Unfamous with Justin Tranter

On this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with pop icon Debbie Gibson for a candid conversation about songwriting, producing, and building a career before adulthood. Debbie breaks down how she taught herself production, became the youngest artist ever to write, produce, and perform a Billboard Hot 100 #1, and learned to protect her creative vision in an industry that constantly underestimated her. The two also dive into collaboration, family dynamics in business, artistic reinvention, and what it takes to survive and evolve in pop music for decades. Funny, emotional, and full of behind the scenes music stories, this episode is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and creative trust. Follow, subscribe, like and comment on Spotify. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, and Heather Moore. Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace VanderWaal and Eren Cannata make work that feels raw but intentional. More importantly, they know how to keep the energy in the room alive long enough for the right idea to land. In this episode of Unfamous, they talk about building Childstar and the creative rhythm Grace and Eren found together. Grace reflects on starting sessions as young as 12 and how writing gave her a way to say things in her own personal way, and how that evolved into a more instinctive, collaborative process with Eren now. They get into protecting the vibe, letting ideas evolve, and trusting the moments that arrive on their own. It is about collaboration, instinct, and making something honest without forcing it. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Sherrae Rucker Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Brad Cohen, Jamie Sward, Lauryn Caldwell, Alana Aquino, Alexandra Baker and Uriah Tejada. Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MUNA makes emotionally sharp, collaborative work that holds because they know how to stay in it long enough to figure out what a song actually needs. In this episode of Unfamous, host Justin Tranter sits down with MUNA to talk about building a band as a long-term collaboration and what it’s taken to evolve together while working on their upcoming album, which Justin also co-wrote on. They get into creative tension, letting go of ideas, trusting each other’s instincts, and how honesty in the room shapes the final work. It’s about collaboration, communication, and making something real without forcing it. If you love music, creativity, and understanding how collaboration actually works behind the scenes, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Heather Kolker, Megan Manowitz, Jordan Shepley, and Anna Ross. Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kid Cudi and Justin Tranter make emotionally expansive, genre-shifting work. But more importantly, they know how to stay open long enough to actually find something new. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin sits down with Cudi to talk about their collaboration on Free and what it meant for him to move from writing alone into a shared process. They get into trust, pushing past limits, and letting other voices in without losing your own. It’s about creative risk, curiosity, and how to collaborate without losing your identity. If you love music, creativity, and the real process behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Kasey Sobey and Sydnee Nanas. Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troye Sivan and Leland make emotional, euphoric, deeply honest pop. But more importantly? They know how to build a creative partnership that blurs the line between friendship and songwriting. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with the longtime collaborators to talk about how their relationship fuels their music, from their first chaotic session to crafting songs like “Rush” and “Bloom,” and why the best ideas often come from surprise, trust, and letting things get a little weird. It’s about creative shorthand. It’s about pushing each other past instinct. It’s about chasing feeling over formula and staying honest even when imposter syndrome creeps in. And it’s a real look at how two artists build something lasting by choosing curiosity, joy, and each other over ego. If you love pop culture, music, and the messy, magical truth behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Sherrae Rucker Special thanks to Mark Beaven and Jimmy Knehans Shout out to Leslie Tranter and Chloe Pappas on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Princess makes bold, chaotic, deeply self-aware pop. But more importantly? She knows how to build art through collaboration, trust, and a healthy amount of beautifully unhinged creativity. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with longtime collaborator and pop provocateur King Princess to talk about songwriting, acting, queer storytelling, and what it actually takes to survive the music industry while staying true to yourself. From writing together when she was still a teenager to watching her step into acting alongside icons like Nicole Kidman and Christine Baranski in Nine Perfect Strangers, the conversation moves through creative evolution, artistic freedom, and the lessons that come from building a career on your own terms. They unpack everything from navigating labels and contracts to the power of trusting your collaborators, plus the creative chaos behind her new album and the mythological world of “Girl Violence.” It’s hilarious. It’s brutally honest. And it’s a real look at how artists grow when they stop pretending they have to do everything alone. If you love pop culture, music, and the messy, magical truth behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Sharrae Rucker Special thanks to Mark Beavan and Jimmy Knehans Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melanie Martinez and CJ Baran make dark, beautiful, deeply specific art. But more importantly? They know how to build a universe together. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with the longtime collaborators behind Cry Baby, Portals, and Melanie’s upcoming double-album world to talk about storytelling, trust, experimentation, intuition, and what it takes to make something both wildly ambitious and emotionally precise. It’s imaginative. It’s meticulous. It’s weird in all the right ways. And it’s a real look at how two artists build a fully realized world without sanding off what makes it special. If you love pop culture, music, and the messy, magical truth behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Bobbie Gale, Nina Savio and Kyle Stuart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trixie Mattel and Fena Barbitall know drag is never just the person in front of the camera. It takes trust, instinct, taste, stamina, and someone behind the scenes who knows how to keep the whole illusion alive. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with the longtime collaborators to talk about drag as a craft, creative assistance, building looks under pressure, touring, ego, instinct, boundaries, and what it takes to support an artist while helping shape the final vision. It’s funny. It’s candid. It’s deeply specific. And it’s a real look at the kind of behind-the-scenes collaboration that makes performance feel effortless, even when it absolutely isn’t. If you love pop culture, drag, and the messy, magical truth behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistants: Kyle Stuart & Justin Stuart Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, and Brandon Lim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Allen is one of the biggest songwriters in pop. Gabz Landman is one of the sharpest managers in music. But more importantly? They know how to build a career together. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with the longtime collaborators to talk about instinct, trust, advocacy, career-building, and what it really takes to make a songwriter-manager relationship work over the long haul. It’s warm, honest, and full of insight about the kind of collaboration that doesn’t always get centered, but shapes everything. If you love music, creative partnerships, and the messy truth behind how careers actually get built, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Sherrae Rucker Special thanks to Jimmy Knehans and Mark Beavan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caleb Hearon and Caitie Delaney are hilarious. But more importantly? They know how to collaborate. In this episode of Unfamous, Justin Tranter sits down with two of comedy’s sharpest minds to talk about writing rooms, pitching to sell, ego deaths, executive notes, financial insecurity, and the very specific horror of saying “sure” to Caleb Hearon. It’s chaotic, smart, honest and it’s a real take on how collaboration actually works. If you love pop culture, comedy, and the messy truth behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Jimmy Knehans, Mark Beaven and Michelle Kariuki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ink is a hitmaking songwriter with main-character energy. But more importantly? She understands collaboration like it’s a spiritual practice and a contact sport. In this Unfamous minisode, Justin Tranter sits down with Ink (Beyoncé’s “16 Carriages,” Lil Nas X’s “Star Walkin’,” Kendrick Lamar's "Luther", and a résumé she will absolutely read out loud and proud) to talk about freestyling melodies, letting go of the thing you “married,” learning from genius-level artists, and why the room has to stay sacred for the magic to show up. It’s funny, unfiltered, unexpectedly deep, and a masterclass in staying loose while still making something great. If you love music, creativity, and the messy reality of how the best work gets made: welcome to the room. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistants: Justin Stuart + Kyle Stuart Special thanks to Jimmy Knehans, Mark Beaven, Luke Burland and Bailey Katler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of what you love in pop culture didn't happen the way you think it did. Unfamous pairs a celebrity with the collaborator who helped build their biggest moments and lets you hear how it actually went down. It’s funny, honest, occasionally chaotic, and full of real insight about collaboration, ego, ambition, and making something that lasts. You know the moments. You don't know the stories. Tune in to Unfamous, launching March 4th. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Instagram: @unfamousthepodcast Tiktok: @unfamousthepodcast Join our Patreon for exclusive access to private AMA's with Justin, song breakdowns, "Unfamous Advice" from Justin and more: https://patreon.com/Unfamousthepodcast _________ Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistants: Kolbi Samantha + Sherrae Rucker Special thanks to Jimmy Knehans and Mark Beaven. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices