Entertainment
Presley Gerber Revealed What He Lost After Entering Modeling
Before Presley Gerber followed Cindy Crawford into modeling, his days revolved around sports, surfing, and spending hours in the ocean. Presley later identified the loss of that physically active routine as a turning point in his life. Once work demanded more of his time, he said he exercised less, began taking additional medication, and watched his quality of life deteriorate.
Modeling dramatically changed Presley’s life, replacing the active routine that had once kept him grounded. However, Presley did not claim that modeling alone caused his mental health or substance-use struggles. Instead, he described a complicated transition from a relatively carefree childhood into the responsibilities, pressures, and medical treatment that followed.
Presley Gerber Grew Up In The Water
Presley was raised in Malibu, California, where surfing and skating were central parts of his childhood. In a July 2025 Instagram video, he described himself as a dedicated athlete who once spent hours in the water nearly every day. The routine gave Presley something consistent to focus on. His immediate concerns were simple: eating, returning to the ocean, and staying active. That lifestyle changed when he began working as a teenager.
“For me it took 10 years of looking back at my life being like, ‘Well, what changed?’ A lot of the time people would ask like, ‘You were such a happy kid; what happened to you?’” Presley recalled, according to The Associated Press.
“What happened was life happened, and I wasn’t able to worry about one thing, which was my next meal and then get back in the ocean,” he continued. “Like I had to start making money, I had to start, I got a job.”
The change was not simply about having less leisure time. Presley reportedly explained that reduced physical activity coincided with being placed on more medication and experiencing a decline in his quality of life.
Cindy Crawford’s Son Entered Modeling As A Teenager
Presley signed with IMG Models as a teenager and made his runway debut for Moschino at 16. His entry into the industry appeared natural from the outside. Crawford was one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, while Presley had inherited her famous beauty mark and photogenic features.
He quickly began working with major fashion houses, including Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Burberry, and Celine. In 2018, Presley appeared alongside Crawford in a Pepsi commercial shown during the Super Bowl. The campaign paid tribute to his mother’s famous 1992 advertisement for the brand. That same year, he and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, appeared together in a Calvin Klein Jeans campaign.
The career gave Presley opportunities most aspiring models could only dream of, but that success came as the everyday routine that once kept him grounded began slipping away. Presley never blamed modeling entirely for his struggles, but he recognized that beginning his career pulled him away from the healthy routine that had once anchored his life.
Physical Activity Became Part Of His Mental Health Advice
Years after losing his childhood routine, Presley returned to the importance of movement while discussing his mental health publicly. During what became his final public appearance, he participated in a panel at the We Are ENOUGH x Aviator Nation launch event in Malibu on June 11. Crawford and Rande Gerber attended the mental health-focused event to support their son.
Presley encouraged people facing difficult days to move their bodies and reconnect with the outdoors. “Move your body regardless of how you’re feeling. Get outside. Get some sun,” he told the audience, per PEOPLE. “If you don’t feel like moving, lay on the grass.”
Presley Gerber Spent Years Searching For Answers
Presley became increasingly candid about his mental health and substance use during the final years of his life. In a since-deleted December 2025 video, he revealed that he had consulted as many as 15 psychiatrists and was taking several medications, per FOX.
He expressed uncertainty about the conflicting guidance he had received and the potential consequences of stopping certain prescriptions. “The doctors say a lot of different things, so it’s kind of scary, but hopefully between my research and their research … and God, we can figure this out,” Presley said.
He also described mental health as a constant responsibility rather than something that could be addressed once and forgotten. “[Mental health] is an issue. It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it,” he explained during a 2023 appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast.
Presley later underwent ibogaine treatment in Mexico as part of his attempt to address addiction. He admitted he was “absolutely terrified” before the experience but believed he needed to confront what he had been avoiding.
Helping Others Gave Presley A New Sense Of Direction
As Presley searched for stability, speaking openly about his experiences became an important part of his life. He created a social media series called “Mental Health Mondays” to encourage discussions about subjects people often conceal.
“It’s been incredible seeing how far that message has spread and how many people it’s helped,” Presley said. “I’m proud that something I created has inspired others and started a bigger movement around openness and healing.”
Presley had previously explained that helping even one person avoid the mistakes he made would give meaning to what he endured. Instead of being recognized primarily as Crawford’s son or for his appearance, Presley wanted his experiences to help people facing similar struggles.
Presley Gerber Died At Age 27
Presley died at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, on September 20. Santa Monica Police said officers responded to a report of a possible overdose and found him dead at the facility. His death is being investigated as a suspected overdose, but authorities have not determined an official cause.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner completed an autopsy and deferred the cause and manner of death pending additional testing. Police said there were no indications of foul play. “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” family representative Allie Jenkins said.
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For years, Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova appeared to have moved beyond the bitterness of their split.
However, a custody dispute that stretched across continents has now exposed a far deeper conflict, one involving allegations of emotional harm, competing claims of parental manipulation, and a legal fight over where their teenage daughter truly belongs.
The drama, which began as Savchenko’s effort to keep 15-year-old Olivia in Los Angeles, ultimately ended with a court siding against his request, setting the stage for an even more dramatic chapter in the former couple’s long-running battle.
Gleb Savchenko’s Emergency Custody Bid Centered On Serious Allegations
Gleb Savchenko’s latest legal push was built around claims that Olivia faced troubling conditions while living with his ex-wife in Hong Kong.
In court filings opposing his daughter’s return overseas, the dancer argued that she would face a “grave risk of physical and psychological harm” if she were sent back.
According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Savchenko accused Samodanova of pressuring Olivia to take weight-loss medication to maintain her appearance for dance.
He also alleged that the teenager endured harsh criticism about her appearance and was subjected to comments that labeled her “fat” and a “disgrace” to the family.
Beyond those claims, the 43-year-old alleged that his daughter was being pushed to train, dance, and perform to the point of exhaustion, even when she was ill.
According to him, she suffered from severe depression and anxiety and had turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.
Taken together, he argued, the allegations demonstrated “potential risks” associated with returning Olivia to Hong Kong.
Savchenko And Samodanova Offered Starkly Different Versions Of Events
Samodanova didn’t stay silent about the accusations. Instead, she accused Gleb Savchenko of being the parent engaged in “wrongful retention.”
In a petition filed under the Hague Convention, she argued that Olivia travelled to Los Angeles on July 9 to visit her father but never returned home to Hong Kong.
According to court records, Samodanova alleged that Savchenko attempted to enroll Olivia in a Los Angeles school without her approval. She later told the Daily Mail that his accusations against her were “just empty words without any proof.”
Her legal filings included text messages she said came directly from Olivia. In those exchanges, the teenager allegedly claimed her father was pressuring her to make statements against her mother.
“Her father told her she would be betraying him and taking my side while he takes care of her, feeds her, and gives her money,” Samodanova wrote in her declaration.
She further alleged that Savchenko told Olivia “she could go any time but that he would not spend money on her, including for a flight home.”
Gleb Savchenko Suffers A Major Setback As Court Sends Olivia Back To Hong Kong
As the dispute intensified, the case culminated in a September 15 hearing in Los Angeles.
Samodanova traveled from Hong Kong to attend the proceeding in person, where she faced her ex-husband in court. Among the materials submitted was a selfie Olivia allegedly sent her mother showing herself crying.
In the message attached to the photo, Olivia wrote, “Papa said I can go anytime but he is not spending any more money on me or anything even flight home.”
Despite the serious allegations raised by Savchenko, the court focused on a key issue central to Hague Convention cases: the child’s habitual residence.
According to hearing minutes, the court determined that Olivia’s habitual residence was Hong Kong.
The ruling dealt a significant blow to Savchenko’s effort to keep his daughter in Los Angeles through an emergency order. The court also directed the former couple to participate in mediation through Family Court Services.
Following the hearing, Olivia returned to Hong Kong with her mother, bringing the latest chapter of the international custody dispute to a close, at least for now.
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Samodanova Says Gleb Savchenko Missed Child Support For 10 Months
The custody battle between Savchenko and Samodanova was already packed with accusations about parenting and Olivia’s future, but court filings revealed another dispute that had been simmering behind the scenes.
In documents obtained by PEOPLE in July, Samodanova alleged that her ex failed to make child-support payments for ten months before the situation was eventually resolved.
According to the filing, she said she was forced to seek “assistance through the appropriate child support enforcement authorities before payments resumed.”
In the same filing, Samodanova denied Savchenko’s claim that she took the children to Hong Kong without his consent, arguing instead that the move was mutually agreed upon after their divorce.
She maintained that Hong Kong remained the children’s home and legal residence. Samodanova also challenged Savchenko’s broader custody arguments. According to the filing, she accused him of wrongfully keeping Olivia in California after canceling her return ticket to Hong Kong.
Samodanova Revisits Infidelity Claims That Ended Their Marriage
Long before the latest custody fight landed in court, the breakdown of Savchenko and Samodanova’s marriage had already played out in public.
After announcing their separation in 2020, Samodanova publicly accused Savchenko of repeated infidelity and spoke candidly about the impact it had on their family.
“Gleb’s ongoing infidelity and a recent inappropriate relationship has created turmoil in our marriage and absolutely torn our family apart,” she told PEOPLE at the time.
Samodanova also expressed frustration over what she believed had happened during the final months of their marriage, adding, “No wife should ever stand by and watch while another woman gifts her husband expensive presents, lures him out to dinners and seduces him at every turn.”
Since books have been a thing for so long, and many books themselves are also so long, it can be hard to fully “catch up” with the art form overall the way you might almost be able to do with movies or video games. Okay, emphasis on the “almost” there, because there remain overwhelming numbers of those things, too, and they’re still getting pumped out constantly, so falling behind further and further is inevitable.
Returning to books, though, you’ve got absolute must-read classics that were published centuries ago, and people do still read, and so great books are still being published. What follows is a rundown of some arguably perfect books, selected here because they’re incredibly consistent and really don’t have any downtime, even for just a chapter or so. They’re not automatically the very best books ever written, since trying to decide on that is overwhelming, but they’re a great selection, and all definitely hold up as worthy of one’s time and attention.
8
‘The Shining’ (1977)
The thing about The Shining is that it might not be the absolute greatest Stephen King novel, since there is something to be said about how remarkable his epics are, but the length of books like IT, The Stand, and Under the Dome does lead to some (usually minor) flaws alongside all the good stuff. So, here’s The Shining, and it’s here because it’s consistently great to, like, a greater extent than some of his impressively lengthy works.
There aren’t many characters in this one, and the setting is also decently confined, because The Shining famously involves a family of three staying at a hotel during the off-season, and it is quite the odd and/or haunted hotel. The father already had personal demons that become harder to control as more time is spent in the hotel, and there’s equally unsettling psychological horror, as a result, alongside all the supernatural occurrences. It’s pretty much perfect horror, and one of the hardest-to-fault (or even nitpick) Stephen King books.
7
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ (2003)
Thanks to it not being too long (unlike some of the books that’ll be mentioned in a bit), and also being incredibly engaging, it’s pretty easy to blast through The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in just a couple of sittings. Narratively, it’s about a teenage boy who has a distinctive outlook on the world, and he sets his sights on trying to find out the truth behind the death of a neighborhood dog.
There’s some other stuff alongside that, and then the side of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time that’s a bit harder to explain and praise is what it does stylistically. It’s a creatively presented and narrated story, and then the story on its own is still fairly interesting. But the execution really makes it stand out as one of the best mystery novels of the century so far.
6
‘Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland’ (2018)
Like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland has a long title that does a pretty good job of letting you know what you’re in for. The “True Story” part also lays out how this is a work of non-fiction, but it’s paced and written in a way that makes it honestly feel more gripping than a good many actual thrillers out there.
Say Nothing explains the whole wider conflict of the Troubles extremely well, and with great clarity, all the while keeping things interesting on a more personal level.
The central thing that the whole book’s built around is the disappearance of a woman named Jean McConville in 1972, with the fallout and lead-up to that event explored, and then it’s all a way to explore more things regarding the Troubles. Say Nothing explains the whole wider conflict of the Troubles extremely well, and with great clarity, all the while keeping things interesting on a more personal level, with the central figures explored/depicted. It does a lot rather effortlessly, in other words, and doesn’t lose its way at any point, not even for a page.
