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Steak ‘n Shake made a major change that began on June 1.

In a post on the first day of the month, the popular fast-food chain announced the news.

"Starting today, all our beef comes from pasture-raised cattle. Our beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished — no antibiotics or hormones added, ever,” they wrote on X. “Steak n Shake is committed to serving the healthiest kind of beef at reasonable prices. It is simply the right thing to do.”

And with this, they became the first American burger chain to make this change.

It was a move that certainly has gone over well with customers.

"Steak 'n Shake is the one fast food restaurant I will eat at—specifically because of this and the tallow move. So thankful for the real leadership," one person commented.

"The only fast food I will eat!," another person expressed.

"Kind of crazy a fast food joint is leading the charge to healthy eating. Would be fantastic to see mom and pop restaurants follow their lead," a consumer wrote.

"This is the way! We only eat fast food from steak and shake now," another consumer shared.

"This is amazing news!! I haven't eaten fast food in 10 YEARS! I hope you do the same with the cheese. Once cheese is real cheese and I know the source I'll come grab my first fast food cheeseburger in years! Thank you," one consumer said.

This change comes after the company named Michael Boes as the first-ever chief MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) officer. And in a post on LinkedIn announcing the news, he shared that "fast food doesn't have to mean processed, complicated, or artificial."

"It used to mean real, simple, and delicious — and it can again," he continued. "I'm grateful to join an organization so deeply committed to that mission, and I look forward to helping drive the next chapter of growth on that foundation."

In late 1961, a powerful song was released that would symbolically paint the picture of how tragic the cycle of war can be, and it became an emotional protest anthem that has lived on for generations after it first hit airwaves. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" by The Kingston Trio—comprising Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds, and John Stewart (who replaced original member Dave Guard) at the time—is equally haunting and beautiful.

The tune was anti-war cry and a call for peace written by Pete Seeger in 1955, six years prior to The Kingston Trio's release, according to Genius. "The song makes the connection between life and death, men and women, and how the cycles of love, war and the cyclical stream of history seem to beg the question, 'When will we ever learn?'”

A circular song, "it summarizes the consequences of war: the flowers have been taken by the young girls, the girls have been gone married to the young men, the young men have become soldiers, the soldiers have been goneto the graveyards, the graveyards have been covered with flowers," an explanation shared via Quora notes.

Shane, Reynolds, and Stewart's take was released in December 1961, and became a hit. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on Jan. 14, 1962, peaking at No. 21 in April.

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone" was listed among Folk Alley's 100 Most Essential Folk Songs of all time, alongside genre staples such as Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," "City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodwin, "Early Morning Rain" by Gordon Lightfoot, and many more classics.

On Spotify, the popular, generational anti-war anthem had over 9.8 million streams at the time of writing. A full playlist of Folk Alley's most essential folk songs is available on the streaming platform.

Over the last several decades, Seeger's track has been covered by multiple artists, including folk group Peter, Paul And Mary, Johnny Rivers, Dolly Parton, and more, per Song Facts.

Related: 1978 Soft Rock Classic, the Band's Only No. 1 Hit, Remains a Beloved Anthem 48 Years Later

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On the hunt for a new pair of practical everyday sandals for the warmer months? If so, Adidas is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re one to prioritize comfort and support. While it may be known for sneakers, Adidas also carries a handful of sandals that deliver the same plush cushioning. These Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slides at Adidas are a prime example, and you can currently score them on sale for less than $30! 

Sale prices slightly vary depending on style. Normally retailing for $40, these slide sandals are now marked down to just $28 in nine styles. There are 10 other versions at full price as well. Sizes range from 5 to 14, and shoppers noted that they fit true to size. These sandals are also available in a few other designs on a different listing, which you can check out here!

Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slides, From $28 (was $40) at Adidas

Courtesy of Adidas

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These sandals are available in several multicolor styles, including three black and white versions, and a few variations with red or blue hues. They’re also available in solid colors like khaki, blue, green, and black. Plus, there are a few patterned styles, including tropical green and leopard prints.

With an open design, these sandals are incredibly easy to slip into. Whether you’re looking for something breathable to throw on after a workout or something comfy to wear whenever you run errands, these slide sandals are definitely worth adding to your shoe collection. 

Related: Nike's 'Stylish' $28 Slides Feel 'Like Walking on Clouds,' and They Come in 9 Colors

Equal parts comfortable and stylish, these slides boast a synthetic upper and outsole, and a textile sockliner. The midsoles are made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) compound, designed to cushion your feet with every step you take. They have a lightweight feel, so you can walk around without feeling like you’re being weighed down. 

Reviewers absolutely love the feel of these sandals. One shopper called these awesome slides with the “utmost comfort” and said that they deliver “cloud-like comfort.” A second customer added that “the comfort is on another level.” A third shopper commented that these sandals are “so comfy that they feel like you’re walking on air.”

Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slides, From $28 (was $40) at Adidas

Courtesy of Adidas

Shop at Adidas

These sandals are very supportive, working to even out the pressure on your feet and reduce fatigue. Shoppers attested, noting that these sandals help tremendously with arch support. The footbeds also have toe grooves that are molded to the natural shape of your feet.

True to classic Adidas style, these slides feature three horizontal stripes on the straps. The straps are padded, and shoppers said that they feel like memory foam. They’ll comfortably hug your feet to prevent them from sliding out so you can walk around with ease. 

Thanks to their airy design, these slide sandals are ideal for all your spring and summer activities. They’re great for beach days, traveling, and anything in between. You can wear them with any casual outfit, including loungewear, athleticwear, and even streetwear. They’ll keep you comfortable all day long while adding a sporty vibe to your aesthetic. 

Shop More Deals 

• Vl Court 3.0 Shoes, From $53 (was $75) at Adidas
• Runfalcon 5 Running Shoes, From $45 (was $60) at Adidas
• Campus 00s Shoes, From $55 (was $110) at Adidas

If you’re looking for a pair of sandals that you’ll want to slip into every time you step foot outside the door, be sure to head to Adidas and snag the Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slides while they’re still on sale for just $28! 

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Dave Ramsey has become a household name thanks to his financial advice. In fact, the 65-year-old is so popular that he even has his own show, where he routinely has other finance pros on to discuss the things that matter most to his followers.

During a recent episode of The Dave Ramsey Show, one of those guests actually flipped the script and taught Ramsey something new. Now, the finance guru is trying to spread the word so everyone can learn an important lesson about compound interest and the importance of starting to invest your money as early as you can.

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@daveramsey

EVERYONE needs to understand this. It's a great example of the power of compound interest, @george.kamel. (The average annual return over the last 40+ years of the S&P 500 is around 11%.)

♬ original sound - Dave Ramsey - Dave Ramsey The Number That Could Change How You Think About Saving

Ramsey shared a brief snippet from a recent show on his TikTok account, where guest George Kamel explained the "power of compound interest." In the video, Ramsey shared how he graduated from college without ever learning about the strategy.

Kamel explained the concept using a single dollar that someone in their 20s would invest in a savings account. In his example, Kamel said that there was a "73x" return by the time you reach 65. "But, when you invest that same dollar at 55, it's maybe worth 4x instead of 70x."

"So that means instead of $73 you have $4," Ramsey asked, prompting Kamel to agree with the statement. "Put 100,000 of those on it," Ramsey said later in the conversation. "So, $100,000 is $7.3 million or $100,000 is $400,000," he said, using the same calculation from earlier but with larger figures.

Related: Dave Ramsey Tells Caller To Stop Using His Program And Do This Instead

Not Everyone Was Convinced—But Some Said It Already Worked for Them

While Ramsey and Kamel's conversation seemed to highlight the importance of investing your money while you're younger to take advantage of compound interest, fans had many questions about the logistics of the advice.

Several people were eager to know exactly where to save their money, with many followers asking for advice in the comments. "Invest in what, though?" one follower asked.

Meanwhile, others were confused about how someone in their 20s, and conceivably just getting started in their career, could have that much money to set aside. "Yes, but what 20-year-old [has] $100,000 [lying] around to invest," another follower asked.

Related: Dave Ramsey Encourages Man To Sell His Car To Get Out of Debt but People Are Confused by His Advice

Despite questions from those who didn't think people could realistically come up with that much money so young, several people chimed in to say that Ramsey and Kamel's advice was not only achievable but exactly what they had done. "Preach. Aggressively saved from 20-30, two jobs, no new cars or vacations," one person wrote. "Now I'm done saving for retirement at 33 and have freedom for life. Set to retire at 45!"

While the advice may sound challenging to some, it's clear that compound interest has worked its magic for others, making it an attractive option for those who can take advantage of this type of savings plan right after they join the workforce.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

There is something almost poetic about the fact that Scary Movie opened at number one this weekend by beating Backrooms(a movie that is itself a horror parody of sorts) at the box office. The Wayans brothers have been gone from the franchise they created for 25 years. Based on the early returns, audiences were ready for them to come back.

Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory Wayans reunited for the sixth installment in the series, their first collaboration since 2009's Dance Flick, alongside returning stars Anna Faris and Regina Hall, who first played the endlessly quotable Cindy Campbell and Brenda Meeks in the original 2000 film. The new movie is tracking for a franchise-record opening of approximately $52.7 million, well above the previous high set by Scary Movie 4 in 2006, from 3,490 theaters, on a reported budget of just $30 million.

The reviews have been harder to read than the receipts. The Hollywood Reporter called the film 'perplexing' in its choice to lean back into the same winking self-awareness that had originally hurt the franchise, while the AV Club went sharper in its critique of jokes that felt aimed at a prior era rather than the current one. Discussing Film gave a more generous three out of five, arguing that whatever the film's flaws, there was something genuinely meaningful about watching the brothers reclaim something that had been stripped from them years ago due to a pay dispute.

Related: Iconic Horror Classic Reboot Coming from the Director Who Made an $800 YouTube Movie

What critics across the board agreed on is that the cast is the reason to show up. Faris and Hall fall back into their rhythm as if the years between Scary Movie 2 and now barely happened. The film targets recent horror hits for its spoofs including Backrooms, Longlegs, and Sinners, and the moments that are best, according to multiple reviews, are the ones where the four original leads are simply playing off each other again. 'When it's funny, it's hysterical,' one reviewer noted.

The original Scary Movie opened in 2000 to $42.5 million and went on to become one of the highest-grossing R-rated horror comedies of all time. Marlon Wayans had been direct about what the franchise's post-Wayans years felt like, calling the deal that took it away from his family 'crappy' and saying bluntly, 'You can't do Wayans [stuff] without the Wayans.' This weekend's numbers make a decent argument that he was right.

Whether the film earns a sequel is a box office question to answer later. For now, Cindy and Brenda are back, and judging by the crowds, a lot of people missed them.

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Can you believe Pretty Little Liars premiered 16 years ago? The first episode aired on June 8, 2010, and turned five relatively unknown actresses—Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario and Sasha Pieterse—into household names practically overnight.

Adapted from Sara Shepard's bestselling YA novels, the series ran for seven seasons and 160 episodes before its finale in 2017. If you think about it, Pretty Little Liars helped pave the way for so many YA book-to-series adaptations—including The Summer I Turned Pretty and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Today, the women who played Aria, Emily, Hanna, Spencer and Alison have built lives that look nothing like their Rosewood days: one runs a $200 million travel empire and is heading back to primetime, several have gotten married, and another welcomed her third baby in January 2026. Over the years, the actors have remained remarkably close, even co-starring in recent projects!

Read on to discover what every main cast member—plus a few other faves—has been up to since their Pretty Little Liars era.

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Pretty Little Liars Cast: Where Are They Now?Lucy Hale (Aria Montgomery)

Photo by Savion Washington/WWD via Getty Images

Lucy Hale was just 20 years old when Pretty Little Liars premiered. Since the show ended, she's starred in the CW's Katy Keene, charmed audiences with leading roles in films like The Hating Game, F*** Marry Kill andTruth or Dare. And PLL fans will be thrilled to learn about her next project—the holiday rom-com The Twelve Dates of Christmas. Her co-star? Ian Harding—aka Ezra Fitz—her on-screen love interest for all seven seasons.

Off-screen, she's been sober for over four years and describes her rock bottom as "the greatest gift and biggest turning point in my life."

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Hale has kept her personal life pretty private, but in 2026, she's been spotted on dates with Phillip Lopez.

Related: ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Actress Sparks Proud Reactions After Announcing Personal Milestone

Shay Mitchell (Emily Fields)

Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Shay Mitchell went from being a pretty little liar to a badass female founder. In 2018, Mitchell founded the travel brand BÉIS, which reported a staggering $200 million in revenue by 2023. She's since expanded into other brand endeavors—including the canned tequila label Onda and a children's skincare line, Rini.

But Mitchell isn't completely trading the soundstage for the boardroom. In March 2026, she joined the cast of Fox's Baywatch reboot as a series regular, playing Trina, a former lawyer who left it all behind to become a full-time lifeguard. The 12-episode series—led by Stephen Amell—is currently in production and is set to premiere in the 2026–27 TV season. Mitchell—who was 23 when she first stepped into Rosewood—shares two adorable daughters—Atlas and Rome—with her longtime partner, brand visionary Matte Babel.

Shay Mitchell, Livvy Dunne, Jessica Belkin, Hassie Harrison, and Brooks Nader star in Fox's upcoming Baywatch reboot.

Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage

Ashley Benson (Hanna Marin)

Photo by Michael Buckner on Getty Images

Even while still playing Hanna, Ashley Benson was already showing her range on the big screen—starring in the 2013 cult hit Spring Breakers while Pretty Little Liars was still on the air. Since the show wrapped, she's stayed busy with projects like Prime Video's Wilderness and the action film Mob Land. She recently wrapped the upcoming heist thriller Stranglehold opposite Jake Lacy, Justin Long and Ron Perlman. Benson—who was 20 when PLL premiered and is now 36—married art collector/curator Brandon Davis in November 2023. In 2024, the couple welcomed their daughter, Aspen.

Ashley Benson married Brandon Davis in 2023. The couple—pictured here in 2026—has one daughter, Aspen.

Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images

Related: Ashley Benson Shares ‘Fun Throwback’ With Britney Spears From When She Was a Kid

Troian Bellisario (Spencer Hastings)

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Troian Bellisario played the razor-sharp Spencer. The actress was 24 when Pretty Little Liars premiered and celebrated the big 4-0 in late 2025. Bellisario married Suits star Patrick J. Adams in 2016, and the pair now has daughters—Aurora, Elliot and a third baby girl who arrived in January 2026.

Troian Bellisario and husband Patrick J. Adams in 2025

Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

She's also kept working on both sides of the camera, leading the 2025 Prime Video police drama On Call (which currently has a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes). Beyond acting, she's also followed her passion for writing, directing and producing. Bellisario has also become a candid advocate for mental health and eating disorder awareness, drawing on her own experience—which inspired Feed, the 2017 film she wrote and starred in—to help others feel less alone.

Sasha Pieterse (Alison DiLaurentis)

Photo by Paul Archuleta on Getty Images

Believe it or not, Sasha Pieterse was just 14 when she debuted as the mysterious Alison DiLaurentis on the show. She also reprised her role in the 2019 spinoff Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. Since the original show wrapped, she's competed on Dancing with the Stars, appeared in Netflix's Ivy + Bean films and also starred in the 2024 psychological thrillerThe Image of You. The South African-born actress has been married to Hudson Sheaffer since 2018, when they exchanged vows at a beautiful castle in Ireland. They have one son, Hendrix, and she's become a vocal advocate for PCOS awareness after her own diagnosis.

Sasha Pieterse, husband Hudson Sheaffer and their son Hendrix pose for a family photo at Beaches Turks and Caicos in 2026.

Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts

Janel Parrish (Mona Vanderwaal)

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Janel Parrish was unforgettable as Mona Vanderwaal, the show's original mean girl turned wildcard. She reintroduced herself to a new generation as Margot in Netflix's To All the Boys films. We also got to see her singing and dancing chops—she placed third on Season 19 of Dancing With the Stars and in 2023, she was revealed to be Gazelle when she finished third (again!) on The Masked Singer.

Ian Harding (Ezra Fitz)

Photo by James Devaney on Getty Images

Ian Harding played English teacher Ezra Fitz, Aria's on-screen love interest across all seven seasons. Today he stars in the Netflix series Ripple, and later this year, you'll see him reunite onscreen with Lucy Hale in the holiday rom-com The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/v1BAuIdLkKk

Tyler Blackburn (Caleb Rivers)

Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Clarins

Tyler Blackburn played fan-favorite hacker Caleb Rivers—a role popular enough to earn him his own spinoff, Ravenswood. After that, he went on to star in The CW's Roswell, New Mexico—a reboot of the 1999 series—through its 2022 finale. Offscreen, the actor and musician came out as bisexual in 2019. "I just want to feel powerful in my own skin, and my own mind, and in my own heart," he toldThe Advocate.

In 2025, Blackburn and frequent collaborator Novi released a new song called "Tammy."

Keegan Allen (Toby Cavanaugh)

Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Keegan Allen played Spencer's brooding love interest, Toby Cavanaugh. Since his Rosewood days, he's stayed busy on primetime TV, starring in the Walker reboot as Liam Walker and guest starring on The Rookie in early 2026. Off-screen, he's also a published photographer and author—his bestsellerlife.love.beauty is available on Amazon now.

Amazon

Was Sydney Sweeney in 'Pretty Little Liars'?

Yes! Before Euphoria and The White Lotus, a teenage Sweeney appeared in the 2017 series finale, "'Til Death Do Us Part." She played a high school student named Willa, and in a full-circle twist, her scene recreated the show's pilot, as a new group of girls discovered two friends had vanished from a sleepover. Sweeney even delivered the very last line of the entire series: "I've looked everywhere for her, I think I heard her scream"—the exact words Troian Bellisario's Spencer spoke in the very first episode.

The cameo went largely unnoticed for years—until Bellisario herself found the finale's call sheet in her coat pocket and spotted Sweeney's name!

Related: ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Finale Call Sheet Reveals Shocking Name From ‘Euphoria’

How to Watch and Stream all 'Pretty Little Liars' Episodes Now

If you're feeling nostalgic or ready for a rewatch, all seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars are currently streaming on HBO Max and Hulu. You can also buy or rent individual episodes and seasons on Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

If you haven't seen any of its spinoffs, the franchise's most recent chapter, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, is also streaming on HBO Max. It's a darker, horror-tinged reboot set in a new town with an all-new group of Liars.

Inside the 2026 'Pretty Little Liars' Cast Reunion

In February 2026, Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, Sasha Pieterse, Janel Parrish, Ian Harding, Tyler Blackburn and Keegan Allen reunited for a PSA to support Aiden's A Team, which is a nonprofit that raises awareness for INAD, a rare childhood neurodegenerative disease. The cause is deeply personal: 8-year-old Aiden Steiner is the grandson of Pretty Little Liars executive producer Lisa Cochran-Neilan. Creator Marlene King revealed it was an immediate yes from each cast member. Take a look below:

Related: Next Up:

Lewis Hamilton isn't usually one to share much about his personal life, but after a successful weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Formula One star had plenty of kind words for girlfriendKim Kardashian.

Following his second-place finish at the prestigious race, Hamilton opened up about the support system that helped him get there—including the reality star, who was cheering him on from the stands.

"It's amazing to have her come this weekend and have her support," Hamilton said during an interview after the race, which is making the rounds social media. 

The seven-time world champion also reflected on the friends and family members who showed up for him throughout the weekend. "I don't really know what else to say," he added with a smile. "It's amazing to have good people around you and good people supporting you. She does that for me every day."

Fans seemed to appreciate his kind words about his new belle.

“ Awwww. 🥹 💞❤️💕. We support you unconditionally Lewis. We support your life choices. We support who you choose to love,” one wrote on Instagram.

Another said, “they are sooo cuteee.”

After the race, as Hamilton, 41, accepted his trophy, cameras captured him blowing a kiss toward Kardashian, 45, who appeared thrilled as she celebrated his podium finish from the crowd. 

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But not all of Kardashian's Monaco headlines were positive, however. Before Sunday's race, Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle attempted to speak with Kardashian and sisterKhloé Kardashian on the grid, getting shut down in the process. Towards the end of the clip circulating online, Brundle can be heard saying, “You don’t have to push me mate,” seemingly aimed at whatever security Kardashian had surrounding her and her sister.

The couple’s relationship has steadily become more visible in recent months. In April, Hamilton seemingly made things Instagram official when he shared footage from a drifting session in Tokyo. Kardashian appeared near the end of the video, laughing and reacting to the experience from the passenger seat as smoke cleared around the vehicle.

The appearance followed months of speculation after the pair were linked during a getaway to England's Cotswolds and later spotted together at the Super Bowl and on a trip to Tokyo.

Related: Bianca Censori Turns Heads With New Hairstyle—and Fans See One Iconic 'Star Wars' Character

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As temperatures rise and summer weather sets in, now is the time to take stock of your breathable layers ahead of the incoming seasonal heat. And if you're the type to find any excuse to be outside, your local Old Navy now has just the thing to help you welcome in the season in both comfort and style: Performance Vent Run Shorts.

As a wardrobe staple that performs far beyond its intended use, this stylish athleisure find is perfect for a wide range of daily needs. Whether you're training hard for a half marathon, casually getting in your steps for the day, or simply running errands, this $22 find prioritizes breathability and comfort when you need it most.

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Performance Vent Run Shorts, $22.19 at Old Navy

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Shop It!

Currently sporting a hefty 40 percent discount, Old Navy's Performance Vent Run Shorts effortlessly stand out with clean lines, solid colors and materials that feel great on your body. Featuring an elastic drawstring waistband, a hidden back pocket, diagonal hip pockets and vented sides for optimal airflow, this pair rivals your favorite summer shorts with a four-way stretch design that moves with you without restriction.

Adding to their sport-minded design, these shorts come with built-in briefs for extra support and feature a breathable, quick-dry construction that fits relaxed at the hip and thigh and hits right above the knee. At the moment, you can find sizes XS–XXXXL available both in-store and online, with 7-inch and 8-inch inseam options to help dial in the perfect fit.

Related: Uniqlo's 'Breezy' Wardrobe Staple Is a '10/10' Summer Upgrade

Details Shoppers Love

Old Navy

"These shorts are great for running, gym workouts or everyday casual wear," one fan wrote in a review while adding that the fabric "breathes well, dries quickly and remains comfortable even in hot and humid weather." They also noted that after multiple washes, the shorts have "maintained their shape and appearance."

Another fan echoed the sentiment, calling them a great balance of "performance and style" and saying that they are "comfortable enough for workouts but stylish enough for streetwear."

"I like the fabric," another reviewer wrote. "Very cool."

If you're eyeing up a pair for yourself or have a loved one in mind who would love to rock them, keep in mind that each pair is made with 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex, with a 100 percent polyester inner brief. With that in mind, you'll want to stick to machine washing in cold water and hang drying to help maintain their comfortable fit.

You can also choose from Black Jack and Panther colorways while supplies last, though both look very similar with a slight difference in shade. Otherwise, this stylish pair is ready to elevate your warm-weather wardrobe, offering a reliable option you won't regret.

Add a pair (or two) to your collection while the price is still right, and while you're at it, don't miss out on Old Navy's 90s Straight-Fit Linen-Blend Dress Pants and Twill Jogger Shorts either.

Related: Aldi's Spacious $25 Hauler Looks Like a Bogg Bag Style Nearly 4x the Price

When they were a united front, The Beatles were on top of the world as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

It's also widely known, meanwhile, that each bandmate had their own side quests along the way. John Lennon and Paul McCartney released impactful solo tracks, with the latter also launching a whole other band entirely.

In 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings released their hit album Band on the Run, whose title track ultimately climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's U.S. Singles chart. According to reports, fellow Beatle George Harrison unwittingly contributed the first line of one part of the song: "If we ever get out of here." He apparently said the phrase during one of the many Beatles' business meetings.

As Billboard notes, “Band On the Run” showed variety for the band: Rather than follow the structure of a traditional pop song, the track is composed of three distinct parts that don’t depend on a chorus yet still manage to feel anthemic.

It comes from McCartney's fifth album since the breakup of The Beatles — and was made under difficult circumstances: Bandmembers Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough left before recordings began in Nigeria – which itself proved a challenging environment to work in, according to McCartney's official website.

Despite the setbacks, McCartney, 83, his wife Linda McCartney and Denny Laine persevered, and Band on the Run — along with its celebrity-laced cover art — proved a triumph. In addition to its chart success, the LP made it onto Q magazine's list of Greatest British Albums Ever in 2000, as well as Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

McCartney made headlines last month when he sat down for a playful appearance on the popular YouTube series Chicken Shop Date. McCartney sat down with host Amelia Dimoldenberg for a lighthearted conversation that mixed humor, nostalgia, and reflections on one of the most influential bands in music history. He also revealed his favorite Beatle — but all in good fun. Find out more here.

Grab your Scooby Snacks, because Netflix just revealed the titular star of its upcoming live-action series Scooby-Doo: Origins—and he's simply adorable!

The streamer took to social media on Monday, June 8, to share the first glimpse at the show's live-action Scooby-Doo, marking the first time in the beloved franchise that an actual dog is playing the titular character.

A teaser trailer shared by Netflix begins with Scooby's perspective as viewers hear the sound of a dog sniffing and whining. It's then that an adorable Great Dane puppy is scooped into the arms of his best pal, Shaggy (Tanner Hagen), and fans get a first look at the leading pooch. See the teaser below.

"SCOOBY IS FINALLY REAL!!!" Netflix wrote in the caption of the teaser. "Meet our goodest boy in Scooby-Doo: Origins, coming to Netflix in 2027 @scoobydoonetflix."

Scooby-Doo: Origins, which is currently in production ahead of its scheduled 2027 debut, also stars Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley and Mckenna Grace as Daphne Blake, with Paul Walter Hauser also set to appear in an undisclosed role.

"During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy (Hagen) and Daphne (Grace) get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder,” the show's logline reads. “Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma (Fortson), and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy (Jenkins), they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.”

Scooby-Doo: Origins, produced for Netflix by Warner Bros. Television, has Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg serving as showrunners, writers, and executive producers, with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman (for Berlanti Productions), André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson (for Midnight Radio), and Toby Haynes also executive producing.

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“Maggot Brain” is one of the greatest guitar performances ever recorded, but that wasn’t always the consensus. When Funkadelic put the title track out in the summer of 1971, it failed to chart and saw little radio airplay.

It took more than 50 years for the song to finally get the recognition it deserved. 

