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Patrika Darbo Opens Up About Emotional Return To Daytime
Beloved daytime legend Patrika Darbo made a surprising return as her former The Bold and the Beautiful character, Shirley Spectra, on The Young and the Restless today as part of Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) and Billy Abbott’s (Jason Thompson) wedding. Here, Darbo explains what it was like to be allowed to return and what viewers can expect this go-around with Shirley in Genoa City.
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Darbo explained exclusively to Parade that when she learned she would be reprising her role on The Bold and the Beautiful for the wedding and reuniting with Courtney Hope, she couldn’t stop crying. “It was great,” she shared.
The actress shared that she considered it a “great honor” not only to return to CBS but also to reunite with her Spectra family.
Darbo explained that Shirley’s arrival in Genoa City was meant to support her granddaughter. “Shirley has never been one to take prisoners. I mean, she takes right after her sister [the original Sally Spectra, played by the late Darlene Conley].” She went on to share that Shirley doesn’t edit herself. “She just says it, and that’s it, and that’s the way it’s always been, and the writers were gracious enough to keep my character just the same as she was, and it was so much fun, so much fun.”
With that said, this time Darbo got to work with a new member of the Spectra family, as Coco Spectra made her The Young and the Restless debut, played by daytime newcomer Ashley Campbell, taking over the role from Courtney Grosbeck, who portrayed the character from 2017 through 2018.
Darbo shared that working with Campbell was perfect. “She was very sweet and kind; it was wonderful. She held her own, and it was great.”
Reflecting on the differences between who Shirley was on The Bold and the Beautiful and who she is on The Young and the Restless, Darbo shared that both sets of writers “kept who Shirley is.” Acknowledging that at the end of the day, the Spectras are a close-knit family and “we take care of each other.”
Darbo realizes how unique an experience this is, and was incredibly thankful for the opportunity. “I’m very blessed, truly, in this business to have been allowed to come from one show to the next show to continue the same character. Daytime in general has been truly a gift.”
Would Darbo be interested in reprising her role in the future, and continuing as Shirley Spectra? Darbo explained that she is “An actor at heart. That’s what feeds my soul is acting,” so if she were asked to return, she would do it “in a heartbeat.”
Brand new episodes of The Young and the Restless air weekdays on CBS and stream weeknights on Paramount+.
In 2018, Ford paid $90 million for Detroit's Michigan Central Station; restoring it and its campus cost nearly $950 million
To restore Michigan Central Station, Ford and its crews reopened a closed Indiana limestone quarry to supply stone like the original, according to NBC News. They also 3D-scanned the rooms and left some graffiti on the walls to reflect the building’s years sitting empty.
The station opened on Dec. 26, 1913, earlier than planned, after a fire made the old depot at Third and Jefferson avenues unusable, per ClickOnDetroit. It closed in 1988 and sat empty for about three decades while vandals, scrappers and the weather did their work.
The Moroun family bought the building in 1995 with restoration plans that never materialized, according to The Detroit News. Vandals destroyed the windows, adding to the deterioration of a building that trespassers and squatters were also damaging. In 2009, the city ordered the family to demolish the heavily deteriorated building, per Michigan Public and Wayne State University researchers. The family refused, then replaced the windows, drained a flooded basement level and secured the building.
Ford bought the station from the Moroun family on May 22, 2018, for $90 million, according to public records reported by The Detroit News and Crain’s Detroit Business. That works out to about $150 a square foot for a building of roughly 600,000 square feet.
Ford said it wanted the station and nearby buildings to anchor a 1.2 million-square-foot Corktown campus for its work on autonomous and electric vehicles and urban mobility, according to its June 19, 2018, announcement. “What Rouge was to Ford in the industrial age, Corktown can be for Ford in the information age,” CEO Jim Hackett said in the release.
Executive Chairman Bill Ford cited “our need to integrate into the city streets and services for testing and learning,” per Fortune, which also reported that the Ford family’s roots are in Corktown and that the company wanted urban space to attract engineering talent. When the station reopened in 2024, Bill Ford put it more bluntly. “We’re in a war for talent, our industry and our company,” he said, per NBC News.
The restoration took about six years, and the station reopened to the public in June 2024, according to Crain’s. The price tag grew along the way. When work began in 2018, Ford planned to spend $740 million on the wider Corktown campus, including about $350 million on the station itself, Crain’s reported at the time.
By the reopening, multiple outlets put the total at $950 million. That figure covers the whole Michigan Central campus, which includes the station, an adjacent 270,000-square-foot former book depository and supporting facilities on 30 acres, per NBC News. It is not clear whether it includes the $90 million purchase price. Ford has not disclosed what it spent on the station alone, Crain’s reported, though building permits list construction costs of at least $217 million. Public money helped. REBusiness Online, citing CNBC, reported $300 million in state, local and historic rehabilitation tax incentives.
“It has been painstakingly and lovingly restored to, wherever possible, to its original condition,” Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central, said, per NBC News.
Ford’s price tag stood out in a region where big buildings have sometimes sold for far less. In 2009, Pontiac’s Silverdome stadium sold at auction for $583,000.
How to Manifest With the New Moon, Full Moon, and Lunar Cycles
“Moonology” is a practice that uses the lunar cycle, focusing especially on the New Moon and Full Moon, as a framework for setting intentions, releasing the past, and manifesting desires, coined by astrologer and bestselling author Yasmin Boland. If you’ve heard people talk about New Moon wishes or Full Moon rituals, you’ve already brushed up against it. Here’s what moon manifestation is and how to start.
How to Manifest With New and Full MoonsExpert astrologer Yasmin Boland, who popularized the term, describes Moonology as “a transformational practice that’s nearly as old as human time, yet as simple as can be.” It isn’t a complicated system that requires a deep background in astrology to benefit from its wisdom. This astrological art simply pays attention to lunar cycles, using its divine timing to guide your intentions and decisions.
The expert explains that it involves working with the Moon to “plant intentions, release the past and begin again.” Stated on the official Moonlogy page, the basics of starting a practice are simple:
At the New Moon, set your intentions or make wishes.<br>At the Full Moon, engage in forgiveness and release.
RELATED: The Moon Phase You Were Born Under Reveals Your Spiritual Gifts
Aligning Spiritually With the Moon PhasesWhile new and full moons get a lot of hype for beginners (and rightfully so), there’s also plenty of insight to gain from looking at the bigger lunar picture. If we’re to dive deeper into the practice, each phase of the Moon is treated as a different spiritual opportunity.
