Podcast Summary: Talk Tuah Ep. 17 – “CHANEL WEST COAST GOES COUNTRY”

Release Date: April 15, 2025

In Episode 17 of Talk Tuah, titled “CHANEL WEST COAST GOES COUNTRY,” host Haley and co-host Janelle sit down with the multifaceted artist Chanel West Coast. Transitioning from her roots in hip-hop and viral fame, Chanel delves into her latest musical shift towards country music, her personal life, and the nuances of maintaining relationships and friendships in the public eye. The episode is rich with candid conversations, humorous anecdotes, and insightful reflections, making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.

1. Welcoming Chanel West Coast

The episode kicks off with a warm welcome as Chanel joins the hosts.

• [00:00] Haley: “Hello and welcome back to another episode of Talk Tuah. Today we got Ms. Janelle West Coast.”
• [00:05] Chanel West Coast: “What's up? How are you ladies?”

The conversation begins light-heartedly with Chanel and Haley bonding over the importance of maintaining well-kept nails, setting a relaxed and friendly tone for the episode.

2. Chanel’s Relationship with Dom

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Chanel’s relationship with her partner, Dom, and their journey together.

• [05:06] Chanel West Coast: “It was like my eyes opened up.”
• [06:44] Haley: “So how many years ago was that?”
• [06:46] Chanel West Coast: “This has been a few years now. So our baby's two and a half. We got pregnant kind of quick into the relationship. So we've been together a little over three years.”

Chanel recounts their serendipitous meeting in Miami, where a last-minute need for a model led her to reconnect with Dom. Their relationship blossomed quickly, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Maddie, who is currently two and five months old.

• [07:36] Haley: “Is it hard being with somebody that's also in the public eye?”
• [07:39] Chanel West Coast: “Yeah, I think so. Like, he's a little bit less than I am, so that's what I think I liked.”

Chanel emphasizes the importance of support and down-to-earth qualities in a partner, highlighting how Dom’s balance complements her own public persona.

3. Transitioning to Country Music

Chanel opens up about her evolution from hip-hop to country music, blending her upbringing with her artistic aspirations.

• [12:28] Chanel West Coast: “So how did you decide to take this, like, turn into country music?”
• [12:36] Chanel West Coast: “Growing up, my mom's from Ohio. I would go to Ohio a lot growing up, too. ...My roots are really, like, country, you know.”
• [15:14] Haley: “Do you have a favorite country song?”
• [15:16] Chanel West Coast: “I love Lainey Wilson. ...I love Miranda Lambert, too.”

Chanel explains that her love for country music stems from her childhood visits to Ohio and the country lifestyle she was exposed to. Over time, her vocal style naturally aligned with country, leading her to explore and embrace this genre. Collaborations with producers and encouragement from friends revealed her innate country singing voice, prompting her to integrate country elements into her music.

• [17:32] Janelle: “Country music has, like, every country song has, like, meaning to it.”
• [17:35] Haley: “Now, rap songs could be talking about random shit.”

Chanel appreciates the storytelling aspect of country music, drawing parallels to hip-hop's lyrical depth, and believes this genre resonates more deeply with her middle America fan base.

4. Favorite Country Artists and Influences

Chanel shares her admiration for prominent country artists and her aspirations within the genre.

• [15:30] Chanel West Coast: “I love Lainey Wilson. ...I love Miranda Lambert's, like, such a badass.”
• [17:31] Chanel West Coast: “I definitely feel like I kind of got that... tough country girl vibe.”

Chanel cites Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert as her favorite country artists, admiring their lyrical prowess and strong personas. She aspires to infuse her music with a similar blend of strength and authenticity, aiming to revive the sassiness in country music that she feels aligns with American values of honesty and individuality.

5. Navigating Fame and Friendships

Chanel and the hosts delve into the challenges of sustaining friendships amid rising fame and public scrutiny.

• [33:03] Haley: “What's one pet peeve that makes Dom go crazy?”
• [33:16] Chanel West Coast: “When you tell somebody that somebody else is, like, you're not cool with them or like, they're hating on you, and then they're supposed to be your friend, and they go and befriend that person.”

Chanel discusses the importance of loyalty and authenticity, emphasizing how fleeting fame can sometimes strain relationships. She recounts incidents where friends acted contrary to her expressed feelings, leading her to reassess and strengthen her circle of close friends.

• [34:05] Chanel West Coast: “I'd say it's my best friend Roxy, and she's been my friend since second grade.”

Chanel highlights the significance of long-standing friendships, like her bond with Roxy, which have endured despite career changes and personal growth.

6. Online Presence and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to the impact of social media and online editing tools on personal image and public perception.

• [37:08] Chanel West Coast: “I have a friend like that. So I introduced my one friend to FaceApp and, oh, Lord, she's gonna know I'm talking about her.”
• [37:53] Janelle: “Like, I'll whiten my friend's teeth sometimes.”

