The It Girl Podcast with Britney Shields

It’s the season 4 finale of the It Girl podcast and I’m joined by drag king legend King Phantom and viral sensation Sweet Pickles for a conversation that spans the online and the underground drag scenes. With King Phantom we discuss his start in drag in 2008 and how he’s been able to navigate the Southern California drag scene over the past two decades. He shares whether there has been any forward momentum for drag kings and what his dream for the drag king community would be. Pickles, as a more recent transplant on the other hand, discusses her move out to Los Angeles from Virginia and how she’s been able to parlay her social media skills into a successful drag career. She elaborates on the importance of marrying an online presence with live stage appearances in order to garner a fulfilling life as a performer and the muscle it took to get there.  Both acknowledge the competitive nature of the greater Los Angeles drag ecosystem and we marvel at how many entertainers the city holds without enough spaces to showcase them all. With so many it girls, how do you stand out from the pack while also standing in community?Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Miley Cyrus and her mass appeal and wide vocal talent·      Mitch McConell still missing in action and the growing calls to find the body·      Abdul El-Sayed winning the Michigan democratic primary and our hearts·      Perez Hilton harming himself on TikTok live and the life cycle of his inner ethos·      Jools LeBron and Kendra Wilkinson struggling in the current economyNiche Girls:·      Gina, a social media creator who knows that her DOLLS ARE NOT REAL but cares for them as if they were·      Giant Junk Drawers and their appeal to the drag community·      Butttootking – Lydia Butthole Collins, Suzie Toot, and Kori King’s viral campaign tour that has everyone posting to be selected to open for their showIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Donna Summer – a founding mother of pop music that never receives enough flowers·      Alanis Morisette – the source material for feminine rage that we can never get enough of·      Los Angeles – an amazing city that is struggling to survive as the entertainment industry threatens to leave the city for good amongst the greed of its billionaire stockholdersSummer It Girl WINNERSWe announce the WINNERS for the summer it girl categories. Thank you so much to everyone who voted! And for another fantastic season of the It Girl Podcast!!!·      Song of the Summer·      Brand of the Summer·      It Girl of the Summer·      NDA (Niche Drag Artist of the Summer)It was the Slam Pig Summer we’ll never forget! We made it through the slop even when we had our moments covered in mud.

This week on the podcast we have two drag king icons Chase Lounge and Mister IHardlyknowher for a discussion about gender fuckery and fighting for space within the LA drag scene. Chase Lounge opens up about his journey after one year of being on testosterone and two years of running an all sapphic and trans drag show called the Pink Pony Club, one of the most consistent spaces for drag king performers in LA. We discuss the origin of Chase and Mister’s friendship and how they both operate as anti-capitalists within a capitalist system while learning how to define their worth as an artist. I ask Mister about their podcast 5 O’clock shadow where they similarly platform members of the community and explore conversations around sexuality and gender identity. I ask them about their experiences with gender dysphoria and how they’re able to navigate within an otherwise binary world. Chase elaborates on self-identifying as “trans masc” and how that feels more comfortable than simply a nonbinary identity. Both Chase and Mister share what they love about performing as fabulous men onstage, elaborating on the healing power of finding the comedy and joy in masculinity.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Ariana Grande stepping back from the spotlight over scrutiny over her physical appearance in the newly released “Petal” music video which prompted widespread concern for the singer’s health·      Avril Lavigne stealing Simone Biles’ sunglasses at Taylor Swift’s wedding who’s side are you on? How did they get invited? And is the real Avril Lavigne still alive?Niche Girls:·      @TopFreakDaddy a Berlin based musician and very hot trans man who is so beautiful that he’s dominating our timelines·      Nneka Ogwumike a player on the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks who is often referred to as Madame president for turning the franchise into what it is today. ·      Mary Beth Barone and her new Netflix special being pushed to our own little cool kid group.It Girls Who Got Away:·      The 11 Like Count on Instagram and how social media conglomerates are trying to capitalize on our gluttonous need for more public validation·      Prunes the natural fruit that helps your body’s digestive system·      Courtney Love the rebellious girl with the most cake that we need back on the airwaves.Summer It Girl NominationsWe announce the nominees for the summer it girl categories. Voting is open from today 8/5- Saturday 8/8 at 11:59 PM.https://forms.gle/KMZoVWMkRL4UJ5ev8·      Song of the Summer·      Brand of the Summer·      It Girl of the Summer·      NDA (Niche Drag Artist of the Summer)It’s an episode full of masculine madness that will have you screaming for more, more, more, more, MORE!

This week we’re chatting with two of the staples of the Los Angeles drag community, Karen Beaches and Amber Crane with audience submitted questions through Instagram. They share their tips and tricks of the trade including how to transition from an independently booked queen to an in house regular, maintaining your love and endurance for drag, and how to live your best soft girl era. We dive into the beginning of their careers from first moving to Los Angeles to competing in local competitions and what sets the city apart from other cultural epicenters. Karen and Amber open up about their close friendship and what it means to have a drag sister that fully loves and supports what you do. They also expand on the types of relationships a drag artist should nurture within their network to maintain a balanced lifestyle with emotional stability. This week I went a little more Super Soul with my questions, but how could I not with two of the most well-respected matriarchs within our community.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Zendaya dominating red carpets left and right and how she’s been able to maintain her It Girl status with appropriate boundaries AND continue the legacy of a Movie Star·      Dylan Mulvaney living rent free in Republicans minds and how she’s been able to maintain her peace despite constant attacks·      Salina Estitties maximizing her Big Brother screen time with a villain arc that might not play with the rest of AmericaNiche Girls:·      “Quiet on the Creek” by Saucy Santana and his ability to pivot on a dime to capitalize on his virality and the widespread DL culture that permeates our culture·      Trinity Tatum gaining even more momentum post Love Island and captivating America with her charisma and authenticityIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Britney Spears’s scrapped “Make Me” Music Video directed by David LaChapelle ten years ago and the hidden themes that kept it from being released·      Local Girls and how we redefine success to appreciate true artistry·      Laurieann Gibson the choreographer and reality TV personality that packaged some of our most iconic starsSummer It Girl NominationsViewers and listeners can also nominate as many summer it girls for the following 4 categories through my Instagram stories this week. You can nominate as many it girls as you want for each category but you cannot nominate yourself. The top 4 nominees for each category will be announced on next week’s pod episode.·      Song of the Summer·      Brand of the Summer·      It Girl of the Summer·      NDA (Niche Drag Artist) of the SummerSchool is in session for those seeking a masterclass in living your best Soft Girl Summer.

This week we’re leaving the West Hollywood bubble and traveling on down to Melrose where Main Company Groundlings members Chase Rosenberg and Tulida Pepsi (Gaby Sandoval) have created a bimonthly drag variety show called LIPSMACK. They tell me about the inception of the show and how they’ve been able to create their unique brand of queer comedy and humor within the Groundlings framework. You know the Groundlings as one of the feeder theatres for SNL which has produced mainstream it girls such as Kristin Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Kathy Griffin. Chase and Tulida tell me about their early days going through the school’s rigorous training together and making it through the trenches to become the first nonbinary and first Latina in the main company. Chase shares the background behind exploring their nonbinary identity while going through the program and playing various characters of all genders. Tulida joins in with her love of genderbending but also how playing a full out feminine diva led her to discover her heightened drag identity. The conversation continues with the importance of creating spaces that blend the Los Angeles drag and comedy scenes while providing more opportunities for queer performers rather than gatekeeping the stage to themselves. True it girl behavior.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and reintroducing the children to a thing called literature·      Anne Hathaway’s pregnancy watch and we speculate who will be reincarnated as her baby·      Spain Wins the World Cup and the underwhelming halftime show that had us asking “Who was this for?”·      “Obsession” and whether horror will receive the critical acclaim it rightfully deservesNiche Girls:·      The Weho Water Main Leak that flooded Holloway and Palm. Does anyone know how to fix this? Genuinely asking.·      “They’re Turning Me Evil Tomorrow” and the girlypop memes replacing our therapists·      The Men Are Unwell – not new but still relevant. And how we have started domesticating raccoons rather than make any additional attempts at love.·      Timothy Skylar – the West Hollywood bar back making bopsIt Girls Who Got Away:·      P90X– the home work out that’s still better than ever 20 years later·      Trimming your eyebrows and the overgrown trend that needs to end·      The payphone because romance isn’t dead·      Ashley Padilla and how her Emmy snub could pave the road for a comebackIt’s all the it girls flooding your feeds and a discussion that will make your pipes burst so proceed with caution.

