Fame Under Fire is a podcast that examines the controversies and scandals surrounding celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers, and royalty. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, fresh from covering the Diddy trial, delves into the headlines each week to separate fact from fiction. With expert guests, she myth-busts, debunks, pre-bunks, and fact-checks the stories that dominate public discourse. The show aims to uncover the truth behind the timeline in an age of AI-generated evidence and misinformation.
Episodes
Brand: Rape Myths in the Courtroom
What does it mean to give evidence about rape or sexual assault, and how can the courts ensure justice without causing further trauma?A warning this episode contains references to rape and sexual assault.Following Russell Brand's conviction and sentencing, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by barrister Elisabeth Acker to answer listeners' questions about the trial and the wider criminal justice
Brand: The women speak at sentencing
Russell Brand is sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. But what did the women he assaulted tell the court about the lasting impact of his crimes?A warning this episode contains references to rape and sexual assault.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports from Southwark Crown Court, where the judge describes Brand as a sexual predator. We hear the judge’s sentencing remarks and how the four s
Brand: How Police Built the Case
A warning this episode contains references to rape and sexual assault. The detective who led the investigation into Russell Brand speaks to Fame Under Fire after his conviction for rape and three sexual assaults. He was acquitted on three other counts.A warning this episode contains references to rape and sexual assault. Detective Inspector Laura Nelson tells Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty how officer
Brand: Russell Brand in Custody
Russell Brand is remanded in custody after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted on three other counts.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us inside Southwark Crown Court as the jury returns unanimous verdicts after eight and a half hours of deliberations.Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday. Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for f
Brand: Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assaults
Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault.The jury at Southwark Crown Court finds Brand guilty of the anal rape of one woman and three sexual assaults involving three other women. He is found not guilty on two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports the breaking verdicts from court, with a full episode exami
Brand: Day 17 - How Will the Jury Decide?
How will the jury decide whether Russell Brand is guilty or not guilty?A warning this podcast contains references to alleged rape and sexual assault.The jury begins deliberations after receiving the judge's route to verdict. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty explains the questions jurors must consider on each of the seven charges, including consent, the different laws applying to the allegations and Bran
Brand: Day 16 - Defence Sums Up
The defence delivers its closing speech in Russell Brand's trial.A warning this podcast contains strong language and detailed references to alleged rape and sexual assault.The defence argues that media coverage influenced the complainants' recollections, questions delays in reporting the allegations and challenges the prosecution's case. The defence asks the jury to find Brand not guilty.Russell B
Brand: Day 15 - Prosecution Sums Up
The prosecution delivers its closing speech in Russell Brand’s trial.A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.Prosecuting counsel asks everyone in court to sit in silence for 20 seconds, illustrating how long one complainant says she struggled as Brand allegedly tried to pull her into a toilet. The prosecution revisits the six complainants’ accounts a
Brand: Day 14 - Wife Gives Evidence
Russell Brand's wife gives character evidence in his trial.A warning this podcast contains strong language and references to sexual activity.Laura Brand tells the jury about their relationship, describing her husband as caring, kind and attentive. During cross-examination, the prosecution questions her about their relationship and previous public statements.The jury also hears from a former girlfr
Brand: Day 13 - “T was for tart”
“T was for tart.” A warning this podcast contains strong language and references to alleged rape, anal rape and sexual assault.Russell Brand gives evidence for the first time, telling the jury about his past sexual behaviour and responding to allegations from all six complainants.Brand tells the court that consent was “fundamental, essential, necessary”, and describes how he saved women's details
Brand: Day 12 - Not Guilty of Indecent Assault
Russell Brand is found not guilty of indecent assault.A warning this podcast contains references to alleged rape and sexual assault.In a significant development, the judge rules that there is insufficient evidence to support a conviction on the original indecent assault charge, but the prosecution is permitted to amend the charge to attempted indecent assault. Brand has pleaded not guilty to the a
Brand: Day 11 - “Sleeping with people day and night”
“Sleeping with people day and night.”A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of sex. The jury hears a statement from Russell Brand's former personal assistant describing his behaviour and attitude towards women and sex. She recalls women regularly visiting his home and Brand conducting work meetings in his underwear.She also describes the difficulties of working for him and says he “n
Brand: Day 10 - Will Brand Testify?