5
‘Dune’ (1965)
Some might take issue with Dune being here, owing to some of the epic novel’s earlier chapters being slow, compared to how the book eventually feels, yet that world-building early on is excellent, and just as engrossing if you’re okay with reading something that’s not 100% plot 100% of the time. In any event, all the things that the novel spends time on early on do prove important, if not by the end of Dune (1965), then at some point in one of the several sequel books it got (those written by Frank Herbert, which are largely worth exploring, too).
There are a fair few factions/groups of characters here, but broadly, Dune involves conflict being fought over a dangerous but valuable planet in the far future. That’s really simplifying things a bit too much, with Dune being so monumental a classic, and deservedly so, for all the reasons that so many people have already said at this point, 60+ years on from the book’s publication.
4
‘Libra’ (1988)
It doesn’t sound like much of a compliment to call a book confounding and stressful, and those being the main emotions that Libra inspires could understandably influence someone to stay pretty darn far away from it. The way it’s stressful and perplexing, though, makes it something special, and it feels like a lot more than just a book about a conspiracy because of how it explores the nature of conspiracies and beliefs in them.
And then it also tackles uncertainty within history, and the overwhelming sensation of trying to stay alive – and keep up with things – in the second half of the 20th century, and reading Libra now, in the 21st century, so many of those fears are more intense. It was written nearly 40 years ago, and was mostly focused on a historical event that happened a quarter of a century before its publication, yet Libra feels undeniably timeless.
3
‘War and Peace’ (1869)
War and Peace is famously long, to the point where that’s all that’s known about it sometimes. And there, the length has just been mentioned. So maybe that supports the idea or perpetuates it, which was a careless thing to do on this writer’s part. Then again, it’s hard to convince someone to read something that’s like 1500 pages long in about 150 words, and then if you also have to summarize what the novel’s about… eh, forget it.
All that can be said is that War and Peace is so much more than “just” a famously (or notoriously?) long book. It is genuinely absorbing for all those many, many pages, and while it’s hard to commit to something like this initially, dedicating oneself to the whole epic starts to feel rewarding much earlier than one might expect. This book really does have a bit of everything, and it’s hard to accurately convey/describe just how perfectly written it is throughout.
2
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1954–1955)
Well, you know. The Lord of the Rings. It’s one huge novel, not quite as long as War and Peace, admittedly, but also not far off. And The Lord of the Rings is more than just the core novel, since it’s connected to The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and other stories within J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, so quite a bit of time is needed, on your part, if you want to fully explore and understand Middle-earth.
But with this one huge novel, you still get so much. The Lord of the Rings is incredibly rewarding, starting out amazing and then getting better and better (or at least more emotionally engrossing) as it goes along. Like Dune, it has its slower chapters early on, but thankfully, the world-building here is also about as good as world-building gets. Further, if you’re worried about sitting down to read about 1000 pages of text, there is at least one fantastic audiobook recording of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings, which is another great way to experience the entire epic.
1
‘Different Seasons’ (1982)
To go back to the Stephen King well, Different Seasons stands out from The Shining and some of the other honorably mentioned King books because it’s actually a collection of novellas. There are four here, and they’re all fantastic, so the book is enormously consistent. Sure, “The Breathing Method” doesn’t have quite the same impact as the first three, but it is nonetheless a great novella to close the whole collection on, and then the fact it’s the shortest might also make it stand out.
As for the others, “Apt Pupil” is surprisingly great, and then with the other two, the greatness is less surprising, since “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” is best-known for being the source material for The Shawshank Redemption, and “The Body” served the same purpose for Stand by Me. Great movies, obviously, and great original stories, too. This whole collection showcases King at his best, and then it stands out further for being (compared to his other early novels, novellas, and short stories) less horror-heavy, albeit some stories here still have some creepy moments.
The Shawshank Redemption
- Release Date
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September 23, 1994
- Runtime
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142 minutes
- Director
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Frank Darabont
- Writers
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Frank Darabont
Even in her final days, Dolly Parton remained fiercely protective of the image she spent decades building.
The country music legend, who captivated generations with her larger-than-life personality and unmistakable style, reportedly had one clear request as her health declined: she did not want loved ones remembering her in a weakened state.
Yet amid that deeply personal boundary, Parton made a single exception, one that reflected just how seriously she took every detail of her legacy.
Dolly Parton Trusted One Person With Her Final Public Appearance
For someone who carefully controlled how she was seen throughout her career, Dolly Parton’s reported deathbed wish was strikingly simple.
According to TMZ, the country legend did not want people visiting her during her final moments because she didn’t want anyone remembering her that way.
However, she allowed one person into that private space: her longtime wig and makeup artist, Cheryl Riddle.
The decision wasn’t random. Parton reportedly wanted Riddle present so she could prepare her after death, ensuring she would look exactly as she wished before her open-casket service.
It was a final act of trust between the music icon and one of the people who had helped shape her public image for years.
Another person who was reportedly granted access was her nephew, Bryan Seaver, the former head of her security team.
Seaver is said to have visited his aunt the day before she died. During that meeting, Parton reportedly entrusted him with another important responsibility: announcing her passing.
Seaver later wrote and recorded a message at her studio, which was shared on Parton’s social media accounts on August 25, the day of her death.
Parton’s Sister Explains Why Even Family Didn’t Know About The Cancer
As questions about Dolly Parton’s final months continue to surface, her sister Stella has offered one of the most revealing answers.
Speaking about the singer’s private cancer battle, Stella explained that secrecy was not about distrust but about protecting the people the Grammy winner cared about.
“Dolly did not want anybody to tell that because Dolly could not bear negative things,” Stella revealed on “CBS Mornings”
Stella went on to explain why so many fans, and even relatives, were caught off guard by the news of Parton’s death. According to her, “She would not have wanted her fans worried about it.”
The “Jolene” singer’s sister revealed that “a lot” of family members were unaware of the diagnosis.
Stella also defended the family’s decision not to reveal specific details about the illness, stating, “It’s not my business to tell her business.”
Dolly Parton’s Final Recording Opens A New Chapter In Her Legacy
While family members continue reflecting on Parton’s final months, her voice is still finding new audiences.
Earlier this month, Entertainment Weekly reported that one of the most anticipated posthumous releases arrived with news that the icon’s recording of “Bound to Ride” would appear on “Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers,” an all-star tribute project honoring the bluegrass pioneers.
The recording carried special significance because it represented the first major musical release since her passing. According to the report, the track was originally recorded in 2022 and features Parton alongside the First Ladies of Bluegrass.
