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Daniel Radcliffe Reveals the 'Weird' Prop He Kept From 'Harry Potter'

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:59pm

Actor Daniel Radclifferevealed he's collected quite a few props during his nearly three decades in the entertainment industry.

In a February 2026 interview with Collider, Radcliffe referenced that he famously played the titular character in the Harry Potter film franchise, which consisted of eight movies. He told the publication that he kept two pairs of Harry Potter's famous glasses, one from the first film, 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and one from the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, released in 2011.

"I think I've got two pairs of Harry Potter glasses actually. One from the beginning and one from the end. And they're not at my house, so don't come and rob me. They're safe somewhere else," said Radcliffe to the publication.

He then shared that he was allowed to keep a fake arm from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). In the film, the fraudulent Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh) attempts to cast a spell to mend Harry's broken arm following a Quidditch match. Unfortunately for the Gryffindor student, Lockhart accidentally removes his arm bones, leaving the limb looking quite rubbery.

"I had some weird s--t from Potter actually that I really liked. Like, they let me keep a prosthetic arm that I had made for when all the bones got removed from my arm in the second film," said Radcliffe in the Collider interview.

While speaking to Collider, Radcliffe said that he used to take his characters' IDs from sets. He also said that he has quite a few shoes from a couple of his characters.

"What I'm saying is yes, I've stolen quite a lot over the years," quipped Radcliffe.

Daniel Radcliffe Opened up About His Post-'Potter' Career

Following the release of the final Harry Potter movie, Radcliffe appeared in several unique projects like Horns (2013), Kill Your Darlings (2013), Swiss Army Man (2016), and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022). In a February 2026 interview with The New York Times, Radcliffe noted that his starring role in the Harry Potter film franchise enabled him to join projects he's passionate about.

"I came out of Potter with an awareness that I was going to be in a position that almost no actors were in at the age I was, where you don't need to do anything other than for the reason that you really really like it and think it's going to be fun," said Radcliffe to the publication.

He also suggested that he has been inspired by his Miracle Workers castmate Steve Buscemi's career.

"[Buscemi] pops up in every genre and everything. And you just when you look at that, to me, you see somebody having fun and enjoying their career," said the father of one.

Giada De Laurentiis Teams Up With Home Chef to Bring a Taste of Italy to Your Kitchen

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:45pm

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Italian food, at its core, is all about letting the ingredients shine. Tomatoes at their ripest, herbs straight from the garden, pasta made by hand—it's poetry transmuted into cuisine. It's less fussy and more focused on quality, whether it's a simple panzanella salad dressed with the freshest olive oil or a textbook bowl of amatriciana. It's pizza perfected and mozzarella worth raving about. 

This dedication to metaphorically tossing the book out the window and focusing on the quality of the ingredients over some archaic technique has deeply influenced the way many of us cook at home. Of course, no one understands this more than Giada De Laurentiis. If there's one thing De Laurentiis knows, it's Italian food made effortlessly. The Emmy-winning Food Network star, cookbook author and restaurateur known for whipping up classic Italian dishes reimagined in simple, flavorful ways, has made it her mission to showcase just how easy and approachable Italian cuisine can be. 

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From her long-running cooking show, Everyday Italian, to her gourmet Italian pantry staples brand, Giadzy, the culinary multi-hyphenate continues to remind us that the most important ingredient to any Italian dish is amoré. To further underscore that point and make it even easier to get a tasty Italian-inspired dinner on the table, Giada just announced a new eight-week partnership with Home Chef that promises to bring a taste of Italy straight to your kitchen. From Feb. 23 through April 17, customers can place orders online or pick up meal kits at over 2,500 Kroger stores nationwide.

Related: The Surprising Drink Walton Goggins 'Can’t Stop Thinking About' (and Where to Find It)

Home Chef Launches Eight-Week Partnership With Giada De Laurentiis

Courtesy Home Chef

The exclusive new menu includes eight delicious recipes, each repeated once throughout the program, giving home cooks the chance to revisit their favorite flavors. Each recipe includes fresh, pre-portioned ingredients to reduce prep time and make weeknight cooking more approachable. Shoppers who sign up for the first time can use the code CHEFGIADA to receive 50 percent off their first box, a free mini bottle of Giadzy Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and free shipping.

The full list of meals from the Home Chef x Giada De Laurentiis collection includes:

  • Cacciatore-Style Chicken Milanese
  • Seared Salmon Orzo
  • Effortless Parmesan Shrimp Risotto
  • Giada's Three-Cheese Baked Sausage
  • One-Pan Italian Chicken Florentine
  • Giada's Veggie-Packed Beef Bolognese
  • Weekend-in-Positano Shrimp Pasta
  • Giada's Creamy Chicken Scaloppine

Courtesy Home Chef

"I've always believed that cooking doesn't have to be complicated to taste good," said De Laurentiis in a statement. "I love showing people how simple it can be to cook quality meals, and so much of my inspiration comes from Italy, where classic flavors and straightforward techniques make unforgettable dishes." We couldn't have said it better ourselves. 

If you're interested in trying the collab, you can order directly through the Home Chef website or look out for the meals at your nearest Kroger store. In closing: Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto! (Eat well, laugh often, love much!)

Related: 10 Pizza Hut Items From the '90s That Need to Come Back (Especially the Bigfoot)

A Resurfaced Clip of Young Willem Dafoe Singing in 1985 Is Taking Over the Internet

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:44pm

It seems there's always an image or video of Willem Dafoe going viral, and today is no different. This time it isn't the 70-year-old's frequently-memed photo looking up at the sky as Vincent Van Gogh in At Eternity's Gate; it's a throwback clip of a much younger version of him singing and dancing in an old theater production.

Related: How Gordon Ramsay Kicked a Hollywood Icon Out Of His Restaurant ‘By Accident’

The clip was resurfaced on hyper-popular meme account @ight on Feb. 23, where they described it as "one of the internet's rarest videos." The clip was originally shared by The Wooster Group, a New York City-based experimental theater company that Dafoe helped found in 1980, on YouTube in 2013.

The archival video shows 29-year-old Dafoe in 1985 singing a song to the tune of "Streets of Cairo" in a production of North Atlantic. "There's a place in France where the women wear no pants and the men walk around with their bananas hanging down," he sings, in part.

Though Dafoe often plays more serious and sinister characters, like the Green Goblin in the Spider-Manmovies, fans were struck by how silly and fun the resurfaced video is. "Love the way he dances," said one commenter, as another described it as "like a muppet."

"Damn he looked good in his youth," a fan mused, with another adding, "He's so young it's uncanny looking!" People also compared his youthful appearance to other celebrities, including Harry Styles and YouTuber Jerma. Many joked that the song reminded them of Ke$ha's 2010 hit "Take It Off."

