The Wickedly Talented Adell DaZeem

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Wickedly Talented Adell DaZeem"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: The Wickedly Talented Adell DaZeem
• Release Date: July 23, 2025

Overview: In this engaging episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Armstrong and Michael delve into the intriguing world of online fame, particularly focusing on platforms like OnlyFans. They explore the dynamics of viral success, the shifting landscape of podcasting, and the enduring challenges of ageism and attractiveness in media industries. Through candid conversations and insightful commentary, the hosts shed light on the factors that contribute to online stardom and the evolving nature of content creation.

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1. Introduction: Mispronunciation and Pop Culture References [03:27 - 04:19]

The episode kicks off with a humorous reference to the infamous mispronunciation of "Adele Dazeem" by John Travolta during the Oscars. This serves as a springboard for the hosts to transition into the main topic of online fame.

Notable Quote:

• Michael [03:43]: “Talking about Iggy Azalea, wasn't he?”

2. The Rise of OnlyFans Stars [04:19 - 07:00]

Armstrong and Michael shift their focus to the skyrocketing success of individuals on OnlyFans, highlighting figures like Iggy Azalea and Sophie Rain. They question the sustainability and fairness of such immense earnings, pondering why certain personalities garner unprecedented financial success while others do not.

Key Points:

• Iggy Azalea's Evolution: Once known primarily as a musician, Iggy Azalea has reinvented herself as a top-earning OnlyFans model, making an astonishing $9.2 million monthly.
• Sophie Rain’s Success: At just 20 years old, Sophie Rain has amassed a net worth exceeding $80 million, sparking debates about the factors driving such success.
• Economic Dynamics: The hosts discuss the supply and demand dilemma, questioning how such high earnings are possible in a saturated market with seemingly unlimited talent.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael [07:00]: “One catches on over another. I really, really don't get it. But clearly they do. $80 million. She's 20 years old. She doesn't even do anything really.”
• Armstrong [07:12]: “She just sells the vision of the version, the virgin whore. That's like timeless. I am pure and innocent. I am not a tramp. I will do anything with you. Anything. It's like the greatest male fantasy in the history of the world.”

3. Podcasting’s Shift to Video [07:00 - 12:14]

The conversation transitions to the broader trends in media consumption, specifically the increasing move of podcasts to video formats. Armstrong and Michael reflect on their own forays into video podcasts and discuss the motivations behind this shift.

Key Points:

• Industry Trends: Major podcasters like Lex Friedman and Joe Rogan have embraced video, expanding their reach and engagement.
• Personal Experiences: The hosts share their mixed feelings about incorporating video into their primarily audio-focused show, acknowledging both challenges and potential benefits.
• Audience Demand: They consider the importance of catering to audiences who prefer video content, despite personal preferences for audio-only formats.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael [08:57]: “But a lot of you do, apparently.”
• Armstrong [12:14]: “Maybe it's the falling away of that sort of pretense which would be great.”

4. Emphasis on Content Over Appearance [12:14 - 16:33]

Discussing the shift towards video, the hosts highlight a significant cultural change: the diminishing importance of polished appearances in favor of genuine content. They argue that this trend allows for more authentic and relatable media personalities.

Key Points:

• Authenticity Over Perfection: The success of figures like Joe Rogan, who prioritize content over appearance, exemplifies this shift.
• Relatability: Hosts advocate for focusing on substantive ideas and discussions rather than superficial aesthetics.
• Impact on Media Quality: By removing the necessity for high production values, media becomes more accessible and inclusive.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael [12:13]: “Makes you more relatable. Well, then I should be damned relatable. I should be.”
• Armstrong [11:22]: “Ideas are what counts.”

5. Ageism and Attractiveness in Journalism and Showbiz [16:33 - 19:49]

Armstrong and Michael delve into the sensitive issue of ageism and attractiveness in the media industry. Recalling past lawsuits where female newscasters were replaced with younger, more attractive counterparts, they explore the ethical and professional implications of such practices.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: Reference to lawsuits filed by female newscasters against ageism and the preference for younger talents.
• Ethical Dilemmas: The hosts debate the fine line between legitimate marketing strategies and discriminatory practices.
• Personal Anecdotes: Armstrong shares insights from a friend involved in these lawsuits, emphasizing the personal impact of such discriminatory practices.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael [17:16]: “That's ridiculous. It's like saying, sorry, nirvana, you can't be a band.”
• Armstrong [19:08]: “How would you fire a newspaper columnist in favor of a younger, hotter one? That's the conundrum.”

6. The Future of Media and Content Creation [19:49 - End]

Wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the evolving media landscape, pondering the future of content creation and the role of authenticity. They express optimism that prioritizing ideas and relatability over superficial attributes will lead to a more inclusive and diverse media environment.

Key Points:

• Sustainability of Current Trends: Concerns about whether the current supply-demand dynamics in online fame can be maintained long-term.
• Inclusivity in Media: The importance of embracing diverse voices and perspectives to enrich content quality.
• Evolving Standards: As media standards shift, there’s hope for a balance between visual appeal and substantive content.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael [12:14]: “That's gotta be a good thing, doesn't it?”
• Armstrong [19:36]: “The ideas are what counts.”

---

Conclusion: This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand offers a thought-provoking exploration of modern fame, media trends, and the shifting values in content creation. By examining success stories on OnlyFans, the transition of podcasts to video, and the persistent challenges of ageism in media, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape. Their insightful discussions encourage reflection on what truly matters in the pursuit of success and authenticity in the digital age.

Transcript

[Armstrong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Getty]

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[Michael]

It's One More Thing.

[Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty One More Thing.

[Michael]

Or whatever it was that John Travolta family see said at the awards show and I think he was.

[Armstrong]

It was Adele Dazeem and he was.

[Michael]

Talking about Iggy Azalea, wasn't he?

[Armstrong]

No.

[Michael]

No he wasn't.

[Armstrong]

No. Edina Menzel oh, you're right. Yeah.

[Michael]

Anyway, it doesn't make a difference to my premise here. This is just another hard to pronounce name that I don't know. Iggy Azalea is the number one Only Fans model. Currently is a musician of some sort. I don't know what she does on Only fans. She makes $9.2 million a month.

[Armstrong]

A month.

[Michael]

The age we're living in is like the gold rush in so many ways. I mean it just, it seems like the, the supply and demand can't continue it the way it is. It's just, it's so new. Things haven't shaken out because at some point I think things got to shake out, don't they? There's no reason one young hot chick makes $92.2 million a month when there are unlimited young hot chicks. I mean at some point I would think this, you know, that's not really what I was. My main focus was going to be I was going to talk about this person here.

[Armstrong]

Well, I just to answer that, I think it would have happened already. There are undeniably few women. It reminds me in a weird way of like the world of podcasting, which.

[Michael]

I was got to talk about here in a second.

[Armstrong]

Okay. Interesting. Similar dynamics. You've gotta be good at it or like sexually attractive or whatever you've bought. Gotta be willing to put the time and effort into it such as it is laying around in your underwear or committing various acts or whatever. And then you've got to be known. And that's why you know like they're Joe Rogan who's got, you know, a very good podcast. Well, it's very popular. So self evidently it's. It's good to a lot of people. Well, he was also the host of Fear Factor and a big MMA guy. He had a built in magnet. He had a built in name and everything. And so it is in the hottie industry.

[Michael]

Yeah. So here's one of your hotties. She doesn't do anything other than like wear tight clothing and occasional bikinis. She's a virgin and a devout Christian who goes to mass regularly. But for whatever reason she caught on. Her name is Sophie Rain and she last year or this is how much money she has made so far. This is her total net worth at this point. She's 20 years old, started this when she was 18. She has a net worth of just over $80 million.

[Armstrong]

Yeah, yeah. I remember when she first came. And she doesn't radar screen.

[Michael]

And she's attractive, but she is not. I'll see five more attractive women today. Today. Just going to the mall.

[Armstrong]

Yeah, she. Well, you got the wrong picture.

[Michael]

Well, I'm looking at her.

[Armstrong]

She's built like a brick outhouse.

[Michael]

You got to go to the mall more often. So are lots of people. That's my point. So are lots of people.

[Armstrong]

I just don't understand them all.

[Michael]

I just don't understand. One catches on over another. I really, really don't get it. But clearly they do. $80 million. She's 20 years old. She doesn't even do anything really.

[Armstrong]

No, she just. Well, she sells the vision of the version, the virgin whore. That's like timeless. I am pure and innocent. I am not a tramp. You will not get a disease from me. But I will do anything with you. Anything. It's like the greatest male fantasy in the history of the world.

[Michael]

I guess. I mean that's true. How that translates to this I don't quite get. But including one guy who gave her $4 million last year, one rich guy for doing nothing really other than wearing the color bikini he wants her to wear.

[Armstrong]

I guess now that I really don't care.

[Michael]

No kidding.

[Armstrong]

Have you ever been to a beach, sir?

[Michael]

So just the. Oh yeah, there's an example. I was just in Miami, South Beach. There's lots of girls that look like her. They're all over the place.

[Armstrong]

But she's got a brand.

[Michael]

How you become the name that somebody would search on. That's its own magic, I guess. Yeah, you know, I suppose lots of show businesses that is that way there's lots of bands that sound the same. Why does one pop up and the other one doesn't is always been a bit of a mystery. But I was going to get to this article that was in the New York Times yesterday about how podcasting has gone video to such a certain extent. And all of my favorite podcasts, including ours, soon have now put cameras in there so you can watch also. And there's just so much demand for watching the podcast that you had been listening to. Lex Friedman does it now. Joe Rogan's been doing it forever. Commentary magazine. I listen to their podcast. They got cameras now and you can watch them on YouTube. I never have. I have no need to see them saying the things they're saying while I listen to them to talk. But a lot of you do, apparently.

[Armstrong]

Yeah. I'm surprised by this, I got to admit, because just the way I take in audio entertainment, it wouldn't make any sense to be watching it because I'm walking or driving or you know, doing housework or whatever.

[Michael]

I used to think that. But the first radio show that was regularly on television that I was aware of was Imus way back in the day and he was on MSNBC in the Morning famously got fired. They hired Joe Scarborough as a fill in and the rest is history. But I miss was on in the Morning and like sometimes they'd say something and I would come out of my I'm listening to it. I'd come out of the bathroom and walk down the hall and like zap back to watch them say it for some reason, not exactly even sure why myself, but videos of podcasters and so we're testing our cameras today or tomorrow to get that going to not excited about it. But if we get to some more listeners, slash viewers, it's obviously a good idea.

[Armstrong]

Hanson said I have to be shirtless. Well that's how we're tying into the whole only fans thing, Michael. We're trying to harness both of those dynamics at once. It's out of the box.

[Michael]

One thing that Covid did and maybe just the ubiquity of video casts. There doesn't seem to be much of a demand for lighting being fantastic or you wearing certain clothes or having makeup because there's Joe Rogan doesn't obviously doesn't care at all how he looks. The lighting is terrible. He's sitting there In a sweatshirt. It looks like he hasn't washed his face. I mean, he doesn't care and he's. He makes it done. Whatever. He made $300 million on his deal.

[Armstrong]

Well, and you've commented that as news breaks, Halperin will hold these rodeos where various thinkers, commentators will get together and comment in real time, which is really cool. But a lot of the times they're sitting there on the same T shirt they worked out in.

[Michael]

Yeah. With headphones on and bad lighting. So caring about that has gone out the window.

[Armstrong]

Well, normally you'd be trucked down to Manhattan. I mean, back in the day.

[Michael]

Oh, yeah.

[Armstrong]

Literally you had to be there in the studio wearing a suit with makeup on your face.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Michael]

They would fly you in if they're going to have you on the show. And then it became popular for a while to have these mobile studios that would come around. It was just a van with a tiny little set in it. And they could come to your place of work or your home. You'd go out and sit in the van with the proper lighting and the proper set and the makeup person. But that's just. Nobody needs that anymore. So that was all unnecessary, apparently.

[Armstrong]

Jack, was it? Is this the slopifying of America or is it just that the ideas are what counts? I mean, like I came across, I shared a couple of things on the show today I thought were very smart, persuasive ideas. And if the guy expressing that was on like it was wearing like an ill fitting golf shirt, I wouldn't diminish the idea in the least to me.

[Michael]

No. Well, nor the reverse. Somebody who's got nothing to say. Being good looking with perfect makeup and perfect hair does nothing for me.

[Armstrong]

Maybe it's the falling away of that sort of pretense which would be great.

[Michael]

That's gotta be a good thing, doesn't it?

[Armstrong]

I don't have a big problem with it. No. No. Because I think a lot of that pretense and you see it in politics still. I mean, why do they all wear the blue suit and the red tie and the flag pin and the. The all got the same damn haircut. A lot of them doing the rest of it. It's all pretense.

