Parade

Fans of anything "nerdy"—from DC and Marvel to, of course, Star Wars—know just how exciting San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is, not only when it comes to fan events, panels with some of the industry's biggest actors and autographs/photo ops, but also with the massive halls full of must-have items.

In fact, while most conventions have vendors who are selling toys, collectibles, apparel and more linked to various fandoms, SDCC is especially known for offering brand-new merch, sold exclusively at the event. Now, one very popular brand associated with these fan-favorite franchises has revealed their Star Wars items exclusively for sale at this year's SDCC, and anyone who loves the galaxy far, far away won't want to miss them.

Parade can exclusively share that pop culture merchandiser Bioworld Merchandising, the parent company of the consumer-facing entertainment brand Heroes & Villains, is specifically debuting a wide array of officially licensed Star Wars merch, including items that feature some very familiar faces from Star Wars' most recent film, The Mandalorian and Grogu—and, yes, that includes the beloved "Baby Yoda."

Among those items are enamel pins and a t-shirt of Grogu hugging an Anzellan, the hilarious creatures who call him a "bad baby" (and—spoiler alert—save his life) in the new movie. As true SDCC exclusives, these items will be available only on the convention floor, at the Lucasfilm Pavilion (Booth #2913).

Bioworld's Star Wars SDCC merch includes a range of other must-haves, from additional apparel and pins to bags and accessories. Among them are a stunning canvas bomber jacket and two hard shell suitcases, one depicting Grogu, and the other featuring Din Djarin's Mandalorian helmet design.

In a statement to Parade, Heroes & Villains Creative Director and Brand Manager Doug Johnson said, "We were thrilled to see Grogu and the Mandalorian make their big screen debut this year, and we wanted to celebrate with a full collection of apparel, bags and accessories inspired by their journey."

Bioworld's Senior Director of Marketing and Intellectual Property, Jason Mayes, additionally stated, "This year, we celebrate 10 years engaging with fans at SDCC in the Lucasfilm Pavilion. Our partnership with Lucasfilm in San Diego has been a crucial element to our growth and success. Heroes & Villains is a staple booth installation in the Pavilion, and we look forward to giving the fans what they want for years to come."

SDCC 2026 will run from July 23-26. If you're not headed to San Diego Comic-Con this year, though, fear not. Plenty of other Star Wars merchandise, as well as items from a wide range of fandoms, can be found on the Heroes & Villains website.

One of my favorite McDonald’s eras was the 2000s, a nostalgic time when snack wraps and salads reigned supreme, finished with a perfect touch of dressing.

And in 2026, we're headed back to the glory days, as McDonald's officially unveiled Caesar as the "sauce of the summer."

Caesar sauce, described as a "creamy, savory parmesan blend infused with subtle notes of lemon and garlic that’s bright, flavorful, and fresh," will be on the menu starting July 21st for a limited time only.

That means if you want to order like it's the 2000s, you've got to act fast.

"With Caesar’s arrival, fans have another reason to grab their favorite chicken items from McDonald’s. Because when you add Caesar, it’s basically a salad, right?" the press release noted.

With the three suggested pairings, you can get the taste of salad without actually having to order one.

Instead, you can opt for the Bacon Caesar McCrispy, which boasts a McCrispy filet topped with tangy Caesar-style sauce, thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, crispy onions, and crinkle-cut pickles on a toasted potato roll.

Fans of the snack wrap are in luck, as the Caesar Snack Wrap, with a McCrispy Strip topped with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and the new creamy, savory Caesar sauce wrapped in a tortilla, will also be available nationally for $2.99.

And if you're in a dipping mood, you'll be able to grab the "now crispier" McCripsy Strips, which have been upgraded with new panko breading, along with the Caesar sauce for a perfect combo.

Caesar sauce has appeared in salads and speciality items in the past; it has never been a main character, so there’s never been a better time to try the standalone sauce. 

McDonald's has been delivering out-of-this-world new offerings to entice customers, with the new BT21 Happy Meal arriving at participating locations nationwide on July 14 for a limited time. The collaboration ties into BT21, the character franchise created through a partnership between BTS and Line Friends.

And earlier this month, the fast-food franchise brought back a staple '60s item with the original Fried Apple Pie making its way back to menus, filled with 100% American-grown apples, “wrapped in the same golden crunch and flaky fried crust frans remember.”

Next, McDonald’s Confirms Return of a ’60s Classic for a Limited Time—and a 35-Foot Route 66 Tribute

Kyle Fraser and Kamilla Karthigesu are no strangers to partnerships. After all, while they came from two totally different walks of life when stepping foot on the beach in Survivor's 48th season, they quickly found common ground over their shared Guyanese heritage and similar interests. And, soon after, the two were able to fill in the holes in each other's gameplay, while simultaneously evading the competition's attention. The result: One of the most successful pairs in Survivor history, able to pull off some of the biggest moves through subterfuge and obscuring their own tight relationship, making it all the way to the Final Four. Kamilla's game would unfortunately stop there, but Kyle would go on to take home the win the very next day.

Only one year later, Kyle and Kamilla both returned to Fiji to compete on the milestone Survivor 50. And, while they would never end up reuniting in the game, when they returned stateside, they made up for lost time. Leveling up their jungle partnership to the concrete jungle of New York, the two are launching "Paprclip," a new social accountability app. First announced in mid-May, it allows you to connect with another person to propose goals, build habits, complete spontaneous challenges, and document your progress together. Almost emblematic of the pair's own dynamic, it marries two very different ideas, combining a push for productivity via "virtual body doubling" with gamification and daily achievements. Paprclip was recently admitted into the Next Wave Fund, a joint initiative run by Kickstarter and Google which has pledged $10,000 to getting it off the ground.

With the Kickstarter for Paprclip officially open, Kyle and Kamilla talk with Parade about how the idea came to be, merging two very different concepts into one app, and what has surprised them the most about getting into the world of tech startups.

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

Talk to me about how the idea for Paprclip came to be. Who wants to take credit for it?
Kyle Fraser: I will take the credit. My wife Maggie was at a bachelorette party; I was at home watching cartoons because my wife was away. I saw a paper, I saw a cartoon character using a paper clip in a very violent manner, and I was like, "That's not what paper clips are for. They're supposed to like bring things together." I was like, "Wow, Paper Clip, that sounds like a good business name. What could that do?" And then I literally sort of reverse-engineered the idea from the name in my head and started to think more critically about it, and was like, "This is a great idea, but I don't have any of the skill sets or tools to do this." And then talk to Kamilla, and now here we are.

Kamilla, what was your reaction when Kyle approached you with this idea?
Kamilla Karthigesu: It's funny because this isn't actually the first time Kyle approached me with a thing, a little problem where he wanted to code something. Shortly after 48 we were thinking about making the game together, and Kyle also fully fleshed out idea for the game. But what was funny about that was that we both couldn't keep pushing each other on that because we were going through the casting process for 50, but didn't want to tell each other. So we were both like, "Oh yeah, that sounds good, that sounds good." But we couldn't commit to it. And then we both realized, "Oh, we're on 50, that's why neither of us can commit to this thing." So when we came back, and he was like, "I've got this idea," I'm like, "Alright, I have free time. I like the idea, because I actually need an app like this. So damn, let's do this!"

In your video introducing Paprclip, you seem to each talk about different things you want out of the app. While Kamilla talks about gamifying and creating achievements for your tasks, Kyle speaks about wanting to do too much and wanting a way to track things. So how were you able to merge these two ideas into one app?
Kyle: That is really a good question. To answer that, you have to talk about the two different sorts of wings of the app. The wing of the app that we started with was just a habit tracker. Just think of it as a shared habit tracker, where you're creating shared habits, like "run a mile one time per week." And you're exchanging clips as you're doing those habits to keep each other accountable. And then there are also goals in that process as well. So, you could have long-term goals instead of daily or weekly habits that you're checking off together.

And that was sort of how the app started. It was this sort of base in which it was just a productivity app, you did things together, habits and goals, and you shared clips and remained accountable. And then we talked about it, and we're like, "That's kind of boring." Although I think that's a really great function, and I think that it's something that a lot of people could use, like Kamilla mentioned, we were like, "We need to make sure that users get how this app works." We need to show them why it's important. So, on top of that sort of personalized goals and habits wing we created daily challenges. If you and I get into a "paprclip," right from day one we're going to have randomized daily challenges that are sort of predicated on positive psychology, like "compliment a stranger," "call your mom," "do 10 jumping jacks in public." Things to get you out of your comfort zone.

And you have to record them. You have to do the photo or the video, you can do that recording however you want to. But that daily challenge wing of the app is really kind of what will show the users how to use it in a more long-term manner, and also why it's really important and why it works. So long way of saying we have those two wings of the app. And when I brought up the daily challenges to Kamilla, the first thing that she said that really kind of intrigued me was, "It almost sounds like you have two different apps. How do we like marry these two things?" And that's been like one of the biggest parts of this process.

Kamilla: Yeah, I mean, as soon as you came up to me with dailies, I was like, "Oh man, actually using this app is gonna take my life away." I am a sucker to dailies. I have apps that I open on my phone for like 20 minutes every day, not because I need to, but because there's a daily I know I have to complete. What is the consequence on my actual life? I have no idea, but I do them anyway.

Photo courtesy of Paprclip

Related: 11 People Who Could Host ‘Survivor’ After Jeff Probst

I think something important to clarify, as you mentioned, Kyle, is that Paprclip isn't specifically for work-based activities. It can extend to many elements of your daily life as well.
Kyle: It's really tough. Because I like to pride myself in, if it's one thing, it is explaining things or selling an idea. But for the past three months, even though I think this product is phenomenal, I think it's gonna do a lot of good for people, it's hard to synthesize it down into one specific aspect. And I think that's a tough thing, but I think it's a hurdle that we can get over. And once people realize that you really can use it in so many different spaces, I think it'll make the product what it is.

I hate to do the Survivor thing. But in Survivor, we were both well-rounded players, and I feel like this is like a well-rounded app. Of course, people are going to try to shoehorn it into sort of a fitness realm, but I think there's a wellness realm. I think there's so many use cases for this, for academics, kids doing homework, ranging to college with people being in study groups. I've been doing physical therapy, and going to physical therapy for the past 11 months, and I'm motivated to get better, but a lot of people aren't. I've been in physical therapy years prior, where I didn't do the exercises. When I went home, I didn't do the things that I was told to do to remain accountable to my physical therapist.

And then even like in early parenthood, we just had our first kid a month ago. And my wife's two best friends from high school, one of them had her firstborn week before us, and the other one is due to have their kid in about three to four weeks. And things like getting outside, going on mom walks, doing really intentional things in so many different spaces that I think this app could capture. I remember watching kids when I was teaching with "snap streaks." They just want to keep that streak alive. They would take a picture of the floor. So I think it'll be used a lot of different routes.

The video also makes mention that you consulted clinical psychologists in the making of the app. Talk to me more about that.
Kyle: There's a tentative sort of psychology called positive psychology, where it looks at happiness. They look at sort of the things that make an individual happy, positive relationships, accomplishments, things like that. We have one clinical psychologist who's been advising on this for quite some time with a couple people under him. And we're trying to think of these daily challenges and the way in which the app is used in a way that can hit on all of those different aspects of positive psychology.

We use the PERMA model, which is Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Our app hits on literally every single one of those tenets. And as we're sort of thinking about the daily challenges that are integrated into the day-to-day, and also what those longer-term relationships look like with the goals and habits, we're making sure that our psychologist is looking at all of those things and making sure that it hits all those marks.

Is this intended to be an app to connect with strangers, like many social media platforms? Or is it primarily for people in your inner circle?
Kamilla: At the moment, it's people that you already know, because you'll form like a "paper clip" or a group with these people. But that's just phase one of the app. We obviously have room to grow, and we can sort of build whatever we want. We have the skills to add whatever you want to the app. If we want to do friend discovery or see people who are looking to accomplish similar goals as you, we can make that a thing. There are many options. It's limitless.

What surprised each of you the most about building Paprclip?
Kamilla: I've worked on mobile apps and stuff like that, so that's not too bad. What surprised me the most about this process is I haven't been at a very small startup. I think the smallest company I've ever worked for might have been 60 people. Here, 10 people are getting done in such a small amount of time. I'm like, "Damn, why do big companies exist?!" Kyle's doing so much, and this isn't even his specialty. He's a lawyer! But the amount of good design feedback that everyone's able to give, and good UX, UI feedback, branding feedback. It's been amazing to see everyone work together, despite there only being like 10 of us.

Kyle: How easy it is to make an idea come to life. When I thought of the idea, like the initial hurdle was, like Kamilla said, I don't have any of the history here. I don't have any of the skill set to sort of like execute on this. But after talking with Kamilla, we hired a design contractor that, for like three months, we're just going back and forth with them on what this should look like, how these features should look. We had a very drafted document, a very extensive document, outlining all the features. But it's sort of a collaborative and ongoing process where you're tweaking things over time, and it's just been really cool to see this come to life.

I've always thought of myself as a creative person, and it's really just been such a creative endeavor. I used to write short stories; I still want to write short stories. But this has been a really cool way of building this world in a way, and seeing it go from design and sketches on a napkin at some points to actual screens that Kamilla is literally breathing life into. So I think it's been really illuminating to see what you can do.

And the last thing I'll say on that too is we're not using AI. We have real designers and real developers. You'll see so many people on social media and on these websites being like, "You could build anything with Claude or Lovable" or things like that, and it's just not the case. What we're doing right now, you really need people to work on it for so many different reasons. I actually don't think that those AI tools could actually build what we're building right now. It's really weird, but also gratifying to be building something at a time where everyone else is using automation to try to build whatever it is they're doing.

Related: 'Survivor' Winner Dee Valladares Makes Reality TV History With Shocking 'Big Brother 28' Twist

When you think of Brian Wilson’s musical genius, masterpieces like "God Only Knows" or "Good Vibrations" automatically come to mind.

But if you asked the legendary Beach Boys mastermind himself to name one of the proudest achievements of his career, his answer might completely surprise you. Tucked away on the band’s 1977 album The Beach Boys Love You is a deeply personal ballad that Wilson wrote and called one of his favorites.

"The Night Was So Young" was ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of Wilson's 25 Best Songs. Although it is a Wilson-written song, he did not sing it. Rather, he handed vocal duties over to his brother, Carl Wilson.

In a 2009 interview, Wilson told American Songwriter, "Summer Days and Summer Nights and The Beach Boys Love You are two of my favorites. Summer Days and Summer Nights has a really good horn sound to it, really good rockin’ tracks…really good rock and roll music."

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

"The Beach Boys Love You had a lot of really nice stuff on it. 'Ding Dang' was my favorite from that. I wrote that with Roger McGuinn. I also like 'The Night Was So Young.'"

Wilson later told Record Collector that the LP was special because of that particular song. He stated, "Why do I like it so much? I guess it has to do with the instrumentation of it, the vocals, the lyrics; they were all really good. That’s the album where I really got into the Mini-Moog. It creates a funky, fuzzy sound. That’s what the Moog is famous for. I used that all over the record."

Rolling Stone shared the following details on why the song was included in its ranking of Wilson's greatest songs. "The original title was Brian Wilson Loves You, since it’s a solo album in everything but name. Wilson wrote nearly every song himself and played practically all the instruments, including a state-of-the-art synthesizer. The highlight is the gentle ballad 'The Night Was So Young.'"

Wilson's daughter, Carnie Wilson, shared her father's affection for the song in a Facebook post dated 2025. She said in the post's caption, "'The Night Was So Young.' My daddy's favorite song he ever wrote."

Beach Boys Love You was remastered and released in February 2026 as the centerpiece of the box set, We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years.

Related: 1966 Haunting Masterpiece Brian Wilson Called the ‘Crowning Achievement’ of His Career

More than three decades after Married…with Children became one of television's most iconic sitcoms, the cast remains as close as ever. According to David Faustino, fans may not have to wait much longer for a long-planned reunion.

Appearing on the latest episode of the Pod Meets Worldpodcast, Faustino, 52, shared an encouraging update about former co-star Christina Applegate while explaining why a previously planned cast reunion was put on hold.

The actor, who played Bud Bundy throughout the show's 11-season run, said after the success of the first talkback, they were set up to do another one. But unfortunately, that was "put on hold for a little while."

Then Faustino shared an encouraging update about Applegate's health and the future of the pending Netflix reunion special.

"She's doing much better," he said. "It's just a postponement, and it will be coming—I think late fall is what we're looking at."

Applegate, 54, who portrayed Kelly Bundy, revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then, she has spoken candidly about the physical and emotional challenges of living with the autoimmune disease while continuing to advocate for others facing similar diagnoses.

After pitching Ed O'Neill to do an on-stage talkback with fans instead of a meet-and-greet (something the 80-year-old actor wasn't too interested in, preferring a "barrier" between himself and the fans), Faustino spoke about getting Applegate, 54, and Katey Sagal on board for such an event.

"They were a little bit more difficult to get on board," he said. "He was immediately like, 'Let's do this, let's have fun.'"

That event raised money for the Race to Erase MS charity, something Faustino has been attending for 33 years now.

"It was before Christina was diagnosed—I've been a huge part of that when it was a race," the actor continued, speaking about the history of the race, which has since become a gala.

Faustino also emphasized that the Married…with Children cast has remained remarkably close in the decades since the series ended in 1997.

In fact, Faustino said his friendship with Applegate has only grown stronger over the years, noting that the cast continues to support one another both personally and professionally.

For longtime fans, Faustino's update offers hope that one of television's most beloved sitcom families will soon reunite once again.

RELATED: 36 Years Ago, the Garth Brooks Song Many Fans Call His Greatest Reached No. 1

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 give your bedroom a summery refresh without the cost and chaos of a full makeover? Swapping out your bedding is always a great place to start because it requires minimal effort while setting the tone for the whole room. As we enter the hottest segment of summer, many shoppers are embracing quilts as a lightweight alternative comforters — and shoppers said JCPenney's Linery Striped Paisley Reversible Quilt Set is an option that delivers on both style and comfort.

Available in twin, queen/full, and king sizes, the $70 collection now starts at just $29 when you apply the code 26SUMMER. That's a great deal for a set with nearly 800 glowing five-star reviews! Buyers have overwhelmingly praised the "light and airy" construction and the vintage-style striped paisley design, even calling it a "perfect summer quilt."

Courtesy of JCPenney

Shoppers can choose from either light blue or gray hues. The quilts are reversible, so you can flip them whenever the mood strikes. The set's elegant yet playful pattern can work with a wide variety of decor styles and aesthetics, from farmhouse to coastal cottage. The twin set comes with a quilt and matching sham, while the two larger collections come with a quilt and two shams, instantly giving your bed a pulled-together look. Style the set with textured throw pillows, mix it with your favorite sheets, or let it be the star of the show.

Beyond its good looks, fans have fallen in love with how the set feels. The quilt is crafted from soft, airy microfiber and filled with a plush down-alternative polyester. Reviewers raved about how light it is, making it perfect for those who don't want their bedding to weigh them down. Whether you're curling up on a chilly night or catching a nap on a warm afternoon, it adapts to your needs. It's machine washable, too, so maintenance is easy.

"This is super cute and lightweight," one shopper noted. "[It] will be great for the summer. It is light enough that you could definitely throw it on top of another blanket in the winter."

• Thermaplus Duo Vice Versa Blackout Curtain Panel, $48 (was $120) at JCPenney
• Martha Stewart Westchester Blackout Curtain Panel, $35 (was $95) at JCPenney
• Home Expressions Maisey Comforter Set, $40 (was $95) at JCPenney

Related: Clarks' 'Comfy' Slide Sandals Feel Like 'Walking on Clouds,' and They’re Just $27 at JCPenney

With its retro-inspired design, effortless comfort, and hard-to-beat price point, it's no wonder this $29 quilt set is a JCPenney customer favorite. If you want to refresh your space with the renovation headache, don't miss your chance to snag this quilt set while it's on sale.

Don't miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team's curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Bachelorette alum Joe Amabile has shared some serious health news with fans.

Amabile underwent a Prenuvo scan -- as many of his friends have done -- and was likely going to share his experience with his social media followers to promote the health company. Prenuvo is a whole-body MRI that is designed to screen for more than 500 conditions, including early-stage tumors.

What Amabile didn't expect was for the scan to find a lesion in his brain.

"So, a little medical update," Amabile said in a video posted to social media on July 13. "I didn't share my Prenuvo results because they ended up finding a lesion in my brain."

Amabile, who is also known to Bachelor Nation as "Grocery Store Joe," said that he underwent a brain MRI that showed a blueberry-sized lesion that appears to be a glioma. According to the Mayo Clinic, gliomas can be benign or malignant. Amabile will need to undergo brain surgery to remove the tumor and have it tested.

"It's been a wild couple weeks," Amabile said. "I definitely wasn't expecting this." He received dozens of supportive comments from friends and fans alike, many wishing him the best as he awaits the next steps.

"Sending all the love and support brother. Can’t wait to play a round of golf when you’re all better," said former "Bachelor" lead Joey Graziadei.

"You got this Joe! Stay strong brother," wrote "Bachelorette" alum Tyler Cameron.

"Sending prayers and love man," added "Bachelorette" alum Jason Tartick.

Amabile also received support from his Dancing With the Stars family, including his Season 27 partner, Jenna Johnson.

"Omg Joe! Sending you all the love and support," Johnson commented.

Amabile made his reality television debut on Season 14 of The Bachelorette. Though he didn't find love with Becca Kufrin (he was sent home night one), fans of the show fell in love with him and he's become one of the most popular reality stars to come out of the franchise. He met his now-wife, Serena Pitt, on Bachelor in Paradise. The couple wed in 2022.

After a seven-year hiatus from social media, James Franco made a dramatic return, teasing that some shocking information had been "thrust upon" him and promising a major revelation. Instead, fans were left scratching their heads.

In June, Franco began posting cryptic videos claiming he had spotted aliens on his property and promising the truth would soon be revealed. July 13 was billed as the day he'd finally share his proof of extraterrestrial life.

"I saw something, and I thought, you know what? I can't keep this quiet," Franco said in a video posted to TikTok and Instagram. "I need to get this out for that very reason that people are trying to stop me."

