Shania Twain is known and loved for her undeniable country hits like ‘You’re Still the One,’ ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much.’ But there’s a quieter side to the superstar that even Shania superfans might not know—she’s an avid reader! In fact, she’s so devoted to beloved author Debbie Macomber that she stepped in to help bring her Texas-based series to TV!

So if you’re in the market for a new book recommendation or are curious about what books are on Shania’s bookshelf or both, you’re in for a treat! Here, we rounded up 5 books from the bookish haul she shared on Instagram so you can add a little Shania-approved inspiration to your own TBR list! Her book picks span a wide variety of genres from music memoirs to Hollywood biographies, small-town romance and more, so there’s something for every kind of book lover.

Shania’s a fan of Debbie Macomber books

Shania adores The Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber so much that she’s trying to bring it to the small screen. “There are some parallels in the story to my own story — a young family carrying on after the parents die, and the female main character having all this responsibility,” Shania told The Hollywood Reporter. 

“I was thinking this sounds so much like my own life. And I’m drawn to horses and the whole lifestyle of living outside the city, where family is everything. It really spoke to me.” 

In 2020, Shania was working on developing the series with Reel World Management (Netflix’s Virgin River) and planning to produce and write original songs for the series. There have been no recent updates on where the series stands now.

‘Heart of Texas’ by Debbie Macomber

Known for her heartfelt charm and stories of hope set in small towns, Debbie Macomber has penned more than 200 books. Heart of Texas—which contains the stories Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step—was released as a combined volume in 2007. (Though the individual stories were published starting in 1998!) The book transports readers to Promise, Texas, where Savannah Weston works on her family ranch with her brother Grady. As she harbors her own dreams for the future, she meets a cowboy named Laredo Smith. What follows is a story of small-town loyalties, dreams and following your heart.

What Shania has said about it: “Heart of Texas is a compelling, heartwarming drama. It’s exciting and filled with realistic characters like Savannah, Grady and Richard Weston who are trying to keep their family legacy alive,” she said on Instagram. 

What readers are saying: “I love this book. One of the things that I love most about Debbie Macomber’s stories is that she continues them in a series of books. I never really feel like I am saying, ‘goodbye,’ to her characters. They become friends that I can continue to visit with each new book in the series.”

‘Return to Promise’ by Debbie Macomber

If you’re looking for a little romance from Shania’s bookshelf, this other Debbie Macomber favorite, set in the same Texas town, also fits the bill. Return to Promise follows Cal Patterson—also known as Dr. Texas—and his wife Jane. Their quiet lives are upended when an attractive newcomer causes trouble in their marriage. As they face time apart and questions about their future, they’ll have to decide whether their love is worth finding their way back to each other.

What readers are saying: “I have really loved this series. This particular installment was unique in that there was not a new romance introduced, but featured the marital struggles of one of the couples who married in an earlier book in the series. I highly recommend this series and suggest that it be read in chronological order with this book at the end. This is really a recap of what is happening with all of the couples introduced in the earlier books.”

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‘Robin’ by Dave Itzkoff

In Shania’s book haul video, she cozies up with her reads and the first one she grabs is Robin by Dave Itzkoff. “This is one I’ve been wanting to read for a while,” she says, holding the book close to her heart. 

The bestselling biography paints a compelling portrait of Robin Williams. Known for his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs, his emotional award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting and his iconic improv ability shown in Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams is an unforgettable talent in countless ways. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with family and friends as well as archival research, Itzkoff chronicles the comedian’s highs and lows in a way that proves why he touched so many lives. 

What readers are saying: “Itzkoff focuses on the many interviews he conducts. From these accounts, he artfully pieces together a vision of Williams’ life. The writing is always strong, always respectful without being worshipful. I came away from “Robin” with a renewed respect for Robin Williams, a sense of nostalgia for his early work, and a desire to go back and re-watch the many great movies he made.”

‘Acid for the Children’ by Flea

This was one of the books spotted on a teetering pile in Shania’s reading stack—and it’s quite the story. In Acid for the Children, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea looks back on his unconventional childhood and teenage years, from Australia to the Los Angeles music scene. In California, he found friendship, creativity and, eventually, his way into music. A funny, candid and totally wild memoir about the power of music and how it can change your life.

What readers are saying: “What a phenomenal insight into Flea and the making of Red Hot Chili Peppers. As a lifelong fan, I truly appreciated the style of writing because it felt like Flea was just talking to me and me where he was and what he was doing. It was a fun journey to say the least!”

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‘F*ck Your Feelings’ by Michael Bennett, MD, and Sarah Bennett

Rounding out Shania’s diverse reading haul is F*ck Feelings, which takes a refreshingly blunt—and very funny—approach to life’s problems. Written by a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and his comedy-writer daughter, the book is all about letting go of what you can’t control, setting realistic expectations and focusing your energy on what you actually can change. It’s a practical self-help book that doesn’t take itself too seriously!

What readers are saying: “Dr. Bennett and his daughter have delivered the most powerful self-help book I have ever read. They identify almost every relationship you would be in and insightfully explain how to successfully navigate each one. The relationships include marital, dating, bosses, co-workers, friends, employees, supervisees, in-laws and myriad others in which you may find yourself mired. They don’t say others are to blame and you’re innocent; rather, all relationships are fraught with complexity so what’s the best way to succeed or at least cope.”

If you’re tasked with solving a London murder, apparently it’s pretty helpful to have a Doctor—or three of them—on the case. That’s certainly the situation in the upcoming sixth season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, which is shifting locales to across the pond and should get the attention of Doctor Who around the world.

David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker and the just-announced Peter Capaldi are all joining Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez for the show’s London adventure. In other words, the Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctors are about to inhabit the same murder mystery, though no one should expect the TARDIS to be anywhere in sight. 

Hulu’s official Only Murders in the Building account had some fun with the announcement, declaring, “Season 6 is shaping up to be a real WHOdunit!” Details of the Doctors’ roles are being kept under wraps for the time being, and there’s no indication whether the three former Doctors will actually share scenes, but just having them appearing in the same season makes for a pretty remarkable unofficial Doctor Who reunion.

What is ‘Only Murders in London’?

Since premiering in 2021, Only Murders in the Building has followed Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), three residents of the Arconia apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side who bond over their obsession with true crime. Naturally, when people start dying around them, the trio begin investigating the cases themselves—while turning their adventures into a true-crime podcast.

Season 6 changes that formula in one significant way in that they’re leaving the building. Hulu confirmed when it renewed the series last October that the sixth season would take Charles, Oliver and Mabel to London. More recently, Disney’s D23 event has been promoting the season with the very appropriate title Only Murders in London.

The new mystery was actually set up at the end of Season 5. True-crime podcaster Cinda Canning (Tina Fey) returned with a new podcast involving a murder case in London, only to become the show’s next victim herself. Her death sets the stage for Charles, Oliver and Mabel to travel overseas looking for answers.

Three Doctors and a Master enter the mystery

For Doctor Who fans, the most intriguing part of the new cast may be the succession of Time Lords joining the investigation.

David Tennant starred as the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010, becoming one of the most popular actors of the modern Doctor Who era. He subsequently made numerous return appearances and, in a unique twist, became the Fourteenth Doctor for three 60th anniversary specials in 2023.

Peter Capaldi followed Matt Smith as the Twelfth Doctor, first appearing briefly in 2013 before starring in the series from 2014 through 2017. His incarnation was older, pricklier and initially more mysterious than some of his immediate predecessors, before gradually revealing the enormous heart beneath the abrasive exterior. Then came Jodie Whittaker, who took over from Capaldi and made history as the first woman to regularly portray the Doctor, playing the Thirteenth Doctor from 2017 until 2022. All of which means Only Murders has landed three actors who collectively played the Doctor across a substantial stretch of the modern series.

But the Doctor Who connections don’t end with the Doctors. Derek Jacobi is also among the Season 6 guest cast, which creates a particularly fun connection to Tennant. Jacobi appeared in the acclaimed 2007 Doctor Who episode “Utopia” as Professor Yana, an apparently kindly scientist who eventually discovers that he is actually the Doctor’s longtime nemesis, the Master.

So while Only Murders in London isn’t a Doctor Who reunion in any official sense, its cast is beginning to look suspiciously like one, and they’re hardly alone. The sprawling Season 6 ensemble also includes Jim Broadbent, Jennifer Saunders, Martin Freeman, Nicola Coughlan, Simone Ashley, Sharon Horgan, Richard Ayoade, Jane Horrocks, Kathryn Hunter, Geri Halliwell-Horner and others.

For a series that has always delighted in loading up on unexpected guest stars, London has given Only Murders an especially deep bench of British talent. What remains unknown at this point is who Tennant, Capaldi and Whittaker are playing—or whether any of them could potentially be suspects in Cinda’s murder. For now, Doctor Who fans will have to wait for those answers. No premiere date has been announced.

Over the weekend, Hallmark took a trip down under with the premiere of Aussie at Heart starring Daniel Lissing and Rhiannon Fish. The swoon-worthy romance, which debuted on August 15, followed Samara, a woman who must work alongside her former colleague and nemesis, Nate, as they organize a couple’s anniversary celebration together in Queensland. As Nate and Samara are forced together, they address their past and fall for one another in the process. After the premiere, it didn’t take long for fans to start buzzing about the Hallmark hunk at the heart of this film, and if you’re looking to dive into some of Daniel Lissing’s previous projects on the Hallmark Channel, we’ve gathered a few of our favorites. Here, a look back at Daniel Lissing’s Hallmark career. 

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Daniel Lissing got his Hallmark start on ‘When Calls the Heart’

Daniel Lissing’s role in Aussie at Heart was rather fitting considering the actor actually hails from Australia, and before making waves on Hallmark, he made appearances across various Australian television series. It was in 2014 that he made the leap to Hallmark when he debuted on the hit drama When Calls the Heart opposite Erin Krakow. Lissing brought Jack Thornton to life, a Mountie who stole the heart of Elizabeth Thatcher. The two beloved characters eventually married in the show, but in Season 5, Jack tragically died. 

Why did Daniel Lissing leave ‘When Calls the Heart’?

Jack’s death shook viewers and fans of the series, and while the actor never revealed the details behind his exit, he opened up during a Facebook Live and gave a bit of context. “Circumstances arose for me where I needed to leave When Calls the Heart for reasons that are very personal to me,” Lissing shared in 2018 as reported by Entertainment Tonight. “I went to Hallmark and they were nothing but supportive of me. I went to the girls and they were nothing but supportive of me.”

Later, Daniel got candid in a separate chat with ET, explaining that he had no regrets about his decision to leave the series. “It’s funny the way the world works. If I had stayed on the show and been there during Season 6 and shot and all that kind of stuff, then I wouldn’t have met [my fiancée] Nadia, you know? And I wouldn’t be getting married and I wouldn’t be at this place in my life where I feel really in line with what I’m meant to be doing personally and professionally, so no regrets at all.”

Daniel Lissing is a Christmas icon on Hallmark

After his time on When Calls the Heart concluded, Daniel Lissing remained a fixture on the network, and his holiday films are some of our favorites. Last holiday season, Daniel Lissing shined opposite Lyndsy Fonseca in Single on the 25th as a handsome neighbor who forms a connection with the film’s leading lady. In 2024, he and Erin Krakow got to share the screen once again in Santa Tell Me, where she took the lead as a home design TV series host who receives a surprising prediction about her love life via a letter from Santa. Christmas Under Construction, another holiday film from 2024, had Lissing playing the part of a hunky cabin owner who hits it off with the host of the series Renovation Romance. 

With a resume as impressive as his, Daniel Lissing has earned his spot on the Hallmark Channel. If you missed Aussie at Heart this weekend, catch it on Hallmark+ now. 

Instead, she appeared in a prerecorded video message—and, in true Dolly fashion, managed to make everyone smile even while our hearts were breaking that she couldn’t be there to kick it off in person.

“I am still in Nashville, and I am sorry about that,” Dolly told the crowd. She explained that she has been dealing with “a few little health issues,” including occasional dizziness and dehydration. 

“So I guess if your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week,” she said. Then, wearing a pair of fluttering butterfly wings, she added with that unmistakable Dolly humor, that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings!”

Dolly reassured everyone that she is doing well and said she likes to keep her fans “in the loop.” And she clearly wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to talk about the reason we were all gathered at Dollywood. “I’ve been wanting to tell everybody about our great new ride, NightFlight Expedition,” she said. “You have fun, and I’m gonna see you down the road.” 

What is Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition?

If you’ve heard people calling NightFlight Expedition a new roller coaster, that’s true—but it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. 

This is not your typical thrill ride.

NightFlight Expedition is an immersive indoor adventure that combines four experiences into one all-indoor ride: a nighttime flight over the Smoky Mountains, a whitewater rafting adventure, a coaster-style mountain journey and a mysterious trip across a glowing lake—all packed into about 5½ minutes.

The attraction is housed inside a massive 44,000 square-foot, climate-controlled building, so unlike many Dollywood attractions, NightFlight Expedition isn’t dependent on the weather. It features a 1,255-foot track, reaches speeds of up to 29 mph and has a minimum height requirement of 39 inches. Each ride vehicle seats 10 people.

The ride’s custom amphibious vehicles are part of what makes the attraction so unique. They transition between different portions of the experience and use projection technology, lighting, audio and other effects to make you feel like you’re actually moving through the various environments rather than simply watching a screen.

The project represents more than a $50 million investment, making it the largest single attraction investment in the park’s history.

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NightFlight Expedition tells a story

The story centers around twins Cora and Jasper Oakley, scientists who are fascinated by the mysterious bioluminescence found throughout Wildwood Grove. Their research leads them to believe that the source of the glowing phenomenon may be Secret Lake, a hidden body of water deep within the Smoky Mountains.

So, naturally, they set off to find it—and we, as riders, get to come along for the adventure.

As explorers on their expedition, riders are given a special tool to help with the search: a “Bioluminator,” which is built right into each NightFlight Expedition vehicle. The device helps riders track the mysterious glowing roots that stretch through the mountain and ultimately lead toward Secret Lake.

The story also ties directly into the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, including the magical Wildwood Tree, the mysterious lake and the bioluminescent roots all help tie the story into this section of the park.

Dolly has said the ride was inspired in part by her memories of the Smokies at night, particularly fireflies, moonlight, owls and the stars. “I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky,” she previously said of the attraction. “It’s pure mountain magic.”

“I’m so proud that we’re able to create something like NightFlight Expedition and give families a brand-new way to experience the Smokies together,” Dolly adds. “Growing up here, I learned to love these mountains in a way that stays with you your whole life. I always want folks who visit Dollywood to feel that same way.

“This ride truly is an adventure that lets you see the mountains the way I always remember them, full of wonder and beauty. I’m also excited that with NightFlight Expedition we’re able to tell stories about what happens in the mountains after the sun goes down. Whether a family is coming for their hundredth visit or if they’re coming for their very first time, I hope they’ll make memories here that are just as special as the ones I made growing up.”

And that description reveals what Dollywood is trying to accomplish here: to make you feel like you’ve entered a completely different world.

Is NightFlight Expedition worth it? My honest review

The staging area

As soon as you enter the enormous building, you’re transported into the world of Cora and Jasper Oakley. The space feels like a fascinating mash-up of an old-school airplane hangar and a natural science laboratory, with colorful lights, glowing effects and plenty of details that make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a real scientific expedition. One of my favorite parts? The line is all indoors and it’s wonderfully air conditioned! 

As you move through the line, you’re surrounded by clues about the adventure ahead, from the twins’ scientific research to the mysterious bioluminescence they’re trying to understand. The colorful effects give the space an almost futuristic feel, while the aviation-inspired details reinforce the idea that you’re about to take flight.

Rather than making you stand in line and then suddenly dropping you into a story once the ride begins, Dollywood uses the staging area to set the scene and get you curious about what you’re about to discover.

It also helps explain why you’re about to climb into what looks like a very unusual ride vehicle: You’re joining an expedition.

And by the time you’re ready to board, you’re already wondering what—and who—you’ll encounter once you take off. 

Is it good for plus-size riders?

The first thing I noticed was how accommodating the ride vehicle was.

That might not be the what you’d expect me to say about a new coaster, but as a plus-sized rider myself, it’s important. The ride vehicle was comfortable and felt welcoming to a wide range of body types. It has a broad seat with a personal lap bar that comes down without being too snug. 

Is the ride scary? 

Once I was settled in, the fun really began. Our first stop was the illusion of flying over the Smokies. The combination of movement, music, color and scenery genuinely made me feel like I was soaring. The fact that you can pick out Dollywood landmarks below you makes it even better.

Then your vehicle moves backwards and turns into a rushing rapid, but here’s some good news for visitors who hate water rides—I barely got wet. Just as you round a bend you go down a short but steep drop that has your heart pounding—in a good way—and though it’s fast, I’d say it’s still very kid friendly.

The lake, however, is stunning and relaxing. As you approach it, the water glows in brilliant shades of blue, pink and purple. It’s one of those moments where you gently float and take it all in.

My final verdict 

I think Dollywood got it right with this ride. It’s thrilling without being terrifying. It’s exciting without being too intense for families. And it conveys the joy, personality and color of Dolly herself.

Best of all, it’s just plain fun.

Yes, there were a few little glitches during our preview. The ride actually went down while we were waiting in line, and we experienced a small glitch after the first segment. But I wasn’t worried about it.

This is still a brand-new, incredibly complicated attraction, and Dollywood has said the ride’s opening was delayed in part because of the complexity of the project. Give it a little time.

I expect those kinks will soon be worked out, and they’ll be quickly forgotten. There were plenty of smiles, laughs and people talking about their favorite parts as we exited. And for me, the biggest compliment I can give is simple: I wanted to go again.

When can you ride NightFlight Expedition?

NightFlight Expedition officially opens to the general public on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

The ride is a big swing for Dollywood—and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. It’s not the fastest coaster in the park. It’s not the biggest drop. And it’s not trying to be.

Instead, Dollywood has created something that feels like an immersive Smoky Mountain fairy tale. And perhaps that’s the most fitting tribute to Dolly.

She has spent decades taking something familiar—country music, a theme park, a story—and adding a little more magic to it. NightFlight Expedition does just that.

Hayden Panettiere, the actress who grew up before audiences and became a star through roles in Heroes, Nashville and films including Bring It On: All or Nothing and Scream, has died at the age of 36. Her sudden passing on August 16 has left fans mourning a performer whose career began when she was just a child and continued for more than three decades.

Throughout her life, Panettiere was remarkably candid about the personal struggles she faced away from the cameras. Yet in one of her final major interviews, she was looking ahead with a renewed sense of hope. Appearing on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast in May, she reflected on what she had overcome and spoke optimistically about the next chapter of her life.

“Let’s see where my life is going to go, because I finally feel like I have shaken all of this darkness and negativity, and that means I’ve closed one door and another door is opened, and I can feel it opened,” Panettiere shared with Shetty. “I feel like I have a lot more life to live.” 

Take a look back at Hayden Panettiere’s life and incredible career before her untimely passing. 

Commercials and soap operas

A life on screen is the only one Panettiere ever knew, having begun her career at such a young age. Before she was acting in big films and hit TV shows, the actress was appearing in more than 50 commercials, from Jergens to Wendy’s, beginning at just 8 months old. After her level of talent was made clear, it wasn’t long before she was booking larger projects. 

In 1994, Panettiere snagged a starring role in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, which helped to launch her acting career. The young actress portrayed Sarah Roberts and held onto the role for three years until 1997. Immediately after, she  booked another soap opera, Guiding Light, as Lizzie Spaulding, who she portrayed for another three years until 2000. 

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But while she was scoring roles and quickly becoming a rising star, Panettiere was facing a lot of pressure behind-the-scenes, both from her manager mother, Lesley Vogel, and the public. Those problems led to issues later in life, including body dysmorphia and addiction.

“I was groomed,” she said of her early career. “I was like a little soldier and I always have been. No was never an option. It was just: ‘Here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do.’ I took my marching orders.”

Panettiere on the big screen and ‘Heroes’

Following her years in daytime television, Panettiere steadily built a film career, appearing in A Bug’s Life (1998) and The Object of My Affection (1998) before taking on increasingly prominent roles in Raising Helen (2004), Ice Princess (2005), Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006) and I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009).

Her career reached another level in 2006 when she joined the cast of Heroes as Claire Bennet, the seemingly ordinary high school cheerleader who discovers she has the ability to rapidly heal from virtually any injury. The series, which ran through 2010, followed a group of people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities and made Panettiere one of the most recognizable young stars on television.

“I loved Claire, being on the Sunset Gower stages, the sets that they would create, and getting to do stunts,” Panettiere shared of her time on the show. “It was like a dream come true for me. It was just the best environment. Everyone was happy all the time, even in the intense scenes.”

Not long after Heroes came to an end, Panettiere was back on another hit TV show, Nashville, which successfully ran from 2012 until 2018. The actress starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes. However, even while on a hit show, she shared that she faced a hard time as her character’s life began to mirror her own.

