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It’s pretty safe to say that everyone loves a good love story.

There’s a whole genre of music and movies dedicated to the idea of someone being swept off of their feet after circumstances tried to keep them from their true love. Romance novels could single handedly keep public libraries and bookstores afloat. Everyone loves “love” and the story of Betsy and Irv just takes the cake. Betsy Sailor attended Penn State University as a business major, which was almost unheard of in 1978 and Irv Pankey attended the university while playing football. The pair’s paths never crossed, until an unfortunate incident bonded the two forever.

That year, Betsy was at home singing and dancing with her refrigerator door as one does when looking for food, when she was sexually assaulted at knife point by none other than star Penn State football player, Todd Hodne. When Irv heard the evidence against Hodne during the trial, he knew he had to do something about it. In fact, he was the only one on the team who did.

After the assault Betsy moved back on campus, and that’s when she met Irv, a burly football player who understood what it was like to be outcast. He knocked on her door, introduced himself and offered to essentially be her protection as she traversed through campus. The pair were glued at the hip until graduation. Irv went on to play for the LA Rams and Betsy went on to work in human resources. They hadn’t spoken since, until 44 years later when ESPN decided to cover their unique bond that helped Betsy get through college.

Hear directly from Betsy Sailor and Irv Pankey as they discuss their relationship in my recent interview with them (created by director @nicole_noren ): 12/12pic.twitter.com/GmWVIYp38O

— Paula Lavigne (@Paula Lavigne)
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And that’s when this already compelling tale became a love story.

Irv and Betsy stayed in touch after the documentary was filmed, and when ESPN did an update, Betsy became emotional while talking about Irv. The two smiled and said they spend as much time together as possible. Irv said “We’re riding off into the sunset. Calling it a day. Peace out! I hope we can enjoy each other’s company for the rest of our lives and just move on,” He continued “We’re 65 years old. We ain’t got time to be messing around.”

If that isn’t a love story to write home about, then I don’t know what is. Best wishes Betsy and Irv. You both deserve a lifetime of happiness.

This article originally appeared on 04.29.22

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, known for being one of the most entertaining photography contests, has just wrapped up, and this year’s top prize goes to Jason Moore for his hilarious and brilliantly captured photo of a kangaroo, cheekily named “Air Guitar Roo.” Not only did this fantastic shot win the overall competition, but it also rocked the Creatures of the Land category, too.

Jason’s photo stood out among a whopping 5,300 entries submitted by 1,842 photographers from 85 countries. Moore’s photo of the female western grey kangaroo was taken in the outer suburbs of Perth, Australia when Jason visited a field of wildflowers to snap some pics of the many adult kangaroos and joeys playing there.

“The shoot turned out to be a great session, and I am quite fond of several images that I captured,” Moore said in a statement. “Not many people know that kangaroos are normally fairly docile and even a bit boring most of the time if I’m honest. However, when I saw this roo striking the air guitar pose, it immediately brought a smile to my face, and I knew that I had captured something really special.”

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was started in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam to create a competition focused on the lighter, humorous side of wildlife photography while assuming an essential role in promoting wildlife conservation.

Here are 14 of the big winners.

1. Overall Winner: “Air-Guitar Roo” (grey kangaroo) by Jason Moore, Australia

“On this day, I had been out with my camera photographing some waterfowl at a nearby lake. I had been up at sunrise to take advantage of the ‘golden hour’ light, but it turned out to be a disappointing morning on the water. After leaving the lake, somewhat dejected, I decided to swing past an area of open bushland, because there are often a ‘mob’ of Kangaroos feeding and sunning themselves in a field close to the road. … The morning light was still favorable so I grabbed my camera and headed off to a spot where I could get down to eye level with my subjects. I ended up shooting about 40 or 50 frames of the kangaroos with various content including mum’s, joeys and also some action shots of them bouncing along through the yellow field. The shoot turned out to be a great session, and I am quite fond of several images that I captured. However, when I saw this animal strike this pose it immediately brought a smile to my face and I knew that I had captured something special.” — Jason Moore

2. Creatures of the Air Award: “Unexpected Plunge” (heron) Vittorio Ricci, South Africa

“An unusual end of a perfect moment.” — Vittorio Ricci

3. Creatures Under the Water Award: “Otter Ballerina” (smooth-coated otter), Otter Kwek, Singapore

“The otter was leaping while attempting to grasp the overhanging leaves, and during an unusual landing, it ended up in the Arabesque pose. I showed this photo to a ballet teacher, and she commented that the otter is a natural but just needs to tuck in its tummy a bit — precisely what a ballet teacher would advise.” — Otter Kwek

4. People’s Choice Award: “Dispute” (greenfinch), Jacek Stankiewicz, Poland

“I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. My friends interpret this scene in two ways. One, a young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. Two, a kid is reporting to the parent that their brother did something wrong: ‘Look he broke a window!'” — Jacek Stankiewicz

Highly Commended Winners

5. “The Happy Turtle” (swamp turtle), Tzahi Finkelstein, Antarctica

“The swamp turtle is surprised and smiles at the dragonfly resting on its nose.” — Tzahi Finkelstein

6. “The Monday Blahs” (great grey owl) John Blumenkamp, USA

“While photographing the great gray owl shown in my image, I had been busy working to capture that majestic-looking pose. As the owl preened and then sat still for a short while, it stretched once more and for a quick moment gave the pose shown. As it did, I grinned and thought… now that’s funny!” — John Blumenkamp

7. “One for the Family Album” (gannets) Zoe Ashdown, UK

“At RSPB Bempton Cliffs, each year between March and October, around half a million seabirds use the chalk cliffs towering above the North Sea to nest and raise a family. Gannets mate for life and they return to the same nest year after year to raise their young. Lying safely at the top of the cliff face, I was able to observe the affection shown between the gannets each time one returned to the nest. They have a greeting ritual, they rub beaks and entwine their necks; it’s how they strengthen their bond. But it’s also a brilliant opportunity to catch them in various poses. I didn’t realize I’d taken this image until I got home, but as soon as I saw it I laughed out loud! They look like proud parents, posing with their baby.” — Zoe Ashdown

8. “Don’t Look Down” (Atlantic puffin), Brian Matthews, UK

“A puffin does an inverted snoopy impression while watching jelly fish.” — Brian Matthews.

9. “Boing” (grey kangaroo) Lara Mathews, Australia

“Taken at Westerfolds Park, a beautiful and surprisingly wild pocket of land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, famous for its kangaroo population. The mob was enjoying some morning sunshine when this joey decided to get silly and try his hand at boxing.” — Lara Mathews

10. “The Rainforest Dandy” (monkey) Delphine Casimir, Bali

“This picture was taken in the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali, a crazy place where monkeys are king! This forest is special even magical and sacred to the Balinese people. Maybe our dandy is the reincarnation of a divinity?” — Delphine Casimir

11. “Look Right, Bro” (macaque, deer) Pratick Mondal, India

12. “That Wasn’t Here Yesterday” (white-winged dove) Wendy Kaveney, USA

“A white-winged dove appearing to fly head-on into a cholla cactus skeleton.” — Whitney Kaveney

13. “Snowball” (white grouse) Jaques Poulard, Norway

“The white grouse is coming towards me and looks like a snowball with eyes.” — Jaques Poulard

14. “Excuse Me Sir But I Think You’re a Bit Too Young to Be Smoking” (grey fox) Dakota Vaccaro, USA

“While I was working deep in the Virginian woods, a family of grey foxes took up residence under the deck of the abandoned cottage next to my work housing. One day, while practicing their hunting skills on bits of moss and branches, one of the kits lunged at a small chunk of wood and started rolling around with his prize. Tired after his hunt, the kit lounged on his belly still holding the wood in his mouth which gave the strong resemblance of a cigar.” — Dakota Vaccaro

This article originally appeared on 11.27.23

There’s no denying that a wedding day is a special memory most people want to hold onto for the rest of their lives. It’s the reason people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on wedding pictures and hand out disposable cameras to guests—to capture memories from all angles, including behind-the-scenes moments that you may forget due to the nerves beforehand.

One mother of the bride decided to take her daughter’s beautiful wedding photos and create a special personalized photo album. But upon further inspection of the gift, the bride noticed that something was amiss. Niki Hunt, told Good Morning America that when her mom, Sherry Noblett, gave her the wedding album at brunch, she admitted she may have messed up.

“She’s very crafty, so usually when she says something like that, it’s something really small. I’m thinking some of the pictures are askew, or whatever,” Hunt explained to GMA.

The book was a beautiful, sweet gesture for the newlyweds created with Shutterfly, a photo site that allows you to make keepsakes out of your pictures. It appears to be a well-crafted, good-quality album as long as you only look at the photos. When Hunt’s eyes drifted to the captions next to the pictures, she noticed the mistake.

