
Carrie Underwood goes back to her roots with natural hair after 30 years
The 42-year-old has been known for her golden locks since she shot to fame in 2005 as the winner of American Idol, and her blonde hair has long been a defining feature of her public image. In past interviews, she's expressed hesitation about switching it up, fearing that fans might interpret a darker look as a dramatic change in her personality. 'I don't want people to think I'm turning dark and serious,' she said in a 2012 interview with Refinery29.
Despite her reservations, Carrie had always harboured the desire to experiment more with hair colour and styles. Reflecting on her Idol days in a 2013 interview, she recalled having 'a lot of big hair' for the first time, thanks to professional styling. 'I like big hair,' she admitted, 'but I wouldn't go back there again.'
Motherhood also played a role in her approach to beauty. After becoming a mum to sons Isaiah and Jacob, she traded hair extensions for a more manageable cut, explaining that time was better spent with her kids than under a blow dryer.
The new hair reveals a softer, more grounded side of Underwood, one that embraces change without needing to make a spectacle of it.
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Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
From curiosity to craze
At the opening ceremony of the 20th World Saxophone Congress in late July, as a melody filled the venue, 57-year-old Yin Zhifa was swept back to that distant morning in 1976 when he first glimpsed the shimmering saxophone. Little did he know then that over the next five decades, he would travel across China with his saxophone in hand, bringing fresh melodies to the lives of countless Chinese listeners. Yin is a veteran saxophonist and currently serves as president of the professional saxophone committee of the China Popular Music Association (CPMA). He said he still vividly remembers seeing a saxophone for the first time at a public performance when he was eight. "The golden gleam of its brass body and its vibrant, soaring melody instantly captivated me." 'Air of mystery' Yin began formal training at nine and joined a local performance troupe at 17, becoming one of China's few saxophonists of that era. At the time, the saxophone still carried an air of mystery in China. While it occasionally appeared in military honour guard shows or parades, for most people it remained a rare and exotic import from the distant West. "Back then, only a handful of factory and school bands had saxophones. It looked and sounded incredible, so I worked hard to learn how to play," Yin said, adding that a light music tape released in 1982 helped introduce the instrument to a wider audience in China. Recorded by a Beijing-based orchestra, the tape featured the saxophone as the lead instrument, backed by drums and guitar. Its fresh, vibrant sound soon became a symbol of the country's spirit of opening up. In 1991, Yin joined the Art Ensemble of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions as a saxophonist. During performances across the country, he noticed audiences responding with growing enthusiasm, often erupting in applause during his saxophone solos. "That's when I decided to popularise the saxophone among the public because only with widespread affection can it truly thrive," he said. Going home Over the next three decades, Yin's life would closely mirror the saxophone's growing popularity in China. In 1993, he compiled China's first saxophone grading exam textbook, laying the foundation for a standardised evaluation system. Thanks to Yin's persistent advocacy, institutions like the Central Conservatory of Music began launching saxophone programs from 1997 onward, formally introducing the Western instrument into China's higher music education. "At first, many thought it lacked the foundation of traditional Chinese instruments among the people, but music knows no borders. A beautiful melody always resonates with listeners," Yin said, noting that this was best illustrated by the nationwide saxophone craze ignited by the iconic piece Going Home. In 2002, American saxophonist Kenny G performed it in China, and its tapes and CDs quickly became a "signature melody" heard in shopping malls, school bells and even over park loudspeakers across the country. "Emphasising family bonds in traditional culture, Chinese people hold a special connection to the idea of 'returning home,' making the name and melody deeply resonate with our emotions," said Yin Shenghua, Yin's daughter and a young saxophonist. Having grown up watching her father promote the saxophone, the junior Yin was struck by the deep passion for the instrument she witnessed upon returning from her studies in France. She observed retired seniors practicing in groups with speakers in Beijing parks, while many five-year-olds began learning the saxophone in training classes in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. According to the CPMA, there are now approximately 800,000 people learning the saxophone in China. To further promote the saxophone's popularity, Yin Zhifa compiled simplified notation textbooks for middle-aged and elderly enthusiasts and encouraged manufacturers to produce smaller instruments tailored for children in recent years. For him, the saxophone has been more than a source of joy for Chinese music lovers; it has also served as a bridge for cultural exchange beyond the realm of art. From July 26 to 31 this year, the World Saxophone Congress was held in China for the first time, drawing musicians from 33 countries to Harbin. Yin and many saxophonists believe that this gathering of diverse musical ideas and cultural styles paved a brighter future for the saxophone in China. The staggering sheer number of saxophonists, as well as the presence of many large saxophone orchestras, is a remarkable achievement, said Arno Bornkamp, president of the International Saxophone Committee. "Though it originated in the West, the saxophone has taken root in China," the senior Yin said.


Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Daniel Kyri teases brief return to ‘Chicago Fire' season 14 after confirmed exit
Daniel Kyri, known for portraying firefighter Darren Ritter on NBC's Chicago Fire, has hinted at a temporary return for the show's upcoming 14th season. The actor took to Instagram, sharing a selfie alongside cast members Jocelyn Hudon and Hanako Greensmith, captioned: 'Back! For a limited time only,' accompanied by a peace sign emoji. Another behind-the-scenes shot featured Kyri in full firefighting gear with co-stars David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Miranda Rae Mayo, and newcomer Brandon Larracuente. -Instagram. NBC declined to comment, and Kyri's representatives have not yet responded to requests for further information. Kyri's return comes after it was confirmed in April that he would exit the series following Season 13, alongside fellow regular Jake Lockett. Kyri began his run as Ritter in a recurring role and appeared across Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. His recent storyline involved a relationship with Officer Dwayne Monroe, played by Samuel B. Jackson. While showrunner Andrew Newman previously said there's no confirmed plan for Ritter's departure, he acknowledged 'lots of possibilities,' especially given Season 13's finale tease involving potential layoffs within the Chicago Fire Department. The exits are reportedly tied to ongoing budget adjustments at Chicago Fire. Sources indicated cost-saving measures, including asking cast members to establish Illinois residency and forgo their standard 5% annual raises, as veteran contracts come up for renewal. Episode counts for next season may also be reduced. NBC renewed Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med for the 2025–26 broadcast year, though shortened seasons are expected. Despite cast turnover and budgetary challenges, the One Chicago franchise remains one of NBC's top-performing brands across both linear and streaming platforms.


Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Conor Maynard hospitalised after mystery health battle leaves him in unbearable pain
Conor Maynard has revealed he was rushed to hospital over the weekend following an intense flare-up of a secret health condition that left him 'screaming in pain' and physically incapacitated. The 32-year-old singer, best known for hits like Can't Say No, took to Instagram to share the ordeal with fans and explain his prolonged absence from the spotlight. Maynard disclosed that he has been quietly battling a bulging disc in his back for months, an injury that gradually worsened despite multiple treatment attempts. In his emotional post, he said he had sought help from a chiropractor earlier this year, but the pain only intensified. Over the weekend, it reached unbearable levels. 'I lost all the colour in my face,' he wrote, describing how his girlfriend Kitty Bertrand panicked and called for an ambulance. Now facing the possibility of surgery, Maynard confessed that the experience has deeply disrupted his life and career. 'Even holding up a camera is too heavy. Filming content or performing has become almost impossible,' he explained. Despite the frightening prognosis, he remained hopeful, stating that he's determined to recover and release new music as soon as possible. This health scare is the latest blow in what Maynard has described as the worst year of his life. Earlier in 2025, he became entangled in a public paternity dispute with The Traitors contestant Charlotte Chilton, who had claimed he fathered her daughter. A DNA test later proved he was not the biological parent, but the damage to his mental health lingered. 'I was painted as a deadbeat dad,' he recalled in a This Morning interview. 'My mental health spiralled.' The emotional and physical toll has pushed Maynard into an extended hiatus. As fans flood social media with messages of support, the singer remains focused on healing, both physically and mentally.