Going into their third album, which would turn out to be the last with the original lineup, George Clinton was on a mission to “capture all the energy of the psychedelic era.” And he wasn't short on inspiration. 

“There was lots of weather outside – the souring of hippie culture, inner-city rot, both legitimate and illegitimate mind expansion – and lots of weather inside, and it all came together,” he recalled in his 2014 memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard On You?

For Clinton, Maggot Brain was about figuring out what it really meant to "taste the maggots in the mind of the universe." That was the feeling he wanted guitarist Eddie Hazel to convey on the album's 10-minute track.

To pull that out of him, Clinton gave Hazel an unusual task. “I told him to play like his mother had died, to picture that day, what he would feel, how he would make sense of his life… And when he started playing I knew immediately that he understood what I meant,” he wrote. 

Listening to the recording, Clinton realized the group had tapped into something deeper. “That was the missing ingredient that arrived in time for that song; it was maybe the first time that our emotional ability as artists matched our technical ability as players.”

Not everyone in the studio understood what Clinton was doing. He was experimenting at the mixing desk and using props to pull sounds out of nowhere. The engineers were confused, but Clinton knew what he was building and saw it through. 

“I wanted Funkadelic to reach upward and outward,” he continued. “That was the band's charter. But I didn't want to go for something small and all finely observed, because that meant that I'd be going head-to-head with the kinds of songs that Smokey Robinson had written, and I knew that was a battle that I’d lose.”

When Maggot Brain dropped in July 1971, it missed the Billboard Top LPs chart and struggled to find a mainstream audience. 

Regardless, Clinton always believed it took Funkadelic somewhere new, into "places that Black groups hadn't gone, into questions … about whether America was still on the right path or whether the promise of the late '60s had completely evaporated."

More than five decades later, Rolling Stone gave Hazel's solo its due, placing it at No. 9 on their "Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time" list. The album was also officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in May 2026.

The recognition, however, came long after the original lineup had gone their separate ways. Not long after Maggot Brain came out, the band fell apart.

Financial disputes and drug use pushed guitarist Tawl Ross, bassist Billy Nelson and drummer Tiki Fulwood out of the group. 

Clinton, Hazel and keyboardist Bernie Worrell eventually assembled a new lineup for 1972's America Eats Its Young, but it was a fundamentally different Funkadelic.

West Wilson took it on the chin at the Summer House Season 10 reunion—but one comment hit harder than the rest.

In a cameo appearance, KJ Dillard’s girlfriendDara Levitan—who previously dated West—didn’t hold back, making a pointed remark about how he treats women as if they’re disposable.

“I think the reunion is good for people to just get s—t off their chest,” he said on the Show Me Somethingpodcast. “Dara, I’ve known her for a long time. Obviously, it hurts a little more to have a friend, like, really f—king cook you like that in that moment.”

He added, "I haven’t run away from my bad communication style or dating history. It has not been clean in a long time. She’s valid for calling me out in that capacity, because, yeah, I’ve dated casually and hurt people.”

West admitted that the comment was especially brutal considering who said it. “That one did stick out to me, honestly, a lot because I was like, ‘Oh, this is someone who I’ve been romantic with and been friends with.’ To have them just give me the full scope of what that reads like to someone who’s been a part of it in all facets, that’s a lot to take in," he remarked.

Dara’s comments added a sharp new layer to an already messy dynamic. West, who previously had a romantic relationship with Ciara Miller, had attempted to rekindle things with her last summer. Instead, he later shocked the Bravo world when he and co-star Amanda Batula revealed they had quietly started their own romance amid Amanda’s split from husband Kyle Cooke.

The fallout was especially intense given Ciara and Amanda’s close friendship, with Ciara previously standing firmly by Amanda during her marital tensions with Kyle.

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Dara added that she simply didn’t see a version of events where West would suddenly change and become a fully committed boyfriend to Amanda. "I'm gonna be honest, West, I don’t see you suddenly waking up one day and this is gonna be the relationship that you stand up for and man up for,” she said during the reunion. “You like people to think of you as a good guy, but you treat the women that give themselves to you like they’re expendable.”

At the time, Amanda was offstage. When she returned, host Andy Cohen asked Dara to repeat what she had said directly to Amanda.

“I guess I would just reiterate to you that the biggest pattern in his life is that it is the West show and it will always be the West show,” Dara said once Amanda joined the group. “The biggest concern of his, consistently, is being well-liked and well-received. He doesn’t prioritize treating the women he is linked to romantically with the respect that he does anybody else in his life.”

She added, “I just foresee him, for a very long time, wanting someone who will mold and fold and fit into his life without excuse or complaint. It’s up to you to decide what’s worth sacrificing for that kind of person.”

The Summer House Season 10 reunion concludes on Tuesday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

You can never have enough kitchen towels, can you? There is always a pan to dry or a mess to clean up. Having extra towels on deck keeps your household running smoothly (and helps keep things nice and clean, too). If you're looking for some new kitchen towels that won't break the bank, you know Costco has you covered. Right now, the retailer is selling 100 percent organic cotton towel sets for just $19.99, which is such a good deal.

Costco's Town & Country Living Organic Kitchen Towel 8-Pack Set is a true game changer for any home. Constructed from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton, these kitchen towels are ready to tackle a variety of kitchen tasks. From drying dishes to wiping up spills, these durable kitchen towels have your back.

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Town & Country Living Organic Kitchen Towels, 8-Pack, Blue, $19.99 at Costco

Costco

Available in four pretty color schemes including blue, gray, green and tan, this towel set helps keep your kitchen running smoothly. Plus, these kitchen towel sets feature various jacquard and dobby textures that feel super decorative. You have to love the fusion of style and function! Also, each towel measures 18 inches by 28 inches, making them a generous size.

Related: Kohl's Bright and Cheery 6-Piece Pyrex Food Storage Set Is Perfect for Leftovers

These kitchen towels are machine washable for easy maintenance, only adding to their ease of use and practicality. All you need to do is machine wash the towels on the cold, gentle cycle with light colors. Make sure you only use non-chlorine bleach if necessary. Tumble-dry them on low, and remove them from the dryer as soon as they're dry. Dry cleaning and ironing are not recommended.

Overall, shoppers appreciate this towel set, giving it an average rating of 4.3 stars on Costco.com.

"Really nice kitchen towels!" said one fan in a five-star review on Costco.com. "Very happy with these towels. They are large, soft and thick. Nice quality. Nice variety and you get a lot of towels for the money."

You can find these kitchen towel sets on Costco.com or in select Costco stores. Each set retails for $19.99.

Related: Sam's Club's Charming 12-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set Is the Definition of Everyday Elegance

Ella Stiller, the daughter of Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, is a goddess in green at the Tony Awards.

The rising star, 24, has scored several unique parts in popular films and TV series in recent years, including a two-episode stint on And Just Like That… as Miranda’s son Brady’s baby mama. Her latest gig proved to be quite a doozie, as she appeared alongside Friends icon Lisa Kudrow in season 3 of The Comeback. The beloved series, which originally ran on HBO in 2005 and returned for a second season in 2014, made waves with its return for its third and final season this year.

Over the weekend, Stiller looked gorgeous in green while attending the 79th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. As she prepares for a major role (more on that below!), the raven-haired beauty is taking the red carpet with ease.

Photo by Jamie McCarthy on Getty Images

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What Has Ben Stiller Said About Parenting?

Ben Stiller has spoken openly about the challenges he’s dealt with and the mistakes he’s made as a parent.

“They [Ella and Quin] were very clear with me about what I got wrong,” Stiller told PEOPLE. “And I really appreciated that, because it’s one of those things where you think you know, ‘Oh, I know what I’m putting out there to them.’ But from their perspective, it was totally different.”

Stiller said he discovered these shortcomings while working on his documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which chronicles the story of his parents, legendary comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

“And by the way, that’s exactly how it was with my parents,” Ben continued. “But as the parent, I really couldn’t see that. So to be able to interview them and talk to them about it and hear their honest feelings — and the fact that they were free enough and secure enough to just say what they thought — is something I really appreciated.”

On Instagram, Ella honored her father’s work in the documentary, calling it “a beautiful, funny, gritty documentary.”

View this post on Instagram What’s Next for Ella Stiller?

 Back in January, Deadline announced that Ella scored a role opposite Mike Colter in Cupertino, a legal drama on CBS from the team that created The Good Wife. She’ll play a young assistant at the new start-up law firm in Cupertino that’s at the heart of the story, the piece noted. The series will premiere during the 2026-27 season.

Related: The Internet Had No Idea Ben Stiller Was So Fit, and Now They’re Flipping Out Over New Photos

Great teachers do more than simply share knowledge. They inspire curiosity, encourage growth, build confidence, and help others see new possibilities for themselves. The best educators understand that every student learns differently and possess the patience, communication skills, and passion needed to guide others along the way.

Could the qualities that make someone a great teacher be written in the stars? While excellent educators can be born in any month, astrology suggests that certain birth months are especially associated with cosmic, zodiac sign-based traits that help people teach, mentor, and inspire others. These four birth months possess qualities that can make them particularly gifted teachers.

These Birth Months Make Exceptional TeachersJanuary - The Teacher Who Teaches You How to Think, Not What to Think

People born in January have an aptitude for teaching because they encourage others to think critically and form their own conclusions. Capricorns' orderly nature and strong work ethic help them build a strong foundation for understanding a subject from all angles, so they grasp it inside and out before sharing it with others. Aquarius embraces the bigger-picture lessons by encouraging students to explore new perspectives and challenge conventional ways of thinking.

Because of this approach, January-born individuals don’t simply teach people what to think; they help them understand the fundamentals well enough to ask their own questions, develop their own ideas, and arrive at their own insights. By balancing structure with originality, they inspire others to embrace a love of learning as they remain curious.

June - The Teacher Who Meets Every Student Where They Are

People born in June have an aptitude for teaching because they know that others learn best when they feel understood. They understand that no two people learn exactly the same way and are willing to approach a lesson from several different angles until the other person has that “aha” moment.

Geminis have a gift for communication that helps them explain ideas in ways that are engaging, relatable, and easy to understand, while Cancers' emotional intelligence allows them to create a supportive environment where others feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning at their own pace. Rather than expecting people to learn in a particular way, June-born individuals excel at meeting others where they are and helping them build confidence from there.

September - The Teacher Who Makes You Believe in Yourself

People born in September make excellent teachers because they enjoy helping others reach their potential. Seeing the best in someone else and wishing to nurture their growth creates such a fertile environment for learning. Virgos’ analytical nature allows them to quickly identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for others’ development, as well as pinpoint rapid shifts to realign with the best way to receive information.  Libras’ diplomatic approach helps them offer guidance that feels supportive and encouraging.

 September-born individuals excel at helping others recognize their progress and build on it, as they have an encouraging gift for providing thoughtful feedback, practical advice, and gentle guidance that empower people to keep moving forward rather than being held back by self-doubt or perfectionism. As teachers, they help others see not only where they are, but where they are capable of going.

November - The Teacher Who Takes the Lesson Beyond the Classroom

November-bornsare great teachers because they help others discover the deeper meaning behind what they are learning. Scorpios are investigators, so they look beneath the surface of everything to explore the hidden layers others may overlook. Sagittariuses don’t get bogged down by the minutiae of the details, but they are curious and prefer a “learn as they go” approach to connect lessons to broader themes, philosophies, and the ways information can be learned beyond just books and conversations, but through life experiences.

Those with birthdays in November will take students out of the traditional classrooms to help them understand why a concept is important and how it applies to the world around them. Their ability to share this wider, real-world perspective makes their lessons especially memorable and thought-provoking. As teachers, they inspire others to engage more deeply with a subject and develop a richer understanding of it.

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Garth Brooks was overcome with emotion during a 2020 flashback tribute performance that left the country superstar visibly moved as he revisited the most defining moments of his career.

The event honored the hitmaker when he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Brooks was the youngest recipient of this prize, per PBS, which "recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of entertainment, information, inspiration and cultural understanding."

Prior recipients of this prestigious honor included Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, and Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Upon learning he won the honor, Brooks stated, "An award is only as good as the names on it. First off, for any musician, the name Gershwin says it all. Add to Ira’s and George’s names the names of the past recipients, and you have an award of the highest honor. I am truly humbled.”

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The event, which occurred just weeks before the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in March 2020, featured performances from Keith Urban, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’ and Lee Brice. However, while all of the tributes truly moved the country superstar, one in particular brought Brooks to tears.

Chris Stapleton performed a rendition of Brooks' 1991 hit "Shameless," reported Whiskey Riff. His emotional delivery brought Brooks to tears during the performance.

That wasn’t the only Garth Brooks song Stapleton highlighted that unforgettable evening. He also delivered a rendition of “Rodeo,” the first single from Brooks’ Ropin’ the Wind album.

Brooks is particularly connected to the Billy Joel song, as it was his seventh No. 1 hit.

The country superstar's version of “Shameless” reached the top of the Billboard Country Charts in November, 1991. It remained at the top position for two weeks and on the charts for 20 weeks. 

Brooks explained his connection to the tune in the liner notes of his compilation album The Hits. He admitted he was unaware of the song before receiving a series of CD's after subscribing to a mail-order music club in the 1990s.

He said, “I was on the road for six months with no one to check the mail, and came home to find six compact discs in my mailbox. Storm Front by Billy Joel was one of them."

“One of his songs really captured me, a song called ‘Shameless.’ I kept watching it, and when he did not release it as a single, we contacted his people in the hopes that we could cut it. His people sent us a letter acknowledging that he knew who I was and was very honored that I was cutting it. That was quite a compliment for me then, as it is now.” 

Garth Brooks is scheduled to perform on June 16 and 17, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI, at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater (Summerfest). Following is a headline stop on June 27, 2026, in London, at Hyde Park.

Related: 1991 Passionate Garth Brooks Cover Became His Seventh No. 1 Hit and Ranks Among His All-Time Best Songs

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A great everyday bag doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. If you’re in the market for a compact, affordable carryall for school runs, quick errands, or your next getaway, Walmart shoppers are loving the Suncoda Sling Bag for its mix of function and style.

Even better, it’s currently on sale for as low as $2, making it an easy add to your cart. Despite its small size, the bag has just enough room for essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys. Plus, it has a comfortable crossbody strap that keeps everything within reach. With 16 colors to choose from, it’s easy to find one that fits your style — or grab a couple while the price is this low.

Suncoda Sling Bag, From $2 (was $11) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Made from durable, water-resistant polyester, this unisex bag is built for everyday use. It works just as well for running errands as it does for travel, thanks to its lightweight feel and practical design. The adjustable strap extends from 14 to 36 inches, allowing for a comfortable fit across a range of body types, and it can be worn multiple ways — including as a crossbody, shoulder bag, or backpack.

Related: Walmart's 'Beautiful' $27 Sandals Are 'Comfortable' 'Supportive,' and 'Great' for Every Occasion

Inside, multiple compartments keep essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys neatly stored and within reach when you’re on the go. The bag is also compact, measuring just under 12 inches, which makes it a practical choice for family outings, day trips, hiking, or anytime you want to travel light.

"I love this little bag. It's perfect when I just want to bring a couple things with me," one reviewer wrote.

Many Walmart shoppers highlight how convenient and functional it is in everyday use. One reviewer shared, “I'm in a wheelchair, so I have trouble carrying a bag. This one fits comfortably over my shoulder. Another added, “If you're looking for a cute bag at an extremely low price, this is your bag!”

Shop More Deals

• Time and Tru Women's Waterproof EVA Beach Tote Bag, $20 at Walmart
• Dakimoe Weekender Bag, $11 (was $19) at Walmart
• Gynky Travel Duffel Bag, $20 (was $33) at Walmart 

Whether you’re looking for an easy everyday carryall or just want a simple way to keep your essentials organized, the Suncoda Sling Bag is a great pick. With prices starting at just $2, you’ll want to scoop one up at Walmart in your favorite color before it runs out of stock. 

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When fan-favorite SNL player Bowen Yang announced he was leaving the series halfway through Season 51, most viewers were left in absolute shock.

Joining the cast in 2019, the 35-year-old Yang was seen as something of a breakout star within NBC's hit sketch comedy series, handing in a variety of memorable characters throughout his time on the series.

But as Yang himself recently said in an interview for Variety, he never specifically felt that "central" to the show's inner workings.

"I was kind of resolute the season before, about leaving," Yang told actress Rachel Sennott in a conversation for Variety. "There was a lot of uncertainty about what the show would look like after Season 50. I was like, 'I think the show is in a great place without me.' I never felt like I was that central to it, to be honest."

"I feel like there was a weird utility to me. I was like, 'OK, I’ve accepted this,'" the comedian continued. "I never played the dad or the straight-man teacher. I was always there as the seasoning, and I’m like, 'That’s great. I’m so lucky. I can’t believe I have a steady job in comedy. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.' And I just felt like it was the right time."

Fortunately, Yang's decision to stay halfway through Season 51 ultimately helped the younger cast members joining the series ease their way onto the show, as Yang revealed to Sennott.

"On my last day, the whole cast signed this cue card with little messages," the Wicked star said. "Ashley Padilla, who was having one of the best seasons anyone’s ever had, wrote — I hope it’s OK that I’m sharing this — 'You taught me how to be at this show, how to behave and how to treat people, and thank you. I’ll never forget that.' That’s the thing I’m proudest of."

If you have a sweet tooth, making changes to your diet to better your health can be challenging. Having fruit for dessert just doesn’t seem that appealing when you’re used to having a small bowl of ice cream or a couple of cookies in the evening.

But there’s one sweet food that can seem like a loophole for eating healthy while cutting back on sugary treats: dark chocolate. Registered dietitians and other health experts often talk about the benefits of dark chocolate and say that it’s a healthier alternative to milk chocolate.

Related: Here's Exactly What Happens to Your Cholesterol When You Eat Blueberries

Unlike milk chocolate, eating dark chocolate regularly positively impacts the body in different ways, including reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease, lowering inflammation and supporting brain health. That’s in addition to the pure joy that enjoying a chocolatey treat can bring.

If you’re trying to lower your cholesterol, you may be wondering how having dark chocolate for dessert each night impacts your goal. Will it truly bring your numbers down or is it too good to be true? To find out, Parade talked to cardiologists about how eating dark chocolate regularly impacts cholesterol.

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Is Dark Chocolate Good for Your Heart?

According to the cardiologists we talked to, eating dark chocolate in moderation truly is good for heart health—it’s not too good to be true! Dr. Minhal Makshood, MD, a preventive cardiologist at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, says that one reason why dark chocolate is heart-healthy is because it contains a compound called flavanols, which are plant-based antioxidants found in cocoa. 

“Flavanols appear to help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to atherosclerosis [the buildup of fatty plaques]. They may also reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol particles, which is important because oxidized LDL is thought to play a key role in plaque formation within the arteries,” Dr. Makshood says.

Related: The One Thing to Do Every Single Day if You Want to Lower LDL Cholesterol, According to Cardiologists

Dark chocolate also contains magnesium and potassium, two nutrients that support heart health, she adds. On top of that, integrative cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, says that dark chocolate supports the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow. This means it can help lower blood pressure and can also lower the risk of heart disease. “Dark chocolate also increases insulin sensitivity, which may eventually reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease,” he adds. 

Even though dark chocolate does contain nutrients and compounds that support heart health, Dr. Makshood explains that its impact is moderate, not dramatic. But both cardiologists say that it is a healthier choice than most other sweet treats, including milk chocolate. “Treats rich in added sugar, butter or coconut oil likely raise the risk of heart disease and substituting dark chocolate as the choice is a positive move,” Dr. Kahn says.

Related: Worries About Your Cholesterol Levels? Try Incorporating These 38 Foods Into Your Diet to Help Lower It

How Does Eating Dark Chocolate Impact Cholesterol?

Dr. Makshood says that the flavanols in dark chocolate primarily benefit blood pressure and not cholesterol specifically. “Some studies have shown mild reductions in LDL cholesterol with flavanol-rich cocoa products, but the effect is generally modest,” she explains. 

That said, Dr. Makshood says that if someone who eats milk chocolate every day starts eating dark chocolate instead, this can positively impact cholesterol because dark chocolate is lower in saturated fat and sugar, two ingredients that are linked to raising LDL cholesterol. 

“Reducing saturated fat intake remains one of the most evidence-based dietary strategies for lowering LDL cholesterol,” Dr. Makshood says. As for sugar, she explains that excess added sugar can contribute to insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, weight gain and overall cardiometabolic dysfunction.

If you eat milk chocolate every day and switch to eating dark chocolate instead, Dr. Kahn says you will likely notice a difference in your cholesterol in about four weeks. Dr. Makshood agrees, but emphasizes that what other changes are being made to diet and lifestyle matters greatly.

“The impact from chocolate alone would likely be relatively small. The greater benefit comes from the broader dietary shift and replacement of more processed, sugar-heavy desserts,” she says.

How Much Dark Chocolate Is Too Much?

While dark chocolate can be beneficial when eaten in moderation, Dr. Kahn warns against eating too much. “Dark chocolate is a high-calorie food, containing about 150 to 170 calories per ounce,” he says. “The benefits outweigh the risks when a high cacao chocolate bar is chosen, but the goal is not to eat a whole bar every day. A small square after dinner to please the palate would be a reasonable compromise.”

Dr. Makshood adds to this, saying that eating a heart-healthy diet isn’t about giving up the foods you love completely, but about enjoying them in moderation. That’s exactly where eating dark chocolate can play a role. It’s a way to have a sweet treat while supporting your heart, but it should still be enjoyed in moderation.

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Cardiac Experts About the Best Dinner for Heart Health and They All Said the Same Thing

Sources 

• Dr. Minhal Makshood, MD, preventive cardiologist at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.
• Al-Khayri, J. M., Ravikumar Sahana, G., Nagella, P., et al. (2022). Flavonoids as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Molecules: A Review.Molecules. 27(9):2901.
• Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, integrative cardiologist and founder of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity.

If you were to ask which Dancing with the Stars pro was the "face" of the show, it would be tough not to answer Derek Hough. After all, the 41-year-old spent nearly a decade competing on the hit ABC reality show, winning the Mirrorball Trophy an astounding six times alongside partners like Nicole Scherzinger, Kellie Pickler and Bindi Irwin. His choreography has earned him four Emmy Awards. And, in 2021, he took on a whole new style, lending his expertise behind the judges' panel, where he's remained ever since.

Whether it be prepping for a theme week or grabbing a paddle, Derek has seen DWTS change over the course of 20 years. That includes the phenomenal resurgence of the show into the spotlight. Season 34, which aired last fall, was the second-most-watched reality show of the TV season. And celebrities have found their profiles getting a significant boost from being on the show, often leaving a bigger star leaving the ballroom than entering.

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"I think it's a perfect storm of just like where we are now with social media," Derek says in an exclusive sitdown with Parade. "I think it's a perfect formula and combination of this celebrity mixed with this outrageous dance show. The production is fun and it's interesting. But, at the heart of it, it's about learning something different and learning something new."

"Listen, I was bullied as a kid for being a dancer," he recalls. "And now to see dance [get to the point] where I go to a game and somebody was like, 'Yo, that show was dope. Hey, I love that paso!' You're like, 'What the heck?!' Young Derek would have could never have imagined that or could have never dreamt of that. To see a dance show thriving so much and to allow us to do what we love."

Indeed, the boost in social media content from the celebrities and the show alike has given fans even more perspective into how the sausage gets made than ever before. But there are still plenty of misconceptions people have about Dancing with the Stars. And one in particular sticks out in Derek's mind.

Related: Derek Hough Reveals New ‘Formula’ For ‘DWTS’ Casting

"We talk about Mark [Ballas] and [accusations of] favoritism," he says about the three-time champ who grew up alongside Derek. "The truth is, I know everybody. I've known everybody on that show intimately. There's such camaraderie and love there, even though I'm a judge. Because people are like, 'Oh, wait, hold on. There's this and that.' They have opinions, and that's great. But really there's no hidden [agenda]."

"And I get it too," he clarifies. "When I was a pro, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, the producers are doing this and they're doing that! It's all the strategy they're trying to defame me and make me look terrible.' You think there's this force working against you or something. There really isn't. There's no conniving or scheming behind the scenes. And, as much as you want to believe that, it just is what it is."

Hayley Hough (L) and Derek Hough (R) in 'Symphony of Dance'

Courtesy of Cinetic Medic

Derek brings that same candor alongside his wife and fellow dancer Hayley Hough in their new documentary Symphony of Dance, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on Sunday, June 7. The film covers the titular tour the couple went on in 2024, which came to a sudden halt when Hayley suffered from a life-threatening brain bleed during a performance. Symphony of Dance takes a deep dive into the couple as both individuals and a pair, following Hayley's journey through her incredible recovery, going from learning to walk again to performing back on tour in only a handful of months.

Related: Hayley Erbert Hough Talks Potential Return to ‘Dancing With The Stars’: ‘A Conflict of Interest’

"[Our director] was like, 'I think we have a story here. Would you like to create a documentary?' I initially said, 'No, I don't think I want to,'" Hayley admits. "It's a very, very personal matter, and I'm not that open of a person typically. I say I'm a private person living in public life. And I'm like, 'I don't know. I don't really want to do that.'

"But it was all the messages that I was receiving from people or people that would literally see me walking down the street and be like, 'I suffered a brain bleed as well,' or 'I had a brain aneurysm.' There were so many people connecting with me on certain things, and I was like, 'Okay, if this can help just one more person, if this can inspire somebody in some way, shape or form in any aspect of life, it's worth it. Let's do it.'"

Currently the film has yet to be released nationwide. But, if you're looking for a form of Symphony of Dance, the Houghs are going out on tour once more, starting June 24 in El Cajon, California. While the show has been labeled an "encore," it's entirely brand-new material, inspired by a number of life events, including the couple's daughter, Everley, who was born in December. And, perhaps winking at those DWTS conspiracy theorists, Derek reveals he has a number all about his work as a judge.

"I wrote this song actually for our tour coming up, this whole Broadway production about being a judge on Dancing with the Stars and poking fun at myself," he says. "Basically, it's like, you don't always get it right. 'It could be a 5 or 4. Well, hell, let's give them a 9!'"

"I don't really take myself too seriously. But I take what I do very seriously," he goes on to say. "Whether it be dancing or performing or if I'm judging, I take what I do very, very seriously. And I hold myself to a high standard of integrity with anything that I do."

Related: Here’s the Rumored Cast for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 35 in 2026