Hay House encourages readers to “work with the nine magical phases of the lunar cycle to empower your life” and to build a powerful manifesting framework. In practice, that usually looks like this:
- New Moon: A fresh start, the time to set intentions and plant seeds for what you want to grow.
- Waxing Crescent: The first stretch of momentum, when you take small steps and keep your vision alive.
- First Quarter Moon: A push-through point where challenges show up and you commit to action.
- Waxing Gibbous: A time to refine, adjust, and polish your plans before the payoff.
- Full Moon: The peak of the cycle, when truth comes to light and emotions and results are most visible.
- Waning Gibbous (Disseminating Moon): A time to share what you’ve learned and pass your wisdom on to others.
- Last Quarter Moon: A turning point to challenge old habits and change what isn’t working.
- Waning Crescent (Balsamic Moon): A quiet stretch for rest, release, and letting go before the cycle begins again.
- Dark Moon: The brief pause just before the New Moon, best for stillness and intuition.
Start small. Boland’s first step is to “write down three things you’d love to bring into your life” on a New Moon. Keep them specific and honest. At the next Full Moon, go back to your list, notice what has shifted, and let go of whatever no longer fits. Use the completed lunar cycle to practice forgiveness, with others or yourself.
Nick Torres Forced to Confront Dark Past Identity in Explosive ‘NCIS’ Sneak Peek
It’s only been a short time since Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) was named the new director of NCIS. But in that time, Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) has been pushing to do more tactical work than just investigating and solving crimes, like in his earlier years with the agency.
As he explains in the NCIS episode, he has skills, like the ability to hold his breath for four minutes.
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So, this week, he’s given the opportunity to revisit the days when he worked undercover when one of his retired UC identities – Dante Navarro — is reactivated by someone who uses it to commit a string of murders – and it’s a matter of be careful what you wish for because that earlier version of him isn’t who he wants to be.
“I did some horrible things in my past,” Torres says to Alden Parker (Gary Cole) in this early release look at the episode. “Which I justified by saying it was in the line of duty but there was always something that bothered me afterwards. How much I enjoyed it.”
Related: NCIS Boss Breaks Down That Massive Season 24 Premiere Twist — And the Brand-New Director (Exclusive)
The story reunites Torres with his grizzled old-school former handler – now retired, Walt Keller (Mike O’Malley), who tries to convince Nick that the darker version of him that he thought he’d left behind, is who he really is in the “Sleeping Dogs” episode.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Keller says. “Nick Torres is the cover. Dante’s who you really are.”
And that gets a strong reaction from Nick.
NCIS airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Streams next day on Paramount+.
Next, NCIS’ New Director Tony DiNozzo Drops Shocking Bombshell About Tim McGee’s Future in Season 24
Walmart's 'Comfy, Relaxed' Long-Sleeve Shirt Is Perfect for Fall Layering, and It Comes in 8 Colors
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Fall is officially here, and it’s the perfect time to start transitioning your closet for breezier temperatures. Staple layering pieces, like classic long-sleeve shirts and oversized sweaters, are ideal for navigating weather that fluctuates between cool and warm in a matter of hours. If you’ve been looking for closet staples to wear alone or underneath sweaters and jackets, Walmart’s latest fashion find is for you.
The bestselling Sunbs Crewneck Long-Sleeve Shirt is now on sale for nearly 50% off, knocking its $20 price down to as low as $11. Though the black option is available at the lowest price, you can also shop it in seven other styles — including pink, gray, khaki, brown, white, and camo print — at varying discounts.
Sunbs Crewneck Long-Sleeve Shirt, $10 (was $20) at Walmart Shop at WalmartAvailable in sizes small to 3XL, the classic top has a flattering crewneck, long sleeves, and an oversized fit that’s comfortable enough to wear all day long. It’s crafted from a polyester, rayon, and spandex blend that’s lightweight, breathable, and soft against the skin, offering a gentle stretch that moves with you through all your everyday activities.
The cute shirt is easy to style for a variety of occasions. Pair it with biker shorts and sneakers while working out, don it with leggings or sweats for at-home lounging, or wear it with jeans and sandals for daily errands. You can also wear it on its own or layer it over a tank or tee during cooler temperatures.
The bestselling top has earned plenty of praise from Walmart shoppers, with over 200 five-star ratings. Multiple reviewers praised its “soft” and “stretchy” feel, with one buyer highlighting the “super airy” fabric. Another said it offers a “comfy, relaxed look” that’s perfect for layering, noting that they plan to order more colors.
Shop More Deals- Uvn Short Sleeve V-Neck Blouse, $11 (was $21) at Walmart
- Fantaslook 3/4 Sleeve with Buttons Top, $14 (was $23) at Walmart
- Rosvigor Women’s Top, $13 (was $22) at Walmart
With its lightweight design, an ultra-affordable price tag, and plenty of color options to choose from, this stylish long-sleeve crewneck shirt is a worthy addition to any fall wardrobe. Don’t hesitate to grab one (or more!) for as low as $10 before this deal ends at Walmart.
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.
Drew Barrymore Fights Off Tears While Talking About Her Retirement
Drew Barrymore was left fending off tears on a recent episode of her program, The Drew Barrymore Show, speaking about the idea of someday retiring. The popular host was having a candid chat with the legendary John Cena about how he felt when he retired from wrestling, when the prospect of someday quitting her beloved show left her teary-eyed.
Pondering the thought, Drew shared: “I don’t know how and when to let go. And I don’t want to retire, necessarily, yet.” The star then added, addressing John: “And I was just curious, like how you decided to retire from wrestling.”
John then shared how he just knew when the right moment was to call time on his wrestling past, despite it being a tough decision to make. He shared: “It’s when — when your beliefs line up, that it’s the right choice. I want to be in the ring forever. I want to be there now. I love it. I’ll always love it. I also made a promise to myself to not do bad work. To not selfishly hang on for my own ego, and just to feed my own thing, and take away from everybody else.”
In addition to hosting The Drew Barrymore Show, Drew has been acting since she was only a child. She appeared in her first television commercial at the tender age of 11 months old, and made a major big-screen debut in the iconic E.T. in 1982. She then went on to star in countless other films including Firestarter, The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Poison Ivy.
Drew was open about taking a step back from acting last year, stating in a conversation with AARP The Magazine: “The long hours of doing films were hours I wouldn’t have with my kids. I wasn’t going to do that. Being other people doesn’t help me figure that out right now.”
Tim McGraw's Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Highlighted by Lady A's Rendition of His 2000s Hit
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw celebrated 30 years of marriage earlier this month, stealing fans’ hearts with their social-media tributes. Cut to this past weekend, when one shouted out the other as he accepted yet another music honor.
On Sunday, October 18, the Country Music Hall of Fame formally inducted McGraw, 59, who took time during his emotional acceptance speech to show love for his 59-year-old superstar wife, per Rolling Stone.
Check out highlights from Sunday’s ceremony in the Hall of Fame’s recent Instagram reel below.
View this post on InstagramFans have since commented on the post to show their love and support for the inductees, including McGraw. “CONGRATULATIONS TIM MCGRAW!!! YOU LOOK SO TOUCHED & PROUD OF THIS AMAZING HONOR!! ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌 SO VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY WELL DESERVED!! LOVE FROM ONE OF YOUR MANY AWESOME FOREVER FANS!!! 💓💓” wrote one Instagram user.
Various musicians honored McGraw throughout the night with renditions of his classics, with Billboard reporting that Lady A‘s take on “Live Like You Were Dying” was a highlight of the night.
“To honor one of the most influential artists… that we have admired for so long and gotten to be the recipient of your generosity and kindness by joining you on tour two times… thank you so much for just the way that you lead and the way that you have given artists like us inspiration and a stage to stand on,” Lady A’s Hillary Scott said Sunday, per Billboard.
Before inductions began, the evening reportedly paused to remember Dolly Parton, who died in August at age 80. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young called Parton “country music’s ambassador to the world,” according to Billboard.
Faith Hill & McGraw Celebrate 30 Years Since Tying the KnotEarlier in October, the “My Best Friend” singer took to Instagram Tuesday, Oct. 6, reflecting on the day he and his wife, 59, said, “I do,” while sharing snapshots and videos of some of their greatest memories.
View this post on InstagramFind out more here.
Lori Loughlin Reveals How a Childhood Obsession Foreshadowed Her Future & Came Full Circle Years Later (Exclusive)
Lori Loughlin has been acting since she was a teenager, landing her breakout TV role on the ABC soap opera The Edge of Night in 1980, when she was just 15. Born in Queens, New York, her family had no connections to the entertainment industry, but it was clear very early on that little Lori had stars in her eyes.
On the next episode of Cart Blanche, an original talk show on QVC+ and HSN+ hosted by John Battagliese, Loughlin opens up about her five-decade career. In an exclusive Parade preview of the episode, set to premiere on Tuesday, October 20, the Hallmark Channel star talks about what inspired her as a young girl to set her sights on Hollywood — and how it all came full circle with her casting on Full House.
While growing up with a stay-at-home mom and a dad who was a foreman at the local telephone company, Loughlin told Battagliese in the clip, “When I was very young, and my family is not in the entertainment industry, I was obsessed with The Wizard of Oz… because I wanted to be in the movie.”
She smiled as she recalled, “I wanted to do what Judy Garland was doing. I just wanted to be, like, in a film, and I was very young.”
Estimating that she was five or six when she first saw The Wizard of Oz, Loughlin told Battagliese how she watched the movie with her dad. “I remember being so afraid of the monkeys, and the witch,” she said, “but I just wanted to be in that movie so badly.”
From 1980 to 1984, Loughlin played Jody Travis in a whopping 573 episodes of The Edge of Night, per IMDb, before branching out to roles in multiple TV movies and series. In 1988, she landed the role of Aunt Becky on the ABC sitcom Full House, a role she’d reprise in Netflix’s Fuller House 25 years later.
In a goosebumps-worthy moment from her Cart Blanche interview, Loughlin revealed that her childhood love of The Wizard of Oz came full circle when she was cast as Aunt Becky.
“When they shot the pilot of Full House and it was at Sony Studios before the show moved over to Warner Brothers,” she said, “that’s where part of The Wizard of Oz was shot. And in one of the sound stages… I guess the yellow brick road, the story goes, is under the floor of the sound stage.”
Loughlin has had an extremely busy 2026 as an actress and an entrepreneur. After filming her 17th movie as amateur sleuth Jennifer Shannon in Hallmark’s latest Garage Sale Mysteries movie, which premiered in September, she returned to the set of When Calls The Heart, with her character Abigail Stanton set to return to Hope Valley for the first time in seven years. Season 14 of the beloved series will begin airing in January 2027.
In addition, Loughlin’s new Hallmark Channel holiday movie, What If Christmas, premieres on October 25 at 8 p.m. ET, and she recently debuted her first-ever fashion line, LOLA, alongside her bestie Laurie Felt on QVC.
Loughlin’s in-depth Cart Blanche interview will begin streaming via QVC+ and HSN+ on October 20.
What Is Ajvar? How To Use the Roasted Red Pepper Spread
Ajvar is a roasted red pepper spread popular throughout the Balkans, where it’s served with grilled meats, bread and other everyday dishes. Made with roasted peppers and sometimes eggplant, garlic and oil, it has a sweet, smoky flavor that works in everything from sandwiches to pasta sauces.
Read on to learn what ajvar tastes like, how it’s made and the best ways to use it.
Related: Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Anastasiia Korshunova/Canva
Ajvar is a thick roasted red pepper spread popular throughout the Balkans, particularly in Serbia and North Macedonia. It’s made primarily from red peppers, often with eggplant, olive oil, garlic and vinegar. The vegetables are roasted until tender and charred, then peeled, chopped or blended and cooked down into a concentrated spread.
Ajvar has a deep roasted flavor with natural sweetness and a mild tang. Some versions are smooth, while others retain a little texture. Mild varieties rely on sweet peppers, while spicy versions include hot peppers or chiles. You can find both homemade and commercially jarred ajvar, making it an easy way to add roasted pepper flavor to a meal without preparing the vegetables from scratch.
Related: 52 Hearty Chili Recipes You’ll Want To Bookmark for Year-Round Satisfaction
banedeki/Canva
Ajvar tastes sweet and savory, with smoky notes from the roasted peppers and a little acidity from vinegar or other tart ingredients. Eggplant, when included, gives the spread a softer texture and adds earthy flavor. Garlic contributes a sharper savory note, while spicy versions bring extra heat.
Its flavor is more concentrated than that of plain roasted red peppers because the vegetables are cooked down. The result is thick enough to spread on bread or serve as a dip, but it can also be loosened with oil, cooking water or another liquid when you want to use it as a sauce.
How Is Ajvar Made?Nataliia Sirobaba/Canva
Traditional ajvar takes time because the peppers need to be roasted, peeled and cooked until their moisture evaporates. Recipes differ in their ingredients and techniques, but the essential process is straightforward:
- Roast the vegetables. Char red bell peppers over a grill, open flame or under a broiler until the skins blister and blacken. Roast eggplant alongside them if the recipe includes it.
- Steam and peel. Let the vegetables cool enough to handle. Covering the hot peppers briefly helps loosen their skins. Remove the charred skins, stems and seeds from the peppers, then discard the eggplant skin.
- Chop or blend. Work the cooked vegetables into a coarse or smooth mixture, depending on the texture you prefer.
- Cook the spread down. Simmer the mixture with olive oil, garlic and salt until it thickens. Add vinegar and any seasonings called for in the recipe, adjusting the flavor as needed.
For a traditional version, Recipes From Europe offers a Balkan-style ajvar recipe made with roasted red peppers and eggplant. The vegetables are charred, drained and peeled before being chopped and cooked with oil, garlic and seasonings until the mixture thickens into a spread. The recipe also explains how to adjust the heat with chili flakes.
Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipe in The Guardian roasts the peppers with chile, then cooks the chopped vegetables with garlic and olive oil until thick. Smoked paprika, chile flakes, parsley and vinegar finish the spread.
If you make ajvar at home, refrigerate it unless you follow a tested preservation method.
Related: How To Make the Best-Ever Stuffed Peppers, According to Martha Stewart
Ajvar is traditionally served as a condiment with grilled meats and bread, but its roasted pepper flavor works in plenty of other dishes. A jar can serve as a ready-made dip, sandwich spread or concentrated flavor base for sauces.
Serve Ajvar With Grilled MeatOne of the most familiar ways to eat ajvar is alongside grilled meat. In Balkan cooking, it’s often paired with grilled sausages and minced-meat patties, as well as pork, chicken or lamb. A spoonful of the spread adds sweetness and acidity to charred, savory meat.
The Washington Post’s ajvar recipe recommends serving it with grilled meat or fish. You can spoon it directly onto the plate or offer it on the side so everyone can add as much as they like.
Related: Copycat Chili’s Salsa Is What Your Tex-Mex Nights Have Been Missing
badmanproduction/Canva
Spread It on Bread and SandwichesAjvar is an easy alternative to mayonnaise, ketchup or other sandwich condiments. Spread it on crusty bread, toast or rolls, then add cheese, cured meat, grilled vegetables or roasted chicken. It also works in a grilled cheese sandwich, where its sweetness and roasted flavor complement salty, melted cheese.
For a substantial sandwich, try Bon Appétit’s Original Schnitzelwich, which layers ajvar with breaded pork, caramelized onions, lettuce and a horseradish sauce. It’s a useful example of how the spread can provide flavor and moisture without making the sandwich dependent on a conventional sauce.
Use Ajvar as a Dip or Appetizer SpreadServe ajvar in a small bowl with pita, sliced baguette, crackers or raw vegetables. It also fits naturally on an appetizer platter with feta or other cheeses, olives and cured meats. Mild ajvar works well when you want a savory dip without much heat; a spicy variety gives the spread a more pronounced kick.
For a creamier dip, stir ajvar into softened cream cheese, thick yogurt or crumbled feta. Start with a small amount and add more until the pepper flavor comes through without overwhelming the dairy.
Related: 30 Best Greek Yogurt Dip Recipes To Make Your Veggies Taste Extra Amazing
Ajvar can form the base of a quick pasta sauce. Warm it in a skillet with a little olive oil, then loosen it with reserved pasta water until it coats the noodles. Garlic, herbs, Parmesan or crumbled feta can round out the sauce. A spoonful can also be stirred into tomato sauce when you want a deeper roasted pepper flavor.
For another way to use it in a warm sauce, see Epicurious’ Karel’s Chicken Paprikash. The recipe adds ajvar to a creamy paprika sauce with chicken, sour cream and heavy cream, making the spread an optional ingredient that adds pepper flavor to the finished dish.
Add Ajvar to EggsA spoonful of ajvar works with scrambled eggs, omelets or fried eggs. Stir it into eggs near the end of cooking, spread it over toast before adding an egg or serve it alongside eggs with feta and fresh herbs. Because jarred ajvar is already cooked, you only need to warm it through.
For a simple breakfast, spread ajvar on toast, top it with a fried egg and finish with crumbled cheese or chopped parsley. If your ajvar is spicy, the egg’s richness helps balance the heat.
Use Ajvar With Roasted Vegetables or as a SauceRoasted potatoes, zucchini, eggplant and cauliflower pair well with ajvar’s sweet, smoky flavor. Spoon it over the vegetables after roasting, or serve it on the side as a condiment. You can also mix ajvar with olive oil and a little vinegar or lemon juice to make a looser dressing for warm vegetables.
In The Guardian, Yotam Ottolenghi suggests serving the spread with crisp roast potatoes, goat cheese and chopped parsley.
Where Can You Buy Ajvar?Look for ajvar in Balkan, Eastern European or international grocery stores, particularly in the condiment aisle. Some Mediterranean specialty markets carry it, and it is also available from online retailers. It usually comes in glass jars and may be labeled mild, hot or spicy.
Two brands to look for are Podravka, which sells mild ajvar made with peppers and eggplant, and Deroni, which offers several varieties, including homemade-style and spicy ajvar.
Check the ingredient list if you have a particular preference. Some versions contain only roasted peppers, while others include eggplant, garlic, oil, vinegar or chile. The amount of oil and the texture can also vary by brand.
How Should You Store Ajvar?Follow the storage instructions on the jar. Commercial ajvar should generally be refrigerated after opening and used within the period specified by the manufacturer. Always use a clean utensil to serve it and keep the lid tightly closed.
Homemade ajvar should be refrigerated in a clean, airtight container and used within a few days unless you follow a tested recipe with specific storage guidance. For longer storage, freeze it in suitable portions.