It’s the interview you’ve all been waiting for… this week on the it girl podcast we sit down with Annie Biotixx and Blaque Tea following the final show of Free Clinic that we hosted together after the announcement of its cancellation at Mattie’s. Annie spills the tea on how it all went down, from receiving the news to the messy aftermath of having to cancel the bookings of over 60 drag artists (during the month of pride no less). It’s been a strange pride month indeed, and even stranger following the 4th of July when faith in our country is at an all-time low. But it’s not all drama and sadness! Blaque Tea shares her joy of performing, singing, and even cooking and reflects on how finding joy even in the most difficult of times can be the greatest rebellion. She talks about working with Annie back at an old downtown bar called Redline and the importance of non-competitive spaces like Free Clinic within the fierce West Hollywood community. Blaque Tea elaborates on participating in more of the Indie drag scene and collaborating with the artists within that space. Some of those performers are the same activists working behind Drag Performers United in an effort to create better working conditions so situations like Annie’s don’t happen again.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Madonna releasing her best album in 20 years with Confessions II·      Demi Lovato and her gender identity journey·      The Empire State Building Couple and the proposal that could have gone terribly wrong·      JUST&T MARRIED – Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce officially tie the knot in New YorkNiche Girls:·      God of War – announcing its new female protagonist that has the incels infuritated·      Tilly Norwood – the AI actress stealing our jobs·      Odious Ari – the mysterious drag laureate representing West Hollywood for the next three years that we have yet to meet·      I am Furious, but I am Sailing – the new iconic Patti Lupone quote that just dropped·      Fab Five Fallout – the toxically positive reality TV gays that actually hate each other IRL·      Tyra Banks and her lawsuit against Netflix for the same cutting room crimes she committedIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Girl Talk – a pioneer in music mashup culture·      Pinning your events and the importance of communicating your event details clearly ·      Alanna Ubach and the unrecognized star power of character actressesIt’s a full on tea spilling session with two queens who know how to serve it up hot! 

This week, it girl apparent Virgo Please is joined by her mother Barbra Please following her win of the Hunty Games Season 2. We talk about the competition and the best criticism she received (which was basically just praise). Virgo talks about how she leaned on Barbra for support and as a sounding board for her ideas and elaborates on the kind of mother she is, even while Barbra was busy on the road with a drag version of the Eras Tour. Famous on the West Hollywood streets for both their mugs and their hair, they discuss their shared obsession with perfection and aiming for the highest standards. Having started in the same Battle Babies competition with Barbra, I ask Barbra how she quickly went on to create and host one of West Hollywood’s most popular drag shows, Beachin’ Mondayz which has become a hot spot for local it girls. With Virgo’s new show “Virgo’s Groove” launching the same week as this podcast, the Pleases have officially become the dominant drag family on Monday nights.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      The Love Island Girls banding together after a scandalous Casa Amor·      Raven being announced as a contestant on Drag Race Down Under·      Democratic Socialists backed by Zohran Mamdani winning big in New YorkNiche Girls:·      The Last Free Clinic – the abrupt cancellation of a local show that has the girls spiraling·      Pickles – and the crazy recipes dominating Virgo’s feed·      Rhode Island – the smallest state having its biggest year·      Gabriel Gonzalez – the West Hollywood hottie taking over our feedsIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Indigo – the color of the rainbow that is too often forgotten·      The Education system and the lack of reverence for intellect ·      Stop! That! Train!, and how the drag community could be riding harder for mother RuPaulIt’s a mother daughter duo more clinically insane than Joan and Christina finally getting the televised therapy they desperately needed. Did it work? That’s for the academy to decide. 

This week on the It Girl Podcast, we dive into the creative and kooky minds of Kit D Crooks and Marci Morningstar who’s love for everything fantastical bonded them together. Marci shares her background of being a tattoo artist, dressing in cosplay, and how being an artist originating from Sin City informs her drag. Kit D Crooks comes from the military and jokes about how most of her army pals knew she was a drag queen before she did. She talks about doubling down on wearing her elf ears and how she maintains her joy and infectious positivity that she is known for in the West Hollywood scene. Marci delves into the background of her name as an homage to both her comic book sensibilities as well as her love for her mom who always knows how to have a good time. She talks about how nice it is to have other queer people in her family, even if they may caution her with being so out there as to not paint a target on herself. Both of these queens are chronically online and hysterically witty, which is why I knew they would be perfect for the podcast.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Kit D Crooks getting to perform for KATSEYE and the theories behind Manon’s absence·      Zohran Mamdani’s political winning streak that continues to give us hope in dark times·      The Love Island bromance between Zach and Bryce heating up that has all of us screaming “Girth check!”Niche Girls:·      X-Men ’97 Season 2 – and the stories that resonate even more powerfully today·      House of Dragons Season 3 – and the upcoming stories about to devastate our timelines·      Alaska’s new song “Revolution” – and culture’s hunger for a revolutionary figureIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Tinashe, fighting for her space in the music industry tooth and nail·      The Baby Black Pegasus, from 1940’s Fantasia who needs a full franchise now·      Girlicious, from the Mastermind of the Pussycat Dolls Robin AntinIn this pod, we go down every wormhole imaginable. It’s comic books, it’s pop divas, it’s fantasy franchises all with an underlying political message worthy of conversation.

This week on the It Girl Podcast, we have Precinct Award Winning improvisers from Alaska Thunderfuck’s Drag Show 5000, Maureen San Diego and Fred Henson. Both are multi hyphenates dominating the performance art scene here in LA. Fred just released a country single “Ride Out” and shares his journey on his return to music, fundraising money for the last ever AIDS lifecycle (we solved it), and dabbling in drag. Maureen is the pod’s first female female impersonator and delves into the booming bioqueen scene and the importance for women to be just as bad at drag as the rest of us. She talks about the conception of her upcoming show “A Star is Aborted,” where she plays a fetus impregnated in Alan Cumming’s ass. We discuss creating the show in a post Roe v. Wade world and how gay men can be showing up more for their female counterparts. Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Los Angeles’ brand new D train and why everyone should Ride the D·      Nithya Raman v Karen Bass and how we hope they’ll make each other better candidates·      The Nicks winning the big game/championship/tournamentNiche Girls:·      Tin Canned Fish Reviews – truly a recession indicator·      Dyke Day·      Mattie Meow’s bob – the local queen starts a new trend with her iconic lookIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Nadia Oh, a hyperpop diva ahead of her time·      Patra’s Charbroiled Burgers, another affordable LA restaurant bites the dust·      Maureen SanDiego’s lovelife, listen she’s bipolar so it’s like a two for oneIt’s a conversation that is equal parts compelling as it is chaotic – it’s all over the place and we go there.

