Cancelled Podcast Episode 108: "WHY TANA DECLINED THE TARTE TRIP"

Release Date: January 27, 2025

In Episode 108 of the Cancelled podcast, co-hosts Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield delve deep into a myriad of personal and industry-related topics. This episode captures their candid conversations about recent life events, the evolving landscape of social media, influencer authenticity, and the dramatic decision behind declining the highly publicized Tarte trip. Below is a comprehensive summary highlighting the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from their engaging dialogue.

1. Welcoming Back and Personal Happiness

The episode kicks off with Tana and Brooke expressing their excitement about returning to the podcast after a hiatus.

• Tana (00:09): “Back. And I've never been, like, happier. I've never been happier ever, than right now.”
• Brooke (00:27): “I'm really excited to be back too.”

They reflect on the necessity of taking breaks for mental health and the feeling of being repressed during their time away, eager to reconnect and share more openly.

2. The Devastating Impact of Local Fires

A significant portion of the episode centers on the recent fires that have ravaged Los Angeles, profoundly affecting both hosts.

• Tana (01:03): “We were supposed to film originally on what, January 16th or something like that. And then the fires happened.”
• Brooke (01:25): “We hit the new year, we were all excited, and then, like, our whole town caught flying flame.”

Tana shares her harrowing experience of evacuating three times from Las Vegas due to the fires, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll it took on her.

• Tana (01:57): “I really haven't been able to breathe lately. Like. And flying over LA, did you notice it is the thickest layer of, like, dark gray smoke over all of LA? I was like, oh, my God.”

Brooke echoes similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for not being in the most dangerous zones but acknowledging the pervasive fear and uncertainty.

3. Navigating Social Media Post-TikTok Ban

With TikTok being banned, Tana and Brooke explore the ramifications on their personal lives and the broader influencer community.

• Brooke (02:32): “No, you need to get an air purifier. But they're so hard to come by. I saw a bunch at Costco yesterday though.”
• Tana (03:02): “Oh, you still don't have it?”

Tana discusses her struggle to delete TikTok from her phone, highlighting the addictive nature of the platform.

• Tana (03:26): “I deleted it, and I kid you not, 45 seconds later, I start seeing Instagram stories. TikTok is back.”

They transition to discussing Instagram Reels, lamenting the algorithmic shifts and the often superficial content it promotes.

• Brooke (04:05): “I'll tell you why I hate Reels is because it's only showing me fitness content.”

4. Influencer Authenticity and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to the authenticity of influencers, questioning the genuineness behind the curated content.

• Tana (11:11): “Meredith Duxbury wiped those pumps off. You people are sheep.”
• Brooke (11:25): “People will be like, I actually didn't work out six times a day.”

They critique the exaggerated personas some influencers adopt, especially in the fitness and beauty sectors, and discuss the backlash faced by figures like Michaela Jill Miller.

5. The Tarte Trip Controversy

A focal point of the episode is the contentious decision by Tana to decline a trip organized by Tarte, especially amidst the fires.

• Tana (36:27): “I feel like there had to be more things come forward before I'm the person exposing people's secrets and truths.”
• Brooke (36:58): “Yeah, I love community goods, honestly. But I just... everything is lying.”

They analyze Tarte's handling of the situation, acknowledging the company's donations and support during the fires but questioning the timing and planning of the trip.

• Tana (37:08): “But I was just sobbing, like, I walk into this like Tarte PR box and I'm like, I have nowhere to go.”

Brooke adds her perspective on how the trip was more of a PR move than a genuine gesture of support.

• Brooke (37:25): “They were gonna get pushed back for this situation regardless.”

6. Reflections on Cancel Culture and Personal Growth

Tana and Brooke introspect on their roles within cancel culture, discussing personal growth and the balance between accountability and empathy.

• Tana (31:13): “We were at our peak society when there was a tanning bed in the lobby of Planet Fitness...”
• Brooke (31:20): “You have to think with your emotions. I'm ready for this year and this podcast.”

They express a renewed sense of confidence and a desire to be more outspoken, ready to embrace the "Cancelled" brand's original spirit of not giving a f*ck.

• Tana (30:14): “Being at my position in LA... I have shit to say.”

7. Navigating Influencer Relationships and Industry Challenges

The episode also touches upon the complexities of relationships within the influencer community, such as their connections with Jeff Wittek and the ramifications of his actions.

• Tana (46:38): “It is just being so close to Jeff and seeing how much he suffered...”

They voice their frustrations with how certain influencers, like David Dobrik, are able to make comebacks despite serious controversies.

• Brooke (45:36): “He's still standing. I can't get behind this.”

8. Personal Health and Well-being

Towards the end, both hosts share personal anecdotes about their health struggles, including Brooke’s bout with norovirus and Tana’s miscarriage, highlighting the podcast’s move towards more vulnerable and personal topics.

• Brooke (67:25): “I got norovirus. It was so immediate that I like. I was completely fine. I was mini golfing…”

• Tana (69:25): “If I was posting what, like Aspen Ovart or Remy Baxter? Love them both.”

9. Future Plans and Closing Remarks

In their concluding remarks, Tana and Brooke reveal their excitement for the upcoming year, plans for the podcast, and a hint at future content, emphasizing their readiness to embrace both chaos and camaraderie.

• Tana (71:10): “I just want to tour again. I'm ready to be messy.”
• Brooke (71:44): “I might still watch from the sidelines just because I'm...”

They reaffirm their commitment to their audience, acknowledging the challenges ahead but maintaining optimism.

• Tana (71:59): “We love you guys. Thank you for joining us. We love you so much…”

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Resilience: Both Tana and Brooke demonstrate resilience in the face of natural disasters and personal hardships, emphasizing the importance of mental health breaks.

• Social Media Evolution: The ban of TikTok has significantly impacted their social media strategies, pushing them to adapt to platforms like Instagram Reels, though not without challenges.

• Authenticity in Influencing: There’s a critical examination of the authenticity within the influencer space, questioning the genuineness of curated content and the realness of influencer personas.

• Navigating Cancel Culture: The hosts reflect on their personal growth within the confines of cancel culture, expressing a desire to be more outspoken and less concerned with public opinion.

• Community and Support: Despite the hardships, there’s a strong sense of community and support among influencers, especially highlighted during evacuation and disaster response efforts.

• Future Outlook: Tana and Brooke are optimistic about the future of their podcast and their personal journeys, ready to embrace challenges and continue evolving.

This episode of Cancelled provides a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the lives of two prominent influencers navigating personal crises, the tumultuous world of social media, and the ever-evolving dynamics of cancel culture. Through their heartfelt discussions and shared experiences, Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield offer listeners an authentic narrative of growth, resilience, and camaraderie amidst chaos.