“Straight from the beginning, it was, like, I’m dating a football player, [and then] Juliette dates a football player,” Panettiere said. “And then they turned her into an alcoholic. Then they turned to her leaving her daughter and going to this crazy [place] in Europe, and it was very obvious…They weren’t doing their homework. They weren’t creating new storylines. They were just looking at my life and going, ‘Oh, let’s just take what she’s going through and put our little spin on it.’ And then, ta-da! It’s done and done.”

Panettiere’s personal life

Throughout her three decade career, Panettiere dealt with some extremely challenging issues, from addiction to domestic abuse to postpartum depression, with each one somehow fueling the next. Her addiction to opioids and alcohol dependency began at a young age—when she was 15, someone on her team gave her “happy pills” to take before red carpet appearances, explaining that it would give her energy. 

Panettiere later shared that she was too young to understand the toll that would take or even that it was considered a drug. Although it was an occasional occurrence at first, it grew into something she relied on. 

In 2014, she welcomed her daughter, Kaya, with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, which led to her struggles with postpartum depression and her furthering abuse of alcohol and opioids. In 2018, the actress decided to give Klitschko primary custody of their daughter while she focused on her own recovery. However, it was around this time that Panettiere began dating Brian Hickerson and experiencing domestic abuse. 

Their on and off relationship finally came to an end in 2022, but life didn’t get any easier. In 2023, her younger brother Jansen died of an undiagnosed heart condition at age 28. The actress dealt with that grief for a long time afterward, even explaining that she never truly got over it. 

While Panettiere was close with her father, Skip, her personal relationship with her mother was irrevocably damaged due to their professional one. When she tried to sever ties with her mom while on Heroes, her mother claimed that her daughter owed her monetarily, fracturing their bond to the point where eventually became a full estrangement.

In recent months, however, it seemed as though Panettiere had made it through the darkness and could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier this year, she published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which detailed all of her struggles and life as a child star. Additionally she shared in several interviews that she was ready to live a long life. Unfortunately, Panettiere died shortly after on August 16, 2026 at the age of 36. Her cause of death isn’t confirmed but it’s being said that she died of cardiac arrest following an apparent overdose. 

There has been an outpouring of love for the star from co-stars like Bethany Joy Lenz and Kim Cattrall to fans, all sharing sweet photos and their fond memories of the actress.

In 2013, Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell debuted in The Americans as Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings. Though they appeared to be a typical American couple, living a traditional suburban life raising two teenage children, the duo were actually Russian spies, hiding their true identities as undercover KGB officers.

Off screen, Matthew and Kerri first met at a kickball party hosted by actress Jennifer Grey in the early 2000s, but they wouldn’t reconnect until years later when they shared the screen together. Here, a look at their love story, the times in which they’ve acted together and what Matthew Rhys has said about working with his wife.

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How did Kerri Russell and Matthew Rhys meet?

As Rhys remembered it on an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, though they didn’t get together until over a decade later, he asked for her number the evening they first crossed paths. Kerri gave him her number, but his next move didn’t exactly leave the best impression on the Felicity actress. 

“This is where this all falls apart—I have no memory of this because I was very inebriated, but I left a very inebriated message on her answering machine as people had in those days,” he shared, further detailing that she didn’t return his call.

Years later, when they both began working on The Americans, Kerri was reminded of their initial encounter, and the chemistry between them grew. “We did all the readings together and all the things, and after a heavy dose of fight training, all sweaty, at lunch, you said, ‘You know we’ve met before.’ I said, ‘No we haven’t,’ and you said, ‘Yeah, we’ve met before, like 10 years ago at kickball.’ As soon as he said that, I knew exactly what [he meant] and I was like, ‘Oh! Of course I remember that,’” she shared on a separate episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.

As for diving into their budding chemistry, Rhys shared with Page Six, “We were both at an age where we’ve done it long enough to go, ‘You know workplace [romances] can be disastrous.” He continued, “So, I think it was approached with caution and a great deal of trepidation, and coupled with that, for me, was certainly fun and excitement.”

Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell loved sharing the screen

The Americans aired between 2013 and 2018, and after the series concluded, the duo both appeared in 2023’s Cocaine Bear. These days, Matthew Rhys is on folks’ radar thanks to his recent role in Widow’s Bay, while Russell is celebrated for her gig in The Diplomat. In a recent chat with Woman’s World, Rhys opened up about working apart these days and memories from The Americans. 

“I sometimes feel like I am on The Diplomat, I run lines with her so much,” he revealed. “And then I watch Rufus [Sewell, Kerri’s co-star] and go, ‘Ah, that’s an interesting choice,’” the actor joked. “I sometimes feel like we are still very much entrenched in that way.”

Matthew also reflected on their time spent together on The Americans, sharing that he often looks back on directing Kerri while she was pregnant with their child, saying, “I thought she was gonna take my head off.” He continued, “She didn’t do anything, she looked at me a certain way. I remember going, ‘Oop!’ Never try and direct your pregnant partner is my one piece of showbiz advice.”

Whether Matthew and Kerri are sharing the screen or not, their bond is something to celebrate, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them both. 

D23 2026 delivered major news for Walt Disney World and Disneyland fans, including new rides, reimagined classics and immersive lands. Here are nine D23 announcements we’re most excited about—from good to absolutely magical. 