On this week’s episode of the It Girl Podcast, we have this season’s winner of Dragged Out Hunnie Bunnz alongside Dragged Out All Star and all-around West Hollywood legend Cake Moss. Hunnie talks about starting up in drag in the current scene while Cake is able to share her perspective starting 14 years ago. Hunnie opens up about her relationship with Miami Knight from the Roccette’s and what it means to receive their guidance and endorsement in the Dragged Out competition. We dive into some of the challenges Hunnie faced in the competition including a drunk audience member crashing her performance and some bad behavior from the other queens. The conversation then turns to West Hollywood Pride which faced criticism for not collaborating more closely with working artists and drag queens in the local community. West Hollywood Pride has long faced scrutiny over corporate sponsorships and transforming a protest into a music festival for profit. We discuss the gentrification of West Hollywood general and the cultural push to becoming Beverly Hills Jr. that locals are resisting.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:(Spoilers ahead!)·      Kathy Hilton being removed as Weho Pride Grand Marshall and the politics of Paris and other pop stars·      Principal Laura ANDREWS effortlessly taking down a homophobic parent·      A woman with no hands getting arrested for talking on the phone while driving·      The Tony’s and Qween Jean becoming the first openly trans person to win a Tony, alongside celebrity performers P!nk and Megan Thee StallionNiche Girls:·      The Los Angeles Mayoral race with Nithya Raman beating out Spencer Pratt and now going to a run off against her old ally Karen Bass·      Salina Estitties and Aura Mayari clashing and crashing out on RuPaul’s Drag Race·      The Flamingo Girls, a burlesque female dancing group here in West Hollywood·      Billy Francesca’s Big Gay Show before Pride to commemorate LGBTQ History·      Cake Moss’ drag daughter Robyn Gravees’ returning to dragIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Rasputin, an old West Hollywood club venue that pulled out all the stops·      Drag Competition Camaraderie and backstage etiquette·      Cupcake Canne, a fabulous drag queen taking a break from the gameIt’s hot takes and even hotter tea from a baby queen with fresh eyes and a veteran who’s seen some things. Listen up bitches!

It’s Season 4 babyyyy!!! And we’re starting things off with one of the greatest drag matriarchs of Southern California, Jewels Long Beach. She comes on the pod to kick off pride month and to share the story behind Long Beach Pride getting cancelled due to lack of permits and how she and her long time collaborators (such as Delta Work and Mayhem Miller) came together to throw an event for the community. Jewels shares her story on how she started doing drag in Hamburger Mary’s before it became a drag chain that would syndicate across the country. She shares her optimism in the prevalence and power of drag despite the political and economic pressures the community currently faces. We also discuss meeting at Lake Arrowhead Pride and what gave her the nerve to pioneer it’s first ever pride in 2019. It all stems from her background of growing up in a small town outside of Death Valley, leaving the house at 18, and forging a path on her own to make a drag career that would give her the life she deserves.(Spoilers ahead!!!)Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:·      The drag drama reaching into even straight people’s feeds: Patagonia vs. Pattie Gonia·      Ciara Miller and the Summer House scandalNiche Girls:·      Keke Palmer and Sean Evans steamy chemistry blowing up Britney’s feed·      The questionable choice of Kathy Hilton serving as the Grand Marshall of West Hollywood Pride·      Pride tips and tricks for surviving a month long celebrationIt Girls Who Got Away:·      Voting! While we still have the chance… or according to Elon Musk’s baby mama Ashley St. Clair, is Elon going to rig it anyway?·      The Plot!! We have a crumbling economy, men going to therapy with their AI companions, confirmation on alien existence to distract from the release of the 3pste!n files, and more plot holes than a TV show that’s gone on for ten seasons too longBuckle up for pride month it girls, because community is the only thing that’s going to get us through this mess. 

This week, Britney Shields is joined by her sisters Mary Kate Lohan and Icon Lewis for a divine, delusional, and deeply nostalgic episode — all three of them in full drag as the Holy Trinity: Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears. Religion has never looked this correct.We talk about the surreal experience of performing as working drag queens while embodying the very icons who defined nightlife in the same city we now call home. There’s something poetic (and a little unhinged) about partying where your muses once partied and then getting paid to do it.Mary Kate and Icon reflect on their early days in drag what they would’ve done differently, what they learned the hard way, and how it feels now that their reputations and careers are actually gaining momentum. It’s growth, perspective, and just enough delusion to keep things interesting.Then we get into the It Girls of the Week:·      The Hannah Montana 20-year anniversary special·      Britney Shields attending the iHeartRadio Music Awards·      The undeserved backlash against Chappell Roan (and whether it feels… coordinated?)·      The immense, underpaid pressure placed on Transportation Security Administration agents keeping airports running·      And yes our queen Valerie Cherish returning via The Comeback, exactly when we needed her mostIn our Niche Girl spiral:·      The drag drama shaking the streets Berlynn Atomic allegedly destroying a dressing room at Hamburger Mary's Ontario·      Raye’s new album This Music May Contain Hope as a full cinematic experience·      The trailer drop for Tony Soto’s Learn the Words, Bitch documentary·      The viral TikTok of a woman trapped in Zoom purgatory asking “Can you hear me? Can you see me?” on loop·      The stacked, chaotic trailer for Stop! That! Train!·      Angelina Keeley calling out gender bias in Survivor 50 editingAnd finally — our It Girls Who Got Away (spoilers ahead):·      Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and the loss of what could’ve been)·      The LG enV2 — a plea to abandon smartphones and return to simpler, sexier tech·      A heartfelt call for Halsey and the misunderstood legacy of her signature cursive singingIt’s sisterhood, satire, nostalgia, and nightlife with three queens embodying icons while becoming icons in their own right.

This week, Britney Shields is joined by the razor-sharp, impeccably painted, and newly crowned Librarian of the Year, Samara Sin, mother of the House of Sin and a true architect of precision, discipline, and drag excellence.We get into Samara’s reputation as a reader par excellence where those skills come from, how she’s honed them, and how that same discernment shows up in her drag parenting. The House of Sin isn’t just a collective,  it’s a standard. Known for her painted-down mugs (with praise from none other than Raven), Samara reflects on what brought her and her children together and the inspiration she draws from them, including her legendary child Mylique E. Fawcett.We talk aesthetics and influence from Leigh Bowery and the club kid lineage that informs her facekini looks, to blending fashion, performance, and spectacle into something unmistakably her own. She also opens up about navigating sobriety within nightlife spaces and what it means to stay grounded in an environment built on excess.Samara shares her involvement in parties like Brat and themed nights (including a Pokémon moment featuring her iconic Umbreon look), and we get into the power of embracing your villain energy not for destruction, but for purpose. Whether it’s calling out figures like Nicki Minaj and the conservative right or pushing back against management that refuses to pay their dancers, Samara believes in wielding that edge with intention.We also hear about her first meeting with Calypso Jeté-Balmain, who was immediately drawn to her — famously loving those that others might resent.Then we get into the culture:·      The economic realities impacting gogo dancers, and how often their labor is undervalued·      Secret Lives of Moprmon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul and the latest Bachelor Nation scandal·      The return of The Comeback and the enduring brilliance of Valerie Cherish·      “Squishies” as the new stress-relief obsession replacing slime·      Revisiting the joyful femininity of Alysa Liu·      Darlene Mitchell’s “Cater 2 U” lip sync going viral — and what clips of us might circulate if the algorithm hits just right·      Why ingrown hair removal videos might officially outrank pimple poppingWe close on something deeper. In a conversation about nightlife, memory, and survival, Samara honors her best friend Latisha King, whose life was tragically taken too soon. It’s a powerful reminder that the call isn’t just to protect the dolls, it’s to save them.It’s discipline, decadence, darkness, and devotion — all from a queen who knows exactly who she is.

This week, Britney Shields is joined by internet icon and cultural commentator Michael Henry, celebrating a major milestone: hitting 100K on Instagram after nearly 17 years of making online videos that question, critique, and lovingly roast gay culture.We talk about his journey from early YouTube-era sketches to his Queerty-nominated series Wish You Were Queer, created alongside longtime collaborators Tim Murray and Paul McGovern Jr. and why he’s genuinely at peace losing to Lushious Massacr. Growth!Michael opens up about his latest creative pivot into man-on-the-street interviews, what he’s learned from constantly evolving online, and which of his past creative eras he’d actually revisit (and which can stay buried).We also get into something real: how even queer media is starting to self-censor and soften itself in response to a more conservative cultural climate and why Michael believes it’s more important than ever to confront taboo topics head-on and strip shame from conversations about sex and identity. He cites early inspirations like Real Sex and Taxicab Confessions, which pushed boundaries long before the algorithm got involved. Yes, this includes a very unfiltered (and very funny) debate that proves nothing is off-limits.Then we spiral into the culture:·      The competing pop strategies of Tate McRae vs. Zara Larsson — and who’s playing the It Girl game smarter·      The rise of Connor Storrie and the chaos of the Oscars, including Britney hosting a viewing party at Beaches Tropicana before attempting to infiltrate Elton John’s after party·      Gia Gunn’s rib surgery discourse·      Why Timothée Chalamet and Marty Supreme became the internet’s punching bags of the week·      And why Kevin O'Leary might benefit from taking his own advice about staying in his laneIn the niche corners of the internet:·      Jake Shane’s surprising rise to red carpet host·      Harry Jowsey and the ongoing queerbaiting discourse·      The Poke buzz around Pokopia·      The unexpected resurgence of sardines as a “recession indicator” food trend·      Michael breaks down the difference between dentures and veneers (because of course he does)·      The diminishing returns of HGTV and the disappointing cancellation of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer rebootIt’s a conversation about longevity, evolution, censorship, sex, and staying honest in a world that increasingly rewards playing it safe.

