Podcast Title: Smosh Mouth
Episode: #97 - Spilling The Tea w/ Spill Sesh
Release Date: June 9, 2025
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Shane) and Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda)
Guest: Kristy, Host of Spill Sesh
Introduction to Kristy and Spill Sesh
The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda warmly welcoming Kristy, the host of "Spill Sesh," to the "Smosh Mouth" podcast. At [00:10], Amanda expresses her excitement, saying, "So excited," to which Kristy reciprocates her enthusiasm. Shane shares a personal anecdote about hearing Kristy's voice every morning through his wife Courtney's engagement with Kristy's show, highlighting the growing influence of Kristy's platform.
Evolution of Spill Sesh
Kristy delves into the origins of her channel, initially starting as "Spill Session" on YouTube—a faceless, anonymous platform reminiscent of "Gossip Girl." At [01:03], she explains, "I started as an intern, and then I was in the photo galleries department," detailing her transition from a traditional media role at TMZ to creating content focused on influencers and celebrities. The channel has since evolved into "Spill Sesh," incorporating both long-form videos and short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Influencer vs. Celebrity: A Heated Debate
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the classification of influencers as celebrities. Kristy asserts at [01:29], "I think influencers are celebrities," emphasizing their presence at award shows and their substantial social influence. Shane and Amanda discuss the messy nature of YouTubers, agreeing that while they are indeed celebrities, their public personas can often be complicated and fraught with drama.
Content Creation and Workflow
Kristy provides an inside look into her content creation process. She emphasizes the importance of timely reporting, often waking up early to catch the latest updates. At [03:23], she mentions, "It's not always like that, but this day in particular, I was like, I need to watch Call Her Daddy," illustrating her proactive approach to covering breaking news. Kristy utilizes editing software to swiftly cut important segments, preparing scripts on the fly to ensure her content remains relevant and engaging.
Shane inquires about the multitude of storylines Kristy follows, to which she responds at [04:16], "So many, so many. I'm just always on my phone," highlighting the constant influx of information from various sources, including her friends and social media platforms.
Ensuring Accuracy Amid Rumors
The hosts express concerns about the reliability of sources in celebrity reporting. Kristy addresses this by stating at [09:16], "I feel like if I'm talking about something that's not 100%, I, like, say this is the rumor that's going around," showcasing her commitment to transparency. She relies on reputable news sites and direct statements from individuals involved to maintain factual accuracy.
Shane praises Kristy's dedication to sticking to the facts: "From what I've heard, you really do stick to the facts," while Kristy emphasizes her neutral stance to allow listeners to form their own opinions after digesting the presented information.
Deep Dives into Celebrity Drama
The episode delves into various high-profile celebrity stories, providing listeners with in-depth analysis:
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Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber: The hosts discuss the complexities of Justin and Hailey's relationship, touching upon Justin's alleged behavior towards other women and the public's perception of their dynamics. Kristy shares insights about Justin's dismissive comments and the public's reaction, highlighting the nuanced nature of their relationship.
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Blake Lively and Taylor Swift: Kristy elaborates on Blake Lively's legal battles and Taylor Swift's involvement, detailing the tension and rumors surrounding their interactions. At [40:51], she explains how Taylor received a subpoena in Blake's case, adding layers to the ongoing drama.
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JoJo Siwa on Celebrity Big Brother: The conversation shifts to JoJo Siwa's romantic involvements on the reality show, with Kristy describing the unfolding drama as jojo navigates her relationships with co-star Chris Hughes. Kristy recounts JoJo's trip from Australia to confront her partner, emphasizing the emotional turmoil involved.
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Benson Boone's Public Image: Shane introduces a humorous segment analyzing Benson Boone's over-the-top performances and stage presence. Kristy and Amanda engage in a lighthearted critique of Boone's excessive use of flips and flashy attire, suggesting it may be detrimental to his public image.
Spill Sesh’s Content Strategy and Reach
Kristy outlines her strategy for maintaining a steady flow of content. She explains that alongside daily uploads, she posts a weekly recap video every Sunday, known as "teacap," which consolidates smaller stories and updates that didn't warrant full-length episodes. This approach allows her to cover a broad range of topics efficiently while keeping her audience informed.
At [60:24], Kristy mentions the collaborative nature of her story sourcing, stating, "It's like me and like, my friends will text me and be like, oh, my gosh. I need to see this," illustrating the community-driven aspect of her content creation.
Kristy’s Face Reveal and Personal Exposure
A pivotal moment in the conversation is Kristy's decision to reveal her face in 2023. She describes this shift as impulsive and necessary for diversifying her content. At [45:10], she reflects, "It was honestly really impulsive... to diversify the content that I'm making, get more creative," acknowledging the risks associated with abandoning anonymity.
Shane and Amanda discuss the challenges Kristy faces post-reveal, including occasional public recognition and the pressure of maintaining her online persona. Kristy shares experiences of being recognized at live events, such as a Trisha Paytas show, highlighting the newfound visibility's impact on her daily life.
Journalistic Roots and Transition to Online Content
Kristy traces her passion for journalism back to high school, where she engaged in intense broadcast programs and news competitions. At [57:12], she reminisces, "I think we all have, like, a little drama from it," underscoring the formative experiences that shaped her career path.
Her stint at TMZ provided foundational skills in media gathering and content curation. Kristy explains at [49:26], "We'd scroll Instagram and be like, okay, this person on vacation," detailing her role in the photo galleries department and her transition to a more content-driven approach with Spill Sesh.
Navigating Modern Journalism and Social Media
The hosts and Kristy discuss the transformation of journalism in the digital age, emphasizing the shift from traditional media to influencer-driven content. Kristy highlights how platforms like TikTok and Instagram have revolutionized news dissemination, allowing for rapid content creation and widespread reach.
Amanda remarks, "It's totally morphed, and you're kind of going on," acknowledging the evolving landscape where influencers and creators play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse.
Audience Engagement and Future Endeavors
Kristy expresses her appreciation for her audience and the support from her community. She discusses potential collaborations and the importance of staying connected with her sources to maintain the content's relevance and freshness.
The conversation concludes with Kristy providing information on how listeners can find her content across various platforms, reinforcing the accessibility and comprehensive nature of Spill Sesh.
Notable Quotes
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Kristy at [01:29]: "I think influencers are celebrities. It's controversial, but I think they are."
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Kristy at [03:23]: "It's not always like that, but this day in particular, I was like, I need to watch Call Her Daddy."
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Kristy at [09:16]: "I feel like if I'm talking about something that's not 100%, I, like, say this is the rumor that's going around."
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Kristy at [45:10]: "I was like, to kind of just expand and do more things. It kind of felt like the only option. I was like, all right, let's do this thing."
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Kristy at [57:35]: "It's crazy how, like, quick it can be like, on your phone and people don't always want, like, the whole big, like, it took them a couple days type of deal."
Conclusion
In this engaging episode of "Smosh Mouth," Shane and Amanda delve deep into the world of celebrity and influencer journalism with Kristy, the host of Spill Sesh. They explore the evolving landscape of modern journalism, the challenges of maintaining factual accuracy amidst rampant rumors, and the personal journeys of those who report on the ever-dramatic lives of celebrities. Kristy's insights offer a unique perspective on the fusion of traditional media skills with the dynamic requirements of digital content creation, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of pop culture, journalism, and the power of online influence.
For more content from Kristy, you can find Spill Sesh on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