Related: Liza Minnelli Reflects on ‘One in a Million’ Friendship with Princess Diana

This is far from the first time something of Dafoe's has gone viral, but he's always been a good sport about it. "It's good because it keeps young people connected to the cinema," he toldScreen Rant, however, he "tries not to follow any of this stuff" because it can make him feel "self-conscious."

He's also not ashamed of his dancing skills, no matter what people say. In a 2023 video for WIRED, he said dancing was "his favorite thing to do... but only in certain circumstances."

Henry Winkler Says 'Retiring Is Not a Good Thing for Anybody'

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:42pm

It's a personal decision whether to retire if someone can afford to, and that's the same for actors. Henry Winkler shared why he's against it after years of doing what he loves.

Henry Winkler Says Retiring Leads to Atrophy

Winkler, 80, appeared on the "What Matters With Liz" podcast to discuss what he values in life. "I'm willing to make a broad statement that if you wind up doing nothing, everything will atrophy. Your imagination, your will, your happiness, your points of view," the Emmy winner said. "Retiring is not a good thing for anybody," he later said. The actor said if your job is something you're not passionate about, then you could retire and find a new passion.

Winkler's first acting credit is from 1972, and he became a household name playing The Fonz on television. He revealed throughout his career his characters have changed from the page to being more like him. "When I was doing Barry, I was supposed to be a complete a–hole as Gene, the drama teacher, but I just started playing him the way I felt and saw him, and the writers went, ‘Oh, okay, I guess we could write that, too,’" he said. "And all of a sudden he just became more a part of me. There was more me in there, not more than the character, but they let me in."

He claimed the same thing happened with the Fonz. "As long as you let me show the emotion," the Happy Days actor said. "When he's in his apartment, and he's not wearing that jacket, who does he have to be cool for? There's got to be something else going on. They said yes. I said yes."

Winkler and Lin Oliver recently released a book called Detective Duck. He's also the host and executive producer of Hazardous History with Henry Winkler on the History Channel. The series follows hazardous toys and household items from America's past. The actor is also taking on more roles and not showing any signs of slowing down.

Heidi Klum Recalls Client Refusing to Work With Her While Pregnant: 'I Was Not Sexy Anymore'

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:38pm

Heidi Klum admits her career drastically changed once she became pregnant for the first time—and had clients that even refused to work with her.

The supermodel and Project Runway host, 52, looked back on being pregnant in the public eye in a new interview with Paper published on Monday (Feb. 23). Klum, who is mom to Leni, 21, Henry, 20, Johan, 18, and Lou, 16, admitted that it altered the way she was perceived as it wasn't as acceptable to be visibly pregnant or a mother at the time.

"I remember I had one client. When I was pregnant, they did not want to work with me anymore," she told the outlet. "They thought that I was not sexy anymore, because I was now a mother. I was defined before children as being a sexy woman, and now with a child, as being a mom."

She continued, "That I no longer deserved to have that...that title. That could also not be part of me any longer."

Despite the criticism, Klum says she was determined to continue working and filmed Project Runway throughout her pregnancies, even though it wasn't the norm in the early 2000s.

"You didn't see a lot of pregnant women on television. It was a big thing at the time," Klum said. "I was pregnant with all my kids always on the show, and it was a challenge for me, because pregnancy clothes were really hard to find at the time."

That ended up being part of the reason Klum launched her line of maternity clothing, explaining that she wanted to have more options for herself as well as other pregnant women.

"So that's why I started having a pregnancy line because of that, because it's like, what am I gonna wear? I'm not hiding in the house pregnant," she said. "I'm on the stage, I'm on TV, and it's a show about fashion, I need to have good things!"

Blake Shelton Announces Exclusive Private Concert For Fans — Here’s How to Win Tickets

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:37pm

Country music fans will have a rare chance to see Blake Shelton up close this spring.

Shelton is set to play an exclusive private concert at his bar Ole Red Nashville on April 29, with tickets available exclusively through the Spring Blake Sweepstakes.

The sweepstakes runs from March 1 through March 31 and is open to guests who visit any Ole Red location nationwide. Participating venues include:

  • Ole Red Nashville (300 Broadway, Nashville, TN)
  • Ole Red Nashville Airport (Nashville International Airport)
  • Ole Red Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg, TN)
  • Ole Red Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
  • Ole Red Orlando (Orlando, FL)
  • Ole Red Tishomingo (Tishomingo, OK)

To enter, guests can scan the QR code located at their table during their visit. Multiple visits mean multiple entries, increasing the chances of winning tickets to the exclusive performance.

Winners will be notified by April 17.

Leading up to the show, fans can also celebrate with newly designed Spring Blake Roadside Tees, available both in-store and online.

Ole Red, Shelton’s lifestyle and entertainment brand inspired by his hit song “Ol’ Red,” operates live music venues and restaurants in Nashville, Tishomingo, Gatlinburg, Orlando and Las Vegas. More details about the Spring Blake Sweepstakes can be found at olered.com/spring-blake-2026.

In addition to the April 29 private concert at Ole Red Nashville, Shelton has a busy 2026 performance schedule that includes arena dates, festival appearances and a Las Vegas residency run.

Blake Shelton’s 2026 Tour Dates:
  • Feb. 24, 2026 — Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN - Celebration of Ronnie Milsap
  • Apr. 25, 2026 — WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, OK
  • May 6, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 8, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 9, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 13, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 15, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 16, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 21, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • May 24, 2026 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  • June 4–7, 2026 — Carolina Country Music Fest, Myrtle Beach, SC
  • July 12, 2026 — Windy City Smokeout, Chicago, IL
  • July 23, 2026 — Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, WY
  • Aug. 6–9, 2026 — Voices of America Country Music Festival, West Chester, OH
  • Aug. 29, 2026 — Rock The Country Festival, Ocala, FL

The April 29 Ole Red Nashville performance will offer fans a much more intimate experience compared to Shelton’s larger festival and residency dates.

Microsoft Taps AI Executive As New Xbox CEO And the Internet Is Spiraling

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:17pm

Microsoft is entering a new era at Xbox.

The company has appointed Asha Sharma, a leader within its Core AI division, as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming and Xbox following the retirement of longtime executive Phil Spencer. Spencer’s departure was announced to employees in a memo on Friday, February 20, marking the end of his 38-year run with the company.

In the internal message, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed the transition. “I’m excited to share that Asha Sharma will become Executive Vice President and CEO, Microsoft Gaming,” he wrote, adding, “I want to thank Phil for his extraordinary leadership and partnership.”