This week, Britney Shields is joined by the hilarious and chronically online Maxine On TV, recipient of the Comedy Queen honor at the inaugural It Girl Awards. Maxine reflects on what the recognition meant to her and the winding road that brought her there — from studying comedy in college to moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting, all while sensing that she would eventually carve out a separate persona and platform of her own.She talks about meeting her roommate and creative partner Destiny, and the dynamic that led them to start their podcast Sauvignon Blah together. We also get into the chosen-family side of drag: how Maxine met her drag mom Karen Beaches, and the weekly Drag Queen Game Show, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.From there, the conversation moves through the cultural chaos of the week.We discuss the renewed headlines surrounding Britney Spears and the way public reactions to her DUI mirror the same judgment and moral panic that helped justify one of the most disturbing conservatorships in modern celebrity history. Rather than pile on, the episode centers compassion and accountability while examining how quickly the public forgets what she endured. That discussion naturally connects to the ongoing frustration surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and the survivors who have repeatedly presented evidence to authorities while meaningful justice remains elusive.We also touch on the internet discourse sparked by Timothée Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera that have sent arts communities into debate mode.In the niche corners of the internet:·      Kylie Jenner unexpectedly impressing viewers with her acting abilities·      Maxine’s appreciation for the Twitter presence of Aidan Zamiri, director of The Moment·      Anne Hathaway flirting with a potential pop music era·      Viral duo Twink and A Redhead appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen with Amanda FrancesWe also celebrate the fabulosity of AFAB drag queens, shouting out performers in our community who continue expanding what drag can look like and who gets to participate in it.Finally, the conversation reflects on cultural figures whose influence continues to resonate — touching on icons like Brittany Murphy and Michelle Wolf along the way.It’s comedy, compassion, internet rabbit holes, and drag family — exactly the kind of cultural whiplash you get when Britney sits down with Maxine On TV.

This week, Britney Shields is joined by radiant powerhouse Queen Porshaa Lejayy for a conversation about faith, hustle, and taking up space with intention.Porshaa shares her journey into drag, from discovering the art form to receiving early support from her coworkers at Bloomingdale’s, who saw the star before the spotlight did. She reflects on the encouragement from Billy Francesca to join season one of Dragged Out, a leap that helped cement her presence in the scene.We talk about the importance of Black queens claiming and expanding space in West Hollywood, and Porshaa proudly uplifts the movement while promoting her own growing slate of events: Porshaa’s Porch at Beaches and Brunch with the Divas at Micky’s. Porshaa opens up about a new spiritual practice she’s embraced, reclaiming God for the gay and queer community in a way that feels affirming rather than alienating. It’s a powerful reframing rooted in healing, intention, and ownership of faith. She also gives her flowers to the queens who’ve poured into her journey, including Kornbread Jeté, June Jambalaya, and Calypso Jeté-Balmain.Then we get into the It Girls of the Moment:·      Teyana Taylor, simply for staying winning·      Rob Rausch clinching the win on The Traitors·      Connor Storrie’s SNL debut buzz and Gym Bar WeHo organizing a live viewing partyIn our Niche Girl spiral, we unpack:·      The internet conspiracy that Jim Carrey has been cloned and replaced — and how the rise of AI images is eroding public trust in reality itself·      The motivational spiritual accounts Porshaa follows, including Charlie Rocket and Sarah Jakes Roberts·      The debut of Pokémon Generation 10 starters and the queer-friendly gaming commentary from Jahara Jade and Shaun, offering expressive, feminine takes that actually resonateWe also vent about the chaos of media mergers and the absurd difficulty of tracking where to stream RuPaul's Drag Racewhen it keeps hopping platforms — especially when it’s all owned by the same corporate umbrella anyway.It’s faith, flowers, fandom, and fighting for visibility, all from a queen who understands that building your own porch means inviting the whole community to sit.

This week, Britney Shields sits down with powerhouse Drag King Watson Side for a conversation about carving out space where there wasn’t any and redefining masculinity on their own terms.We talk about the work of building and protecting space for the drag king community, and what it means to make masculinity playful, self-aware, and nonthreatening in a queer ecosystem where, for many, masculinity has historically been tied to very real trauma. Watson shares what it’s been like producing a drag brunch for two years straight: the grind, the growth, and why they’re now pushing into more theatrical venues and larger creative risks.We also spotlight the burgeoning drag king scene, including Chase Lounge’s Pink Pony Club and Johnny Gentleman’s The Last Gentleman, where Watson serves as a resident judge. It’s a reminder that kings aren’t emerging,  they’ve been here, and they’re building infrastructure.Then we get into the culture:• We break down the current season of The Traitors, the collective thirst over Rob Rausch, and whether the cast is practically handing him the game.• We unpack the continued fallout surrounding Tyra Banks and the long tail of controversy around America's Next Top Model.• We celebrate the impeccably executed rollout of Hilary Duff’s new album Luck… or Something.• We swoon over Alysa Liu winning Olympic gold — and the internet — with a joyful routine set to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson.• And yes, we discuss Punch the Monkey, the baby monkey rejected by his mother who found comfort clutching a plush monkey — because sometimes softness is the whole story.In our Niche Girl corner, we highlight bbno$ for cultivating a version of masculinity that feels safe, goofy, and affirming. The kind drag kings can genuinely rock with.Britney recaps attending the Precinct Awards, hosted by her mother Tony Soto, with Alaska Thunderfuck in attendance and big wins for Meatball and Isadora Spreads. We also address the viral “hot Burbank cop” currently circulating through the Los Angeles gay community’s algorithm.Finally, heartfelt pleas go out to Ashnikko and to lesbians everywhere — in our It Girls Who Got Away segment.It’s a conversation about masculinity without menace, drag without hierarchy, and the power of building the stage you wish existed.

This week, Britney Shields is joined by ballroom royalty, Calypso Jeté Balmain, the Season 1 winner of Legendary. Mother, pioneer, and cultural architect, Calypso brings history, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to the mic.We unpack the vital distinctions between the ballroom scene and the drag scene — where they intersect, where they fundamentally differ, and why conflating them erases lineage. Calypso speaks candidly about the ongoing fight for safe, intentional spaces for the trans community and the emotional labor of building environments where people can exist without fear.She reflects on her wins for Drag Parent and Drag Pioneer at the It Girl Awards, paying tribute to the queens and mentors who sharpened her technique and helped shape her identity. We talk about her upbringing in the church, discovering a love of performance at an early age, and the discipline that drove her to graduate high school and college simultaneously.The conversation turns to ballroom’s evolving relationship with mainstream culture now that Pose and Legendary are off the air — what visibility gave the scene, what it complicated, and what happens when the cameras leave.We also get into:Bad Bunny’s continued cultural dominanceThe America's Next Top Model documentary revisiting the early-2000s reality TV machine and its controversiesPam Bondi and the suppression surrounding the Epstein filesCalypso’s perspective from working as a dominatrix in Hollywood, and why recent revelations feel unsurprisingBeyoncé’s new bob and whether it signals the arrival of Renaissance Act IIICultural pleas for Fefe Dobson, Keke Palmer, and Teyana Taylor to receive their overdue flowersIt’s a conversation about legacy, labor, discipline, and knowing exactly where you come from — so you can decide where you’re going.

