Sibling Rivalry – "The One About Fairy Tales" (September 3, 2025)

Overview

In this lively and banter-filled episode, Monét X Change and Bob the Drag Queen jump from reviewing their favorite concerts of the year to a deep, hilarious, and at times philosophical conversation about fairy tales—their origins, personal childhood stories, the definition of a fairy tale, and whether modern works fit the bill.

True to their chemistry, Monét and Bob weave in jokes, playful arguments, and personal anecdotes, with producer Jacob pitching in for fact-checking and adding to the fun. The episode is rich with pop culture references, Drag Race insider moments, and candid personal stories—perfect for fans of drag, nostalgia, and good-natured rivalry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Favorite Concerts of the Year

[02:30 – 09:00]

• Bob and Monét as "Concert Girlies": Both have been to a slew of concerts this year, naming Lizzo, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, and Beyoncé as standouts.

  • Bob: "That thing was thanging. We have been concert girlies lately." [02:30]

• Comparing Notes:

  • Monét has attended Lizzo and Beyoncé twice each and is excited to see Lady Gaga in Seattle.
  • Bob and Monét reflect on how none of their concerts this year were "flops."

• Memorable Moments:

  • Monét recounts the jaw-dropping moment Beyoncé, Michelle, and Kelly reunited at the end of Cowboy Carter:
    "When Beyonce came, went back in the ground and came back up with fucking Michelle and Kelly. That was crazy." [07:26]
  • Bob’s standout memory is Kendrick Lamar performing "Not Like Us" in Detroit—an electric, cultural moment.

• Artist Preferences:

  • Monét admits to only knowing a couple of Kendrick Lamar songs and would rather see a SZA-only concert, while Bob has the opposite taste.

2. Fashion Tangent: Dapper Dan and Cowgirl Looks

[03:55 – 04:59, 19:45 – 24:09]

• Shoutouts to Drag Race alum Jada Essence Hall for her show-stopping Cowboy Carter look, drawing wild comparisons to Lulu from Final Fantasy, sparking a tangent on cosplay and video game aesthetics.
• Deep dive into Dapper Dan’s legacy in hip-hop and high fashion.

  • Bob shares fun history about Gucci hiring Dapper Dan after previously suing him, illustrating how "the outsider became the insider": "He changed Gucci's imagery and branding and fashion from outside of Gucci." [23:04]

  • Monét delights at the idea of influential people in fashion being queer—but they conclude Dapper Dan is apparently straight, after some Google sleuthing and classic banter.

  • Memorable Bob/Monét banter:
    Monét: “It makes my little, little gay boy heart very happy to find out that they are queer people.” [24:02]
    Bob: “That thing was thanging. It seems like he's giving it straight at this point.” [25:14]

3. Childhoods & Fairy Tales: Lived Experiences

[25:21 – 35:50]

• Monét’s Caribbean Upbringing: Monét didn't grow up hearing classic American/European fairy tales; instead, St. Lucia had its own local stories.

  • She first encountered Disney classics and American fairy tales after moving to the US.
  • Monét was more into Disney Channel Original Movies (Cadet Kelly, Halloween Town) than the “fairy tale princess” films.

• Bob’s Southern American Childhood:

  • Although not read traditional fairy tales as bedtime stories, fairy tales were a general part of the culture.
  • Bob loved being read to at bedtime, often with stories focusing on socialization and moral lessons rather than magical folklore.

• They attempt to define what actually makes a story a fairy tale, hilariously debating if movies like "The Lion King" or "Dr. Dolittle" count as fairy tales.

  • Bob: “What's the magic element?” [29:47]
  • Monét: “Animal speaking, I think, is a... Pets life is a fairy tale. Life of Pets is a fairy tale.” [29:55]

• Rabbit hole on Coraline and Tim Burton movies, with Jacob providing expert commentary.

4. Reading Habits and School Stories

[35:50 – 44:42]

• Bedtime Reading & Early Literacy:

  • Monét self-taught reading early (age 2-3, Dr. Seuss books), in part to address a stammer.
  • Bob recalls memorizing books through repeated readings from his mother, rather than directly reading.

