Parade

One week ago, Survivor 50 came to a close. It was perhaps the biggest season of the iconic reality TV series in sheer quantity, bringing on a whopping 24 players and giving away $2 million to eventual Sole Survivor Aubry Bracco. At the end of it all, with a three-hour premiere and finale, as well as an assortment of 90-minute and two-hour episodes, Season 50 clocked in with nearly 24 hours of material (with commercials).

But, of course, that's not even scratching the surface of day-to-day life out on the island. After all, a 26-day season provides a whopping 624 hours of content. So, there's always going to be something that doesn't make the cut. Luckily, Parade got the chance to speak with the all-star cast of Survivor 50 to get their favorite moments that ultimately didn't make the edit, ranging from a spearfishing competition between two of the show's most impressive fishermen to a traumatizing chicken dinner, and everything in between.

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Ozzy Lusth: There were so many moments of me climbing trees, searching for food, looking for eels, all of the jungle survival stuff. But there was also a moment where Jonathan and I, we had a really heartfelt connection. There's also a moment where Jonathan and I went spearfishing together, and we had a little competition. And I'm not afraid to admit it, but Jonathan beat me. He caught two fish, and I caught none. ...Or did I?

Listen, there's hundreds of hours of amazing stuff that happens that, unfortunately, doesn't make it. But I think we should put pressure on the higher-ups; let's see some more BTS! Let's see Ponderosa footage. There is a wealth of cool stuff that happens that just doesn't make it out, and I think it should.

Jonathan Young: Me and Ozzy had a spearfishing competition. We go out for about two hours, whoever spears the most fish wins. Devens even came out and pretended he was spearfishing, just for a second. And we even shot a fish and gave it to Devens, so we could hold it up. It was a great moment. I speared about 10 fish; Ozzy speared four. I beat the legend. I was so excited.

Miss Cirie loved it. She was the one who kept pushing us "go fishing, go fishing," and we did. Whenever Miss Cirie wanted fish, we tried to make sure she got fish. Another thing, Miss Cirie was in control of way more than I thought she was. I know that Miss Cirie is a legend, but I didn't know to what level she was controlling things. Glad she left, because no one can beat her.

Rick Devens: There was one of our days off, where we had nothing to do. Emily and I took the boat out, and we took out Ozzy and Jonathan, and those two had a fish-off. And Emily and I are being our chaotic selves in the boat, and those two are trying to catch as many fish as possible. Then I'm getting in, catching no fish at all, but Jonathan comes back with a speared fish to let me experience that. It was awesome. It's one of my great memories. It was amazing. Dude, as a Survivor fan, watching that close up, Mike. It was awesome.

Related: Jonathan Young Reveals Which ‘Survivor 50’ Player He Thinks Turned the Jury Against Him (Exclusive)

Cirie Fields: My immaculate cooking of the chicken. I made the best chicken noodle soup. I would say it could go up against some Michelin-star chefs. [Laughs.] I made an awesome chicken soup when we won the chickens, and you guys never even got to hear or see anything about it.

Charlie Davis: We won a chicken reward on the new Cila tribe. And I think that was maybe some of my favorite Survivor memories of all time was us killing the chickens. Butchering them, cleaning them, everything, cooking them top to bottom. We were eating chicken livers, chicken hearts. We were drinking the broth. We were licking our fingers. I mean, we turned into truly animals. And then, if you haven't heard the saying "like a chicken with its head cut off," that is very true. Jonathan was the one who kind of went [Mimes twisting.], and the head popped right off. But, the first time it happened, the chicken ran down the beach and was flapping its wings and flying around after, to the point where I was like, "Jonathan, you let the chicken get away! It's escaping." I had no idea it was already dead. It was the most insane moment ever. I wish it made air, because it was so crazy.

Dee Valladares: I wish you guys got to see the second episode where we won the chickens. And I mean, I'm not gonna kill the chicken, but I'm gonna eat the chicken, because we gotta live. But Jonathan grabbed the chicken. We were all talking, "Who's gonna kill the chickens? We don't want to kill it." We were feeding them coconuts, and then they would poop the coconuts. And so we felt so bad. They're living things, and you look at them in the eyes, and they're so precious. And out of nowhere, we're in a circle, and then we see the headless body of the chicken running around, and we're screaming. And it's because Jonathan grabbed the chicken, twirled the head, and we're [screaming], "Oh my god, what's happening?!" It would have been so funny with music in the background.

Kamilla Karthigesu: I wish they showed what happened to our chickens. So we ate them all, but Jonathan was going to be in charge of killing the chicken, so we could eat them. And we saw Jonathan carrying the chickens, and we thought he was going to take them somewhere out of the way. Because there were some people who didn't want to see the chickens die, I think Dee was one of them.

And the next thing you know, the chicken is flapping away in the air. And I'm like, "Oh my god, he let go of the chicken. I thought this guy was an experienced outdoorsman. How did he let our chicken loose?" The chicken was flapping away without a head. There was a headless chicken flapping around camp. And then he just threw the head on the ground, so the head was on the floor of our camp for multiple days until we finally got rid of it. No one wanted to touch it; no one tried to kick it to the side or anything.

And everyone helped in cleaning it, plucking it. And it really showcased Ceres' expertise in how to deal with the chicken, because I don't think any of us know how to cook that were helping with the chicken. That was my first time touching raw chicken; I've never touched raw chicken before. And so we must have looked like fools in comparison to prepping the chicken.

And then when it came to consuming the chicken, the "very smart" people on my tribe — not myself, not Cirie, possibly not Dee, other people — ended up s—tting themselves. Because they decided like, "Oh my god, the broth is so good." But they were consuming just the grease, the greasiest parts of the broth, so that set them all to the bathroom. You guys are stupid! Is that what you do when you see soup? You just want to suck up the grease and the fat? That's the part that you avoid! Or you try and mix it in. But not smart of them. They clearly don't have experience in eating things that make them s—t.

Related: Cirie Fields Explains Her ‘Survivor 50’ Jury Vote — and Reveals the Next Show She Wants to Compete On (Exclusive)

Savannah Louie: So, my time on 50 [was] very short-lived. But there was one point during my journey that I took with Colby and Mike White. And we get to the island, and the two guys are just talking to one another, and I'm like, "This is so annoying. I feel like I'm third wheeling this date between Colby and Mike White."

So I decided to insert myself in the conversation, and I start asking Colby about these rumors that I had heard about a little bit of pre-gaming before the season began. And Colby, I think, was so taken aback, he just starts like singing like a bird, telling me everything that may or may not have happened over some kind of call with some people who may be on the season. But I thought it was a funny moment. In 49, one of my things that I did that got a lot of talk was asking someone straight up, "Who are you voting for?" And I think it goes to show not only what kind of player I am, but what kind of person I am. I will be direct, and I will ask you straight up, and I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions.

Genevieve Mushaluk: Sorry, I'm gonna be long because I feel some type of way about this. Because the very first night, Colby and I couldn't sleep, and we ended up building a bonfire together on the beach. And I was very intentional about trying to be open and honest and not have this wall built up. Because that's what happens when I'm scared and stressed, I just really build this wall. And, on 47, one of my biggest regrets was not getting to know the people I was playing with until after the game. You can't go back in time and undo your mistakes. But talking to Colby and being so intentional, pushing myself out of my comfort zone to get to know someone, was like making up for lost time, things I wish I had done on 47. I got more quality moments with people who are good friends now. It was random, and it worked out because there were moments in the game that were pretty critical, and he had my back. I wonder if I hadn't done that, would we have had that bond?

