Tell Me Lies: Official Podcast

Episode: "Just Like An Avalanche" (Jan 27, 2026)

Host: Stassi Schroeder
Guests: Sonia Mena (Pippa), Alicia Crowder (Diana), Jesse Draper

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the relationship dynamics of Pippa and Diana in the third season of Tell Me Lies with actresses Sonia Mena and Alicia Crowder. Host Stassi Schroeder leads a lively discussion about character journeys, on- and off-set experiences, memorable scenes, and how the show's drama reflects real-life challenges. Jesse Draper joins for a fan-oriented deep-dive and playful predictions on where Season 3's twists are headed.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season 3, Episode 5 Recap

(00:01–01:55)

• Diana gets her Yale acceptance while at the abortion clinic; her parents are proud, Steven’s achievement gets less attention.
• Bree/Evan negotiate getting back together; Alex contacts Lucy about her sexual assault claim.
• Drama peaks at a beach party: Diana and Pippa sneak a bathroom kiss; Steven and Evan haze freshmen; Chris confronts Lucy; Brie visits her troubled mom.
• Diana tells Steven she won’t go to Yale if he does; Steven threatens blackmail.
• Lucy ends the night dissatisfied, listening to Steven’s old voicemail, and finds self-satisfaction.

2. Actors’ Insights: Playing Pippa and Diana

(02:12–12:35)

• Character Bios (02:34):
  • Alicia Crowder on Diana: “Pre-law, loves cappuccinos, likes to run on the treadmill and watch rom coms.”
  • Sonia Mena on Pippa: “Wouldn’t say much... or it would be a joke only certain people get. If you’re cool, you understand the joke.”
  • Pippa would probably have a dating profile under a fake name like “Lola.”
• Funniest Person on Set (03:27):
  • Unanimous: Spencer, with Grace Van Patten (Lucy) also called out for goofiness at 4am after “seven Red Bulls.”
• Season 1 vs. Season 3 Character Growth (03:47–05:06):
  • Sonia (Pippa): “She’s someone who’s trying to be someone else... like a shark... hiding every part of herself.”
  • Alicia (Diana): “Diana is trying to figure out what she wants. Steven’s in timeout, but she still wants him back.”
• Season 3 Changes (05:00):
  • Alicia (Diana): “I can be independent... safest way is not basing decisions around another person.”
  • Stassi: “Diana is the smartest character... the whole plan to get rid of Steven was so well thought out.” (05:34)

3. Personal Connections to Characters

(06:10–07:29)

• Sonia (Pippa): “She stops trying to be other people and becomes herself... learning how to hide less.”
• Alicia (Diana): “A little cynical, but you can only depend on yourself... pleasing others doesn’t work out.”

4. Behind-the-Scenes: Character Arcs, Hair & Costumes

(08:15–10:18)

• Sonia (Pippa): Discusses trauma from high school and break-up with Wrigley.

• Pippa's transition to blonde was a creative collaboration—mirroring 2000s icons like Paris Hilton and the pursuit of fitting in.

  “All she wants is for boys to think she's cute. So... settled on blonde... hiding even more and stretching towards that.” — Sonia Mena (09:04)

5. Fan Reactions and Cast Dynamics

(10:25–12:35)

• Alicia: Loves reading fan comments and reactions on social media (“it makes me so happy that they have such a reaction... that’s what you want, it’s entertainment”).
• The group chat with cast is full of “stupid bits, really not connected to the show. That’s kind of the key of us all being friends.”
• Cast trips include excursions to the Renaissance Fair and costume borrowing adventures.

6. Pippa & Diana’s Relationship Evolution

(12:39–18:13)

• Neither predicted their characters’ romantic relationship; showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer revealed the plot twist personally.

• Fans retroactively find “clues” from Season 1, though most were unintentional.

• On screen, their romance blossoms organically post-first kiss—their connection often eclipses self-awareness, feeling “all in the moment.”

  “This whole show is like... a bunch of people who can’t see where they’re going... not a lot of self-awareness... bumping into each other.” — Sonia Mena (13:59)

• Emotional Scenes:

  • Their “avalanche” fight in Season 3 felt "raw and so real," with both actors agreeing their friendship grew from the lack of pretense—never trying to impress one another.

  “There’s no transactional quality to it... we’ve already shown our colors.” — Sonia Mena (17:48)

7. On-Set Stories: Beach Party & Kiss Scene

(18:13–20:10)

• Beach party was “cold” with complex coordination: three divers, pool choreography, and a two-day shoot (19:20).
• The bathroom kiss scene was equal parts risky and thrilling; both actresses felt their characters weren’t aiming to get caught, but the danger added to the excitement.

8. Navigating Secrets & Abortion Storyline

(20:19–23:39)

• Playing a secret romance provided dramatic tension—Alicia loved carrying “a sweet little secret” in scenes with characters unaware of Diana’s feelings for Pippa (21:26).

• Diana’s abortion portrayed with realism and sensitivity, emphasizing her assertion of agency and the disturbance of Steven’s coercion.

  “Steven trying to... coerce her to keep the baby is so disturbing that it makes the decision clearer for her.” — Alicia Crowder (22:20)

• Diana’s journey is about prioritizing her autonomy—with or without Yale.

9. Female Friendship & Challenging Tropes

(24:16–25:40)

• Diana and Lucy's evolving rapport illustrates rooting for other women rather than succumbing to tropey rivalry.
• Alicia: "Diana figures out how to root for other women... that’s so awesome to see.” (25:04)

10. Post-Drama Relationship Advice

(25:40–26:33)

• Both actresses advocate for “taking it slow” after trauma, advising their characters against rushing into a new relationship.

  “We've both just been through such traumatic stuff. Jumping into a new relationship right after that is always messy.” — Alicia Crowder (26:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Like, my dad will help you. We’ll go to Yale together... offer you things Lucy can’t.” — Alicia Crowder, on Diana’s manipulation of Steven (10:53)
• “We were never trying to impress each other.” — Alicia Crowder on Diana & Pippa’s relationship (17:10)
• “It was like, the poolography was so crazy.” — Sonia Mena, on shooting the beach party scene (19:20)
• “You know what? That’s why millennials are tough, because we had top eight.” — Stassi Schroeder, on MySpace-era grit (32:36)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Recap & Cast Introduction — 00:01–02:12
• Character Fun & Bios — 02:12–03:27
• Character Journeys S1→S3 — 03:47–06:10
• Personal Connections & Life Lessons — 06:10–07:29
• Pippa’s Hair/Persona Evolution — 08:15–10:18
• Fan Reactions & Off-Set Bonds — 10:25–12:35
• Relationship Arc: Pippa & Diana — 12:39–18:13
• Beach Party/Behind the Scenes — 18:13–20:10
• Secret Romance Dynamics — 20:19–22:10
• Abortion Storyline Discussion — 22:10–23:39
• Friendship & Female Solidarity — 24:16–25:40
• Relationship Advice for Pippa & Diana — 25:40–26:33

Fan Corner with Jesse Draper

Wildest Ways to Get Over an Ex

(29:57–30:54)

• Jesse: “Divorce. I took it all the way.”
• Stassi: Jokes about leaving reality TV as an escape.

Social Media, MySpace & Nostalgia

(31:18–34:35)

• Cohort reminisces about pre-social-media college days and the drama of MySpace Top 8s.

Lying Spirals & Character “Realness”

(33:36–34:21)

• Hosts compare their own honesty with that of the show’s characters.

Predictions for Bri & Steven

(34:29–35:51)

• Jesse predicts Bri’s relationship with her mom could be more about personal healing and repair than classic mother-daughter reconciliation.
• On Steven: He’s likely storing Diana’s nude photos for future blackmail, highlighting his predatory, “diabolical” qualities.

Revenge Porn Realities

(36:06–37:37)

• Stassi shares a real-life revenge porn experience, paralleling Steven's toxic behavior.

Fun & Light-Hearted Lightning Round

• Favorite Foods: Sonia - French fries with mayo/hot sauce; Alicia - Korean BBQ, sushi. (26:40–27:02)
• Favorite Movies: Quirky, indie, and horror favorites; Sonia lists “Dogtooth,” “Out of the Blue”; Alicia shouts out “Begonia” and psychological thrillers. (27:10–28:36)

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Pippa and Diana’s relationship is compelling because it grows from true authenticity and vulnerability—no posturing, just acceptance.
• The show's handling of abortion and female agency is praised for realism and emotional clarity.
• Off-screen, the cast is far goofier and more collaborative than their drama-filled on-screen counterparts.
• The conversational tone mixes philosophical musings, candid personal stories, and giddy fan engagement—mirroring the show’s messy, real approach to college drama and relationships.

Closing Memorable Moment

“I am the master of Tell Me Lies. I’ve lived through it all. There is no one who could be doing what I’m doing. You’re Lucy in 15 years, when she’s got it figured out.”
— Stassi Schroeder & Jesse Draper (37:20–37:30)

For fans or first-timers, this episode unpacks the emotional core of Pippa/Diana, contextualizes Season 3’s wildest twists, and reveals how authentic relationships bloom in chaos—on, off, and beyond the screen.