← The Fame Game with Heidi & Spencer
The Fame Game with Heidi & Spencer
From The Front Lines of the Palisades Fire with Celebrity Photographer and Photojournalist Shaene
00:55:40
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- [00:00]
A
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- [01:18]
C
Oh no, that's all glass. Welcome to the Fame game. I'm Heidi Montag. Spencer Brattle and we have a guest.
- [01:26]
A
Here today, Shane who is a legendary photojournalist, part time photo celebrity photographer. How would you I want to give.
- [01:36]
B
You honestly I appreciate you being so delicate with that because I'm just going to say like I'm straight up a paparazzi with I also do local news so I mean I kind of am a double agent if you will but.
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A
Yeah, there you go.
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C
Her boots on the ground.
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B
It's not often that you see this kind of setup where you've got the paparazzi actually sitting down and having intimate conversations with celebrities. So thank you for allowing me to come on here and be a part of this.
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A
Oh well anybody that knows Spidey is celebrity photographers have been part of our life since early days of our relationship. And you could call them paparazzi. I like to call them celebrity photographers.
- [02:19]
B
Thank you.
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A
Traveled to most of our vacations with us were at almost every holiday with.
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B
Us and so we're worldwide.
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A
Yeah, yeah.
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B
We're global Just like Heidi.
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C
Thank you.
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A
How Shane recently came into my life that connects to not only the celebrity world but was able through her company that she works with. Shane works with my good friend Darren.
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C
At the Omega Agency.
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A
The Omega Agency who you know, obviously make sure you're paying all your bills over there, guys. And I needed access to our house right after it burned down because I wanted to see if anything had made it. I had really convinced myself that our 3,000, our 3,000 pound quartz was just going to be sitting in the rubble. And I had just, just was sure of it. And I was like, it's going to be so amazing. And I met up with Shane and we drove in and hiked up because all the power lines were down. And that was the day I definitely should have had an N95 because that was the weirdest toxic smoke ever.
- [03:33]
B
Yeah, there was a lot going on at that time and you know, actually that was the next day after the fire. But if we were to roll it back a little bit, I actually came out here and I came out here just as like news to cover the fire. I was not anticipating any kind of celebrity contact. The office gave me a list of addresses but I was more concerned about the fire and I saw the black smoke and when I came here I was just like, you know, trying to track the fire and I saw that it was really primarily in the hill right behind your property here. And so I came up the hill and I was just like, oh my God. And the fire, I wasn't even paying attention because at that point they had evacuated everybody. So I wasn't expecting to see any people. And then I saw a guy and then a girl who turned out to be your neighbor and the guy turned out to be you. But I didn't know at the time because I'm just looking at this wall that's like a tidal wave of like flames bur I'm not even focused because you know, when you're in these situations, you know, we're used to as humans to just be like, you know, we deal with our regular routines. We're not used to like any kind of traumas or devastation to our system. I feel like. So people don't think straight. They don't, you know, behave right. And so there I was and I was just like. And then I'm like, oh, I heard you talking to your dad. And I was like, wait, that's Spencer. I didn't even know where you guys lived honestly. And you weren't on the list of addresses. So I was just literally stumbling upon you. And I called the office because I knew you had a relationship with them. And I was like, okay, what do I do? Because I feel really awkward right now. This is like a situation, and I don't want to. I just. This doesn't feel comfortable to me. You know, this is, like, devastation happening. I don't want to be like, hey, let's like, take some photos, you know? So then the office, you know, they wanted to talk to you. I don't know what your conversation was, but when we got off, you were just like, go ahead, do whatever. Nothing about the situation to this day, felt like it was an opportunity for me that felt like it was comfortable. Sometimes in what I do, we have to cover things that are uncomfortable. You know, being a freelancer, we can pick and choose, but at times, the agency that's holding all your money that you're waiting to be paid for, you kind of feel the pressure of like, am I going to get paid this month? Because I turned that down, you know? So basically, there I was watching your dad sit there watching. Everybody was in shock, myself included. I don't even think I got any real photos. I think I took a cell phone picture and that was about it. I was just like, I'm not in this for that right now. And then, yeah, fast forward the next day you had posted. You know, nobody knew. A lot of people thought they were coming back home. And it seemed like that I was actually. Before coming to your house, I was down and everything was evacuated. There was a resident. And I was like, oh, I can see the fire. I hit the little security box and I thought maybe they were home. And they, like, allowed me to come on the property. And I said, everything looks good. And the next day it was gone. I feel so bad. But so, you know, there I was the next day. And that's when you came into play, when you had the footage from your ring camera or something. And I was like, oh, my God, I can't believe. I can't. Like, I still, like, I play it back in my mind as I'm talking to you, and I'm seeing it, and I just can't believe it. I can't believe we're sitting here on the dirt right now, what used to be here. And so, yeah, that was a point where I decided, like, I have this privilege with my pass as a press badge that I have to get through the sheriff's department. You know, they do a full background check. And I just. I had to make a call. Like, what's more important to me right now. Do I want to make a dollar off of this, or do I want to step in and help, like, the community? And at that point in time, there was nothing being given any kind of information. Everybody was just locked out. Nobody could come in. Nobody even knew, like, is my house standing still? And I thought, you know, I'm going to use this to go in, and I'm going to be a source of information to the community, because they were just not getting what they needed. And so I went on to different, you know, apps like Nextdoor, which your mom was probably seeing some of my posts, actually, and some other social groups and specifically for this area. And I just was, like, reporting back, like, everything I was seeing. I was also documenting things that I thought, you know, were maybe gonna be wrong. Like, are they supposed to be doing this? Like, and just so that I could be the eyes and ears. Because next to me, it was just the fire department and the police department. They hadn't yet, like, employed all the rest of the people that came later in the following weeks, like the National Guard and everything. So it was a lot going on. And then you came into play when the office asked, hey, you know, would you like to bring him in? Because, you know, at that point, it was a privilege. Like, people weren't allowed in here. So I use my privilege in a way that I risked, you know, jeopardizing that. But then I thought, wait a minute, this is also an assignment that I am bringing you over here. Right? So, yeah, we came here, and that was, like, it was really hard because this whole thing has been really impactful, not just to the people who, like yourselves, lost everything it's affected. I know myself, who had to witness so much tragedy. I mean, the place was like a war, you know, it's like, it was like the aftermath of, like, we just got bombed by somebody. Like, it was just so hard to take in because this is also my backyard to what is my sanctuary? The coast. When I want to escape all of the hectic media stuff that I'm pressured to do for my work, I come out for the beach and everything else. So, yeah, I cried a lot. I'm emotional as a person. I feel a lot. And so I'd go home and I'd be, okay, what can I do the next day? And so, you know, I was. I mean, I was. As I was posting, people were asking, like, of course I wasn't saying I'm media. Because there was a lot of sensitivity at the time, and understandably, so people didn't know where to place that. And so I just kind of went in as an individual that was saying that I was one of the people that was allowed to come in here, and then I would give back information, and I had to make announcements for people that were like, hey, here's my address. Can you go check it while you're there? And delivering that news is, like, so hard to say. Like, yeah, I'm sorry your home was not one that survived. So, yeah. And then I just started jumping in because there was, like, all these other needs. Like, people had pets they didn't know. Like, they didn't have time. They just had to grab their stuff and get out. Your challenge at that time, like, what do you value? What do I grab? You're not even thinking straight. And I only know that because after there were still fires going on everywhere, they were showing up in, you know, Hollywood and everywhere else in the Valley, Everywhere, all over. I myself had an evacuation come on my phone and tell me to get my stuff together and get out. So, you know, I had that experience to a small degree, but, you know, a lot of things that we hold on to, it's really difficult to determine the value. And especially under pressure like that, like, what do you. What do you do? And then they're telling you, you know, you got to leave your cars and stuff. Well, I just bought my car, like, two days before. It was brand new, and I was like, I'm not leaving my car up here. You guys are crazy. And so, yeah, it was just intense. It's still intense. When I come here, I'm like, wow, I just have so many thoughts, and I. I feel like I've got a sense of my own little trauma going on, and, like, nothing to the magnitude of you guys, but definitely I've lost sleep, and I have just as much passion and upset. Not as much to the degree as you guys, but it's for sure. Like, I'm here to watch you guys fight and hope that others do, too. And, you know, I want to say this before, like, why is it that you're. There's a lot of celebrities that are here in this community, and I hand it off to you and all the people supporting you, not the haters, because we already know they're there. I have them, too. We're both villains in this industry in different ways. But I kind of want to call out, like, why isn't the other celebrities getting on board to help you? Or am I unaware? I, like, there's Miles Teller. There's John Goodman. There's Anna Faris. There's so many people here. Why is it just you that, like, we're hearing from. Why are we not hearing from all them? Yeah, I'm just like, I'm. I'm thinking they have just as much of a platform and a voice and can be a mouthpiece, but why is it that they're not. And I'm, I'm not in a position because I'm sure everybody deals with their trauma differently. But, like, at the same time, nobody should be coming for you, Spencer or Heidi, like, for what you're doing. Like. And I do see in the comments because I did post this for one of your episodes on this podcast and I was like, my phone was blowing up with all the different people and a lot of them you could tell were from the community that were like, really had your back. The rest clearly are not a part of this in any way. 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- [14:54]
C
Brad, you're on mute.
