Podcast Summary: Dumb Blonde – Episode "TBT: Aubrey O'Day"
Episode Information:
- Title: TBT: Aubrey O'Day
- Release Date: July 10, 2025
- Hosts: Bunnie XO and Aubrey O'Day
Introduction to Aubrey O'Day's Journey [00:00 - 07:00]
The episode opens with light-hearted banter between host Bunnie XO and guest Aubrey O'Day as they greet each other and discuss their outfits. They briefly touch upon Aubrey's new studio in Nashville, setting the stage for a deeper conversation ahead.
Early Life and Childhood Trauma [07:00 - 23:12]
Aubrey delves into her tumultuous childhood, revealing significant trauma stemming from her mother's alcoholism and abusive behavior. She shares poignant memories, such as recalling her mother’s harsh responses during her childhood injuries:
“[14:04] Aubrey O'Day: ...I had a thought in my head that I used to watch G String Divas. Did you ever see.”
— Aubrey O’Day [14:06]
Bunny validates Aubrey’s experiences, emphasizing the pervasive impact of parental dysfunction:
“[13:54] Bunny: ...I never hear you talk about your dad. Was dad around?”
— Bunny [13:54]
Aubrey discusses her father's minimal presence and the lack of emotional support, highlighting the lasting effects of her upbringing on her relationships and self-esteem.
Career Beginnings and Danity Kane [23:12 - 56:41]
Transitioning to her professional life, Aubrey recounts her ascent in the music industry, particularly her time with the girl group Danity Kane. She reflects on the challenges of maintaining authenticity amid managerial pressures:
“[56:41] Aubrey O'Day: ...I walk into my OnlyFans company and they're like, who's Diddy? I'm like, really?”
— Aubrey O’Day [56:41]
Aubrey exposes the manipulative practices within the industry, including how Danity Kane’s contracts were structured to benefit the management at the expense of the artists:
“[70:24] Aubrey O'Day: ...the songs we wrote on were never made singles...”
— Aubrey O’Day [70:24]
She details her limited financial gains despite the group's commercial success, underscoring issues of exploitation and lack of proper compensation for creative work.
Abusive Relationships and Personal Struggles [56:41 - 141:54]
A significant portion of the conversation centers around Aubrey's abusive relationships, particularly with influential figures like Sean "Diddy" Combs and Donald Trump Jr. She candidly discusses the emotional and physical abuse she endured:
“[84:35] Aubrey O'Day: ...all the men in my life were putting me down... I ended up with him [Don Jr.], but it was toxic.”
— Aubrey O’Day [84:35]
Aubrey recounts how these relationships exacerbated her existing trauma, leading to patterns of unhealthy attachments and self-sabotage. She touches upon her time in Bali, where she sought healing and self-discovery away from the chaos of her past:
“[19:05] Aubrey O'Day: ...I had to just jump in and produce production seat and start giving y'all all their next ideas.”
— Aubrey O’Day [19:05]
Her narrative illustrates the profound impact of her experiences on her mental health, including the development of OCD and struggles with substance abuse.
Healing, Self-Discovery, and Empowerment [141:54 - 179:13]
After leaving her abusive relationships, Aubrey emphasizes her journey toward healing and empowerment. She discusses her involvement with OnlyFans as a means of regaining control over her sexuality and financial independence:
“[178:50] Aubrey O'Day: ...I'm taking my power back from Diddy who told you that you're promiscuous and that you can't work for him because you're this type of person.”
— Aubrey O’Day [178:50]
Aubrey highlights how OnlyFans has provided her the freedom to express herself without external control, contrasting it with her past experiences where her autonomy was severely restricted.
She also reflects on the loss of her beloved dogs, sharing the emotional toll it has taken on her:
“[184:46] Aubrey O'Day: ...It's a lot. But as I was. I was saying, as I was going to ... little trunk, finding control over what was happening.”
— Aubrey O’Day [184:46]
Current Life and Reflections on Happiness [179:13 - End]
In the final segment, Aubrey and Bunny explore themes of happiness and mental well-being. Aubrey speaks about finding peace and prioritizing her dogs' well-being following personal losses:
“[183:55] Bunny: How is it now that you're single and that you're still in TV? Because to be relevant as long as you have been is kind of crazy because that's, that's a testament, you know, to your tenacity.”
— Bunny [183:55]
Aubrey responds by sharing her focus on healing and caring for her pets, indicating a shift towards prioritizing personal well-being over industry demands:
“[185:16] Aubrey O'Day: ...a day in my life if I'm not working, I'm with my two dogs doing every fun thing a dog would ever want to do possible all day and then we all fall asleep on each other.”
— Aubrey O’Day [185:16]
She concludes by expressing gratitude for her journey of self-discovery and resilience, emphasizing the importance of self-love and empowerment.
Notable Quotes:
-
On Childhood Trauma:
“[14:04] Aubrey O'Day: ...I had a thought in my head that I used to watch G String Divas. Did you ever see.”
— Aubrey O’Day [14:06] -
On Industry Exploitation:
“[70:24] Aubrey O'Day: ...the songs we wrote on were never made singles...”
— Aubrey O’Day [70:24] -
On Regaining Power:
“[178:50] Aubrey O'Day: ...I'm taking my power back from Diddy who told you that you're promiscuous and that you can't work for him because you're this type of person.”
— Aubrey O’Day [178:50] -
On Healing and Independence:
“[184:46] Aubrey O'Day: ...It's a lot. But as I was. I was saying, as I was going to ... little trunk, finding control over what was happening.”
— Aubrey O’Day [184:46]
Conclusion:
In this candid and emotionally charged episode, Dumb Blonde delves deep into Aubrey O'Day's life, exploring her early trauma, struggles within the music industry, abusive relationships, and her path to healing and self-empowerment. Through her honest reflections, Aubrey offers listeners an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her, emphasizing the importance of self-love, resilience, and reclaiming one's power.
For those seeking an unfiltered narrative of overcoming adversity and finding strength, this episode of Dumb Blonde serves as a compelling testament to Aubrey O'Day's journey toward healing and autonomy.