Unpopular Opinion: Influencers Give Me the ICK!

Summary

Fool Coverage with Manny MUA and Laura Lee

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Manny Mua]

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[Laura]

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[Manny Mua]

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[Laura]

He just said a non messy business.

[Manny Mua]

As a non messy person.

[Laura]

I would never say anything.

Yeah. Did you just expose my clothes?

Welcome to your favorite podcast. It's full coverage with your host Laura.

[Manny Mua]

Lee and Manny Mua. We are at the home studio today. Yes, my favorite studio. Every time we hear, I'm always just like, welcome to my home. I live here.

[Laura]

Correct? That's correct.

[Manny Mua]

Welcome home.

[Laura]

You are a part timer.

[Manny Mua]

I am.

[Laura]

You do have a spot in the drink fridge here.

[Manny Mua]

So I mean, listen, I literally have a guest bedroom.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

I have somewhere to stay every time I'm here. If I were to need to. So I think that makes me part of the lease.

[Laura]

It does the least.

[Manny Mua]

Literally. I'm like, I do pay a mortgage.

You guys. Today's episode. We are so excited because we're going to be doing A little like influencers, pet peeves.

[Laura]

We both do tik toks. Like, yeah, like X.

[Manny Mua]

Yes.

[Laura]

Is a little harsh.

[Manny Mua]

I feel like. I feel like X is a is a good word, but. Okay, so is. Is it harsher to say X or is harder to say? Thanks. Influences that piss me off like that.

[Laura]

Sorry. My cat, she's very vocal.

She. Ty keeps walking past the food bowl and triggering her. She's like, you need to. You need to give me my fifth lunch right now.

[Manny Mua]

Starving. I haven't eaten shit.

[Laura]

Oh, my God.

[Manny Mua]

And she's already eaten, girl. Already.

[Laura]

She ate Boo's breakfast.

She had hers.

[Manny Mua]

She had Vroom's breakfast.

[Laura]

She had every breakfast. I mean, the vet said sick of us. Okay, so we're gonna start with peaks and pits.

[Manny Mua]

Yes.

[Laura]

I'm gonna begin.

[Manny Mua]

Please.

[Laura]

I can't remember my pit, but I feel like it's really. Oh, you know. You know? I know. I know. And I want to start with it because I think it's funny. Do it every time I go get Botox or.

[Manny Mua]

Just starting like that, I'm like this.

[Laura]

You're like, what?

[Manny Mua]

Okay. What the.

[Laura]

Is she gonna say I get a lip flip?

[Manny Mua]

Oh, yes.

[Laura]

Because I have, like, fish lines. Okay.

[Manny Mua]

Gills.

[Laura]

I have gills, and they're not there permanently, but when I'm speaking, they start to appear.

[Manny Mua]

I've never seen them. Is it because of the flint?

[Laura]

Probably because of the flint. Probably. Also, we notice things on ourselves more than other people notice them, and that's just a fact. But I get a little lip flip, and it doesn't last long. If you're looking for a lip flip, I'm gonna tell you, it's not gonna give you much of an upper lip that. More filler. You're going to feel the lip to get the upper lip. I mean, like, only. I think personally, with a lip flip, almost only you would notice.

[Manny Mua]

Yes.

[Laura]

However, it does paralyze your upper lip a little. I can still move it. You know what I mean? Like, it's not.

[Manny Mua]

Once I went up, once I went down.

[Laura]

Okay, I guess I'll move it. It's activating. It's activating.

[Manny Mua]

Yes. It's starting.

[Laura]

We are just starting.

[Manny Mua]

It was like this. I completely. Right one's like this.

[Laura]

I can't stand you.

Anyways. People always like to try to call me out in clever ways that they know I get a lip. That's what I'm getting at. That's what I'm getting at.

[Manny Mua]

That's where we're going with.

[Laura]

That's where we're going. And I just want y' all to know, you don't have to do that.

[Manny Mua]

I know.

[Laura]

I'll just fucking tell you. And I got my lips injected with the needles, so therefore I know that I did it.

[Manny Mua]

Correct.

[Laura]

Like, I know.

[Manny Mua]

Wait, so in what way did they do it, though?

[Laura]

Here we go. Here we go. I think it's funny.

Girl. Did you just get a lip flip? They'll just straight up be that.

[Manny Mua]

I don't know. Oh, shit. Like, they know.

[Laura]

Like, you know. And then they'll say, that lip flip is flipping.

[Manny Mua]

The lip flip is flipping.

[Laura]

Yeah, that lip flip is flipping. I'm like, why are you calling me out?

[Manny Mua]

How do you. I'm just so curious. I'm like, how do they notice, like, these things?

[Laura]

I don't know.

[Manny Mua]

That's the part. I'm literally like, wait, what? I don't even notice it.

[Laura]

Thank you.

[Manny Mua]

I'm dead ass. I'm literally like, you gotta live for it.

[Laura]

They notice everything. You can never think that someone won't notice. Like, right now, someone's already noticed that I'm missing my pinky nail on this finger. Oh, shit. Yeah. You didn't see it, did you?

[Manny Mua]

I didn't see it. I didn't notice that.

[Laura]

You gotta move fast, Jasmine.

[Manny Mua]

You guys, let me tell you something. I showed up today thinking that we were gonna be in sweats and, like, no glam.

[Laura]

Oh, come on.

[Manny Mua]

Let me tell you something. I walked in, sorely mistaken in a hoodie. And Laura's like, hello. A full lash, full cheek. And I go, I thought we were gonna be casual today.

[Laura]

That's right.

[Manny Mua]

That's literally they're gonna notice, like, manny, you're not wearing blush today.

[Laura]

Do you know what's funny about that? I read a comment because someone was like, why did they film at her house? And someone commented back and they were like, it's because Laura doesn't like to always glam and get ready, so she makes them film at her house. And I was like, what? First of all, what the fuck? Second of all, I'm glam every time we're filming at the house. So you're debunked there. And I'm not. I'm like a diva, but not like that.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, like, honestly, if you could have it where you're not going to glam, you will.

[Laura]

I would.

[Manny Mua]

But it's like, you're going to still also glam when you want to glam. It just depends on the vibes, like, depending on what you want to do. Especially because it's like today, Content day. You're going to be glam regardless.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Manny Mua]

Because you're just doing more. Like, to me, I'm glam after this, so I can film as well. So I'm like, I'm. I'm the same.

[Laura]

She's a working day.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, it's a working day, honey. Yeah, she's a working girl. I noticed. I lift flip.

That's every comment.

[Laura]

Do you know what's so funny? The last time I was like, no one ever accuses me of being on a Zipic. I posted on Instagram and everybody was like, are you on.

[Manny Mua]

No.

[Laura]

They were doing it to be funny for the podcast. I was cracking up. So now, like, you guys, do not start with me. Do not go.

[Manny Mua]

Don't start.

[Laura]

Talk about my lip flip. Just kidding. You can. I don't. Honestly, you can't do it.

[Manny Mua]

Comment.

[Laura]

I don't care.

[Manny Mua]

I'm like, you guys, I don't care. Look at me.

[Laura]

Even if you have questions about it and you want one, ask me.

[Manny Mua]

I'll tell you also, again, like, it's like you're getting Botox liftoff, like two months.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's Botox in the upper lip.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah.

[Laura]

And some girls do it not because of wrinkles, that some girls do it. Cuz it will pinch your upper lip. It'll do a little pickup on your upper lip without that filler puffy look like it'll give it a little lip.

Manny sits around in West Hollywood perching his.

[Manny Mua]

I think it's time for me to get a lip flip, you guys.

[Laura]

You could.

[Manny Mua]

I think it's. Oh, you could. You could do that, baby.

[Laura]

I'm like, let me see that forehead. Yeah, it's frozen, babe.

[Manny Mua]

Let me tell you something. I got Botox like two weeks ago.

[Laura]

I'm locked in.

[Manny Mua]

I'm locked in. I'm locked and loaded. Literally. I'm like this. I'm so mad right now.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

So fucking pissed.

[Laura]

That's it. This is what I deal with. That's what I deal with.

[Manny Mua]

This is me on the Daily Imagine. Really?

[Laura]

I can't tell. Yep.

[Manny Mua]

Okay, what is my pit? My pit is.

My peak is the holiday season.

[Laura]

Oh, get out.

[Manny Mua]

I literally.

[Laura]

Get out.

[Manny Mua]

Okay, you guys. Okay. This is my. If it wasn't freezingly cold. This is my favorite time of the year.

[Laura]

It is kind of a vibe.

[Manny Mua]

It is such a fucking vibe.

[Laura]

Like, I love warming up on me.

[Manny Mua]

That like this Thanksgiving, December, like Christmasy, Like, I like I. The second November one hits for me.

[Laura]

It's the holidays.

[Manny Mua]

It's the Holidays.

[Laura]

I do. It's turned like, the actual holidays. Like, I like the days before, the days after, the days of, like, I love that whole week.

[Manny Mua]

I'm the same.

[Laura]

I do also enjoy that really weird Twilight Zone time between Christmas and.

[Manny Mua]

Thanks. New Year's.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Manny Mua]

I love it.

[Laura]

I love that time.

[Manny Mua]

I love it too. I love. It's like the ozone layer.

[Laura]

We have to just, like, take it in.

[Manny Mua]

Mm. You have to appreciate it that it's here because it's like, at the end of the year, it obviously gets really hectic for a lot of people too. I get the hectic. Like, I obviously understand, but it's like, it's nice, too, that you could have this moment where you're kind of like, celebratory and calmness in a way.

[Laura]

Reflective.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah. It feels reflective to reflect. So I do like that we're in that zone right now. And that's my peak is I just, like, I feel it. I can feel the holiday spot spirit. I feel. Oh, my God. I have my pit. Oh, I found it.

[Laura]

We knew it would come.

[Manny Mua]

It came, you guys, yesterday. So I went to. I went to Marshall's yesterday, which is so funny that.

[Laura]

Oh, wait.

[Manny Mua]

Tell you guys. This is crazy. So Lauren literally post a story. She's like, with Aaron. They're like, we're at Marshalls. And I'm like, I was just at Marshall. Like, we could have ran into each other at Marshalls. I would have.

[Laura]

We went to the same Marshalls on the same day.

[Manny Mua]

So, like, crazy, to be quite honest, because I'm not going to Marshall often.

[Laura]

I would have saw you.

[Manny Mua]

I would. I wanted to let you know everyone in the store would know that I saw you.

[Laura]

We. Honey, we would have shut the.

[Manny Mua]

I would have been like, yeah, I would have squee all the time, but.

[Laura]

I would have store.

[Manny Mua]

We would have freaked out. So my. Okay, so this is the part that it, like, literally, this is more of a deep dive. Like, this is more like. Okay, let's. Let's think. Okay, so there's this woman, and I never like to speak about a mother and her child.

[Laura]

Oh, where's this? I'm real.

[Manny Mua]

I never like to talk about parenting. I never want to tell anyone how.

[Laura]

To parent because I don't know.

[Manny Mua]

So I don't want to ever talk about that. Right. But this specifically kind of angered me, and I think it's because it triggered me as a child. Me, younger Manny. So there's this woman, and she's with her stroller, and they're in, like, the Aisle, like right next to me so I can like see them. And the little boy is kind of like, he's so young. He's literally maybe like 2 years old. Like, he's like a baby. Right. And he's like touching things, grabbing things. Cause he's in the cart and I guess he had grabbed like a girl's toy and like a girl's like, blanket. And she goes, are you a boy or a girl? Why are you grabbing girl stuff to this little boy? And I look over and I was kind of like, that's like such a weird thing to say to like your two year old child. And it's a baby. Like, she's like. So she's like, are you a boy or a girl? Like, why are you playing with, like, why you keep grabbing girls things? Because they were like pink. And she's like, if you don't keep. If you don't stop grabbing girls stuff, I'm not gonna buy you Spider man anymore. And it was so weird because the thing is, like, what made it weird.

[Laura]

To me, the baby's literally thinking about.

[Manny Mua]

He's literally.

Literally, he's two years, doesn't even speak words. And I look over, I give her the stinkiest look. I'm like this.

[Laura]

I know you did. Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

And I look over to the side. The thing. The reason I wanted to talk about it is because I think that it's weird to inflict your own, like Paris. Like your own social norms so intensely on a really baby infant when it's like the kid doesn't know.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

That it's the girl, it just sees.

[Laura]

Like a toy, it just seems to grab.

[Manny Mua]

You know what I mean? So for, for her to be so like, you're a boy, you're not a girl, like inflicting this thing. It. I think that when at that young age, it can cause a lot of like, weird internal strife.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

For people and. Because I know it did for me.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

So that's why I'm saying it as like a personal thing. And so I remember seeing that and I was like, this is so unfortunate that, like we're so. We're in 2025. And it felt like she was like this person and she was really harsh about it. It wasn't like this, like, light, like, are you a boy or a girl? Stop playing with girl things. So, like, intense with that social norms of like, boys play with army and girls play with Barbie. You know what I mean? Very that. And I feel like as times have progressed, we've gotten better at like, Straying from that, being like, hey, like, if you're a kid, you want to play with whatever the fuck you want to play with your kid. Yeah, who cares what you're playing with? But I think that sometimes it's an ebb and flow. It can go back to, like, social constructs, like, boys play with Spider man, you know? So it was just a really weird moment to see it, like, in the flesh. And I see this woman who's literally, like, very harsh with her kid, who's 2 years old, that doesn't even speak freaking words yet. And she's like, if you don't stop playing with girl things and touching girl things, you don't get Spider Man.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's disheartening because regardless of, like, how the child turns out.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, totally.

[Laura]

I don't know what's gonna happen progresses. We don't know, but it's just disheartening to already know, like, that so strongly impact inflicted on a person who doesn't even have a frontal lobe or, like, a conscious. Or, like, there's still nothing. I get it. Shocking.

[Manny Mua]

It shocked me. It literally. I'm not kidding, you guys. I was genuinely shocked because she said it so loudly that I'm literally like, hello. And the thing is, so I. When I. I was recording, when I was at Marshalls, like, I was doing, like, a video.

I was. I was filming. And I remember when I'm filming, I was doing, like, a thing, and I was like. And I talked about it on my video, and I was literally, like. And I talked about it so loudly. Oh. And I'm. And I'm literally, like, this woman just literally goes off on her kid about girl and boy toys. And I'm literally, in my video, I'm like, I hope that she hear, like, if she's an aisle next to me, how if she hears it. Because the thing is, again, like, I say, I'm not trying to, like, inflict people's parenting styles. Obviously, like, I don't want anything like that. But the thing is, for me, it's frustrating as a child who is. As someone who was gay and who, like, I did like to play with, like, girl toys and boy ties, I wanted to play with both. And when I was younger, obviously, my parents didn't really know a lot and know a ton about, like, you know, gayness and stuff like that. And so I felt like I was very restricted and very, like, don't do that, like, because you're a boy. And it's very that. And so it triggers me because I'm like, oh my gosh. Like that like made really lasting effects on me as a 34 year old.

[Laura]

Like it's like so it's so sad.

[Manny Mua]

For me to see. So I'm like, oh my God. That's going to really like actually potentially fudge him up with how things are going. Because I literally have been fucked up from that.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

You know what I'm saying? So it triggers me. So I always like, want to bring it up because I'm like, no, that fucking sucks. Like that really is like sad to see. You know what I mean?

[Laura]

I agree.

[Manny Mua]

You know, so yeah, that was my.

[Laura]

Good for you for speaking on it.

[Manny Mua]

Loudly in the store.

[Laura]

In the store. Loudly for her to hear you.

[Manny Mua]

I literally go, I hope she can hear me right now. Yeah, I did. Girl.

[Laura]

I'm about to watch this. Mar.

[Manny Mua]

Yes, I. It was coming out. It was my. So yesterday I literally filmed a full blown like YouTube video and then I filmed half another YouTube video and then I filmed like two tick tocks. But that was the other half of the video is for that.

[Laura]

Okay. Okay.

[Manny Mua]

My like I go to Marshall to see if I can find like some cute like holiday gifts.

[Laura]

Love it.

[Manny Mua]

For like one of the videos.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

So it's that one that I'm going to be putting it in. So I'm literally like, baby. And that stays in.

[Laura]

Locked in.

[Manny Mua]

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[Laura]

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[Manny Mua]

This episode is sponsored by Better Help you guys. Honestly, traditions for the holidays are absolutely incredible and amazing. You want to create them all the time time. But you can also create additions with yourself with therapy. Therapy during the holidays can be an amazing new tradition where you make sure you're taking care of yourself. Because how are you going to take care of other people if you can't take care of yourself?

[Laura]

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[Manny Mua]

And I've been to therapy many times in my life, and we're absolutely obsessed. Like, honestly, it's such an amazing thing to just give yourself truly this December, start a new tradition by taking care of you. Our listeners get 10% [e-mail] full coverage. That's better. H E L P.com full coverage.

[Laura]

Well, my peak is I got to speak at YouTube on this one week. Like on Wednesday, I think, or I don't know, last. Actually, this was last week. I don't know what day it is, babe. I don't know what day it is.

[Manny Mua]

No, literally.

[Laura]

But I got to speak at YouTube. I thought it was really cool. We were talking about YouTube shopping and it's really cool because I got to meet a lot of subscribers and a lot of people have started YouTube channels.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah.

[Laura]

And like, they're figuring out how to grow. But it's really cool because I1 and like, such a YouTuber, been on the platform for over 12 years. But it's also cool because.

We got to. They got to ask questions at the end, and I feel like they weren't. The questions were like, seriously, like, like, what do you know about this after 12 years? What do you know about that? And it's like to give back to. I don't know. All that I've learned all these years to other creators is like, kind of makes it all worth it in a weird way. You know what I mean?

[Manny Mua]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Because it's not like on live answering questions. It's like in your face.

[Manny Mua]

Yes. Like, you're telling them, like, this is.

[Laura]

What I know, your face. And like, how to make a thumbnail. And like, how do I schedule out making so much content and like, real questions from growing influencers of all ages. So I thought that was just like, such a sickening opportunity and so cool to speak on. And then we also spoke on YouTube shopping, you know, the new tabs where people can shop to educate, you know, other influencers, up and coming influencers how.

[Manny Mua]

To do it, what to do, best.

[Laura]

Practices and stuff like that. We did that too. And so, yeah, it was a really cool opportunity. But I just, just am such kind. I'm kind of like a fan of YouTube the way I am of like Dr. Pepper. You know what I mean?

[Manny Mua]

Totally. Totally.

[Laura]

Because it's so iconic.

Exactly. It changed our life forever. So, like, any time to work with YouTube, it's just, like, the coolest.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, I love that. That's cool.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's really cool. So that's definitely a very high peak of mine.

[Manny Mua]

Another mini. I have another mini peek.

[Laura]

Give it to us.

[Manny Mua]

Escape the Night's coming out. Oh, yeah, I forgot. I was like. That was what I was gonna say. Escape the Night. So I was in Escape the Night years ago, you guys. Years and years and years ago. Season three. I was Joey Graceva's original YouTube series. And then he asked me back last year to do, like, kind of like a movie. Like a. Kind of like a. Not a closeout, but kind of like wrapping up a kind of a story. And he was like, you. I would love for you to come back and, like, to us. For us to do this. So I ended up doing it last year for a few days, and it's finally coming out on Tubi, which is kind of like a. It's a platform, but it's free, so it's almost like a YouTube in a way. Tubi is a free platform. Yeah. So it's like. It's like, almost like a YouTube, but for, like, an app, almost, in a way. So it's coming out on you on Tubi. So I just wanted to promote that and talk about that, and it was really fun. And I got to do, like, the cast is, like, Nikita, Tana, Jojo, Siwa, Rosanna, and me and Joey. So it was, like, a really intimate cast, but ended up being, like, really, really good. It was really, really fun. There was a lot of, like, you know, so many. So much lore happened on set there, as I'm sure you guys know. I remember back in the day. So you guys should definitely check it out, because I just watched it last night. I just watched it 27th. Honestly. That was great. I honestly thought, like, that Joey did such an amazing job with, like, you know, the resources that he had.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

When he did it before, it was YouTube.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

Like, YouTube was spent millions.

[Laura]

Wow.

[Manny Mua]

Wow. Right? Where this was a crowdfunded project. So it was literally, like, people were so passionate about Escape the night that they crowdfunded it. And the Joey put his own money into it as well.

[Laura]

No.

[Manny Mua]

Yes. Yes. So, like, the fact that they were able to create what they did create with the budget that they had is literally like. Oh, my God. I was so impressed. I was blown away. Yeah, I was blown away. So I'm really, really excited for people to watch it and kind of be like, holy. Like, this is what he was able to do with what he had, which is insane. So I watched it last night in his house and it was so fun.

[Laura]

I love that so much.

[Manny Mua]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Laura]

Should we start with our influencer?

[Manny Mua]

Let's start our influencer X. Is that what I call it? Or influencer or pet peeves.

[Laura]

Whatever.

[Manny Mua]

I have. Honestly, I have so many.

[Laura]

I'll start, please, because I think I might have more than you.

[Manny Mua]

Uhhuh.

[Laura]

First of all, I want to clarify. Let's start that first and foremost, we are not shitting on a specific. We're not trying to call a specific interest influencer. We're not trying to on influencers. And the truth is, just because we've been influencing for so long, we. I've done a lot of these.

[Manny Mua]

I have also a lot of the.

[Laura]

Ones I'm going to say I've done before and I'm aware, I am self aware. But I probably don't do them anymore. Or maybe I do and they still give me the it. Cuz I don't really watch myself. I watch other people. So. So at the end too, I can read some comments because I did this video on Tik Tok and I said, you guys tell me your influence influencers eggs and they put some good.

[Manny Mua]

Oh, I love that.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Manny Mua]

Okay. I totally show you that.

[Laura]

The ones that they put. I was like, let's definitely do that. I was like, that's me.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah. Great, cool things.

[Laura]

So I just want to say I'm self aware. I know because my first one, spirit fingers under the chin. And I know I got videos, I got pictures with the spirit fingers on their chin. But whenever you watch it, you're like, what the is happening? Like, what are you.

[Manny Mua]

That is so. I don't think I've ever done that before. So it's literally.

[Laura]

You don't do it.

[Manny Mua]

I've never done that before.

[Laura]

I am like.

[Manny Mua]

Also because you have like nails and you're cute, like, it's very cutesy nails.

[Laura]

But I just feel like.

You sometimes feel like you don't know what to do with your hands.

[Manny Mua]

I. Yep, it makes sense. Like the idea of it where you're kind of doing like, hey, guys. I kind of like this.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's like kind of like a.

[Manny Mua]

Hey, welcome.

[Laura]

Being silly. You don't know what to do with your, like, I don't know, giving. I don't even chicken claw that I'm doing it. When I do it. And I think that's what's so terrible about it.

[Manny Mua]

That's what makes it.

[Laura]

I don't like it either. I don't like. Why are we doing it? So we're all gonna stop. Spirit fingers under the chin.

[Manny Mua]

100. We're done.

[Laura]

In unison. We're done.

[Manny Mua]

We're done. I've never even done it, but, like, we're done. You guys also, like, even doing this, like, this is all fun and games. It's really not that serious. Like, at the end of the day, if influencers that you like do this, who fucking cares? Like, if I was just watching this, I do this. I don't care. Like, it's literally just like little mini icks that I have. But at the end of the day, it doesn't really fucking matter because I'll do things that people don't like too. So it's really not that serious. And I don't want people to take it seriously. Where it's like, oh, my God, you're talking about this. No. Who. It's not that serious. Okay.

[Laura]

And then he calls out a very specific person.

[Manny Mua]

I'm like, so this person right here. You're pissing me.

[Laura]

You're like, it's not.

[Manny Mua]

It's not that serious. And see, what I'll do is I'll tell Laura, like, a good. That I am a good non fully messy bitch that I am. I'll be like, hey, this person pisses me off. Hey, publicly.

As a good non. Trying to be messy. Hello, Laura's look right now.

[Laura]

He just said a non messy bitch.

[Manny Mua]

As a non messy person.

[Laura]

I would.

[Manny Mua]

Never say their name.

You're like this.

Okay, guys, my first one because I also did this video and this is like, I'm gonna read off some of mine from I did is having a lame close friends. And I feel passionate about this.

[Laura]

Mine's lame.

[Manny Mua]

No, it's not, Laura.

[Laura]

My shit is lame on there.

[Manny Mua]

Do you know what? Do you know what I find really is lame when I'm talking lame? It's when you show what you're eating for dinner.

[Laura]

Yeah, I'm pissed. You're wasting time.

[Manny Mua]

That.

[Laura]

Yeah, I don't do that.

[Manny Mua]

When you're saying like, hey, guys, should I buy a fucking expensive ass mini fridge? I don't think that's lame.

[Laura]

That's like information for the price.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, it's literally where you're kind of like talking, where you're like, girlies. Like, this is like my. My sisters. Or I'm like, what do you guys Think, Just accept.

[Laura]

Expose my close friends.

[Manny Mua]

I. Okay, it's not exposed because you showed it. No, Laura, you showed. You showed it.

[Laura]

Okay, I don't care.

[Manny Mua]

Okay, but seriously, like, my, like, my close friends, I feel like, is fierce.

[Laura]

Yours is crazy.

[Manny Mua]

Mine's crazy.

[Laura]

You guys, I'm gonna be real. Definitely want in on his close friends.

[Manny Mua]

Everyone on my close friends.

[Laura]

You should charge.

[Manny Mua]

I should.

[Laura]

Not me.

[Manny Mua]

I'm not.

[Laura]

I'll cut you out.

[Manny Mua]

But these other close friends for life.

[Laura]

They need to have a monthly page.

[Manny Mua]

They do. Because the amount of people that hit me up from my close friends are like, manny, your close friends is really iconic. And I'm like. Because I like to give them my close friends because I feel like I want to give where it's like, things that I actually wouldn't really want to publicly talk about is what I'm giving on my close friends.

[Laura]

I love that you're saying this. I hope everyone we know watches this part.

[Manny Mua]

I need this to be very well now, because if you post a close friends and it's something dorky, I would.

[Laura]

Never post a close friends of just, like, a thing.

[Manny Mua]

This is what I'm trying to say.

[Laura]

You know what I mean?

[Manny Mua]

I'm on someone's close. Okay, let me say something. Because I'm on random close friends. Okay? Like that. I don't even, really, like, follow them. I mean, I do follow them, but we're not, like, close. But they put me on theirs. I'm not kidding. It'll be like their meal that they cooked for dinner as their close friends.

[Laura]

But I'm literally going, but why? I don't understand that.

[Manny Mua]

I almost want to. Is there a button to take myself off of close friends?

[Laura]

Instagram does need to make that.

[Manny Mua]

I need that. Because I don't even want to be on the close friends because you're tricking me. If I see that green bubble. And that's what.

[Laura]

Give me some tea. Tell me something you're working on.

[Manny Mua]

Anything.

[Laura]

Like, it's not coming out yet. Show me your diamonds. Show me.

[Manny Mua]

Show me, like, your photo shoot for a project.

[Laura]

Give me a taste.

[Manny Mua]

Yes. Something I want. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I just want a morsel that's better than what it should be for a close friend.

[Laura]

I like that. That's a really.

[Manny Mua]

Because I'm giving you. I'm giving you down to my close friends.

[Laura]

I'm giving. I have a pet peeve and I don't do this one. It's when influencers have, like, a 20 step skincare routine. It pisses me off because this is the thing. I'm gonna hit y' all with some wisdom, some facts, some knowledge. If you see an influencer literally piling on 10 to 20 products on their skin at night, in the morning, I don't care when it was. When they're just skin care, skin care, skin care spray lotion. They are only diluting their skin care and making it ineffective. Right. So if we're using four to five serums a night, those serums are not doing what you paid for. I'm going to go ahead and tell you that because you diluted it with everything else. And oftentimes formulas don't really mix well together. But also, that is like, listen, I can't speak on consumerism because, hello, we've been influencers forever, but that's like insane.

[Manny Mua]

Well, especially the thing is, like, if you get something, what, what you can do to like, offset this of using 20 things, what you can do is every other day use a different sound that you like.

[Laura]

That works for you.

[Manny Mua]

Ampm.

[Laura]

But I still don't think like 20 step skincare.

[Manny Mua]

It's never gonna work.

[Laura]

It'll never work necessary at all.

[Manny Mua]

What is your. What is yours? Like, how many steps do you have in yours?

[Laura]

Probably five.

[Manny Mua]

I think I have five.

[Laura]

I think five to six, like, total.

[Manny Mua]

Just like, to actually like.

[Laura]

But that's.

That is not the.

[Manny Mua]

No, no.

[Laura]

At nighttime, that's like nighttime.

[Manny Mua]

My nighttime is six. Like, for real. It's face wash.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Manny Mua]

I go into. Oh, you know what? Maybe seven. Well, now you're face wash now. And I'm making. So I have face wash, like a regular face wash, and I do a hypochlorous acid spray.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Manny Mua]

Because I just. For my eyes, like, for that stuff, I have to do it. Okay.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Manny Mua]

Then I go into like a toner, like an essence. Like a little milky toner serum.

Moisturizer. Oh, my God. Maybe it's less. Oh, two serums, maybe.

No, it's a serum. And then eye cream.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Manny Mua]

And then, so six. So moisturizer.

[Laura]

Yeah. That was five, right?

[Manny Mua]

Was that five?

[Laura]

Maybe it was six.

[Manny Mua]

It was. I think it was six.

[Laura]

Either way, I'm talking more 10 to 20. But you are cutting it very close.

[Manny Mua]

I'm getting. I'm getting to the brain. I'm getting to the brain.

[Laura]

Six isn't bad. Mine's probably similar versus the hypochloric acid.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, of course, without that it'd be the same.

[Laura]

But it's just silly. I think it. I don't I don't know why people do it. I don't know what your influence is there. Because it's like you're influencing people to waste their money, honestly.

[Manny Mua]

Well, especially because you don't need that.

[Laura]

It's not going to do anything.

[Manny Mua]

It's not going to do anything. You're literally diluting the product. It doesn't make sense. Okay. One of mine is. And I do feel passionate about this.

[Laura]

Oh, God.

[Manny Mua]

I do feel passionate about this is when influencers are only aesthetic. It annoys me.

[Laura]

Oh, that's kind of one of mine, too.

[Manny Mua]

So let's go ahead and let's join in.

[Laura]

Okay. But only.

[Manny Mua]

Only. Oh, only. I'm saying specifically only.

[Laura]

That's mine. Whenever this is the problem is whenever you're only aesthetic, I can't connect with you.

[Manny Mua]

Never.

[Laura]

I don't know who you are. I don't know anything. Don't even know you. And, like, based off, like, no personality, no aesthetic, like, you're not going to give us any of that. I assume you're like. I don't want to use the word.

[Manny Mua]

Not fun, but, like, I will always assume if that is what you're giving and it's giving truly nothing and just.

[Laura]

Giving, like, never speak. And you never speak.

[Manny Mua]

I think you're boring as fudge, most likely. I'm just saying. Or. Or. Or on antithesis, you could actually be a crazy, wild, insane time. But then that means, like, to me, you're giving off, like, fake and phony. So I don't really know. Like, I think just for me, I've always felt like what I'm giving online at times is like, it's a. It's an elevated version of me. Like, a little more hyper, but I feel like it's myself.

[Laura]

Yeah, totally.

[Manny Mua]

Like, it's literally like what you're getting in real life is probably what you're going to be getting what you're seeing on online from me. So whenever I meet people, because I'm going based off of, like, actual experience, whenever I meet people that are so, like, say we're going to do this, and I meet them and they're, like, sucking dick and cock and they're crazy, I'm like, who the fuck are you? Like, this is so weird to see this version of you when it's so different from what this is. So, to me, a lot of times, aesthetic people, it's either like, you're insane.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

Or you're, like, boring as hell.

[Laura]

I'll even watch someone who's, like, very poised and, like, in character and you can tell they're like, they're in like, you can tell it's not the real them. I'll even get more out of that than I will someone that's just like completely doesn't speak to their audience. And that's fine. Like if that's what you want to do in social media, who cares? Great. But for me, like, I'm definitely going to remember want to connect with people that put their personalities out there and those are the biggest influencers out there. There's no aesthetic person that's like the 30 million follower. I mean like it doesn't happen because people cannot connect with that. But they can see save you for their Pinterest boards and for like if they want to throw inspiration, throw a dinner party, whatever.

[Manny Mua]

Totally.

[Laura]

And that's a beautiful thing. If you're like, yeah, I'm not really interested in like letting people get to know me. I get it. But like, I also get the ick behind it or just like the pet peeve or like the non relatable 100%.

[Manny Mua]

I just think to me I'm like, I don't relate. I just think it's.

[Laura]

Thank you to Cash App for sponsoring this portion of full coverage. You know, there are so many apps you can send money through now, but I feel like there's so many scams out there. You've really got to pick an app that you can trust.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah. During the holidays, honey.

[Laura]

Yeah. And that's why me and Manny trust Cash App. The holidays are all about finding the perfect gift. But this time of year, not every deal is actually what it seems. Scammers are getting more creative to trick people into sharing their payment info through methods like fake shopping sites and giveaways that are too good to be true. Luckily, cash apps 247 fraud monitoring helps detect and alert you for unusual crime card activity should someone gain access to your card. So you can act fast when something seems off.

[Manny Mua]

You can also lock or unlock your Cash App card instantly right in the app for extra control and peace of mind. Stay one step ahead of scams this season and keep your money secure with Cash App. For a limited time only new Cash App customers can use our exclusive code to earn some additional cash for real. Use our exclusive referral code secure 10 in your profile. Send $5 to a friend within 514 days and you'll get $10 dropped right into your account. Terms apply. That's money. That's Cash App.

[Laura]

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash Apps Bank Partners Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton bank member FDIC Promotions provided by Cash App a Block Inc. Brand. Visit cashapp.com/forward/legal podcast for full disclosures. Thank you to Merit Beauty for sponsoring this portion of full coverage. You know, there are so many gifts to to get everyone, but be sure not to forget about yourself, honey. A little treat, a little something, a little stock up of your favorites, especially when it comes to Merit Beauty. They are a minimalist beauty brand that makes elevated makeup and skincare designed to help you look put together in just minutes.

[Manny Mua]

You guys, Merit has such beautiful products. Like you have a no makeup day. No problem. Merit's great skin serum is all you honestly need. It's super hydrating, it's plumping and freshening. It gives you like the most gorgeous dewy look. I love my Merit products. I think they're absolutely incredible. The little foundation pen, honey, that is such a great product. Plus, Merit's products are clean, vegan, cruelty free and made with nourishing skincare ingredients that leave skin looking better long after taking your makeup off.

[Laura]

Merit's annual sale is on now until December 1st. Get 20% off site wide plus a gift with purchase with every order while supplies last@merit beauty.com that's M E R I T beauty.com meritbeauty.com.

Okay.

My next one is one of influencer Gatekeeps. I don't understand the point. I don't understand the point. Like I always say you're just really bad at your job if if your influencer gatekeeps or you know, it's like they'll link everything until the moment you they post something that's really sought after and they're like, no, I'm not telling anyone.

[Manny Mua]

Actually also like, and, and with this, what I think is so cringe is when someone goes like, hey, like where'd you get that? They're like, click the link in my bio.

[Laura]

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh yeah.

[Manny Mua]

Because that's like it feels, it feels like it's that same like gatekeepy until you're doing something for them where it's like, well, you have to click this thing to figure out what it was.

[Laura]

I'll say I got it from Amazon. And then I'll say it's in my storefront. Because the truth is you're never gonna find like, like it's not like gonna be on free people. Like Amazon's kind of the wild, wild west where if you're like, Laura, where'd you get sweater?

[Manny Mua]

It's good Luck.

[Laura]

It's good luck. And I just say, it's on Amazon. You're probably not gonna be able to find it. So I'll always say it's on Amazon. I'll be like, it's in my storefront.

[Manny Mua]

So you can. Well, that's a guide. You're guiding someone to find something when they're saying link and they comment back. Link.

[Laura]

Also, wait, what about when an influencer reviews an entire product? Because, like, I'm so obsessed. I'm so in love with it. I love it so much. And they never say what it is. And influencers do this. They never say what it is and they never show the front of the packaging. And then they'll go comment back to every single person in the comments. Say, link in the bio. Link in the bio. Link in the bio.

[Manny Mua]

You are so corny.

[Laura]

That's corny.

[Manny Mua]

I'm so cringe out by you. You're so corny to me. Like, I genuinely find that to be so weird. And I'm like, you're so obsessed with getting this click, or so obsessed with getting this, like, I don't know, this kind of integration somewhere that you literally will rage, bait your audience by not telling them what you. What you like and what you're doing.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

To get them to click on something. Like, to me, that seems phony and it seems corny. So I don't like that personally.

[Laura]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Manny Mua]

Cringe. That's amazing one. Okay. Oh, my God. Actually, that kind of goes into one of my, like, things. So for me, one of my pet peeves is actually people doing, like, this negative rage bait for attention and for, like, to try to get, like, brands to work with them. Because that's like, something I do notice, and I have noticed it before, where someone will put, purposefully be negative about brands or negative about products and negative about things, and then the brand wants to come back around and be like, hey, so we worked on something. Maybe you can, like, we'll pay you to change your opinion or we'll pay you to, you know, work with us so that we can have a better version of this thing. And I'm like, to me, sometimes it comes across like, so then are you being negative on purpose so the brand will come around so that they will be forced to work with you? Because it's like, well, look at you. Just cause a shift storm for them. So I think there's been so many times, you guys, that I've seen creators that gave, like, something a shitty review and then Months and months and months later, they're like, so listen, yeah, I just started working with this brand to make something better.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

A better version of this thing to fix their shit. And now it's. This is what it is. And I'm like, okay, well. And you do that all the time.

[Laura]

Marketing ploy for brands anyway. Like, find some other way to sell your brand product. Like, linking up with the influencer. That shit on your product is weird. It's a weird marketing model.