- [14:55]
B
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- [15:01]
A
If you thought goldenly breaded McDonald's chicken couldn't get more golden, think colder because new sweet and smoky special edition gold sauce is here made for your chicken favorites. I participate in McDonald's for a limited time. Yeah, here's the. This is what I deal with that like the ops. I call them that. If, like you are brainwashed. You love Nome, you love K Bass. The only thing you can say to about me is just say, oh, he's just a grifter. It's like if I'm just a grifter, I'm gonna go sell my crystals and just talk about Heidi's music. And you can, you know, if. But this has. This makes no money. All this is stress me out, make Heidi upset because she knows I'm stressed out. I'm not sleeping. Like. So this fight, I feel the need to do the like the Ops. Their logic is completely irrelevant. Like, I'D be way better off calling up Val and going to the Valley and doing tick tock dances, like with him to promo the new season of Dancing with the Star. There's so many more things that I could grift the Internet with, if that's the thing. So that's just delusional people that I'm like, I get it, you're. You're in a cult. And cult people will drink poison lemonade and you drink it. So. And then the celebrities, Heidi and I talked about that on the way here. And Heidi, since I met her, you know, has always been like, God uses everything for good. You won't know God's timing. You want to know God's purpose?
- [16:33]
B
Yes.
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A
And he chose somebody who. I have no career. You know, my career is, is if I wanted to be a Snapchatter all day long, I can just go Snapchat if I want to go try to be a YouTuber or a podcast. Like, these people have careers in the sense of they're part of the system. If they go rock the boat now, they're risking their million dollar checks. Also, they're millionaires. So they just went and bought a new house. We can't go buy a new house. We can't build a new house. So energetically, my frequency they could never connect to because they don't feel that, oh, they go, new house, gotta buy all new things. You know, that's what I'm imagining also, like, I did reach out to a celebrity whose house burned down and they're. The person connected to them wrote back, oh, they're on set. They're doing a really dark role right now. They're really into it, so they're not even aware. I'm like, huh? No, no, it's not. The dark role is real life right now. So these ways they check out and compartmentalize their art, I feel like is their excuse to be like, oh, I can't again, I don't know. And Heidi's asked me not to call all these people out by name. And, and so I don't.
- [17:53]
C
I just think it's important not to judge anyone in this process. Whether people are talking about it, not talking about it. Everyone's going to deal with it differently. Some people's way of dealing with it is compartmentalizing. Some people have to work and there's a lot of information that Spencer's digging through all day. He's not just randomly saying things and that takes a lot of time. He's reading things, he's doing fact checking. He's, you know, it's a full time job for him right now. So I think it's important to just let everybody be and not judge or criticize anyone for however anyone is dealing with it, choosing to deal with it. No one knows what's going on in anyone's lives and what anyone is dealing with. So that's what. That was just my point. Like, I also don't have as much time or the ability or the desire to do what Spencer's doing. I don't feel like that's my job and destiny right now. I support that and I appreciate that and I think he's doing a great job at that and I'll help where I can. And we have this opportunity, podcasts and certain conversations, but my job right now is to rehearse, perform, you know, like, I'm doing so much all day too. I'm a full time mom when I can be. I have children. You have to cook, you have to clean. Like, there's a lot to do. And so that, that's just my point. Like, everyone has different purposes. And I do feel like this is a divine purpose and that God is using Spencer to be able to do that. But that's also an anointing. You know, he's like, really good at doing it, and he's anointed to do it at the perfect place at the perfect time to. To fight the evil and to fight the good fight. And maybe that will change in a few months. Who knows what God has planned and what else unfolds and what direction that will go. But I just think it's really important not to judge and criticize anyone in this disaster and in this moment, because everyone is going through a lot, regardless of what they're saying or not saying.