It’s season three baby!!!!  Britney Shields is joined by the queen of it all, Lauren Banall, fresh off her viral Erika Kirk impression that birthed the internet’s newest anti-hero: Erika Qwerk.And because subtlety is dead, Britney shows up to the studio dressed as Melania Trump, giving you a historic summit between Erika Qwerk and Melania C*nt. Diplomacy has never been this glamorous.We start by unpacking the power and parameters of satire. Why drag has always critiqued those in power. Why punching up is sacred. And what responsibility white performers have when operating inside an art form rooted in Black and Brown resistance.Lauren and Britney get candid about:·      Weaponizing white privilege to actively dismantle white supremacy·      How to take feedback from POC and marginalized communities without ego·      The difference between intention and impact·      Why correction is growth, not cancellationThen we pivot to the It Girls of the Week:·      Bad Bunny, fresh off a Grammy win and a culture-shifting Super Bowl performance·      The ongoing chaos of the Epstein files·      Melania Trump’s documentary flopping at the box office and a revisit of her infamous “Be Best” speech as we question what she may have known while preaching about protecting children’s innocenceFrom there, we descend into our Niche Girls — the hyper-specific internet content getting us through the rise of fascism:·      Pediatricians shaving calicos and carving out corns in oddly satisfying foot-care videos·      Nate the Hoof Guy, bravely treating infected cow hooves for millions of captivated viewersBecause sometimes survival looks like dissociation via oddly specific grooming content.We close with our It Girls Who Got Away:·      A plea for Swedish pop deity Robyn to reclaim her throne and a rallying cry ahead of her new album drop·      Cirie from The Traitors, and the anticipation surrounding her upcoming appearance on Survivor 50It’s absurd. It’s political. It’s deeply online. It’s counterculture grit and pop culture glitter now with higher stakes and better wigs.Season three has arrived.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields is joined by the original It Girl in her life: Mother Shields. In a rare and deeply personal episode, the two sit down to reflect on what it was like to grow up alongside a kid who was always performing, producing, experimenting, and dreaming — sometimes loudly, sometimes awkwardly, always creatively.They reminisce about years of projects, shows, and schemes, and about all those unforgettable nights shutting down West Hollywood clubs, dancing through history, and celebrating the passing of marriage equality.Mother Shields shares her wisdom for moms of gay children and drag artists, offering reassurance, encouragement, and hard-earned perspective for families navigating unfamiliar terrain. She also speaks to her broader philosophy on life — why strangers are always drawn to open up to her and Britney, and how listening can be one of the most radical acts of care.The conversation turns to her vocation as a theatre teacher:·      What it means to feel called to teach·      The rewards and challenges of guiding young people through creativity·      Advice for new teachers just starting out·      How society can better support educators in meaningful, material waysShe also reflects on teaching through the pandemic, the toll it took on students’ mental health, and the lasting effects educators are still grappling with today.It’s a warm, grounding, and honest episode about creativity, parenting, education, and showing up — for your kids, your students, and your community.

For the season finale, The It Girl Podcast transforms into a full-blown awards show with a special episode celebrating the inaugural It Girl Awards — a chaotic, heartfelt, and highly opinionated tribute to the people, moments, and cultural obsessions that shaped the year.Every category was born organically from conversations on the podcast, evolving into a sprawling awards universe that spans pop culture, drag, politics, media, music, and the local LA nightlife ecosystem. These aren’t industry awards — they’re It Girl canon.Across the episode, we honor:✨ The figures who dominated discourse — from undeniable It Girls to Niche Girls, ones who slipped away too soon, and those who found themselves… controversially discussed✨ Drag artists across every lane — queens, kings, parents, pioneers, producers, and rising stars who carried the scene night after night✨ Cultural moments in film, television, comedy, and performance that made us feel something — whether that was joy, obsession, or full-body cringe✨ Political figures, public scandals, and media moments that seeped into our timelines whether we asked for them or not✨ The music that defined the year — from pop supremacy and viral anthems to albums and performances that lived rent-free in our heads✨ And the local heroes — venues, parties, photographers, gogo dancers, and nightlife staples that keep the culture alive on the groundNominees range from global icons to deeply niche favorites, from household names to community legends — all without revealing who takes home the titles. The joy is in the celebration, the recognition, and the shared language built over a season of listening together.This finale is less about winners and more about witnessing the culture as it actually exists — messy, interconnected, and shaped by conversation.Thank you to everyone who tuned in, debated, voted, screenshotted, and cared this season. The It Girl Awards are the capstone, not the conclusion.Big announcements coming soon. Same delusion. Next season.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields is joined by the luminous Gia Giselle for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about visibility, survival, and stepping fully into your era. Gia opens up about traveling across America on the Taylor Swift Eras Drag Brunch Tour as a trans woman of color — what it meant to take up space in unfamiliar cities, the joy of performing for new audiences, and the realities of safety on the road.We talk about Gia’s transformative year, including accessing gender-affirming care that has profoundly increased her sense of safety and confidence in public spaces. She shares how she found her political voice, built an online platform, and learned to speak with clarity and conviction in a moment when visibility truly matters.Gia also reflects on her path before drag — earning her master’s degree, becoming a teacher, dabbling in marketing and digital media, and eventually finding drag as the place where all her skills, passions, and purpose finally aligned.Then we get into the It Girls of the week:·      Heated Rivalry reaching a new temperature with its “All the Things She Said” needle drop — an instant gay canon moment — and Jordan Firstman calling out the show’s authenticity, creating the perfect storm of controversy that only makes an It Girl stronger·      The state of the U.S. economy and the very real struggle so many people are facing just to get by·      Tyra Banks’ off-the-rails Sydney club appearance, sending the gays into a collective spiral·      The endless entertainment of Smize & Dream Ice Cream and Tyra’s lasting cultural contribution, from business ventures to Life-Size·      The tragic loss of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, and the disturbing response from the president that has even longtime allies recoiling·      Tinashe and her pursuit to break ground and create opportunities in the music industry that seems intent on shutting her out·      Taylor Swift, and the important distinction between calling her a MAGA Barbie versus a capitalist queen·      Zohran Mamdani’s epic year, and the hope he represents for progressives and democratic socialistsFinally, we close with something special: the announcement of the It Girl nominations for the LA drag community. Gia joins Britney to reveal the nominees for:✨ It Girl Categories (Cultural):·       It Girl of the Year·       Niche Girl of the Year·       It Girl Who Got Away·       Cancelled Queen✨ Niche Girl Categories (Local Awards):·       Drag Queen of the Year·       Drag King of the Year·       Drag Parent of the Year·       Pioneer of the Year·       Rising Star of the Year·       Ingenue of the YearIt’s a conversation about movement — across cities, identities, careers, and culture — and what it means to claim your space unapologetically. 

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields is joined by her drag sister, her confidante, and one of the hardest-working, kindest queens in the Los Angeles scene — the one and only Icon Lewis.We get into the audacity, delusion, and manifestation required to name yourself Icon, and how she more than lives up to it. Icon opens up about her beginnings as a songwriter and singer, and her early days gogo dancing at Precinct, before she became a drag queen that would live up to her name.We talk drag, destiny, and doing the work…And then—🚨 SPOILER ALERT: The rest of this description discusses topics from the episode that are even more chaotic and delightful when discovered in real time. Proceed with caution! 🚨From here, we dive into the It Girls of the moment:·      Sarah Paulson in All’s Fair and her beautiful tribute to her late friend Diane Keaton·      Spotify Wrapped, and why everyone still needs to switch to Apple Music until Spotify stops running ICE ads·      Britney’s top artist of the year: Rose Gray, and Icon’s top: Lady Gaga, returning triumphantly to form·      The cast announcement of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, including the sole LA queen Darlene Mitchell, who once gifted Icon some of her old wigs·      Miss Maamshe’s Mall Drag at Precinct — and why recession-era Mall Drag is the culture reset we needed·      The viral thirst traps infiltrating our feeds at alarming (and appreciated) rates·      The impossibly steamy Actors on Actors interview between Jonathan Bailey and David Corenswet, brimming with homoerotic tension·      The continued rise of Heated Rivalry, whose backlash is only solidifying its status as an It Girl·      A call to resurrect lost pop icon Natalia Kills (Teddi Sinclair)·      A lamentation over Survivor losing the ruthless competitive edge that once made it legendaryIt’s an episode full of sisterhood, storytelling, industry tea, cultural obsession, and the kind of laughter that only happens when you sit down with the girls who know you best. 