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

You know, I think being average looking.

[Michael]

Makes you more relatable. Well, then I should be damned relatable. I should be.

[Armstrong]

Guys on earth, the every man. Yeah.

[Michael]

Yeah. It's got to be bad news for eventually, for hot young chicks wanting to get into tv if it just doesn't matter.

[Armstrong]

Maybe that will be the last matter. Back to our previous discussion.

[Michael]

Ah, there you go. That'll be the last holdout having a young Hott do your weather for whatever reason.

[Armstrong]

You know that's I shouldn't admit this, it's a point of personal cowardice. No, it's probably not cowardice, but.

[Getty]

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[Jack]

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[Unknown]

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[Elahe Izadi]

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[Armstrong]

You remember back in the day when there were a handful of lawsuits, female newscasters sued because they were fired in favor of younger hotties.

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

And we were on the side of, look, it's show business. I mean, if they think somebody else is going to get more clicks, more views, whatever. You're in show business. You're not the, you know, the production manager at GM or something, fired in favor of a hotter girl with bigger boobs or something. You're in the look how attractive I am business. And I know a gal, she's a friend, the wife of a friend who was involved in some of that stuff, by the way. Brilliant woman, like intimidatingly smart, great reporter. I mean, researcher. Again, intimidatingly smart and tough. And I haven't had that conversation with her.

[Michael]

You think she's on the other side of the argument?

[Armstrong]

Oh, she was. No, she sued.

[Michael]

Oh, she sued.

[Armstrong]

She was part of those lawsuits.

[Michael]

That's nuts. There's no justifying that. I don't care how damn smart you are. That's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. It's like saying, sorry, nirvana, you can't be a band. Synthesizers are a thing and you can't change.

[Armstrong]

Well, no, I don't know. That's a poor metaphor. And I'll tell you why. She sees her Job as being a reporter and anchor, the network is like, yeah, that. We need you to do that, but you're a pretty thing for people to look at. Well, that's part of your job.

[Michael]

Did she win or lose?

[Armstrong]

I don't remember how it ended. Honestly. I remember Christine Kraft. She was the first to sue in California. Right.

[Michael]

How. Maybe, maybe I alter my metaphor slightly. You're a band that was very, very popular, but now you've gotten a little older and people aren't as interested in you anymore.

[Armstrong]

Right. So is it, is it show business or is it a production job? That, that's the, that's the problem. That, that's like the, the, the conundrum thing.

[Michael]

Wouldn't it be easy to get around by saying, I hired you in the first place because you were so hot, there was a number of people that could do the reporting you do. I hired you because you're the hottest one.

[Armstrong]

Yeah, well, the government has never come to terms with that. Where does show business turn into journalism? How would you fire a newspaper columnist in favor of a younger, hotter?

[Michael]

Of course not.

[Armstrong]

Right?

[Michael]

Unless they're going on MSNBC or going on the cable news channels and getting lots of attention for my, my newspaper, which they might.

[Armstrong]

And I'm not trying to be obtuse here. I'm just saying it's difficult to draw the line where that becomes age discrimination.

[Michael]

I'll tell you one place you can draw the line easily. Weather. Anybody could do the freaking weather. They're just reading it from a computer, so that's got no talent whatsoever. They're always going to go with the younger, hotter one that goes to the Supreme Court.

[Armstrong]

9, 0. Katangi, Brown, Jackson High 5. And Scalia, who is dead. I meant not Scalia high five. And Gorsuch. Yeah. Nine, zero. Ruling.

[Michael]

Well, I guess that's it.

[Jack]

Lenovo is built for creators who don't wait for inspiration. They chase it with inventive tech, built in AI tools and seamless performance. Lenovo devices powered by Intel Core Ultra processors are designed designed to bring your wildest ideas to life faster. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, enjoy flexible financing, rewards on every purchase and free shipping. And students get special offers when you create an [e-mail].

[Michael]

A treasure trove of.

[Jack]

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[Jack]

Listen to the news, here's what I want to know why this story matters, who's at the center of it, and how the reporters uncovered it. And as a journalist, I want to make sure that's what you get too. I'm Elahe Izadi, co host of the podcast Post Reports. Every weekday, my colleagues and I at the Washington Post give you the context you need on the biggest stories. Health care tariffs, artificial intelligence. We've got you covered. Look for Post Reports wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Armstrong]

This is an I Heart podcast.