Podcast Summary: Sibling Rivalry - "The One About Icons"
Episode Information:
- Title: The One About Icons
- Release Date: August 6, 2025
- Hosts: Sibling Rivalry (Monét X Change & Bob The Drag Queen) along with Studio71 & Confetti Cannon
Introduction to the Episode
In this episode of Sibling Rivalry, hosts Monét X Change and Bob The Drag Queen delve into the concept of what makes someone an icon, particularly within the realms of pop stars and drag queens. The conversation is both analytical and humorous, showcasing their infectious chemistry and comedic prowess.
Defining Icon Status
The episode begins with the hosts pondering the elusive nature of "icon status." They aim to establish a measurable system to determine what elevates a performer or artist to iconic status.
- Bob The Drag Queen: "I think my contributions to the drag community, specifically, I think it made me iconic. I think that I move about the world as an iconic person, and I try to embody that. Yeah, I'm a thick icon." ([03:11])
Monét X Change and Bob The Drag Queen engage in a discussion about various renowned figures in the drag and pop music scenes, assessing their iconic status based on perceived contributions and achievements.
Building the Icon Metric
The heart of the episode revolves around creating a point-based system to quantify icon status. The hosts collaboratively assign points to different accolades and achievements, debating their relative weights and implications.
Award Categories and Point Allocation
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Grammys:
- Initial Proposal: Each Grammy worth 15 points. ([26:27])
- Final Decision: 15 points per Grammy win.
- Additional Criteria: If an artist wins more than 15 Grammys, an additional 30 points is awarded. ([43:43])
-
Oscars:
- Pop Star Oscars: 20 points awarded for a music-related Oscar. ([26:05])
- Acting Oscars for Musicians: 15 points, acknowledging crossover achievements. ([30:10])
-
Tonys:
- Performance Tonys: 25 points each, recognizing excellence in Broadway and theater performances. ([41:03])
-
Emmys:
- General Emmys: 10 points each, reflecting achievements in television. ([36:21])
-
Other Awards:
- MTV Awards, BET Awards, SAG Awards, Golden Globes, GLAAD Awards, Critics Choice Awards: Each worth 5 points. ([42:31])
-
Sales and Chart Performance:
- Selling Out Madison Square Garden: 5 points per sell-out. ([56:50])
- Stadium Tours: 30 points per stadium tour. ([46:22])
- Billboard Number One Songs: 5 points plus 1 additional point for each week at number one. ([50:02])
- Number One Albums: 10 points plus 2 additional points for each week at number one. ([51:57])
-
New York Times Bestseller: 1 point, acknowledging literary success. ([43:14])
Notable Discussion Points:
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Bob The Drag Queen: "Grammys and Oscars should equally be 15 points. They are the pinnacle of each thing." ([29:40])
-
Monét X Change: "I feel like a musician getting an acting Oscar should be worth more icon points because they're doing it out of their thing." ([30:24])
-
Jacob (Co-host): "Our metric is complicated. This is not some simple basic big metric." ([37:15])
The hosts emphasize the complexity of creating a fair and comprehensive metric, acknowledging that different fields may require tailored point allocations.
Applying the Metric
To test their newly established system, the hosts apply it to real-world artists to assess its effectiveness and identify any necessary adjustments.
Case Study 1: Troye Sivan
- Awards:
- Grammys: 0 wins
- Oscars: 0 wins
- MTV Europe Music Awards: 2 wins
- Sales and Chart Performance:
- Billboard Number One Song: 1 song for 2 weeks
- Number One Album: 1 album for 1 week
- Stadium Tour: 1 stadium tour
Point Calculation:
- MTV Awards: 2 wins × 5 points = 10 points
- Billboard Number One Song: 5 points + 2 points (for 2 weeks) = 7 points
- Number One Album: 10 points + 2 points (for 1 week) = 12 points
- Stadium Tour: 30 points
Total: 10 + 7 + 12 + 30 = 59 points
Monét X Change: "Choice Rival is 45 points away from being an icon." ([61:03])
Conclusion: Troye Sivan is 45 points short of achieving icon status based on the current metric.
Case Study 2: Weird Al Yankovic
- Awards:
- Grammys: 5 wins
- Oscars: 0 wins
- MTV Europe Music Awards: 11 wins
- Sales and Chart Performance:
- Billboard Number One Albums: 1 album for 1 week
- Billboard Number One Songs: 1 song for 1 week
- Arena Tour: 15 points
Point Calculation:
- Grammys: 5 wins × 15 points = 75 points
- MTV Awards: 11 wins × 5 points = 55 points
- Billboard Number One Song: 5 points + 1 point (for 1 week) = 6 points
- Billboard Number One Album: 10 points + 2 points (for 1 week) = 12 points
- Arena Tour: 15 points
Total: 75 + 55 + 6 + 12 + 15 = 163 points
Monét X Change: "He is just 14 points away from being an icon." ([63:24])
Conclusion: Weird Al Yankovic surpasses the initial icon threshold of 100 points, solidifying his status as a pop icon within this metric framework.
Challenges and Adjustments
Throughout the application of the metric, the hosts encounter several challenges:
-
Mathematical Errors:
- Jacob: "We both have obviously made some ridiculous math blunders regarding weeks and years." ([51:45])
- Bob The Drag Queen: "I think we just lowered it from 100." ([60:24])
-
Metric Refinement:
- Realizing the initial 100-point threshold was too high, the hosts consider lowering it to make icon status more attainable. They debate the fairness and comprehensiveness of the point allocations, especially concerning overlapping achievements and cross-field accolades.
-
Finalizing the Points System:
- Grammys: 15 points per win
- Oscars: 20 points for music Oscars, 15 points for acting Oscars by musicians
- Tonys: 25 points per performance Tony
- Emmys: 10 points each
- Other Awards: 5 points each
- Sales and Chart Performance: Detailed as above
Monét X Change suggests that awards should be points without overcomplicating the metrics with multiple subcategories, aiming for a balance between inclusivity and precision.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the efficacy of their newly established icon metric. While they've made significant strides in quantifying icon status, they acknowledge the need for further refinement to address complexities and ensure fairness across diverse fields.
-
Monét X Change: "I feel like we're waiting. I guess in pop it feels like Grammys are maybe weighted too high, but maybe not." ([67:50])
-
Bob The Drag Queen: "Let us know if y'all agree with this measurable system. I think there are some flaws in it." ([67:35])
The conversation hints at future episodes where they plan to explore metrics for other domains, such as drag icon status, further expanding their analytical approach to fame and influence.
Key Takeaways:
- The hosts embarked on a collaborative effort to define and quantify "icon status" using a point-based system.
- They meticulously assigned points to various prestigious awards and sales achievements, adjusting as they tested the metric's applicability.
- Through their examples, they demonstrated both the strengths and limitations of their system, emphasizing the subjectivity inherent in defining an icon.
- The episode balances analytical discussions with the hosts' signature humor and playful banter, making the topic engaging and relatable.
Notable Quotes:
- "I think my contributions to the drag community, specifically, I think it made me iconic." – Bob The Drag Queen ([03:11])
- "Our metric is complicated. This is not some simple basic big metric." – Jacob ([37:15])
- "Weirdo has more Grammys than some of Your favorite pop stars." – Jacob ([62:53])
Final Thoughts: Sibing Rivalry's "The One About Icons" offers a unique blend of humor and insightful analysis as the hosts navigate the complexities of fame and legacy. Their attempt to create a measurable system for icon status is both entertaining and thought-provoking, inviting listeners to engage with the concept in a structured yet fun manner.