Due to the material, it's advised to spot clean the sandals with a soft damp cloth if they pick up some dirt or scuffs. Shoppers love that you can wear the "excellent" style "all day" because they're "super comfy," "very cushioned," and "supportive." Another reviewer said that "the heel rocks slightly forward and back," which offers "stability when walking." 

The material is "very flexible," "breathable," and "soft," so they're a great investment for those who need a new pair of go-to shoes in warm climates. One of the top perks of this sandal style is that there's no break-in period needed, so you can slip them on upon delivery with no issues. Given the affordable sale price, you can even snag a few pairs to wear throughout the season.  

Don't settle for footwear that's not practical. These convenient Clarks sandals hit all three are supportive, comfortable, and, of course, stylish. Add the footwear to your wardrobe for under $40 at Macy's.

Related: Macy’s Reversible 8-Piece Floral Comforter Set Is ‘Fluffy’ Yet ‘Lightweight’ for Summer, Now 70% Off

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.

Parents who use baby loungers may want to check their nursery items after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced recalls and warnings involving several infant loungers due to serious safety concerns.

The products were flagged because they may not meet federal safety requirements for infant sleep products, with hazards including suffocation risks, fall hazards and possible infant entrapment.

One of the recent recalls involves CooCooBaby Baby Loungers, including the brand’s Classic and Deluxe models. According to the CPSC, the loungers have sides that are too short, sleeping pads that exceed thickness limits and openings that could allow an infant to fall out or become trapped. The products also lack a stand, creating additional fall risks if used on elevated surfaces.

The CPSC is also warning consumers about Fasando Baby Loungers, which the agency says violate mandatory infant sleep product standards. The loungers reportedly have sides that are too low and openings that are too wide, creating fall and entrapment hazards. The CPSC reported one infant death involving a Fasando-branded baby lounger in 2025.

Another recall involved Sweetie Baby and Style Life Eleven Baby Loungers from HappyGira. The CPSC said those products also pose risks because of insufficient side height, excessive sleeping pad thickness, lack of a stand and potential fall or entrapment hazards.

Parents who own a recalled lounger should stop using it immediately and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for refunds or disposal. The CPSC advises consumers not to use recalled infant loungers as sleep products, as they may create an unsafe sleeping environment for babies.

While baby loungers are often marketed as cozy spaces for infants to rest or relax, the CPSC has repeatedly emphasized that infants should sleep only on firm, flat surfaces designed specifically for safe sleep.

Parents can check the latest recalls and safety alerts through the CPSC’s official recall database before continuing to use infant products.

RELATED: FDA Recalls Popular Thyroid Medication Nationwide: What to Know

Nirmal Purja — the mountaineer known to millions from his Netflix documentary — is among 10 climbers missing after an avalanche struck one of the world's highest peaks.

The avalanche hit Pakistan's Broad Peak, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, around midday local time on Thursday, July 30, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the BBC reported.

Infographic map showing Pakistan's tallest peaks, including Broad Peak, where several people are missing after an avalanche.

(Graphic by John SAEKI / AFP via Getty Images)

The 8,047-meter mountain, the world's 12th-highest, is considered one of the most technically demanding peaks for climbers. The organization said there had been no contact with the international team since the avalanche struck.

Avalanche Strikes Broad Peak During International Expedition View this post on Instagram

Purja was leading the 10-member expedition, which included five Nepali climbers, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, Chinese climber Wang Zhong and American climber Mallory Geis, according to the official press release shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal.

Four Bodies Recovered as Search Continues

Gilgit-Baltistan Police said Friday that four bodies had been recovered from the site as search efforts continued, involving two Pakistan Army helicopters, CBS News reported on Friday, July 31. Police did not identify the victims in their statement.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan separately reported that the bodies of Al Harthy and Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung had been recovered, though identifications were still being confirmed on the ground as of Friday. Rescue teams say the rugged terrain and shifting weather have complicated the search.

Thaneshwar Guragain, general manager of Seven Summit Treks, told the Kathmandu Post, "Work is under way now to identify who they are."

Who Is Nirmal Purja?

Purja, 43, a former British Army and Royal Marines soldier, rose to global fame in 2019 after climbing all 14 of the world's peaks above 8,000 meters in just over six months, a feat that shattered the previous record. His journey was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which introduced him to audiences well beyond the mountaineering world.

Also among the missing is American climber Mallory Geis, who describes herself on Instagram as a "side quest enthusiast."

Earlier this year, Geis announced she was closing her pilates studio to pursue what she called a leap of faith into the unknown.

Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Difficult Conditions

According to a report from Nepali outlet Ratopati, Purja's tracking device showed activity Friday morning, though his business partner said it remained unclear whether the movement reflected activity from Purja himself.

