Podcast Summary: Infamous – Episode "Who Sold Pam, Paris and Kim's Sex Tapes?"
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Hosts: Vanessa Grigoriadis, Gabriel Sherman, Natalie Robehmed
Guest: Amanda Chicago Lewis, Investigative Reporter
1. Introduction to Amanda Chicago Lewis
In this episode, Amanda Chicago Lewis joins the hosts to delve into the murky world of celebrity sex tapes. Renowned for her investigative prowess, Lewis is credited with tracking down the individual responsible for stealing the infamous Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape—a narrative that inspired the Hulu series based on her Rolling Stone article. Additionally, her Wired article from 2021 sheds light on Kevin Blatt, a controversial sex tape broker dubbed the "Forrest Gump of 21st-century scandal."
2. Pamela Anderson and Her Stolen Sex Tape
Lewis discusses the misconception surrounding Pamela Anderson's sex tape, clarifying that it was stolen rather than released by the couple for publicity.
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [04:21]:
"The sex tape is literally stolen from their house... the force driving its popularity was the desperation to make money off their image."
Lewis emphasizes that the public wrongly vilified Anderson, portraying her as a "sex-crazed" individual, when in reality, she was a victim of theft and exploitation.
- Host/Interviewer [02:58]:
"Pamela Anderson was truly a victim."
3. Paris Hilton's Sex Tape and Its Impact
The conversation shifts to Paris Hilton, highlighting her experience with a leaked sex tape during the advent of reality TV fame.
Lewis recounts an anecdote where Hilton's sex tape was threatened and eventually leaked by Rick Solomon, Hilton's then-boyfriend. This incident coincided with the launch of Hilton's reality show, amplifying her tabloid presence.
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [10:39]:
"Rick Solomon got angry at Paris because she crashed his Escalade and did not apologize... he went to Larry Flynt to release the tape."
The leak significantly boosted Hilton's notoriety, intertwining her personal scandals with her burgeoning media career.
4. Kim Kardashian’s Sex Tape and the Rise of 'Hanging Out My ...'
Lewis draws parallels between Paris Hilton's and Kim Kardashian's experiences with sex tape leaks. Kardashian's tape, released by Vivid, played a pivotal role in her rise to fame, coinciding with the launch of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [24:01]:
"Kim Kardashian's tape sort of ushered in this era of releasing your own sex tape and calling it stolen."
This strategy normalized the release of intimate content as a means to gain public attention and media coverage.
5. Kevin Blatt: The Celebrity Sex Tape Broker
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Kevin Blatt, who operates as a broker for celebrity sex tapes. Lewis describes Blatt as a savvy hustler from Cleveland, adept at monetizing scandals.
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [14:34]:
"Kevin Blatt is a true hustler... he turns $2 into $200 and knows how to charm people to get what he wants."
Blatt's modus operandi involves threatening to release tapes unless tied individuals comply with his demands, effectively acting as a "hush money fixer."
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [16:27]:
"Kevin Blatt, our man... he emails a three-minute clip to media outlets to prove the tape exists."
6. The Kanye West Incident and Its Implications
The episode touches on a recent controversy involving Kanye West, where Blatt threatened to release a sex tape allegedly involving the rapper and his cousin. This incident underscores the ongoing relevance and dangers posed by individuals like Blatt in the digital age.
- Host/Interviewer [33:35]:
"That's the Forrest Gump of celebrity scandal... both Kanye and Kevin Blatt are total attention trolls."
Kanye's response, including references in his music, highlights the complex interplay between celebrity image management and personal privacy breaches.
7. The Evolution and Future of Celebrity Sex Tapes
Lewis reflects on the transformation of sex tapes from rare, scandalous leaks to commonplace digital phenomena. She anticipates that as pornography becomes more ubiquitous and accessible, the public's sensitivity to such content diminishes.
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [35:54]:
"Porn is extremely commonplace now... we're a little bit numb to it."
She warns that despite increased normalization, the exploitation and unauthorized distribution of intimate content—termed "revenge porn" today—remain significant issues, perpetuated by opportunistic individuals and technological loopholes.
8. The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape: A Shift in Media and Legal Landscape
The episode also revisits the Hulk Hogan sex tape scandal, which had profound implications for media practices and legal standards regarding privacy and consent.
- Amanda Chicago Lewis [28:12]:
"There were a number of legal issues around the Hulk Hogan tape beyond the lack of signed paperwork."
The fallout from this case led to increased legal scrutiny and the eventual downfall of media outlets like Gawker, which faced massive lawsuits for unauthorized postings, underscoring the delicate balance between free press and personal privacy.
Conclusion
Amanda Chicago Lewis provides a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics surrounding celebrity sex tapes, from their unethical acquisition and distribution to their impact on public personas and media landscapes. The episode underscores the persistent vulnerability of public figures to personal scandals and the evolving mechanisms of exploitation in the digital era.
For more insights and detailed reporting, visit AmandaChicagoLewis.com.
This summary captures key discussions and insights from the Infamous podcast episode "Who Sold Pam, Paris and Kim's Sex Tapes?" featuring Amanda Chicago Lewis. Notable quotes are attributed with relevant timestamps for reference.