That Fangirl Life: The Podcast. Season One Lookback
Words: Lindsey Gillespie
Not sure what episode of the podcast is for you? Well then this little recap of what we cover in season one might help you. Sit back, have a cup of tea and listen to Laurel and her guest each week talk about your faves!
EPISODE ONE – ONE DIRECTION & THEIR EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE WITH CHAR ROLLIN
Laurel and Char Rollin chat about anything and everything about One Direction. The gals discuss their favorite era of the boys, initial reaction to Zayn leaving and then the “18 month” hiatus, Char’s final project at Uni, and how being a fan has changed Char’s life.
Being a fashion major, Char decided to dedicate her final project to Mr. Style’s style. The four month project encapsed a photoshop, marketing campaign, and helped Char find what she wanted to do after graduation. She did a 12 -look men and women’s Gucci collection as if Harry had designed it. (We need this to actually happen @Gucci @HarryStyles @JeffAzoff) Char was inspired by his tour looks and wondered how Harry would design and sketch. She also took it a step further to make sure that the collection was more reasonably priced, so stan’s who want to own everything that Harry wears, would be able to afford it without breaking the bank.
To finish off the episode, Laurel and Char circle back to see how life would be different if One Direction had stayed together. Would they remain in the pop bubble? Or would they put out more alternative/indie music that some of their music is like? Let us know your thoughts!
EPISODE TWO – FANGIRL CULTURE & ITS IMPACT TODAY WITH ISSY ALDRIDGE
This week Laurel sits down with Issy Aldridge, music journalism graduate and now social media guru for TFGL! The ladies chat about Issy’s dissertation on how music fandoms can enrich someone’s life more than the common person would think.
To start off the conversation about what a fangirl is, Issy defines it as someone that supports an artist or a band more than just listening to their music, it’s devoting your free time to the artist and the community that comes with that and involving yourself with that culture (pretty solid definition, in my opinion). The girls discuss how the term “fangirl” or “fanboy” has a negative connotation with it because the media often portrays these people as immature or obsessive. How is that any different from someone who loves sports and claims that they’re an expert on the team?
Like Laurel said, replace the word “fangirl/fanboy” with “expert” and see what happens.
The topic of merch then comes into play and how some people feel insecure about liking One Direction/their solo music and they’re afraid to wear merch out in public. Back in the girl’s school years, they talked about how people would always associate 1D or another band with them and how negatively that had followed them to the future.
EPISODE THREE – HARRY STYLES & BEING A FANGIRL INFLUENCER WITH EMMA CANTRELL-MILLER
This week, Laurel chats with TikToker and Wattpad author Emma Cantrell-Miller! Emma is the author of the widely known and loved fanfic Cherry and previously a founder of the merch shop Dress Yourself With Kindness!
Deemed herself as a “full-time fangirl”, Emma’s life is content driven by the one and only, Harry Styles! Her content has grown from posting about makeup and outfits to posting more to reach the target audience of Harry fans. (Fun fact: Harry was NOT her favorite when she first discovered One Direction, listen to find out who it was!)
Moving into talking about her previous merch shop Dress Yourself With Kindness, Emma talks about how she and her friend Danielle decide on designs and how fast merch shops create new items.
The last bit Laurel and Emma chatted about was Emma’s fanfic, Cherry! Emma started the story during quarantine just to release the built up creative energy that she had and the story went on to change her life completely. From teaching her valuable life lessons, to changing perspectives on things, to fully changing people’s lives and introducing them to the world of Cherry. The story quickly took off and was received by many fans, and even people who were not in the fandom.
Be sure to check out this episode of That Fangirl Life to hear more about Emma and how one story changed her whole world!
EPISODE FOUR – FANGIRL ON SET! WORKING WITHIN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AS A FANGIRL WITH JORDAN MCMAHON
Meet Jordan McMahon! Jordan is a film and TV MUA trainee who got her start by having a summer job on a massive film, where she has had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with stars that she has idolized since she was young. Sadly, we cannot discuss WHO Jordan has worked with but we can assure you that she was able to fangirl a bit on set 😉
Jordan also had the opportunity to meet the one and only HARRY STYLES!! Go check out the episode to hear what Mr. Styles had said about her shirt!