Joe Hunter: All the moments with Colby on the beach. All the moments Coach on the beach. Colby and I tearing into the chicken, I mean, it was crazy. And then also Genevieve, we had a great relationship. We were trying to build something there to really change the game. And my relationship with Emily. You can see in her and her jury questions [that] she's such a wonderful person. We tried to make that groove work, but we just couldn't.

Coach Wade: One was Jonathan doing "Coach Chi" with me. That was a good one. But you didn't see Zac Brown saying, "Coach, you want to be my sous chef? Cut up some mangoes for me." Are you kidding?! So Zac was like, "Yeah, be my sous chef. You're in the kitchen?" I said, "I'm in the kitchen all the time!" So he's like, "Great, cut up the mangoes. But this, cut that." And we had a really great bonding experience, really just a whole night. That was something that was super special. You didn't see me struggling in the ocean for three hours. I know they said it was only minutes, bulls—t on that, man! Come on, you're getting camera time off my back?! That's okay. It's all good. But that was a rough go.

Q Burdette: The way I was pushing to throw the [snake] challenge, how much I was explaining to them the repercussions of not throwing it, and how it actually played out. I told them we have to throw this challenge because we don't know if we're going to get a chance to do another one. Colby doesn't have a vote; I don't have a vote. And I said, "The last thing I want to happen is for us to swap, and for Colby and I to be on the same tribe with one of you, and we're down two votes or one vote. Let's just throw it. Let's get somebody out. Let's get our votes back. Let's take control of the game." Well, they didn't listen.

Genevieve comes back to camp, and she immediately apologizes and is like, "I'm sorry, Q, I got caught up in the moment. I couldn't throw." And I was like, "You know what? You're fine." Because the orange tribe was so bad. Cila was so bad at the challenge, it would have been very difficult to throw it.

Kyle Fraser: So when Genevieve and Stephenie found the idol together, it's a little interaction, but it's probably a top Survivor moment for me. Genevieve obviously found the idol with Stephenie, but I think that she wanted to make sure that I wasn't skeeved out by her, and she just wanted to be a good ally. So they didn't open it together. And before anything happened, Genevieve came to me, and she's like, "We have a couple quick seconds. I found the idol; I want to look at it with you real quick. And Steph knows, so we have to figure out how we're going to make sure we loop in her and Colby." And she opens it up. It's the Billie Eilish thing, and that is funny in itself.

Then we go back to camp, and Stephenie pulls me. And she's like, "Okay, l hope she's gonna tell you. But just in case, I have to tell you something. Genevieve found the idol." And I'm having to act like, "Oh my gosh." And she goes, "Don't laugh. It's the Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol." And as "Billie Eilish" came out of her mouth, I just started cracking up. And Steph said, "I know what's next, f—king Beyonce. And even the cameraman broke character. It was like one of those rare moments where everybody around was laughing. That was one of my favorite interactions in the game.

Tiffany Ervin: One thing I really wish you guys got to see more of was me and Cirie. It was like I found the other half of my magnet. I walked to the water well on Day 1 of the merge, and me and Cirie just instantly clicked. And I feel like the blossoming and developing of our friendship on that season was just so beautiful, and I'm really sad that you guys didn't see it. Not to mention there was jokes on jokes on jokes. Cirie is funny!

Aubry Bracco: I just wish there was more. I wish it's like Big Brother, and you could see live feeds. I mean, the premerge was rough. I was very sick in the first couple of days; I got some upper respiratory thing. I wish you'd seen more of my dynamic with Genevieve. I actually approached her and told her, "You probably heard that I've called you dangerous, just like they've called Rizo lazy and Angelina chaotic." I got on the wrong side of that. There are so many rich conversations out there I wish you saw. I wish you saw when Joe saw me going through the jungle looking for an idol. I wish you saw me eat the eyeballs for the mac and cheese. There were a lot of amazing people, amazing conversations.

Related: 'Survivor 50' Winner Aubry Bracco Reacts to Her Victory 10 Years in the Making: 'I'm So Relieved' (Exclusive)

Rizo Velovic: In the premiere, we saw a little bit of it. But Q, Angelina, and I had a full-on five-hour debate on how to properly play blackjack. That's how long it lasted. And Q swears that if a dealer's showing a 10 with a 16, you stay. And Angelina and I call him "not the smartest gambler," and Q swears up and down that's not how you do it.

[At this point, Q happens to overhear the conversation and enters the scene.}

Q: Wait, what?

Rizo: Yep, I'm talking about how bad of a gambler you are, Q, about hitting 16—

Q: Coming from a guy who don't gamble!

Rizo: On the contrary, I actually have gambled 16 straight Tribal Councils with a public immunity idol. So I might be the biggest gambler!

Q: But that ain't gambling. You know why? Because for 49, you got by with it. 50, we didn't know you got by with it. I didn't have nothing to do with that.

Rizo: That is true.

Q: So, in terms of gambling, what you can do is you can meet me at any casino. You can play your strategy, I'll play mine. We'll start with the same amount. We can even sit at the same table.

Rizo: That's what I want.

Q: And I guarantee you, you're gonna leave with rocks in your pocket lint.

Rizo: We're gonna make that happen. We're gonna make that happen. Survivor, Hard Rock, whoever wants to sponsor Q and the RizGod, let's make it happen here on Parade.

Related: 'Survivor 50' Stars Name the Greatest Player of All Time (Exclusive)

In the first MasterChef Global Gauntlet team challenge, the home cooks are divided into the blue team and the red team for a FIFA World Cup 2026 challenge. The contestants team up with the U.S. Soccer Federation to serve lunch to 101 hungry kids coming straight off the soccer field.

With special guest judge Mauricio Pochettino and Gordon Ramsay as the honorary goalkeeper, the heat is on and only one team will walk away with the immunity pin in the "Team Pitch to Plate" episode.

Parade has your exclusive first look at the competition, which finds Gordon very unhappy with Team Blue, so much so that half of what he says has to be bleeped out!

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As the boys lineup for their burgers, Gordon has them step to the side when he discovers that the burgers are only half cooked, and he calls a team meeting.

“Seven-year-olds don’t eat beef tartare,” he tells Team Blue. “It’s a burger and it’s f—king raw. Not medum rare, ice cold in the middle.”

And he throws the undercooked burgers away in a dramatic gesture.

Related: MasterChef: Global Gauntlet Results: Who Went Home Tonight? (Night 2)

Then he tells the hungry kids, “Sorry, guys, the burgers are not ready. Go eat your [
Team Red] chicken.”

Then to the Blue Team he says, “Look at me. We found our momentum. Now we’re just cooking without any feeling, without any drive, any passion. You are going to %$#%ing send these out? I don’t get it. Do you want to lose? Let’s get it together.”

MasterChef airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Streams next day on Hulu.

Next,  MasterChef Returns With an International Theme for Season 16 in 2026 — What to Know

One of the most recognizable alternative rock hits started as an experimental B-side that wasn't expected to get too much attention. This was the story of The Smiths' song "How Soon Is Now?", which began its life as a B-side track for the 1984 single, "William, It Was Really Nothing."

Decades after it first came out, many fans consider “How Soon Is Now?” the definitive Smiths song, despite its interestingly modest start. Soon after the track debuted as a B-side, it was featured as a single on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow in 1985, and this is when it really started gaining traction.

"How Soon Is Now?" started climbing up the charts, peaking at No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. It was rereleased in 1992 and performed even better, reaching No. 16. The song was very experimental for The Smiths. As they recorded the track, they tried out different guitar styles with the aim of creating a "swampy" feel.

The Smiths band member and songwriter Johnny Marr opened up about how the track was created in a 1997 interview with The Guitar Magazine, via SmithsSupernova, saying,"I wanted to write a track with an intro that you couldn't forget, something that you knew straight away was The Smiths."

Related: 1982 Classic Song Inspired by Iran’s Ban on Rock Music Became The Band’s Biggest U.S. Hit

"Layering the slide part was what gave it the real tension," he went on. "It took an eternity. God bless the sampler, 'cos it would have been so much easier! But it was just one of those great moments." Marr also praised The Smiths singer Morrissey's vocals on "How Soon Is Now?" before simply calling it "a great track."

Over the years, despite how different the sound of "How Soon Is Now?" is from many of The Smiths' other tracks, it has become known as the group's signature song and is a major fan-favorite in alternative-rock music.

Related: 1988 Alt-Rock Classic About a Dream Reality Became a Cult Favorite Despite Never Hitting No. 1

People are putting more personality into their kitchens lately, and it is changing the way everyday spaces look and feel. Kitchens are no longer treated as purely functional rooms hidden away from the rest of the home. They have become part of the overall aesthetic, with people focusing more on comfort, texture and small decorative details that make the space feel warmer and more inviting.

That shift has also created a huge rise in soft, cozy kitchen styling. Instead of cold, minimal spaces, people are leaning into layered textures, floral patterns, earthy tones and decorative accents that make kitchens feel lived-in.

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Hobby Lobby

One item catching attention right now is the Indigo Floral Kitchen Foam Mat from Hobby Lobby. The mat taps directly into the growing obsession with cozy cottage-inspired kitchen décor and functional home styling. Measuring 18 inches by 30 inches, the mat features a floral pattern in white, blue and gray tones that gives it a softer, more calming appearance compared to basic, solid-colored floor mats.

Floral patterns continue trending heavily in home decor because they instantly add warmth and personality without overwhelming a space. Blue and white color palettes, especially, have become staples in modern farmhouse kitchens, cottagecore interiors and cozy apartment aesthetics because they create a clean, relaxed and timeless feel.

Related: World Market's Antique-Style Coffee Table Is Beautiful, Functional and Sturdy

The foam construction also plays a major role in making kitchen mats like this essential in modern homes. People are spending more time cooking, baking and hosting at home, which means comfort matters more than ever. Foam mats help provide support while standing at kitchen counters for longer periods, whether cooking meals, washing dishes or prepping food throughout the day.

Customer reviews highlight exactly why pieces like this resonate with shoppers right now. One reviewer shared, "It is so pretty and adds beauty to my plain little kitchen. I got 2 for my kitchen and one for the front door."

Ultimately, the Indigo Floral Kitchen Foam Mat from Hobby Lobby combines comfort, functionality and aesthetic appeal all in one neat package.

Related: Hobby Lobby's $2 Vintage-Inspired Table Find Is So Elegant, Shoppers Are Buying 8 at a Time

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

Looking to spruce up your outdoor space? If so, solar lights are an effortless way to bring cheerful spring energy to your backyard or porch. They’re also a sustainable and cost-friendly choice, as they don’t require batteries or electricity, but rather rely on solar energy for power. Just as whimsical as it is functional, this Gigalumi Solar Light Animal Statue at Amazon is a great option. 

There’s no better time than right now to snag this solar light statue because it’s currently on sale for as low as $19 for a limited time. Ideal for animal lovers, it’s available in three equally adorable designs. You can choose from a bear, a cat, or an elephant design. They’re all incredibly detailed, etched with fine lines to mimic the texture of fur or skin that make it feel realistic. Best of all, none cost more than $22 after the discount.

Courtesy of Amazon

Each statue has standout features that tie everything together and bring it to life. The bear figurine sits atop a wooden box. It’s holding a honey dipper in one hand and grabbing a honey pot with its other arm. The rim of the honey pot is adorned with a tiny bee figurine, giving the statue a charming accent that ties everything together.

The cat figurine is seen holding a flower pot with both of its hands. If you’re looking for something to place on your porch, this is a great choice as the pot has “welcome” written on it. The flowers have red and purple centers, adding pops of color. The statue is complete with an ombre blue butterfly perched on top of the cat’s paw. 

While it’s a fantastic choice for your garden, the elephant statue can also make for a special gift. It features one large elephant with a baby elephant sitting on its lap. With Mother’s Day about a month away, you may want to consider giving this figurine to your mom as an endearing and heartwarming present. 

Courtesy of Amazon

Equipped with a solar panel, these environmentally-friendly solar statue lights will charge in the sunlight during the day and automatically turn on once it gets dark out. It only needs six to eight hours to fully charge and can then stay on for up to 10 hours at night. Shoppers attested that the lights stay lit for a really long time and mentioned that it’s really bright. 

These statues are made of resin and have an IP65 waterproof rating. They’re designed to withstand all kinds of weather conditions, including rain, heavy winds, and intense sunlight. Shoppers said that these solar statue lights are of great quality and have held up well after being left outside for many months. 

You can place these statues anywhere outside, like your porch, garden, patio, and balcony. If you don’t want to leave it on the ground, you can use it as a centerpiece on your outdoor table! During the day, it serves as a gorgeous accent piece, and at night, it’ll brighten up your space with its warm and cozy glow. 

Related: Amazon’s ‘Beautiful’ $30 Solar Sunflower Lights Make Backyard Glow-Ups Effortless

One shopper described these solar light statues as “so lovely, whimsical, and cute,” while a second reviewer said that they would make a “wonderful addition to your outdoor landscape.” A third commented that it’s “absolutely adorable” and added that it “shines brightly at night.”

If your outdoor areas could use a little whimsy or some perking up, don’t hesitate to head to Amazon and snag the Gigalumi Solar Light Animal Statue on sale for as low as $19! Be sure to hurry because it’ll only be available at this amazing price for a limited time. 

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.

Alter Bridge, a rock band from Orlando, announced exciting news to fans in line with their What Lies Within Tour 2026.

Following the success of the group’s first leg tour this spring, they are ready for another round of head-turning performances for the second leg.

Beyond the schedule, Alter Bridge invited special guests to join them for their 18-day run.

In an Instagram post, the four-piece band, consisting of frontman and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti on lead guitar and backing vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums, announced that they will feature Canadian-American rock band Big Wreck and singer-songwriter Tim Montana on selected shows.

Dave Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images

The second part of the tour will begin on Nov. 5 in Pennsylvania and will conclude on Dec. 5 in Nevada.

According to the post, ticket sales will be available starting May 29 at 10 a.m. local time.

As mentioned, the announcement followed the massive response to the first leg, which began on April 25 in Orlando, Florida, covering major cities like Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, Omaha, Green Bay, Chicago, Atlantic City, Boston, Huntington, Montclair, Syracuse, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Nashville and Birmingham, with the final show of the tour’s first part taking place in Tampa, Florida on May 24.

Meanwhile, the recent tour was in celebration of the band’s launch of their eighth studio album, Alter Bridge.

“From record to record, we might try some new things, integrate some new textures, production ideas,” the frontman told Loudersound, sharing interesting details about the album. “But it always ends up where there’s this one thread that runs throughout all the records. And so I think this record just leans into that. Like, what we’re going to try this time is just home in on the thing we do, and stay there, and be proud. Don’t be ashamed of it. Just embrace it, you know? So a self-titled approach made total sense, because that’s what this is – it’s us.”