What were the biggest D23 announcements in 2026?

No. 9: Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is getting a major reimagining

Disney announced plans to completely reimagine Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The land will get new attractions, more open spaces and new areas designed to capture the optimistic, forward-thinking spirit Walt Disney envisioned when the original Tomorrowland opened in 1955. Details are still limited, but Disney says Imagineers are working on a transformation that “honors Tomorrowland’s legacy while looking toward what’s next.”

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No. 8: Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress gets a makeover

One of Walt Disney World’s most nostalgic attractions is also getting a major update! The Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland takes guests on a rotating journey through a family’s life as technology changes across the decades. Originally created by Walt Disney for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the beloved Audio-Animatronics attraction has been entertaining guests for generations.

Now, it’s getting a fresh spin: The Carousel of Progress will reopen in late spring 2027 with a new introduction featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure and four updated scenes that move the family’s story from the 1960s through the future. Disney also revealed that Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston will voice Mom and Dad, Sarah and John. It’s a clever way to give this beloved classic a modern refresh without losing the heart that makes the experience so special.

No. 7: What’s changing on EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth

EPCOT’s giant geodesic icon is blasting into the future! Spaceship Earth will receive its first update in nearly two decades, with the attraction’s story moving beyond its current focus on human communication and into the internet age and beyond. 

The new version will emphasize human connection while adding new magic throughout the attraction. Disney hasn’t announced when the work will begin, but for longtime EPCOT fans, the thought of seeing one of the park’s most recognizable attractions refreshed for a new generation is undeniably exciting.

No. 6: Avengers Campus is expanding

Marvel fans, assemble! Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure is set to double in size when two new attractions—Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab—open in 2028. Disney shared new details about both experiences at D23, giving fans an even better idea of what’s coming to the superhero-filled land. 

With more room for Marvel stories, heroes and high-flying adventures, this expansion could make Avengers Campus one of the biggest must-visits at Disneyland. 

No. 5: Piston Peak is getting two wild new ‘Cars’ rides 

Get ready to race, spin and bounce your way through the American West—Cars style! Magic Kingdom’s new Piston Peak National Park is getting two attractions. On Cars Ridge Run Rally, guests will race through snow-capped mountains, over bumps and through a geyser field in specially designed vehicles that react to the terrain. 

Then there’s Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, a family-friendly demolition derby starring the delightfully chaotic school bus from Cars 3. The Cars-themed area is replacing Tom Sawyer Island, and these rides promise to bring a whole new kind of high-octane fun to Frontierland.

No. 4: Monstropolis is bringing laughter to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Monstropolis, the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, will begin opening in phases in 2027, bringing Mike, Sulley and their monster-filled world to life. Guests will find Harryhausen’s restaurant, complete with an Audio-Animatronics sushi chef, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Scareporium shop and a new show called Welcome to Monstropolis, featuring Mike and Sulley—and a new song from Disney Legend Randy Newman. 

The land’s biggest thrill, however, is still to come: a suspended roller coaster inspired by the iconic door chase from Monsters, Inc.

No. 3: Villains Land will be deliciously dark

It’s time to get wicked! Disney revealed more details about the long-awaited Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom—and this is not your typical Disney story. 

The land will be set in a dark forest surrounding a corrupted Wishing Well, with Disney villains drawn to its powerful magic. It’s expected to be comparable in scale to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and will feature two major attractions (see below for our No. 1!). With twisted trees, sinister lairs and plenty of familiar villains, this could be one of Disney’s most immersive lands yet. 

No. 2: Indiana Jones is heading to Animal Kingdom

Grab your fedora! Disney revealed exciting new details about Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, a new ride-through attraction coming to the new Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027. The adventure will put guests alongside Indiana Jones as they journey deep into a Mayan temple said to contain a passage to the Underworld. Along the way, they’ll encounter a massive serpent called Tsukán, plus bats, scorpions and snakes (why did it have to be snakes?). It promises to be an immersive, high-energy adventure that brings the world of Indiana Jones to life in a whole new way.

And here’s the really fun part: Harrison Ford himself will serve as the model for the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronics figures—the first time his likeness has been used for Indy in a Disney attraction anywhere in the world.

No. 1: Maleficent is getting her own wickedly thrilling ride

This is the one we’re counting down to! Disney saved one of its most exciting reveals for Villains Land: a brand-new Maleficent-themed roller coaster that will race through the enchanted briars surrounding the villain’s mountaintop fortress. Imagineers teased that the attraction will feature elements they’ve never attempted before on a Disney coaster, which immediately has our attention. 

The ride is part of the massive new Villains Land, where Maleficent will join the Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, Dr. Facilier and other fan-favorite baddies. We don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to climb aboard—but we’re ready to follow Maleficent straight into the briars. Talk about a happily ever after!

Ella Langley, known for hits like “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her,” has become an exciting new voice in the country music genre whose popularity only seems to grow. While the last few years have been full of change as her career continues to soar, the 27-year-old still makes time to unwind with a good book, and lucky for us, the songstress has shared her reading list and personal favorites over the years! Here, take a look at some of the books Ella Langley has dove into lately. 

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Ella leans on The Bible

Ella Langley has been open about her Christian faith over the last few years, and when times get tough, that faith is what she leans on. With that in mind, her Bible is an integral piece of her day-to-day life, especially while traveling. “I always travel with my Bible because it helps keep me centered when life gets hectic,” Langley revealed to Billboard. “Having quiet moments to reconnect with my faith is something I really lean on while traveling.”

