The Bobby Bones Show #548: Danae Hays – Athlete, Comedian, and Content Creator

Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones (Premiere Networks)
Guest: Danae Hays

Overview

Episode 548 features Danae Hays, a multidimensional creator who rose to prominence through viral videos, comedy, and an impressive athletic background. This candid conversation explores her career evolution from real estate and Beachbody to comedy, her viral moments, dramatic fan interactions, family, LGBTQ+ experiences in the rural South, and her aspirations for TV and film.

Main Discussion Points

1. Danae’s Identity & Career Beginnings

• Identity Titles: Discusses discomfort with terms like "influencer." Prefers "comedian" and "content creator."
  “[Influencer] feels like you're selling tummy tea… But now I just get to say comedian...” — Danae Hays (03:38)
• Early Jobs: Real estate agent in Alabama, softball lessons/camps, pharmaceutical sales, sports broadcasting, Beachbody pyramid scheme.
• Beachbody Experience: Embarrassing but taught her to master social media for business.
  “It’s what taught me how to use social media…I had to create reels and TikToks in order to get people signed up.” — Danae Hays (09:44)

2. Dark and Wild Fan Interactions

• Getting Roofied by a Fan (04:15–07:36)

  • Hattiesburg, MS: After a show, Danae accepted a drink from a fan’s companion; suspects Visine was used (not traditional drugs). Resulted in ER visit and severe illness.
  • Heroic fan-nurse drove her to ER as Danae was throwing up.
  • “I literally started shadow boxing the bartender…they took me back to the hotel and then it just went downhill fast.” — Danae Hays (05:09)
  • Reflection: “I was collateral damage in a very unhealthy relationship.” (07:42)
  • Aftermath: No further contact with the fan(s).

• Arrest at Her Show (16:29–19:21)

  • Two women fought after one criticized Danae’s coming-out story; police arrested one.
  • Danae considers blurring faces if posting the clip: “Do I need to blur their faces out or do they deserve it?” (17:05)
  • “I had to stop my show for about five minutes and do a therapy session because I thought we were headed for a rally...” — Danae Hays (18:04)

• Rowdy Meet & Greets

  • Fans give personal gifts (dildos, chew, signatures on body parts).
  • “I signed a girl's piece of paper and then the next day she sent me a video of a tattoo of my signature on her right butt cheek.” — Danae Hays (24:38)
  • Discusses the challenge of intimacy, boundaries, and feeling “too accessible.”

3. Viral Fame & Social Media

• First Viral Video (2021):
  “[I] prank phone called a taxidermist in Alabama...and…within a week, it had like 21 million views.” — Danae Hays (12:03)

  • Led to overnight spike in followers (from 50k to 250k on TikTok).
  • Followed up with more prank calls, but quickly moved to sketches/characters.

• TikTok Creator Fund (13:14–14:34)

  • Early big paydays, but payouts decline as followers grow.
  • Engages in “on-off” approach but prefers views over minor creator payouts.
  • “As your followers increase, your payout decreases…they want to reward the newer creators.” — Danae Hays (13:14)

• Material & Online Comedy

  • Poster’s dilemma: Once a joke is online, it’s “burned” and can’t be used live.
  • Danae avoids crowd-work because she doesn’t want fans to feel targeted.

4. Experiences Coming Out and Family

• Growing Up in Rural Alabama (29:22–35:32)

  • Town of 1,100 people, didn’t come out publicly until 24.
  • Underwent conversion therapy as a child:
    “He would always look at me and say, Danae, it is not a sin to think about robbing the bank, but it is a sin to rob it. And as an 8-year-old…I was like, What did my parents tell him? I don’t want to be a bank robber.” — Danae Hays (31:10)

• Parental Perspective:

  • Parents acted out of fear and ignorance, but Danae is empathetic.
  • Her dad later became her strongest supporter:
    “My dad’s a great example of just loving your child unconditionally.” — Danae Hays (34:44)

5. Athletic Achievements & Recognition

• Bobby’s Compliment:
  “I think you’re the best athlete that I know.” — Bobby Bones (35:32)
• Sports Resume:
  • D1 softball player, record-holder in high school (RBIs, home runs), ESPN Top 10 Plays ×4, national champion (Alabama).
  • Excels at golf, wakeboarding, and more.
  • “I can move my body like how I want…whether it's wakeboarding or golfing or softball, I just have a lot of control…” — Danae Hays (37:25)
  • Notably plays golf from the same tees as men and holds her own against Bobby.

6. Comedy, Content Creation, and Delusion

• Starting Standup Without Open Mics

  • First-ever show was an hour-long headlining set.
  • Ignorance/delusion: “I was just talking to somebody about this yesterday…I don’t know why I thought I could do this the way I did it…the secret ingredient…you have to have a state of delusion.” — Danae Hays (42:50)

• Delusion as the Key to Success

  • Both agree that delusion is often what propels self-starters in creative industries.
  • Bobby: “The truly successful people I know…think they can do it…unless you’re a little crazy.” (43:54)

• Preparation & Performance

  • Danae keeps pre-show time sacred; no visitors before the show to maintain her energy.
  • Handling hecklers and rowdy crowds has been a learning experience; firm but respectful approach.
  • On bombing: “When I would fail…nobody cared…There was freedom in that.” (58:12)

7. Comedy & Content: Phones, Material Burn, and the New Show Model

• Phones at Shows:
  • Announcements discouraged, but fans still record and sometimes leak big material online.
  • Rapid adaptation required; has to rewrite material when punchlines are spoiled.
• Content Model:
  • Emphasizes short-form social clips over pursuing a full special.
  • On YouTube: “YouTube is the thing I hate the most…I just love short form so much.” — Danae Hays (71:13)

8. Future Ambitions: TV, Film, and Acting

• Big Dream:
  • Would “give up everything” for a shot at comedy acting in film/TV.
  • Actively pursuing auditions (self-tapes) and writing to carve out opportunities.
  • “If nobody’s going to call, I’ll create something where they have to call.” — Danae Hays (73:33)

9. Personal Life, Industry Friends & Moving to Nashville

• Famous Friends:
  • Closest with Lainey Wilson (oldest industry friend), Ella Langley, Briley & Marcus King, Ashley Cook, Jelly Roll & Bunny.
• Moving to Nashville:
  • Chose due to proximity to family (her dad), lower property taxes than Austin, and a more connected, Southern lifestyle.

10. Pinch-Me Moments & Legacy

• Grand Ole Opry Debut in a Custom Red Suit:
  • Honored Southern comic Jerry Clower, inspired by her dad, who sat front row (paid for his own $800 ticket).
  • “I literally played her so many Jerry Clower tapes and now…she’s getting to do that.” — Danae Hays (66:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Social Media Learning:
  “It’s what taught me how to use social media…if you want to get people signed up, you gotta make TikToks.” — Danae Hays (09:44)
• On Fan Roofie Incident:
  “I literally started shadow boxing the bartender…then I just went downhill fast.” — Danae Hays (05:09)
• On Coming Out in the South:
  “I told my parents when I’d come home from second grade…I like the girls.” — Danae Hays (30:00)
• On Her Dad:
  “If I told my dad I wanted him to hang a gay pride flag, he’d be like, ‘oh, shit…But I’ll do it.’” — Danae Hays (34:34)
• On Delusion & Success:
  “You have to have a state of delusion in whatever you’re doing. I am 100% delusional.” — Danae Hays (42:51)
• On Athleticism:
  “I think you’re the best athlete that I know.” — Bobby Bones (35:32)
• On Acting Ambition:
  “I would give up everything…if it led me to comedic TV and film roles.” — Danae Hays (72:20)
• On Her Comedy Journey:
  “First time I ever did standup comedy was an hour headlining show…ignorance is bliss.” — Danae Hays (42:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:15–07:36 Roofie Incident & ER Rescue
• 12:03–13:14 Viral TikTok Taxidermist Prank & Rise to Internet Fame
• 16:29–19:21 Physical Altercation and Arrest at Her Show
• 29:22–35:32 Growing Up Gay in Rural Alabama, Conversion Therapy
• 35:32–42:29 Bobby Calls Danae Best Athlete; Division 1 Softball Memories
• 42:50–46:41 Comedy Career Startup, Delusion, and Bravery
• 66:31–67:06 Grand Ole Opry Debut, Jerry Clower Tribute
• 71:13–73:51 YouTube/Content Models, Acting Ambitions, and The First Time Tour

Tone & Style

The conversation is honest, humorous, self-deprecating, warm, and often raw—reflecting both Danae’s authenticity and Bobby’s supportive curiosity. Both share insights about small-town upbringings, the struggles and joys of breaking into entertainment, and the sometimes surreal nature of internet and live fame.

Summary

This episode offers a deep dive into the unconventional and inspiring journey of Danae Hays—from rural Alabama and college athlete stardom to comedic virality and dreams of Hollywood. With infectious humor and unflinching candor, Danae discusses wild touring stories, the dangerous side of fan interactions, handling internet fame, the weirdness of material burn, and the importance of delusion and bravery in chasing creative dreams. Her reflections on family, authenticity, and connecting with audiences are both moving and riotously funny, making this episode a must-listen for fans of comedy, athlete-turned-creators, and those forging their own path in entertainment.