Shutterfly generates automatic generic captions next to the photos, which can be edited to fit what is happening in the pictures. But Noblett either didn’t notice the captions or assumed they wouldn’t show up in the final product if she didn’t edit them. This mishap meant there were wedding pictures next to captions detailing a beach day, time at a park and even the four seasons.

Hunt and her sister could not contain their laughter in the restaurant and decided to record their reaction. The TikTok video has been viewed over 4.2 million times and the comments are full of people joining in on the laughs.

“Not the groomsmen being labeled summer, winter, spring and fall like it’s a spicy calendar,” one person wrote.

“Imagine your great-great-great-great-grandchildren discovering this in a box and reading it with no context lmaooo,” another said.

“When ChatGPT makes a photo album,” someone commented.

You can see all the wacky captions in the video below:

@niki_nibs

Our mother is single handedly the most hilarious person we know, and its usually completely on accident. Favorite wedding gift EVER!!! @shutterfly #shutterfly

This article originally appeared on 8.20.23

Movies are made to entertain! It’s exactly why there are so many Shrek sequels. So, yes, even though all the sequels, reboots and revivals have been popping up on the scene, as long as someone enjoys it, the movie is serving its intended purpose. Nobody specifically asked for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, but it has been gifted to us despite all of the setbacks, so we might as well take it.

The fourth installment in the franchise brings back Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as two Miami detectives who must investigate when their late Captain is posthumously being accused of working with a drug cartel. Vanessa Hudgens, Eric Dane, Alexander Ludwig and Paola Núñez also star.

The sequel is set to hit theaters on June 7th, but early screeners took place across the country last night, so we finally have a little bit of insight on the sequel. Turns out, it’s a lot of fun, which is exactly what we want from a movie called Bad Boys.

People who attended the screening are praising the flick for being “a total blast” and the funniest film yet. Here’s what they are saying:

Even the movie’s stars were out and about having a good time:

Remember: a movie theater is the only place where it is okay to take candy from strangers.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits theaters on June 7th.

When is Billie Eilish’s new album, Hit Me Hard And Soft, available to stream on Apple Music? The singer’s third studio album was announced on April 8, and although she hasn’t officially released any singles for it yet, the teases she’s given fans ahead of its release have produced plenty of anticipation for the full project.

Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to hear it in its entirety; with a due date of May 17, Hit Me Hard And Soft will be available to stream in just a few hours from this writing, at midnight Eastern time, 9 PM Pacific.

During her listening party for the album at Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn, New York last night, Billie graphically professed her own excitement, saying, “I could sh*t myself right now! Do we wanna hear something? Alright, dudes, so I’m gonna play you the entire album — front to back — and I’m not gonna pause it in the middle, and I’m not gonna talk. Well, I don’t know. Maybe I will. But I’m trying not to talk. I’m doing my best.”

No one could blame her for overflowing with enthusiasm; Billie’s last album, Happier Than Ever, was released nearly three years ago. With its follow-up just hours away, she’s more than justified in bursting with anticipation.

NIKI entitled her last single “Too Much Of A Good Thing.” Her fans would probably argue that there is no such thing as too much NIKI, and that theory will be put to the test this year.

Buzz, NIKI’s third studio album, is due out on August 9, and the 88rising artist will subsequently headline her Buzz World Tour.

How Much Are Tickets For NIKI’s 2024 World Tour?

Earlier this week, NIKI announced her 2024-25 world tour. The tour will begin in North America before weaving through Europe and Asia, and then wrapping up with an Australian/New Zealand leg.

The North American, UK, and European pre-sale began on Wednesday, May 15, and additional pre-sales are running until the general on-sale this Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. local time. Because of the pre-sales, we can give an estimate as to how much tickets could cost.

According to Ticketmaster, tickets run between $83.50 and $127.50 (before fees and taxes) for NIKI’s opening date at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 5. Tickets begin around $78 for NIKI’s show at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts on September 7. There are also VIP packages available, ranging between $164 and $271.

Find more ticketing information here, and see all of NIKI’s Buzz World Tour dates below.

Buzz is out 8/9 via 88rising. Find more information here.

The impending arrival of NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony And Ziva meant that CBS’ naval-criminal-investigative procedural franchise had been riding a new high. And then came the announcement that Paramount had opted to ax NCIS: Hawai’i and, to add further frustration in fans’ eyes, they did so after a cliffhanger season finale.

