Blog

Bret Michaels is calling a few minutes late for the most un-rock-star reason.

His glucose level had dropped a bit so he needed to find some orange juice to give it a boost.

The Poison frontman and captain of a thriving solo career with his eponymous band has lived with Type 1 diabetes since childhood and is vigilant about maintaining his health through vigorous activity. It might be jogging in place at home watching a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game, hiking the mountains in California or Arizona or whipping through a game of extreme dodgeball.

“I’ve never complained about getting old,” says Michaels, who turned 62 March 15, “because I’ve known so many friends who never had the chance.”

The indefatigable Michaels will blast through a trove of Poison hits (“Talk Dirty to Me,” “Unskinny Bop,” “Every Rose Has its Thorn”) at amphitheaters and theaters starting April 11; play alongside Alice Cooper, Shinedown, Nickelback and others at the May 18 Boardwalk Rock festival in Ocean City, Maryland; and reconvene with pals Def Leppard for shows in June and July in between his own dates.

He’s also readying the fall release of a photo journal, “Then, Now and Forever,” which tracks his formative years in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, (he shouts out JoJo’s Pizza & Pasta in nearby Mechanicsburg as an enduring favorite) through his evolution as a rocker and businessman.

The gregarious musician and “entrepreneurial free spirit” chatted candidly about his unyielding allegiance to the Pittsburgh Steelers, why he listens to Christmas music year-round and how his trademark bandana is his “super power.”

Mariah Carey & Oasis Among 2025 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has revealed the 14 artists nominated for induction in 2025, eight of whom are first-time nominees.

unbranded – Entertainment

Bret Michaels says he ‘can’t live in fear’

Given his unconventional lifestyle as a touring musician whose creed is to provide fans with “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” Michaels is extra-mindful of monitoring his health needs. He wears a glucose monitor 24/7 and his morning routine consists of taking an insulin shot, brewing coffee, having a bite to eat and working out for about 30 minutes of weights and cardio.

As a guy who loves to engage in outdoor activities, Michaels is always prepared.

“If I’m hiking or mountain biking, I always have a backpack with (food and drinks). You’re never alone. You’re always with some form of maintenance equipment,” he says with a laugh. “But I cannot stay in a hotel room. I can’t live in fear.”

Michaels also offers support to kids with diabetes through his Life Rocks Foundation.

Bret Michaels is optimistic about the Pittsburgh Steelers

The self-proclaimed “rock and jock” is an unabashed “Steelers Believer” who grew up rooting for the NFL team, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins (he also loves his “East Coast Pennsylvania teams” – the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers).

As a personal friend of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin (the two share a birthdate), Michaels has adopted inspiration from one of the winningest coaches in professional football.

“I’ve learned to live my life as, ‘Don’t be a victim, be victorious.’ Own it. If you own it, you never have to look over your shoulder,” Michaels says.

He’s pumped for the 2025 season and supports the return of quarterback Mason Rudolph (“he’s a big guy who can take a hit”) as well as the addition of former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.

“He is unbelievable,” Michaels says. “That signing was a win. Now all we have to do is move that ball 11 yards at a time!”

Bret Michaels listens to everything from AC/DC to Dean Martin

While the volcanic roar of AC/DC is usually the “instant motivator” backdrop for his workouts, Michaels takes the notion of music as a universal language beyond an affinity for rock, country and pop and delves into … Christmas music.

“I’m not a preachy faith guy. I’ve always said each finds their own (religion), provided you’re not hurting anybody,” he says. “But if I’m having a down day, I seek out traditional Christmas music.”

Michaels is dedicated to his family – wife Kristi, daughters Raine, 24 and Jorja, 19 and their rescue German shepherds Draco and Nova – and finds Christmas songs a reminder of “the spirit of giving, family, fun (and) laughter.”

He leans to toward classics from Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Perry Como and Andy Williams and loves to listen in the summer heat so “mentally, I feel cooler!”

Bret Michaels calls his trademark bandana his ‘super power’

From the time he was a kid and saw Jimi Hendrix rocking a headscarf, Michaels realized the coolness factor to the accessory.

“It’s my super power. It’s my own feeling of identity. Somehow I became ‘Bandana Man,’” he says with a chuckle, also citing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant as an inspiration in forehead-wear.

Even Michaels’ 2020 run on “The Masked Singer” revealed him as the “Bandana Banana.”

But there is a practical dual purpose to his cranial complement.

“It keeps all of the sweat out of my eyes when I’m exercising or performing,” he says. “And I sweat.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Constructor: Beth Rubin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

• HAITI (35A: Author Edwidge Danticat’s birthplace) Edwidge Danticat’s first book, Breath, Eyes, Memory (1994), was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Edwidge Danticat was born in Port-au-Prince, HAITI and moved to New York City as a young girl. Breath, Eyes, Memory began as an essay about her childhood in HAITI and expanded into a novel dealing with racial, linguistic, and gender identity. Edwidge Danticat’s most recent book, We’re Alone, was published in September of last year.
• TANGO (61A: Alejandra Mantinan and Aoniken Quiroga’s dance) You can find multiple videos online of Alejandra Mantinan and Aoniken Quiroga dancing the TANGO. Here’s a link to one to get you started.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• CROC (1A: Gator’s cousin) When I see a mention of CROCs and gators together, I am reminded of helpful articles I’ve read that point out the differences between them. One of the differences is that a CROC typically has a stronger bite than a gator. Um … I prefer not to be bitten by either one, to be honest.
• ELLA (14A: Jazz legend Fitzgerald) and ETTA (65A: “At Last” singer James) As a result of their crossword-friendly four-letter names, we see references to ELLA Fitzgerald and ETTA James in the crossword on a regular basis. It was fun to see them appear together today.
• HALLE (15A: Oscar winner Berry) In 2001, HALLE Berry won an Oscar (Academy Award) for Best Actress for Monster’s Ball.
• ALS (48A: Pulitzer Prize winner Hilton) Hilton ALS is a writer and theater critic. He won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2017, “For bold and original reviews that strove to put stage dramas within a real-world cultural context, particularly the shifting landscape of gender, sexuality and race.”
• MESA (51A: Costa ___, California) Costa MESA, which is Spanish for “coastal tableland,” is located in Orange County in southern California.
• EASEL (55A: Means of support for an artist) This is a fun clue, because when I read “means of support,” my first thought was financial support. Instead, the support here is an EASEL, a stand that provides physical support for an artist’s work.
• PETE (67A: Folk singer Seeger) We saw PETE Seeger in the puzzle just six days ago.
• PLOT (6D: One might have a twist) This reminded me of last Wednesday’s puzzle, which was titled “PLOT Twist.”
• PLANTAIN (10D: Fruit in kelewele) Kelewele is a Ghanian dish also known as Spicy Fried PLANTAINs.
• HAL (15D: Actor Holbrook) In 1954, HAL Holbrook (1925-2021) developed a one-man stage show called Mark Twain Tonight! He portrayed Mark Twain for more than 60 years, winning a Tony Award in 1966 for Best Actor in a Play.
• CHAI TEA (31D: Beverage often flavored with cardamom) Yesterday we saw the separate answers CHAI and TEA in the puzzle, and today they have joined forces. Some people are bothered by the expression CHAI TEA, because since CHAI is a Hindi word for TEA, the phrase basically means TEA TEA. However, I recently read a book in which one of the characters opened a TEA shop, and about this very thing, he said, “As long as people are drinking TEA, it doesn’t bother me what they choose to call it.” I like that approach.
• PAM (40D: “Jackie Brown” actress Grier) Jackie Brown is a 1997 crime movie directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie is based on Elmore Leonard’s 1992 book, Rum Punch. PAM Grier stars as the title character, a flight attendant who smuggles money between the United States and Mexico.
• YOU (45D: “___ become strong by doing the things ___ need to be strong for”) “YOU become strong by doing the things YOU need to be strong for,” is an Audre Lorde quote from her book, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. This is a lovely way to clue the word YOU.
• TAP (61D: Dance like the Nicholas Brothers) Fayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000) had a dancing style sometimes called acrobatic dancing, which combined elements of TAP, ballet, and acrobatics. The brothers taught master classes in TAP dance at Harvard and Radcliffe Universities. Do yourself a favor and spend three minutes of your day enjoying the Nicholas Brothers performance in the 1943 movie, Stormy Weather.

“You just do a thumbs up through the hard times,” she says. A Taylor Swift fleece blanket covers her legs. A sticker of a black cat — which is her favorite animal — on her left cheek holds a soft nose tube providing nourishment. Lily’s right side has gone numb. With a smile, she raises her left hand.

“ A thumbs up means I can still hold my hand up,” she says. “I’m doing good. ‘Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave.’ I heard that on ‘Madagascar’ once.”

The sun glows behind the positive teen as she gently looks at her parents, Seth and Kelsey Tomlinson. The two are on leave from their jobs to make sure their daughter’s days are as bright as possible.

The Grammy-winning rapper joins the slate of headliners for Outside Lands music festival, which dropped this year’s lineup on Tuesday.

