Nowadays, the formula for fame is simple. Get a ring light, highlight your cheekbones, count your followers. But back in 2000, Paris Hilton had to figure it all out by herself. Step by step, she wrote the book on how to turn yourself into a brand, without social media, and then had to figure out how to survive the backlash that followed. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/...
Jan 12, 2021•43 min•Season 11Ep. 45
This season we’re looking back at the rise of America’s first influencer. How did the wild child, hard-partying heiress who was “famous for being famous” end up netting more than $300 million on her own? In this episode, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—and that tree is Big Kathy, Paris’ grandmother, who ends up pregnant but refuses to give up her dream of being famous. Her mantra? “Marry rich and have lots of babies.” All her efforts pay off with the arrival of her granddaughter Star, b...
Jan 05, 2021•44 min•Season 11Ep. 44
We’re ringing in 2021 with a year-end special that’s as decked out as a Murdoch family superyacht. First, Brooke and Aricia talk to Forbes journalist Ollie Williams about how the ultra-rich have managed to keep on partying in lockdown. Next, Bobby Finger, host of the Who? Weekly podcast, joins us to hand out The Richies—our awards for 2020’s most memorable (and disturbing) moments in celebrity culture. Because even the rich drunk-post on Instagram. To read Ollie’s reporting at Forbes, follow thi...
Dec 29, 2020•44 min•Season 10Ep. 43
Think there’s nothing else we can get out of this story? Well, think again. Today we’re talking to Michael Hobbes, who’s a senior reporter at HuffPost and host of the podcast “You’re Wrong About.” We’ll talk to him about his show’s recent season on Princess Diana, her depiction in “The Crown,” and why we sometimes forget that she was still a woman with flaws. To read Michael’s reporting at the HuffPost, follow this link: https://www.huffpost.com/author/michael-hobbes And listen to “You’re Wrong ...
Dec 22, 2020•42 min•Season 9Ep. 42
Diana gives birth to a redhead. (It’s Harry. Duh.) Unfortunately, Charles doesn’t seem to care. Convinced that her husband has given up on their marriage, Diana sets off on a journey to find herself and reclaim some independence... And don’t think we’ve forgotten about Harry and Meghan! In our final episode the newlyweds start plotting their Megxit. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wonder...
Dec 15, 2020•37 min•Season 9Ep. 41
Diana Spencer is 19 years old, engaged to the future King of England, and living what seems like a Cinderella fantasy. Except without the fantasy part. Life as a soon-to-be royal is harder than she ever could have imagined. And it gets even worse when she discovers that her fiance still carries a torch for another woman. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, the National Eating Disorders Association has a free helpline for resources and support: 1-800-931-2237. Listen...
Dec 08, 2020•38 min•Season 9Ep. 40
Meghan and Harry’s wedding is set to have snipers, Oprah, and a half-a-million-dollar dress. It’ll be just perfect. But then Meghan’s family comes out of the woodwork. And if that’s not enough excitement for you, we’re also going on a whirlwind tour of Diana’s early years. Stops include the Queen’s drawing room where Diana went for playdates, the boarding school where she won an award for best-kept guinea pig, and the hay bale where she locked lips with Prince Charles. Listen ad free with Wonder...
Dec 01, 2020•37 min•Season 9Ep. 39
In this encore series, we’re going beyond the headlines (and behind palace walls) to bring you the true stories of Diana Spencer and Meghan Markle. They enchanted the world, but it turns out life in the royal family is far from easy. In this episode, Meghan, who grew up idolizing Princess Di, scores a blind date with destiny. And by destiny, we mean Prince Harry. This episode originally aired on March 17, 2020 . Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, an...
Nov 24, 2020•36 min•Season 9Ep. 38
The story of Britney’s conservatorship is like an onion: it has a lot of layers, and it’s guaranteed to make you cry. Today, we’re peeling back a few more layers, though hopefully we’ll keep the tears in check. We’re joined by Constance Grady. She writes about culture at Vox and has been keeping a close eye on the latest developments in this saga. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery...
Nov 17, 2020•29 min•Season 8Ep. 37
After Britney’s involuntarily hospitalized, her dad steps in as her conservator. He takes control of practically everything — what she does, where she goes, who she talks to. It’s supposed to be temporary, but it ends up lasting years, inspiring Britney’s fans to rise up and fight for her freedom. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/eventherich Support us by supporting our ...
Nov 10, 2020•47 min•Season 8Ep. 36
Britney Spears has finally met the man for her. He’s sweet. He’s low-key. He’s Kevin Federline. She’s ready to settle down and start the family she’s always wanted. But her dream doesn’t work out the way she hopes. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/eventherich Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...
Nov 03, 2020•46 min•Season 8Ep. 35
For more than a decade, Britney Spears has been trapped in a conservatorship that gives her father incredible power over every aspect of her life. It’s hard not to wonder: How did she go from pop princess to prisoner? Well, this season, we’re looking for answers. In this episode, Britney is a little girl with big dreams. She wants to sing and dance her way out of Louisiana. But when she’s catapulted to global fame, will it turn out to be more than she bargained for? Listen ad free with Wondery+....
Oct 27, 2020•45 min•Season 8Ep. 34
In the late 1970s, when William Cohan was at boarding school, the administration asked him to show a new kid the ropes. That kid’s name? John F. Kennedy Jr. William later wrote a book about their friendship, and he joins us to talk about John’s penchant for partying, his daredevil streak, and the woman he loved. Grab a copy of William’s book, “Four Friends”: https://bookshop.org/books/four-friends-promising-lives-cut-short/9781250070524 Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives,...
Oct 20, 2020•32 min•Season 7Ep. 33
Everything is coming up roses for John. Carolyn said yes to marrying him. George magazine, his passion project, is about to launch. There’s only one thing that can get in the way now — the tabloids. They won’t let The Hunk and his bride-to-be out of their sights, which sends Carolyn into hiding and leaves John struggling to find a way forward. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app...
Oct 13, 2020•44 min•Season 7Ep. 32
It seems almost too good to be true. The supernaturally good-looking scion of the Kennedy dynasty meets a smart, ambitious woman and sweeps her off her feet. But behind the scenes, JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s relationship is far from a fairy tale. They’re caught between worlds: the life they were trying to build together and the one John inherited. In this episode, John tries to step out from behind his father’s shadow and shake off his mother’s influence. Easier said than done. Listen ad fre...
Oct 06, 2020•44 min•Season 7Ep. 31
Even the moon landing can’t knock the Chappaquiddick scandal out of the headlines, and the longer it stays there, the more iffy Ted’s political future looks. His only hope of getting back into the public’s good graces is to tell them what really happened. But there’s no guarantee they’ll forgive him. In fact, they might not even believe him. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App here . Support us by s...
Sep 29, 2020•39 min•Season 6Ep. 30
The morning after the accident, Ted Kennedy is ready to do everything it takes to pretend nothing happened. But when the truth catches up to him, he realizes the only thing to do is face the music ... with the help of the Kennedy family's spin doctors. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App here . Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...
Sep 22, 2020•36 min•Season 6Ep. 29
When Ted Kennedy takes a vacation in the summer of 1969, it’s supposed to be a chance to blow off steam and get away from the crushing pressure of being a Kennedy. But one crashed car and a dead woman later, his trip turns into a scandal that threatens to ruin his family’s legacy. This season, we’re digging into the tragic saga of Chappaquiddick. In this episode, Ted Kennedy goes from baby brother to senator to potential presidential candidate. He flourishes in public, but in private, he flounde...
Sep 15, 2020•43 min•Season 6Ep. 28
In 2018, Molly Young went to Milan to sit down with Donatella Versace. Now, she’s digging out some of her most outrageous memories, including the startling discovery she made in the bathroom at Versace headquarters. Molly is the literary critic at New York Magazine. She’s also the author of “The Things They Fancied,” a zine about rich people’s sick and twisted hobbies.Check out Molly’s zine, “The Things They Fancied” — http://www.youngblanks.com/products/the-things-they-fancied Support us by sup...
Sep 08, 2020•35 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Donatella takes charge, and things start going south. Critics pan her designs. Buyers turn away in droves. Profits plummet. Behind the scenes, her drug use is spiraling out of control. She needs a savior. Enter Elton John. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 01, 2020•43 min•Season 5Ep. 26
The family is coming apart at the seams. Gianni’s spending habits are out of control — which drives his brother, Santo, crazy — and his fights with Donatella are nastier than ever. Gianni makes plans for a sibling-free Versace. But as he’s busy plotting the label’s future, a serial killer is plotting his death. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 25, 2020•41 min•Season 5Ep. 25
In the studio, Donatella is Gianni’s shadow. She’s always there to give her honest opinion, pushing her brother to go big or go home. Sure, they fight sometimes, but Gianni’s the first to admit that he needs his sister — right up until she goes behind his back. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 18, 2020•43 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Three siblings — Gianni, Donatella, and Santo Versace — built one of the greatest fashion labels ever. But when Gianni is murdered on the front steps of his South Beach mansion, the label loses its visionary. Can the business survive? Over the next four episodes, we’re going to explore the rise, and fall, and rise again of the House of Versace. In this episode, Gianni breaks free from his provincial childhood and moves to Milan to make his mark on the fashion world. But something’s missing — act...
Aug 11, 2020•43 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Silicon Valley. It’s a magical kingdom where nerds can become tycoons — and all that power goes straight to their big brains. Sarah Ellison joins us to talk about the downright ridiculous behavior of mega-rich techies. Sarah has written for outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, and The Washington Post. She says if there’s one constant in her long career, it’s this: she writes about very rich people who sometimes act outrageously. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Po...
Aug 04, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 22
You know how some movies begin with the words “Inspired by True Events”? If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably asked yourself: What does that even mean? Today, we’re getting answers from our guest David Scarpa, who wrote the 2017 film “All the Money in the World” about Paul Getty’s kidnapping. He tells us how he transformed truth into drama, what accounts for the Getty family’s tragic dysfunction, and who he thinks is the real villain of this story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...
Jul 28, 2020•35 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Hack hack hack. That’s the sound of the Getty family coughing up the ransom money. Now it’s on Chace to arrange the exchange and rescue the boy. If he pulls it off, he’ll cover himself in glory. If he doesn’t, he should probably expect another ear in the mail. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 21, 2020•40 min•Season 4Ep. 20
It's been weeks since the kidnappers grabbed Paul, and they're getting fed up with the Getty family’s dithering. So they issue an ultimatum: pay the ransom, or we’ll cut off the boy’s ear. But Gail doesn’t have the money. And JP? Well, his checkbook is still super-glued shut. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 14, 2020•40 min•Season 4Ep. 19
JP’s man in Rome, an ex-spook named Fletcher Chace, elbows his way into the kidnapping negotiations and whips up a wild plan to get Gail out of the picture. He wants to run the show, and Paul’s captors are none too pleased. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 07, 2020•39 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Paul Getty is just your typical 16-year-old. He lives in Rome with his girlfriend and her twin sister. His hobbies include getting high, clubbing with celebrities, and reading Mickey Mouse comics. And he’s an heir to one of the largest family fortunes ever. It’s a pretty good life — until Paul gets kidnapped. In this four-episode series, we’re bringing you the story of one of the craziest crimes in the history of rich people. It features gangsters and spies, pet lions, severed body parts, and th...
Jun 30, 2020•43 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Still dying to know more about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s evolution from music sensations to business moguls? Then you need a little Zack O’Malley Greenburg in your life. Zack is a senior editor at Forbes, where he writes about business and culture. He’s also the author of the fantastic book “Empire State of Mind: How Jay Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office.” And on this episode, he talks to us about a few of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s brilliant business moves that we weren’t able to cover on the serie...
Jun 23, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 16
