Infamous

Fractures appear in Chris and Tory’s marriage and in business relationship. When Chris tries to convince his soon-to-be ex-wife to offer cheap knockoffs of her affordable luxury clothing line, Tory refuses. But if Chris can’t move Tory, it seems he’ll find another way to get what he wants. Subscribe to The Binge to get all episodes of Infamous: Retail Revenge ad-free right now. Click ‘try free’ at...

“It” couple Chris and Tory Burch launch a wildly successful clothing company that reflects Tory’s signature boho-preppy style. When Oprah catches wind of the stylish but sensible clothing line, Tory quickly becomes one of the biggest fashion designers of her generation. Subscribe to The Binge to get all episodes of Infamous: Retail Revenge ad-free right now. Click ‘try free’ at the top of the Infa...

As some students hear back from colleges this spring, Vanessa and Natalie dig deeper into the admissions hysteria, obsession, and scandal. The Varsity Blues case might have cracked open an illegal underworld of corrupt deals—but there are plenty of perfectly legal ways privileged parents bend the system to their will. Think test prep, tutors, and college coaches who charge hundreds of thousands of...

In 2019, a case called Varsity Blues cracked open college admissions, revealing a nexus of corrupt athletic coaches and celebrity parents willing to spend hundreds of thousands to guarantee their children spots at top schools. At the center of the scandal was a shady, smooth-talking con-artist named Rick Singer, primed to take advantage of parents’ insecurities, fears, and ambitions for their chil...

In the 90s, you couldn’t escape rapper and record executive Sean Love Combs (aka Puff Daddy or P. Diddy) and his hit songs like “It's All About the Benjamins.” Now Combs is back in the spotlight, but for far darker reasons: a series of sex trafficking and abuse claims. This week, we’re delving into Combs’s decades-long relationship with the late Kim Porter, a model, singer, and actress.  Click ‘Su...

While Natalie and Vanessa were researching Meghan Markle, another royal scandal took over the internet. Kate Middleton disappeared from public view, unleashing a flood of speculation and conspiracy theories, only to reappear with the shocking and emotional revelation that she has a cancer diagnosis. Natalie and Vanessa chat with Anna Pasternak, a fantastic biographer who profiled the Duchess of Ca...

The only family that might be messier than Megan Markle’s? Her husband’s. This week, we’re diving into the royals, and how the firm’s staid, slow, and highly invasive rules clashed with Meghan’s swift, go-getter, Hollywood style. Plus, we’ll tell you about the time Meghan promised to do the calligraphy for journalist Justine Harman's wedding invitations. Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamou...

With Kate Middleton's "disappearance" in the headlines, we investigate another Princess who absconded: Meghan Markle. But the real question is, who is Meghan? Is she a fearless advocate speaking out against an antiquated institution? Or an opportunist obsessed with managing her public image? Or…both? This week, we’re investigating Meghan’s complicated, layered family drama, from public conflict wi...

How did Lindsay Lohan go from starring alongside Meryl Streep and Jamie Lee Curtis to doing court-ordered community service at the LA county morgue? Vanessa and Natalie are joined by journalists Evgenia Peretz and  Brennan Kilbane, and photographer Jill Ishkanian, to trace Lindsay’s rise, fall, and the cycle of screwups and comeback attempts she’s been on ever since. Could a Lohanaissaince finally...

In an age where we’re all defined by our digital presence, social media savvy can be a kind of superpower. This week, Vanessa interviews Caroline Calloway, the scammer sensation who spent her pandemic trying to bounce back from a viral article that convinced the world she was a hack. (But maybe also made her famous?) Vanessa also introduces us to Peter Bogner, who was in a lengthy back and forth w...

In the last decade, the “Iceman” Wim Hof has become a household name. Orlando Bloom to Oprah Winfrey have practiced his method, which includes daily cold plunges and hyperventilation breath work. But despite intense success, could Wim Hof be responsible for encouraging practices known to be dangerous — and even deadly? In this episode, Vanessa interviews investigative journalist Scott Carney, who...

How is technology shifting how we think about sex? Can our virtual lives shape sex IRL? To explore these questions, Vanessa travels back to the 90s, recalling the week she spent at the very first cam girl house. Then she investigates the origins of chatroom sex and an early incident of harassment in cyberspace. Finally, she takes a look at the next chapter of sex online—from virtual boyfriends to...

E. L. James, author of the Fifty Shades of Grey novels, steps into the shoes of her domineering protagonist when she is given an unprecedented level of control over her series’ movie adaptations. Would-be Fifty Shades screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho) weighs in on the behind-the-scenes drama.  Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamous show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBi...

You probably know Tina Fey’s iconic camp masterpiece, Mean Girls—but do you know the real-life story behind the screenplay? In this episode, Vanessa and Natalie talk to Zoe Nightingale, the original Regina George, about high school. They also talk to Zoe’s sister, Rosalind Wiseman, a sociologist who wrote Queen Bees and Wannabees, the deeply-researched sociological tome that inspired the movie. Li...

After breaking into celebrity homes and stealing millions of dollars in cash and luxury goods, a group of teenagers becomes famous themselves as the Bling Ring.  In this episode, Vanessa interviews Allen Salkin, one of the first reporters to cover the group. Vanessa, Natalie, and Allen dissect parasocial relationships, the psychology behind theft, and what it’s like to live in a place like Calabas...

For the final episode on Taylor Swift, Vanessa and Natalie get caught up on what's going on in Taylor's life today. We'll hear about the epic battle between the Gaylors and the Hetlors, and how Taylor's relationship with football star Travis Kelce has brought Americans together. We'll also talk to the journalist who visited Taylor's favorite New York restaurants and hounded the waitstaff for detai...

Taylor reemerges after the Kanye incident with her hard-hitting album Reputation. The reception is mixed, but Taylor’s made a big statement: she’s not just a little girl anymore. Vanessa, Natalie, and Rolling Stone senior writer Brittany Spanos take a close look at Taylor’s redemption arc. Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamous show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get acce...

After Vanessa finished writing about Taylor in 2009, Natalie would start following Taylor’s career while working at Forbes, and would discover not only a talented artist, but a savvy businesswoman. Brittany Spanos, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins the conversation to talk about the various feuds Taylor has had — including Kanye’s infamous VMA interruption and her artistic differences with Sco...

Believe it or not, there was a time when Taylor Swift wasn’t the most famous person on the planet. She was just an up-and-coming country prodigy thrilled to land a cameo on her favorite TV show. During this time, Vanessa spent hours with her, in multiple cities, even on the set of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Listen to the never-before-heard recordings of their time together as Vanessa and Nata...

Renowned Gwynethologist and Fleishman is in Trouble creator Taffy Brodesser-Akner joins Vanessa to talk about how Gwyneth became a one-of-a-kind cultural icon. Taffy tells all about offering Gwyneth a gas station brand cigarette and getting too drunk in her picturesque Los Angeles home. Plus, Taffy and Vanessa swap stories about rap star and infamously volatile interviewee Nicki Minaj. Click ‘Subs...

Gwyneth Paltrow takes the stand in her ski crash trial against a retired optometrist. But as new facts emerge, is it possible that Gwyneth could be one of America’s most-hated celebrities and also a brave defender of justice? Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamous show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you get your podcasts. A Campside Media & Sony Music...

Gwyneth Paltrow is as famous for her luxury lifestyle as she is for her movies. But when she collides with a man on a ski slope in Park City, Utah, she finds herself in a real-life high-end whodunnit, where fact is stranger than fiction. Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamous show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you get your podcasts. A Campside Media &...

After a multi-year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has returned, but it’s nothing like it used to be. Natalie attended the show in 2015 with celebs like Kris Jenner and Selena Gomez, but a lot has happened to the brand since then, including the bombshell revelation about the owner Les Wexner’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Vanessa reunites with Fallen Angel co-creator Justine Harman to tell...

Vince McMahon — the mastermind behind the WWE, who put stars like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Hulk Hogan on the map — has been traveling a rocky road the last few years. In this week’s episode, Campside’s own Anthony Pucillo talks with Vanessa about his time as a writer for the WWE, what goes on behind the scenes, and whether or not McMahon will stay down for the count. Plus, Natalie reminisces...

Vanessa invites psychoanalyst Robin Kirman to talk about Jared’s story and to answer some of the burning questions it raises. Like, how do all those pickup artist tricks work? What the heck was wrong with Jared? And in a world where pickup artists can be hard to spot, how do we find partners we won’t regret? Click ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Infamous show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBi...