Beat that face and prepare your fabulous self for today’s episode as we are joined by Miss Benny, the star of Netflix’s epic new show, ‘Glamorous’, which is giving Ugly Betty-meets-Devil Wears Prada. I have not been this obsessed with a TV show in ages because Glamorous is pure queer joy from start to finish. The story follows Marco, a young gender non-conforming queer person who is obsessed with beauty, when one day a lucky run in with the makeup mogul, Madolyn Addison played by THE icon, Kim Cattrall sees Marco landing his dream job: becoming Madolyn’s second assistant. The show is packed full with the best one-liners - including my personal fave, ‘I am a twink on prep, I can do anything’ - camp drama and tons of hot men. What more do you want from a TV show?!? Despite this being Miss Benny’s first leading role in TV, you may recognise them from starting out on YouTube, and a music career that is one big middle finger up to gender norms and heteronormative culture! But today Miss Benny talks about the sheer amount of rejections they faced before landing their dream role in Glamorous. They tell me about their journey to accepting their queer identity from growing up in Texas and facing prejudice to navigating relationships as a feminine queer person. This conversation means so much to me as a feminine gay man who has long struggled to truly embrace themselves in the face of prejudice both outside and inside the LGBTQIA+ community, so if you’ve ever felt something similar, I hope this episode makes you feel not just seen and heard but ATTRACTIVE AF, because you are babes! It’s not all about masc 4 masc… IYKYK! If this episode does speak to you please get in touch across socials on @joshsmithhosts because I love chatting to you and come back next week for the next episode in our special pride series! Love, Josh xxP.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours!The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing BIAB technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel. AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Pride month and it really couldn’t get queerer than this, as today we are joined by the Eurovision icon Loreen! I have been the biggest Loreen fan since she first won Eurovision in 2012 with her song Euphoria. And I have been screaming it in the shower/in the back of taxis on the way OUT OUT, and in Gay clubs across the world ever since - anyone else?!?! This year Loreen returned to Eurovision with the power ballad Tattoo and became the first woman to win the competition twice. But it hasn’t all been a euphoric journey for Loreen, as she tells me about her journey to making history in this episode. Loreen also chats about coming out as bisexual, what pride means to her, those Eurovision nails which double up as weapons, and whether she will mark the 50 year anniversary of Abba winning the Eurovision song contest next year in Sweden with a collaboration to end all collaborations. LET’S ALL PRAY TO ALL THE (GAY) GODS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN! What I really loved about this chat was hearing Loreen’s empowering outlook on life and she really does seem like the philosopher of our time (move over Socrates). I hope her advice for cutting negative energy out of your life and overcoming pain to build your mental strength will help you out, too! If it does, get in touch I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials - I love to chat to you! And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Love, Josh xxP.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours!The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing BIAB technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel. AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am joined by Reneé Rapp, and if you’re feeling a little bit sluggish or unmotivated, I promise this episode is the pickup you need because Reneé is a ball of energy! If you’re not already a superfan like I am, get ready to be one! If you’ve caught The Sex Lives of College Girls, you’ll recognise Reneé as Leighton, and if you’ve been lucky enough to see Mean Girls on Broadway, she played the original iconic Regina George - a role she’ll be revisiting in the movie adaptation of the musical - which she teases in this episode and I am SO excited for that!And as if her stunning acting resume wasn’t enough for you, Reneé is an incredible singer and songwriter as well. I went (alongside THOUSANDS of others) to her first ever London gig back in January which sold out so quickly they had to upgrade the venue TWICE! I have Reneé’s song Too Well constantly on repeat since the launch of her EP so I am so excited that she has new music coming and she has just announced the title of her upcoming debut album Snow Angel and the single of the same name is out right now! We cover off so much in this episode - from talking about Reneé’s incredible career (and she’s just getting started), to navigating queer identity and biphobia to dealing with heartbreak. I really love Reneé’s enthusiasm for life and how she does not apologise for being ambitious. I guarantee this episode will brighten any dark day and as always if you want to get in touch I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials - I love to chat to you! And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Love, Josh xxP.