Sharma, 37, also addressed employees in the memo. She said her first priority is to “understand what makes this work and protect it.” She added that she plans to focus on creating “great games beloved by players,” to “recommit to our core Xbox fans and players,” and to help shape the industry’s future by working to “invent new business models and new ways to play.”

Still, the leadership shift hasn’t been met without skepticism—particularly given Sharma’s background in AI. On X, where she introduced herself in the new role, some users voiced concern about what an AI-focused executive might mean for the gaming giant.

Today I begin my role as CEO of @Xbox.
Here are my three commitments:
1/ GREAT games
2/ Return of @Xbox
3/ Future of playhttps://t.co/6UNrpFm1Ki

— Asha (@asha_shar) February 20, 2026

“-Doesn’t play video games -Heavily pushes A.I. in video games -Literally no experience in the gaming industry -Worked for Meta, Home Depot, & Insta-Cart. I have zero confidence and trust!” one user wrote.

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Another user added, “pls keep the AI / copilot stuff out of xbox thanks.”

Not all reactions were negative, though. “I’m interested to see how you shape the future of Xbox. I’m admittedly a bit worried coming from an AI background but you saying you are recommitting to the core of Xbox and the community has me optimistic,” a third wrote.

Sharma responded directly to several replies with short messages like, “Heard,” and “I'm online and ready.”

For now, gamers are waiting to see whether those answers translate into action.

People Who Lack Emotional Self-Regulation Often Do These 8 Things Without Realizing It, Psychologists Say

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:10pm

As humans, we experience vast arrays of emotions. While some of us have the ability to manage those emotions and reveal them during intentional moments, many of us do struggle with those big feelings, and they may seem to outwardly appear without warning.  

Clinical psychologist Dr. Ryan C. Warner, consulting psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of RC Warner Consulting, says that emotional regulation is the ability to recognize, understand and manage your emotions in ways that are adaptive or helpful rather than functionally impactful, meaning they can change situations in an effective way.

“Proper self-regulation is an essential part of personal emotional wellness and appropriate interpersonal functioning,” says Jeffrey Portnoy, PhD, clinical neuropsychologist at Holy Name Medical Center

As for the benefits of emotional self-regulation, Dr. Warner says that you may notice an improved ability to manage distress, improved decision-making, greater confidence and enhanced physical wellbeing. He adds that emotional self-regulation contributes to more effective communication with others, higher levels of empathy and compassion, better conflict resolution and stronger leadership abilities.

If you feel that you may be struggling with emotional self-regulation, find out why you  grapple with this, learn the subtle signs it may be showing up in your life and discover how to better regulate your emotions.

Related: 12 Common Habits of People With High Emotional Intelligence, According to Psychologists

Why You Might Struggle With Emotional Self-Regulation

“People can struggle with self-regulation for a variety of reasons,” Dr. Portnoy tells Parade, and explains that it’s something that’s developed throughout our lifespans. For instance, the caregiving we received as children can impact emotional regulation in adulthood, and specific life experiences, such as psychological trauma or prolonged adversity, can affect a person’s level of vigilance and threat detection. 

“Additionally, individuals may have never been taught adaptive skills to manage stress, whether during their educational experiences or by parents/caregivers,” Dr. Warner says. “Instead, they may have learned maladaptive ways of managing distress, such as avoidance or emotional suppression.”

Emotional dysregulation can also temporarily come about from periods of intense stress and burnout, or even poor sleep and limited self-care, as Dr. Portnoy points out.

He also says that neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders, are also associated with differences in emotional attunement and behavioral control. Also, these individuals might suffer from clinical depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. 

Related: 8 Behaviors That Instantly Reveal Someone Has Low Emotional Intelligence, Psychologists Say

Oleg Breslavtsev

8 Signs You Struggle With Emotional Self-Regulation, According to Psychologists1. You engage in avoidance behaviors

Dr. Warner says that those who have trouble self-regulating may avoid situations that contribute to internal discomfort, such as difficult conversations or conflicts arising from differences in opinions. 

“This behavior often reflects a form of self-protection aimed at achieving short-term relief, without recognizing that avoiding challenges in the long term may not always be helpful,” he notes. 

2. You react impulsively

“In my clinical research, and personal experience, individuals who lack emotional self-regulation may consistently react impulsively when making decisions, which can cause functional impacts for themselves or others,” Dr. Warner says. “One reason this occurs is a lack of awareness of the mental shortcuts the brain relies on, especially during periods of stress or distress.”

Related: People Who Struggle With Self-Awareness Often Display These 8 Behaviors, Psychologists Say

3. You ruminate

Dr. Portnoy says that people who do not self-regulate, especially those already prone to depressive symptoms, may become overly ruminative, and replay unpleasant situations over and over in their heads. 

“While mentally ‘time traveling’ back to an unpleasant experience feels like it allows for change, someone with strong self-regulation skills will understand that revisiting negative past experiences only allows you to learn from your mistakes, not to actually change them,” he observes. 

4. You overreact to minor stressors

If you aren’t able to regulate your feelings, you may overreact to “even minor stressors” and “say or do things [you] later regret, which can harm one's relationships and reputation,” Dr. Portnoy says. “When living perpetually on the edge of one's emotional boundaries, it doesn't take much additional stress to push that person over the edge.”

5. You struggle with expressing emotions

Dr. Warner says that those who are emotionally dysregulated may have difficulty expressing their emotions to others “due to not being able to put language or words to how they are feeling.” 

He says, “For instance, they may often say they're ‘angry,’ not recognizing anger is a secondary emotion. Underneath their anger may be other feelings like feeling hurt, underappreciated or not seen.”

6. You struggle with trusting yourself

“Those with poor self-regulation skills often do not trust themselves to handle adversity or manage their own stress,” Dr. Portnoy says. “This can lead to an excessive need to check in with others for reassurance.” 

7. You blame others

According to Dr. Warner, you may consistently blame others instead of taking accountability and responsibility for your actions. 

“This may be due to difficulty engaging in self-reflecting and looking intrapersonally at themselves, especially when under stress,” he says.

8. You experience depleted mental energy

“Remaining in a heightened emotional state requires more mental energy than feeling calm and well-adjusted,” Dr. Portnoy says. “Maintaining a constant level of emotional hyperarousal and elevated threat detection quickly depletes mental energy, leaving people feeling burned out and emotionally drained.”

Related: 7 Traits That Separate Emotionally Intelligent Leaders From Everyone Else

How To Improve Emotional Self-Regulation

If you frequently wrestle with regulating your emotions, Dr. Portnoy assures that self-regulation is a mental muscle, and it’s never too late to strengthen your self-understanding or emotional resilience

He says that the first step you can take is self-awareness. 

“People with strong emotional regulation are very well-attuned to their physical and mental sensations of stress, nervousness and sadness,” he says. “This allows them to intervene, soothe and re-center themselves before getting too far away from their emotional baseline.” 

To calm yourself, he says that it can be as simple as stepping away from stressful work or personal situations for a few seconds or minutes, reflecting on why you feel so stressed, and take a few deep breaths while labeling your emotions and understanding that there is a path forward. Also, you can remind yourself that your emotions are temporary. 

Things like exercise, meditation and journaling can also prove to be helpful, along with a “healthy diet” and “an adequate duration of high-quality sleep,” as Dr. Portnoy says.

“Also, we can seek coaching or therapy to obtain unbiased feedback and professional guidance,” Dr. Warner concludes. 

Up Next:

Related: If You Feel Chronically Drained, Psychologists Say These 9 Patterns May Be Why

Sources:

Aldi's Chic New Weekender Bag Is Perfect for Quick Trips

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:10pm

If you love Béis' weekender bags but not so much the Béis price tag, that is totally understandable. Luckily, Aldi has you covered with a far more affordable alternative. Coming up this week, the budget-friendly grocery store chain is dropping a series of weekender duffel bags that give major Béis vibes for a fraction of the cost. Each one retails for just $29.99. Meanwhile, Béis' weekender bags go for upwards of $98. Talk about a steal!

Live in Style's Weekender Duffle Bag will help you reach your destination in both style and comfort. It comes in three designs—black, gray or black-and-white stripes—giving you plenty of options to choose from.

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Live in Style Weekender Duffle Bag, $29.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Each of Live in Style's weekender duffle bags features several compartments, including a main zippered compartment, a zippered bottom compartment and a side pocket. This helps you keep all of your items organized and easy to access.

Related: Aldi's Versatile 5-Pack Puck Light Set Will Enhance Your Home's Organization Beautifully

The main zippered compartment is perfect for storing all your clothing, toiletries, and accessories. Meanwhile, the bottom compartment is great for keeping your extra shoes, preventing them from dirtying up your clothes and other belongings. Plus, the side pocket is a great place to stash a phone charger.

For added stability, the weekender duffel bag also has metal studs at the bottom, keeping it from tipping over and spilling your stuff all over the place. For easy, comfortable transportation, this duffel bag also features a double strap with a handle loop, making for seamless carrying.

These weekender duffel bags are part of Aldi's next rotation of Aldi Finds, weekly product specials available for a limited time. These weekender duffle bags will hit Aldi's shelves starting on Feb. 25 and will be available for purchase through March 3, or while supplies last.

If you are interested in other sleek and practical Aldi Finds, be sure to check out this three-piece glass jar and lid set that will upgrade your kitchen counter's storage, this $5 sleek kitchen gadget that makes meal prep a total breeze, this stylish $7 kitchen essential that adds a gorgeous pop of color to your home and more.

Related: Aldi's Beautiful $20 Home Find Is Giving Luxury Vibes for Less

What’s the Best Album of the ‘90s? A Podcast and Its Listeners Are Trying to Find Out

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:09pm

These days it seems like music “best of” lists are a dime a dozen, often determined by a single critic at a publication or a playlist curator on a streaming service.

The hosts of the long-running Rockin’ the Suburbs podcast are taking a more extensive approach as they try to determine the best album of the 1990s with their two-month-long ‘90s Album Madness tournament.

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Inspired by the NCAA’s annual March Madness basketball tournament, '90s Album Madness pits the most beloved albums of that decade against each other in daily Facebook posts that allow the podcast’s listeners and others to vote on the match-ups until a winner is determined on April 6.

The tournament launched on Jan. 28 with a field of 64 albums making up four different quadrants.

Quadrant 1 features the 16 best-selling albums released in the ‘90s, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America. Such contenders as Hootie & the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View, The Bodyguard soundtrack, Nirvana’s Nevermind and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill are among the titles that have advanced to the second round.

Quadrant 2 includes the top 16 critically acclaimed albums released in the ‘90s, per Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums list, updated in 2023. R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People, Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and Hole’s Live Through This are among the albums advancing to the second round.

Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, featured on The Chronic, are contenders in Rockin' the Suburbs' '90s Album Madness tournament. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Quadrant 3 consists of the top 16 vote-getters among the podcast’s listener submissions, not including titles already in Quadrants 1 and 2. Wilco’s Being There, Weezer’s self-titled blue album, and the SundaysReading, Writing and Arithmetic are among the titles advancing to the second round.

For Quadrant 4, hosts Jim Lenahan and Patrick Foster picked their eight favorite albums of the ‘90s not included in the other quadrants, with Repeater by Fugazi and Copper Blue by Sugar advancing to the second round.

This is the fourth time that Rockin’ the Suburbs has held such a tournament. In 2023, R.E.M. won its American Band Madness tournament. In 2024, David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Marswon its ‘70s Albums Madness tourney, and the following year, Tim by the Replacements took the crown in the ‘80s Album Madness competition.

Rockin’ the Suburbs, which posts a new episode every weekday, began in early 2017 after hosts Lenahan and Foster left the USA Today-affiliated Dad Rock podcast.

For Lenahan, staging the tournament is all about fun. “For two months out of the year, people get to reconsider what they love about certain albums and rediscover those recordings,” he says.

Along with the daily voting, the podcast is also producing occasional ‘90s Album Madness tournament updates in which Lenahan and Foster are joined by listener/analysts Jason Goebel and Mike Kohli for a wrap-up on the action.

While Lenahan doesn’t want to make a prediction about which album will take the crown, he shared some surprises from the tournament so far, including the shocking upset of They Might Be Giants’ Flood over Tom Petty’s Wildflowers. “I was surprised that They Might Be Giants were even in the field. They got in on a listener vote. I always thought TMBG were a ‘cult band.’ I guess the cult is strong,” he says.

John Flansberg (right, guitarist) and John Linnell (accordionist) of They Might Be Giants are surprising some with their performance in Rockin' the Suburbs '90s Albums Madness tournament. (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

He was also surprised that Depeche Mode’s Violator eliminated Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend, an alt-rock favorite loved by many of the podcast’s loyal listeners. “I thought Girlfriend had a chance to go all the way. It is a much-beloved '90s album. Shows what I know.”

As for who will win, Lenahan points to some front-runners. “First-round voting so far would indicate that TMBG, Depeche Mode, U2’s Achtung Baby and Radiohead’s OK Computer are contenders,” he says.

You can vote daily and see results from ‘90s Album Madness at facebook.com/suburbspod and listen to Rockin’ the Suburbs at suburbspod.com/ and all the usual podcast platforms.

State of the Union: Late-Night Fixture Calls for Ditching the Address Entirely, Skewers the Tradition

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 6:07pm

Sit, stand, cheer. Sit, stand, cheer.

The State of the Union address, a tradtion since 1790, is a wave of political theater and partisan pageantry that stretches over two hours. And there's one unfiltered comedian offering a radical idea: Ditch it entirely.

Bill Maher, host of Real Time With Bill Maher, a politically charged talk show that airs on HBO and streams on HBO Max, took to his soap box last Friday to make a case for scrapping the entire speech, ahead of President Donald Trump's address.

During his Friday, Feb. 20, episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the comic, 70, called for an end to the address, to be delivered tomorrow night by Trump, 79.

"Since the State of the Union address is next Tuesday, let's get rid of the State of the Union address before Tuesday,” he said to applause and laughter. “And here's why. Nothing has misled the American people to the warped belief that the president can act like a king more than this stupid, boring, performative after-dinner speech from hell, where the Sergeant-at-Arms announces the president like he's a king.”

“He walks into the room like Conor McGregor heading into the octagon, with members of Congress lining the aisle like medieval peasants hoping to touch the royal garments, and then he proceeds to tell Congress what he wants them to do, making it look like the president is in charge of everything, and it's he who sets the agenda. But that’s not what it says in the operating manual, you know, the Constitutio,” he continued, before reading Article 1, Section 1, of the document.

Maher ended the segment with, “It’s no wonder that Americans think the president controls the price of eggs. Nearly a third think he controls gas prices and the unemployment rate. One in four thinks he has control over interest rates and consumer prices. And the hosts of Fox & Friends think he can change the paths of hurricanes.”

Still wanna tune in? Set a timer for 8 p.m. ET tomorrow night.

The speech will be broadcast on all major networks and is expect to run about two hours, with Trump previewing the Republicans’ pitch to voters as they attempt to regain control of the House and Senate in November despite lackluster polls and chaos surrounding the administration.

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Related: BBC Producers Say They ‘Didn’t Hear’ Racial Slur During BAFTAs

1969 Hit Ranked Best ‘Country Rock Song’ of All Time

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:55pm

Nothing is more nostalgic than stumbling across a country rock oldie. With hundreds of classics to choose from, there are some that are undeniable standouts.

In 2024, Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the top 35 best country rock songs of all time, organizing a list of the best of the best in the genre. Beating out both the Byrds' 1968 classic "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" at No. 5 and Little Feat's 1972 hit "Willin'" at No. 4, the Band's 1969 track "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" took the top spot.

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," written by Robbie Robertson—the group's lead guitarist and primary songwriter—told the story of the final days of the Civil War from the perspective of a poor southern farmer. Sung by the rich and powerful voice of Levon Helm, the poignant ballad captivated everyone who listened to it, immediately highlighting it as a standout track on the album for its riveting storytelling and stellar vocal performance.

Released on the Band's self-titled sophomore record, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" wasn't an initial hit. Despite being recognized for its fantastic storytelling, the song didn't find mainstream success until 1971 when folk singer Joan Baez covered it on her 12th studio album, Blessed Are... Later released as a single, the song became one of Baez's most successful recordings, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Record World chart.

Bob Dylan joins The Band Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Rick Danko, Van Morrison, Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson to play their Last Waltz at Winterland on November 25, 1976 in San Francisco, California.

Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images

The History of The Band

The Band was established between 1967 and 1968. Formed by members of Ronnie Hawkins' and Bob Dylan's backing groups, the original lineup consisted of Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Helm. Between 1968 and 1976, the group released seven studio albums, garnering significant acclaim for their introspective lyricism and unique Americana sound.

Throughout the Band's career, they have received numerous prestigious honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1989. Despite the original lineup not being active in five decades, the band remains relevant through classic songs that continue to withstand the test of time.

Related: 1968 Classic Ranked ‘Greatest Country Rock Album’ of All Time

Related: 1971 Classic Ranked ‘Top Southern Rock Song’ of All Time

Jack Hughes Plans to Fix His Teeth After Getting Them Knocked Out in Olympics Gold Medal Hockey Game

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:50pm

Hockey player Jack Hughes sacrificed his teeth during Team USA’s gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, his smile is not gone for good.

The athlete, 24, revealed his plans to repair his teeth in an interview published by NBC affiliates on Monday, February 23.

“I’m gonna fix these things,” he assured. “I want my good smile back.”

During the men’s hockey gold medal game between Team USA and Canada in Italy on Sunday, February 22, Hughes took a high stick to the mouth from opponent Sam Bennett in the third period. Still, he continued playing with a bloody mouth and missing teeth, ultimately scoring the game-winning goal in overtime for a 2-1 victory for the United States.

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In his NBC interview the following day, Hughes explained why there was never any doubt that he would return to the ice after his injury.   

“It sounds definitely crazy for you guys because [it ’s] just [a] different profession, but in hockey, if you lose your teeth, it’s not even a question of coming back and playing,” he said. “That’s like automatic.”

Despite his determination to continue playing, Hughes shared his reaction to his missing teeth in the moment he realized they were gone.

“I just was feeling around my mouth, and I was just disappointed I lost my teeth, but it is what it is now,” he recalled.

Hughes previously spoke with an NBC reporter after Sunday’s win, with his post-game interview going viral.

“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA, I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable,” he said at the time. “The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong, and we had so much support from ex-players. I’m so proud to be American today.”

Sunday’s game marked the first time Team USA secured gold in men’s hockey since 1980.

Jack’s teammates reacted to his injury after their win, with his older brother and fellow Team USA hockey player, Quinn Hughes, raving about his sibling’s achievement.

“He’s a freaking gamer,” Quinn, 26, noted. “He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.”

As for Team USA’s Vincent Trocheck, he pointed out that “it’s pretty easy” to move on from tooth mishaps as a hockey player.

“You lose a lot of teeth as an NHLer,” Trocheck, 32, added. “They get straighter as you lose them more.”

Meanwhile, teammate Matt Boldy appeared to have the best take on Jack’s situation.

“Who cares at this point?” Boldy, 24, asked. “To be honest, I think more people are looking at his medal than his teeth.”

Jude Law’s Stunning Model Daughter Iris, 25, Is a Dead Ringer for Her Actor Father

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:42pm

Jude Law is known as one of the most handsome actors in the world, so it's no surprise that his daughter Iris is absolutely stunning.

Law, 53, rose to stardom in films like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Closer, and The Holiday. With his impeccable good looks and debonair style, the actor skyrocketed to fame and became known as one of Tinseltown's most coveted stars. In more recent years, Law made waves in The Young Pope, The New Pope, and alongsideJason Bateman in last year's Black Rabbit. But one look at his 25-year-old daughter, Iris Law, and it's safe to say the model is a dead ringer for her handsome father.

Sporting a stunning smile and a platinum blonde pixie cut, Iris hit the Burberry show during London Fashion Week at Old Billingsgate. In a black trench coat and gold earrings, the beauty smiled brightly and made it clear that good looks run in the family.

Photo by Jeff Spicer on Getty Images

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Her Father's Reaction to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Jude Law may be one of the most famous actors in the world, but he's still a dad. So when he saw his daughter's outfit for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last year, he didn't quite know what to say.

"Is that lingerie?" Jude said to his daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife Sadie Frost.

Iris reassured him by saying, "But I'm wearing a T-shirt," the model revealed during an interview with Extra.

Still, Iris admitted she had significant jitters about hitting the runway.

“I was so nervous yesterday… You know when you're so nervous that you get, like, sleepy in the rehearsal…? But now I feel great," she shared, noting that all the women she was working with were very supportive. “I know a lot of the girls, and everyone was just being super nice and talking about how they feel and everyone's nervous, but everyone's excited, so it was just really fun.”

Here's a clip of Iris sharing her dad's reaction:

Related: Jude Law Makes Late-Night Talk Show Prediction Amid 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Suspension

Wayfair’s 'Very Durable' $70 Tall Utility Cabinet Adds Storage Space to Any Room

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:30pm

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

If you live in a smaller home or apartment and feel like you’re always one cabinet short, the Red Barrel Studio Scholl 16-Inch Utility Storage Cabinet is currently $70 at Wayfair, down from $328. It’s available in white or black and stands 72 inches high without the feet, making it a vertical storage option that doesn’t require a wide stretch of wall space. 

The cabinet has five shelves, and three of them adjust in 2.5-inch increments so taller detergent bottles, stacked linens, pantry containers, or bulk paper goods can fit without being crammed together. Each shelf supports up to 35 pounds and features a water-resistant finish that wipes clean easily. It also includes soft-close hinges to prevent slamming, adjustable feet to help keep it level on uneven floors, and a wall anchor kit for added stability.

Red Barrel Studio Scholl 16-Inch Utility Storage Cabinet, From $70 (was $328) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Its uses are practically endless. It could easily hold folded towels and extra toiletries in a bathroom without a linen closet, or store bottled drinks, dry goods, and bulk grocery purchases that don’t fit in kitchen cabinets. It could also keep detergents and cleaning supplies hidden and serve as general storage in a hallway or utility area.

Shoppers have called the cabinet “very durable” and the “perfect size.” One reviewer noted it “has lots of storage space with nice deep shelves,” while someone else described it as “sturdy and stylish.” Another wrote, “This fits perfectly! It was easy to assemble, is solid, and holds a lot more than I thought it would.”

Related: Walmart Is Selling a 'Space-Saving' $23 3-Tier Rolling Cart That’s Perfect for Clearing Clutter

Because the shelves adjust, the interior can shift as storage needs change. It might hold pantry goods now and seasonal supplies later. Plus, the neutral finish helps it blend with existing cabinetry rather than standing out as an obvious add-on.

Shop More Deals

At 79% off, the Red Barrel Studio Scholl 16-Inch Utility Storage Cabinet offers enclosed storage at a steep discount. If you’ve been rearranging supplies from one surface to another because there isn’t enough cabinet space, this gives everything a place to live without requiring a full furniture overhaul.

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.

‘Star Wars’ Star Reveals Why He Originally Said No to Playing His Iconic Role

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:23pm

Star Wars actor Anthony Daniels revealed he originally wasn't all that interested in playing his beloved character, protocol droid C-3PO.

In a February 2026 Unearthed: Unplugged interview, Daniels, now 80, shared he was approached to audition for the role in 1975, two years before the first Star Wars film, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, premiered.

"My experience with Star Wars started in a really weird way," said the British actor in the interview.

He explained that his agent told him that "an American person called George Lucas" was making a "low-budget sci-fi movie" and casting wanted to see him "for the part of the robot." Daniels revealed he told his agent he didn't want to audition for the part.

"I said no," said Daniels.

He then explained that he wasn't interested in playing a robot for a "low-budget science fiction" movie. The actor, who attended Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance, said he only wanted serious roles.

"Nothing but Shakespeare probably. Pretentious? Yes," quipped Daniels.

However, he was convinced by his agent to meet Lucas, whose work he wasn't familiar with. Daniels explained that he "had a very bad feeling about" Hollywood and was relieved when he met Lucas, as he "was exactly the opposite" than what he expected from an American film director.

"He was George, small, kind of diminutive, gentle, shy. Wearing one of the worst checked shirts I had ever seen. And it kind of took off the edge of any nervousness I might have had," said Daniels in the interview.

He clarified that he "wasn't nervous" because he "didn't want to be in his film."

"I was being polite because my agent made me go," continued the Star Wars star.

In addition, Daniels recalled seeing concept art of C-3PO "on a kind of moon surface" by Ralph McQuarrie during his first meeting with Lucas. He said he appreciated the droid's look of "uniqueness and loneliness."

Daniels also said following the meeting, he received the film's script. He said while he "didn't understand it," he took a great liking to C-3PO.

"This character touched me," said Daniels during the interview.

The actor said that he and Lucas ended up talking "for an hour" during their second meeting. Daniels said that in an uncomfortable silence, he asked Lucas if he could have the part of C-3PO. According to Daniels, Lucas responded, "Sure." Daniels has continued to play C-3PO for decades in different television shows and movies for the franchise.

I Tried a Country Legend's 'Vintage' Chicken Casserole and It's the Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Food

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:17pm

Vintage recipes can be hit or miss. Some culinary classics hold their own (looking at you, beef bourguignon), while others are better off left in the past. And I must admit that I wasn't sure which category Emmylou Harris' Chicken Elegante would fall into when I saw it pop up on OldCelebrityRecipes Reddit. The image in the post seemed to be a clipping from an old magazine and featured a dark-haired Harris singing and playing guitar, which immediately pulled me in.

In 2012, the country music superstar told The Meridian Star that the dish was the only thing she knew how to make for a while, and that it was her mother's recipe. The creamy chicken casserole, which has a distinctly retro vibe, starts out on the stovetop, then gets spooned into a casserole dish, topped with buttery breadcrumbs and baked until hot and bubbly.