When the footage finally dropped, it featured grainy black-and-white clips of an alien-like figure wandering outside his home, leaving many viewers decidedly unimpressed.

Several people were frustrated that weeks of buildup amounted to what they believed was a staged video. "Seriously?? We waited for this??" one person wrote, while another added, "the alien just happens to know exactly where to look at every camera?"

Someone else joked, "at least you didn't use AI thanks for that."

Others assumed the campaign was simply a marketing stunt for an upcoming project. "I hope your film does well because this is infuriating," one person commented.

Franco largely stepped away from Hollywood after multiple women, including former students at his acting school, accused him of sexual misconduct and abusing his position of power. He settled a class-action lawsuit for $2.2 million in 2021 and later acknowledged having relationships with students, admitting the significant power imbalance. The controversy also ended his longtime friendship and creative partnership with Seth Rogen.

Rogen recently shared that he hasn't spoken to Franco in a long time.

“I honestly think the nuance of it is too personal for me to get into right now,” Rogen told The New York Times when asked if he'd ever work with Franco again.

“It is a very personal thing. There’s the public-facing side of it, which I’ve spoken about, and I have the same stance publicly that I’ve had, and I think the proof is in the pudding — I have not worked with him in years,” he added. “But the personal side of it is just so nuanced, and it involves people that I don’t know if I should be dragging into this. I don’t know what I would benefit from getting deeply into it. Nothing has changed since the last time I talked about all this, and I haven’t worked with him in a really long time, and I have no plans to.”

Collider recently put together a list of the best movies of 2026 that you haven’t heard of yet. Blue Heron, a drama that was written and directed by Sophy Romvari, took the number one spot on the list. The film was theatrically released in the United States in 2026 and won the Best Canadian Discovery Award at the Toronto International Film Festival as well as the Swatch First Feature Award at the Locarno Film Festival.

The story follows “the memories of Sasha, the young daughter of a Hungarian immigrant family who relocate to Vancouver Island and deal with the increasingly dangerous behavioral issues of their oldest son, Jeremy.”

Related: 1939 Crime Novel, Named One of the Best Mystery Books of All Time, Was Adapted for Film Twice

When Romvari spoke during an episode of IndieWire’s “Filmmaker Toolkit” podcast, she said, “I really wanted to show someone trying to unravel their own life.” She also revealed that the film is semi-autobiographical, inspired by her late brother.

“The mystery of [Jeremy in the film] is important because I think it’s significant to anyone who has had a person like this in their family to address the fact that you can’t always know them,” she explained. “You can’t actually access who they are because sometimes people don’t want to be seen or understood. They don’t allow you in, and that’s part of what my experience was, just the frustration of never really having access and never really understanding.”

Related: Two 'Seinfeld' Stars Are Competing on a Classic Game Show This Summer

She continued, “I really wanted it to feel also like one of those conversations that you’ve had with your parents a thousand times. She asks, ‘What do you think is wrong with Jeremy? Why do you think he’s like this?’ And then, 20 years goes by, and they’re still having that same conversation."

Blue Heron currently has a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. As one reviewer said, “Blue Heron felt incredibly intimate and real to me. A tender, heartbreaking look at grief that lets the quiet moments breathe instead of overexplaining every emotion.” Another said, “Very realistic portrayal of mental illness in a young person and how it affects an entire family. Brilliant directing, cinematography, acting.”

With airlines steadily hiking up checked bag fees, sticking to a tight carry-on strategy is usually the gold standard of modern travel. But let’s be honest—sometimes checking a bag is completely non-negotiable. Whether you are traveling for a formal wedding, heading to a major multi-day conference, or mapping out a long-term move, there are moments when you simply need the extra physical space.

In those moments, you want a hardshell style that doesn’t require you to fold your wardrobe into chaotic, Jenga-like geometric layouts. You want to arrive in style, which means taking a direct page out of Martha Stewart’s book and embracing the classic rolling trunk.

During a conversation we had back when she was the keynote speaker for the Kohler Food & Wine Festival, Martha admitted to me that she is famously not a light traveler. "When I go on a trip, there are breakfasts, lunches, dinners, events—maybe a speaking engagement, a commercial to make, social media stuff, a TikTok to create—so I have to pack a lot of different outfits," she shared.

As for her luggage of choice? She swears by a great big Rimowa trunk on wheels because it holds almost everything. Her method is exactly as meticulous as you’d expect: she keeps her shoes in individual bags on one side, while the other side is reserved for outfits packed directly on hangers inside dry-cleaner plastic bags. By folding them simply back and forth inside the deep trunk, nothing ever gets wrinkled, allowing her to hang them straight up in her hotel closet the second she arrives.

Related: Martha Stewart Reveals Her Chic Travel Routine—And the One Thing She Won’t Pack

If you've been eyeing that exact high-end trunk silhouette but don't want to drop four figures on designer baggage, Quince has apparently been listening. The factory-direct brand just launched its brand-new Trunk Check-In Suitcase, offering a similar ultra-deep, vertical trunk aesthetic for a fraction of the price.

Unlike a traditional hardshell suitcase that splits evenly down the middle, this style features a specialized 30/70 clamshell opening. The layout gives you an incredibly deep bottom vault that makes it effortless to replicate Martha's hanger method or pack bulky, odd-shaped items like heavy boots and styling tools without wrestling the zipper shut.

The interior is lined with a smart compression panel to maximize your space, alongside a removable laundry bag to keep your worn clothes separate from your clean wardrobe. What really makes the trunk a total standout is its massive 103L capacity. That is more than double the volume of a standard carry-on, giving you enough designated space to comfortably pack 17 to 20 full outfits—which is more than enough to get you through a month-long trip.

Related: Quince's New Seasonal Carry-On is the Perfect Pop of Color for Your Summer Travel Capsule

The trunk is built from the exact same ultra-durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate shell as Quince's award-winning carry-on, meaning it can easily handle the rough-and-tumble transit of airport baggage belts. It also glides like absolute butter on high-performance 360-degree spinner wheels and features a smooth, telescopic trolley handle, YKK zippers, and a TSA-approved lock.

Measuring 31.1 inches high by 16.14 inches wide and 13 inches deep, the tall, narrow profile is an absolute lifesaver for navigating tight train aisles, car trunks and crowded hotel rooms. It’s also a highly comfortable layout for taller travelers to wheel around. While some early reviewers have noted they wish the 103L interior featured an expandable zipper layout for even more leeway, the overall consensus is that the build quality is stellar.

Currently, the trunk is available in classic, timeless shades of black, navy and dark green and goes for just $219.90. While we are crossed-fingers hoping to see them introduce some of their viral seasonal shades down the line—like Amalfi Yellow or Emerald Green—this sleek, unbulky trunk is easily the smartest, most stylish way to upgrade your checked-bag game before your next big journey.

Related: I Went on a Mediterranean Cruise With Just a Carry-on—These 8 Quince Pieces Let Me Blend in Like a Local

Selena Gomez's mom, Mandy Teefey, is seemingly hinting at tension with her daughters.

In a cryptic Instagram post shared on Sunday, July 12, the 50-year-old businesswoman and film producer appeared to hint at a family rift.

"My greatest accomplishments, love me or not. They are the coolest. I one day they will see what a bad ass I am and love me back as much as I love them," Mandy wrote under a picture of Selena, 33, and younger daughter Gracie, 13. "I’m just mom. Who never gives up when they throw me in the trash. I tell ya mom you’re doing it wrong, maybe so, we will see. But no matter what I got your back."

In the comment section, fans immediately urged Mandy to take her family issues offline.

