In the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and a key member of the E Street Band opened up about her personal struggle with multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer she was diagnosed with in 2018.
The documentary premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In it, the musician revealed that her condition has affected her ability to tour and perform.
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Scialfa joined the E Street Band in 1984 but she’s also a solo artist with multiple albums released. Over the course of her rich music career, Scialfa has worked with various famous names such as Don Cherry, Narda Michael Walden, David Johansen, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Among the rest, she’s a songwriter and a producer of movies and documentaries.
Scialfa and Springsteen tied the knot in 1991 and welcomed three children together: sons Evan and Samuel, and daughter Jessica.
Speaking of the challenges she has faced following her diagnosis, she said, “It felt so good to be back on stage” and reflected on her limited performances. “Touring has become a challenge for me. This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.” Her condition requires her to be cautious, often limiting her to occasional appearances.
Despite her current health condition, Scialfa does her best to stay positive. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat,” she added.
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Scialfa didn’t attend the premiere of the documentary, which will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ on October 25, but she revealed in it that it lets fans see “a side of our relationship that you usually don’t get to see.”
“Being back onstage with Bruce is a blast,” she said. “Every night at this tour gives the band a chance to celebrate.”
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Actress Anne Whitfield, celebrated for her role as Susan Waverly in the beloved 1954 film White Christmas, died aged 85 following an “unexpected accident” while taking a walk near her home in Washington.
Her tragic passing was announced by a member of her family. “She was a powerhouse in life, and we hope her immense positive energy flows out to those who had the pleasure of knowing her,” her obituary read.
Whitfield, whose mother taught speech and drama and whose father was a music director at the University of Mississippi, grew up in a household in which creativity was highly valued so her finding herself being interested in arts didn’t come as a surprise.
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By age seven, she was working regularly in radio commercials and shows like Our Miss Brooks and One Man’s Family, she paved her way towards a successful career in entertainment that extended beyond the silver screen.
Whitfield had her breakthrough with her iconic role in White Christmas, which made her part of cinematic history.
During the 1950s and ‘60s, she continued to thrive in both television and film. She appeared in numerous TV series, including Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show, Rawhide, and Perry Mason, and starred in films like Juvenile Jungle and Tick, Tick, Tick. She also had a notable recurring role on Days of Our Lives.
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Once she felt she needed break from film and television, Whitfield pursued a degree in communications and worked with the Washington State Department of Ecology, becoming an advocate for environmental responsibility, women’s rights, and voter registration.
During her late years, she found love in hiking. Even at 85, she celebrated her birthday by hiking the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. Tragically, on February 7, 2024, Whitfield passed away.
Whitfield is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren, who remember her as a woman of warmth, resilience, and generosity.
This will hit anyone who loves "White Christmas" (and I certainly am one of those people) right in the heart: #AnneWhitfield, who played the grandddauughter of the retired major general turned inn operator (Dean Jagger), has passed. pic.twitter.com/oClTSIWeNv
“She was beloved by her family, who were always her first priority,” her obituary read. “The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her.
“Through the kindness of neighbours who provided expert medical support, family had the gift to say goodbye and express love and gratitude, a gift we will always cherish.”
Fans and fellow actors paid their tributes with touching messages shared on the social media.
When Emma fell pregnant with Mark’s child, she wanted them to move to a bigger house. Mark wasn’t excited about the idea of moving places but he wanted to please his wife so he finally agreed.
Their new home was spacious and beautiful. Emma fell in love with the place and she could easily imagine raising her child there.
Excited for the future, she decided to start cleaning the house and prepare for the arrival of their bundle of joy.
When she got to the master bedroom, she took the time to admire the large, floor-length mirror that resembled a secret doorway like the ones in the fairytales.
When she began cleaning it, she noticed a small nub on the side. Out of curiosity, she pulled it, and to her shock, the mirror opened up to reveal a hidden room behind it. “It is a doorway!” she exclaimed, amazed by her discovery.
Inside the small, dimly lit room, there was nothing but a chair. When Emma looked back at the door, she saw it wasn’t just a regular room—there was a two-way mirror, allowing someone to observe the master bedroom. “The person who built this house must have wanted to spy on its occupants,” she thought, feeling uneasy.
As her husband felt distant recently, the thought of hiding inside the room and testing his fidelity. She called Mark and said, “Hey, honey. I’m going to my mom’s house tonight for a girls’ night. I might stay over. Is that okay?” Mark responded with a disinterested, “Yeah, yeah, cool,” and hung up.
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Later that evening, Emma hid in the secret room, but the door slammed shut behind her as she tried to leave, trapping her inside. “I’m an idiot,” she muttered, realizing she was stuck.
