Hollywood Vampires: Feeding the Celebrity Exploitation Machine

What happens when justice goes viral? When the courtroom becomes content? And when the story isn't just about two celebrities, but about us? In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel welcomes journalist and documentarian Makiko Wholey, co-author of Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine. Makiko takes us behind the scenes of one of the most chaotic, consequential trials in modern celebrity history, revealing what most of us missed while we were scrolling. From overnight fan campouts in Fairfax to the quiet conversations that never made it to YouTube, Makiko unpacks the cultural spectacle, the flaws in our fandom, and why Amber Heard became the symbol of a movement turned inside out. We explore the power of performance, the danger of viral storytelling, and what this story teaches us about truth in the digital age. Buckle up — it’s raw, real, and unmissable. • Buy the book: Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine  • Follow Makiko Wholey: Instagram: @markeck0 ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel: Official Website: adammontiel.com Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify iHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadio YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music ******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Window Coverings By Design We Help You Legal General Store Paso Robles Daou Vineyards WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com