The tribute album also includes contributions from artists such as Willie Nelson, Sierra Ferrell, Steve Martin, and Ed Helms.
The release also reinforced something Parton spoke about for years: her desire to continue sharing music long after she was gone.
Her longtime manager previously revealed that the country icon carefully organized unreleased material and future projects before her death.
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Brandi Carlile Leads Emotional Parton Tribute At Americana Honors
That enduring influence was on full display at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, where some of the genre’s biggest names gathered to celebrate Dolly Parton’s legacy.
During the ceremony, Brandi Carlile joined forces with folk trio I’m With Her for a moving rendition of Parton’s beloved classic “Coat of Many Colors.” The performance quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
The tribute arrived during an emotional evening already dedicated to honoring the late singer who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Audience members responded with a standing ovation as Carlile and the group delivered the song long associated with Parton’s life story and humble beginnings.
The performance carried extra weight because it followed a surprise appearance from Parton herself.
As The Blast revealed, earlier in the ceremony, attendees watched a pre-recorded acceptance speech she had filmed before her death, allowing her to thank supporters in her own words one final time.
Dolly Parton’s Nephew Vows To Fight Back After Shock Dismissal
While artists and admirers continue finding ways to celebrate Parton’s extraordinary legacy, a very different story has been unfolding behind the scenes.
As tributes poured in and audiences reflected on the impact she left behind, one of the people entrusted with protecting that legacy found himself unexpectedly on the outside looking in.
On Monday, Seaver spoke publicly about his removal from his longtime role as head of security for the singer’s properties.
As The Blast previously reported, the dismissal affected security operations at her Nashville home, museum, warehouse, and other locations.
Rather than staying silent, Seaver issued a strongly worded response. “We refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much,” he and his team told TMZ.
Seaver also expressed frustration over what he described as the estate’s actions, calling them “unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions.”
He suggested that decisions were being made by others rather than by people carrying out Parton’s wishes.
Despite the dispute, he insisted that his focus remained unchanged. Seaver made it clear that his family would continue honoring Parton’s legacy and protecting those she loved.
There can be only one, except there’s not, there’s loads. There are sequels, television shows, animation, comics and a reboot that features Superman, Maximus, two Guardians of the Galaxy and Batman’s butler. Forty years after Connor MacLeod first started removing the heads of fellow immortals to a Queen soundtrack, we’re finally going back to where the whole thing actually began.
Ahead of Henry Cavill’s (Man of Steel) upcoming Highlander reboot, Titan Comics has officially announced Highlander: The Original Screenplay, a four-issue comic adaptation of Gregory Widen’s original script for the 1986 cult classic. The first 32-page issue will be released on December 2, 2026, giving fans a chance to experience Widen’s initial version of the story before Cavill picks up the sword for Amazon MGM.
Widen famously wrote the original Highlander screenplay while studying film at UCLA before it was subsequently revised by Peter Bellwood and Larry Ferguson ahead of becoming a big screen success. Widen himself is returning to adapt that screenplay for the comic, with Szymon Kudrański providing the artwork. Titan describes the series as presenting the “original vision for the timeless classic,” following immortal Connor MacLeod through centuries of conflict as he battles his fellow immortals for the mysterious Prize.
What’s Happening With Henry Cavill’s ‘Highlander’?
Chad Stahelski (John Wick) is directing the new Highlander, with Cavill taking over as Connor MacLeod. Production began in Scotland in January following a delay caused by Cavill suffering an injury during pre-production. Russell Crowe (Gladiator) will appear alongside Dave Bautista (Dune) as the Kurgan, Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), and Jeremy Irons (Watchmen). Crowe recently spoke of his excitement at taking part in the movie, praising Stahelski and stating that he was sure audiences would be thrilled and enthralled by it. “I just finished the shoot of Highlander” he said. “It’s an Amazon production, and it’s going to be fantastic. It’s by Chad Stahelski, who directed all the John Wick movies, so you know [he] is incapable of directing a film that is not exciting.”
Highlander: The Original Screenplay #1 will be released by Titan Comics on December 2, 2026.
- Release Date
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March 7, 1986
- Runtime
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116 minutes
- Director
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Russell Mulcahy
- Writers
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Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood, Larry Ferguson
There is a reason Dolly Parton can walk into a scene dressed like Dolly Parton and somehow make everybody else look overdressed. The hair is enormous, the rhinestones are doing their own publicity campaign, and then she starts talking and the whole image becomes secondary to how quick she is. That has always been the fun of watching her. People inside the movie notice the glamour first. Five minutes later, the smartest person in the room is usually the woman they underestimated.
And that is where her screen career gets surprisingly personal. Dolly has never needed movies to prove she is talented. The music already handled that. The good roles understand something more interesting about her, especially the humor, the stubbornness, the warmth, and that very specific ability to tell somebody off while sounding almost hospitable. When a film catches that properly, you stop seeing “country superstar acting” and start wishing she had made twice as many movies.
5
‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’ (2019)
Each episode of Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings takes one of Parton’s songs and builds a standalone story around it, with Dolly introducing the material and occasionally stepping directly into the drama. That could have become eight glossy music videos stretched to television length. Instead, the anthology uses songs including “Jolene,” “Two Doors Down,” and “These Old Bones” as starting points for stories about relationships, family, prejudice, regret, and the kind of small-town secrets country songs have always been very good at holding.
The results naturally vary, but there is genuine pleasure in hearing a familiar lyric and then watching the show take it somewhere you did not expect. “Jolene” is especially smart about refusing the easiest interpretation of its title character. Instead of simply turning the famous other woman into a villain, the episode gives her an actual life beyond somebody else’s marriage. Dolly’s presence keeps the whole project from feeling like a museum devoted to her catalogue. She seems genuinely delighted that songs written decades earlier can keep growing new stories. For fans, that warmth does a lot of the work.
4
‘Straight Talk’ (1992)
Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) leaves her dead-end life in Arkansas, moves to Chicago, and accidentally gets mistaken for a radio psychologist after walking into the wrong studio. Rather than immediately correcting everyone, Shirlee sits behind the microphone and starts giving callers the kind of plainspoken advice that actually helps. Straight Talk knows exactly why that premise suits Dolly. Of course strangers would call this woman with their problems. Of course she would ignore professional jargon and tell them what they already know but are scared to admit.
The movie gets especially enjoyable once reporter Jack Russell (James Woods) starts investigating the mysterious new radio sensation and discovers that Dr. Shirlee is neither a doctor nor particularly interested in pretending to be sophisticated. Their romance is light, but the radio scenes are the real reason to watch. Shirlee listens to people without treating them like fools, then cuts through their nonsense with a kindness that keeps the advice from sounding cruel. It is basically the screen version of the feeling people have always had about Dolly herself. You suspect she could fix half your problems over coffee, and you would probably thank her after she roasted you.
3
‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ (1982)
Mona Stangley (Dolly Parton) runs the Chicken Ranch, a long-established Texas brothel that has quietly existed with the cooperation of local authorities until crusading television personality Melvin P. Thorpe decides exposing it will be excellent for ratings. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas turns that fight into a huge, cheerfully bawdy musical where politics, hypocrisy, romance, and show-business spectacle keep bumping into one another.
Mona is exactly the sort of character Parton understands from the inside. She is glamorous without being naïve, sentimental without losing practical sense, and completely aware that the respectable people condemning her establishment are often benefiting from the same arrangement. Her relationship with Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds) gives the movie more feeling than the title promises, especially when their affection runs into the public scandal surrounding the Ranch. Then there is “Hard Candy Christmas,” which lands much harder than anyone expects after all the jokes and dancing. The movie may be broad, but Dolly never lets Mona become one.
2
‘Steel Magnolias’ (1989)
Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton) runs a Louisiana beauty salon where hair appointments routinely turn into therapy sessions, gossip exchanges, emergency meetings, and unofficial town councils. Steel Magnolias gathers a group of women around Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts)’s wedding and follows their friendships through much heavier years than that celebration initially suggests. Truvy may own the salon, but everybody who walks through the door seems to own a piece of the conversation.
Dolly fits into that ensemble so naturally that it is easy to forget how much star power is sitting behind the styling chair. Truvy’s famous line about there being “no such thing as natural beauty” is funny because the entire salon understands the joke, while her sharper observations usually arrive without announcing themselves. The movie belongs to the whole group, especially as Shelby’s health changes the emotional center, and that is part of what makes Dolly so good in it. She never fights for the spotlight. Truvy is simply there with the hairspray, the gossip, and exactly the right thing to say until suddenly you cannot imagine the room without her.
1
‘9 to 5’ (1980)
Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) is newly divorced and completely overwhelmed by office life in 9 to 5. Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) knows the company better than the men promoted over her. Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton) is dealing with coworkers who assume she is sleeping with their sexist boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman), because Hart himself has encouraged the rumor. 9 to 5 puts those three frustrations in the same office, gets the women stoned together, lets them fantasize about murdering Hart, and then somehow turns a workplace comedy into a kidnapping plot.
Doralee announcing that she will turn Hart “from a rooster to a hen with one shot” is still glorious because the threat arrives after she has spent far too long tolerating his behavior. From there, the movie lets all three women enjoy taking control of the workplace and discovering that many of the supposedly impossible improvements Hart resisted are completely manageable once he is tied up elsewhere. Flexible hours, childcare, equal treatment, actual respect. The joke keeps exposing how ridiculous the original office was. And then there is the title song, written by Dolly using her acrylic nails to imitate the sound of a typewriter. 9 to 5 is angry, warm, hilarious, ridiculously rewatchable, and still painfully recognizable. If somebody wants to understand why Dolly Parton belonged in movies, start here.
9 to 5
- Release Date
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December 19, 1980
- Runtime
-
109 Minutes
- Director
-
Colin Higgins
- Writers
-
Patricia Resnick, Colin Higgins
Simone Biles is turning a frightening chapter into a surprising fresh start.
The Olympic champion recently revealed that three masked men broke into her Chicago home and stole her Porsche during the couple’s final months in the city. Although the vehicle was later recovered, Biles’ latest update suggests the incident changed more than just her feelings about her car.
Simone Biles first stepped into gymnastics at just 6 years old after a daycare field trip sparked her interest in the sport. She went on to become a world and Olympic champion, winning four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and cementing her place as one of gymnastics’ most celebrated stars.
Simone Biles’ ‘Get Ready With Me’ Took A Wild Turn
Biles’ latest TikTok began like the most ordinary “Get ready with me” video, with the Olympic champion telling followers, “Get ready with me to go pick up my new car.” But the reason she needed a new ride quickly turned the casual car reveal into a much bigger story.
Biles explained that during her final months in Chicago, “three men in masks came to our house and stole my Porsche GTS.” She then teased the full backstory, saying, “If you guys want to know, I’ll do a storytime on that,” before joking, “I feel like I need a reality show. The things that happen to me are absolute insanity.”
The unexpected confession instantly hooked fans. One follower joked, “My Toyota Corolla was also stolen from my house too, so we are practically the same [laughing emoji].”
Others were already demanding the promised storytime, with one writing, “I would definitely watch a reality show of your life,” another saying, “Definitely want to hear the story of the car theft,” and a Chicago viewer adding, “As a fellow Chicagoan, I am embarrassed, sorry that happened.
The Porsche Was Recovered, But Biles Still Replaced It
@simonebilesowens yes we recovered the car, onto the next 🛞
The alleged break-in did more than leave Simone Biles without her Porsche. Even after the car was recovered, the experience influenced how she and Jonathan Owens approached security at home, adding another surprising detail to an already wild story.
The Olympic champion revealed that the alleged robbery inspired one unexpected change at home. “That is one of the reasons we got our Doberman,” Biles explained, while one fan clearly understood the emotional side of losing a car, writing, “If someone stole my car, I don’t even want it back; it is such a gross and personal violation.”
Although Biles revealed in her TikTok caption that the original Porsche had actually been recovered, she ultimately chose to purchase another car: a Porsche Cayenne GTS.
It is a model she had wanted for some time but had hesitated to buy, admitting, “I’ve always wanted this car, but I didn’t necessarily want to pay the price,” before saying the moment she heard it start, she was sold.
Simone Biles’ Stolen Porsche Joins A Long List Of Celebrity Car Thefts
The Gymnast isn’t the first celebrity to see a prized possession taken away. Her Porsche is among an unusual list of celebrity car thefts, all of which demonstrate that even celebrities aren’t always safe from losing their vehicles in the most bizarre ways.
GFR reported that Miley Cyrus was robbed three times between 2013 and 2014, with thieves eventually taking her Maserati Quattroporte along with other belongings.
Rod Stewart has had two cars stolen over the years, including a 1977 Porsche Turbo-Carrera and a Dodge Viper, while Queen Latifah’s Mercedes-Benz was taken during a 1995 carjacking.
Usher also found himself dealing with a car-related theft after around $1 million worth of cash and jewelry was reportedly stolen from his vehicle in 2010.
With stories involving Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart, Queen Latifah and Usher all appearing on the same list, Biles has landed in some pretty unexpected company following her own alleged Porsche theft.
A New Car Had Already Become A Tradition For The Gymnast
Long before the stolen Porsche drama, Biles was already turning car upgrades into their own little events. In August 2024, the Olympic champion showed off a sparkling white Mercedes-Benz G 550 after replacing her older black G-Wagon.
The reveal came with plenty of flair. PEOPLE reported that Biles first teased the purchase on Instagram Stories with “Out with the old” before posing on the hood of the new white SUV and declaring, “In with the NEW.
She even gave followers a peek inside the new ride, showing off its red leather seats while celebrating the latest addition to her growing Texas life with Jonathan Owens. The earlier upgrade now adds another fun detail to the story of Biles and her ever-evolving garage.
Simone Biles And Jonathan Owens Built Their Life Together In Texas
The latest car reveal comes as Biles and Owens continue settling into a life they have been building together for years. Their relationship began during the pandemic in 2020, when the two connected on dating app Raya and started seeing each other soon after.
As reported by The Blast, Biles recalled, “And then I saw that he was in the Houston area, so we started chatting a little bit, and then we went to hang out a week or two later.”
The relationship quickly became serious, with the couple going public on Instagram, getting engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2022, and eventually tying the knot in a Houston courthouse ceremony before celebrating with a larger wedding in Cabo San Lucas.
Since then, the two have continued showing up for each other, from Owens supporting Biles at gymnastics events to the Olympic champion cheering him on from the NFL sidelines.
With their Texas home becoming another major part of their life together, the new car is just the latest addition to everything they are building beyond the competition floor.
Will Simone Biles eventually give the full story of the car theft?
Entertainment
Star Trek Is Officially Rewriting ‘Strange New Worlds’ Winning Formula for Season 5 [Exclusive]
Editor’s Note: This interview contains spoilers for the Season 4 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Summary
Just like that, the penultimate season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has come to a close with an epic, time-bending finale that saw Lt. Uhura (Celia Gooding) teaming up with a future version of herself in a bid to save Scotty (Martin Quinn) from an untimely death. In “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” we get a glimpse of the earliest days of James T. Kirk’s (Paul Wesley) time as the Captain of the USS Enterprise, teeing up the endgame of Strange New Worlds, which is expected to bring the timeline full circle to The Original Series. With gorgeous costumes and a wild plot twist, this episode takes audiences on a wild ride that reaffirms the show’s throughline of found family fighting for a hope-filled future.
Ahead of the finale, I sat down with Strange New Worlds showrunners Henry Alonso Myers and Akiva Goldsman to discuss the episode, while also looking forward to the future of Star Trek. We also discussed what audiences can expect from the show’s fifth and final season, which is expected to air sometime in 2027, following the second and final season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Big changes are coming for Strange New Worlds as Myers and Goldsman confirmed they’ll be abandoning the show’s genre-hopping premise — to an extent — as they use every minute of their final six episodes to give this crew of the USS Enterprise a fitting send-off. Myers and Goldsman also briefly teased further exploration of the relationship between Kirk and La’an (Christina Chong), what to expect from the new Bones (Thomas Jane) and Sulu (Kai Murakami), and how they’ll bring the series to a satisfying end. You can read our full conversation in the transcript below.
COLLIDER: Much of this episode is anchored in Uhura and Scotty’s relationship, which is, I think, mentioned offhandedly in the movies, but I’m curious, what made you want to explore that dynamic for this finale?
HENRY ALONSO MYERS: Well, part of that was that there’s a lot of stuff that they kind of got into later, I think, in the films that imply that there’s a whole world of emotion that is not really explored throughout the series. It’s one of the fun things that we’ve gotten to do on this show was give those characters some things to play that they didn’t get to do in the original show, but that have been implied.
They had interesting chemistry. We wanted to find, you know, we were interested in, the romance between them, and also it’s an important episode where she’s exploring, trying to make a, you know, like a time travel adjustment, and these things are much better if you have some emotional core that you’re trying to save at the heart of it. And I think that because we felt that was there in the movies, it was something we could dig in and reveal more specifically.
It’s Officially the End of an Era for ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’
When I spoke with Paul a few weeks ago, he mentioned that there might be a little less genre hopping in Season 5, as you guys only have six episodes to really land the ship. Can you speak to whether Season 5 will play out, episodically still, or will it be a little more serialized?
AKIVA GOLDSMAN: It’s definitely still an episodic show, but to some people’s delight and others’ dismay, there will be essentially no genre hopping. Which isn’t to say the tones of the episodes aren’t different, but they are fundamentally a suite of episodes that are about our goodbyes to those characters.
Speaking of those goodbyes, there are several Strange New Worlds characters that we don’t ever meet in The Original Series. Can you tease anything about bringing their stories in particular to a satisfying end?
GOLDSMAN: We will bring those stories to a satisfying end. [Laughs]
That is great to hear. We do get a little mention of Bones in this episode, and we know you guys have already cast Bones and Sulu. I’m curious what made Thomas Jane and Kai Murakami the right guys to fill those two roles?
MYERS: Well, this feels like something we should talk about next season maybe, but I will say simply, they were both really great and they’re fun to work with and smart, and got to bring something that really, genuinely felt like those characters to us. But, if you really want to see that yourself, you should watch next season.
We do get also a little glimpse of a couple characters that are only seen in The Animated Series in this episode, which I thought was a really cool little Easter egg. How close is this alternate future that we see in this episode to where we end up in Season 5?
GOLDSMAN: So I don’t think this is an alternate future. I think this is an interstitial future. I think there is a…so, this exists in continuity as well. How close it is…
MYERS: Well, Scotty doesn’t die. That’s the only part that would change.
GOLDSMAN: Correct. So…close.
MYERS: Right.
‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Never Wants to Stop Surprising You
Jumping back a little bit into this episode. I love that this sort of carries on the tradition of Starfleet delivering space babies. What made you decide to make that part of this finale’s central mystery?
MYERS: I mean, usually what you do in a writers’ room, I will say globally, is you keep playing with something until it surprises you. And I think that we kept taking it to what felt like an ordinary place. And that’s never a great way to have an act out. What you want is an act out that twists the story in some way and makes it, like, genuinely, “What? Oh, my God!” Like, you want to give something to the audience that you look for in a story. And we were genuinely surprised and thought it was not where people expected to go with each turn in this episode. And that’s really what we were going for. I mean, that’s just a global writing thing that we stick to in the room.
I love any time that this sort of trope comes up in Star Trek. I think it’s so much fun. When Uhura mentions La’an in this future, Kirk has a pretty strong but sort of unexplained reaction. I’m curious, is this a hint about where her story goes in Season 5, or is it simply a reference to their star-crossed nature?
GOLDSMAN: You will have to watch Season 5.
I will be there with bells on.
MYERS: I promise you, there will be surprises and emotion to come.
I really, really enjoyed their alternate universe-ish episode in Season 2, so I am excited for more of that relationship — if it’s there!
GOLDSMAN: It very well may be, my friend.
‘Strange New Worlds’ Showrunners Only Have One Regret Ahead of the Final Season
I know that with Star Trek, the possibilities are truly endless. And I know that with you guys having this shorter run of episodes in Season 5, you may not have gotten to check off everything on your Star Trek bucket list. So I’m curious if there’s anything else that you would like to see come to fruition in a future comic series, or another series down the line?
GOLDSMAN: I mean, I think we’re going to have, you know, we, as Henry says, we leave behind a bunch of ideas every year. I think I regret that we were unable to get Shatner on this show. That would have been wonderful. But otherwise, for me, I feel pretty fulfilled.
MYERS: I think if you get to do five seasons of a show and you get to come up with the actual ending, that’s a win. You know, I’ve worked on a lot of shows, and sometimes you get to say goodbye, and sometimes it just ends. This is the best of all those worlds.
With Star Trek sort of coming to the end of an era, on television for the time being. I am curious if you guys have any advice that you would give to Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who are sort of working on bringing back the franchise to the big screen?
GOLDSMAN: I wouldn’t dare. I know them. You know well enough to know that they love Star Trek and that is the only prerequisite in my book. And then the imagination is the limit.
MYERS: I mean, they’re great writers. I just hope that they get to have as much fun as we did, if not more. Because I feel like that’s usually the sign that things are going well. You get to enjoy it.
Seasons 1–4 of Strange New Worlds are now streaming on Paramount+. The fifth and final season is expected to air next year. Stay tuned at Collider for more.
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2027-00-00
- Network
-
Paramount+
- Showrunner
-
Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman
- Directors
-
Dan Liu, Amanda Row, Maja Vrvilo, Akiva Goldsman, Dermott Downs, Eduardo Sánchez, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jonathan Frakes, Jordan Canning, Leslie Hope, Valerie Weiss, Sydney Freeland, Christopher J. Byrne, Rachel Leiterman
- Writers
-
Onitra Johnson
The late Dolly Parton’s younger sister Freida Parton has broken her silence on family “feud” rumors following the legendary singer’s death.
“Hi I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family. No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate,” Freida, 69, clarified via Instagram on Wednesday, September 23.
Her statement comes on the heels of Dolly’s nephew Bryan Seaver being fired as head of security for her properties last week. The controversial decision to remove Seaver was reportedly made by the executors of Dolly’s estate.
“We all love Bryan, just as we love each other. I love you all,” Freida clarified in Wednesday’s Instagram post.
A spokesperson for Seaver’s security company SAPS said over the weekend that they were “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions” by those in charge of Dolly’s estate.
Seaver and his team were reportedly served notice on Wednesday, September 16, that their services were no longer required at Dolly’s Nashville home, museum and warehouse. They were immediately replaced by an entirely new security staff.
“We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much,” Seaver’s spokesperson told TMZ.
Court documents obtained by Us on Wednesday shed new light on an apparent dispute between Seaver and Dolly’s executors in the days before her death at age 80 on August 25.
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]
She’s Alive, LLC — the organization Dolly appointed to look after her business interests following her death — filed a motion earlier this week, asking for a restraining order against Seaver to be immediately granted.
Parton’s manager Danny Nozell and fellow executors alleged in their court filing that Seaver threatened to use his “self-proclaimed military-contractor experience, access to weapons, and capacity for violence to extort [Parton’s estate] into giving into his demands for money.”
Per She’s Alive, LLC, Seaver allegedly sent a string of threatening text messages where he described himself as “literally an international arms dealer and mercenary.”
“Her money better be bigger than I can make elsewhere or I’m going to f*** everyone. I am about to become the hand of retribution for my entire family,” Seaver allegedly wrote in one message.
Another purported text message allegedly read, “I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnership and telling the violations these people have done on us.”
“I am [seeking] vengeance for my people for the next 50 years. I have no debt. I only own swords and guns,” Seaver allegedly wrote to Nozell. “All I have is animosity and memory. But I’m going to spend the next times I have on earth ratf***ing anyone that has ever betrayed my family… All I do is warfare… Everyone needs to be worried about what I might do.”
Bryan Seaver Courtesy Instagram / Dolly Parton
Seaver responded in a statement to TMZ in which he denied he’d ever directly threatened Nozell or anyone from She’s Alive, LLC.
“I am a career soldier and military contractor and do conduct arms deals for foreign governments. I am a security professional and I am a killer,” Seaver told the outlet. “However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by.”
“I was talking frankly in a private way with Danny, who I thought was my friend and he fancies himself a gangster,” Seaver went on to say. “A lot of these messages are two guys having rage-talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving.”
As for the alleged “ratf***ing” threat,” Seaver said, “I was talking about people that have done bad to Dolly in business — a specific company that scared her and intimidated her. Those comments were about specific, horrible business partners that have done wrong to her and I stand by that.”
The dispute is particularly shocking since Seaver was chosen by Dolly on behalf of her family to announce her death via an Instagram video last month. (Seaver’s mother is Dolly’s sister Cassie Parton.)
“As her head of security for more than two decades — a role my father Larry held before me — I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” Seaver said in a video statement posted on Parton’s official Instagram account on August 25. “It is an honor — an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by [late husband] Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched over her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Us has reached out to Seaver’s company for comment.
Dolly Parton‘s nephew, Bryan Seaver, has found himself at the center of a legal dispute with his late aunt’s estate after being terminated from his position. The estate has also filed a lawsuit against him, alleging extortion, threats, and retaliation. Seaver has publicly responded to the claims and pushed back on the allegations, offering his side of the story and addressing the circumstances surrounding the “killer” comment.
Dolly Parton’s Nephew Is Facing A Lawsuit Against His Aunt’s Estate
Bryan Seaver is in a legal battle against She’s Alive LLC (SAL), the entity created to protect and manage Dolly Parton’s affairs and legacy, overseen by her longtime manager Danny Nozell.
On September 16, Seaver received a letter terminating him as head of security, a position he took over from his father and held for more than 20 years. In a statement, Seaver said he was “dismayed” by the decision, adding that no explanation was given.
“I was fired. After the estate negotiated with me and my company for services in perpetuity and agreed to that service provision from my company. A week later they fired me for these contrived ‘threats’,” Seaver said.
SAL then filed a lawsuit against him, alleging he made extortion demands, threatened Nozell and estate employees, and vowed to “destroy” Parton’s brand.
In court documents, the entity alleged Seaver sent messages calling himself a “killer” and wrote, “Everyone needs to be worried about what I might do,” as reported by The Blast.
Bryan Seaver Says Dolly Parton Called Him ‘Her Killer’
Seaver denied the accusations and added context to the situation. He told TMZ that the messages between him and Nozell cited in the court documents were private “rage talk” between them that were misconstrued.
As for the “killer” comment, Seaver said Parton referred to him by that nickname, per ABC News.
“Dolly called me her killer. It was a joke we used around her camp. I was her ‘baby boy ninja’ and Danny Nozell took that text out of context to somehow imagine that I was threatening him. He’s always called me The Killer,” Seaver explained.
He also rejected the claim that he threatened Parton estate employees, saying that he considers them his friends and co-workers.
Dolly Parton’s Sister Shuts Down Rumors Amid The Controversy
Amid the controversy between Seaver and Parton’s estate, there have been rumors circulating that a feud erupted among the country icon’s family members after her passing.
Parton’s younger sister, Freida, took to social media and shut down the rumors. “There is no feud within our family. No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate,” she wrote. In addition, she also addressed Seaver’s ongoing dispute, saying that he is loved by everyone in the family.
The Court Granted A Restraining Order Against Bryan Seaver
Following his firing, Seaver, along with his team from his private security firm Squadrant Augmented Protection Services, was dismissed from Parton’s property. The replacement team immediately assumed their security duties.
In addition to the lawsuit, SAL also filed a temporary restraining order against Seaver, which the court granted.
According to The Tennessean, Seaver was ordered to keep a distance of 1,000 feet from any SAL employee and people who have business with the entity. He is also banned from communicating with them and interfering in business relationships.
A hearing is scheduled on October 7.
Dolly Parton’s Fans Are Left Confused And In Disbelief
The accusations against Seaver made headlines not even a month after Parton’s death, which left her fans stunned, particularly given his close relationship with the singer. Parton had personally chosen Seaver to announce her death to the public, a decision that reflected the trust she placed in her nephew.
The dispute has grown more complicated, with both sides offering different accounts as the legal battle continues.
Amid the controversy, there seems to be a shared sentiment that the ongoing dispute is not the kind of situation the country legend would have wanted associated with her legacy.
Giada De Laurentiis is breaking her silence after processing her elimination from Dancing With the Stars season 35 — and she has nothing but “love” for the whole experience.
“I just wanted to take a second and thank everybody for all of their support through this journey on Dancing With the Stars,” De Laurentiis, 56, said in an Instagram video shared on Wednesday, September 23. “And all the moms that shared their stories. It was really, really, really inspiring.”
The chef revealed, “I’m honored to represent women in their 50s and trying something new.”
De Laurentiis then advised her followers to “try something that scares you, because honestly guys, it is a rush.”
The cookbook author was sent packing on Tuesday, September 22’s Viral Hits Night alongside dance partner Alan Bersten after their salsa received a low score of 12 out of 30.
“I tried my best and it wasn’t best enough. But I tried my best,” De Laurentiis told viewers as she said goodbye to the ballroom.
Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten doing the salsa on ‘DWTS.’ Disney/Christopher Willard
While she had little to say following the shocking results, De Laurentiis explained on Wednesday that she was so happy for every part of her journey.
“A shout-out to Alan, he was such a loving partner. Truly,” she said in the thoughtful video. “So patient and helped me get really determined. So, it was really great.”
De Laurentiis noted that her biggest success from DWTS came by seeing how proud her daughter, Jade, was watching from college on the East Coast. (The former Food Network host shares Jade, 18, with ex-husband Todd Thompson.)
Dancing With the Stars’ Emma Slater is taking care of her ballroom pro boyfriend, Alan Bersten, after his partner, Giada De Laurentiis, was the third celebrity to be eliminated from season 35. Slater, 37, took to Instagram on Wednesday, September 23, to share how she’s been supporting Bersten, 32, after he and De Laurentiis, 56, […]
“Watching Jade watch me dance, to me, that and having her checking in with me every day, texting me how I was doing and sending support and love from the east coast, that to me was the mirror ball,” she revealed. “That was everything. It was really special and something I won’t forget.”
While her time was short on the competition series — she was cut after week two — De Laurentiis said she “met a lot of cool people and had a great time” on and off the dance floor.
Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Giada De Laurentiis, Alan Bersten, Emma Slater. Disney/Frank Micelotta
“And I pushed myself out of my comfort zone,” she continued with a big smile on her face. “I think that’s what life’s all about. So, I’ve got nothing but love. I can’t wait to root everybody on. Thanks you guys.”
De Laurentiis shared an extra message of love via the caption of her video, writing, “Thank you for all of the DMs, comments, words of support, it has meant more than you know.”
She added, “The biggest thank you to my amazing partner, @alanbersten — what a fun adventure! All my love ❤️.”
Bersten, 32, for his part, shared an Instagram video hugging De Laurentiis after the show, as his own farewell to the season.
“Thank you for everything @giadadelaurentiis,” he captioned the upload.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
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