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Dolly Parton Dies at 80

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Photo: Getty Images

Dolly Parton, the country music singer, songwriter and actress has died at the age of 80. She passed away on Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. The news was announced through a video posted on her official Instagram page by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on behalf of the Parton family.

In the family’s official obituary, Parton was remembered as “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”

Photo: Getty Images

Born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. She grew up in a poor family and began singing in church and playing guitar before writing her own songs. She first sang on local radio at age 13, and issued her first single, “Puppy Love,” on the Louisiana label Goldband.

After graduating from high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville where she played in clubs and wrote songs for other artists before landing a major break when country singer Porter Wagoner invited her to join The Porter Wagoner Show.

Parton established herself as a solo artist with songs including “Joshua,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “Jolene.” She later wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a farewell to Wagoner after deciding to leave their partnership. The song became an even bigger hit when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard in 1992.

By the late 1970s, Parton was looking beyond country music and “Here You Come Again” became her first major crossover hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her first Grammy in 1978.

She began her movie career in 1980, when she made her acting debut in 9 to 5 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The theme song for the movie became her first No. 1 single on the Hot 100 and earned her two Grammys. She also starred in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone and Steel Magnolias. She later returned to television and film, including the 2020 Netflix movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie.

Photo: Getty Images

Across her career, Parton received 11 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations, as well as an honorary Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and numerous country music honors. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Beyond music and acting, she became involved with the Tennessee theme park in 1986. She later founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, through which she launched the Imagination Library in 1995. The program sends free books to children from birth until age five and has expanded across several countries.

Parton is known for her charitable work and in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support COVID-19 vaccine development, including work that contributed to Moderna’s vaccine.

Photo: Getty Images

In May 30, 1966, Dolly got married to Carl Thomas Dean. The couple remained married for nearly 59 years before Dean died in March 2025. Parton announced his death via Instagram writing “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”

Parton’s life and career were turned into DOLLY: A True Original Musical, which had a trial run in Nashville in 2025 and is scheduled to begin Broadway previews in December 2026. The production is set to open on January 19, 2027, what would have been Parton’s 81st birthday.

She is survived by her music, films and philanthropic work which will remain a major part of her legacy.

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Ben Affleck Reveals Why He Got ‘Banned’ from Instagram Twice

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Ben Affleck has revealed his failed attempts to use Instagram. He said when he tried registering for the platform, he was banned twice for impersonation. The actor said he created an account primarily to check on his children’s social media activity. However, his limited use of the platform did not go as planned.

“I got banned from Instagram twice for impersonating myself,” 

Affleck shared the story during a recent interview with Variety on October 7, 2026. The conversation came while discussing Animals, a crime thriller in which he plays a mayoral candidate whose family faces a kidnapping crisis. The film also stars Kerry Washington and is directed by Affleck.

The actor explained that his account had only six followers, which includes his children and their friends.

Affleck has three children, Violet, Fin and Samuel, with his former wife, Jennifer Garner. Although divorced, they have continued to co-parent. 

Photo: Getty Images

Affleck also questioned the value of actors maintaining a constant presence on social media. He acknowledged the importance of online popularity in the entertainment industry. 

He also recognised the work involved in building an online brand. Referring to his former wives, Garner and Jennifer Lopez, he praised their ability to cultivate their social media audiences.

However, Affleck admitted that the same approach would not suit him. He questioned what he would contribute as an influencer and joked about the prospect of making unboxing videos.

Read Also : Ben Affleck Wins $1 Million on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ for Charity

His comments show a longstanding preference for keeping aspects of his private life away from public view. Affleck said there was a time when people could say or do things without public scrutiny. 

“There used to be a time when everything you said or did wasn’t on the permanent record,” he said. “As you get older, you become aware of what that means. I experienced the whole world and had a whole life in private. I have a real sense of how valuable that is.”

Photo: Getty Images

He pointed to respected actors such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. In his view, their acting abilities speak for themselves. 

Despite his reluctance to embrace Instagram, Affleck’s remains popular. Affleck has appeared in several Dunkin’ advertising campaigns, including the brand’s 2023 Super Bowl commercial. 

 

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‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Keegan Allen Says He Was Beaten and Robbed at Gunpoint

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Photo: Rachel Luna/WireImage

Keegan Allen, best known for playing Toby Cavanaugh on “Pretty Little Liars,” says he was beaten and robbed at gunpoint in West Hollywood on Thursday, October 8. The actor shared a video of the alleged incident and its aftermath on Instagram, showing himself covered in blood and describing how two men threatened him over his watch.

Photo: Instagram/@Keegan Allen

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies responded to a robbery report at around 9:05 p.m. on the 8400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. According to authorities, two men dressed in black approached the victim, with one pointing a silver handgun and the other a knife before demanding his watch and bracelet.

“These two dudes hit me in the head and pointed a gun at me with a knife and then took off,” Allen said in the video. He also claimed the men struck him several times before taking his watch and leaving the scene.

The footage included security video from outside Laurel Supply, an upscale grocery store where Allen said the robbery took place. The recording appeared to show two men approaching the actor as he loaded items into his truck in the parking lot. One of them appeared to strike him in the head with a gun.

Authorities confirmed that the victim was struck in the face with a handgun and sustained a laceration to his forehead. Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel evaluated him at the scene, but he was not transported to a hospital. The suspects fled in an unknown vehicle, and the sheriff’s department asked anyone with information to contact West Hollywood Station detectives.

Photo: Photo: Instagram/@Keegan Allen

In his Instagram post, Allen expressed concern about safety in the area and called for the alleged attackers to be identified. He also questioned whether nearby surveillance cameras would help investigators locate the men. Allen said he planned to share more information about the incident later.

Allen played Toby Cavanaugh throughout the original run of Pretty Little Liars from 2010 to 2017. He played Liam Walker in Walker from 2021 to 2024 and appeared as a guest on ABC’s police drama The Rookie earlier this year.

Read Next Post: Julianne Moore’s Daughter Towers Over Her in Rare Photo at Paris Fashion Week

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Rihanna’s Children Star in Matching Onesies for Savage X Fenty Holiday Campaign

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Photo: Instagram/@Badgalriri

Rihanna has included all three of her children in Savage X Fenty’s latest holiday campaign. RZA, Riot and their younger sister, Rocki Irish, appear together in matching red onesies in a photoshoot released on October 9.

The campaign continues a family tradition for the brand. Rihanna previously appeared with her two sons in Savage X Fenty’s 2024 holiday campaign, but this year’s shoot also includes Rocki, who turned one in September. The photos mark her modeling debut for the brand.

Photo: Instagram/@Badgalriri

The photographs show the family surrounded by snowflake garlands, artificial snow and animated penguins. Rihanna’s children wear matching red hooded sleepwear, with the coordinated outfits giving the shoot a festive holiday setting.

Rihanna shared the photographs on Instagram with the caption, “just here to start off cozy szn!”

The onesies are available in adult, toddler and baby sizes, giving families the option to wear matching sleepwear during the holiday season.

Photo: Instagram/@Badgalriri

In 2024, Rihanna and her sons, RZA and Riot, appeared in Savage X Fenty’s first family onesie collection. The latest campaign expands on that release by including Rocki alongside her older brothers.

A$AP Rocky, Rihanna’s partner and the children’s father, does not appear in the new photographs. The campaign instead centers on Rihanna and her three children as the brand promotes its holiday sleepwear.

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