- [19:41]
B
It's true.
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A
I think also they did such a good job Newsom and Bass and the city of misinformation and propaganda that all the victims don't realize they're only victims because of negligence. They were convinced. Hurricane, hundred mile per hour winds. There was never any winds above 30 miles per hour in the Palisades. And Newsom's on right in front of the burning houses saying, I don't know, is it 99 mph wind? Well, the pipes are all breaking because they just are so good at piling on all the smoke and mirrors. So that I think a lot of people don't get this was preventable, this wasn't unpredictable, this wasn't historic. All these things that these words. So they go, oh, yeah, exactly.
- [20:29]
B
I Mean, California is known to have fires annually and earthquakes. How is it that they've come so far to not be fully prepared and not have everything, all their maintenance in check? Because I know they have routine checks. How did this slip through the cracks or did it like. It's so much like that. I think about where I'm. I mean, I come from a very kind of being in news. Like we, first and foremost, we have as members of the press an obligation to try to bring facts forward to the public. And it's really, it's vital, it's important. I think in today's world we see how convoluted that is and how it's hard to separate fact from fiction. And, you know, a lot of the people that are putting it out there have their own biased narrative. And that's where it's like hard to determine what's really going on. And then you have the other part, which is, you know, money and power. And that's the sad part is the victims of that because they're with. With their almighty power, they're able to do so much. And I think that honestly, a lot of backtracking is going on right now. I feel like they're trying to cover their tracks, which is why it's taking so long for a lot of things. And that's just my opinion because I see as much as I come up here and during the time I covered and everything, I'm like, why? I mean, why is not every single lot here having people on the premise doing stuff like, it's such a, like ghost town still. You'll see like random stuff going on. On the way up, I saw, you know, for sale sign. I'm like, a for sale. It was an empty lot. And like, it's just so, so much that I don't know how you can keep up, Spencer, with all the research. I don't know if you have a log, if you're like putting it all down and keep it all in chronological order because it's like insane how much they have with all the different departments and all the different people and all the different this and that. Like, I can't personally follow it. I did for a while, but I check back now and again, like probably once a week. And I'm like, it doesn't make sense. Even though I follow it. I'm like, I just still have everything as a question mark.
- [22:42]
A
No, it's. They don't care. That's what Heidi and I keep saying. They don't care. They are fine with just Waiting it out, letting all the lots sell. There's no. Everyone's still paying property taxes, so, you know, they're going to have developers come in, so they don't care. That's why there's no urgency. And they also spend all their money laundering it through the homeless industrial complex, so they don't have money to come help anybody. So then. But the one thing I think about so much now that, you know, everything, that to me, it's all just an investigation. And I just wish right when I saw you on that hill, like, we'd gone and hit the whole town and really documented all the lack of evacuation, the lack. You know, there was so much. And I'm getting it now from random iPhones, but I feel like we should have been, like, detectives. We just didn't get that.