• School in St. Lucia vs. US:

  • Monét: In St. Lucia, reading was done by students individually or in groups, not as a story-time led by a teacher.
  • Bob is shocked: “In St. Lucia, y' all wouldn't sit around the teacher. That's wild.” [42:15]

• Childhood Mishaps and Corporal Punishment:

  • Monét shares a vulnerable story of a childhood bathroom accident and being punished by the principal—a practice that shocks Bob, despite his own experience with corporal punishment in the US South.

5. The Great Mischief Debate & Lighthearted Rivalry

[46:00 – 51:28]

• Spirited debate over who is the most mischievous, involving Jacob as the deciding vote.

  • Jacob: “Yeah, for sure [you're mischievous]. But I don't think that's a negative quality.” [46:44]

• Story revisiting a past incident where Bob and his boyfriend "stole" a vacuum from Monét’s home as a challenge—their memories differ, sparking classic bickering.

6. Name Respect, Family, and Maya Angelou

[51:37 – 54:04]

• Discussion about Maya Angelou’s insistence on being addressed formally, leading to a broader talk on names and respect for elders in Black and Caribbean families.
• Bob notes the Southern tradition of addressing elders as "Miss" or "Mister," explaining variances in formality when relatives are close in age.

7. Birthdays and Memory Oddities

[54:08 – end]

• Monét impresses (and mildly disturbs) everyone with her remarkable recall for friends’ and family members’ birthdays and even some phone numbers.
  • Bob: “That’s just too many people. I know... I know my birthday. I know my mother’s birthday. I know Camion's birthday. I know Nevaeh's birthday. I know your birthday...” [54:35]
• Playful accusations of "fake friend" when Bob confesses he doesn't know Monét’s phone number, leading to a classic Sibling Rivalry tongue-in-cheek sign-off.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Concert Highlights:

  • Monét: “It makes my little gay boy heart very happy.” [02:25]
  • Bob: “That thing was thanging.” [02:30]

• On Dapper Dan & Fashion:

  • Bob: “He changed Gucci's imagery and branding and fashion from outside of Gucci.” [23:04]
  • Monét: “It makes my little, little gay boy heart very happy to find out that they are queer people.” [24:02]

• Reflecting on Childhood:

  • Bob: “I did like being read to as a child. I really love being read to. It was a really great way to get me to lay down and go to sleep. It felt like a reward to get something read to me.” [34:27]

• On Mischief & Friendship:

  • Jacob: “Yeah, for sure [you're mischievous]. But I don't think that's a negative quality.” [46:44]
  • Bob: “This is by any means necessary. I had to reclaim my property.” [47:18]

• On Memory:

  • Bob: “That’s just too many people. I know... I know my birthday. I know my mother's birthday....” [54:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] – Concert recaps and favorite moments
• [03:55] – Jada Essence Hall’s Cowboy Carter look & fashion tangents
• [07:17] – Beyoncé’s Destiny’s Child moment at Cowboy Carter
• [09:43] – Bob & Monét’s differing concert artist preferences
• [19:45] – Dapper Dan, high fashion, and Drag Race intersections
• [25:21] – Transition to fairy tales, childhood associations
• [29:26] – Defining "fairy tale" and heated Lion King debate
• [34:27] – Reading habits and childhood memories of bedtime reading
• [42:15] – Comparing reading traditions in St. Lucia and the US
• [43:41] – Monét’s childhood bathroom mishap & corporal punishment discussion
• [46:00] – The great "mischievous" argument and the vacuum story
• [51:37] – Maya Angelou, naming respect, and Southern etiquette
• [54:08] – The "birthday recall" segment

Tone & Language

The episode maintains the signature playful, candid, and authentic energy of Sibling Rivalry, with sharp quips, affectionate roasting, and hilarious oversharing. Both Bob and Monét foster a sense of community and familiarity—listeners feel like they're part of an ongoing inside joke, privy to both touching and ridiculous moments.

In Summary

"The One About Fairy Tales" is a delightful ride through pop culture, personal stories, and the hosts' unfiltered perspectives on childhood, memory, and what counts as a "fairy tale." Packed with humor, warmth, and enough tangents to keep long-time fans grinning, it’s quintessential Sibling Rivalry: informative, irreverent, and always engaging.