Weather conditions were reported clear Friday morning and were expected to hold through the weekend, giving rescue crews a window to press on with the search.

Broad Peak has claimed dozens of lives since it was first summited in 1957, as per a detailed report published by ExplorersWeb in September 2025.

Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with ground teams and helicopters scouring the Karakoram range for the remaining missing climbers.

It's always a treat when our favorite music artists secure residencies at those landmark venues across the U.S.

Take Madison Square Garden, for example, where Harry Styles will perform for 30 days straight beginning August 26. Do you have your tickets yet?

If not, now might be an opportune time to snag some since there are plenty available, according to recent data by SeatPick.

Fans were expectedly not happy with Styles, 32, when tickets for his 30-night New York City residency went live earlier this year. Prices that exceeded $1,000 reportedly sparked threats of boycotts and accusations that the star was "greedy."

Now, new resale market data suggests that initial outrage may have had a lasting impact, despite the sold-out tags. Looking at resale tickets, SeatPick found that on average, 4 in 10 seats (40.5%) remain unsold across the residency's 30 dates. Plus, on the worst-performing night, nearly 3 in 4 seats (73.5%) are empty.

Resale prices have also fallen sharply from the four-figure sums reported during presale. The cheapest ticket currently available for any date is $196 (October 23), while even the priciest night — October 31's Halloween-themed "Harryween" show — starts at $362, a fraction of what some fans reported paying at face value months earlier.

“Either fans are waiting for the resale prices to drop to a more reasonable level, or the demand just isn’t there in the resale market," said Gilad Zilberman, co-founder of SeatPick, in a statement. "It was expected that fans would travel from across the US to attend the 30-day residency at Madison Square Garden, but rising travel costs and expensive tickets are making that less and less likely. It also raises the question of whether backlash to the show's initial pricing did lasting damage to demand for the show.”

Meanwhile, the upcoming residency is still inspiring plenty of excitement. As one example, M Social Hotel Times Square has unveiled a Styles-inspired suite designed to celebrate the singer’s signature aesthetic. Find out more here.

It’s summer, and you know what that means—no matter what area of the country you’re in, extreme heat is par for the course. But we have to keep living our lives, so sometimes, that means getting out there and just doing your best even though it’s uncomfortably hot—but are there some outdoor activities that should never be done in extreme heat?

High temperatures can actually impact your heart, and there are certain conditions that can be particularly strenuous for this organ. 

Dr. Arash Bereliani, MD, FACC, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology, starts “paying close attention” once temperatures climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the risk rises sharply above 95 to 100. 

“Humidity matters just as much as the number on the thermometer, because when the air is humid, your sweat cannot evaporate and your body loses its main way to cool down,” he tells Parade. “That is why the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, is often a better guide than temperature alone.”

So, with that being said, here's one thing that cardiologists are begging people to stop doing in extreme heat—and why.

Related: Cardiologists Swear by a Heart Health ‘Rule’ That’s Shockingly Easy

How Does Extreme Heat Affect the Heart?

When that heat index begins to climb, there are some very real risks to your heart. 

“To keep the body cool, the heart has to work harder in extreme heat, which can result in a faster heart rate and increased cardiac workload,” says Dr. Laxmi Mehta, MD, Director of Preventative Cardiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Additionally, sweating in the heat can result in dehydration, loss of electrolytes and a drop in blood pressure.” 

Dr. Sean Swearingen, MD, a sports cardiologist at Rush University System for Health, explains that overexertion combined with a lack of hydration can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke—something that can impact more than the heart. He says that heat stroke can “severely affect your neurologic function, and it can cause damage to the internal organs.”

He adds that heat stroke can put the heart at a higher risk of a heart attack, and can even cause long-term heart and vascular complications. 

Related: This Environmental Factor Is Linked to Premature Aging—Here's How to Stay Safe

Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Doing This One Thing in Extreme Heat

The answer shouldn’t come as a big surprise—it’s exercise. 

“Please stop doing hard physical activity outdoors in the middle of the day, especially between roughly 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the heat peaks,” Dr. Bereliani tells Parade. “So many of the heat-related emergencies I see could have been avoided by simply moving that workout or that yard work to a cooler part of the day.”

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, MD, board-certified cardiologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, specifically lists walking, jogging and running as activities she warns against doing in extreme heat. Instead, she says that these activities are ideally done in temperatures in the 60s and 70s; but once temperatures reach the mid-80s or above, particularly when it’s humid, she advises taking your exercise indoors.

🩺SIGN UP for Parade’s health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self💊

But let’s say for some reason, you have no choice and you have to get moving out in the heat. Maybe you have a sports practice or your job requires you to work outside. In this case, Dr. Mehta says that you should follow your HEART, an acronym that stands for: 

H: Hydrate regularly
E: Ease up intensity of exertion
A: Allow for frequent breaks
R: Recognize warning symptoms
T: Think light about your clothing, with lightweight and light-colored clothing

“Listen to your body and stop immediately if you feel dizzy, nauseated, get a pounding or irregular heartbeat or stop sweating,” Dr. Bereliani cautions. “Those are warning signs that your heart is under real stress.”

Beyond those symptoms that tend to appear first, he warns of even more serious symptoms, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, a racing or irregular heartbeat, confusion or feeling faint. If you feel any of these sensations, he says that you need to stop, cool down and seek help right away. 

Your best bet? Ultimately, it depends on the person and if you have expectations of needing to be outdoors, but it’s a wise idea to exercise indoors instead of battling extreme heat and putting your heart at risk.

Related: We Asked 3 Cardiologists What Habit Is Best for Heart Health, and They All Said the Same Thing

Groups That Should Be Extra Cautious

While Dr. Goldberg says that “everyone can be affected” by extreme heat, some groups are at greater risk. This can include people with hypertension or other forms of heart disease, as well as those with COPD, asthma or diabetes.

“People who take diuretics to treat hypertension may become more dehydrated in hot, humid weather and need to pay close attention to hydration,” she adds.

Dr. Mehta also lists susceptible groups like the elderly, pregnant people and those with active medical conditions. 

“That said, even young, healthy people can get into trouble if they push too hard for too long,” Dr. Bereliani emphasizes. 

Up Next:

Sources

• Arash Bereliani, MD, FACC, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology.
• Laxmi Mehta, MD, Director of Preventative Cardiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
• Sean Swearingen, MD, a sports cardiologist at Rush University System for Health.
• Dr. Nieca Goldberg, board-certified cardiologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Bob Seger was breaking through in his career in the late '70s when he quickly created the opening lines to "Hollywood Nights," which would land him on the charts and become one of his greatest hits.

Released as part of his Stranger in Town album, the track was released as the second single. Among the album's other hit tracks, "Hollywood Nights" was one of Seger's top chart hits, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, with Billboard calling it a "gut-crunching rocker with all the stops pulled out." Many other critics would go on to praise the track as a perfect example of Seger's storytelling abilities, as the song came about on a drive home.

Accustomed to developing tracks on the fly, Seger revealed, according to UltimateClassicRock, "I usually have a guitar or a keyboard nearby. It’s very seldom that I'm driving in a car and something rolls into my head, but that song did." According to reports, Seger had just left his home in the Hollywood Hills when he started singing the outro and raced home to jot them down before he forgot.

"I had a house out in the Hollywood Hills, I could see the city from my house," Seger noted. "I'd be driving up there in the Hollywood Hills, just driving along, and then suddenly: 'Hollywood nights, Hollywood Hills, above all the lights, Hollywood nights.' It just came right into my head. So I turned right around and drove home, and I'm singing this in my head thinking, 'Don't forget it, don't forget it! Don't turn on the radio!'"

He quickly grabbed his cassette recorder and felt like it was a good start to the track. "Hollywood Nights" has a "high-energy" and fun sound that Seger felt Laura Creamer and Shaun Murphy would get a kick out of singing. When it came to developing the rest of the track, Seger didn't have to look too far for inspiration. It was sitting on his table.

The lyrics tell the story of a Midwestern boy who falls for a glamorous woman from Southern California. Seger got the idea when his eyes landed on a Time magazine cover in his home with model Cheryl Tiegs on the cover. Tiegs is an icon often described as the first supermodel and a staple of 1970s pop culture with her "Pink Bikini" poster.

The rest was history as Seger also got some wise words from Jimmy lovine. The producer commented that the hardest thing to do is developing a "rock 'n' roll hit," and most put out a ballad to land on the charts. Seger didn't want a sentimental ballad, but a hard-driving rock hit, and he did just that.

Related: 1975 Soft Rock Hit, Inspired by a Mysterious Bandmate, Remains a Breakthrough Classic 51 Years Later

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

Parade and ShopHQ are both owned by the same parent company. Featured products are selected independently by the editorial team at Parade.

Diamond stud earrings are an essential for any jewelry collection. They’re not only timeless, but you can wear them with anything in your closet, which makes them a great buy. But, it’s not always easy to find a real diamond pair that won’t break the bank.

These stunning Peace Jewelers 14K Gold Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings are an exception. They’re on sale for just $150 right now at ShopHQ, down from $295. 

Peace Jewelers 14K Gold Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings, $150 (was $295) at ShopHQ

Courtesy of ShopHQ

This sale knocks 49% off their original $250 price tag. Less than 60 pairs are currently left in stock, so act fast if you want to snag them. They may be lab-grown diamond earrings, but these gorgeous studs are just as sparkly and luxe-looking as natural diamonds. 

You can snag these round .25-carat diamond studs in 14-karat white gold, which is finished with rhodium plating for an extra pop of brightness. They were available in yellow gold, but that colorway has already sold out. In addition to their brilliant cut, the diamonds have color and clarity grades that indicate they’re near colorless, high quality, and have plenty of sparkle. They also have minimal visible imperfections that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

At 0.17 inches long and wide, and 0.13 inches tall, they are small studs that are perfect to wear every day, and they’re secured with butterfly backs to keep them in place. The size of the studs also makes them perfect for gifts for all ages, which shoppers raved about with numerous five-star reviews. “This is an absolute perfect size for any ear piercing location,” one buyer wrote. “I am wearing on my second and third holes. The diamonds have a lot of sparkle and shine!” 

Another added that they're the "perfect gift for a special little girl.” Others echoed the sparkle sentiment and called the earrings “beautiful,” “brilliant,” and “a great value.” The studs have an understated elegance, but an eye-catching sparkle that will make them the staple earrings you’ll want to wear every day. 

Snag Free Shipping at ShopHQ

You can enter the code FREERETURN at checkout on ShopHQ to get $5 off shipping for a limited time. The shipping fee for these earrings is just shy of $5, but using this code makes your shipping free!

Related: We Found 1500 Thread Count Cotton Sheets That Make Your Room Feel Like a Luxe Hotel for Over 40% Off

These stunning lab-grown diamond stud earrings are the perfect gift for yourself or for a loved one for birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Grab a pair for yourself before this $150 deal goes away! 

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.

Ella Langley found her last tip jar $100 while packing to move. She'd been saving her ones in $100 increments since her early gigging days, and this was the last stack she'd made before everything changed. "You don't know the amount of times I wanted to spend this $100 and needed to spend this $100," she said in a TikTok video. "I did not do it because I had faith in myself. It paid off. I'm really happy I still have this." The song she made instead of quitting is called "Choosin' Texas." It just spent 15 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying and then surpassing Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" to break a record that had stood since 1992.

She dropped out of Auburn University to move to Nashville and pursue her musical dreams. She gigged. She passed a tip jar. She saved the ones until she had $100 and then saved the next hundred. "I pretty much started this whole thing from a tip jar," she said. When she found the last stack while moving, she'd been looking for it everywhere. She held it up for the camera. She posted it with a simple caption: "Really have been trusting the process."

"Choosin' Texas" was released October 17, 2025, as the lead single from her second studio album Dandelion. She co-wrote it with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor at a writing retreat in October 2024. It was the first time Langley and Lambert had written a song together.

Lambert started telling a story about the time she got pulled over on Texas plates with a kangaroo in her car, and Langley said: "Well, she's from Texas, I can tell." They all looked at each other. That was the hook. The song, that line became, is a heartbreak song: a woman watching her former flame move on with someone from Texas. The hook came from Langley's reaction to the story. You can't plan songs like this.

Related: 1970 Linda Ronstadt Ballad, Ignored for 53 Years, Became a Phenomenon After She Could No Longer Sing It

The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 39 on November 1, 2025, and hit No. 1 in February 2026. It spent 15 non-consecutive weeks there, briefly displaced by major releases before returning to number 1 again and again. Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" spent 14 weeks at No. 1. So did Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together". Houston's record dated back to 1992. Carey's dated to 2005. Both toppled in the same week.

Among solo female artists, only Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" at 22 weeks has more time at No. 1. The woman Miranda Lambert helped write a song for now holds a record that Lambert never has.

The $100 She Kept Is Still in Her Possession. So Is the Record.

The comments on Langley's TikTok video came in fast. "We really made the right person famous." "I hope that $100 turns into $100 million." One fan wrote something that stopped the scroll: "I've been so broke I couldn't find a nickel under the couch. Now I keep a $100 bill in my wallet that I'll never spend to remind me how broke I once was." Another spotted something bigger: "That's a good song title: 'Tip Jar.' It can describe how far you've come and how everything started."

@ellalangleymusic1

Really have been *trusting the process 🥲

♬ original sound - Ella Langley

They're not wrong. Langley also became the first female artist to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts with "Choosin' Texas." Dandelion, her second studio album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In May 2026, she won seven Academy of Country Music Awards in a single night, setting a new record for the ceremony. Billboard named her song "Be Her" one of The 50 Best Songs of 2026 So Far. The tip jar era produced more than one song worth keeping.