There will be no closure for those who watched three seasons revolving around NCIS Pearl Harbor, and that has disappointed a vocal group of viewers. Unlike with NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime, as well, there will be no streaming-service move for an additional season(s), and that has left a bad taste in some viewers’ procedural-loving mouths after “financials” was the reason given for the cancellation. Apparently, not even moving LL Cool J over from NCIS: Los Angeles had fixed the situation.

As noted by Daily Express, there’s now a blame game going around with viewers suggesting that Origins is the true reason for the Hawai’i cancellation: “This is why NCIS Hawaii was cancelled… budget for this show & NCIS Origins (think that’s the name) about Gibbs in his younger years leading up to him becoming a NCIS agent.” That led to calls for a boycott that are ongoing. Will this make an impact on Origins‘ viewership?

We don’t know when NCIS: Origins will premiere, but it will likely be 2025 until we know if the cancellation fury will take effect as promised.

(Via Daily Express)

The Hangout Music Festival returns for its 14th year this weekend with headliners Lana Del Rey, Odesza, and Zach Bryan. The festival runs from Friday, May 17, to Sunday, May 19, at Alabama’s Gulf Shores. You can see the set times for this year’s festival below.

The Hangout Music Festival was launched in November 2009, with the first festival in 2010. It has run every year since, except for 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, and also provides a full size roller rink, beach volleyball, and an in-ground pool at the main stage.

Friday, May 17

Hangout Stage: The Stews (1:30-2:15), David Kushner (3:00-4:00), A Day To Remember(5:00-6:00), Dominic Fike (7:15-8:15), Lana Del Rey (9:30)
Shoreline Stage: Brenn! (2:15-3:00), The Beaches (4:15-5:00), Del Water Gap (6:15-7:15), NLE Choppa (8:30-9:15)
Mermaid Stage: Linka Moja (1:15-2:00), Laci Kaye Booth (3:30-4:15), G Flip (5:45-6:30), Matt Maeson (8:00-9:00)
Monster Beach Club: Madds (1:00-2:00), Coco & Breezy (3:00-4:00), LF System (5:00-6:15), Eliza Rose (7:15-8:15)
Boom On The Beach: Bunt (2:00-3:00), Daily Bread (4:00-5:00), Troyboi (6:15-7:15), The Chainsmokers (8:15-9:30)

Saturday, May 18

Hangout Stage: Knox (1:30-2:15), Chappel Roan (3:00-4:00), Jessie Murph (5:00-6:00), Cage The Elephant (7:15-8:15), Odesza (9:30)
Shoreline Stage: Dasha (2:15-3:00), Dylan Gossett (4:00-5:00), Qveen Herbie (6:00-7:00), Koe Wetzel (8:15-9:15)
Mermaid Stage: Willow Avalon (1:15-2:00), The Taylor Party (3:30-4:30), Alana Springsteen (5:45-6:30), Flyana Boss (8:00-8:45)
Monster Beach Club: Darius (12:30-1:15), Sommer Ray (1:15-2:00), Brandi Cyrus (3:00-4:00), Vnssa B2B Nala (5:00-6:15), Le Youth (7:15-8:30)
Boom On The Beach: Westend (2:00-3:00), Disco Lines (4:00-5:00), Sexyy Red (6:30-7:15), Alison Wonderland (8:30-9:30)

Sunday, May 19

Hangout Stage: Little Stranger (1:30-2:15), All Time Low (3:00-4:00), Nelly (5:00-6:00), Renée Rapp (7:15-8:15), Zach Bryan (9:15)
Shoreline Stage: Hemlocke Spring (2:15-3:00), Dexter And The Moon Rocks (4:15-5:00), Megan Moroney (6:00-7:00), Doechii (8:25-9:10)
Mermaid Stage: Jaime Wyatt (1:15-2:00), Tanner Adell (3:30-4:15), Paul Russell (5:45-6:30), Wyatt Flores (8:00-9:00)
Monster Beach Club: Absnth (1:00-2:00), Inji (3:00-4:00), Austin Millz (5:00-6:15), Chromeo (DJ Set) (7:15-8:15)
Boom On The Beach: Odd Mob X Omnom Hyperbeam (2:00-3:00), Kasbo (4:00-5:00), Dom Dolla (6:15-7:15), Subtronics (8:15-9:15)

Each week our staff of film and television experts surveys the entertainment landscape to select the ten best new/newish shows available for you to stream at home. We put a lot of thought into our selections, and our debates on what to include and what not to include can sometimes get a little heated and feelings may get hurt, but so be it, this is an important service for you, our readers. With that said, here are our selections for this week.