Will Russell Brand take the witness stand? And what happens if he chooses not to? With no jury sitting today, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty answers your questions about the trial. Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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Brand: Day 9 - “He really hurt me”
“He really hurt me.”A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.The jury hears from friends and family of Complainant Five, who describe what she told them following an alleged anal rape at Russell Brand's home. Witnesses recall her distress, concerns about her health and conversations about the events that night. The defence also que
Brand: Day 8 - “You treated me like an animal”
“You treated me like an animal.” A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged anal rape.The jury hears about an alleged text exchange between Russell Brand and Complainant Five following an alleged rape at his home. During cross-examination, the defence questions her account of what happened, challenging her recollection of events and suggesting she consented to sexual activity
Brand: Day 7 - “This man was mauling me”
“This man was mauling me”A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.Complainant Four tells the jury Russell Brand allegedly kissed and groped her while she was working. She becomes emotional during cross-examination, describing how nobody intervened and why she felt unable to report what happened. The jury also hears from Complainant
Brand: Day 6 - “My innocence had been taken”
“I felt like my innocence had been taken.”A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.Complainant three tells the jury Russell Brand sexually assaulted and raped her at a party in the early 2000s. She describes why she kept the full extent of the alleged attack secret from friends and family for years, and why she eventually reported it to police. During
Brand: Day 5 - “Wild-eyed maniac”
“Wild-eyed maniac.” The second complainant tells the jury Russell Brand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into a toilet while she was working at MTV in the early 2000s. She describes struggling to free herself, while the defence suggests Brand was seeking consensual sexual activity. The court also hears from witnesses connected to the first complainant's allegation of rape in 1999, including t
Brand: Day 4 - “It made me feel so dirty”
A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.“It made me feel so dirty.” The first complainant gives emotional evidence about an alleged rape in 1999. The jury hears her video-recorded police interview before she faces cross-examination from Russell Brand's defence team. The judge also intervenes during a tense exchange with the defence barrister.Russell
Brand: Day 3 - Prosecution Opens
The prosecution has opened its case against Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court, outlining allegations made by six women.A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all
Brand: Day 2 - 8 Men, 4 Women
The jury has been selected in Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court. Eight men and four women have been sworn in, along with a reserve juror. But why were six prospective jurors dismissed?Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Brand: Day 1 - Jury Selection
It's day one of Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court, where jury selection is underway.Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is inside the courtroom, bringing you the latest from the trial and explaining how the British justi
Russell Brand Trial: All You Need To Know
Russell Brand’s trial begins at Southwark Crown Court on 12 October.He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies the allegations against him.Before the trial begins, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by criminal defence lawyers Matthew Claughton and Stephen Davies to break down the charge
Tupac: The Trial Wrap-up
The Tupac murder trial is over. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look back at the evidence, arguments, and courtroom moments that led to Duane "Keffe D" Davis being convicted of first-degree murder.For Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial, Anoushka has been in the Las Vegas courtroom every day bringing you updates. We’ve got more trials coming
Tupac: Day 10 - Keffe D Verdict
Duane "Keffe D" Davis has been found guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon for the killing of Tupac Shakur, almost 30 years after the rapper was shot in Las Vegas.Jurors returned the verdict after nearly three hours of deliberations following closing arguments in which prosecutors pointed to Davis's own repeated accounts of the killing, while the defence argued there was no independen
Tupac: Day 9 - Two White Cadillacs?
Was there another white Cadillac in Las Vegas on the night Tupac Shakur was shot?Two former officers testified that they saw a cream-coloured Cadillac entering and leaving Suge Knight’s property shortly before the shooting, raising questions about the light-coloured Cadillac prosecutors say was used by Tupac’s killers.Duane “Keffe D” Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur
Tupac: Day 8 - Keffe’s Tupac Jail Calls
Jurors hear jail calls from Duane "Keffe D" Davis in which he makes angry allegations about Tupac Shakur and says he is not an icon.Duane “Keffe D” Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.The jury were also shown silent courtroom footage of Davis mouthing towards Reggie Wright Jr after his testimony. The clip has pr
Tupac: Day 7 - Keffe D’s Scrapbook
Jurors hear about evidence seized during the 2023 search of Duane "Keffe D" Davis's home, including a scrapbook containing newspaper reports about Tupac Shakur's shooting and death dating back to 1996.Duane “Keffe D” Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.The prosecution also calls former Compton police officer Rob
Tupac: Day 6 - Courtroom Clash
Tensions rise in the Tupac murder trial as documentary maker Mike Dorsey clashes with defence attorney Michael Sanft during a heated cross-examination.Duane “Keffe D” Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.The judge stepped in several times as the exchanges became increasingly tense.The jury also heard more uncut r
Tupac: Day 5 - Keffe D Threat Claims
Duane "Keffe D" Davis speaks out in court, telling the judge his family is being threatened and that his home and his wife's car have been vandalised.Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.Davis said the disclosure of addresses connected to his family was putting them in danger. The judge said she had heard concern
Tupac: Day 4 - Diddy $1m Hit Claim
Day four of the Tupac Murder Trial hears hours of recordings in which Duane "Keffe D" Davis describes the night Tupac Shakur was shot and makes allegations involving Sean "Diddy" Combs.Duane "Keffe D" Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.The court heard recordings from Davis's 2008 proffer interviews with law enf
Tupac: Day 3 - Diddy and the FBI
Day three of the Tupac Murder Trial reveals new details about Duane "Keffe D" Davis's relationship with law enforcement, including how he became a confidential informant and went undercover after making allegations involving Sean "Diddy" Combs.Duane "Keffe D" Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.The court heard t
Tupac: Day 2 - Courtroom Drama
Day two of the trial takes a dramatic turn as James “Mob James” McDonald, a former Mob Piru member who worked security for Suge Knight, takes the stand in the Tupac Murder Trial.Duane "Keffe D" Davis is charged with murder and accused of orchestrating Shakur's death. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.McDonald tells the court he does not want to testify and clashes repeatedly with de
Tupac: Day 1 - Opening statements
Opening statements begin in the long-awaited trial over the murder of Tupac Shakur.Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him. The prosecution tells the jury it will build its case using Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis’s own words — from his memoir, interviews and recordings with police.But the defence tells jurors not to believe Davis’s previous accounts,
Tupac: What might happen at Opening Statements?
Opening statements are about to begin in the Tupac Shakur murder trial in Las Vegas, nearly 30 years after the rapper was shot dead.Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent break down what each side needs to achieve in its opening statement, why Davis’s own past
Tupac: Picking the Jury
Jury selection begins in the Tupac Shakur murder trial.Nearly 30 years after Tupac was fatally shot in Las Vegas, Duane “Keffe D” Davis is the only person ever charged in connection with his death. Davis has entered a not guilty plea and denies all charges.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent to explain how lawyers try to find 12 fair and imp
Tupac: All You Need to Know
Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada prosecutors are preparing for the trial of the only person ever charged in connection with the rapper’s death.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him.
But Keffe D is not accused of firing the fatal shots. So how can prosecutors seek to convict him of murder?
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Wrap-up
Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent talks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about the legal questions raised by the D4vd preliminary hearing.
Includes some disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.
Shaun and Anoushka examine possible strategies the defence could use at trial and whether D4vd could enter a plea.
The singer, whose real name is David
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Five
D4vd is ordered to stand trial for murder after a judge finds probable cause on all charges and three special circumstances.
The court hears closing arguments over the final text messages, the alleged timeline of Celeste’s death and the strength of the forensic evidence.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who has been inside court throughout the hearing.
There are g
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Four
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who explains the medical examiner’s findings, sexually explicit material allegedly recovered from D4vd’s phone, messages about Celeste’s pregnancy and abortion, and plans for her to leave her family home.This programme contains graphic descriptions, references to child sexual abuse and other disturbing content that some listeners may fin
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Three
DNA consistent with Celeste is found at 11 locations in D4vd’s Tesla and garage, as the court hears initial evidence from the medical examiner’s office.
There are some graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.
Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose r
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Two
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty brings you the latest from inside the courtroom for day two of D4vd’s preliminary hearing. There are some graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.
The court is told how Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s ID was found beside a highway, while investigators describe possible blood evidence in a Tesla and garage linked to th
D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day One
Fame Under Fire is inside the courtroom for day one of the preliminary hearing involving singer d4vd, whose real name is David Burke.Our reporter joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty from the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles as prosecutors begin presenting the evidence they say supports charges of murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse in connection wit
Live at the Crossed Wires Festival 2026
Recorded at the 2026 Crossed Wires festival Anoushka and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent explore how social media is transforming the courtroom.They discuss the growing influence of social media on juries, lawyers, and public opinion, and answer questions from the audience.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Jo
The New Celebrity Lawyers: When Social Media Meets the Courtroom
Fame Under Fire's resident trial attorney Shaun Kent is in the UK!He joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty in the London studio to discuss one of the biggest shifts taking place in the legal world: the growing influence of social media on criminal trials. From celebrity cases to viral courtroom moments, they explore how online audiences are changing the way lawyers, juries and the public engage with th
Kanye Model Assault Allegations: Your Questions
Your comments and questions following our exclusive interview with the actress Jen Ann, who accuses Kanye West of sexually assaulting her.She filed a civil lawsuit in 2024. Kanye’s lawyers don't deny it happened, but they say it was art and that Jen consented to it.Our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and Anoushka answer your questions - from why Jen Ann could file after 14 years, to why Kanye's
D4vd: Witnesses to Take the Stand
The timetable in the criminal case against D4vd has changed following the latest court hearing.David Anthony Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The preliminary hearing, where prosecutors seek to establish probable cause, has been delayed.The hearing is also expected to include witness scheduling, meaning testimony could form part of the pr
Kanye Sexually Assaulted Me, Says Model, but He Says It’s Art
Jennifer An, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, alleges Kanye West, now known as Ye, assaulted her during filming for a La Roux music video in New York in 2010. She is now suing the rapper.
Diddy’s Leaked Tape Controversy and Appeal
An alleged sex tape linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs spread rapidly online as Diddy’s lawyers appeal his sentence.Sean “Diddy” Combs is asking the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan to overturn prostitution-related convictions, reduce his sentence or order his immediate release from prison. Defence lawyers argue the jury acquitted him of the most serious allegations, while prosecutors contin
Drake, D4vd and the cases still to come
Missed some of the biggest celebrity legal stories? A catch-up takes in Drake v UMG, with questions around rap, art and the First Amendment, and a refresher on the D4vd trial. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Produ
Drake v UMG: Why the Not Like Us Lawsuit Isn't Over
Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us was dismissed, but the legal battle is continuing after Drake appealed the ruling. New amicus briefs have brought more voices into the dispute, with arguments around artistic expression, rap music in courtrooms and First Amendment protections.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact
D4vd: Preliminary Hearing Pushed Back
D4vd returned to court for a status hearing amid discovery delays and the huge volume of evidence in the case. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful dismemberment of human remains. The preliminary hearing has now been delayed until 29 June.D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Host: Anoushk
D4vd: Prosecutors Reveal New Evidence Claims
A delayed preliminary hearing in the case against D4vd brings new scrutiny after prosecutors publicly filed a briefing document laying out their allegations. The filing includes claims relating to grooming, text messages, digital evidence, travel records and purchases prosecutors say connect to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settle lawsuit
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have reached a settlement in their legal dispute linked to the movie It Ends With Us, ending proceedings two weeks before a trial due to begin on 18 May. A federal judge had already dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and civil conspiracy, leaving claims for retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract, to proc
Cute dogs and Lion King jokes spark million dollar lawsuits
A small magazine with dogs in designer clothing on its covers finds itself up against Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, in a trademark dispute over name. Both sides are defending the right to use the name ‘Dogue’.A separate case carries a $27m claim after a comedian’s take on The Lion King’s opening lyrics went viral. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Video Pro
D4vd charged with murder after Celeste Rivas Hernandez case update
D4vd, real name David Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and the unlawful mutilation of remains after the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors say the charges include special circumstances, and Burke has entered a not guilty plea.Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look at what the cha
Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni: trial evidence battle and what the jury may not hear
Motions in limine reveal competing attempts to restrict evidence in the Lively–Baldoni case, including challenges to witness testimony, viral material and past controversies. Legal arguments focus on whether the material informs the claim of retaliation, or risks biasing a jury. Our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent explains how evidentiary rules shape what may ultimately be presented in court.Ho
Has Blake Lively really “lost” the case against Justin Baldoni?