As a fan working in the industry, Jordan and Laurel touch on how valuable having that fan experience is. Since Jordan is a fan herself, she understands how fans are going to perceive and see things. How things are done, how things are filmed, etc.
If anyone is wanting to get into the industry and possibly have the opportunity to work with people they are fans of or admire, Jordan has the biggest tip of all— be nice. You never know who knows who and it is rare to find genuine and nice people in the entertainment industry.
Be sure to check out Jordan’s episode for more about her experiences working with people in the entertainment industry and how she got to where she is today!
EPISODE FIVE – WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LIKE JUSTIN BIEBER WITH AMY ASTRID
Bring on the Bieber fever! This week on TFL, we have content creator and social media manager, Amy Astrid! Laurel and Amy discuss everything from Amy meeting Justin to how Justin’s highs and lows have affected fans.
Starting off, Amy talks about how she was not a fan of Justin’s music at first. She talked about how sudden he came into the industry and how that was not her style. She admits to joining the “I don’t really like Justin Bieber” bandwagon, until “Eenie Meanie” was released and then she hopped off that bandwagon. The rest is history.
Amy and Laurel discuss Amy’s online presence and how much of an impact it has made on her life since being a fan of Justin. The ladies discussed how powerful Twitter can be and even talked about how Amy was trending in the UK for something she had posted, tune in to see what it was about!
Addressing Justin’s presence in the media, Amy talks about how she was worried that he might be that person forever because he had so much negative press for so long. Coming from a fan, the last thing you want to hear is how much negative press your idol has and how negatively it’s affecting them.
This episode gets heavy at some moments but it holds deep conversations that most fans will be able to relate to!
EPISODE SIX – TURNING FANGIRLING INTO A FULL TIME BUSINESS WITH THE CLIQUE CLOTHING CO.
This week, there is not one but TWO guests! Sisters Beth & Jess who are the founders of The Clique Clothing Co. join Laurel to discuss the highs and lows of running their own small business, the pressure to create designs quickly when an artist drops an album or interview, and why Harry Styles’s merch team needs to have a focus group with fans.
The sisters started their small business career by selling second-hand vintage clothing off of Depop and then when lockdown began, they completely rebranded and took advantage of being locked indoors.
With the purchase of their on-sale sewing machine, Beth and Jess took the opportunity of the UK not having as many merch shops and started creating. The girls began their work and based their merch off of what they would actually want to own, knowing their friends in other countries would do the same. They wanted their merch to be discreet so that people felt comfortable wearing it out in public.
Artists’ merch teams work fast, but fan-owned merch shops work faster. The girls discuss the pressure they feel when artists release something and how people seem to fight to put out designs the fastest. Especially Taylor Swift since she likes to drop things without any promo. Speaking of Taylor, Beth and Jess dropped some information regarding their highly demanded cardigans that you may want to hear!
EPISODE SEVEN – IS WORKING AT DISNEY THAT MAGICAL WITH BECCA’S SMALL WORLD
Switching gears, so grab your Mickey ears! This week Laurel chatted with Youtuber & Communication and Media student, Becca! Becca is a hardcore Disney stan and grew up loving the franchise.
In her late teens, Becca finally got to go to the Happiest Place on Earth in Orlando! She talks about the magic and overwhelming feeling it is to see the castle for the first time and how there is no better way to describe it.
Fast forward to where Becca is now! She was able to make magic doing a summer program for a couple months. She goes on to discuss how big of a life change it was to move across the globe without knowing anyone.
One of the questions that was sent in by one of you lovely people, was how was it like working for a big company like Disney? Becca answered it in a way that is very inspiring and motivating, no matter if you plan on working for The Mouse or not.
Get to know what life is like behind the scenes as a Disney fanatic and get to know Becca a little bit better by tuning in!