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours!The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing biab technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel. AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I cannot quite believe I am saying this, but on today’s episode, we are joined by one of my idols, Dannii Minogue! I was totally obsessed with Dannii when she was a judge on the X-Factor, I spent my Saturdays working at Topshop and discussing with the girls what outfit we thought she was going to wear! And let’s not forget all of her bangers like ‘Put The Needle on It’ and ‘I Begin to Wonder’, which were literally on repeat on my CD player! We'll talk about Dannii's epic career, from becoming the most successful act on the UK dance charts EVER, to quitting X Factor, to presenting the UK’s first ever gay dating show, I Kissed A Boy, which is out now on BBC3. It is SO good, the casting is excellent, and I’m not gonna give away too much, but I will say this… watching potential couples meet for the first time with a full-on snog is EXCELLENT television!!We also chat about some of the toxic press Dannii has had to overcome throughout her career, she shares what it’s like to date in the public eye, and what being a true ally to the LGBTQIA+ community looks like. Even if you weren't a fan of Dannii Minogue back in the day, which is HIGHLY UNLIKELY - you are going to LOVE this episode! Dannii is MOTHER. So I hope you enjoy the Minogue pep talk coming your way… If you love this episode, LET ME KNOW! I LOVE to chat with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights in my NEW STUDIO (yay!) over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Josh xxP.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up.Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent!There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes,You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Barrera already has one incredible CV with starring roles in the ‘Scream’ franchise, ‘In The Heights’ and Netlfix’s ‘Keep Breathing’ but she’s only just getting started. Today Melissa joins us from LA to talk about her latest starring role in the reimagination of ‘Carmen’. In this movie adaptation, Melissa takes the lead role of Carmen, who escapes her homeland of Mexico after her mother is brutally murdered, and after a stand-off at the border, runs away with a marine played by Paul Mescal. It’s a tough job but someone has got to do it, right? The movie is a singing, dancing and acting extravaganza but at its heart it humanises the immigrant experience, which Melissa tells me was very important to her as a Mexican actress. Melissa also tells me about her career in telenovelas, which started after she competed on the Big Brother/Pop Idol-esque singing competition, La Academia, leaving Mexico, and the discrimination she had to overcome to win the roles she deserved. From winning her role inLin Manuel Miranda’s ‘In The Heights’ movie, after auditioning repeatedly for the Broadway production with no luck, to overcoming the self doubt in her own head, Melissa is a role model for determination and self belief, so I hope this episode really inspires you to reframe success and turn any no into a yes! If you love this episode, get in touch. I LOVE to chat - if you couldn’t tell that already - and I especially love chatting with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Josh xxP.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up.Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent! There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes,You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lady Whistledown prepare yourself because today we are joined by Queen Charlotte star, Sam Clemmett, who is bringing the first queer character to the Bridgerton universe and we love to see it! I am obsessed with Queen Charlotte, the Bridgerton prequel series which follows the love story between the young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and King George (Corey Mylchreest). Not only did it spark a true love story, it created the societal shift that shaped the Ton and also was the backdrop to another love story between Sam’s character and the King’s butler, Reynolds (Freddie Dennis). On this episode, Sam shares how special it was to bring the first queer love story to the Bridgertonverse, and I really applaud Sam for being willing to talk openly about the debate around whether straight actors should be cast in queer roles. We also talk about filming the show’s sex scenes, and what working with the intimacy co-ordinator actually entailed, and of course I asked all about the star of Queen Charlotte… the dog, Pom Pom. Sam also tells me about originating the role of Albus Potter in the mega blockbuster theatre show, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, on both the West End and Broadway, and he has some great advice for dealing with rejection and seeking therapy in the wake of the pandemic. I have SO much admiration for how Sam brings Brimsely to life on screen, and we even get to talk about my favourite Bridgerton scene ever: the dancing sequence between Brimsely and Reynolds at the King and Queen’s ball. And if you are dancing or hiding a love in the shadows I hope this episode inspires you to live your truth openly. If you love this episode too, get it touch, I LOVE a chat with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Josh xxP.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up.Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent! There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes,You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can’t believe I am even saying this, but today we are joined by a true icon, Christina Ricci! Since she was scouted at the age of seven, Christina has gone on to star in Mermaids, Sleepy Hollow, Monster and amongst so many other roles, she of course played the iconic Wednesday Adams in the Addams Family movies. And, just last year Christina returned to the world of Wednesday to play a new character, Marilyn Thornhill in the hit Netflix remakeWe talk about that and my favourite TV show, Yellowjackets. If you haven’t watched it yet (it’s on Paramount+ in the UK) it tells the story of a team of high school footballers who survive a plane crash.Christina plays the psychopath, Misty Quigley whilst starring alongside fellow icons Julliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey and now in season two, Elijah Wood. Christina’s performance is getting her major Emmy Award buzz, too and it’s not hard to see why. Apart from deep diving into Yellowjacket’s many plot twists, we also talk about dealing with rejection and ageism in the entertainment industry, but one of the things I also love about Christina is that she isn’t about being likable and people pleasing for the sake of it. So, I hope you are inspired by her refreshing outlook too and maybe just avoid Christina at an airport if you ever see her, because as you will find out she means BUSINESS. If you love the episode, get in touch with me on socials @joshsmithhosts - I love hearing from you - and don’t forget to like, subscribe or follow wherever you are listening so you don’t miss the other epic guests coming soon. See you next week! Josh xP.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up.Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent! There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes,You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone is talking about Netflix’s erotic thriller, Obsession - from the pillow humping scene to the plot twists - and today we are joined by the show’s star, Charlie Murphy. If you haven’t watched it yet, Obsession - based on the book Damage by Josephine Hart, follows Charlie’s character Anna as she embarks on a racy affair with her fiance’s dad, William - played by Richard Armitage - who absolutely loses his head. You’ll also recognise Charlie from playing Ann Gallagher in Happy Valley, I am sure we will NEVER forget that season where Ann was kidnapped, what a performance that was! Charlie also played Jessie Eden in Peaky Blinders, but it hasn’t always been plain sailing career-wise, and in this episode Charlie shares the life lesson she’s learned from being unemployed and watching ‘Cash In The Attic’, which is actually very philosophical! We also talk about how empowering it was for Charlie to film a TV show where women orchestrate sex on screen, and whilst we are discussing the sheer number of injuries she got from shooting said scenes, her co-star Richard Armitage gatecrashes the interview. So there is plenty of action in this episode! I loved chatting to Charlie and I’d love to hear what you think, too, I LOVE a chat with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. Josh xx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are coming in HOT with a brand new episode of Reign, with megababe Gemma Arterton, who I honestly just want to be best friends with after this chat… I’ve always been in awe of Gemma - not only in all of the incredible roles she’s had on screen (we first caught her in the St Trinians movie, and she’s been an actual BOND GIRL in Quantum of Solace for starters), but I love how much she stands up for what she believes in. She’s campaigned for equal pay, she calls out toxic behaviour and sexism, and she’s just an all round lovely person to boot! In this episode, we chat about her role as Barbara in the incredible new Sky TV show Funny Woman, and I know the clue is in the title, but she IS hilarious in it! It follows the story of Blackpool Beauty Queen Barbara, who turns her back on life up north in the sixties to pursue stardom in London. If you haven’t seen it already, go and watch it on Sky or Now TV. Gemma also tells me about her more recent experiences of sexism, as well as how using her voice for activism is still one of her proudest moments. And there is some V IMPORTANT chat about WhatsApp etiquette and Love of Huns. This chat has depth, honestly, and I know you’ll finish this episode wanting to go on a night out with Gemma as much as I did! As always if you want to get in touch I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials - you know I love to chat to you! And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith. xx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m back with another incredible guest for this episode of Reign, and I can’t lie, I think she is one of the coolest people in the world, it’s Tessa Thompson! I caught up with Tessa IRL in London to talk about the third installment of the Creed movies, where she plays Bianca opposite Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis. Michael, or Mike as she calls him, directed Creed III, too! You will have seen Tessa before if you’ve ever seen Westworld, the Thor movies, or Men In Black: International. Her back catalogue is giving RANGE! And in this episode we delve into playing a character who is suffering with progressive hearing loss, and how working alongside a young, deaf actress, Mila Davis-Kent - who plays her on-screen daughter - helped to inspire Tessa in a whole new way - get ready, it does get emotional! (And I strongly encourage you to look up Mila’s Instagram for some pure JOY, too).Tessa also tells me about how she went to marriage counselling with her on-screen husband Michael B. Jordan (method, much!), and gives us all some stellar life advice on personal hygiene! I honestly LOVED chatting to Tessa, she is so warm, wise and REAL. This chat is fab, and takes us on a real journey from tears to laughter, so I hope you enjoy it! Please get in touch and tell me what you think, too! I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And as always, you can see some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, you can find me at Reign with Josh Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices