My Friend Daisy – Episode 3: "Smile Now, Cry Later"
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Hosted by: Jenn Swann
Produced by: London Audio, iHeartRadio, with Executive Producer Paris Hilton
Introduction: Reconnecting with Old Friends
In Episode 3 of My Friend Daisy, titled "Smile Now, Cry Later," host Jenn Swann delves deeper into the life of Daisy De La O, exploring her relationships, struggles, and the events leading up to her tragic death. This episode focuses on Daisy's high school years, her tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend Victor, and the challenges her family faced in seeking justice after her assault.
Reuniting with Lali Rolon [00:24 – 07:14]
The episode opens with Jenn Swan reconnecting with Lali Rolon, Daisy’s close friend from middle school. Lali reminisces about their friendship, highlighting Daisy's caring nature and vibrant personality.
Notable Quote:
Lali Rolon [02:03]: "She was so, like, nice, caring. She would always ask me, like, you know, like, those type of outgoing friends, how are you doing? How are you feeling?"
Jenn describes Daisy’s appearance during their school days—"wavy brown hair parted down the middle" and her aspiration to become a nurse. Their friendship blossomed in middle school, but drifted apart in high school as they attended different schools. Despite the distance, Daisy remained a significant presence in Lali's life.
Notable Quote:
Lali Rolon [04:21]: "But that love that I had for her from elementary, middle school, whatever, is always there... Even though I didn't hear, Daisy."
Introducing Valerie Arellano [07:14 – 10:25]
Jenn introduces Valerie Arellano, a sophomore in high school who became intertwined with Daisy’s life when Daisy's older brother was the father of Valerie’s best friend’s baby. Valerie provides insights into Daisy's supportive role and their evolving friendship.
Notable Quote:
Valerie Arellano [10:25]: "I'll see her wear, like, Nirvana shirts. I would be wearing the shirts of the Smiths. And she would ask me, like, oh, where did you buy that shirt?"
Valerie describes Daisy's transformation over the years, both in style and demeanor, noting her "theatrical" appearance and the emotional struggles she faced as her parents' marriage dissolved.
Daisy’s Relationship with Victor Sosa [10:25 – 18:34]
A significant portion of the episode examines Daisy's relationship with Victor Sosa, a boyfriend who appeared older and more enigmatic than his stated age. Daisy introduced Victor to her mother, Susie, as a 17-year-old, but it was later revealed that he was actually 21.
Notable Quote:
Susie de la O (Daisy’s Mother): "He was too quiet... I saw tattoos on him... he was already 21 when Daisy was 15."
Victor's influence on Daisy was profound, leading to changes in her appearance and behavior. His possessive and sometimes violent tendencies created tension within Daisy’s life, culminating in an alleged assault where Victor hit Daisy with a skateboard.
Notable Quote:
Lali Rolon [18:12]: "She just told me that she wasn't sure about it because of how he was... sometimes he would get like a little violent."
The Alleged Assault and Family’s Struggle for Justice [18:34 – 30:35]
The episode recounts the night Daisy was assaulted by Victor. Daisy's younger brother witnessed the attack, leading to a chaotic family pursuit of Victor. Despite Susie’s efforts to file police reports, law enforcement repeatedly declined to take action without Daisy’s cooperation.
Notable Quote:
Susie de la O: "They can't make a report if the victim doesn't come forward... It was unclear why a report wasn’t filed, but without one, Daisy's case went cold."
This section highlights the systemic challenges victims face when seeking justice, especially minors, and the emotional toll it took on Daisy and her family.
Daisy’s Breaking Point and Final Days [30:35 – 34:03]
As Daisy entered her senior year of high school, she began taking proactive steps towards her future, enrolling in intense college courses and pursuing her dream of owning a salon. During this period, Daisy finally ended her relationship with Victor, signaling her determination to move forward.
Notable Quote:
Susie de la O: "It wasn't the first time that Daisy and Victor had broken up. But something about this time felt different, more real, more final."
Daisy’s social media became a silent testament to her breakup, with her deleting all photos of Victor and focusing on her aspirations. Despite her efforts to rebuild her life, the shadow of her past and the unresolved issues with Victor lingered, setting the stage for the tragic events to follow.
Reflections and Final Thoughts
Jenn Swan reflects on Daisy's vibrant potential and the abrupt end to her promising future. The episode underscores the themes of resilience, the quest for justice, and the profound impact of social media in rallying support for Daisy's case.
Notable Quote:
Jenn Swan: "I stared at this photo of this 19-year-old woman with so many dreams, so much life ahead of her... Just three weeks after this class ended, her life would be taken from her."
Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
The episode concludes with a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice in Daisy’s case and hints at the community's response to her unsolved murder. Listeners are left anticipating how Daisy’s friends and family will continue their quest for answers in the subsequent episodes.
Supporting Quotes and Insights
Throughout the episode, interviews with Daisy's friends and family provide a multifaceted view of her life and the challenges she faced. The inclusion of direct quotes with timestamps enriches the narrative, offering authentic glimpses into the emotions and experiences of those closest to Daisy.
Notable Quotes:
Lali Rolon [16:07]: "I only recognized her because of her eyes... It was just her expressing how she felt."
Susie de la O: "Daisy was embarrassed that she was getting hit... She didn't want to talk about it or seek treatment."
Final Thoughts
Episode 3 of My Friend Daisy masterfully weaves personal testimonies with investigative journalism, painting a comprehensive picture of Daisy's life, the complexities of her relationships, and the systemic obstacles her family encountered in seeking justice. "Smile Now, Cry Later" serves as a poignant chapter in Daisy’s story, highlighting the resilience of her loved ones and setting the foundation for the ensuing search for truth and justice.
Stay Tuned: In the next episode, Jenn Swann will explore the international manhunt sparked by Daisy’s friends and family leveraging TikTok to find answers and rally support. The power of social media in modern justice-seeking will be examined in depth.