A judge has thrown out several claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit connected to the movie It Ends With Us. The decision is based on legal thresholds around where events took place and how her role was classified. Retaliation remains part of the case, based on alleged actions following complaints about working conditions. The court has allowed those claims to proceed. Both sides deny any wrongdoing.
Scott Mills sacked, Epstein and Ramsey Elkholy emails
Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has been sacked from the BBC following allegations relating to his personal conduct. We look at what we know, and the ongoing uncertainty around the circumstances surrounding his exit.And there’s a fresh focus on the Epstein files. We examine exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and model scout Ramsay Elkholy. Messages between the two include degrading descriptions of
Pulled Off Air: The Bachelorette crisis
A full season of The Bachelorette has been cancelled days before broadcast.ABC made the decision after a video surfaced of the latest Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul in a domestic incident from 2023.The case had already been through the courts. Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested and later entered a plea in abeyance on a charge of aggravated assault. This means she had accepted responsibility in cou
The trial of Marius Borg Høiby
The case against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has gripped Norway throughout its seven weeks. He faces 39 charges at Oslo District Court, including four counts of rape, coercive control of a former partner, drug offences, and repeated breaches of restraining orders. He denies the most serious charges.The most serious allegations center on four anonymous
Kanye West LOSES civil case over $57m house
Controversial US rapper Kanye West - now known as Ye - has been ordered to pay $140,000 to a man he hired to renovate his $57m Malibu mansion.Handyman Tony Saxon claimed he was injured while working at the beachfront house in 2021, that he wasn’t paid properly and that he was fired after refusing to run generators that released carbon monoxide inside the property.West’s team had argued Saxon was a
Singer D4vd Named as Grand Jury ‘target’
US singer D4vd has been named as the ‘Target’ of a Grand Jury investigation into the apparent murder of a teenage girl.The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was found decomposing in a car belonging to the singer in Hollywood last September - but so far there have been no arrests, no charges and no indictment.Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent joins Anoushka to discuss the latest in th
Blake v Justin: Nerdiness, mean girls and how to dress for court
We answer your pressing questions on the biggest legal cases of the moment.First up, the Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni case in New York. How did dragons, Game of Thrones and Taylor Swift get dragged into all of this? And how might it impact Taylor?Next, your questions on the case France’s first family, the Macrons, have brought against American online commentator and provocateur Candace Owens.Res
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni head to court.
As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni head to court together for mediation behind closed doors, we look at how this process works.
Legally, both must try and reach agreement before their dispute goes to full trial in May. So what happens at hearings like these? How do they work? Can they reach agreement and avoid a full public trial?Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent walks us through the la
The Epstein Files: Fact or Fiction?
Social media has been rife with speculation about what is in the Epstein Files with stories of cannibalism, designer babies, and references to torture. But what is actually true? What more do we know? The episode answers the questions listeners most want answers to.And we hear about the latest legal developments from US lawyer Arick Fudali, who represents 11 survivors of Jeffery Epstein. What does
When It Hits the Fan x Fame Under Fire
Reputations supposedly take years to build and seconds to destroy. But what if that's no longer the case? What if the normal rules about earning - and keeping - a reputation simply don't apply any more.This week, David Yelland is joined by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, from the BBC podcast Fame Under Fire. Together, they venture into some distinctly dubious corners of the internet to see how public
Jay-Z and the Epstein files
The latest release from the Epstein files has once again thrown the spotlight on numerous famous names such as Bill Gates, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and President Trump. But within the millions of documents, other famous names have appeared, so what does it actually mean if your name is connected to the files? One of those mentioned is rapper Jay-Z, included after an FBI tip off many years ago. I
Tyler Perry to fight new sexual assault allegations
Hollywood film-maker Tyler Perry is facing a second sexual assault lawsuit by an actor employed on one of his productions. Actor Mario Rodriquez claims Perry carried out a series of unwanted sexual advances, some of which happened in Perry’s Los Angeles home. The claims follow an existing sexual assault claim by another actor called Derek Dixon. He was also employed by Perry and is suing for $2
Liam Neeson, a voiceover gig and a viral backlash
Liam Neeson appears as the narrator of a controversial film promoted as an investigation into pharmaceutical wrongdoing and Covid-era decision-making. The narration includes claims about Covid lockdowns and vaccines described as “dangerous experiments”, raising the question of what it means when a beloved movie star becomes associated, even indirectly, with polarising health narratives.Host Amber
Brooklyn Beckham, Brand Beckham and Family Fallout
A very public and very personal fallout places the Beckham family under renewed attention after Brooklyn Peltz Beckham publishes a series of Instagram statements to his millions of followers. He alleges that family relationships have been shaped by what he calls Brand Beckham, including claims about public promotion, social media expectations and long-standing tensions surrounding his marriage to
Will Smith accused of predatory behaviour
Will Smith is accused of predatory behaviour by a violinist, Brian King Joseph, who played on Smith's 2024/25 tour to promote his latest album, "Based on a True Story."Smith's lawyers say the allegations are "false, baseless and reckless."King says that he and Smith had become close friends with the star once confiding in him that: "You and I have such a special connection that I don't have with a
Brigitte Macron’s cyberbully speaks out
A writer convicted of cyber-bullying the French president’s wife has told the Fame under Fire podcast he doesn’t regret it.Bertrand Scholler posted an edited photo of Brigitte Macron in a swimming costume. Her head had been cut out and a man’s torso edited in.He was one of 10 defendants in France accused of spreading false claims about Mrs Macron’s gender and sexuality as well as making “malicious
Happy New Year from Fame Under Fire
Anoushka and the Fame Under Fire team would like to wish you a happy new year.We're back next week, but in the meantime, you can go back and catch up on some of the most recent episodes!Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are ava
Claims the Macrons paid for a hit on Candace Owens are “deranged”, says lawyer
The Macrons' lawyer has told the BBC that claims the French president and his wife ordered the assassination of Candace Owens are "deranged".The right-wing influencer first made the allegations in a tweet on 22 November which has now been viewed more than 44 million times.In the message labelled URGENT, Owens wrote that she was contacted by what she described as “a high-ranking employee of the Fre
Blake V Justin: Slow dancing, circumcision and famous pals
Two major developments in the epic legal saga between former co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Lively has responded to Baldoni’s attempt to block the case from going to trial, arguing that a jury should decide.And Baldoni’s sworn deposition has been released. We hear how he responds to her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation - claims he denies.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty an
New Diddy Documentary: Allegations and Unseen Footage
The lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have called the Netflix four-part series into his life “a shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen footage”.Produced by Combs’ longtime rival 50 Cent, the documentary includes never-before-seen clips from the days leading up to his arrest, alongside interviews with individuals alleging abuse - claims Combs denies.In July, he was convicted on two charges of tran
Blake v Justin: Could the Case Be Tossed Out?
Justin Baldoni has asked the judge to throw out Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him.The former co-stars have been locked in a bitter feud since she sued him last December, accusing him of sexual harassment and waging a smear campaign against her. Claims he has denied.The latest development is that Baldoni’s legal team is asking the judge to grant a summary judgment, which would dismiss the case.Hos
Kim Kardashian Vs Ray J: Sex tape and defamation
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are suing R&B singer Ray J for defamation over “racketeering” claims, which they have called blatantly false.Ray J’s called their lawsuit a “public relations charade” and is now countersuing them for breach of contract. He alleges they broke an agreement not to talk publicly anymore about the sex tape he made with Kim when they dated in 2003. The Kardashians’ law
Trump, the BBC, and the $1bn threat
Why bring the case in Florida? Why $1bn, and how could the BBC defend itself from a defamation lawsuit?Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse US President Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC.Trump told Fox News he had an "obligation" to sue the BBC over the way a section of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary."They actually chan