Soon, she heard Mark’s voice with another woman. To her dismay, Mark entered the bedroom with Melissa, saying, “Yeah, Melissa. I hope you don’t mind. I just moved in.” They began kissing, shattering Emma’s heart.
When Mark left to get pizza, Emma called out, “Melissa! Melissa! Melissa!” Melissa, confused, asked, “Who’s there?” Emma explained she was stuck behind the mirror and needed help. When Melissa opened the door, and Emma emerged in tears.
Melissa, shocked, asked if Mark had locked Emma in. Emma clarified she had trapped herself.
It was obvious Melissa had no idea Mark was married. He deceived her in order to take her clients from her.
Both women, deeply hurt by Mark, decided to seek revenge.
Emma was determined to divorce him, but she knew he would never agree to leave her because her father was a rich man. But she came up with a plan and Melissa agreed to help by pretending everything was normal and tricking Mark into signing the divorce papers when he believed he was signing a deal with one of Melissa’s clients.
A month later, during dinner, Emma asked Mark, “Did anything important happen at work today?”
“Same old, same old,” Mark replied.
“Is that so?” Melissa said, walking in. Mark’s face went pale. “What’s going on?” he asked, panicked.
Emma revealed, “You just signed our divorce papers. And don’t bother fighting it—we have a prenup.” Melissa added, “Get your things and leave. This is not your home anymore.”
Emma was finally free. She might have lost her husband but she gained a lifelong friend in Melissa.
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After experiencing a frightening day at the Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, one Massachusetts mom is issuing a warning about the dangers of spending time at the ocean.
She started her story explaining that she and her 10-year-old son Declan visited the beach in order to avoid the hot weather and have some fun together.
Declan was playing in the ocean when he suddenly felt nauseated. At first, his mom, Heather Cassini, didn’t think much of it and believed he simply needed to rest in the shade. But she was wrong.
In the Facebook post she wrote, Cassini explained how she thought the breakfast Declan had was too much for the waves and that he was going to be just fine if he laid down, but he suddenly collapsed in the sand.
Declan managed to lift himself up, but shortly after, he tripped and ended up back on the ground.
“I’m pregnant and frantically trying to pick him up,” his mother recalled. “He’s going in and out of consciousness and vomiting. And he was so pale.”
The beachgoers who realized Declan was in need of help flagged down a lifeguard and called 911.
When paramedics arrived, they determined Declan suffered from hypothermia.
“I had no idea that this could happen,” Cassini shared with Today. “You think about sunburns and dehydration and all the things that can happen in the water, but I never considered cold shock.”
Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on The Bachelor, passed away at the age of 31 after a courageous battle with leukemia.
The heartbreaking news of her tragic passing was shared on her personal Instagram account by her family who expressed their grief while celebrating her incredible strength, grace, and selflessness throughout her fight.
“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” their message read. “Hailey went on this journey with unimaginable bravery, kindness, and selflessness. Her bravery, determination, and will to live came through in the face of every deadline the doctors gave her. She chose to spend her last moments with family and friends doing what she loved most, with no regrets.”
Hailey, born on November 3, 1992, in Vancouver, Canada, had appeared on Season 21 of The Bachelor in 2017, where she competed for Nick Viall’s affections.
Aside from her reality TV stint, Hailey was a photographer and had worked as a senior marketing and communications manager. She had studied Communication and Media Studies at Carleton University and earned a diploma in print journalism from Conestoga College.
In April 2024, she was declared cancer-free but her condition suddenly worsened just three months later, leading to her untimely passing on July 26, 2024.
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In her final months, Hailey continued to share her journey on social media, chronicling both her victories and struggles. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from her fellow Bachelor contestants, who remembered her as a vibrant, funny, and loving person.
Her friends, family, and former contestants of the reality show paid their tributes to the young woman.
“I count myself so lucky to know your laugh and grateful to have met and loved the realest, warmest, most beautiful soul in the weirdest of places. Forever grateful for your friendship there and in the real world…. What a force my girl, rest easy. So much love to all your people,” one of the former The Bachelor contestants wrote.
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“Oh my gosh!!! I’m so so sad to hear this. I was so hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey, you’ll never be forgotten,” another contestant, Raven Gates, posted.
Dominique Alexis, who was also featured on Hailey’s season of The Bachelor, extended her heartfelt condolences. “My love, I hope you are in the most beautiful peaceful place. I can’t imagine that I won’t see you again but I’ll cherish every memory together. Love you,” she posted.
Hailey’s family thanked everyone who showed their support and donated on the GoFundMepage set up to help with the medical expenses.
Rest in peace, Hailey.
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A fatal car accident claimed the life of 22-year-old Kamylla Cristina Rosa de Oliveira, an actress, a model, and social media influencer from Brazil.
The young woman reportedly experienced issues with a wheel while driving along the GO-217 motorway in Piracanjuba, in the Brazilian state of Goiás. She pulled over onto the hard shoulder, where a driver struck her and fled the scene.
At the time of the incident, Kamylla, which went by the name Mila Maria on the social media, was together with two friends. However, the friends couldn’t provide details about the vehicle that killed their friend besides that it was driving in the same direction as them.
Kamylla’s fans and friends are sharing tributes to the young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
“Whenever I remember you, I will remember your joy and light. Now you will make the angels happy, rest in beautiful peace and may God comfort the whole family,” one of her friends wrote on the social media. “We FINISHED organizing our processes for our long-awaited agency. Friend, did I say enough that I loved you? My God, what pain I’m feeling,” another friend, Laura Teixeira, posted.
Kamylla’s last post discussed her relationship with social media. She viewed the platform as a diary “filled with memories that represent the stages of our lives.”
In a post from February 2nd, the model spoke about her work as an influencer. “As a publicist and actress, I dove headfirst into the vibrant world of advertising and digital influence. For me, staying active isn’t a choice; it’s a necessity,” she wrote.
She often posted photos of her travels around Brazil and had a number of followers.
We are saddened by the loss of such a young life. May she rest in peace.
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When Dr. Sanders got a call from the hospital about an emergency, she found herself in a very difficult position. She had the day off, and had a hard time finding a babysitter for her three young children.
“Now? Are you sure Dr. Morris is not available?” she asked Nurse Carey on the phone while already changing her clothes and trying to think of a solution to her problem.
“No, Dr. Sanders. Dr. Morris is currently driving across state lines trying to get here. You live close by, so I thought I would call. The interns have no idea what they’re doing. I know it’s your day off, but I didn’t know what else to do. Will you be able to come?” Nurse Carey said, doing her best not to sound worried.
Dr. Sanders was quick to call her sister for help, but she wasn’t home and couldn’t help. She then called Vicky, the woman who babysat the kids every now and then, but she said she didn’t feel fine and couldn’t step in either.
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Following the passing of her husband Peter, Dr. Sanders was left to raise her three children, Johnny, 9, Christie, 7, and Lucy, alone.
Usually, she paid through the roof for the local daycare center when she was scheduled regularly at work, but she couldn’t rush them in that day. It was already noon on a Friday, and she would feel bad sending them.
In the middle of the chaos, Dr. Sanders heard her three children shouting “Uncle Bob, Uncle Bob,” as they rushed out of the house.
They didn’t have an uncle, but the local garbageman who took Dr. Sanders’ trash for over ten years was so friendly to her children that they grew fond of him throughout the years.
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Watching Bob with her children, Dr. Sanders came up with an idea. Approaching him, she said, “Bob, I have a crazy request. I know you’re busy. But I was wondering if you would babysit my kids for 25 minutes. I have to check something urgent at the hospital, and I have no one else,” she begged as her kids were looking at Bob hoping for a positive answer.
“Sure, Dr. Sanders. I can watch them for a while,” he replied, nodding and smiling. The children jumped and cheered.
“They’re more than a handful, though. I’m warning you,” she said.
“Don’t worry. You go ahead. Your job is important,” Bob replied.
Dr. Sanders went to the hospital, but since the emergency case needed surgery, she was at the hospital for over three hours. She felt bad for leaving Bob attending her children, who were demanding and misbehaved, for that long.
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Once home, Dr. Sanders’ jaw dropped when she saw her home perfectly tidy.
“What happened here? My house… is unrecognizable. And why aren’t the kids screaming and running around?”
“Lucy is napping, and Christie and Johnny are in their rooms, reading,” Bob answered.
“What? Are you kidding me?”
“No, go see.”
Shocked, Dr. Sanders asked, “How did you do this?”
“Oh, Dr. Sanders. I was a single father raising kids once. Mine were ten times worse than these three angels,” Bob laughed. “I taught them to pick up after themselves and narrated them fairy tales. Your kids ate that up. You might want to buy them more books.”
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As Bob was leaving, Dr. Sanders apologized for being late once again and offered him money, but he refused, saying it was his pleasure to spend some time with the children.
Dr. Sanders was very grateful. That night, when she recalled how her day went, she decided to offer Bob to take care of her children instead of working as a garbageman.
She offered him a salary three times hire than what he earned at his job. The babysitting job would come with more health benefits.
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After giving it some thought, Bob accepted the job and Dr. Sanders was so thankful that she gave him a Christmas bonus and plane tickets so his family could visit Disneyland in California later that year.
This mom realized that her kids needed someone who felt like family to take care of them. They hated daycare because they didn’t like being around strangers.
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His song Diana helped his music career skyrocket, placing Paul Anka, one of the most renowned singers of the 20th century, under the limelight.
However, his road to stardom wasn’t an easy one. Speaking to Newsday back in 1982, Anka said, “I started out at a time when it was not easy to be seriously accepted at such an early age. I realized that to succeed, you have to have some sort of a grand plan and ambition – some sort of a master plan. I decided right then, when ’Diana’ became a hit, that I was going to become as successful as I possibly could in the song-writing field.”
At the time he started singing and writing songs, the Put Your Head on My Shoulder singer was just 14.
His striking good looks and polished demeanor made him stand out, turning him into one of the most adored teen idols of the 1950s. Unlike today, when singers incorporate a number of effects during their performance and use auto-tune, Anka was a pure class. It was his voice, facial expressions, and genuine connection to music that were enough to fill venues with fans whose hearts he touched.
“When I was a kid, even the guys I was hanging with like Sinatra or Dean Martin, nobody came from a sophisticated background. We all got lucky and found our groove and vibe. Now I wear the hat of the guys I witnessed; you become who you see. At my age right now, I still do that,” he said.
At the height of his career, Anka met Anne de Zogheb. The blonde model was a daughter of a diplomat who moved places often. The two first laid eyes on each other in 1962 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It took only a year for them to know they belonged to one another and tie the knot.
The two stayed together for over 40 years, welcoming four daughters, Amelia, Anthea, Alicia, Amanda and Alexandra. Today, Amanda is married to actor Jason Bateman.
Anka and Anne separated in 2000, leaving his fans in shock.
Speaking of the divorce, Anka said, “I did my best, but I was travelling 200 days a year.”
Sadly, Anne died on 29 March 2017 at the age of 74.
Paul Anka and wife Anne DeZogheb being photographed on October 26, 1987 at Knickerbocker Jazz Restaurant in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
In 2008, Anka found love again with his personal trainer Anna Åberg, a former Miss Sweden. They welcomed a son together but Anka filed for divorce just 18 months later following a heated argument. His wife accused him of threatening her with a gun, which led to police involvement. In response, he took legal action against her, further complicating their already troubled marriage.
“Paul has now sold the house; he lives just a few minutes away from me. He put it on the market because he wants to move away. It’s because Ethan has turned 18 now, so Paul is scared. Now he can’t hide behind lawyers and courts; Paul can’t do anything to stop Ethan from coming to me if he wants to,” he ex-said at the time of their separation.
For a short time, Anka stayed single before meeting and getting involved with Lisa Pemberton. He met her at a party in 2010 and tied the know with her in 2016 in a lavish and intimate ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village in Los Angeles.
Lisa helped Anka raise his son, but after a few rocky years, they divorced in 2020.
Today, the musician is in a relationship with Michele Kahl but says he doesn’t plan on marrying again.
Paul Anka and Lisa Pemberton attend the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Lionel Richie at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California / Larry Busacca/Getty Images
At 83, Paul Anka continues to thrive, recently concluding his successful “Seven Decades Tour,” celebrating his extraordinary 70-year career in music. Known for his ability to write, compose, and perform, Anka’s legacy as a pop music pioneer is firmly established, with fans from all generations admiring his work.
Reflecting on his journey, Anka recalls the surprise of still performing in his 80s and being recognized by younger fans.
“Suddenly I’m 80 years old and I’ve got 16-year-olds screaming, stopping me in the street, clamouring for my autograph,” he says.
“When I started out at 16 I could never have imagined I’d still be performing at 80. I started at the bottom of this mountain with nothing, crawling along the road to success, praying every second just to stay where I was.”
Despite experiencing the indulgent showbiz lifestyle, including his time with the Rat Pack, he chose a healthier path, avoiding heavy smoking and drinking after witnessing the effects on his colleagues.
“With all the Rat Pack experience, I came away from it not being a heavy smoker or drinker because I saw what it did to them,” he told AARP.
Anka credits his longevity to a disciplined routine, focusing on regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental well-being. His smart business ventures, alongside his music career, have contributed to his impressive net worth of $80 million.
Despite the excesses of fame, Anka has stayed grounded and continues to embrace life, finding happiness in his relationship with his new girlfriend. His story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that one can remain true to their values and passions, even in the spotlight.
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