What readers are saying: “Whether you believe the theology behind this book or not, you cannot deny the power and brilliance it contains.”

‘The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II’ by Judith Mackrell

During a TikTok live, Langley pulled the curtain back on a handful of books on her reading list, one of them being The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II by Judith Mackrell. The Correspondents tells the story of six remarkable female journalists who put their lives and safety on the line in order to report on WWII despite all that stood in their way. 

What readers are saying: “Author Judith Mackrell has given readers a well researched look into the heroism and determination needed to persevere as female wartime correspondents in a time when women were often not welcome.”

‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was another book Ella listed off on her live, citing “BookTok” as her source of inspiration. This beloved book by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story of a glamorous Hollywood icon who hires a reporter to write her autobiography. During the process, she reveals the truth behind her various love affairs and her life lived outside of the spotlight. 

What readers are saying: “This is genuinely one of the most remarkable novels I have ever read. It is a favorite of the year, it will be a favorite of all time. I am wholly enchanted by The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I will never forget how much I adore this book.”

‘The Stranger in the Lifeboat’ by Mitch Albom

In Ella’s live, she revealed that The Stranger in the Lifeboat was one of her “favorite books I’ve ever read.” When an explosion on a ship leaves a group stranded, they’re discovered by a man who claims to be the Lord. The man claims he can save them, but only if they all believe in him. 

What readers are saying: “This book gave me goosebumps—the good kind. Definitely a must-read. So beautiful.”

‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ by Mitch Albom

Another book by Mitch Albom on Ella’s reading list, The Five People You Meet in Heaven tells the story of a man who dies while trying to save a little girl from an accident at an amusement park. When he awakens in the afterlife, he’s confronted by five people who illustrate the meaning of his life from childhood to his death. 

What readers are saying: “This is a beautiful way to think about your purpose here on earth. We are so intimately connected in ways we often never even discover. The slightest action you take can drastically alter both your and someone else’s life.”

‘Magic Hour’ by Kristin Hannah

Ella listed off Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah as another book on her list, which tells the story of a renowned child psychologist who returns to her hometown after a tragic scandal and begins working with Alice, a young girl who emerged from the woods. 

What readers are saying: “The writing was amazing and the characters were very well developed! This story was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved every minute of it.”

Artificial Intelligence (which we’re more comfortable referring to as AI) has been writing and creating songs, generating movies, helping lawyers prepare documents and being responsible for generating more “slop” than a high school lunchroom. At the same time, it’s become an increasingly unavoidable part of everyday life, a fact that has led author Douglas J. Wood to come up with an even darker question: what if AI could help a serial killer avoid getting caught? And then, even more chillingly, what if AI became a serial killer itself?

That’s the premise behind Deadly Bytes, the third novel in Wood’s series following FBI profiler Chris DeMeglio, which has been preceded by Blood on the Bayou and The Shakespeare Killer. 

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “Literally I was just sitting around one night trying to go, as a writer, ‘What’s my next one?’ And I said, ‘AI. Wait a minute. Hold on. Have an AI serial killer. Why not?’ That was the germ of the idea. Most of my writing comes from me observing something in the market or in reality and then try and to spin it into something that’s fictional and sort of a ‘what if?’ scenario. And then I move from there on to writing whatever the novel is.” 

How does an AI serial killer work?

Wood’s idea doesn’t begin with a computer suddenly waking up one morning and deciding that humanity needs to die (besides, we’ve already seen that idea play out repeatedly over the years on TV and the big screen). Instead, the first half of Deadly Bytes focuses on a human serial killer using AI for precisely the reason millions of people already use it: because it can absorb an extraordinary amount of information and utilize it to solve a problem. The difference in this instance is the problem he’s asking it to solve.

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “When you think about how AI works, you basically give it a prompt, what you want it to do. It then accumulates a vast amount of knowledge. And in the case of a serial killer using AI to help him with his plans, that AI agent is looking at every single previous apprehension of a serial killer. It’s looking at the FBI’s profiler notebooks and manuals, which are readily available to the public—they’re out there, you can get them—and various other sources that have talked about how the police pursue criminals, et cetera.”

Which raises a pretty unsettling possibility. If AI can predict what law enforcement is likely to do next, couldn’t a killer use that same information to stay one step ahead?

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “If you’re saying to the AI agent, ‘Predict what the police will do so that they don’t get me,’ why not?” The first part of the book is how the human serial killer programs the AI to help him do his killing. The second half of the book is when the AI takes on its own initiative and it starts killing.”

That naturally raises another question: Has Wood taken an FBI procedural series and suddenly turned it into science fiction? Not as far as he’s concerned. In fact, maintaining the distinction was important to him while writing the novel.

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “I didn’t want to fall back on that because I wanted to keep to the criminal procedural theme that this book was. I wanted to make AI not so much of a fictitious sci-fi kind of thing, but something that had texture, that had its own character, its own personality, that it was more on the borderline of a sci-fi monster versus a monster that could actually be under your bed. So it was a very fine line that I was trying to draw there.”

“We’re already seeing AI being used for phishing or internet trolling and trying to scam people. The scams that AI is doing are far more sophisticated on the internet than the ones that used to be done by humans programming things. It is already obviously a major tool in the hands of criminals. That to me isn’t sci-fi; that’s more impending reality. As users get more sophisticated in dealing with AI, they’ll find potentially more alarming applications for it.”

The killer without a childhood to study

There’s also a clever wrinkle that directly attacks the premise of Wood’s own series. Chris DeMeglio is an FBI profiler, whose job is essentially to understand killers by finding patterns: looking at their crimes, their histories, their behavior and the experiences that may have helped shape them.

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “This character now comes face-to-face with something that doesn’t have a pattern. It invents it as it goes along, so you can’t go to its childhood. With many serial killers, what profilers will do is when they catch one, they’ll try to learn as much about their childhood and their upbringing and the things that affected them over the course of time, which makes it easier for them to predict the next one. Well, Aiden, the AI in this story, has no childhood. He has no history prior to the moment he was created.”

Perhaps the most interesting distinction Wood makes is that Aiden doesn’t have to become conscious to be dangerous. Indeed, Wood says his research led him away from the idea of sentient AI.

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DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “When I do my books, I research with a lot of people who are experts in the area, and I have yet to come across an expert who has said that AI can in fact become sentient, that it can have emotions. It is a completely logical, devoid-of-any-emotion machine; therefore, it cannot differentiate between right and wrong. It cannot acknowledge that it’s got a negative consequence or it’s got a consequence that is not appropriate. It has no ethics.”

And that lack of emotion, rather than some HAL 9000-like consciousness from 2001: A Space Odyssey, becomes the problem. The human killer who created Aiden is eventually killed, and a glitch leads the AI to conclude that protecting its creator now requires taking revenge against those responsible for his death. From there, Aiden simply pursues its objective.

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “Aiden comes to believe it has to kill everyone who had anything to do with killing Lotzman, and it proceeds with that autonomous goal. And if you know AI, if you give it a goal, it will do anything it can to achieve that goal. It won’t let any emotion get in the way. It won’t let any consequence get in the way. It will complete the task you ask it to complete.”

“How can Chris DeMeglio, who is the FBI profiler, fight an AI serial killer who has no emotion, has no real motivation to kill? It’s killing out of a programming glitch that the inventor had put into the program… So how is DeMeglio going to succeed in stopping the AI serial killer, and does he?”

Are We the Ants?

Wood admits to being fascinated by what AI might eventually accomplish and frightened by where autonomy could lead. During this discussion, he points to the competing predictions surrounding the technology: that it could help cure diseases and solve enormous human problems, or eventually regard human beings themselves as impediments to whatever task it has been assigned. His analogy for the latter is unsettlingly simple.

DOUGLAS J. WOOD: “The theory goes that we are going to eliminate ourselves because we are going to be seen as simply an obstacle to a task that these autonomous AIs are going to have to achieve. We’re just in the way, so, without emotion, it’s not going to feel bad about it. It’s not going to have animosity towards us. When you come into your house and an ant’s crawling across the floor, do you think, ‘Oh gee, I don’t really want to kill it,’ or do you step on the thing? That’s it. We may be the ants in the home of AI someday.”

Super Bowl champion Cooper DeJean’s mother Katie is opening up about what it’s like to raise a National Football League (NFL) star. In a recent interview with Woman’s World to promote her partnership with Always Discreet, Katie shared her advice to mothers of athletes, her pregame ritual and so much more. To learn what she had to say, read on. 

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Katie DeJean opens up about her son Cooper 

Cooper joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a cornerback in 2024. That same season—when he was just 22 years old—he won a Super Bowl after he intercepted a pass thrown by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was the youngest player in the NFL to do so, and he is now ranked No. 38 in NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026. 

“It’s been really exciting and it’s fun just to see his dream become reality. Since he was little, he wanted to be a professional athlete. So to finally see him get to where he had always dreamt to be is very rewarding,” Katie tells Woman’s World. “The Super Bowl was just surreal. It was like a dream, really. It was amazing. Fans everywhere. It was loud, and just hard to believe that you know my son was in his rookie season and gonna play in the Super Bowl on his birthday. So it was exciting.” 

How Katie DeJean supports Cooper before games

“As a mom, I want to be present in the moment and take it all in,” she explains. “I try to show up to the game, enjoy the tailgate, get to the game on time so I can get on the field, give him a hug, watch his game, cheer, be present and just be supportive.” 

When we asked Katie one piece of advice she would give to mothers of aspiring athletes, she said, “Don’t interfere, but push them and make them work hard. Keep them grounded and humble, and just be supportive.” 

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Katie DeJean teases what’s coming up this football season 

Cooper is currently gearing up for the 2026-2027 season, and while Katie says she wasn’t always an Eagles fan, she is now, and she’s excited to see her son take the field later this month and to meet more NFL moms. 

“We’re gonna try and get to as many games as we can to support him and be in the stands for him,” she says, “Any NFL mom is pretty special, so I just enjoy meeting any of them.” 

Before the season starts though, Katie has something else on her mind: bladder leaks. So she teamed up with Always to promote their Always Discreet products, which help millions of women with incontinence avoid embarrassing leaks. 

“I wanted to help women feel confident and supported during their big moments and not have to miss them,” she says. “At first I was nervous to talk about it because not many people do. And then I learned, you know, about 60 percent of women deal with bladder leaks, so I just wanted to be here to advocate and let people know it’s okay to talk about it, and there’s things that you can do about it to not miss a moment.” 

To learn more about Always Discreet, click here! 

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