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields sits down with the ever-evolving, ever-elevating Suadé, a queen who refuses to stay in one lane. From her early days as a performer to becoming a sought-after host and now a full-fledged producer, Suadé is crafting the future of LA drag one show at a time. Whether it’s Spotlight Competition, her Drag Race viewing parties, the beloved Hot Chocolate revue, or her upcoming Hairspray Drag Show at Precinct on 12/13, Suadé is a one-woman innovation engine.We talk about her experience in Project Drag, and how she learned to pivot after that loss — a skill she honed long before drag, when her pre-pandemic esthetician training became unusable overnight and she had to reinvent herself. Suadé opens up about drawing inspiration from her mother, and how her drag is grounded in her roots: beauty, dance, and the vibrant musical scene of New York.We reminisce on the post-pandemic West Hollywood era — Stache, the nights that defined a community, and how Kisoand Precinct continue to hold it down for DTLA culture.Then it’s time for the IT GIRLS of the week:·      The Madame Morrible Wicked Witch memes, celebrating Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar-winning commitment to the bit·      Megan Thee Stallion spending Thanksgiving with new man Klay Thompson, all while securing her win against that foolish blogger·      Rehashing Cardi B’s court case from earlier this year·      The tragic, spiraling descent of Nicki Minaj into MAGA-land and away from realityWe also dive into the niche girls:·      HBO & Crave’s new series Heated Rivalry — the gay sports drama that has queer men and women downright feral·      Brownwyn Newport (RHOSLC) and Stacey Rusch (RHOP) thriving in their sophomore seasons now that they fully understand the game·      Shaiie Food (@shaiie_food), whose chaotic food reviews have us screaming·      Elton John attempting to trick Donald Trump into funding AIDS research — and Trump refusing to even acknowledge World AIDS Day for the first time in 40 years·      We honor those lost to the AIDS epidemic and stress the importance of being loud, organized, and unrelenting in the fight to protect queer life·      Robert Irwin following in his sister’s footsteps and winning Dancing with the Stars·      Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Dream Girls and all the musicals that we can’t get out of our heads·      And finally — a plea for our listeners to run for office. If we want a future, we have to help build one.It’s reinvention and real talk — Suadé brings all of it.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields welcomes back one of our most beloved guests — the unstoppable Seven, returning for her second appearance after snatching victory at the Henny Games: Victors Quarter Quell. Since then, she’s been everywhere, serving as the host and producer of her own hit pre-show at Micky’s: Seven’s Heaven.We break down her winning strategy, her growth since season one, and the art of doing drag right — from respecting your elders to honoring the steps of the ladder before taking the crown. Seven gives us a masterclass on the many corners of the drag universe: ·      The bar scene·      The ballroom scene·      The dance and competition scenes·      The pageant scene…and all the microcultures that make LA drag a sprawling, interconnected ecosystem and how Seven has her fingers in so many of the pots.Then we enter full It Girl Mode:·      Miss Mexico’s Miss Universe 2025 win and the controversy shaking the global pageant world·      Wicked 2, which is already rewriting the culture before it even drops·      Morgan McMichaels, fresh off being crowned Entertainer of the Year — we honor her legacy, her influence, and the blueprint she created for all of us to follow·      Aaron Parnas, the young independent progressive journalist keeping us informed (and occasionally unwell) with the real-time scoop on social mediaSeven also takes a victory lap for predicting the rise of the K-Pop Demon Hunters trend earlier this summer — just another reminder that drag queens are the true cultural forecasters of our generation.We close with impassioned pleas for “Wheel of Time” and “Pushing Daisies” — two shows that deserve their Renaissance now.It’s a reunion, a revelation, and a reminder that Seven is always seven steps ahead of the culture. 

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by the radiant, relentless, and newly crowned champion of The Real It Girls of West Hollywood, Starra D’Show (@thee_starradshow). We break down her full hero’s journey: clawing her way up from the bottom two against her drag mother Iridessa Van Cartier (@wowiridessa), absolutely devouring the Celebrity It Girl Game, and sealing the deal with a final lip-sync victory against Mary Kate Lohan (@marykatelohan). A star was born, and her name is in the title.Starra opens up about where her powerhouse work ethic comes from, the strength she draws from her tight-knit biological and drag families, and how being a self-proclaimed theatre kid shaped her worldview. She reflects on experiencing the pandemic while in college — and how that isolation deepened her hunger for community, connection, and collective joy.Then the girls get into the cultural soup:·      The It Girl of the Week: the mysterious “Bubba”, who (allegedly! allegedly!) received oral favors from Donald Trump, and Putin supposedly has the pictures to prove it — courtesy of the Epstein estate’s emails.·      BravoCon and Andy Cohen suddenly giving Bowen Yang & Matt Rogers energy — is this a collaboration or a textbook case of “inspiration”?·      Speaking of: Matt Rogers going official with Fraser Olender (sorry babe, we blanked on your name mid-recording)·      Set It Off (one of Starra’s favorite bands!) has a new album out, and she is so obsessed she went to their concert by herself and fell in love with moshing culture even more·      A celebration of Amerie, Slayyyter, and all the It Girls who slipped through mainstream fingers but remain legendary in the queer hall of fame·      And yes, we even dip into the Oscars: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Stephanie Hsu’s breakout brilliance and Brendan Fraser’s emotional return with “The Whale”It’s a full spectrum episode — drag duels, family bonds, chaotic pop culture, queer niche excellence, and scandal that feels too wild to be real (but somehow is). 

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields sits down with the enigmatic Felony Dodger, a queen who clawed her way from the legendary “Learn the Words, Bitch” stage to starring on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula and now hosting her own smash hit show “She’s in Parties” at Precinct. From local legend to televised terror to nightlife staple — Felony’s trajectory is a masterclass in reinvention and resilience.We dive into the It Girls of the week:• Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win in New York, and the progressive movement that can’t be stopped even if they try• The devastating and chaotic EBT benefit cuts that are just downright cruel• And then — the messiness we live for:The rising anticipation of Spotify Wrapped season, even though everyone should be switching to Apple Music now that Spotify is running ICE ads (do better!)• Why drag queens’ top songs are never accurate — sometimes you're just learning the damn lyrics• Hilary Duff’s return to music, which has the gays applauding… including an unexpected listener from prison: Joe Exotic• Ryan Murphy’s new series All’s Fair — a ratings flop with just the right amount of bad to maybe become camp• The annual joy of Mariah Carey “defrosting” memes, which somehow get funnier every year• Debra Messing’s unhinged crash-out following Mamdani’s win, and how deeply sad it is to watch someone descend into Islamophobia and misinformation• Finally, we honor three queens gone too soon from our screens: Hershii LiqCour-Jete, Lucky Starzzz, and Felony Dodger of course.It’s counterculture grit and pop culture glitter — served by two queens who see the world from both sides of the stage.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by Downtown LA royalty: Isadora Spreads (@isadoraspreads), the mastermind host behind The Henny Games at Precinct. With the Victors Quarter Quell all-winners showdown coming up next Wednesday, 11/11, we spill all the tea on how Isadora built one of the city’s most iconic drag competitions from the ground up — and why it continues to slay the local scene.Then it’s time to talk all things spooky and stunning:·      The Halloween looks that shut down the streets, sidewalks, and souls·      The unhinged drag obsession with Gladys from Weapons·      Why we’re begging for Lady Gaga to stay in her current Monster Era forever·      The rising drag superstars: Lushious Massacr and Tiara Skye — and the future of drag outside the game show·      Diplo, the bisexual king we didn’t see coming, joking about dating Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau (gay chaos!)·      Trump’s tacky Great Gatsby–themed party, thrown while millions lose SNAP benefits during what’s about to be the longest government shutdown in history·      A heartfelt plea to save Wendy Williams, the true queen of daytime shade·      And yes, we are begging Michelle Pfeiffer to return as Catwoman — the slay will be too iconicWe also unpack how drag oscillates between escapism and protest, especially in a world balancing survival and sequins. We get deep into gender identity, the evolving language around queer expression, and the double-edged sword of labels — when they liberate, and when they limit.Grab your Henny shots. This one burns so good.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) welcomes the incomparable Mylique E. Fawcett (@2leakyfawcett), a trailblazing queen whose reign stretches across every corner of Los Angeles nightlife — even in spaces that weren’t built to embrace her kind of drag (but now can’t live without it).We trace Mylique’s journey from discovering drag during the pandemic to her meteoric rise in Dragged Out Season 6, where her charisma, authenticity, and artistry made her one of the scene’s defining voices. She opens up about embracing her bisexual identity, her evolution as a recovering people pleaser, and the power in choosing yourself first — both on and off stage.Then, the girls get into the hot topics of the week:·      The White House being destroyed (and trying to make sense of the Republican “value system”)·      Lily Allen’s new album “West End Girl” — her divorce from David Harbour and why it’s being hailed as the new “Lemonade”·      The New York City mayoral debates and Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric rise·      The ongoing sugar daddy shortage hitting the gay community — and the new, more gender inclusive term coined by Mylique: "Glucose Guardians"·      Hailey Bieber’s surprising support for the trans community (and why it actually matters)·      And finally, some real talk about the lack of professionalism in the drag community — and how to raise the standard while keeping the sparkleIt’s drag, discourse, and divine chaos — a conversation as smart as it is shady.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields is joined by the moment herself — Gigi DeBussy, the first-ever crowned Real It Girl of West Hollywood. The first one ever! There’s never ever been another It Girl in West Hollywood at all! She’s funny, fearless, and flawlessly unserious in all the right ways.We talk about Gigi’s love of rap, stand-up, and drag, and how she’s blended all three into a signature act that’s as sharp as it is chaotic. She opens up about creating the character of Gigi, what it means to perform authenticity through performance, and what it was like growing up with a dad who came out at the same time she did.Also in this episode:·      Britney Spears’ ex (must we even say his name?) and why we’re done giving mediocre men microphones·      Kori King, Susan B. Collins, Plane Jane, and Mistress Isabelle Brooks catching coin without the crown·      The reveal of the new mega Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: ZA — camp or cringe?·      The No Kings protests spreading across the country — performative or powerful?·      Plus: our impassioned pleas to Joanne the Scammer and Marie Antoinette, two chaotic icons who deserved better pressIt’s a podcast chalked full of queens and absolutely no kings.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) sits down with Marta Beatchu (@martabeatchu), a true West Hollywood icon and one of LA’s longest-reigning drag divas. Known for her effortless wit, flawless glamour, and unmatched staying power, Marta opens up about the pride of being a local girl and the secrets behind her longevity in the ever-evolving Los Angeles drag scene. They sit down before Britney hosts the first live show of the Real It Girls of West Hollywood at Beaches Tropicana where Marta’s daughter Cesilia (@the_cesilia) is about to compete. Marta explains the connection she shares with her daughter along with her feelings about some of the other girls in the competition.Together, they dive into the week’s cultural highs and heartbreaks:·      Mourning the loss of Diane Keaton, a cinematic legend and eternal It Girl·      The Super Bowl announcement of Bad Bunny, and what it means for queer Latina visibility on the world’s biggest stage·      The importance of being vocal and speaking up against the injustices of this administration — silence is not an option·      The triumphant return of recession pop, led by Demi Lovato’s new bangers and pop’s scrappy rebirth·      Dua Lipa’s surprise performance at The Abbey for MISTR and National PrEP Day — where nightlife meets activism·      Heartfelt pleas to save Fan Girl Café, a vital queer venue, and yes — to bring back Crocs (because comfort isresistance)It’s a love letter to longevity, local legacy, and the loud, proud spirit of LA drag.

For the season 2 premiere of The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields @itsbritneyshields sits down with West Hollywood comedy queen and nightlife icon Annie Biotixx  ⁨@anniebiotixx⁩   unpack the glitter, grief, and grind of being a drag artist in 2025.We  celebrate Annie's two year anniversary of hosting her weekly drag show “Free Clinic” in West Hollywood, proving that the real gag is endurance.Britney and Annie also reflect on how they first met through The Groundlings, trauma-bonding over one disastrous class that somehow lead to whatever the hell you’re listening to. From there we get into the culture of it all starting with the album that is diving the internet "The Life of a Showgirl."Then things get real:💄 The state of drag and the economy of Los Angeles — how artists are surviving in a city where glamour costs more than rent⚖️ Doing drag in the rise of fascism — what it means to keep creating joy and community when the world feels unhinged🤖 Tilly Norwood and the growing threat of AI to creative industries🎤 The Britneyssance — a wave of new pop girlies channeling the spirit of the Princess of Pop herself🎶 And a very important shoutout to Michelle Branch, because justice for “Everywhere” is foreverIt’s wigs, wisdom, and world events — a perfect blend of camp and consciousness with two showgirls refusing to let the curtain fall.