Alter Bridge’s Full Schedule for the Second Leg of the What Lies Within Tour 2026

Nov. 05: Philadelphia, Penn. @ Franklin Music Hall

Nov. 07: Silver Spring, Md. @ The Fillmore

Nov. 08: Buffalo, N.Y. @ Buffalo Riverworks

Nov. 10: Cleveland, Ohio @ The Agora

Nov. 12: Milwaukee, Wis. @ The Rave / Eagles Club

Nov. 14: Prior Lake, Minn. @ Mystic Lake Casino

Nov. 15: Kansas City, Mo. @ VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's Kansas City

Nov. 17: St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant

Nov. 19: San Antonio, Texas @ The Aztec Theatre

Nov. 21: Maricopa, Ariz. @ The Events Center at Harrah's Ak-Chin

Nov. 22: Anaheim, Calif. @ House of Blues

Nov. 24: Portland, Ore. @ Roseland Theater

Nov. 25: Seattle, Wash. @ The Moore Theatre

Nov. 27: Spokane, Wash. @ Fox Theater

Nov. 29: Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Complex

Nov. 30: Denver, Colo. @ Mission Ballroom

Dec. 03: Wheatland, Calif. @ Hard Rock Live Sacramento

Dec. 05: Reno, Nev. @ Silver Legacy Grande Exposition Hall

Related: '80s Rock Band, Disbanding in Less Than One Year, Ranked Among Failed Supergroups

A Journey classic has made a return to the music charts 45 years after it was originally released. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the band’s timeless 1981 hit, reemerged at No. 23 on Billboard’s Rock Streaming Songs chart for the week ending May 30, marking its 484th total week on the coveted chart since July 2013.

The rock anthem about hope and empowerment is sandwiched between two other rock classics—Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”— on the streaming chart.

Written by Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, and Steve Perry, “Don’t Stop Believin’” remains one of Journey’s top hits from the band’s successful 1980s era. The song, from the album Escape, peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Dec. 19, 1981.

Cain once told American Songwriter the song’s title came from his father, who told him his “biggest breakthrough is right around the corner” and advised him to “don’t stop believing.”

“And I wrote down ‘don’t stop believing,’” Cain shared. “And that was five years before Journey called me to join. So, I had this in my notebook. And we had finished all these songs, and when I went home that night, I saw the title, 'Don’t Stop Believin’' and I said, 'That’s it!' And so, I immediately jumped on my little Wurlitzer and came up with a chorus. I mean, in about 20 minutes, I had it.”

Seven years after its original release, “Don’t Stop Believin’” was a highlight on the Journey’s Greatest Hits album in November 1988. The album has ranked on the Billboard 200 album chart for 909 total weeks since its release.

The song also found a new legion of fans in 2007 when it was used in the series finale of The Sopranos. In the streaming era, “Don’t Stop Believin’” has been streamed on Spotify over 2.8 billion times.

In 2022, “Don’t Stop Believin’” was put into the National Recording Registry as one of the nation’s signature recordings. Perry called the song’s induction “the greatest honor” of his life.

“That song, over the years, has become something that has a life of its own,” the singer said, per the Library of Congress blog. “It’s about the people who’ve embraced it and found the lyrics to be something they can relate to and hold onto and sing.”

As for its return to the streaming charts, the chorus-heavy song is perfect for social media memes, graduation clips, and nostalgic playlists. “Don’t Stop Believin’” is also regularly played at sporting events.

Related: 1976 Classic Rock Hit, From No. 1 Album That Just Returned to Charts, Remains a Road Trip Anthem 50 Years Later

When Linda Perry sat down to write what would become one of the defining pop anthems of the early 2000s, she wasn't trying to launch a superstar. She was goofing around.

Perry, the former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman who went on to write hits for Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Alicia Keys, opened up in a recent interview with Elmo Lovanoon on his Go With Elmo Lovano show about the unlikely origin story behind Pink's career-defining single 'Get the Party Started.' The short version; she wrote it as a joke, offered it to Madonnafirst, got rejected, and then handed it to a stranger named Pink who had literally tracked down her phone number.

'I just wrote that as a joke,' Perry said in the interview. 'It was a total joke song.'

Perry had been curious about the glossy pop sounds she kept hearing on the radio and on MTV. An analog purist by training, she asked a producer friend to walk her through the gear everyone was using; a Triton keyboard, Roland expansion cards, an MPC drum machine. She bought the equipment, plugged it all in, and started experimenting. What came out was a pulsing, sample-driven beat she layered with bongos, bass, strings, a clavinet, guitar, and fake horns. Then she picked up a harmonica microphone and started free-associating.

'Just think of every cliché you can think of,' she recalled telling herself. The result was 'Get the Party Started.' She was laughing the whole time. 'I just wrote a [expletive] dance hit,' she remembered thinking. 'I'm blown away by how brilliant I am in my stupidity.'

Her first call wasn't to Pink. Perry had met Madonna at a club, worked up the nerve to introduce herself, and scored a contact to send the song to Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary. The reply came back quickly. 'This is not for Madonna.'

Around the same time, Perry received a cold call from a young singer who had gotten her number from a makeup artist's phone. The caller identified herself only as 'Pink, a name Perry didn't recognize. Then she happened to glance at MTV and saw a pink-haired woman in a motorcycle outfit. When the name flashed on screen, she called back.

Related: Long Before Beyoncé, a Legendary Goth Band Paid Tribute to Dolly Parton and 'Jolene'

'I think you have the wrong Linda Perry,' Perry told her. 'I'm not hip at all.' Pink wasn't deterred. She confirmed Perry was the former 4 Non Blondes singer who wrote 'Dear Mr. President' and declared she had exactly the right person.

Perry brought the joke song to their first meeting almost as an afterthought. 'I don't even know what I would do with something like this,' she told Pink. 'It's not me at all. I'm never going to record this song.' Two days later, Pink called back. L.A. Reid had declared it the lead single.

The two went on to write 15 songs together, seven of which made the final album. The collaboration wasn't without friction. Perry says she was fired mid-project because Reid felt she was taking Pink too far from her existing sound. Perry didn't budge. She told Reid point-blank that Pink might lose her existing fanbase but would sell 10 million records. She was so confident she bet Pink's label head a Bentley.

Pink's Missundaztood, released in November 2001, sold somewhere between 12 and 13 million copies worldwide. Perry has been waiting on that Bentley ever since.

'Alicia Moore,' Perry said in the interview, addressing Pink by her birth name. 'You can send it to the studio house. It doesn't have to be the living house.'

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Personal Finance Expert and CEO of Ramsey Solutions, Dave Ramsey, has come under fire again for his retirement withdrawal advice. While most analysts suggest taking a 4% drawdown, Ramsey argues you can take an 8% drawdown. Here’s why that may not work in today’s market. 

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Related: Dave Ramsey Tells Frustrated Husband How To Deal With In-Laws Who Are Demanding Repayment for His Wife’s College Semester

In a 2023 video, Ramsey talks to a 30-year-old man, Jay, from Kansas City, MO, who wants advice on how aggressively he should continue paying off his home while also understanding that he should only take a 3% draw on his accounts once he reaches retirement age.

Ramsey was notably confused. The advice came from one of Ramsey’s co-hosts, George Kamel, and Ramsey said he’d take the video down for being incorrect. He then told Jay that it was more realistic for him to draw 8% on his accounts.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Xg4Z8EQY3Ao?si=7TqQzY7ZLEoylRDs&t=4463

The math is that Jay’s accounts should grow by 12% yearly; if he leaves 4% for inflation, he should be able to draw 8% and be fine. Ramsey was adamant that 7% was the conservative minimum. Jay mentioned that there were many studies saying 3%-5% was the absolute max. 

Mentioning financial studies sent Ramsey into a rant about how “stupid” the 4% advice is and how it is too low. He doubled down on the fact that your nest egg will grow by 12% every year, and everyone saying you should only draw 4% is leaving you with too little of a monthly income. 

Related: Dave Ramsey Floored When Caller Asks if He Should Divorce His Wife for This Financial Reason

Critics of Ramsey’s 8% say that he’s not thinking about modern inflation, soon outpacing the 4% growth rule. The current rate of inflation as of May 12th, 2026, is 3.8%, which is up 0.64% from the month prior. With that kind of inflation growth rate in the current economy, critics of Ramsey’s advice say he’s out of touch.