"WTF, Mandy. If you’re having issues with them, you shouldn’t post this on social media," wrote one commenter. "People will take it out of context and keep hating on Selena. I don’t know what’s going on, but go talk to your daughter instead of creating drama."

To that user, Mandy responded, "girl. It’s typically moms not cool joke. Calm down. lol."

Mandy shares Selena with ex Ricardo Gomez and Gracie with her husband Brian Teefey. She previously came under media scrutiny in the fall of 2025 when The Cut ran a piece detailing alleged issues at her and Selena's mental-health start-up Wondermind.

Employees who spoke to the magazine claimed Mandy exhibited "erratic behavior," including angry outbursts, and went through phases of sleeping in her office.

Mandy seemingly addressed that controversy in Sunday's Instagram post, as the second photo in the carousel featured a Barbie doll, with smeared makeup, peeking through a trash can with the caption, "Me when I have to run the business I manifested."

Selena has not addressed her mother's social media post nor the allegations against Wondermind.

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

When you get the opportunity to win a grand fortune, you’re going to take it, right? That’s exactly what four women vie for in No One Leaves the Manor, but they soon find that they may not even get to leave with their lives!

Those in need for a good YA horror need to look no further. Kelly McWilliams is back with a story that is perfect for those who love Their Vicious Games and The Finalists, bringing a competition-esque series packed with social issues and a deadly monster lurking in the shadows.

Parade has the opportunity to reveal an excerpt for No One Leaves the Manor, which is available from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers as of today, and it certainly sets the tone for one of the women fighting for her life, Dorothea.

Set in 1921, we follow a white-passing Black conwoman and three white debutantes as they get the opportunity of a lifetime. Mrs. Caroline Kane is the last surviving family member of Greystone Manor. Not only does she have the New Hampshire estate to pass on, but there’s also the vast oil fortune.

Since she has no children of her own, she decides to invite four women to see if they are worthy of the inheritance. Dorothea, who we get to meet in the excerpt below, is a thief, but she has another reason to want to be at Greystone: her mother vanished from that estate years earlier.

Then there’s Vaughn, who was born for the heiress life, Birdie, who has no idea why she’s been invited, and Elspeth, who is described as “pretty as a peach, dim as a doorknob.” However, while Elspeth may seem dim, she sees things others can’t, and maybe, just maybe, she is the key to solving the sinister creature that lurks in the walls of the house, the one that doesn’t want any of them to leave alive.

No One Leaves the Manor is unputdownable, and it’s set to be the perfect addition to your Summerween plans. Just take a look at this thrilling excerpt:

Chapter 1

DOROTHEA

“It’s so odd that I’ve never seen you before,” says the boy—so unwise—who let Dorothea Williams into his mother’s powder room the night of the Du Pont family’s New Year’s Eve party, where she’s currently rummaging through his mother’s jewelry case, smiling at her great good fortune: pearls, lapis lazuli, and a diamond ring.

Dorothea stuffs them all down the front of her brassiere, moving quick and clean, like Chester taught her. The boy isn’t particularly bright, but his parents could stumble upstairs any moment, and Dorothea’s not eager to see the inside of the McKinley Women’s Reformatory for Coloreds ever again.

“I mean,” the Du Pont boy slurs, voice muffled through the door, “I thought I knew every pretty girl in Boston. But you’re something else. Something special.”

With a fistful of gold watch chain, Dor rolls her eyes. Rich boys.

Brunette or blond—or, rarely, redheaded—these sons of bankers, financiers, and stock market traders are always, somehow, exactly the same. It’s almost too easy to smile at them winningly, convincing them she’s very much interested in a handsy kiss in a closet. Convincing them she belongs—which she certainly does not.

Though it would shock Thomas Du Pont III (or was it the IV?) to know it, Dorothea Williams hasn’t been invited to this sumptuous party inside a millionaire’s townhome. She knows no one here because she isn’t a debutante—she’s a thief. And that’s how she prefers it. There’s nothing she despises more than a pampered, helpless deb.

Brassiere fully stuffed, Dor slips a bangle over her wrist. Thomas is so drunk, she doubts he’ll notice.

In her heart, an invisible watch ticks: Hurry, little rabbit. Time’s running out.

Oh, but on her right is Mrs. Du Pont’s glorious closet, stuffed with furs. Dor’s always wanted a glamorous fur—something with a bright satin lining. And wouldn’t it only be prudent to snatch one while she has the chance? With the right clothes, a person can walk through any door. Be anything.

Quickly (but clean, Dor, keep it clean!), she darts into the closet and lifts a silver fox fur from its hanger. It’s impossible to hide the elegant thing, but everyone is terribly drunk, Prohibition be hanged. This old coat won’t sink her.

She throws it over her shoulders and returns to the mirror, admiring herself by the light of the candelabra.

Why yes, monsieur, I’m worth a cool million, at least. She crooks an eyebrow. I wear only the finest diamonds, and wouldn’t you know it—my checks always clear!

“Jane?” her mark whines, jiggling the doorknob and finding it locked. “It’s almost midnight. Haven’t you finished powdering your nose yet?”

He’s eager for his New Year’s kiss, that boy—whining with the false name she’s given him.

In the mirror, Dorothea sees “Jane” reflected: a white-looking girl with dimples and golden skin, her face framed by red-brown curls she’s pressed into submission. Her nails are polished down to the cuticles, her hair stiff with cream. She looks like any other Beacon Hill debutante on break from some vaunted finishing school—but it’s all an act.

Dor comes from another part of Boston entirely. And her people are decidedly not “finishing school” people.

Hurry, little rabbit. Time to go.

“Jane?”

“Hold your horses, Thomas! I’ll be right out!”

She whips open the door just in time to see the tuxedoed scion kick a small black cat.

Her smile burns off.

“Sorry.” He smirks. “My sister dumped Cleopatra on me before she left for Sweden. The whelp scratches.”

                  The terrified cat scrambles down the marble staircase, all slipping, panicked claws. The crowd below pays no attention. Ostrich-feathered flappers click across parquet, exposing ivory throats as they flirt and laugh. Al Jolson croons on the radio, and the New Year’s countdown has just begun, and Dor really hates these callous, thoughtless people, who’ve known nothing but comfort all their lives and can’t be bothered to lift a finger for anyone else—not even a helpless, pampered cat.

Ten! they chant. Nine!

“Wait a minute.” Thomas squints. “Is that my mother’s fur?” Hang it.

“What did you say your name was again?” Beneath his shiny flop of hair, the Du Pont heir no longer looks quite so drunk.

Eight! Seven!

“Jane,” she says sweetly.

“No.” He snaps his fingers. “Your surname. Who even invited you?”

Now she whips out her sharpest smile—double-edged, like the pin in her hair. Why not? She’s been made. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s always a thrill.

And Dorothea loves a thrill.

Six! Five!

“No one invited me,” she purrs, walking two fingers through the air like legs in heels. “I just waltzed. Right. In.”

Shock slackens Thomas’s face. She slams his mother’s door in it. Before he has a chance to recover, she wedges a bergère chair beneath the knob, barricading herself inside.

Four!

Three!

Two!

ONE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Below, the crowd erupts. It’s officially 1921 in America, and for the champagne set, at least, it promises to be a very good year.

“Jane? Open this door!”

Petulant. Why are rich boys always so petulant? They’re like eternal children in tuxedos!

She hurries to the window she cased yesterday. It overlooks a rose garden and the mansion’s curved porte cochere—what poor folks call a driveway. She shakes her matchbook from her purse (The Catfish Club, its silver letters read) and strikes one alight.

A sleek Rolls-Royce flashes its headlamps once. Twice.