How Do You Pronounce Ajvar in English?Ajvar is commonly pronounced EYE-var, with the stress on the first syllable. The “j” sounds like the English “y,” not the “j” in “jam.” Wiktionary lists the American English pronunciation as ˈaɪ.vɑɹ.
Related: What Is Amchur? The Tangy Indian Spice Explained
This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.
If Someone Uses This 8-Word Phrase in an Argument, They Have High Emotional Intelligence, Psychologists Say
Arguments are an inevitable, often uncomfortable part of life and interpersonal communication. Whether it is a heated disagreement over household chores, a tense workplace tussle over project deadlines or a deeply personal debate with a partner, conflict can quickly trigger our most defensive instincts. When tension rises, our heart rates spike, our vision narrows and our brain’s default reaction is often to protect our ego—and ourselves—at all costs. In these moments, many people double down, raise their voices or shut down entirely—turning a potential path to understanding into an exhausting battle of wills.
Yet, we have all met that rare individual who seems miraculously immune to the destructive cycle of fighting. During an intense disagreement, while everyone else is scrambling to defend their pride, this person remains composed, attentive and surprisingly grounded. They do not throw fuel on the fire, nor do they retreat into passive-aggressive silence. Instead, they say something that instantly shifts the entire temperature of the room: “Let’s look at this from a different angle.”
According to psychological experts, this simple, eight-word sentence is not just a polite conversational buffer. It is a powerful marker of high emotional intelligence (EQ or EI) and advanced cognitive flexibility. Using this phrase demonstrates a rarer psychological ability: stepping back from the heat of the moment to explore constructive solutions without letting personal ego hijack the conversation.
Related: 12 of the Best ‘I Statements’ to Use in Arguments, According to Psychologists
Why This 8-Word Phrase De-Escalates Conflict InstantlyWhen tensions boil over, most people instinctively treat a debate like a zero-sum game: if you win, I lose. This binary mindset creates a defensive posture that leads people to talk over one another or flat-out dismiss opposing viewpoints.
Using the phrase “Let’s look at this from a different angle” breaks that cycle immediately. It invites collaboration instead of confrontation, reframing the dispute from a battle between two opponents into a shared problem to be solved together.
“This phrase shows their willingness to explore alternative perspectives and find novel solutions,” explained Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, a psychologist and the co-founder of Veritas Psychology Partners, in a previous Parade report on high-level thinking phrases.
Rather than getting bogged down in defensive reactions, people who utilize this approach zoom out to see the whole situation at once.
Related: Psychologist Says People Who Handle ‘Difficult People’ Well Usually Do These 5 Things
“Instead of juggling pots and pans, you’re juggling complex ideas, patterns and abstract concepts,” she noted in the same article. “It involves stepping back from the immediate details to view the bigger picture, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and employing critical and creative thinking skills to solve problems in innovative ways.”
By inviting the other person to examine the situation from a fresh perspective, emotionally intelligent individuals remove the immediate threat from the interaction. The other party no longer feels pushed into a corner, allowing both sides to lower their guard and engage in genuine problem-solving.
The Power of Perspective-Taking and Open-MindednessEmotionally intelligent individuals—who are often high-level thinkers—understand that changing how you look at a problem is not a sign of weakness or surrender. It simply means you value finding a resolution over being right. In fact, acknowledging that alternative viewpoints exist without instantly feeling threatened is a hallmark of strong self-assurance.
“People with high-level thinking tend to have a lot of conviction in the things that they say because they’ve been able to establish their own belief system around the thoughts and ideas they have,” explained Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, a doctor of psychology and licensed psychotherapist, in the same Parade article.
At the same time, she emphasized that emotionally intelligent individuals “recognize and acknowledge other ways of thinking. They know that thinking is not linear or concrete.”
Psychologists note that this capacity to pivot seamlessly between firm convictions and open curiosity is what separates high EQ communicators from the rest.
“The benefits of high-level thinking are akin to having a Swiss Army knife for your brain,” Dr. MacBride highlighted. “It enhances your problem-solving abilities, makes you more adaptable to change and improves your capacity to understand others’ perspectives.”
When you use language that reopens the floor to curiosity, you signal that your self-worth is not tied to winning an argument. Instead of letting conflict tear relationships apart, high-EQ individuals use moments of friction as opportunities to build deeper mutual understanding.
Adapted from Parade’s “If You’re a High-Level Thinker, You Likely Use These 13 Phrases, Psychologists Say” by Beth Ann Mayer
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Sources:- Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, is a psychologist and the co-founder of Veritas Psychology Partners.
- Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, is a doctor of psychology and licensed psychotherapist.
Paula Deen Shocks the Public With Dramatic Weight Loss and Bold Black Glasses on Social Media
Paula Deen is looking thinner than ever in a rare social media appearance.
The former Food Network star, 79, is best known for firing up the oven and making hefty Southern meals on her popular cooking channel shows, Paula’s Home Cooking, Paula’s Party, and Paula’s Best Dishes. However, Deen got a flurry of reactions from fans and followers when they saw that the culinary queen had clearly lost weight in her new Instagram video.
“It’s still hot here, but fall decorations make it feel cooler and cozier! Are you decorated yet?” Deen captioned her new photo, which showed her sitting on her front steps surrounded by plants and pumpkins. But it wasn’t the fall decor that struck the social media followers. Instead, it was Deen’s dramatic weight loss. Paired with bold black glasses and a pink top, Deen is almost unrecognizable.
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Commenters Were Shocked By Deen’s AppearanceIn the comments, followers were gobsmacked by Deen’s svelte frame. While the star began her weight loss journey years ago, it’s the most recent photo in which it’s incredibly noticeable.
“I love this lady and my god she looks so shapely and young here! I guess her husband is chasing her all around the house these days!” one person said.
“Looking good pretty lady😍,” another person said, while someone else chimed in with “You look fantastic!”
There were several comments directly referencing Deen’s weight loss, many of which referenced the popular GLP-1, Ozempic. Deen, who publicly revealed her 2009 diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, was one of the first stars to partner with a GLP-1 manufacturer back in 2012.
“I was determined to share my positive approach and not let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life,” Deen said in a statement announcing her 2012 partnership with Novo Nordisk. “I’m excited to team up with Novo Nordisk on this initiative to show others that managing diabetes does not have to stop you from enjoying the things you love.”