Many advisors now are telling investors to plan for their nest egg to last about 30 years post-retirement, according to a Yahoo! Finance report. A conservative withdrawal of 3% is recommended, but analysts and critics of Ramsey say you could go as high as 3.9% and still protect your accounts. 

Ramsey’s advice is based on 80 years of inflation data, which he mentions in the video. He says that looking at that long-term trend can help you plan for the future market. While Ramsey does not have a traditional financial education, his Financial Peace University course has helped over 10 million people get out of debt. Ramsey has the credentials, but many analysts now feel he no longer has the foresight. 

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

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If summertime means more hosting at your house, but you don’t want to invest in an expensive mattress or full-size couch, Walmart has a much cheaper fix on sale right now. The Lofka Convertible Sectional Couch Bed is currently on flash deal for just $186, down from $371. The best deals are on the light gray and beige options, and it comes in four colors total.

The sofa can be arranged as a rectangular sofa or an L-shaped couch, depending on your room. In the rectangle setup, it measures 94 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 25 inches high. In the L-shaped setup, it measures 69 inches long, 47 inches wide, and 25 inches high. It also has 5.1-inch-thick seat cushions, a 15.7-inch seat height, four included back pillows, and removable armrests. The fabric upholstery is filled with high-density foam, and the sturdy frame is designed to support up to 330 pounds. 

Courtesy of Walmart

This sofa’s clever design is especially helpful if you don’t have a dedicated guest room. It works as a couch during the day, a lounging spot for movie nights, and a more flexible setup when guests stay over. The removable armrests also make it easier to adjust the layout, so you’re never stuck with a single fixed arrangement. It’s also worth noting that the cushions ship vacuum-packed and may need 48 to 72 hours to fully expand after opening.

One reviewer called the sofa bed an “excellent space saver.” Another described it as “cozy” and “very comfortable,” adding, “It is durable, kid-friendly, [and] easy to store.” A third shopper said, “It was super simple to set up, it's made well, and high quality. It looks great and is so soft!” 

Related: Walmart’s 'Super Comfy' $89 Folding Sofa Bed Is the Coziest Solution for Overnight Guests

The light gray option is great if you want something that blends easily into a room, while the beige offers a warmer feel and would pair well with cream pillows and wood furniture. The black would work well in an office or game room, and the dark gray is perfect if you’re looking for a neutral color that’s practical enough for everyday use.

• Lofka Sleeper Sofa, $160 (was $250) at Walmart
• Muumblus Modular Sectional Sofa, $359 (was $699) at Walmart
• Lofka Convertible 3-In-1 Sleeper Sofa, $170 (was $376) at Walmart

This couch is perfect for first-time apartment dwellers, guest rooms, playrooms, and plenty of other small-space setups. If your home could use more flexible seating before summer guests arrive, the Lofka Convertible Sectional Couch Bed is worth grabbing. Be sure to snag it now at Walmart before the price jumps back up.

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Newly-announced Dancing with the Stars contender Jackson Olson is going to be playing baseball and preparing for the ballroom at the same, he recently shared.

In an Instagram Q+A, the 28-year-old said that he won't be quitting the exhibition baseball team to compete on DWTS, but he'll be rehearsing for the show whenever he's not on the field.

"The dancer that I'm paired with is actually going to come on tour with us while we're playing," he shared. "I'm going to play my games, we're going to rehearse our dance. It's going to be the craziest schedule I've ever been on, but it's going to be a lot of fun."

Olson, who regularly dropped hints about joining DWTS, was confirmed to be an official "star" earlier this month.

He also shared that he doesn't know who his is partner just yet and while he said he doesn't have a preference, he revealed he'll find out in September.

"They're all super talented," he said. "They're all so fun to watch, and I'm going to be super happy with whoever they put here."

Related: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Reveals Its Third Celebrity Contestant for 2026

As for what songs he'd like to dance to, the baseball player who's known for his theatrics on the field, and his walk-out performance to "Come Back Home" from the 'Greatest Showman,' noted that dancing to songs from the movie's soundtrack is definitely a possibility.

He also named Taylor Swift, Disney, and songs from "a musical about a high school," as a subtle nod to 'High School Musical,' when it comes to other tracks he'd like to dance to.

Beyond logistics though, he said the No. 1 question he gets asked is if he's nervous to embark on this new venture.

"Yes, I am very nervous," he said. "It is the biggest show in the entire world. My hands literally shaking right now thinking about it, but I think as we get closer to the show, I'm just going to be excited."

Along with Olson,Summer House and Traitors star Ciara Miller, as well as Love Island star Maura Higgins are also confirmed to join Season 35 of the ballroom dance competition show.

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In 1982, The Pirate Movie swept through theaters, creating an unforgettable mix of swashbuckling adventure, catchy pop songs, and teen romance that quickly earned cult-classic status.

More than four decades later, the film’s beloved stars reunited for a rare appearance that instantly transported longtime fans back to the height of the movie’s nostalgic charm.

Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol reunited in Los Angeles for a special Memorial Day weekend event celebrating their swashbuckling movie musical. The festivities took place on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Westin Hotel. The event featured a meet-and-greet, autograph and photo opportunities, and a screening of the movie, followed by a live Q&A with both stars

Atkins shared seven images from the event on his official Instagram account. He was featured along with McNichol, actress Kari Michaelson (Gimmie a Break!), and iHeart Radio host Lisa Foxx.

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The Pirate Movie, which was released on August 6, 1982, was a loosely based, '80s-style take on Gilbert and Sullivan's classic 1879 musical comedy, The Pirates of Penzance. The film took a playful approach to the material, swapping its traditional Victorian slant for ’80s pop-infused numbers.

In fact, one of those numbers made a mark on the charts. Atkins' and McNichols' duet, "First Love", became a massively popular pop-rock single from the film’s soundtrack.

Sadly, Atkins and McNichol never worked together again after The Pirate Movie. However, fans continued to remember the impact the film had on them in the comments section of the actor's Instagram post.

"I can still sing the songs. I watched this movie so many, many times," penned one admirer.

A second fan wrote, "Man, I have loved Kristy's work since she was on Family. I really miss her. Such an incredible actor. And I actually own the soundtrack of The Pirate Movie on LP."

"I love that movie! Such a wonderful part of my childhood," claimed a third Instagram follower.

"You and Kristy look amazing, by the way. You seem to never age!" exclaimed a fourth fan.

The duo will continue to celebrate the film's impact on pop culture at the Fanboy Expo Knoxville 2026 on July 10 through 11.

Related: This '70s Pop Smash Took Center Stage in a 1980 Coming-of-Age Film Starring Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neal

Few artists in music history have delivered emotional power quite like Celine Dion, and her chart success proves it.

With four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Dion, 58, holds the record for the most chart-topping songs by any Canadian woman. Over the course of the 1990s, the powerhouse vocalist dominated radio with sweeping ballads that became defining songs of an entire era.

Her first Hot 100 chart-topper came in 1994 with "The Power of Love." The soaring ballad spent four weeks at No. 1 and helped establish Dion as one of the biggest vocalists in the world.

Two years later, she followed it with "Because You Loved Me." This was another massive hit that also spent four weeks atop the chart and became one of the signature love songs of the decade.

Then came "My Heart Will Go On."

Released in 1998 as the love theme from Titanic, the song became a global phenomenon and remains Dion’s defining hit decades later. The emotional ballad topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and earned Grammys for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Remarkably, however, Dion’s longest-running No. 1 wasn’t "My Heart Will Go On."

