Episode Summary: "Are People Stealing Beyoncé's Face?: Motherf*ckin Mini Episode"

Podcast: My Momma Told Me
Host: Langston Kerman and David Borey
Release Date: May 22, 2025

Introduction to the Mini Episode (02:08 - 02:51)

Langston Kerman and David Borey kick off this mini episode with their signature humor, setting the stage for a candid exploration of Black conspiracy theories. Langston remarks, “All my life I had to fight... I kill him dead before I let him beat me again” (02:19), signaling a shift from their usual banter to more profound discussions.

Discussion on the Movie "Baby Boy" (03:00 - 07:10)

The hosts delve into the critically acclaimed film Baby Boy, defending its artistic merit against online criticisms.

• Langston Kerman praises the film, stating, “It is a great film that just so happens to be starring a genuine psychopath. But it is a phenomenal, phenomenal film” (03:21).

• David Borey echoes this sentiment, questioning the widespread negative reception: “I don't understand why people have so much hate for it” (04:02).

They discuss the casting choices, particularly Tyrese Gibson's age portrayal, concluding that despite some inconsistencies, the performances, especially by Ving Rhames and Omar Gooding, elevated the film: “Everybody acted their ass off. Everybody really went crazy in that movie” (06:01).

Listener Voicemail Introduction (07:22 - 07:54)

Transitioning from movie talk, Langston introduces the segment featuring listener voicemails: “We got voicemails... maybe unpack a conspiracy that one of you, the little mamas left on our phone” (07:22). The hosts express excitement about engaging directly with their audience, anticipating both insightful and potentially challenging contributions.

Main Discussion: "Are Plastic Surgeons Stealing Beyoncé's Face?" (07:54 - 26:43)

A listener posits a conspiracy theory that plastic surgeons are subconsciously aiming to make their clients resemble Beyoncé, influenced by her iconic beauty standards.

• Caller’s Theory (08:40 - 09:27): The caller explains, “Plastic surgeons try to give people the Beyoncé face... starting with Kim Kardashian... it’s all like, just Beyoncé's face” (08:40).

• Langston Kerman’s Response (09:57 - 11:27): Langston agrees, adding layers to the discussion: “They go like, who’s a black woman who looks like a black woman? I think Beyoncé very much looks like a black woman, but with Eurocentric enough features that it does not offend white eyes” (10:09). He critiques the influence of Eurocentric beauty standards merged with Black features, noting the Kardashians’ role in “black fishing” to appeal to wider audiences.

• David Borey’s Insight (10:27 - 12:13): David expands on the cyclical nature of beauty standards, comparing Beyoncé's influence to that of Diana Ross in previous decades. He highlights the technological advancements in cosmetic surgery that make such transformations more accessible: “Have you seen Tyrese at 19? He looks like Tyrese now... the performance outshined his age” (06:01).

• Broader Implications (12:13 - 15:24): The conversation shifts to the transient nature of beauty trends. They discuss concerns about how current popular surgeries, like breast augmentations, might become dated as trends evolve. Langston references a podcast he listened to: “we are in the middle of a swing towards smaller breasts... big old titties are a massive burden...” (12:42). Both hosts agree that trends are heavily influenced by the fashion industry’s motives to sell products rather than genuine shifts in societal preferences.

• Cultural and Societal Pressures (15:24 - 24:37): Langston and David explore how cultural messages, often driven by male-dominated sectors like plastic surgery, pressure individuals to conform to specific beauty ideals. They critique a peer-reviewed journal article that described the “perfect” breast shape, emphasizing the absurdity of a one-size-fits-all approach: “This is insane because bodies come in so many different shapes and forms...” (23:32).

• Conclusion of the Discussion (24:37 - 26:43): The hosts summarize their stance, stating, “our plastic surgeons are making people look like Beyoncé. No, it is not subconscious. It is very conscious” (31:36). They encourage listeners to reflect on societal pressures and question whether emulating Beyoncé’s look is a healthy pursuit.

Reflections on Comedic Personas and Mental Health (26:43 - 31:18)

Shifting gears, Langston and David open up about their struggles with maintaining their comedic personas.

• David Borey shares his insecurities: “This is me at my peak because I can harness it into the hour or two hours that we have to do this. And then I spend my low. I'm not funny, man” (28:15).

• Langston Kerman relates, expressing feelings of fraudulence: “I feel like I'm a fraud most of the day” (28:21).

They discuss the emotional toll of their profession, debating whether their comedic output leads to personal dissatisfaction. Langston admits, “I sink every fucking day into comedy. So much so that I drain myself dry” (30:14), while David contemplates the disparity between his on-stage persona and off-stage reality: “I ruined my whole personality for this” (30:12).

Final Thoughts and Caller Response (31:18 - 26:43)

Addressing the caller’s theory one last time, Langston emphasizes the societal implications of striving to look like Beyoncé: “We all wanna look like Beyoncé. And we should maybe reflect on whether that's a healthy approach” (25:23).

David adds a humorous yet poignant note: “trust me, you're not gonna pop out looking like Beyoncé and your life's gonna get worse” (25:51), highlighting the unrealistic expectations set by celebrity beauty standards.

They conclude by promoting their social media platforms and encouraging listeners to submit their own conspiracy theories, fostering a community-driven conversation.

Conclusion and Closing Remarks (31:36 - End)

In their trademark irreverent style, Langston and David wrap up the episode by reiterating their stance on the Beyoncé face conspiracy and inviting further engagement from listeners. Their final exchanges blend humor with thoughtful critique, leaving audiences both entertained and provoked to think critically about societal beauty norms.

Notable Quotes:

• Langston Kerman (03:21): “It is a great film that just so happens to be starring a genuine psychopath. But it is a phenomenal, phenomenal film.”

• David Borey (04:02): “I don't understand why people have so much hate for it.”

• Caller (08:40): “Plastic surgeons try to give people the Beyoncé face... starting with Kim Kardashian... it’s all like, just Beyoncé's face.”

• Langston Kerman (10:09): “They go like, who’s a black woman who looks like a black woman? I think Beyoncé very much looks like a black woman, but with Eurocentric enough features that it does not offend white eyes.”

• David Borey (12:13): “Have you seen Tyrese at 19? He looks like Tyrese now... the performance outshined his age.”

• Langston Kerman (23:32): “This is insane because bodies come in so many different shapes and forms...”

• David Borey (28:15): “I'm not funny, man.”

• Langston Kerman (30:14): “I sink every fucking day into comedy. So much so that I drain myself dry.”

Key Takeaways:

1. Celebrity Influence on Beauty Standards: Beyoncé serves as a modern standard for beauty, significantly impacting cosmetic surgery trends.

2. Cyclical Nature of Beauty Trends: Beauty ideals shift over decades, often influenced by prevailing celebrities and societal norms, making certain cosmetic enhancements seem outdated as trends evolve.

3. Societal Pressures and Autonomy: While cosmetic surgery can be an expression of personal autonomy, it is also heavily influenced by external societal pressures and media portrayals of beauty.

4. Emotional Toll of Comedic Personas: The hosts candidly discuss the emotional challenges of maintaining a comedic persona, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness in high-performance professions.

5. Encouraging Critical Reflection: Listeners are encouraged to critically assess societal beauty standards and the motivations behind conforming to them.

This episode of My Momma Told Me masterfully combines humor with insightful discussions on societal beauty standards and the pervasive influence of celebrities like Beyoncé. Through engaging dialogues and personal reflections, Langston Kerman and David Borey offer listeners both entertainment and food for thought, inviting them to question and reflect on the cultural narratives that shape personal and collective perceptions of beauty.