Related: After Decades, Paula Deen Abruptly Shuts Down the Restaurant That Was Her Claim to Fame
Aesop Just Dropped a $600 Advent Calendar, and It’s Filled With 13 Luxury Surprises
If your idea of counting down to Christmas involves luxury skin care and fragrances instead of chocolate, Aesop has a seriously indulgent option this holiday season.
The beauty brand’s new Advent calendar costs a whopping $600, but it promises 13 surprises that go well beyond the usual beauty minis.
Called The Aesop Valise, the limited-edition holiday set comes in a suitcase-inspired case filled with drawers containing products for the skin, body and home. Shoppers can open one compartment at a time as the holidays approach or, if patience isn’t their strong suit, unwrap all 13 surprises at once.
View this post on InstagramAccording to Aesop, the collection is designed to turn the countdown to the festive season into a series of small moments of pleasure and with a mix of signature favorites and fragrant discoveries.
“Open each drawer on the date marked, finding a moment of peace and quiet in which to do so—or open them all at once, in a flurry of excitement,” the website states.
The 13-piece collection includes:
Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 1.02 oz
Post-Poo Drops 3.4 fl oz
Tacit Truths Eau de Parfum 0.3 fl oz
Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser 3.4 fl oz
Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 3.4 fl oz
Olous Aromatique Room Spray 1.6 fl oz
Nurture Soap Bar Soap 5.2 oz
Eleos Aromatique Hand Balm 1.02 oz
Lucent Facial Concentrate 2.0 fl oz
Above Us, Steorra Eau de Parfum 0.3 fl oz
Solais Replenishing Hand Serum 1.0 fl oz
Entirely Aurner Eau de Parfum 0.3 fl oz
Ptolemy Aromatique Candle 10.5 oz
The $600 set is listed on Aesop’s website as coming soon, meaning shoppers will have to keep an eye out for its official release. With the holiday shopping season already underway, anyone hoping to gift the luxury collection may want to bookmark the page and check back for availability.
Dolly Parton's My People Fund gave more than 900 families $10,000 each after the 2016 Smoky Mountains wildfires
Heartbroken by the devastating wildfires that swept through Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains in 2016, Tennessee-born country star Dolly Parton stepped up to support families severely affected by the disaster.
Known for her philanthropic work, the “9 to 5” hitmaker was among the prominent celebrities who extended a helping hand through her Dollywood Foundation.
In late November 2016, reports indicated that a series of powerful wildfires swept through parts of the Great Smoky Mountains region.
Among the communities severely affected were those near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Extremely strong winds fueled the fires’ rapid spread across the surrounding region, destroying several homes and businesses.
The devastating wildfires claimed 14 lives and injured nearly 200 individuals while forcing an estimated 14,000 residents and tourists to evacuate.
Moreover, the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, one of the major fires involved in the disaster, burned more than 10,000 acres and led to the closure of the popular Chimney Tops Trail.
A DigitalGlobe via Getty Images closeup image captured by an infrared sensor aboard the WorldView-3 satellite shows destroyed apartment buildings and homes in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.DigitalGlobe via Getty Images via Getty Images
The combination of drought conditions and hurricane-force winds created a fast-moving firestorm that overran entire neighborhoods in minutes.
Driven by her love for Tennessee, the award-winning singer and actress led relief efforts through her business, Dollywood, where she served as co-owner, and the Dollywood Foundation, which established a relief fund known as the My People Fund.
The generous initiative provided eligible families whose primary residences were lost or destroyed in the wildfires with $1,000 per month for five months.
Thanks to an outpouring of donations, the My People Fund increased its final payment to $5,000 per family in May 2017, bringing the total assistance to $10,000 for more than 900 families.
The Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon raised more than $9 million for wildfire relief, helping the fund support families as they began rebuilding their lives.
Dolly Parton performs on The Pyramid Stage on Day 3 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 29, 2014 in Glastonbury, England.“I’ve always believed charity begins at home, and my home is someplace special,” she said as cited by ABC News. “We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”
The aftermath of the incident left Parton deeply saddened, prompting her to express sympathy for everyone affected.
“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains, and I am heartbroken,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee added via BBC. “I am praying for all the families affected by the fire – and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe.”
Before Dolly Parton’s death in Aug. 25, 2026, at the age of 80, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee had donated millions of dollars to charitable causes, with one of her most significant contributions being a $4.5 million gift from her foundation to the Nashville Public Library.
The donation, described as her largest single institutional gift, helped launch a new early literacy program.
Related: ’70s Rock Icon Shares Emotional Message After Dolly Parton’s Death: ‘We Will Miss Her’
Walmart's 'Festive' $12 Solar Lights 'Create a Romantic Atmosphere' for Fall Evenings Outdoors
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As the days continue to get shorter, having outdoor lighting in place becomes more important. Not only does it illuminate your space, but the right lights can create a cozy ambiance that’ll have you spending more time enjoying crisp fall evenings. Right now, Walmart has one of its bestselling sets of solar globe string lights on sale, making it super simple to add an enchanting vibe to your patio, porch, or deck this season.
Normally $21, you can snag the Brochao Solar String Lights for as little as $12. Currently, the best deal is on the 23-foot-long solar version, but the lights also come in a 16.5-foot-long plug-in style for the same price. There are also 40-foot, 60-foot, and 100-foot solar light options, which are on sale for $18, $30, and $40, respectively.
Brochao Solar String Lights, From $12 (was $21) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThe 50 petite globe-style bulbs on this strand offer a warm glow that’ll enhance your outdoor space. Because they’re solar-powered, they’re incredibly easy to use. The included solar panel charges in direct sunlight during the day, and the lights turn on automatically when the sun sets. The lights feature eight distinct lighting modes, which are easily adjusted via a built-in control button, and will default to the last-used setting each time they turn on.
With a fully weatherproof design, these lights can be used indoors or out. If you happen to be hosting a wedding, garden party, or other event soon, they’d be a fantastic, budget-friendly way to give your space a glow-up.
More than 400 Walmart shoppers have given these “very festive” string lights a five-star rating. Impressed by their quality, customers shared that they “stay lit for hours” after dark. Reviewers said they’ll “create a romantic atmosphere” anywhere they’re hung.
While some people claimed these “small but pretty” lights weren’t as bright as they’d expected, one shopper raved that their warm glow “illuminated my whole yard.” Another shopper said stringing up these lights gave them the “best-looking deck in the community.”