That honor belongs to "I’m Your Angel," her duet with R. Kelly. The song spent six weeks at No. 1 between 1998 and 1999.

Though the song was hugely successful at the time, it’s often overshadowed today by Dion’s more iconic hits, making it one of the stranger chart quirks of her career.

Beyond the charts, Dion’s impact on Canadian music history is enormous. She remains the only artist to receive the Juno Awards’ International Achievement Award twice, winning in both 1997 and 1999.

While countless Canadian women have left their mark on music, Dion still stands alone when it comes to No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Nelly Furtado — 3 No. 1 hits
• Carly Rae Jepsen — 1 No. 1 hit
• Avril Lavigne — 1 No. 1 hit
• Anne Murray — 1 No. 1 hit
• Alannah Myles — 1 No. 1 hit 

RELATED: Dolly Parton and Trio Revived This Surprising Old Pop Hit

Instead of chasing spaces that look overly perfect or staged, many people are focusing more on comfort, warmth and creating rooms that actually feel lived in. Homes are becoming softer, more relaxed and more personality-driven, with people paying closer attention to textures, earthy tones and layered details that make a space feel inviting the second you walk in.

That shift has completely changed how people decorate living rooms and bedrooms. Oversized throws, textured fabrics, cozy lighting and soft neutral colors are taking over social media feeds because people want their homes to feel calming instead of cold. Comfort-driven interiors have become one of the biggest design trends right now, especially as more people spend time relaxing, entertaining and unwinding at home.

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hobby Lobby

That is exactly why woven accent pillows are becoming one of the most popular affordable home decor upgrades right now. One piece getting attention lately is the Woven Pillow from Hobby Lobby. At $19.19, the pillow taps directly into the cozy, organic and inspired aesthetic that dominates modern home styling. Measuring 20 inches by 20 inches with a 6.5-inch depth, the oversized square shape instantly makes sofas, recliners, and beds feel fuller and more comfortable.

Earthy green tones have become staples in modern interiors because they create a grounded, calming atmosphere while still adding depth to neutral spaces. Olive works especially well with warm wood finishes, cream fabrics, beige furniture and textured décor, which is why it blends easily into farmhouse, modern, organic and cozy apartment aesthetics.

Related: IKEA Shoppers Say This Sleek and 'Timeless' 18-Piece Dinnerware Set Is 'Virtually Indestructible'

Texture is another major reason woven pillows are dominating home décor trends right now. Smooth minimal furniture can sometimes make a room feel flat or sterile, while woven fabrics instantly soften the space and add visual warmth. The shell content combines 90 percent polyester with 10 percent rayon, which helps give the pillow a textured appearance while still feeling soft enough for everyday lounging.

Comfort matters just as much as style, too. The waterfowl feather filling gives the pillow a more plush sink-in feel compared to stiffer decorative cushions that look nice but rarely get used. Customer feedback reflects exactly why shoppers are gravitating toward pieces like this. One reviewer shared, "I do love these fashionable decorative pillows!!! They not only match with my rocker recliner but are super comfy. Huggable!!!"

Hobby Lobby's woven pillow taps directly into the growing obsession with cozy layered interiors and affordable luxury home styling. It proves that sometimes the simplest additions can completely shift the atmosphere of a room and make a home feel even more comfortable.

Related: Uniqlo's Lightweight Summer Essential Might Be the Easiest Warm-Weather Upgrade Yet

Linda Perry wants to slap Madonna. Not out of anger, but out of frustration for what the iconic pop star used to represent.

The legendary songwriter and producer behind hits for Christina Aguilera and Pink did not hold back during a recent interview where she discussed the Queen of Pop’s current musical direction.

"The one that always is like a thorn in my side, because I don’t know why I wanna do this," Perry said. "She’s turned me down so many times. When Madonna is ready to retire, she should make that album with me, because I’ll make her such a great album. Because right now, one of the biggest problems I’m having with Madonna: she is one of the greatest. She taught women to be strong and be yourself. And I love how she was just constantly changing."

"But of late, I feel she is a follower," Perry said. "She’s following the trends. She’s trying to compete with Charlie XCX and this and that. You know, like everything about her seems weak to me and not powerful.”

Perry continued, “So i would love to get that woman in a studio, slap her in the face a couple of times and say ‘wake up, get back to who Madonna is and what you represent. You know, you are a leader. So we gotta get back there and focus on the power of what her voice can do. Not the power of what auto-tune and effects can do and all the electronics that she’s into right now to hide all that.”

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pqwmv0-E3ts

The famed songwriter has her own ideas about the direction Madonna should take next: “I would put her like out in the open and make all those flaws, I would just bring them all out in the open and just show them and make this beautiful, like more acoustic type of record with strings and something she could sit down and just sing to a crowd that’s wearing, you know, just nice clothes, a Carnegie Hall or whatever. That would be what I would wanna do. But she will not step into a room with me because that is far from what Madonna wants to do. So Madonna, call me when you’re ready to get back to your strength, all right?"

Over Reddit, Madonna fans agreed with Perry.

"I feel like she had a valid point," one user wrote. "For real. Madonna seems to have forgotten she was one of the OGs. People like Charlie xcx and other modern pop divas are who they are because Madonna was part of the paving generation. She's an icon with a well documented legacy, not a follower."

"Madonna used to be a trendsetter, and since about 2010 or so she's been a trendfollower," another fan noted. "Confessions on a Dance Floor feels like her last ‘great’ album, where she largely bucked what was trendy and said "I'm gonna get back to my roots." But yeah, honestly before that she was on a rough streak -- American Life and Music both feel more trend-chasey than I remember, now that I think more."

The pop star’s reliance on trendy studio effects was called out by fans, with one commenter noting that the lack of authenticity is exactly why the new music fails to connect with audiences anymore.

Another added, "Sometimes people fall into traps like that when they get older. They start wanting to play it safe and do what everyone else is doing instead of being innovative."

Some say the change started to feel obvious during the late 2000s.

"Honestly, even working with Justin Timberlake felt very out-of-character," a longtime fan pointed out. "Like the woman did not ever really do duets with the man of the hour. And from there it felt like she was trying to get whatever rapper or DJ was trending. And now Sabrina Carpenter, I guess. 20 years ago I would’ve never seen that from this woman."

Still, Perry's vision of an acoustic, raw Madonna at Carnegie Hall isn't a dream for everyone. Some fans still want the dance floor.

"She's not wrong about chasing trends but at the same time, Madonna can do upbeat dance music really well," one user argued. "Nobody wants a 100% acoustic ballad album from her. We want another ‘Vogue’ or ‘Hung Up.’ "

But to get another zeitgeist moment, she has to surprise the public again.

"The most thrilling thing about Ray of Light, aside from it being an absolute banger, was that it was so unexpected," a fan recalled. "I think the video for ‘Frozen’ also had a "where the **** did that come from" element to it as well."

Fans say Perry is exactly the type of unfiltered creative force who could deliver that jolt for Madonna. "It’s why she’s such a great songwriter/producer," a supporter wrote. "She’s exactly the kind of person you want behind you in the studio."

Whether the pop pioneer will ever pick up the phone and accept the challenge remains the ultimate question.

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‘Tis the season for sandals! With summer right around the corner, it’s time to refresh your shoe collection with some breezy open-toe shoes that are ready to tackle all your warm-weather outings. Want a pair that seamlessly blends style and comfort? Earning over 16,000 five-star ratings to date, these Clarks Arla Glison Flip-Flop Sandals are a fantastic choice. Part of the ultra-supportive Clarks’ Cloudsteppers line, you can currently score them on sale at Amazon for less than $35!