[Manny Mua]

I think it's so weird. And I just like, the thing is like, once one person, like, let's say a creator gets opportunity with a brand, right? Then they start doing it all the time. And I notice it where people are like, yes, yes. I'm thinking about two right now. I have two in my mind, like right now. Specifically that I'm like, girl, you literally rage bait on purpose, negatively, to get them to work with you. Yes, I swear. I know. To my mind, I'm thinking about. So to me, I'm kind of like, that seems disingenuous to me. And I feel like you're not giving your honest opinion about something or anytime you're giving your honest opinion about something, it's sponsored. Oh, a positive. That's what I'm thinking.

[Laura]

Maybe unclog clock clocked. Okay. I've also noticed this thing with influencers. Sometimes they will be like, have an authoritative state of like, we're different over here. We do things this way. And they kind of like, put down all other influences.

[Manny Mua]

That's one of mine.

[Laura]

Is it?

[Manny Mua]

Yes. We're going to pick that.

That's one of mine.

[Laura]

I'm like, hello? But I'm like, okay, here's the thing. I think it's a beautiful thing if you're like, I, you know, like, I don't think you should ever say, I'm not like other influencers. I mean, that's like the most pick me thing I've ever heard in my life. But to give off that essence and, like, have your own thing, that's cool. But I just don't think you have to put down other influence or say influencers are lying to you or, you know, I'm the only honest influencer. We tell the truth over here. Alluding to, like, everyone else doesn't tell the truth. I don't like that because I don't think you have to put down other people to raise yourself up. And if you do, well, then you're probably the scam.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah, well, that's what, that's what I think my My thing is literally like one of my actual pieces is like, when people are pick me with their audience and they, they condition their audience to be like, you guys, only I tell the truth. Everyone else is lying to you.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

So when they start their openers are literally like, every other influencer is lying to you, but I am telling the truth.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

It's like, you're being so pick me. It's actually beyond. And the thing is, not every other influencer is lying. Like, for example, like, you know what, this is a random example. So right now, like going around the pov, Mikayla, lip liners, lip ampules, it's kind of. People are like shitting on them because they're like, oh, it's too sticky. So everyone that gave it a positive review are like, oh, it didn't find anything.

[Laura]

You're a liar.

[Manny Mua]

You're a liar. Because there's people that were like, no, you guys, they're lying to you just because someone liked something.

[Laura]

I'm wearing them today.

[Manny Mua]

I wear, I wear the lip liner and ampule all the time. They're great, they're fantastic. But the thing is, like, because you have a different opinion, people want to. Other creators want to be like, I.

[Laura]

Want to say someone else is lying. Just cuz like, you had this experience for sure. And whenever you elude that, you're purposely getting hate on other people's comments.

[Manny Mua]

Yes, yes. Oh, I got so many. Like, after, like the thing went out, I did a review of mine. I did. I only use one shade with one lip liner and I literally show. You can see it on my camera. There's no like, tack whatever. Right. I just use it. The lip liner stayed on for a long, long time. I was like, this is sickening. So then I started getting hate because people were like, oh, well, clearly you're lying because look at all these other creators saying that influencers are lying.

[Laura]

Yeah. And I'm like, my thing is if like that is the train tracks you rode all the way on to come to the, the consensus that you don't like the lip ampules, you probably were never gonna buy them to begin with. And that's my opinion.

[Manny Mua]

Like, totally.

[Laura]

You probably didn't have interest in buying them to get then this was a fun little journey to go on. Oh, okay, watch. His review is positive, hers negative. Oh my gosh, she's uncovered all the liars. Now I have to go back.

[Manny Mua]

Yes.

[Laura]

And tell this person, like, that's crazy. So it's literally like, okay, like, you were probably not gonna buy them Anyway, so you're just here to, to on be in the drama, to be the drama of it all.

[Manny Mua]

Yeah. And so that's why I'm like, okay, well, people can not like them and people can like them. That's the whole point. Like, that's the, like, that's the fun thing about makeup is that and skincare and beauty is that there's going to be different people with different opinions, with different skin tones, different skin textures, different, like, things that they like. And you hopefully can find someone that you like. Their recommendations work for you.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

You know what I'm saying? And you find creators that like, hey, like you, everything you talk about, it hits for me.

[Laura]

Well, whenever people go a little too hard on super viral, proper, popular products that a lot of people are liking and enjoying and talking about. When someone, I can understand someone having a negative review on something, not agreeing, but whenever they make that extra dramatic, like, going too hard video, it feels like now you're trying to get a click for like the race, the clickbait of all. You know what I mean? So then is that genuine? Does that make that person more genuine? Genuine? Definitely not.

[Manny Mua]

No. Absolutely it doesn't, you guys. And I think that people like. But they're trying to make it seem like they're the genuine one. So that's why I'm like, oh, my God, this is such a pet peeve of mine. Because they're trying so hard to make you seem. Because they're the one person that doesn't like it when a lot of people like it.

[Laura]

Yeah. I wonder if our audience ever, like, sees a pick me essence through some of these things.

[Manny Mua]

I was like, wait, us too.

I hope not. I mean, I fucking hope not.

[Laura]

But like, it's like an essence, you know, within it. But I think so.

[Manny Mua]

I think, I honestly think our audience and a lot of audiences and consumers are smarter.

[Laura]

They're way smarter now than ever. Because influencers, you know, I would say in 2020 is when like the. Everybody became an influencer and it like blew up the world. So it's been five years and I think people have picked up on so much and the way they're selling product and like the lies and like the way people get. The audiences are way smarter than what a lot of influencers, influencers thing. Like, I think people are aware. My last one is whenever an influencer never responds to any of their comments, it's. And this is my thing. No, you don't have to respond to your comments instantly. No, you don't have to Reply to every single person. That would almost be impossible for a lot of influencers, but just like one or two people. Like, you can't just like, even a heart, not even a heart. Like, you can't even just throw a heart out there. Like, nothing. Just like your ghost in your comments. It kind of time, it's like, I don't know, it just feels, like, unappreciative.

[Manny Mua]

I feel the exact same way whenever.

[Laura]

I see a conversation every. And I can't hard every comment. Like, I'm not saying that, and it may not be instant, but I always make sure to try to go back and engage with people who are cheering on, Engaging with me, commenting on my stuff.

[Manny Mua]

You know, I totally agree with you. I try my hardest, too, to also be in my comments. Like, commenting back to people, chatting, doing some things. And, like, obviously I can't do it all the time and I can't respond to every single person, but I definitely try to, like, let people know that I am there for them too. I'm like, baby, I see you supporting me, so I also want to support you. I want to chat with you. I want to say thank you for, like, the constant love. Like, I genuinely appreciate it from the bottom of my fucking heart. So it's like, I cannot agree with you more. I feel the exact same way. Okay, I have two more.