Ella Langley dropped out of Auburn. She gigged for tips. She saved the singles in $100 increments. She kept the last one even when she desperately needed it. The song she made instead became "Choosin' Texas." It broke Whitney Houston's Billboard record. It outlasted Mariah Carey's too. The $100 is still in her possession.

So is the record.

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

Take a look at your closet. Are there any colors that stand out? Maybe you have an overwhelming number of yellow shirts, or a preference for khaki. Whatever your fashion choices are, you might notice that certain colors can affect your mood. That's an example of color psychology, and, according to The Color Institute Founder Michelle Lewis, it can actually reveal a lot about who you are, how you behave and even whether you're extroverted or introverted.

“Color psychology is the study of how color shapes human behavior, emotion and decision-making—often before we're aware it's happening,” Lewis tells Parade. “Every color carries a measurable psychological signal that affects heart [rate], cortisol levels, cognitive performance and emotional state. These aren't simply reactions; they are documented patterns that emerge from a combination of neurological response, cultural conditioning and personal history.”

As far as clothing is concerned, Lewis adds, color psychology can help us understand “not just what people wear, but why—and what those choices are quietly communicating about how they experience the world.” To that end, Lewis is helping Parade understand what colors are most worn by introverts.

Related: Color Psychologist Says Wearing This Color Makes You Appear Instantly More Approachable

What Can Color Psychology Reveal About Someone’s Innate Characteristics?

Color psychology can reveal quite a bit about someone's innate characteristics, especially when it comes to the color psychology of their wardrobe.

“Your wardrobe is one of the most honest self-portraits you have,” Lewis tells Parade. “Unlike a personality test where you can curate your answers, your wardrobe reflects years of instinctive choices—the colors you kept reaching for even when you weren't thinking about it. Color psychology tells us that isn't random.”

Wardrobe colors, she continues, “reveal how much stimulation a person is seeking or managing.” For example, a person who gravitates towards bright, vibrant colors might need more stimulation than someone who prefers muted tones.

Related: Color Psychologist Says These 5 Colors Are Worn Most by ‘Highly Intelligent’ People

The Psychology of 'Low-Stimulation' Colors

A low-stimulation color is one that won't add stimulation or "noise" to an already extended nervous system, which is why introverts are drawn to them.

“Introverts are chronically more cortically aroused than extroverts—meaning their nervous systems are already running at a higher stimulation threshold,” Lewis explains. “As a result, introverts naturally seek environments and stimuli that don't push them further past that threshold—including lower-stimulation colors.”

Low-stimulation colors tend to be more muted or desaturated—a dusty rose versus a neon pink, for example.

“These colors don't demand a response from the nervous system the way their saturated counterparts do—they allow it to settle,” she says.

Related: Color Psychologist Says This Bedroom Paint Color Is the ‘Most Calming’ To Wake up to—Here’s Why

The #1 Color Most Worn By Introverts

The number one color most worn by introverts is a soft blue, which Lewis calls “the most natural introvert color in existence.”

People who love blue, she says, “are introspective, deliberate and drawn to calm environments that support deep thinking.”

A soft blue is especially appealing for introverts because it “creates a version of that calm that they can carry with them—it signals to their own nervous system that they're safe to slow down.”

6 Other 'Comfort Colors' Found in an Introvert's Wardrobe 

The color psychologist reveals what other hues are worn most by introverts.

1. Sage green

“Green is the color most associated with balance, regeneration and open-heartedness,” Lewis says, adding, “Sage green connects to an introvert's frequent need for restoration and nature.”

Introverts can often find social interactions draining, and sage green can be “neurologically restorative.”

2. Soft lavender and muted violet

Some introverts are characterized by their desire for deep connection over surface-level interactions and their rich inner lives, which, according to Lewis, is part of what makes a soft lavender or muted violet os appealing.

“Purple lovers are the most open and internally oriented of all color personalities—they're drawn to what can't be easily explained and comfortable living slightly outside the ordinary,” she says. “A muted lavender carries those qualities without the chromatic intensity that would overstimulate.”

3. Warm gray and greige

Lewis calls greige “the wardrobe equivalent of a deep breath.” Warm gray and greige are neutral colors that won't overstimulate, if they stimulate at all.

“Warm grays appeal to introverts who want their clothing to create zero friction—nothing to manage, nothing to explain, nothing that pulls attention they didn't invite,” she states.

4. Deep navy

Deep navy is a “protective” color, Lewis says.

“Introverts who wear deep navy are often choosing it because it allows them to be taken seriously without being visually loud—it projects competence and calm without demanding interaction,” she explains.

5. Soft white and cream

While bright white can be jarring and clinical, Lewis explains that a warm soft white or cream is “clean and uncomplicated.” Introverts who gravitate towards soft whites “appreciate simplicity and clarity,” she says, adding that the color acts as “a visual environment free of noise that mirrors how they prefer to operate internally.”

6. Dusty rose and muted blush

Described by Lewis as a stimulating red tone softened by white and grey, dusty rose and muted blush “appeal to introverts who want warmth without intensity.”

Related: Color Psychologist Says These 5 Favorite Colors Are Loved by ‘Especially Creative’ People

4 Ways Introverts Use Clothing as Psychological Armor

I've always thought that the color of my clothing was reflective of just my personal preferences, but for introverts, Lewis says, clothing can actually be used “as a system of boundary-setting and self-regulation.” To that end, she identifies four different ways introverts use clothing color as psychological armor.

1. Color as a filter

“Introverts often use muted, low-stimulation colors to reduce the number of interactions their appearance invites,” Lewis shares.

In this case, an introvert might wear soft colors to avoid unnecessary social interaction, which can be draining.

2. Dark colors as a boundary signal

“Deep navy, charcoal and forest green can function as a non-verbal ‘do not disturb’ signal,” Lewis explains. “They project presence and competence without warmth or invitation, which is sometimes exactly what an introvert needs in a high-stimulation environment.”

3. Clothing with a consistent color palette as cognitive armor

In Lewis' experience, introverts tend to prefer a consistent color palette when it comes to clothing because it helps preserve their energy.

“Every unnecessary decision removed from the morning preserves cognitive and emotional bandwidth for the thinking, connecting and creating that actually matters to them,” she says.

By choosing a consistent and muted palette for their clothing, introverts protect themselves from expending unnecessary energy on choosing what to wear.

4. A statement color as an invitation

Just because introverts might prefer muted colors doesn't mean that's the only thing they wear, which is why you might want to pay attention the next time your introverted friend wears a bright, eye-catching piece of clothing.

“Some introverts use one carefully chosen color accent as a conversation starter on their own terms—a deliberate opening that gives other people something to engage with without requiring the introvert to initiate,” Lewis states.

Related: Color Psychologist Says if Your Favorite Color Is Red, You Likely Have These 7 Traits

3 Colors That Rapidly Drain an Introvert's Energy

Unfortunately, just as there are some colors that can help preserve an introvert's energy, there are some that drain it, too.

“Because introverts are already operating at a higher cortical arousal baseline, colors that add stimulation push them toward overstimulation faster and more severely than they would affect an extrovert,” Lewis notes.

This includes all highly saturated colors as well as three main colors she says can rapidly drain an introvert's energy.

1. Vivid red

Introverts wanting to experiment with color psychology should probably stay away from bright reds, according to Lewis, who says that red is the most draining color for introverts.

“Red has the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum, triggers the fastest and strongest response in the visual cortex and is neurologically associated with urgency and alert states,” she explains.

2. Bright orange

Another color to stay away from is orange, which, like red, is “neurologically demanding” and can be overstimulating for introverts.

3. Vivid yellow

Yellow can excite and energize, which means that for introverts it can become very overwhelming very quickly.

“For introverts, whose threshold for overstimulation is already lower, yellow's neurological activation is one of the fastest routes to feeling depleted in a social setting,” Lewis advises.

Up Next:

Related: Color Psychologist Says Wearing This Color Makes You Appear Instantly More Confident

Source:

• Michelle Lewis is a color psychology expert, founder of The Color Institute and ColorAnalysis.com, as well as the creator of the Universal Color Psychology Standard and Color Language. She is the author of Color Secrets, a TEDx speaker and a consultant whose work has been featured in Fast Company, Inc., HuffPost, the Daily Mail and the New York Post. You can follow her @colorpsychologist.

If you have European travel on the calendar late this summer or fall, it's time to log into your American Express account. Amex has rolled out a targeted Amex Offer that lets select cardholders earn a massive 20,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 or more on Air France or KLM flights.

Maximizing this 20,000-point bonus can unlock incredible real-world travel. For example, transferring those 20,000 Membership Rewards points to partner programs like Virgin Atlantic can literally land you a free economy seat across the Atlantic. Paired with a required $1,000 flight purchase, it’s effectively like getting your next trip to Europe paid for.

To qualify, you must add the promotion to your card and complete the $1,000 spend by August 30, 2026. Your travel date can occur after August 30, but the ticket transaction itself must clear by that deadline.

Related: The Surprising International Flights You Can Book for Under 10K Points This Summer

View this post on Instagram

The terms dictate that flights must originate in the U.S., be billed in U.S. dollars, and be booked directly through AirFrance.us or KLM.com. Bookings made via third-party online travel agencies like Expedia or Google Flights will not trigger the bonus. Once earned, the bonus points will post to your account within 90 days after the August 30 promotion end date.

Related: The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2026, According to The Points Guy

Maximizing the deal requires checking all of your American Express accounts first, as targeted offers can appear on some cards while skipping others. Once you enroll a specific card, the offer cannot be moved, so be sure to attach it to the card that earns the highest base rewards on airfare—such as cards earning five times points on direct airline bookings—to stack your standard earnings on top of the 20,000-point bonus.

While the offer cannot be redeemed on bookings paid entirely with Flying Blue miles, it does apply to cash transactions processed directly by the airline. That means if you're booking award seats for a family or flying in a premium cabin where taxes and carrier surcharges exceed $1,000, paying those fees directly with your enrolled card will trigger the full bonus.

Related: Marriott and Japan Airlines Just Launched the Ultimate Points Cheat Code for Travelers

At just 21 years old, Tommy James had already scored several major hits with the Shondells, including “Hanky Panky,” “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Mony Mony.” But when he came home from a tour in 1968, he could tell the music world was moving in a different direction.

“FM radio was happening, and singles were being replaced by albums,” James told Guitar Player. “Songs were getting more serious. I realized that we had to move with the times, or else we’d be extinct.”

The result was “Crimson and Clover,” which James co-wrote with Shondells drummer Peter Lucia Jr. The track became the biggest hit of the band's career, spending 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, including two weeks at the top.

“Its impact was incredible,” the singer said. “It gave us the second half of our career.”

The title came from James combining two of his favorite words, which he thought had a poetic sound when put together. After a concert, he and Lucia headed back to their hotel room, where James strummed a Gibson Hummingbird guitar while Lucia kept the beat by tapping on pillows. 

“I played these three ‘backward’ chords – B, F# and E – at the same time I did the lyrics,” James recalled. “We didn’t have a recorder with us, so we jotted it down on paper.”

The pair experimented with a few different versions of the song. One early attempt, James said, was “kind of like James Taylor, with acoustic fingerpicking,” but it sounded too dreamy, so they decided to “toughen it up.”

After a few hours, they had the track far enough along to start working on it in the studio. “It was kind of a funny thing,” James said. “It was verse after verse, which was also the chorus. That was the hook. We knew we could make it work in the studio.”

“Crimson and Clover” was the first time James produced one of his own songs. It was also his first experience recording in a 16-track studio, allowing him to separate the instruments and have more control over the final mix.

“Stereo had become the big thing, and we had to keep up,” he recalled

James, Lucia and Shondells bassist Mike Vale recorded the song in just five hours, with the frontman handling most of the instrumentation. After the session, James made a work tape of the record. “I knew it was a hit,” he said. “It was undeniable.”

During a visit with the WLS program director in Chicago, James gave him a listen to the recording. Unbeknownst to him, someone at the station copied and circulated it without his permission.

“I got in my car and I heard, ‘Here’s a world exclusive on WLS.’ They played the freakin’ rough mix! It was crazy.”

With listeners calling in to WLS about “Crimson and Clover,” Roulette decided to release the unfinished mix as the single. “I wanted to do a polished final mix, but I guess it was God’s way of telling me ‘Tom, you’re done.’ Several weeks later, we played the song on Ed Sullivan, and the next day it hit number one.”

Related: ‘60s Rock Legend, With No. 1 Hit Song, Turns 81

In 1987, U2 released their fifth album, The Joshua Tree, which not only produced some of the band's biggest hits but also became one of rock's most celebrated albums of all time.

In a ranking released by Collider, the publication named the 25 greatest rock albums of all time, highlighting records that have stood the test of time.

Leading the ranking were Abbey Road by The Beatles, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin at Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, while The Joshua Tree landed at No. 17.

Although U2 was already a major force in the early 1980s thanks to the success of its third studio album, War, it was The Joshua Tree that cemented the band's status as a global powerhouse.

Moreover, the outlet emphasized the band's ability to release "one huge hit after another" through this album, making it the band’s first global breakthrough to superstardom.

U2 members Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen, Jr. and Adam Clayton at the 1988 Brit Awards

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

At the height of the band's rise, lead vocalist Bono, lead guitarist and keyboardist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. released the 11-track record, which includes two No. 1 hits.

"With or Without You" claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, followed by "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," which also spent two weeks at No. 1.