Dor grins.

Thomas Du Pont batters at the door. She hears loud voices—he’s called for help. Probably the cross-eyed butler—big enough to hold her down. Now a stronger, more urgent thrill piano-jangles up her spine, because she really could go down tonight. In less than the second required to strike a match, she could plunge into the abyss, taking what’s left of her family down with her.

And yet, forcing the window open, Dorothea feels wonderfully, fearfully alive.

“We’re coming in!” the butler shouts. “Stand back! I’m armed!”

“So long, Thomas,” she sings—and clambers out the third floor window.

                  Between the sill and the drainpipe: half a foot of air.

Dor leaps, clutching at empty space…and finally at an ice-cold pipe, which she rides like a firefighter under the fear-brightened stars, whooping for glee.

The Royce growls in the driveway: Chester’s worried.

Though he first taught her to steal, her brother’s never liked it. For years now, he’s been trying to talk her out of gambits like this one, claiming it’s only a matter of time before they’re caught—but Dor disagrees.

Though she’s a Negro, she’s light enough to pass for white—and Chester’s clever enough to break them out of Fort Knox. Together, they’re the best team in Boston.

Her feet strike the cobblestones just as the bedroom window crashes open.

“STOP! THIEF!”

Like a lighthouse in a storm, Chester’s headlamps pierce the night. Dor grips the collar of her fur and runs, sprinting for her brother’s car, now perfectly angled to peel out of the driveway just as fast as the engine can fire.

Commotion in the town house behind her—doors opening, voices rising—and they have but a second to make their getaway, quick and clean, as they planned. Against her chest, the Du Pont woman’s jewelry feels awfully cold. It’ll pay their mortgage for the rest of the year, not to mention the lease on the Royce. How lovely to start the new year off on the right foot!

She’s reaching for the car door, which Chester has helpfully swung open, when out of the corner of her eye—

A black streak.

                  A furry black streak.

Dor pivots.

Chester honks, incredulous.

Too late. She’s already scooped the cat—Cleopatra—into her arms.

Thomas was right about one thing: The whelp does scratch.

But Dor isn’t about to abandon her here, surrounded by people too addled by riches to ever truly love her. Dor might be a thief, but she’s not a monster. She knows what it’s like to be left behind by the one person who was supposed to love you most. She knows what it feels like when that person disappears.

Partygoers pour out of the town house. Soon they’ll have the Royce surrounded, but Dor’s back on her game. She launches herself and the yowling cat into the back seat.

Chester stares in disbelief.

He’s wearing his best disguise: a chauffeur’s trim cap. Between that and his skin—far darker than hers—none of these people ever look at him twice. Just somebody’s driver, they think. Surely no Negro in Boston owns a Rolls-Royce.

“Is that a cat?”

Cleopatra hisses.

“Drive, Chester!” Dor shouts. “By golly, just drive!”

The Royce lurches forward, tires squealing over cobblestone.

Thomas and his friends shout in the distance, waving their arms.

Fireworks explode over Beacon Hill, red, white, and blue.

Forty horses fast, they vanish into the night.

Young quarterback Jayden Daniels took the National Football League (NFL) by storm in 2024. The Washington Commanders drafted him at No. 2 overall, and he proved he was worth it, finishing the season with a 69% pass completion percentage, rushing for nearly 900 yards and leading the Commanders to the playoffs where they made it all the way to the NFC Championship. He was crowned Offensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts.

Heading into the 2026-2027 season, fans are wondering if Daniels will keep his star quality and bring the Commanders to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1992.

So what does such a bright young star earn in the NFL these days? Here’s a look at Daniels’ net worth, as well as what he was making playing college ball. 

Related: Is Jayden Daniels Single? Why His Mother Isn't Keen on Him Having a Girlfriend

According to different sources, Jayden Daniels’ 2026 net worth falls somewhere between $2 and $10 million. Pro Football & Sports Network gives the $2 million estimate, whereas TheStreet puts his net worth in the $5-$10 million range. It’s hard to accurately estimate this early in his career. Given how much he’s making and his success so far with the Commanders, his fortune will likely continue to skyrocket.

Daniels was one of the top name, image and likeness (NIL) earners in the country before entering the NFL. His NIL valuation, according to On3, shows he was bringing in around $2.2 million per year by the end of his college career at Louisiana State University. He had deals with companies such as Raising Cane’s, Urban Outfitters, Beats by Dre and Powerade.

Daniels signed a four-year rookie contract worth $37.7 million with the Washington Commanders, all of which is fully guaranteed due to his status as a first-round draft pick. About $24.3 million of the contract is signing bonus money, and the rest is his salary paid across four years. 

If he plays at a high level, he’ll be eligible for a much more lucrative contract in 2029. 

Related: Who Is Saquon Barkley’s Fiancée? All About the Football Player’s Relationship With Anna Congdon

According to Spotrac, Daniels’ contract pays an average annual total salary of $9.4 million. But it should be noted it scales up each year, so in his rookie year, he made $795,000 in base salary and $2.5 million (2025). In 2026, he’ll make $4.2 million and in 2027 he’ll make $5.9 million. (He also has a fifth-year option for 2028, salary yet to be determined.) 

You may be wondering where that $9.4 million average came from. Well, each year his base salary is supplemented with his signing bonus. The full signing bonus is worth $24.3 million, but it’s paid out in equal chunks across the four years of his contract, meaning he receives just short of $6.1 million yearly in signing bonus money.

It’s hard to say how much Jayden Daniels is earning from endorsement deals, as the terms of those contracts are often never released. However, since we know he was making millions from NIL deals in college, he’s sure to be raking in a ton at the pro level. 

Since entering the NFL, Daniels has inked deals with Nike, Celsius and Invisalign, among others. He also still has deals with some of the brands he partnered with in college, including fast-food giant Raising Cane’s.

As a third-year quarterback, Daniels isn’t earning nearly as much as accomplished veteran quarterbacks, and especially those who have won Super Bowls. 

Patrick Mahomes, for example, who has won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a massive 10-year, $450 million contract extension in 2020 that works out to $45 million a year. Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is earning $60 million a year on a four-year, $240 million contract, and Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence are all getting $55 million a year from their current contracts.

These numbers make Daniels’ $9.4 million average yearly salary look positively puny. But the fact is, all those star quarterbacks had to play through comparatively “small” rookie contracts as well. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy only earned a cumulative $2.9 million in his first three years in the NFL. In 2025, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $265 million, boosting his yearly salary to $53 million.

All that to say, if Daniels’ health and talent persists, then he can look forward to a very impressive raise in 2029.

Related: Aaron Rodgers' Net Worth in 2026 and How Much He's Making With the Steelers

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

Building a wardrobe that works for your real life starts with reliable basics you can mix, match, and layer for any occasion. At the base of that fashion formula is a quality cami, which is one of the handiest pieces you can own.

Walmart's No Boundaries Ribbed Cami Tank Top has become a favorite among shoppers for its comfort, versatility, and extremely budget-friendly price, which is now down to just $2! With over 6,300 five-star reviews, this cami is proving to be much more than an afterthought for many wardrobes.

Courtesy of Walmart

Many shoppers mentioned picking up several colors so they always have an option ready. They’re a great choice if you're rebuilding your basics drawer or want easy, mix-and-match layers for travel. From classic neutrals in white and black to bright, fun shades like hot pink and periwinkle blue, there's something for every personal style. "I have at least one in every color," one shopper stated.

The appeal of this cute and versatile tank starts with the feel of the fabric. The specific blend of polyester, cotton, and spandex creates a ribbed texture that feels soft and flexible against the skin. It's fitted but not restrictive, with spaghetti straps and a scoop neckline that make it easy to layer or wear on its own. 

Whether you're pairing it with jeans for a casual day out, layering it under sweaters or jackets, or slipping it on with pajama pants for lounging at home, this cami can do it all.

The cami is machine washable and dries quickly, which makes it ideal for everyday wear. Its lightweight, stretchy construction fits comfortably under everything from cardigans to button-downs. It can also be worn on its own during warmer months. The generous size range goes from XX-small to XX-large.

Courtesy of Walmart

Shoppers have noted the "butter smooth" feel and how the "very comfy" and "soft" fabric holds its shape, even after multiple washes. The minimalist design, free of pockets or embellishments, gives it a clean look that works in a variety of outfits and situations. 

"They're very soft, with nice straps that stay up," another shopper stated. "They launder well and keep their shape and softness."

"I decided to buy every single color they had in my size, and I'm glad I did," one shopper stated. "They're extremely soft, they're ribbed, and they are fitted. They are really nice. I would order them now before they run out, because you will regret it."

• Free Assembly Cotton Cropped Boxy Tee, $5 (was $10) at Walmart
• Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Dome Crossbody Bag, $64 (was $289) at Walmart
• Free Assembly Allegra Faux Leather Cut Out Tote, $24 (was $30) at Walmart

Related: Designer Brandon Maxwell’s $4 Cotton Cap Sleeve Shirt at Walmart Is a ‘Cute’ Spin on a Classic Tee

Whether you're looking to fill gaps in your wardrobe or simply want a comfortable, affordable layering piece, the $2 No Boundaries cami tank top is a practical choice that many shoppers recommend. This cami is worth a try. Its comfort, color options, and price make it a smart addition to any closet.

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.

Seven decades ago, music history was rewritten in a matter of minutes.

When a 21-year-old Elvis Presley stepped up to the microphone in 1956 to record his version of the gritty blues track "Hound Dog," nobody could have predicted that the song would spend a record-breaking 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and forever change the landscape of popular music.

The track solidified his superstar status. However, its DNA belongs entirely to a pioneering R&B artist named Big Mama Thornton, who recorded the original masterpiece three years earlier.

In 1952, a pair of young, soon-to-be legendary songwriters named Jerry Leiber and Mike Stollerwrote the track specifically for Thornton's powerful, commanding voice.

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

Thornton's original version of "Hound Dog" topped the R&B charts for seven weeks and established her as a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Her track was raw, soulful, and packed an emotional punch that laid the groundwork for Presley's iconic version several years later.

Leiber shared with American Songwriter how Presley discovered the song and why his version didn't sound like Thornton's original. "He got the song from Freddie Bell & the Bellboys. He did not learn the song from Mama’s record," the songwriter explained.

He continued, "He knew her record, but it was a woman’s song and he never sang it until he heard Freddie Bell & The Bellboys in Vegas, who had distorted the song so that they could sing it."

Presley's version was recorded on July 2, 1956, and released on July 13, making the song 70 years old. Ironically, "Hound Dog" was the B-side of the single "Don't Be Cruel."

The single became one of the most successful two-sided hits in chart history. "Don't Be Cruel" reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, while "Hound Dog" simultaneously reached No. 2, according to the Elvis History Blog. While other rock giants, including The Beatles, would later release iconic double-sided singles, none shook the world quite like this historic two-sided juggernaut.

The song was included in a comprehensive list compiled by Far Out Magazine of the 660 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Also included on the list is Thornton's version.

Although Elvis Presley’s iconic 1956 cover was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the original Thornton recording is the one immortalized in the National Recording Registry for its cultural impact.

If you've seen the 2022 Elvis movie, you probably remember the scene where Big Mama Thornton (Shonka Dukureh) belts out the original song in a packed, smoky club. Director Baz Luhrmann used that moment to give the singer her due and reveal the R&B roots that built rock and roll.

Elvis Presley gave the track its rebellious rock-and-roll edge, but Big Mama Thornton gave "Hound Dog" its heart and soul. Seven decades later, the song secured both artists their rightful place among music legends.

Related: In 1970, Elvis Presley Walked Onstage in a Bold New Look—56 Years Later, It Still Defines His Legacy

A Lynyrd Skynyrd classic has returned to the music charts more than 50 years after it was first released. “Sweet Home Alabama” is the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Rock Streaming Songs chart for the week ending July  18, marking its 242nd week total on the digital song chart.

Coming off of the Fourth of July weekend, the 1974 Southern rock classic is in the top spot on a list that includes other “American” songs, such as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl” and Don McLean’s “American Pie.”

Known as one of Skynyrd’s signature songs, “Sweet Home Alabama” originally appeared on the 1974 album Second Helping. It became the band’s only Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, originally peaking at No. 8 on October 26, 1974.

Written by Ed King, Ronnie Van Zant, and Gary Rossington, "Sweet Home Alabama" has since been declared the official song for Alabama State Tourism. Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist King once told Classic Rock magazine, “It’s one of the finest feel-good tunes of all time. It picks you up when you’re feelin’ blue. The state of Alabama should’ve been using it long ago.”

“Sweet Home Alabama” is known for its upbeat guitar riff, catchy keyboards, and lyrics about pride in the South. But it also famously name-checked Neil Young’s song “Southern Man” and became widely known as a diss track in the 1970s. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s frontman Ronnie Van Zant later clarified that the song wasn’t meant to be an attack on Young.

“We wrote ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ as a joke,” Van Zant once said, per Rolling Stone. “We didn’t even think about it. The words just came out that way. We just laughed like hell and said, ‘Ain’t that funny.’ We love Neil Young. We love his music.”

While it went on to become one of the band’s most enduring songs, “Sweet Home Alabama” didn’t take long to write.

King told Classic Rock the original song took 30 minutes to write, and the guitar solos were added in.

“I used to sleep with my guitar next to the bed,” he shared. “The night after we wrote ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ I had a dream in which I played both the short and long solos. I immediately woke up, got the guitar and started playing what I’d seen in the dream. At rehearsal the next day, I just plugged the solos into the spots where we had rehearsed them, and they fit perfectly.”

Fifty-two years after its release, "Sweet Home Alabama" remains one of the most important songs in Lynyrd Skynyrd's history and a fan favorite forever.

Related: ‘70s Rock Classic Named One of the ‘Top Songs of 1976’ Failed to Chart 50 Years Ago—But It Became an American Anthem

Mark Hamillhas spent decades as one of the most beloved heroes in movie history. But some may forget he's got a darker side as well, as seen in his legendary portrayal as the Joker in the Batman animated series. Now he's back playing a villain, and audiences are eating it up.

The Long Walk, Stephen King's dystopian thriller starring Hamill as the menacing "Major," debuted on HBO Max on July 10. Within a day, it had climbed to No. 1 on the platform's charts, a fast and decisive turnaround for a film that had built some buzz during its theatrical run.

Hamill's Major is the sinister figurehead who oversees a deadly walking contest in a twisted version of America, where teenage boys must maintain a grueling pace or face execution. It's a sharp departure from many of the roles that made Hamill a household name, and that contrast appears to be part of the draw.

Related: A 1993 Contract Could Rewrite 'Star Wars' History — and Disney’s Not Happy

The movie pulls in two passionate fan bases at once. Star Wars devotees have followed Hamill's career since 1977, watching him play Luke Skywalker across two trilogies. Stephen King readers, meanwhile, have loved seeing his work translated to screen, and The Long Walk is adapted from one of King's earliest and most brutal novels, originally published under his Richard Bachman pseudonym.

The crossover has helped the film find an audience beyond either fandom individually. Dystopian thrillers built around forced endurance and moral horror seem to resonate during uncertain cultural moments, and The Long Walk directly addresses that discomfort.

Fittingly, Stephen King's 1979 novel got its film treatment through director Francis Lawrence, known for the Hunger Games franchise. Mark Hamill signed on as the sinister "Major," alongside Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Judy Greer. The Long Walk was a moderate success when it came to theaters on September 12, 2025, but it seems to have found its stride on HBO.

Whether the momentum holds remains to be seen, but for now, the sight of Luke Skywalker terrorizing teens has become one of the more unexpected streaming stories of the summer.

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

Justin Moore paused his tour this summer, announcing that he was canceling several dates for health reasons. “I’ve made the decision to take some time to focus on my health,” he posted to his Instagram this June. “As a result, I’ll be stepping away from touring for a short period and will be unable to perform some upcoming shows. This is the right decision for me and my family, and I appreciate everyone’s understanding and support.”

During a recent concert in Knoxville, Illinois, he revealed more about why he chose to step away for a short period. “I know some of you have probably seen — I know there’s a sign over here that says ‘Welcome back’ — that we’ve been off a while, and there was a lot of speculation, but my drinking got out of control,” he said, as reported by PEOPLE. “I let down my band and my crew and most importantly God, my family.”

Related: 1966 Rock Classic Was a Legendary Band’s First Top 40 Hit

Moore continued, “I just became a complete dumbass. But so I just got out of rehab for 30 days. This is my 31st day sober. And I’m gonna try to help as many people from this point forward until my last days on earth, and hopefully set a much better example for my kiddos.”

He went on to perform his 2011 song, “Outlaws Like Me," and stated, “This is my favorite song that I’ve ever written, and kinda speaks to the one we’re talking about here. We’re still gonna party after this, just hang with me. I feel like I’m doing the right thing by my God, and everybody in there told me, ‘Dude, you gotta go use this.’ So here we go.”

Related: How a Classic Frank Sinatra Song Changed ‘The Newlywed Game’ Forever

Moore’s recent Instagram post of him performing on stage again is filled with fans congratulating him for his sobriety and stating how proud they are of him for speaking about his struggles and getting help.

Moore is known for his hits, "Small Town USA," "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," and "You Look Like I Need a Drink." His tour tickets, as well as VIP meet and greets, are available now.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Coffee Mate is heading back to the Wizarding World, and fans couldn't be more excited.

The popular coffee creamer brand announced on Monday, July 13, that its Harry Potter collection is returning to store shelves, bringing back a fan-favorite flavor while introducing an all-new addition inspired by one of the franchise's most iconic sweets.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Coffee Mate wrote, "the Harry Potter creamer collection is returning! Toffee Cauldron Cake is making a come back and introducing NEW Hazelnut Chocolate Frog. apperating to stores nationwide soon!"

The returning Toffee Cauldron Cake flavor made its debut earlier this year as part of Coffee Mate's first-ever Harry Potter collaboration with Warner Brothers. It was joined by Peppermint Toad, a sugar-free white chocolate peppermint creamer. The drop was an instant hit with fans, prompting Coffee Mate to expand the collection later in the year with a Butterbeer-inspired creamer and matching cold foam just in time for the holiday season.

Now, the Wizarding World lineup is growing once again with Hazelnut Chocolate Frog, inspired by the enchanted chocolate frogs every Hogwarts student hopes to unwrap. And it’s safe to say fans are more than excited.

“I LOVE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT!!!” one fan exclaimed, while a second wrote, “Need to try the chocolate frog. The Cauldron cake is SO good 😍”

Another fan said, “Literally drinking my cauldron cake right now! So good.”

Others were quick to ask whether sugar-free versions would also be available, while many revealed they still can’t get over the Butterbeer drop from last year. 

“I'm screaming!!!!👏👏👏 I have loved these creamer! All I have been using since Butterbeer has been released!” one admitted.

Another said, “All I use is the Butterbeer creamer! It’s the best one- ever!”

Coffee Mate hasn't announced an exact release date yet, except for that the creamers will be "apperating to stores nationwide soon!" The new Harry Potter HBO series is set to premiere on Christmas Day 2026, so hopefully the creamers will be available well before then.

If these early reactions are any indication, shoppers may want to keep an eye on grocery store shelves before these magical flavors disappear.

Related: Beloved Fast Food Chain Abruptly Closes Over 40 Stores

If s’mores are your favorite summer treat, Walmart’s bakery has plenty of new ways to enjoy them without building a campfire.

The impressive lineup includes brownies, cupcakes, mini Bundt cakes, cookies, fudge, Rice Krispies Treats, and even snack mixes. The collection brings together the classic flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker across a variety of desserts perfect for summer gatherings, cookouts, or an easy weeknight treat.

You can see how they rate in this July 12 TikTok from @snackolator:

Which new S'mores dessert would you try from the Walmart bakery? #walmartfinds #smores #snackreview #eating #Desserts

One of the highest-rated items in the lineup is the Marketside S’mores Mini Bundt Cakes. Priced at $8.97, the four-pack features graham cracker-flavored cakes filled with marshmallow-flavored filling and finished with dark and white confectionery drizzle. While Snackolator noted they may not rival a Nothing Bundt Cakes dessert, he still called them “absolutely delicious” and awarded them an impressive 9 out of 10.

Another standout is the Marketside S’mores Brownies. The 13.3-ounce package contains 12 pre-cut brownies layered with marshmallow and graham-inspired flavors. At $5.84, he gave them a solid 7 out of 10.

Related: Nutella's New Spread Arrives at Sam's Club and Earns Rave Reviews

For cupcake fans, Walmart is also offering S’mores Mini Cupcakes. Each 10-ounce package contains 12 mini cupcakes inspired by the classic campfire treat. Priced at $3.97, Snackolator said they taste more like a chocolate cupcake with a hint of marshmallow and rated them 6 out of 10.

Chocolate lovers may want to check out the Marketside S’mores Fudge Bites. Selling for $5.97, the bite-sized treats combine rich chocolate fudge with graham cracker pieces and marshmallow flavor. He described them as tasting like traditional fudge with a gooey touch of marshmallow and gave them a 7.5 out of 10.

Walmart’s bakery also features Frosted S’mores Sugar Cookies. The soft sugar cookies are topped with marshmallow frosting and graham crunch for a sweet take on the summer favorite. He gave them a 7 out of 10.

Photo by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash

If those options aren’t enough, Walmart’s bakery has several additional s’mores-inspired products on shelves.

Snackolator also reviewed the S’mores Rice Krispie Treats, giving them a 5.5 out of 10. While he said they were good Rice Krispies Treats, he felt they were missing enough graham cracker flavor to truly capture the essence of a s’more.

Other bakery finds include S’mores Iced Brownie Bites ($7.47), topped with s’mores-flavored icing and graham cracker crumbs, and Marketside S’mores Cookies made with mini Hershey’s Kisses ($5.97). Shoppers can also pick up Brownie S’more Grillers ($7.97), designed for the oven or grill, and S’mores Dipped Snack Mix ($6.97), which combines marshmallow pieces and graham squares coated in milk chocolate.

With everything from cupcakes and cookies to Bundt cakes, brownies, fudge, and snack mixes, Walmart may have one of its biggest seasonal bakery collections of the summer. For shoppers who can’t get enough chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavors, this lineup offers plenty of ways to enjoy s’mores without ever lighting a campfire.