Normally retailing between $45 and $65, these flip-flop sandals are now marked down to just $33 in two styles, including a black and gray combination and a blue and white version. These sandals are also available in three other styles with prices ranging between $42 and $65. Sizes range from 5 to 12, and shoppers confirmed that the fit is true to size. 

Courtesy of Amazon

Crafted with a high-rebound foam footbed, these sandals will cushion and absorb the impact of every step to prevent pain and fatigue. Soft and bouncy, the footbed delivers lasting comfort so you can walk in these sandals all day long. Ideal for warm weather, the footbed is breathable and promotes airflow, preventing your feet from overheating or collecting sweat. 

The midsole is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate, which is a durable material well-loved for its lightweight feel. EVA material also absorbs impact, working to reduce the pressure on your feet and joints when walking. Reviewers attested to the comfort of these sandals, with over 200 of them commenting that these sandals “truly feel like walking on clouds.” Additionally, many shoppers raved that they were able to comfortably walk several miles in these sandals without feeling any pain or discomfort. 

Designed with a curved silhouette, these sandals offer the utmost support. They have a platform with a light 1.6-inch-tall heel, providing a slight lift without compromising comfort or stability. The platform slightly tapers down and curves back up, supporting the natural shape of your feet. 

Nearly 100 reviewers with plantar fasciitis said that these sandals allowed them to walk around without any pain. Additionally, shoppers with flat feet and customers with high arches all said that they didn’t experience any discomfort while wearing these sandals. 

Courtesy of Amazon

“These are by far the most comfortable and supportive sandals I have ever owned,” one reviewer raved. Another shopper said that they’re “very cute” and “perfect for summer.” A third customer described them as “very cushiony and bouncy” and compared them to “walking on a big pile of marshmallows.”

These sandals lend themselves to the flip-flop style, thanks to the textile T-straps that’ll sit between your big toe and second toe. Shoppers noted that the fabric straps are soft and don’t rub or chafe their skin. While the straps work to keep your feet securely in place, they also add a fun and playful accent with their wide, relaxed design. 

The soles are made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR), offering great traction on any kind of surface. Whether you’re walking on rocky ground, wet grass, or anywhere in between, these sandals will ensure stability and keep you from slipping. 

Related: Clarks’ Cloud-Like Sandals Are Perfect for Warm Weather and Just $33 at Walmart

Breezy and easy-to-wear, these are the type of sandals that you can slip into for any summer outing. They’ll come in handy while traveling or on vacation, especially if you plan on walking around a lot. You can also wear them while running errands, grabbing drinks with friends, or frolicking around at the beach. 

As a bonus, these sandals are easy to care for. If you happen to get them dirty or just want to give them a refresh, you can just toss them into a washing machine. Customers mentioned that they wash beautifully and come out looking brand new. 

• Clarks Drift Twist Wedge Sandals, From $30 (was $60) at Amazon
• Clarks Breeze Piper Slide Sandals, From $28 (was $55) at Amazon
• Clarks Breeze Cove Flip-Flop Sandals, From $30 (was $60) at Amazon

Shoppers said that they love these sandals so much and own multiple pairs of them. If you want to see what the hype is all about, be sure to head to Amazon and snag the Clarks Arla Glison Flip-Flop Sandals while they’re still on sale for as low as $33!

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Modern pet parents are taking the well-being of their animals more seriously than ever before. For many travelers, leaving a beloved four-legged family member at home triggers a massive wave of separation anxiety that can easily cast a shadow over a hard-earned itinerary. In fact, a recent study by global pet-sitting platform TrustedHousesitters revealed that an incredible 61% of pet owners report worrying more about their pet’s overall well-being than their own personal enjoyment while away on vacation.

To bridge that emotional gap and alleviate their own guilt, a massive segment of travelers have turned to technology. Nearly half of all pet parents (48%) admit to routinely FaceTiming or video-calling their dogs and cats while traveling, operating under the deeply well-meaning assumption that hearing a familiar voice will bring their animal a sense of peace and comfort.

The trend has even taken over social media, cementing itself as a viral, wholesome subgenre on TikTok. Popular videos show dogs tilting their heads quizzically at phone speakers or excited golden retrievers leaping around a living room at the sudden sound of an owner's disembodied voice. But while these viral virtual check-ins are routinely framed as lighthearted and sweet, veterinary experts are sounding the alarm. According to TrustedHousesitters, global Google searches for “pet separation anxiety” are up 300% over the past year—and veterinarians warn that our favorite long-distance digital habit may be making the problem actively worse.

Related: Best Dog-Friendly Vacations In The U.S. For Families

Facetiming sapphie on vacation 🥹 @Sapphie the Pomsky

The fundamental issue with video calling a pet from a hotel room or an airport gate comes down to a stark biological disconnect in how animals process their environments. While humans navigate the world primarily through sight and sound, dogs and cats depend heavily on a complex matrix of scent, subtle body language and physical presence to make sense of reality. When an owner pipes their voice through a tiny smartphone speaker, it creates a deeply confusing reality for a pet.

"In the brain, this triggers a form of expectation without resolution," explains veterinarian Dr. Alex of The Net Vetin an interview with TrustedHousesitters. "The dog recognizes the voice and anticipates reunion—but when that doesn't happen, it leads to confusion or frustration."

Without the physical presence or accompanying scent of their human to resolve that auditory cue, dogs are left behaviorally unanchored. According to experts, this often manifests immediately after the call ends as frantic searching behaviors—such as running to the front door, pacing, whining, looking frantically behind furniture, or exhibiting a state of hyper-alertness.

Related: 4 Ultra-Luxury Resorts Where Dogs Are Treated Like Royalty

Interestingly, the psychological impact of a FaceTime call differs wildly depending on whether you are calling a dog or a cat. While canines are left looking for a resolution to their owner's voice, your feline companion is likely completely unfazed—but for reasons rooted entirely in biology rather than a lack of affection.

"Cats rely more on scent and environmental familiarity than sound," Dr. Alex noted. "Screens don't register as meaningful unless movement triggers their prey instinct—that's why most cats ignore FaceTime calls altogether."

Related: BARK Air Launches First-Ever 'Dog-First' Hawaii Retreat With Bone Broth Flights and Sensory 'Wonder Walks''

The most significant risk of the vacation video call is that it directly disrupts the hard work your temporary pet sitter or boarding facility is doing to keep your animal calm and settled. A dog that has spent days adjusting to a new routine can have their emotional progress instantly undone by a sudden digital check-in.

"A dog that had settled with a sitter may suddenly start pacing, whining, or going to the door after a call," warned Dr. Alex. "It can effectively 'reset' their separation response—reminding them their owner is absent and triggering renewed anxiety."

Rather than easing distress, the voice acting as a disembodied cue serves as a stark reminder of the owner's physical absence, heightening their panic long after the screen goes black.

Related: This European Country Just Made it Possible for Large Dogs to Travel in Cabins

To ensure a genuinely guilt-free vacation for yourself and a stress-free environment for your animal, veterinarians advise completely skipping the live audio and video calls. "The most important thing is consistency and a calm, predictable environment," Dr. Alex concluded. "Experienced sitters provide continuity of care and a familiar routine—far more meaningful to a pet than a virtual interaction."

If you want to stay closely connected to your furry friend without triggering a sensory meltdown, opt for passive updates. Have your pet sitter send real-time photos, detailed text updates, or silent videos through text or messaging apps. This allows you to confirm that your pet is thriving and happy while keeping their home environment entirely peaceful, predictable, and calm until your actual physical reunion at the front door.

Related: This Dog-Friendly City in the Midwest Has a Off-Leash Beach, National Park Trails and a Pup-Approved Brewery Scene

The baker of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding cake shared a post to mark the royal couple's 8th anniversary—and revealed the reason why they ultimately decided on a lemon and elderflower flavor for their beautiful cake.

"I had hoped they would choose the Lemon and Elderflower cake tester that I created just for them," Claire Ptak wrote on Instagram.

She went on to explain, "Elderflower is blooming all over England in May and with Amalfi lemons it would be fresh and bright and perfect for a wedding of that magnitude.

"Luckily that was their favourite of the 6 testers too."

She posted a series of behind the scenes pictures from the big day, including several of herself posing with the cake and of her team of bakers responsible for crafting the cake in the lead-up to the wedding in May 2018.

Related: Is Prince William Invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding This Summer?

"It took 6 of us 5 days and a LOT of lemons and elderflowers to make that cake," she wrote.

Ptak and her team baked the wedding cake in the safety of Buckingham Palace, as paparazzi had already gathered outside her bakery in London. Two months before the wedding it was announced by Kensington Palace that Ptak had been chosen by Meghan and Harry to bake the cake for their big day.

Ptak had previously been interviewed by the bride-to-be for her former lifestyle blog The Tig.

The cake was a departure from the traditional tiered style favored for British royal weddings. Three different cakes were instead deployed on several gilt platters that had been used by generations of royals.

The flavor was also a break with the traditional alcohol-soaked fruitcake, with each lemon sponge cake covered with fresh buttercream and decorated with fresh roses and elderflowers.

In 2011 Kate Middleton and Prince William chose a very traditional eight-tiered fruitcake for their wedding.

Their wedding baker Fiona Cairns recalled how involved the now-Princess of Wales was with the creation of the cake.

Related:King Felipe and Queen Letizia Celebrate 22 Years of Marriage—and Her Wedding Dress Still Stuns

Kate gave Cairns a list of 17 different flowers to be included in the cake's 900 delicate sugar-paste decorations—including heather, lavender, and sweet William—as well as a lace sample from her wedding dress, which was incorporated into the cake’s design.

The cake was decorated using the 'Joseph Lambeth' method, a centuries-old over-piping technique that incorporates ornate rows of intricate details into the frosting.

The top tier of the wedding cake was served two years later at the christening of Kate and William's first child Prince George.

In 2018 Princess Eugenie and her fiancée Jack Brooksbank also departed from the traditional wedding cake style.

Like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Eugenie and Jack chose a seasonally-themed cake for their October wedding. Their red velvet and chocolate cake was decorated with sugar decorations of ivy to “incorporate the rich colors of autumn”.

Earlier this month Meghan posted a sweet video to her Instagram stories to mark her and Harry's 8th anniversary—featuring a lemon and elderflower cake like the one that was served at their wedding!

In the video Harry carries the cake to Meghan while their children Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (4) can be heard singing 'Happy anniversary Mama' before Meghan blows out the candles on the cake.

Did you know that in 2022 Meghan and Harry commissioned Ptak to bake a “special order" for Lilibet's first birthday party?

The intimate family picnic to celebrate Lilibet turning one was held in the garden of Frogmore House, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's marital home.

For Lilibet’s first birthday, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan invited close friends and family for an "intimate backyard picnic" at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor on Saturday. Claire Ptak (who made the couple's 2018 wedding cake) baked a special order for the party.

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Next, How Kate Middleton Caused a Stir With Her $3,900 Purse in Italy

A woman on the verge of retirement inherited a 401(k) account worth $620,000 from her late parents’ estate. This may sound like a windfall, but the inheritance is leaving her with a hefty tax bill that could’ve been avoided. 

Related: Employers Are Messing With 401(k) Matches Again, and It Could Spell Trouble for the Future

A recent post by the finance website24/7 Wall Street details how a 67-year-old woman, a few years from retirement, is now facing a decision about how to best access the money her parents left when they passed. The inherited 401(k) is subject to the SECURE Act, which went into effect January 1st, 2020. This law only gives her 10 years to withdraw all of the money from the account. 

As a non-spouse beneficiary, she can technically roll this 401(k) into an Inherited Roth IRA, but it will immediately trigger taxes. Her only options are to either make maximum draws now while she’s still working or take IRS-mandated annual minimum draws now, ramping up those draws once she retires to minimize her lifetime tax bill.

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Our beneficiary makes $310,000 a year working part-time at a consulting firm. If she begins the draw now, taking $62,000 a year, she will end up paying around $217,000 in taxes at her marginal rate of 35%. If she takes the minimum required draw now and waits until she retires for the rest, her income will reduce, and she’ll drop into a lower tax bracket, where she’ll pay an effective rate of about 20% (collapsing her into the 22% and 24% brackets), totaling around $124,000.

While the second option saves her nearly $93,000 in taxes, she’s still paying a large tax bill on money her parents worked hard to save for her. The situation isn’t great, but there's a way to safeguard against this issue. 

Related: The 2026 RMD Rule Change That Could Trigger a Massive Tax Bill for Certain Retirees

A Roth IRA is a tax wrapper; it can be invested as aggressively as any other account, only it can serve as a tax haven when it comes time to withdraw. Had her parents rolled the traditional 401(k) into a Roth IRA when they were alive, then named her the beneficiary, she’d be in a much better position. 

Hindsight is 20/20, but you can benefit from their mistake. If your plan is to live off of some investment accounts while setting others up to leave to your children, help them avoid large tax bills by converting the funds into accounts like a Roth IRA. If that doesn't sound like a good idea, you can consult a financial advisor for what will work best for your family.

By safeguarding your hard-earned funds against large tax bills under new laws, your children can keep more of the money you worked so hard to save for them.

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

A new report from Northwestern Mutual highlights that many people plan to rely on their parents when it comes time to retire. According to Northwestern Mutual's 2025 Planning & Progress Study, a whopping 69 percent of one generation say they are relying on inheritance money to fund their golden years.

However, it sounds like only a small portion of those people expect to see any money from their parents, suggesting just how precarious an entire generation's retirement plans seem to be.

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An entire generation of people is hoping that mom and dad leave them a fat bank account when they die, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2025 Planning & Progress Study. Those interviewed as part of the survey said that inheritance would be a "critical" or "highly critical" part of their retirement plan, which was significantly more than the 57 percent who said the same across all age groups.

However, there is a hiccup in this plan for many, since only 26 percent of Millennials think they will actually receive any money. That's down from 32 percent in the 2024 study.

Related: There's a 'Trump Bump' Coming to Your Social Security Payment. Here's What That Means

Those Millennials hoping to get some help from their parents when it's time to clock out for good may be surprised by how much money they'll need. According to the study, Americans believe that $1.26 million is the magic number for retirement, and depending on when they start saving, they'll have to sock away a lot of money to get there in time.

For example, Northwestern Mutual says someone who starts saving in their 20s will only need to put away $330 a month to hit that target, while someone who doesn't start saving until their 50s will need to put $3,958 away a month. When you consider that Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, we fall somewhere in between, at 30 to 45 years old.

According to the study, this means that this generation would need to start putting away $695 to $1,547 a month to save up enough to retire without help from mom and dad. As many of us currently in this age range know, that's next to impossible to do. So, what does that mean for Millennials with no other retirement prospects? According to RBC Wealth Management, you should start doing whatever you can as early as possible.

Related: Seniors Are Rethinking These 3 Popular Retirement States—Here’s Why

The wealth management company says it's better to sock away a large chunk at an earlier age so that you can take advantage of compounding interest. So, even if you don't have much of a nest egg right now, starting something today can be more beneficial than waiting until you're more financially secure.

Additionally, the wealth management company says you should max out your company match whenever possible, then use whatever you have left to tackle debts like student loans. While it may not seem like all of that will add up over time, especially if you're only able to chip away at these things starting right now, it sounds like even a little bit can make a big difference if you start early enough.

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