Shop More Outdoor Lighting Deals- Qishi Moroccan Ball Fairy Lights, $10 (was $20) at Walmart
- Yannovus Solar Outdoor String Lights, $30 (was $70) at Walmart
- Toodour Multicolor Solar String Lights, $13 (was $27) at Walmart
Related: Walmart’s $9 Cherry Blossom Solar String Lights Will Turn Your Patio Into a ‘Magical’ Oasis
Walmart flash deals don’t last long, so you won’t want to wait to add the Brochao Solar String Lights to your cart! Snap up a set (or a few!) now for as low as $12 before this sale ends.
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.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Son James Wilkie Looks Like His Mom in Red Carpet Appearance With His Parents
James Wilkie Broderick, the son of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, is looking like his Sex and the City star mom on the red carpet alongside his famous parents.
James, 23, put on a suit and worked the red carpet alongside his mom and dad at the opening night of the “Other Desert Cities” revival at Hudson Theatre in New York City. But it’s the way that James resembles his mother that we noticed this time around. From their gorgeous eyes to the shape of their faces, James Wilkie definitely looks more like Parker than his dad.
Santiago Felipe / Getty Images
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Is James Wilkie Broderick a Model?Not quite. While he showed off his muscles in recent photos (more on that below), James made it clear he won’t be pursuing a modeling career anytime soon. Snapped by the photography company Backgrid walking down the street in New York City after a workout, the paparazzi company decided to go big with the headline “‘Gym bro’ James Wilkie Broderick shows off his insane body transformation after turning to modelling career.”
Despite their statement, James didn’t miss a beat and instantly shot down the rumor.
In his Instagram Story, James shared the post and declared that he was “definitely not turning to a modeling career,” HELLO! noted.
In the comments section of the original post, James chimed in with “I’m not tryna be a model lol!”
He Showed Off His Muscles In Recent PhotosIt all started back in June, when James lit up Instagram with photos of him sporting a tank top that went viral.
“So dope!! Thank you @bradwalsh ❤️,” James captioned the professional photo set. In the comments, his mother joined in, beaming with pride.
“Ah handsome. And happy. Xxx, mama,” Parker commented.
View this post on Instagram What Does James Wilkie Broderick Do For a Living?James has started dipping his toes into the family business. He’s an actor with recent credits that include films like Days Ending in Y and an episode of Elsbeth. But he’s only been a member of the working world for less than a year. Last year, James graduated from Brown University in Providence, R.I. Along with his famous parents, James was joined by his twin sisters Tabitha and Loretta for his big graduation day.
Related: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 63, Debuts Chin-Length Gray Hair for a Major Broadway Milestone
Miley Cyrus Makes Eye-Wateringly Large Donation to Charity
Miley Cyrus has made a huge donation to a charity that will help change the lives of so many women. The singer announced the generous move on October 10, sharing that through the Miley Cyrus Foundation, $1 million was being given to support the Downtown Women’s Center’s HOME Campaign.
This campaign aims to help women who have been through hardship, such as survivors of violence and those seeking to exit homelessness, to have a permanent address and safe shelter. Thanks to the donation, 97 more apartments can be provided for those in need.
Miley and her mother, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, will be involved in designing each apartment’s interiors, helping to shape the spaces into somewhere that will be amazing for all the brave women to embark on the next chapters of their lives.
The philanthropic move comes 12 years after Miley spoke about the importance of doing what we can to address homelessness in a speech at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. After winning the award for Video of the Year for her hit song “Wrecking Ball,” Miley did something incredibly poignant. She invited a 22-year-old named Jesse Helt onto the stage – who was experiencing homelessness – to accept the award on her behalf, using her win as a moment to draw attention to youth homelessness.
At the time, Jesse said: “I am accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving and lost and scared for their lives. I know, because I am one of those people.”
Miley later made a post on Facebook encouraging her fans to donate what they can to help end youth homelessness. She penned alongside the donation link: “Help me raise awareness and funds to end youth homelessness. This is just the beginning for me, but we’re going to get started now by focusing on My Friend’s Place, a homeless center for young people in Hollywood.”
Bruce Springsteen Received His Masters to Stay Put at Columbia. In 2021 He Cashed Out to Sony for a Reported $500 Million
In the late 1980s or early 1990s, Columbia Records, a Sony-owned company, reportedly handed Bruce Springsteen ownership of all his album masters to keep him from leaving during contract renegotiations. It was an unusually generous move in an industry where labels typically guard their masters fiercely, since those recordings are among the most valuable assets an artist’s career can produce. Decades later, he sold his master recordings back to Sony, along with the rest of his catalog and his publishing rights, for a reported $500 million.
Bruce Springsteen.Getty Images
While The New York Times said the 2021 deal “may exceed $500 million,” neither Springsteen nor Sony has ever confirmed the exact figure, so the number remains an estimate. Still, it topped other big catalog sales at the time. Bob Dylan sold his songs to Universal Music Publishing Group in 2020 for more than $300 million, and Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, and Neil Young also cashed in for hundreds of millions. The wave of sales reflected a larger shift in the music business, as investors and major companies raced to acquire proven catalogs that generate steady income through streaming, licensing, and radio play. By most accounts, though, the “Born to Run” singer’s payday was the biggest ever for a single artist.
Billboard reported the deal covers about 300 songs, 20 studio albums, and 23 live LPs. That puts Sony in charge of some of his best-known and most acclaimed work, including “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Streets of Philadelphia,” and “Thunder Road.” These songs have been woven into American culture for generations, which helps explain the high price tag.
Richard E. Aaron / Getty Images
It’s a fitting full-circle moment. Springsteen signed with Columbia in 1972 and has stayed with the label for five decades, a rare level of loyalty in an industry known for artists jumping from one company to the next. According to Variety, he has sold more than 65 million albums in that time. In the end, the relationship began when a young artist from New Jersey signed his first record deal and ended with one of the largest catalog sales in music history.
Martha Stewart's 'Smoothing' and 'Firming' Moisturizer Is the Perfect Fall Beauty Reset
Before winter hits and skincare becomes all about moisturizing, hydrating, and slathering on your favorite cabinet staples more than usual, start early by prepping for the cold weather with products that set you up for success. When does that process start? Now, and many dermatologists believe that an overnight skincare routine is key.