[Laura]

Give them to us.

[Manny Mua]

Okay. Actually, I think. Okay, I have, like, one, like, good one.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Manny Mua]

So mine is when people. Oh, my God. This sends me. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people start their intro and their hook is, this might get me canceled, but. And it's the most lukewarm take I've ever heard.

[Laura]

Baby, they don't know.

[Manny Mua]

They don't know as someone who's been canceled when they say, this might get me canceled, but I don't. I don't agree. This product is not that great. You're gonna use. This might get me canceled, but. And your opinion is something different than the masses. You are pissing me off as someone who literally got canceled for something.

[Laura]

Go comment that I was canceled.

[Manny Mua]

This is dumb.

I was canceling. This is stupid.

[Laura]

I know you want to.

[Manny Mua]

Okay, I wanted to. I just saw two days ago.

[Laura]

I want to read a couple Lucas Worms because you're about to laugh at the first one. 1. The first comment.

From people that other people have said, these are their aches that influencers give.

[Manny Mua]

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[Laura]

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[Manny Mua]

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[Laura]

Bring your A game and talk to your doctor. Learn more at appertu.com or call 1-888-24003.

Okay, so the first one that someone left a comment and said run, don't walk. And they said I'm running away from the video. That was yours last.

[Manny Mua]

That was mine. And like that's a huge pet peeve of mine.

[Laura]

It irks me when influencers tap their nails on every single product. When influencers say less than $50 and it's 49.99.

That one is so funny. I didn't even think that the over exaggerating reactions on products when an influencer calls everyone their bestie or girly pop. It's so over.

[Manny Mua]

Okay, bestie is actually that's a huge mime as well. One of those like hey besties. And I'm like shut up.

[Laura]

Yeah.

When. When they say you guys know I or so many of you have asked me about and no one got.

[Manny Mua]

They never got a single comment.

You guys, I got so many DMS about this. It's not one comment.

[Laura]

When they overuse iconic and obsessed.

[Manny Mua]

I feel like that's probably me a little bit.

[Laura]

Yeah, that one hits hard. Sorry about that. When influencers. Oh, okay. That one's about me. Gonna delete that.

[Manny Mua]

Let me just delete that one.

[Laura]

Okay, mine is when influence. Influencers wake up. They do a fake wake up when the camera has been set up at the edge of the bed.

[Manny Mua]

I feel like you told me like you that was one of yours. I felt like before when you're literally like girl, these fake morning routines.

[Laura]

Mine's more so in the morning routine isn't like real.

[Manny Mua]

Yes.

[Laura]

Because baby, I got the wake up camera up too.

[Manny Mua]

The wake up. They're like this, let me tell you, coming unbend their cameras when it's set up.

It's so true. It's so real. It's so real.

[Laura]

Influencers are probably so self reflecting right now. Me, yeah, I like, babe, it's me. I'm collecting and it's my own video. Nail tapping again.

Live without this product. I use it all the time. They said they hate that line. Said bottom line, that means it's sponsored. Damn. I told you. I told you guys, the audience.

[Manny Mua]

No, they're great. They're smart, they're not dumb.

[Laura]

When you ask them what they're wearing and they drop an LTK link.

[Manny Mua]

Oh, yep. Yes. Huge, happy mine. It's like that. It's like that one. Like you were just saying, like the.

[Laura]

Everyone said, look, tapping nails, nail tapping.

[Manny Mua]

So maybe like, like it used to be like a huge trend was tapping on the things. And maybe it's still. People still do it. I'm not really sure when they tap. Sure. But it was supposed to be like asmr, I think that was.

[Laura]

Meanwhile, you only replied to three people so far. Like I said.

To every comment, you're like, this person just wants me to reply, I'm not doing.

[Manny Mua]

You.

[Laura]

But anyways, I saw those were so.

[Manny Mua]

Those are hilarious. And those are really, really good ones. I mean, honestly, they're good. At the end of the day, I do things. I'm sure people off that annoy people. I'm sure there's things that I do that just like my isms, my something. It is what it is. Honestly, we're not perfect. At the end of the day, it's just like.

Did you hear him, boy? He said 100.

[Laura]

Just did the thing where we're like, like, why is he talking?

[Manny Mua]

Why are you talking? Why are you here? We literally just said that right now. But yeah, I mean, we're not perfect.

[Laura]

The thing is, I'm not trying to be perfect. I'm not trying. I don't care to make people.

[Manny Mua]

If I want to be perfect, I'll try to be the aesthetic girl.

[Laura]

Okay, okay. I'm not trying to be perfect.

[Manny Mua]

If I want to be perfect, I'd.

[Laura]

Be like, I already know the lid's blown off. We're not perfect. This is messy.

[Manny Mua]

This right here is messy. I'm like this. I'm the, I'm the little dog emoji I always send.

[Laura]

That's you.

[Manny Mua]

That's literally me.

[Laura]

It's Brutal. It's a hard life out here.

[Manny Mua]

Hey, hey, listen, I would rather.

[Laura]

As we can. Listen, I will tap my.

[Manny Mua]

I would rather be slightly messy.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Manny Mua]

Zero personality. Yeah, I'm sorry, that's just me. I would rather. Because I think the messiness, at least it's more authentic.

[Laura]

It is, it is.

[Manny Mua]

Hey, at the end of the day, I'm not perfect. I. I have moments and I try to reel it in, but there's. You know, at least that's like, who I am. I'm a mess.

[Laura]

Are we done here?

[Manny Mua]

I think we're done.

[Laura]

Okay, guys, I think we're done.

[Manny Mua]

That is it. Oh, my God, you guys, I think there's only two more episodes left till the end of the year.

[Laura]

The countdown is.

[Manny Mua]

The countdown is here, you guys.

[Laura]

We have two more episodes, third episode. And then we have two more coming. And then we wrap for 2025 and we'll be back in the end of.

[Manny Mua]

January, so we're taking a bagel break between so.

[Laura]

Well, we love you guys. Thank you so much for being here and watching. Be sure to rate and subscribe and share this. Tick tock.

[Manny Mua]

Here we go. It's sponsored.

This is.

[Laura]

Share this podcast with your best friend.

[Manny Mua]

You have to because it's honestly so great.

[Laura]

Yep. And we'll see you in the next one.

[Manny Mua]

Bye.

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