@u2shorts

I can't live with or without you #U2 #U2Shorts

♬ original sound - U2Shorts - U2Shorts

The album also topped the Billboard 200, where it remained at No. 1 for nine consecutive weeks.

In addition, U2's album was also named the best album of the 1980s by BBC Radio 2 listeners.

With its massive commercial success, The Edge believed it was the band's own artistic vision that made their music unique and independent from the mainstream.

“It doesn’t really sound like anything else from its time at all,” he shared in the 1999 Classic Albums documentary as cited by Rolling Stone. “It’s not coming from an Eighties mentality. It’s coming from somewhere completely different. … When we were making this album we didn’t really feel like we were a part of what was going on in the music business at that stage. And we felt very separate.”

To this day, The Joshua Tree remains U2's highest-selling album and one of the band's most enduring legacies across all 15 of its main studio albums.

Related: Rock Icon Bono Delivers Unexpected Performance Before Christmas

Ali Larter is proving that turning 50 can be its own kind of glow-up and Gold Bond is coming along for the ride.

The Landman star has partnered with Gold Bond to launch the brand's new scented body creams, debuting the campaign at Montana's Under the Big Sky Music Festival in Whitefish on July 17. Dressed in suede hot pants, cowboy boots and a Stetson hat, Larter leaned into a look that felt more authentic than costume. The actress has called the Mountain West home since leaving Hollywood to raise her family in Sun Valley, Idaho.

"I live in the Mountain West, so I know what it's like to live where it's really dry, really high altitude, tough on your skin," Larter told PEOPLE. "Gold Bond has been in my house for many years, but now they're elevating it with these beautiful scents." Her favorite scent from the new line is Cherry Crush.

@goldbondus

#GoldBondPartner Strike Skincare Gold with Gold Bond’s New Scented Body Creams ⛏🧴✨ Designed with 24-hour hydration, skin-loving scents and legendary high-performing formulas.

♬ original sound - Gold Bond

The campaign arrives during what Larter describes as one of the happiest chapters of her life. After celebrating her 50th birthday earlier this year, the actress said she's learned to focus less on chasing youth and more on simply feeling her best. "I'm really just trying to demystify this story of a number and how that defines us," she told PEOPLE. "It's about being the best version of yourself." 

That outlook has resonated with fans, especially women embracing their own next chapters. "It's the women that come up to me. They love feeling like, 'Wait, we're not expired.' The fire is still within."

Her confidence has extended well beyond skincare. Larter is also enjoying a career resurgence thanks to her scene-stealing performance as Angela Norris on Paramount+'s hit series Landman. The role has introduced her to a new generation of viewers while longtime fans still remember her standout turns in Varsity Blues, Final Destination, Legally Blonde, Heroes and Resident Evil.

As for those suede shorts? Larter's not sure they're getting a repeat, but everything else about this chapter, she's holding onto. Or As for those suede shorts? Larter joked she's not sure they'll make another appearance. Everything else about this chapter, however, is something she's more than happy to hold onto.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has opened up about the shock cancellation of his Disney+ series, Wonder Man.

The series sees Abdul-Mateen II play an aspiring Hollywood actor, Simon Williams, who is forced to hide his superpowers. Ben Kingsley co-stars as Trevor Slattery, the faded thespian who had played the Mandarin in Iron Man 3.

In March, showrunner Andrew Guest confirmed the Marvel show had been renewed for a second season. By July, Marvel had seemingly gone back on this renewel and canceled the series. According to Variety, the writers' room was never opened for the second season, and the show's writers have since been released to pursue other projects.

The cancellation came as a surprise; the show was met with positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Abdul-Mateen was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy for the role, but the praise wasn't enough to save the series.

Related:Marvel Stuns Fans With Major Film Announcements at Comic-Con

View this post on Instagram

Writing on Instagram after news of the cancellation came out, Abdul-Mateen found a positive angle. "That's life, right? Everything will shake out".

The Matrix Resurrections actor added: "I wanted to say thank you to everybody who WATCHED the show, ENJOYED the show, and SHARED that they enjoyed the show in some way or other. The show worked. And that’s my favorite thing about it.

"I could see it on the faces of the YouTube Reactors (because I watched along with y’all this time. Shoutout to y’all) and I can see in the messages I get saying how the show reminded some of you not to give up, and I feel it in the genuine love shared when I bump into some of you all during the day. So, thinking of you all today. I’m glad we got to be a part of something cool," the post concluded.

The good news is that characters from Wonder Man may appear again in the MCU. The series was co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has been breaking audience records. So maybe Cretton will find a way to get Simon back on our screens soon.

Related: Tom Holland Shares the Big Lesson He Learned From Playing Spider-Man