Elm Biosciences’ A30 Elemental Night Cream is a Martha Stewart co-created overnight moisturizer designed to firm, hydrate, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. The “restorative treatment” is gentle yet powerful enough to prompt changes, according to reviewers. “This advanced formula pairs a modern, targeted retinoid with our A3O Proprietary Complex, Ectoin, and lipids to smooth the appearance of fine lines, help the skin feel firm, and deeply hydrate your skin while you sleep,” the brand claims in its official description online.
Using it is fairly easy: Buyers are instructed to apply just a “pea-sized amount” to clean, dry skin as the final step in their nighttime routine, thoroughly rubbing it into the face, neck, décolleté, and hands, while avoiding the eye area. “For best results, use nightly,” the brand urges, while also warning, “If you are new to retinoids, start with every other night for the first week, then increase as tolerated.” (Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless approved by a healthcare provider.)
Made for all skin types, including aging, dry/dull, sensitive, and uneven/textured, the product is dermatologist-developed and tested, as well as cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
View this post on InstagramIt may be fairly new on the market, but shoppers already have thoughts.
“I have been using [sic] this night cream in conjunction with this serum for several weeks, and I have observed a noticeable improvement in the hydration and youthful appearance of my facial and neck areas. I have historically struggled to find a moisturizer that fully met my expectations, and I believe this product may be the ideal solution for my needs,” one user noted of their personal experience.
Another reported, “I absolutely love these products and will continue to them as my skin care routine and regimen. They brighten my skin and I feel fresh all day long I love the night cream so much when I wake in the morning it is as if I am so well rested my skin looks amazing. The scent of the day serum is so wonderful and I was expecting the same of the night cream however that is not the case. I love the results the night cream has to offer but am hoping there will be an improvement on the scent of the night cream.”
It even earned a spot on Women’s Health‘s 2026 Beauty Awards list, with the publication raving over its potent ingredients: “It provides the benefits of retinoids without the irritation by leveraging a kinder, gentler molecule called trifarotenyl caprylate.”
However, many reviewers gripe about the product’s steep price point—$165 for 1.69 fl. oz.—admitting that it is one of the things that could keep them from becoming repeat buyers.
Meanwhile, Stewart, 85, proclaimed, “I’ve been using it consistently and have been loving the results. My skin is noticeably more firm and without any dryness issues that caused me not to use retinoids in the past.” And, due to her youthful appearance, people tend to take her beauty advice.
The home-living mogul officially launched Elm Biosciences alongside co-founder and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali in September 2025, after five years of development with input from over 350 dermatologists, scientists, and medical researchers. It’s described as a “system that brings next-generation science directly to consumers—delivering potent, simplified formulas that rival in-office results.”
Best-Selling Novel by John Green Was Just Named the Most Universally Loved Book Released Since 2000
Nearly 15 years after its release, John Green‘s beloved young adult novel, The Fault in Our Stars, is still receiving recognition for its sweet, devastating story of two teens who fall in love amid their respective cancer battles.
The publication Collider recently released a ranking of the “6 Most Universally Loved Books Released Since 2000,” with The Fault in Our Stars, published in 2012, taking home the list’s top spot. According to the publication, Green’s 2012 best-selling novel and its 2014 film adaptation, which depicts Hazel Grace and Augustus’s tragically brief relationship, have continued to captivate audiences.
The novel has a rating of 4.12 out of 5 from 5,902,240 readers on Goodreads. Meanwhile, the film adaptation, which stars Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace and Ansel Elgort as Augustus, holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 81 percent.
John Green Explained His Inspiration Behind Writing ‘The Fault in Our Stars’In a 2014 interview during a press junket for the Fault in Our Stars film, Green explained why he wanted to write Hazel and Augustus’ story for his sixth book.
“I wrote it, I think, ultimately because I wanted to celebrate the lives of people who may not have long lives. I wanted to celebrate the love, and humor, and richness of their lives. And argue that short lives can also be good lives,” said the Paper Towns author.
Green also said writing the book took an emotional toll, especially as he was navigating his “own grief” for his friend, Esther Earl, who died after a battle with cancer at the age of 16 in 2010.
“I cried a lot. I would walk into Starbucks every day for several weeks. And I would open up my computer at 8:00 in the morning, and I would start typing, and I would cry for 3 hours. And then I would close my computer, and I would leave. And I’m sure the people at Starbucks just thought I was crazy,” said Green in the 2014 interview. “It was very sad. I mean, I was also working my way through my own grief because I’d lost a friend who was very young. She died when she was 16. The book is dedicated to her. And I think, you know, a lot of it was written in response to her death.”
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Creator Admits Long-Speculated Reboot Series Would Be Difficult Without Andre Braugher: 'He Was So Joyous About It'
Even though many fans are eagerly awaiting news of a potential Brooklyn Nine-Nine reboot, series co-creator Dan Goor admits a revival project would be difficult without the late actor Andre Braugher.
Passing away in late 2023 from lung cancer at just 61-years-old, Braugher delighted fans of the hit NBC series for his part as Captain Raymond Holt, the taciturn commanding officer of the 99th Precinct known for his dry sense of humor and flat speaking voice.
Given how universally beloved Braugher was among fans of the series, Goor mentioned during a New York Comic Con panel that it’s hard to imagine a future Brooklyn Nine-Nine project without Braugher’s presence.
“It is the one thing that really makes me wonder how we could do a reboot,” Goor said (via People magazine). “But we would find a way.”
“Andre’s humanity and his unbelievable talent, his seriousness in being funny, his joy in being funny — he hadn’t really done a comedy like this before and he was so joyous about it,” Goor continued.
Reflecting on Braugher’s tragic loss, many of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s cast members that attended the panel broke in with their fond memories of their late co-star.
“I loved hearing him sing every day in his room,” said Melissa Fumero. “My dressing room was next to his, so I heard his playlist every day. I got so used to hearing his music that when I was pregnant and I got really good at power napping, whatever he was playing lulled me to sleep. I only tell him to turn it down a couple times.”
As of yet, there’s no clear word on whether Brooklyn Nine-Nine will indeed see a revival or reboot, but Goor said he’d personally love to see the project come to fruition.
“I mean, you’ll have to have a reunion to see, right? Seeing you guys here makes me think we should do it,” Goor told the fans at Comic-Con.