In its 17th year, the music festival welcomes returning headliners, including Tyler, the Creator, and Vampire Weekend. Outside Lands, set for August 8-10 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, also boasts performers such as Doja Cat, Jamie XX, Glass Animals, Hozier and Rebecca Black, to name a few.

Here’s how to snag tickets for Outside Lands, which go live Wednesday. Scroll through for more details, including the stacked lineup.

When do Outside Lands tickets go on sale?

Three-day general admission, general admission plus VIP, Golden Gate Club and payment plan tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. PDT.

The country singer-songwriter, who has made headlines in recent months for an alleged feud with his children, praised his daughters Miley and Noah Cyrus in an affectionate Instagram post Tuesday.

Both Miley and Noah have recently announced new music. Noah released “Don’t Put It All on Me,” a collaboration with Grammy-nominated folk band Fleet Foxes, on March 19. Meanwhile, Miley announced on Monday the arrival of her ninth album “Something Beautiful,” which is slated for a May 30 release.

“You are witnessing in real time what it feels like for a Dad who with in less than one weeks time has had his (butt) kicked and his mind blown by not one …but two of his own daughters @mileycyrus @noahcyrus,” Cyrus wrote alongside a side-by-side photo of Miley and Noah.

He added: “Flesh and blood … completely taking their art to a whole new level. Congratulations girls! Well done I’m so damn proud of both of you. I’m actually crying as I write this. Thank God you can’t see me. Have fun now and be happy! 😊Love Dad.”

In an hourlong conversation on The Oprah Podcast, which released Tuesday, the journalist and nonprofit founder spoke with Oprah about the real-life events that inspired various poems in her upcoming book, “I Am Maria” (Open Field, out April 1). Among them was her separation from Schwarzenegger in 2011 after it was publicly revealed that he’d fathered a child with their former housekeeper a decade earlier.

“It did take me a really long time (to recover), and you were there on the hotel floor,” Shriver told Oprah of the fallout from Schwarzenegger’s infidelity. “It’s still an emotional thing for me. But I wanted to pick myself up.”

Shriver had reportedly found out about Schwarzenegger’s son in January 2011, and for his part the former “Governator” has been contrite, calling himself a husband who “failed” in a 2015 interview with USA TODAY.

“Australian Survivor” winner David Genat emerged triumphant when he scored millions of dollars on the Season 2 finale that aired Tuesday night. The model scored a higher case value over runner-up Alexis Lete during the final challenge, winning the final spot to play against the banker.

While battling the banker, Genat repeatedly pushed his luck, relying on his instincts and faith as he turned down nearly every deal and successfully opened case after case. Despite his castmates begging him to take the banker’s offer, Genat refused to settle as the top case of $12,232,001 was still on the board.

With each round the banker’s offer repeatedly rose until there were only two cases left, including the top prize and a low $75 value. At the right time, Genat took the highest deal in the game show franchise’s nearly 20-year run.

It’s been over a decade since the last “Final Destination” film enthralled fans with its grueling suspense and elaborate fatal situations. The film series has long followed various characters working to escape the supernatural personified force of Death as best as they can.

A new trailer for “Final Destination: Bloodlines” dropped Tuesday teasing some of the terror to come, including from buses, shattered glass, pianos and lawn mowers proving to be deadly. The film will also see the return of Tony Todd as mortician William Bludworth.

A teaser trailer dropped last month, promising to take longtime “Final Destination” fans back to “Death’s twisted sense of justice” showing flashbacks of the Death’s early havoc.

Stories of unsung female heroes are having a moment, like Kristin Hannah’s “The Women,” which spotlights the “forgotten” female veterans of World War II. 

Kristina McMorris, the author of the bestselling historical fiction novel “Sold on a Monday” and the upcoming “Girls of Good Fortune,” told USA TODAY that women’s historical fiction is an uplifting space for readers and writers.

“There is something that is very special about having female bonds and friendships (where) we really understand each other and are there to support each other,” McMorris says. “We are so passionate about shining a light on these stories from the past that it never feels competitive. We are all just there to help lift each other up and spread word about each other’s stories and about each other’s talents as much as possible. It is an amazing community.”

The footage, obtained by USA TODAY on Tuesday, offers additional insights into the shocking deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, who were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26.

In one clip, authorities can be seen in an emotional conversation with a maintenance worker after the couple’s bodies were discovered.

“He was just a normal person, and to see that… Sorry,” said the worker of Hackman, later getting choked up. “I get attached to all these people. They treat me really well. And like her (Arakawa), she was a sweetheart.”