15. X-Men ’97 (Disney Plus)

If you’re going to do unadulterated nostalgia, at least make it as fun (and occasionally devastating) as X-Men ‘97. The Disney Plus animated series is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, which aired from 1992 to 1997, and follows the team of mutants as they do mutant-like things. Do we really need to explain what the X-Men show is about? It’s about the X-Men.

Watch it on Disney Plus

14. The Sympathizer (Max)

The last time Park Chan-wook directed a limited series, it was The Little Drummer Girl. That turned out pretty good. Now, the Korean filmmaker is back with another excellent addition to his filmography.

Based on author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel of the same, The Sympathizer is described as “an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over.” The cast is led by Hoa Xuande and Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple characters.

Watch it on Max

13. Fallout (Prime Video)

Fallout is an adaptation of Bethesda’s behemoth franchise, a story set within the retro-futuristic world that’s captivated console users for years and years. Yes, there are delightful little nods to in-game storylines – Pip-Boys and Nuka-Cola and Radaway, but they either serve a larger purpose or don’t linger for too long, ensuring that the show stands on its own two feet. Long-time gamers should have little to gripe about while those craving better genre fare amidst the streaming glut should come away satisfied. Whether you know its history or not, Fallout is a f*cking blast of a sci-fi show that defies expectations in the most unconventional of ways (and turned Walton Goggins into a sex symbol).

Watch it on Prime Video

12. Knuckles (Paramount Plus)

There’s no Keanu Reeves (yet), but Knuckles should delight the lil’ Sonic fans in your home. The Paramount Plus series has Idris Elba reprising his role as the red echidna from the movies, while the rest of the cast includes Adam Pally, Cary Elwes, Edi Patterson, and Stockard Channing. Over the course of six episodes, Knuckles goes on a “journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train [Pally’s character] Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.” Is it too much to hope for a Big the Cat cameo?

Watch it on Paramount

11. Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

The less you learn in advance about Baby Reindeer, the better. Just know that it’s one of the most talked-about shows of the year so far, and it’s getting favorably compared to I May Destroy You and Fleabag. Don’t waste your time speculating, as requested by creator and star Richard Gadd. Watch it.

Watch it on Netflix

10. The Big Door Prize (Apple TV Plus)

Apple TV’s breakout hit The Big Door Prize returns for a second season, which follows “the residents of Deerfield as the Morpho machine readies them for the mysterious ‘next stage.’ As everyone’s potentials are exchanged for visions, new relationships form and new questions are asked,” according to the official plot synopsis. Chris O’Dowd is back, as is Josh Segarra, in case you’re missing my dude Lance from The Other Two. I know I am.

Watch it on Apple TV+

9. The Veil (Hulu)

The spy thriller from creator Steven Knight stars Elisabeth Moss and Yumna Marwan as “two women who play a deadly game of truth and lies on the road from Istanbul to Paris and London. One woman has a secret, the other a mission to reveal it before thousands of lives are lost.” You had me at Elisabeth Moss.

Watch it on Hulu

8. Hacks (Max)

To quote Kimberly Ricci’s glowing review: “Through a skillful turn from the Hacks writers, the third season does something different than its two predecessors and succeeds mightily. Is the power struggle completely over? No way, but there is no question that these two women are meant to be together, and that they enhance each other professionally. As well, they somehow begin to really connect on a personal level and — wait for it — make each other better humans. It sounds sappy, but it rolls well.”

Watch it on Max

7. Black Twitter: A People’s History (Hulu)

Black Twitter: A People’s History is a three-part documentary series from Insecure showrunner Prentice Penny that “charts the rise, the movements, the voices and the memes that made Black Twitter an influential and dominant force in nearly every aspect of American political and cultural life.” Those interviewed include author Roxane Gay, comedian W. Kamau Bell, and journalist Jemele Hill.

Watch it on Hulu

6. The Idea of You (Prime Video)

An actually sexy romantic-comedy, what a concept! The Idea of You stars Anne Hathaway as a single mom who attends Coachella with her teenage daughter. While there, she meets Hayes Campbell, played by Bottoms breakout Nicholas Galitzine, the lead singer of the boy band August Moon. The two begin a romance that definitely (wink) isn’t inspired by Harry Styles. The Idea of You is getting rave reviews, as it should: Anne Hathaway rules.

Watch it on Prime Video

5. The Iron Claw (Max)

Zac Efron gives an Oscar-worthy performance in this A24 drama from writer and director Sean Durkin about the Von Erich family of wrestlers. The Iron Claw, which also stars Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, and Lily James, is definitely worth watching, but fair warning: it’s a heartbreaker. If you were waiting to watch it at home because you didn’t want to ugly-cry in public at a theater, now’s your chance.

Watch it on Max

4. Madame Web (Netflix)

Have you heard? He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died. Is Madame Web a good movie? No. In fact, it’s one of the worst comic book movies of all-time. But that’s why it’s a perfect watch on Netflix. Slip into your comfiest Spider-Man pajamas, grab a bottle of wine, and enjoy Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney sleepwalking their way through this entertaining disaster.

Watch it on Netflix

3. Doctor Who (Disney Plus)

Doctor Who is separated into two eras: the original run from 1963 to 1989 and the relaunch, which began in 2005 and continues to this day. The new season is the 14th since it was revived, but it’s officially referred to as “Doctor Who Season One.” Got all that? If you’re a Doctor Who fan, of course you do. But to everyone else who is probably very confused, it’s never been easier to watch the iconic British series now that it’s on Disney Plus with Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion, the wonderfully-named Ruby Sunday. Is it too soon to dream of a TARDIS at Disneyland?

Watch it on Disney Plus

2. Outer Range (Prime Video)

Season 1 of Outer Range careened down an illogical hill with abandon, but it did so gracefully. It’s such a delicate balance that I wondered if a second season could maintain that same feat. Fortunately, my worries were unfounded. Outer Range is still kind-of a mess and sometimes feels like a full-on identity crisis, but the package is skillfully combined. It also considers enormous questions about human existence but doesn’t take itself seriously by claiming to have every answer (you can our full review here).

Watch it on Prime Video

1. Bridgerton (Netflix)

One of Netflix’s most popular shows is back for a new season (well, a new half season) of high society drama, “f*ck you” nude scenes, and orchestral covers. Season 3 of Bridgerton will focus on Penelope, who “has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin after hearing his disparaging words about her last season,” according to Netflix. “She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters.” There’s already one scorching scene to look forward to.

Watch it on Netflix

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

Please Don’t Cry isn’t just Rapsody’s most personal and vulnerable album – it’s also her best. It’s often been said that music is therapy, but sometimes, going to therapy leads to making better music. For as much has been made of authenticity in rap over the past several weeks, just what that means has become increasingly debatable. Thankfully, Rapsody’s latest, in addition to being one of those timeless projects that will stick to listeners’ ribs long after the last song has played, is a refreshing palate cleanser for a month of vitriol – as self-love tends to be.

Self-love is also the centerpiece of the conversation Rapsody and I had about the new album and the positive growth she’s experienced since we last spoke. The album had been in the works since then, but Rapsody withheld it all this time to ensure that it would be perfect – or at least, as close to that ideal as any art can ever get. The time was well spent; while a prototype version of this project could have been a top release in anyone else’s catalog, the four years Rap spent tweaking the sound and evolving as a person resulted in an album that stands alongside all-time classics like The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill and Mac Miller’s Swimming, albums that have also sparked the sort of emotional reaction and introspection Please Don’t Cry does.

Please Don’t Cry, what a title.

That’s what it is, you should. You should allow yourself to feel. Whatever that feeling is — and it may not be sad — allow yourself to be human. That’s the core and the root of what that statement means. It’s ironic because no, but please do. Laugh when you cry. Laugh when you’re in love so much, your eyes drool. Rinse your soul of the pain. Don’t hold it. Release it so you can feel lighter.

And I did a lot of releasing in that way, during my healing. I cried a lot. I allowed myself to feel a lot. I got angry a lot. I allowed myself to feel all the things, but I also found my joy again. And that’s why the title meant so much to me. I was on Pinterest and I found the title within a quote, and it said, “No, please don’t cry. You won’t always feel so broken.” And that’s what it is. It’s all temporary. It doesn’t last forever. But the grace is, allow yourself to feel it, but don’t sit in it. That’s all.

Interestingly enough, this was one of those albums that brought me to the point of tears. Most recently, Tierra Whack’s “Two Night” did that for me; before that, it was Rexx Life Raj. What are the albums in hip-hop that have done that for you?

Definitely, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill — “Tell Him” [and] “Zion.” Mac Miller’s “2009.” The whole album because of his situation, but particularly, “2009” brings it out. Jay-Z’s “Lost Ones.” Ghostface [Killah], “2nd Childhood.” I want to throw [Erykah] Badu in there because she’s hip-hop to me, so “Time’s A Wastin.” I know it’s not rap. It’s not rapping, it’s hip-hop.

Tell me about working with Erykah on “3:AM.”

I knew, in the beginning, I didn’t want to have a lot of rap verses because it was so personal. I wanted to have a lot of singers on it to evoke that emotion in what soul music does, and I can’t sing. So every song, I would do the song first, and we would sit and really live with the record and say, “Whose instrument, as far as voice, do we hear to complete the story and what we’re trying to say?” So Badu was the first name that came to mind. I listened to it, and that’s who I heard. And I’m thankful that she was so graceful and said, “Yes.”

We worked on “3:AM” for about 10 months. And I appreciated the process of watching how she crafts her records, and that’s how I grew in that way.

Why did you want to use this group of people, especially Baby Tate, who was one of Uproxx’s first cover artists?

I love Baby Tate as a rapper, but even more as a singer. But I originally wanted “A Ballad For Homegirls” to feel like a conversation amongst several women. I told her how much I appreciate her singing voice, and I just thought it would be dope. But I love that she gave us a little rap and a little singing. She’s so gifted and talented. She knocked it out the park.

Lil Wayne, I’ve been wanting to work with Wayne. I’ve been listening to him since I was 13. So he’s been on my list for a very, very long time, but I’ve never ever sent him a record because I’ve never had one. I never want to force it. So when we did, “Raw,” it felt good. And I was like, “I know he would kill it. I would love to hear his perspective on this particular topic. He’s who I hear.”

“Whose tone fits it? Whose frequency?” That was how I approached this cast. Badu taught me how to slow down.

I don’t want to bring up beef while we’re talking about love, but we’re in this place where the narrative of always seems to be, “He’s got 24 hours to respond.” Everything is very right now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now. And you’re like, “Mmm, let me wait. Let me chill.” Why was now the perfect time for this album?

I first started this project in March of 2020. And the first weekend I started, me and Eric G did 12 songs in two days. And I told him, I said, “We only need three more records, and we’re done.” I remember going to 9th Wonder and playing it for him at that time, and he was like, “This is your best work. It’s heavy. It’s really heavy, but your best work.” And I went back, and it was good, but I said, “I don’t know if I want a record so heavy, that is good, but people don’t want to revisit it because all it is heavy.”

So, I just kept recording. And it’s the best thing that I did because I got to really go through the healing process and not just start it, do some songs, and this is it. No, go through the whole process of healing. And I learned so much more about myself, why I do the things I do. I got to reintroduce myself to me. And I just started pouring out, pouring out, pouring out. Having a conversation with friends, they were like, “Just show everything about you; the good, the bad, the ugly, the emotional, the anger.” And so that’s what I did.

I poured out until I was like, “I’ve covered everything. I’ve covered everything.” Sometimes, four or five times over again on different beats, right. And I said, “I have nothing else to say.” And then it was about getting the right records and telling the story.

Speaking of that pouring out, when you’ve done that, what comes after that? Because now, it feels like you’ve raised the bar so high. How do you top yourself?

I really think, for the most part, projects are somewhat a snapshot of your life and where you are. So right now, I’m just kind of living. I’ve started to live by this Andy Warhol quote, which says, in a nutshell, “Just do the art. Put it out and let the people decide if it’s good or bad. And while they’re deciding, you’re onto the next thing.” My goal with every project I’ve done is to grow in some way. One might be like, “Get your cadence.” One might be, “Get your voice and inflection right.” This one was to be vulnerable, fearless, to have a deeper connection with people. I have three or four ideas of albums I want to do.

I started 2020, working on three. So I have so many ideas in my head. If I could drop four in a year, I’d be like, “Yes.” There’s so much more of me that I want to tell and give. So it’ll come together the same way this one came together. I just got to let it happen and see where I’m guided.

Please Don’t Cry is out now via We Each Other/Jamla Records/Roc Nation/Universal Music Group. Find more information here.