For our season one finale, Britney Shields is joined by none other than her southern sister Sweet Tea, fresh off their show-stopping weekend performing together at Lake Arrowhead Pride alongside legends Mayhem Miller and Jewels from Long Beach. We kiki, we recap the magic of the mountains, and we celebrate a season of It Girl history. What’s the Sweet TEA indeed!Sweet Tea opens up about her powerful journey — from Florida to LA — a path marked by profound personal loss, surviving a hate attack, and ultimately finding community and joy in drag. (You can see more of her story in her must-watch documentary.)And of course, we spiral through the cultural chaos of the week:Miley’s Hannah Montana announcement — she’s just being Miley (again)Gavin Newsom’s parody tweets — what reality are we living in?Nicole Collier’s defiant stand in Texas — again… what is happening?Utica’s success on Project Runway — is another crown in her future?The influencer break-up heard around the gay algorithm – whether we like it or notRelated: Connor Franta and Troye Sivan TBT – the twinks are fightingThe internet’s obsession with the male Vikings cheerleadersSkirt-gate in Atlanta — are the straights coming for our gigs?Thank you to every single listener who tuned in, subscribed, and spread the gospel of It Girl this season. You’ve made this show bigger, gayer, and glossier than we ever dreamed.Stay tuned, babes — big announcements are coming soon. The It Girl era is just getting started.The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions) Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) sits down with the fabulous and fearless Cruella Brazil (@cruellabrazil), whose story is as animated as her drag. From leaving Brazil to study animation in Utah to INTENTIONALLY be amongst the Mormons, to getting expelled for hooking up with guys (only to promise she was “reformed” just to graduate) — Cruella proves resilience can be both messy and glamorous.We spiral through:Kim Davis, the four-times-married clerk who is trying to repeal gay marriage (the math ain’t mathing)Taylor Swift announcing her twelfth album — The Life of a Showgirl — on her little boyfriend’s podcast Britney’s bestie Carmen Emmi’s new film Plainclothes, hitting theaters nationwide September 19Brazilian deputy Erika Hilton taking on Trump, Bolsonaro, and the global far-right circusGone-too-soon queer animation classics Q-Force and Super DragOlivia Rodrigo, Renee Rapp, and Beyoncé’s Third ActMeg Stalter and Grace Glukenshmidt — patron saints of unhinged comedyDoja Cat making peace with the fan in the musky-ass t-shirtPlus, Britney shares her excitement about performing at Lake Arrowhead Pride ahead of this past weekend and her plan to honor the late, great, and iconic Lauri Carleton with a heartfelt tribute.It’s international drag drama, camp commentary, and community love — the perfect mix of chaos and catharsis.The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions)  Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by three-time Emmy Award–winning makeup artist and all-around creative powerhouse Glen Alen (@glenalen) for a glittering, gossipy, and gloriously unfiltered conversation.We cover everything from club to kids to the cultural controversy:Cynthia Erivo’s iconic turn in Jesus Christ SuperstarSydney Sweeney’s controversial jeans ad (and the trend of scandal marketing)The Las Culturistas Culture Awards The legacy of Susanne Bartsch  The enduring glamour of club kid culture, Boy George, and Grace JonesThe omnipresence of RuPaul, and building a drag career outside of Drag Race’s shadowHow the internet has changed the drag community Brandi Glanville’s accidental face fire (yes, really)And our heartfelt pleas for Legendary and Precinct to thrive💌 Special note: If you’re in Los Angeles, go visit Precinct, downtown’s beloved gay club and drag hub. Buy a drink, tip the queens, and help keep this iconic space from closing its doors. The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions)  Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by the suave, sharp, and sensational Johnny Gentleman (@johnnythegentla) — a true standout in the rising tide of drag kings who are finally getting their flowers. We talk about the cultural win that is King of Drag, and why it's about damn time the world started paying attention to the kings.  Then, we swirl through a chaotic mix of pop culture, politics, and pure queer joy:  The grace and guts of Ms. Rachel, who’s using her platform to advocate for Palestinian liberation — and why it mattersSouth Park’s unhinged and surprisingly revolutionary call to armsThe viral brilliance of Jake Jonez and Meg Stalter, serving queer absurdism with zero apologiesThe absolutely unnecessary announcement that Mario and Peach aren't dating Jojo Siwa, again. We can’t stop. She won’t let us.A dive into The Cheetah Girls era, and why their influence still slapsAnd a heartfelt plea for all listeners to stream Rose Gray’s new album Louder, Please — pop excellence, zero skips.  It’s kings, culture, chaos, and cheetah-licious realness — one big beautiful mess you won’t want to miss.  The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions)   Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields sits down with the electrifying Lorelei — newly crowned winner of this year’s Project Drag at Beaches Tropicana in West Hollywood, co-host of the unhinged and unmissable Shablam! Podcast with Annie Biotixx, and current cast member of the glitter-filled, sequin-slammed “Eras Tour Drag Brunch” sweeping the nation. From local legend to national moment, Lorelei brings her signature wit, warmth, and wig-snatching wisdom to the mic as we discuss:Next Gen NYC and the revamp of reality TVStephen Colbert and the dismissal of satire in a world already beyond parodyOur descent into fascism, and why drag will always be a frontline art formObama’s gay teacher — and the importance of Gusbands in straight men’s livesCarmen Carrera on Real Housewives of Miami — trans excellence arriving in the Bravo-verseCorrina Fulgieri, chaos agent and icon in progressAnd yes… the revelation that Laverne Cox dated a MAGA cop — we process this live in real time, with audible gaspsIt’s glamor, gag, and geopolitical despair — all served up with lipstick, lashes, and just a dash of existential dread. The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions)  Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by the divine, dazzling, and devastatingly unbothered Heaven Lee (@heavenleedoll), a queen whose face card never declines and whose presence drips in renaissance-level decadence. Whether she’s turning a look, making a statement, or setting the tone for the room, Heaven brings high glamour and higher power to this week’s episode — and she is the moment.  Together, we dive into the politics of the ballroom scene, unpacking the realness between Kiki and mainstream houses, the community dynamics at play, and why it’s more than just voguing — it’s family, it’s culture, it’s survival.  And then we get juicy:  - Jojo Siwa’s Bette Davis Eyes cover — performance art or pop culture hate crime?  - The internet spiral around Ginger Minj’s Drag Race win  - Beyoncé’s unreleased music stolen from her choreographer’s car (yes, the Hive is buzzing)  - Tipping culture and why every iced coffee is demanding 20% like it did something  - The one-sided cold war between Nicki Minaj and SZA  - AI images of Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes canoodling — and how thirsty the algorithm has become  - The slow motion cultural career fumble of Normani and Adam Rippon – what happens when the industry has no idea what to do with talent  - And yes — the celestial mess of the Astronomy CEO and HR Chief’s affair, caught mid-canoodle at a Coldplay concert, in true HR-violating, star-crossed lover fashion    It’s ballroom truth, pop culture delusion, and heavenly takes — all wrapped up in a true CEO Affair of Spicy Content.  The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi VonSchack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions)   Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by the newly crowned queen of West Hollywood — Seven (@seventhedragqueen7), winner of The Hunty Games, the fiercest drag competition this side of Santa Monica Blvd, hosted by none other than Morgan McMichaels herself. Yes, the girls are GAGGED.Seven gives us the inside scoop on what it took to snatch the crown, her new spot in the legendary Showgirls cast at Micky’s, and her upcoming weekly pre-show takeover — the heavenly, high-camp spectacular known as Seven’s Heaven.Also in this episode:- A critical takedown of the Labubu craze (sorry, we’re not sorry)- Anna Wintour stepping down from Vogue — are the sunglasses finally off?- Parvati’s new memoir and Surviving the American Media Ecosystem- Our pop culture obsession with KATSEYE and the brilliance of Pop Star Academy- K-pop demon hunters and the anime-industrial complex- And finally — the eternal debate: which Pokémon are the cuntiest of them all? It’s chaos, couture, and cartoon creatures — Seven’s heaven, indeed.The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions) Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

This week on The It Girl Podcast, Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by Silverlake icon and the best drag queen you’ve never heard of- Tony Soto (@thetonysotoshow) for an episode full of laughs, legacy, and legendary comebacks. The two It Girls dive into the actual comeback of all comebacks — Lisa Kudrow’s The Comeback is returning for another season (!!), and we’re breaking down why Valerie Cherish will always be an It Girl that we welcome with open arms.Then, Tony spills on what it was like coming up in the LA drag scene alongside legends like Shea Couleé, and reflects on a decade of messy, mouthy magic at Learn the Words, Bitch at Akbar. Whether you're a Valerie Cherish stan, an Akbar regular, or just love a good gay oral history — this episode is for you.We also get real about the current climate: from the insidious rise of the Big Ugly Bill to the Jeff Bezos of it all. Plus, we unpack TS Madison’s appearance on NeNe Leakes’ podcast, and the overwhelming grace, patience, and bravery the trans community continues to show in the face of ignorance and hate.Comebacks, community, and chaos — that’s showbiz, bitch.The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi VonSchack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions) Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

On this week’s episode of The It Girl Podcast, host Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) is joined by the endlessly insightful and pop-savvy Mary Kate Lohan (@marykatelohan) — a West Hollywood sweetheart known for her appearances in Annie Biotixx’s “Free Clinic”, Britney’s own “2024 Wrapped”, and as co-host of the culture-meets-music podcast “She’s on The Radio” with Alex Leeming. Together they dive into:👯‍♀️ The queer craving for twindom📈 The rising momentum of the progressive movement🍦 Tyra Banks’ new side hustle🗳️ And a very serious, very deranged question: What would an Ellen DeGeneres presidency look like? From the absurd to the insightful, this episode is a sugar rush of cultural commentary, queerness, and camp. The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions) Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate and follow us on Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.

Welcome to the very first episode of our brand new pop culture and reality TV recap podcast — hosted by the princess of drag Britney Shields (@itsbritneyshields) and special guest co-host, West Hollywood's reigning nightlife menace and certified It Girl, Karma Spice (@thatskarma). You might recognize Karma from her role as the chaos agent/villain on the hit reality competition The Beast Games, or from her weekly karaoke fever dream Qwercade at Revolver in WeHo. Now, she’s bringing her unfiltered takes to the mic. In this debut episode, Britney and Karma crown this week’s true It Girls — from Sabrina Carpenter to Jinkx Monsoon, Addison Rae, and Labubus. They also dive deep into the messy magic of reality competitions like Love Island, Survivor, The Traitors, and of course, Drag Race. The It Girl Podcast is filmed and produced by Mimi von Schack (@mimi.vonschack), Devin O’Brien (@devinobrien06), and Twenty Beach Productions (@twentybeachproductions) Like the show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Listen and subscribe to The It Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.