Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #72 - "Meeting Our Biggest Fan"

Release Date: November 25, 2024

Hosts:

• Shayne "Shane" Topp
• Amanda Lehan-Canto
• Special Guest: Aurora Matrix (Runner-Up of Canada's Drag Race Season)

1. Introduction and Guest Introduction (00:45 - 03:16)

The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda welcoming a very special guest, Aurora Matrix, who proudly shares that she is arguably Smosh’s biggest fan. Aurora expresses her admiration for the hosts, stating, “I definitely watch your videos every single night before I fall asleep” (01:29).

Notable Quote:

• Aurora Matrix: “I feel like I'm a fly on the wall. I get to listen in on other people's conversations.” (01:50)

2. Aurora Matrix’s Journey into Drag (03:17 - 07:01)

Aurora delves into her background, highlighting her lifelong involvement in the arts through piano, musical theater, and dance. She discusses her transition into drag, inspired by her passion for makeup and theater, leading her to create her drag persona, Aurora Matrix.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “I've been performing my whole life... So, one day I was like, oh, there's an open stage in Toronto. Let me just go. I love makeup, I love theater. Mash it together.” (04:09)
• Shane: “How did you come up with your name?” (07:01)
• Aurora Matrix: “Aurora, like the Princess Matrix. When I perform, I'll give you splits, I'll give you turns.” (07:06)

3. Experiences on Canada's Drag Race (07:02 - 19:49)

Aurora shares her experiences competing on Canada's Drag Race, detailing the audition process, the intensity of filming, and the emotional rollercoaster of being a runner-up. She explains the show's format, including the sequestered environment she referred to as "gay prison," where contestants have limited access to the outside world.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “I was sitting there from filming all the way to broadcast, thinking there's a possibility I could win.” (18:03)
• Shane: “They have to rehearse that. Or do you just sometimes just go for it in the moment?” (08:54)
• Aurora Matrix: “The adrenaline takes over and you really don't think. You just go for it.” (07:56)

4. Behind-the-Scenes Insights and Challenges (19:50 - 30:28)

Aurora provides an insider’s view of the challenges faced during the show, including intense makeup sessions, strict rules imposed by producers, and the psychological pressure of reality TV. She recounts specific incidents, such as tensions with fellow contestant Melinda Virga and the complexities of maintaining authenticity while adhering to the show's narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “If I say no, that's less screen time. They probably have an overall storyline that they have for me.” (23:32)
• Aurora Matrix: “Everything in retrospect, you're seeing things from a different point of view, but in the moment, you're sitting there like, oh.” (27:58)
• Aurora Matrix: “We have to respect that producers are listening in on everything.” (23:00)

5. Interaction with Smosh and Personal Reflections (30:29 - 43:59)

Aurora discusses her fandom of Smosh, detailing how her appreciation grew over time and how specific episodes resonated with her due to her background in theater. She highlights memorable Smosh moments that influenced her, such as “Food Battle” and the hosts’ comedic styles.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “For the last year, I've just been hyper fixated on Smosh... It's like a character study for me.” (42:03)
• Aurora Matrix: “I love the conversations and just learning that, like, oh, every person on the cast also has their little character tropes too.” (42:19)
• Amanda: “I love that you guys are watching and them just making jokes like, are you lying?” (45:35)

6. Interactive Segment: Q&A and Lip Sync Challenges (44:00 - 78:56)

The episode features an engaging Q&A segment where Aurora answers fun questions about the hosts, such as choosing concert tickets, wedding plus-ones, and hypothetical scenarios like the trolley problem. The trio also participates in lip-sync challenges, attempting to mimic Smosh’s iconic clips, which adds a humorous and interactive element to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “If I were in your body, I would get myself in drag and just be like.” (54:57)
• Shane: “These are real news stories.” (66:32)
• Amanda: “I want to perform... for the podcast.” (64:55)

7. Creating Smosh-Inspired Drag Names (65:03 - 65:40)

Aurora showcases her creativity by suggesting punny drag names for Shane and Amanda, such as “Anita Top” and “Shirley a Bottom.” This playful segment highlights the synergy between Aurora’s drag persona and the Smosh hosts, emphasizing humor and clever wordplay.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “Anita Top with two peas, of course, and then we have Shirley a Bottom.” (61:49)
• Shane: “Slaytana.” (63:54)
• Amanda: “Shirley a Bottom is the best name ever.” (62:14)

8. Conclusion and Guest Information (78:56 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Aurora shares her social media handles and promotes her podcast, "The Powder Room." She encourages listeners to follow her on Instagram and tune into her podcast for more insights into the drag scene and weekly recaps of Canada’s Drag Race.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “Check out the Powder Room. Featuring the Powderpuff Girls.” (77:30)
• Aurora Matrix: “I'm hosting this now.” (63:35)

Key Insights and Takeaways:

• Passion for Performing: Aurora’s dedication to the arts and drag highlights the intense preparation and passion required in the performance industry.
• Reality TV Dynamics: The behind-the-scenes challenges of reality TV, including producer influence and personal authenticity, are explored, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the show's complexities.
• Fandom and Inspiration: Aurora’s journey from fan to guest underscores the impact of content creators on their audience and the reciprocal inspiration that fuels creative endeavors.
• Humor and Creativity: The interactive segments and lip-sync challenges showcase the playful and creative rapport between the hosts and their guest, enhancing listener engagement.

Recommendations for Listeners:

• Follow Aurora Matrix: Connect with Aurora on Instagram (@AuroraMatrix) and listen to her podcast, "The Powder Room," for more in-depth discussions on drag and entertainment.
• Explore Canada's Drag Race: Fans of the episode may find Aurora’s experiences insightful and might be encouraged to watch Canada’s Drag Race.
• Engage with Smosh: New listeners are encouraged to explore Smosh’s diverse content, including episodes mentioned by Aurora, to better understand the connection and admiration shared by the guest.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and indicate where notable quotes and discussions occur within the episode.