EPISODE EIGHT – excuse me, i love you Ariana Grande WITH GEORGIA WINSTANLEY AKA ARIANA GRANDE TRIBUTE UK
Let’s face it, we’ve all had our personal concerts in our bedrooms at 3am. Imagine taking that to the next level and taking on the persona of your favorite artist. Grab your oversized sweatshirts, throw your hair into a high ponytail, and get ready to hear from Georgia Winstanley! Georgia works as an Ariana Grande tribute act and tells her story of how she got to where she is at, along with Georgia’s life as an Ari fan!
Although she might have not been a fan since the beginning, Georgia loves Ms. Grande as if she were her own sister. Georgia speaks on how proud she is of how empowered Ariana is in her craft and how she creates music for the fans to grow up with.
From the tragedy of the Manchester bombing to tragedies Ariana has dealt in her personal life, Georgia talks on how important it is to remember that celebrities are human who have feelings and how it’s not a reality show for anyone’s entertainment.
Going back to “how the heck did Georgia decide to be an Ariana Grande tribute act?” All it takes is a friend to confide in and a mother like Joan (Ari’s mom)! Tune in to hear about the rehearsal process and how Georgia gets the Ari look!
Fingers crossed we’ll be able to score tickets to Georgia’s first gig!
EPISODE NINE – I KNOW THE SOUND OF THE 1975 WITH PAUSE IT, PLAY IT AKA DAN, JOSH & MATT
The world of podcasts are colliding in this week’s episode, where Laurel is joined by Dan, Josh, and Matt from Pause it, Play it to talk about all things about The 1975. The gang chats about all things from what it’s like being a fangirl when you’re a guy to what it’s like to be a fan of a band that often is perceived to have problematic activism.
When you think of a person who is obsessed with a band, you typically think of female fans. That is not the case for these guys. As Matt puts it, these guys wear the term “fangirl” as a badge of honor. Being a fangirl shows people how passionate and loyal someone can be. Music is music.
The guys go on to share their stories of how they were each individually introduced to The 1975 and how that experience snowballed into what it is now! Each story is way too interesting to summarize, so you’ll have to listen for yourself!
Just like every episode, we have to mention our One Direction boys. This episode the gang discusses how One Direction fans seem to shift towards more The 1975 as they grow older and how The 1975 fans feel about that.
In recent months, activism from your favorite artists is key. People want to support artists who fight for what they believe in and will follow if their views align. In the past, The 1975 have had situations where their activism can be deemed problematic. The guys of Pause it, Play it discuss how they personally feel about the lack of activism or how forced it feels. Are people able to separate the music from the artist at that point?
EPISODE TEN – HOW ACCEPTING I’M A FANGIRL LED ME TO START THAT FANGIRL LIFE WITH LAUREL
Laurel passed on her host hat as we wrap up season one with our very own Issy Aldridge! After 10 episodes of Laurel interviewing fangirls from all across the globe, it’s time to switch it up! How did the idea of this podcast come about? Did Lewis Capaldi really ask Laurel on a date? What is in store for TFL in the future?
Laurel’s love for all things entertainment, music, and showbiz all started from a young age with going to prestigious school and always moving. Growing up with music always playing in her house, Laurel’s first love was the Spice Girls (tune in and see which one she identifies with!) Her music taste expanded when she went to Uni, where her pallet switched to primarily indie music.
Imagine sending a tweet to Lewis Capaldi, jokingly asking him on a date and then all of a sudden you’re being quizzed to go on a blind date BY LEWIS CAPALDI. Tune in to hear all of the juicy deets of this experience with Capital FM and what happened after the game….
The gals then chat about how they finally feel comfortable sharing their fangirl side more prominently online and how freeing it feels. In the time of lockdown, Laurel looked inside herself to find her niche and dug into what younger Laurel would want as a fangirl to help her feel more comfortable and connected.
If you’ve enjoyed Season One; why not check out what we discussed in Season Two? Where there are 10 more episodes discussing Taylor Swift, FanFiction, K-Pop & so much more.
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