Fool Coverage with Manny MUA and Laura Lee

Episode: "Unpopular Opinion: Influencers Give Me the ICK!"
Date: December 5, 2025
Platform: PodcastOne

Episode Overview

In this lively and comedic episode, Manny MUA and Laura Lee, two OG beauty influencers and best friends, dive deep into their "influencer icks"—those little pet peeves or cringe-worthy habits they've noticed among influencers (including themselves) that drive them up the wall. They swap stories, laugh at their own past behavior, read fan-submitted influencer icks, and reflect on trends, honesty, and authenticity in the world of social media. The tone is candid, self-aware, and classic Fool Coverage: equal parts glamour, gossip, and self-deprecating humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Home Studio Vibes and Peaks & Pits of the Week

• The episode records from Laura's home, where Manny jokes about being a "part of the lease" (02:17).
• They immediately segue into their favorite weekly ritual: "Peaks and Pits"—sharing the highs and lows of their week.

Laura's Pit: Being Called Out for Cosmetic Procedures

• Laura candidly discusses being called out online for her "lip flip" (Botox on her upper lip) and how people try to subtly or not-so-subtly "out" her for getting work done.
• “People always like to try to call me out in clever ways that they know I get a lip... I just want y’ all to know, you don’t have to do that. I’ll just fucking tell you.” (05:00 - Laura)
• Discussion about transparency, scrutiny, and self-consciousness as influencers.

Manny's Pit: Gender Norms at Marshalls

• Manny shares a story that "triggered" him at Marshalls: witnessing a mother reprimand her toddler for choosing “girl toys.”
  • “For her to be so like: you're a boy, you're not a girl, like inflicting this thing...it can cause a lot of like, weird internal strife. Because I know it did for me.” (12:20 - Manny)
• He discusses the long-term impact of enforcing rigid gender norms on children.
• Laura and Manny both agree it's "disheartening to see" this still happening in 2025.

Laura's Peak: Speaking at YouTube

• Laura was invited to speak at a YouTube event about creator growth and YouTube shopping features, which she found "so sickening.”
  • “To give back all I’ve learned all these years to other creators kind of makes it all worth it.” (17:52 - Laura)

Manny's Peak: 'Escape the Night' Release

• Manny teases the release of the crowdfunded new 'Escape The Night' special on Tubi, sharing behind-the-scenes pride for the project.
  • “I was so impressed. I was blown away...Joey did such an amazing job with the resources he had.” (20:48 - Manny)

Main Segment: Influencer Icks & Pet Peeves (Starts ~21:11)

Ground Rules:

• Both admit they've done some of these pet-peeve behaviors themselves.
• Aim is fun/self-awareness, not to personally attack anyone.

Influencer Icks They Can’t Stand:

1. Spirit fingers under the chin

• Laura confesses she’s guilty but: “Whenever you watch it, you’re like, what the is happening?” (22:24 - Laura)
• Both agree it’s a weird pose and, “We’re all gonna stop. Spirit fingers under the chin. In unison. We’re done.” (23:01 - Laura)

2. Lame 'Close Friends' Content

• Manny hates when people hype up their ‘Close Friends’ Instagram Stories—but only post boring stuff (like, what they’re eating for dinner).
  • “If I see that green bubble…give me some tea! Tell me something you’re working on…” (26:13 – Manny)
• Laura laughs about her own mundane content: “Mine’s lame.” (24:18 - Laura)
• Manny brags: “My close friends is fierce…I like to give where it’s things I actually wouldn’t really want to publicly talk about…” (25:16 - Manny)

3. 20-Step Skincare Routines

• Laura (the skincare lover) says it’s not only unnecessary but misleading:
  • “If you see an influencer literally piling on 10 to 20 products on their skin, they are only diluting their skincare and making it ineffective...” (27:02 - Laura)
• Both share their own (reasonable) routines—around 5-6 steps max.

4. Only Aesthetic, No Personality

• Manny’s major ick is influencers who are “only aesthetic.”
  • “If that’s what you’re giving and it’s giving truly nothing and just never speak... I think you’re boring as fudge, most likely.” (29:44 - Manny)
• Both agree that the biggest influencers give viewers personality and connection, not just beautiful images.

5. Gatekeeping Products or Links

• Laura: “You’re just really bad at your job if your influencer gatekeeps...” (33:56 - Laura)
• Manny: “When they go, ‘Click the link in my bio’ instead of telling someone where something's from? That’s so cringe.” (34:14 - Manny)
• Discussion about influencers refusing to share details unless followers click their affiliate link.