Chanel humorously shares experiences with friends using FaceApp and similar apps to alter their appearances online, discussing the fine line between enhancing photos and maintaining genuine representations of oneself.

7. Embracing Unique Traits and Humor

Chanel addresses how unique personal traits, such as her distinctive laugh, are perceived and sometimes misunderstood by the public.

• [39:08] Haley: “She did. She looked like a whole different part, though. Like, she's real glowy, you know, had beautiful hair.”
• [39:19] Janelle: “Isn't there, like, a little rap in that song?”
• [40:04] Chanel West Coast: “That's where it sounds like. ...I'm genuinely out here laughing. The only thing I hate, though, is sometimes they would edit my laugh to be after like, a really whack clip to make the clip seem funnier.”

Chanel defends her laugh, explaining that while others may misinterpret or highlight it for comedic effect, it is a genuine expression of her enjoyment and humor. She reflects on how her authenticity sometimes clashes with edited portrayals.

8. Dream Collaborations and Industry Insights

Chanel shares her dreams for musical collaborations and offers insights into the entertainment industry.

• [43:34] Chanel West Coast: “I really wanted to collaborate with Drake.”
• [44:26] Haley: “My biggest... I don't like Drake.”
• [43:55] Janelle: “His dad.”

Chanel expresses a long-held desire to collaborate with Drake, highlighting his influence in the music industry. However, Haley interjects her personal disinterest in Drake's music, promoting Kendrick Lamar instead. Chanel shifts her focus to collaborating with Lainey Wilson, aligning her aspirations with her current musical direction.

• [46:07] Chanel West Coast: “Lil Wayne signed you?”
• [46:15] Haley: “That's one of my dream guests.”

Chanel discusses her longstanding relationship with Lil Wayne and Wayne's contribution to her career, revealing the depth of her connections within the hip-hop community.

9. Humorous Banter and Show Ideas

The trio engages in playful banter, brainstorming potential show concepts and reminiscing about past TV experiences.

• [25:07] Haley: “I want to go on Wipeout. That shit would fuck me up.”
• [25:28] Janelle: “That's good.”
• [25:46] Haley: “You should turn that into a show. I would watch that.”

Chanel and the hosts creatively discuss unique show ideas, such as a makeup-centric version of the popular cooking competition Chopped, blending their interests in entertainment and beauty.

• [26:20] Chanel West Coast: “I hate drama on reality TV. Drama's gonna happen on its own.”
• [27:08] Chanel West Coast: “I do music. And hosting made me perform."

Chanel reflects on her extensive experience in television, particularly her time on Ridiculousness, emphasizing her desire to create content that avoids manufactured drama and instead focuses on genuine moments.

10. Closing Remarks and Future Plans

As the episode wraps up, Chanel hints at future projects and expresses excitement about potential collaborations.

• [48:03] Chanel West Coast: “You can find people on social media. Chanel west coast on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, everything.”
• [48:28] Haley: “Y'all go follow and support our girl, Chanel.”

Chanel promotes her latest single, “Little Bit Country,” encouraging listeners to support her evolving musical journey. She also teases plans to produce TV shows, leveraging her extensive background in the industry.

• [49:54] Chanel West Coast: “I would love to have you come on my podcast, too. It was so good being on your show. Loved it.”

In a heartwarming exchange, Chanel invites the hosts to feature her on her own podcast, symbolizing the mutual support and strong relationships within their professional and personal circles.

Conclusion

Episode 17 of Talk Tuah offers an intimate glimpse into Chanel West Coast’s life and career transformations. From navigating the complexities of public relationships to embracing a new musical identity, Chanel’s candid storytelling and authentic persona resonate throughout the conversation. Her journey from hip-hop to country underscores the importance of staying true to one’s roots while evolving artistically. The episode concludes on a hopeful note, with Chanel’s ambitions to expand her creative horizons and strengthen her connections within the entertainment industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Chanel West Coast ([05:06]): “It was like my eyes opened up.”
• Chanel West Coast ([12:36]): “My roots are really, like, country, you know.”
• Chanel West Coast ([15:16]): “I love Lainey Wilson. ...I love Miranda Lambert, too.”
• Chanel West Coast ([33:16]): “When you tell somebody that somebody else is, like, you're not cool with them or like, they're hating on you...”
• Chanel West Coast ([40:24]): “I'm genuinely out here laughing.”
• Chanel West Coast ([43:34]): “I really wanted to collaborate with Drake.”
• Chanel West Coast ([46:06]): “Lil Wayne, that's the homie. I actually opened for Lil Wayne this past summer in Illinois at the state fair.”
• Chanel West Coast ([48:03]): “You can find people on social media. Chanel west coast on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, everything.”

This episode beautifully intertwines personal anecdotes with professional insights, showcasing Chanel West Coast’s versatility and resilience in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.