Caroline Calloway, the original Instagram influencer, and Natalie Beach, her former best friend and ghostwriter, expose the dark side of fame and 'fake it till you make it' lifestyle. The podcast delves into their toxic friendship, deceptions, Adderall addiction, impulsive spending, and the fallout of a tell-all article. It explores the competitive dynamics, financial struggles, and complex relationship dynamics between them.
Caroline Calloway built an Instagram influencer persona with filters and captions, leading to backlash for her schemes.
Natalie Beach's revealing essay exposes Caroline's faults, shedding light on their troubled friendship and collaboration.
Caroline and Natalie face criticism for their writing styles, portrayed as victims of each other's scams, with unresolved drama and diverging paths.
Deep dives
Caroline's Rise and Fall
Caroline Callaway starts as an Instagram influencer creating a brand with heavily filtered photos and long captions. She gets lost in her own narrative, facing backlash for her schemes and disastrous writing seminars. Her friend Natalie reveals Caroline's faults, leading to Caroline's fame backfiring drastically.
Friendship Betrayed
Caroline and Natalie's friendship begins at NYU, fueled by shared admiration for a professor. However, Caroline's actions, including secretive bot followers and misleading book deals, strain their collaboration. Natalie's essay for The Cut unveils Caroline's flaws, exposing their troubled dynamic.
Escalating Controversy
Caroline's workshop series promises extravagance but underdelivers, leading to a publicized scandal. Natalie secures a book deal, detailing her side of the story. Caroline's reaction to the article and subsequent actions continue the online drama, culminating in a self-published book and OnlyFans venture.
Unraveling Narratives
Both Caroline and Natalie face criticism for their writing abilities, with Caroline's flamboyance contrasting Natalie's grounded approach. The media portrays them as victims of each other's scams, highlighting their self-centered and competitive tendencies. The saga concludes with a move to Florida and the promise of future books from Caroline.
Concluding Twists
Reflecting on their tumultuous relationship, Caroline and Natalie navigate the repercussions of their public feud. While Natalie's reserved response hints at a longing for independence, Caroline continues to provoke with controversial actions. Their individual paths diverge, leaving a legacy of mixed perceptions and unresolved drama.
When Caroline Calloway first stepped onto the scene as one of the original Instagram influencers, she epitomized the 'it-girl' – studying at NYU and Cambridge, traveling through Italy, clinching a massive book deal. But then, Natalie Beach, Caroline’s ghostwriter and former best friend, drops a bombshell. Her tell-all article strips away Caroline's perfect façade, revealing a life riddled with deceptions. This episode delves into their toxic friendship, exposing the dark side of fame and the consequences of a 'fake it till you make it' lifestyle.