6. Negative Rage-Baiting Brands

• Manny is annoyed by creators who give negative reviews just to get noticed (and perhaps, sponsored) by brands.
  • “Are you being negative on purpose so the brand will come around...so you cause a shitstorm for them?” (36:13 - Manny)
• Laura thinks it’s a weird marketing model for brands to reward this behavior.

7. 'Pick Me' Energy & Claiming Only They Tell The Truth

• Laura and Manny both dislike influencers who frame themselves as the only honest ones:
  • “It’s like, you’re being so pick me, it’s actually beyond. Not every other influencer is lying.” (38:50 - Manny)
• They discuss the trend of creators who say, “Other influencers are lying to you, but I tell the truth!” and how this manipulates their audiences.

8. Never Responding to Comments

• Laura: “When an influencer never responds to any of their comments...it just feels unappreciative.” (42:38 - Laura)
• Both agree that some engagement—just a couple hearts, a reply—goes a long way.

9. Clickbait-y, Lukewarm 'Cancel Me' Hot Takes

• Manny is particularly triggered by influencers who begin a lukewarm take with, “This might get me canceled, but…”
  • “As someone who’s been canceled? This is dumb.” (43:52 - Manny)
• Laura: “Go comment that I was canceled.” (44:13 - Laura)

Audience-Submitted Icks (45:59)

Laura reads out some hilarious fan-submitted influencer pet peeves:

• “Run, don’t walk”—used for every recommendation.
• Nail-tapping on products in every video.
• “Less than $50” when the item is $49.99.
• Over-the-top reactions (screaming/crying) for every product.
• Calling followers “bestie” or “girly pop” non-stop:
  • Manny: “Okay, bestie is actually...shut up!” (46:24 - Manny)
• Pretending everyone is asking for a link when there’s not a single comment asking.
• Fake wake-up shots in morning routines.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On being called out for cosmetic tweaks:

  • Laura: “I’ll just fucking tell you. And I got my lips injected with the needles, so therefore I know that I did it.” (05:05)

• On aesthetic with no substance:

  • Manny: “If that is what you’re giving and it’s giving truly nothing...I think you’re boring as fudge, most likely.” (29:41)

• On ‘pick me’ influencers:

  • Manny: “When they start their openers: ‘Every other influencer is lying to you, but I am telling the truth.’ It’s like, you’re being so pick me it’s actually beyond.” (38:45)

• On their own 'icks':

  • Laura: “Spirit fingers under the chin...we’re all gonna stop. In unison. We’re done.” (23:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:32] — Episode theme: Influencer pet peeves/icks
• [03:52] — Laura’s pit: Lip flip callouts
• [09:52] — Manny’s pit: Gender norms story at Marshalls
• [17:20] — Laura’s peak: Speaking at YouTube
• [19:12] — Manny’s peak: 'Escape the Night' on Tubi
• [21:11] — Main segment: Influencer icks begin
• [22:24] — Spirit fingers under the chin
• [24:18] — Lame close friends on Instagram
• [27:02] — 20-step skincare routines
• [29:02] — Influencers who are only aesthetic
• [33:56] — Gatekeeping products/links
• [36:13] — Negative rage-bait and sponsored relationships
• [38:45] — ‘Pick me’ energy: only I tell the truth!
• [42:38] — Never interacting with followers
• [43:52] — Lukewarm “Cancel Me” takes
• [45:59] — Reading fan-submitted influencer icks

Tone and Language

• Largely comedic, self-aware, and authentic.
• Frequent swearing, memes, internet-speak, and playful jabs at themselves and each other.
• Intentionally informal and relatable for their beauty/gossip-loving audience.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a mix of spicy honesty, humor, and self-reflection about the realities of being an influencer. Manny and Laura champion doing things with personality and authenticity, even if it’s a bit "messy." They argue that a dose of self-awareness—and the willingness to joke about your own flaws—goes a long way in both influencing and life.

For Listeners Who Missed It

If you want all the juicy, messy, and hilarious behind-the-scenes thoughts on influencer culture—direct from two mega-popular creators—this is the episode to hear. Whether you’re looking for laughs or pointers on what not to do in the influencer game, Manny and Laura keep it real, calling out both themselves and the industry with heart and sass.