I was pretty skeptical when I first looked at this recipe—adding sour cream, butter, cheeseand cream of mushroomsoup to one dish seemed like a lot. It did look easy to throw together, though, and there was plenty of chicken and broccoli in the mix, so I was hopeful that maybe everything would balance itself out.

With 13 Grammy Awards and 47 nominations, three CMA Awards, four Americana Awards and more than 15 million albums sold, it's clear that Harris is a legend on the stage, but would her old-school school casserole hit it big in my kitchen? There was only one way to find out. Here's what happened when I made Chicken Elegante at my house.

Related: I Tried Elizabeth Taylor’s Favorite Pasta—It’s Simple but Stunning

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Ingredients Needed for This Dish

Courtesy Korin Miller

You can find the full recipe in the Reddit post, but here's what you need to pick up to make Emmylou Harris' Chicken Elegante: butter, flour, crumbled blue cheese, cream of mushroom soup, diced cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, dried marjoram, frozen broccoli, sour cream and bread crumbs.

Related: I Tried Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Vintage’ 90s Cookie Recipe—and the Secret Ingredient Is Genius

How To Make Emmylou Harris' Chicken Elegante

Start out by preheating your oven to 350°F. Next, melt butter in a skillet, then whisk in all-purpose flour to make a roux (this will help thicken the casserole). Stir the roux mixture and let it bubble for a few seconds.

Courtesy Korin Miller

Add in the blue cheese crumbles, cream of mushroom soup, diced chicken, Parmesan cheese, marjoram and broccoli, stirring to combine.

Courtesy Korin Miller

Finally, fold in the sour cream, stirring to coat the chicken and broccoli well.

Courtesy Korin Miller

Spoon the mixture into a casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Top it with buttered bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, then bake until the casserole is bubbly around the edges of the casserole dish, which should take about 30 minutes. Serve it warm.

Courtesy Korin Miller

Related: I Tried Martha Stewart’s Famous Mac and Cheese and I Can’t Wait to Make It Again

Emmylou Harris' Chicken Elegante: My Honest Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised by this dish. It's savory and creamy, without being overwhelming. The proportions of each ingredient are nearly perfect, so you don't end up with too much of anything, which creates a nicely balanced casserole.

Courtesy Korin Miller

The blue cheese is a fun touch, adding a depth of flavor that you wouldn't get without it. But it also blends in nicely, making this dish work even for people who aren't big fans of blue cheese.

This casserole is also quick and easy. It took me a little over eight minutes to cook everything in the skillet, then the dish went into the oven to bake, making it perfect for when you need a fast weeknight dinner. If you grew up on casseroles, you'll appreciate the warm and homey feel of this dish. Unlike some casseroles, it also serves up plenty of protein and vegetables, giving you some solid, filling nutrition.

As much as I enjoyed the dish, I do have a few notes. I thought it could benefit from a touch more moisture. I had to stir it and turn it over a lot to make sure that every piece got plenty of creamy sauce on it before I put it in the oven. Harris' recipe also doesn't mention salt. That's a fairly common omission in vintage recipes, which often assume that cooks are seasoning to taste, but I'll definitely add a little salt the next time around.

Overall, though, I would recommend this dish. It's tasty, cozy and hearty—and makes great leftovers. (I enjoyed it the next day for lunch.)

Related: Sophia Loren’s Simple Spaghetti Sauce Is a Weeknight Winner

5 Tips for Making This Casserole

Courtesy Korin Miller

I picked up a few tricks while making Emmylou Harris' Chicken Elegante. Here's what you need to know.

1. Add a little moisture

You'll notice that the dish looks a little dry when you add all the ingredients to the pan. You can either add more cream of mushroom soup or even a splash of chicken stock. That will help all of the ingredients mix a little more easily and make sure the casserole isn't dry.

2. Consider fresh produce

Harris says that you can substitute two bunches of fresh broccoli for the frozen veggie in this recipe. If you do that, she suggests blanching and chopping the stems before adding them to the mix. You could also add more veggies to the mix, if you'd like. I think frozen peas would be tasty here.

3. Use rotisserie chicken

Although you can cook the chicken fresh for this recipe or use leftovers, a rotisserie chicken is a fast and easy shortcut.

4. Salt as you go

The recipe doesn't mention salt, but it could use a little. Season the food with kosher salt as you go for a more well-rounded final flavor. Just be aware that you don't need a ton—the Parmesan lends some saltiness.

5. Swap in oregano

Dried marjoram and oregano are very similar. If you have oregano at home already, there's no need to make a special trip to the store. Just toss that in instead.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried 6 Grocery Store Rotisserie Chickens and the Winner Totally Shocked Me

Rising Los Angeles Rapper Is Dead at 23 — Family Is Suspicious of Foul Play

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 5:08pm

James Dear, known professionally as Luci4 or Axxturel, has died. He was 23.

The news was confirmed in a TikTok post shared late Sunday by Dear’s manager, Kayla G. 

“I am devastated to inform you that today, James, Luci4, Axxturel has passed away,” she wrote of the Los Angeles native. “He was truly a leader a king and a musician and a genius. There’s nobody like him and there will never be. We all loved him dearly. Rest Easy. Please allow family and friends privacy and patience during this difficult time.”

View this post on Instagram

TMZ reported on Dear’s death, saying that the grandparents of the viral underground rapper are suspicious of the events surrounding Dear’s death. 

“His wallet was completely emptied,” the outlet reported them as saying, “and they had recently warned him about the people he’d been spending time with as his fame started taking off.” 

Men’s Journal reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at the home of one of Dear’s friends around 11:40 a.m. Sunday, “but discovered the person deceased upon arrival.” An autopsy is currently scheduled.

Law enforcement has set up a crime scene; their investigation is ongoing, sources told TMZ. It's unclear whether foul play is suspected, and The cause of death has not been released. 

Per Billboard, Dear started out in the industry as  aproducer in Spaceghostpurrp’s MBM Deathrow collective, pioneering the sigilkore genre and krushclub subgenre on SoundCloud. In 2021, the artist’s breakthrough came with the single “Bodypartz,” which earned him a deal with Atlantic Records. The single was certified gold by the RIAA in 2024.

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Related: ’70s and ’80s Music Legend Is Dead — Tributes Pour in

Inside Sterling K. Brown's Marriage — And All the Times He's Teamed up With His Wife Onscreen

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 4:54pm

Sterling K. Brown and his wife of nearly 20 years, Ryan Michelle Bathé, may be “relationship goals,” but they're the first to admit it took work to become the rock-solid couple they are today. 

“I’m so happy with the evolution of our relationship and our ability to express ourselves—our needs, our desires, our wants—without offending the other person,” he told Parade. “We’ve come a long way, and honestly, I did not know if we would get to this place at certain points in time in the relationship.”

The two met as freshmen at Stanford University, while auditioning for a play, and after years of false starts and breakups, reconnected for good in 2004. 

Since then, they’ve built not only a family—raising two sons together—but also a creative partnership. Bathé has appeared on Brown’s breakout drama This Is Us, co-hosted the podcast We Don’t Always Agree with him, and is set to play a mystery role in Season 2 of his post-apocalyptic political thriller Paradise, for which she’s also hosting a recap podcast.

“I’m very thankful that I have my partner in life to go through everything I have with her,” Brown told Parade. “I love her very much.” 

Keep reading to learn more about Sterling K. Brown’s wife and the secret to their successful marriage.

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Who is Sterling K. Brown’s wife?

Brown has been married to fellow actress Ryan Michelle Bathé since March 2006. Her credits include Boston Legal, Army Wives and First Wives Club

“My wife is the love of my life, not because it’s always easy, but because we keep choosing each other,” he said. “So even when we’re not perfect for each other, you can still choose each other and just choose to be perfect for each other.”

Is Sterling K. Brown’s wife an actress? 

Yes. Bathé has been steadily working in Hollywood for years. Early in her career, she guest-starred on shows like ER, Brothers & Sisters and How I Met Your Mother before landing a regular role on Boston Legal

In 2012, she appeared alongside Katherine Heigl in One for the Money and had a recurring role opposite her husband on Army Wives—and later again on This Is Us (although they didn’t share the screen). More recently, she took on a leading role in the BET+ series First Wives Club, based on the film written by Robert Harling, but left the show in 2022 after two seasons.

She’ll next appear in Season 2 of Paradise

How long has Sterling K. Brown been married to his wife? 

The Emmy-winning actor will celebrate his 20-year anniversary in March. 

Speaking to Parade about the secret to his successful marriage, Brown shared, “Communication is important. Learning how to fight fair. Learning how to speak responsively and not reactively to one another in the midst of things.”

“Feelings can run high,” he continued. “If you need to, take a moment to yourself so you can speak coherently to your partner in a way in which you don’t regret anything you say. Take that deep breath and come back when you’re ready. Don’t allow yourself to just react.”

Related: Sterling K. Brown Finds Power in ‘Difficult Conversations’—They’ve Led Him to Paradise and Beyond (Exclusive)

How did Sterling K. Brown and his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathé, meet?

The two met as freshmen at Stanford University while auditioning for a play. But they didn’t take their relationship out of the friend zone until the end of junior year—and even then, it wasn’t smooth-sailing from there. The couple split for years before eventually reuniting in 2004. Two years later, in March 2006, they tied the knot. 

“I love our love, but I want to sort of paint the idea that our love is not perfect, and if it is goals, it took work to get to those goals,” Brown said on the first episode of their 2024 podcast, We Don’t Always Agree

“It’s not all peaches and cream. We do argue, we have disagreements, we have our ups and we have our downs. But I think there’s a profound level of appreciation for where we are in this moment, because of everything that we’ve gone through to get here.”

What role did Sterling K. Brown’s wife, Ryan Michelle Bathé, play on This Is Us?

Bathé appeared as Yvette, a mother at Randall Pearson’s community pool who offers Rebecca perspective and, at times, tough love as she navigates raising a Black son

Because the storyline unfolded in flashbacks, Bathé didn’t actually share scenes with her real-life husband, who famously plays the adult version of Randall.

Related: Sterling K. Brown Shares Life-Changing Advice From ‘NCIS’ Star

What shows has Sterling K. Brown been in with his wife?

Bathé has appeared on three of his series: Army Wives, This Is Us and now Paradise.

While details about her Paradise character are still under wraps, she’s expected to play someone Brown’s character, Xavier, encounters on the surface. In addition to appearing in Season 2, Bathé is also hosting a recap podcast for the series. “I truly love the show and I hope that the way I like to watch the show and the questions that I ask match up with the rest of the fandom,” she told Us Weekly

Does Sterling K. Brown have kids?

The couple shares two sons, Andrew and Amaré. (Their birthdays aren’t public record, but they’re estimated to be around 14 and 10 years old, respectively.) 

“Fatherhood has changed me in ways I thought it would and in ways I could not have possibly imagined,” Brown shared in an interview with Parade. “I always felt like I was put on the planet to be a dad. And then I got a chance to be a dad, and I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what I’ve been waiting for.’”

Next: ‘Paradise’ Season 2 Premiere Date, Cast, Trailer, Plot and More: All About the Hit Hulu Show’s Return

'50s TV Star, Ranked Best ‘Female Sitcom Character,’ Became the Queen of Television

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 4:52pm

Before there were complex, ambitious, scene-stealing women leading sitcoms, there was Lucy Ricardo.

Lucille Ball’s iconic character from I Love Lucy has been ranked the best female sitcom character of all time by Collider and it's hard to argue with the impact she had. Without Lucy, modern television comedy simply wouldn't look the same.

When I Love Lucy premiered in 1951, network television had very clear expectations for women on screen. Lucy Ricardo initially fit the mold of a housewife, but she quickly broke out of it. She was ambitious, restless and determined to chase stardom, even if her elaborate schemes often spiraled into unforgettable chaos.

That ambition was revolutionary.

Lucy wasn't content to stay quietly in the background. She inserted herself into show business whenever possible, whether through botched auditions, nightclub mishaps or one of the most famous candy factory conveyor belt scenes in TV history. Ball's fearless physical comedy, and her willingness to look ridiculous, messy and over-the-top, helped redefine what female performers could do onscreen.

Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Behind the scenes, Ball was just as groundbreaking. She fought to cast her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, as her on-screen spouse Ricky Ricardo at a time when networks doubted audiences would accept an interracial marriage on television. She also insisted that her real-life pregnancy be written into the show, making Lucy Ricardo the first pregnant woman portrayed on television. That decision, controversial at the time, became a cultural milestone and changed what subjects were considered acceptable for American living rooms.

The episode featuring the birth of Little Ricky drew one of the largest television audiences of its era, underscoring just how powerful Lucy's connection with viewers had become.

Ball would go on to become one of the most influential women in entertainment history, eventually leading Desilu Productions, which produced landmark series including Star Trek and Mission: Impossible. But, it was Lucy Ricardo who made it all possible.

The character's blend of heart, drive and comedic brilliance created a blueprint for every ambitious, flawed, hilarious woman who followed in sitcom history. From workplace comedies to modern mockumentaries, the DNA of Lucy Ricardo is still visible.

Related: 1956 Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 69 Years Ago Today

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