- [23:33]
B
Everything I kind of did before coming, and then every day after, I felt like I was, like, total investigator. Like, I was like, this kind of became personal in a way. I mean. Yeah. And I think that my experience with you. Well, you know, when I dropped you off, you said something that really stuck with me and it made sense. But you said, thanks for sharing. One of the most devastating times of my life. It was definitely. It felt like I shouldn't have been the person, like, as a status of who I am. But then I was like, no, you know what? As a person, if you know me outside of my work, that is so, like, in character for me. Like, I really am a person that, like, helps people and is caring about others. So. But I also, you know, when I look back and I think about when we were up here and then we had to leave, and then coming back the next day, I was like, you know, I knew you were still in shock. And I was like, what's going on in his head? I kind of kept quiet most of the time we were coming up the hill, we couldn't bring the car. All the, like, power lines were down. I feel like some of them were even still live. And we were ducking underneath and getting all around. And we came here and, you know, you had your social media and stuff, and it was like, I thought that then. I think it now, and I hope I don't come off offensive. I really come out of concern by asking. But, like, during that time, I was like, he's going through so much right now. Like, I don't even know how much he's going through. And I didn't want to really document the whole thing, but I was there for you, to bring you as the purpose to, you know, do your house and see it for the first time. And that experience was hard. It was hard to watch another person and feel so helpless, like there was nothing I could do. All I could do was use my camera, and it just didn't feel right. And I did. And we got stuff. It was a little bit performative, you know, for your social media. But behind that, I was, like, seeing this other version of you. And through the fight, I often wonder through the trauma and the post trauma, because it's still very active, I think, within the both of you, is this helping or hindering that trauma for you, like, to continue this and to do all that you do or how is that for you? Is it helping you? Is it making it, like, harder to get through it? Like, I'm just curious.
- [26:07]
A
First, I want to say I think you are one of. I don't know anybody else I would have came here with, besides Heidi that would have asked if you could pray. So I'm very thankful that you did.
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B
That is important.
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A
So that was, I think, a very important piece of the plan.
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B
Yeah, we were leaving. I felt like it was needed. Like, it's just. It's who I am. But, like, yeah, I just felt like it was needed. We couldn't leave without it.
- [26:35]
A
I would say, no, I have not been able to process the trauma. Yeah, obviously. But I would also follow that up with. I haven't felt this empowered since January 7th at, like, 5:00 when I was watching our house burn on ring cameras. Now I feel like I have. Even if it feels like most of the day, I feel like I'm, like, punching at air because these people are so powerful, they do not care. They have billions of dollars behind them. They're so. They have all these immunities, but just knowing that I am going to do everything in my soul to make it so people, as many people as I can, will know the truth. And they. It wasn't. It was negligent. So if that's my only thing that I can take out of that, it feels so good to just be like, nope, you aren't just the normal lie. Like, and if I wasn't doing this, I swear to God, they would get away with. Like, they're gonna get away with it. Let's be clear. I'm not delusional. These people will get away with it. Newsom is gonna maybe be the president if we can't stop that. But at least people will be like, oh, yeah, remember when he burned down the palaces? He let the palaces burn or remember, Karen Bass didn't fill the resort. Like, if I can just get that lore locked in, I will. I will feel so much better about what they did to us.
- [28:11]
B
Let me ask you, so where do you find your piece? Like, I'm sure each of you have a different answer through all this every day, day in, day out. Where do you find your peace?
- [28:18]
A
I honestly feel my peace when I hit share on a post. Like, I feel like a real. Like. Like, it feels like just like a one arrow at the castle.
- [28:29]
C
Just one flaming, you know, peace or, like, gratitude or, like, gratification feels like.
- [28:35]
A
It feels different.
- [28:36]
C
I feel like that's a little different. Peace is like car.
- [28:41]
A
I don't know what that. But that's when I feel the best is just attacking their castle.
- [28:48]
B
What about you?
- [28:49]
C
I'm really working on that. And it's funny you ask about coming here, because I feel like the last few times I've been here, it's been really helpful and therapeutic, and I felt like home. And it was really nice. Then I was thinking today, driving here, and I was like, I feel like this is now taking me back. Like, this is kind of the first time it felt, like, not super good coming. And I was like, I just have been. Had such a huge week of moving forward. For me, this was, like a really spiritual week of feeling calmer and more at peace and finding the gratitude and feeling the transition. And it's been, like, a really good, powerful week for me since the fire. Probably one of the best. Probably the best week. And then driving here today, I was like, I feel like I'm being dragged back in. And I was asking myself that. I'm like. And I was praying about it. I was like, I wonder if this is helpful or if it's gonna continue to drag me back in it. Cause I haven't brought our kids here. And I don't think it'd be helpful. And I think it'd be really devastating. And at least for now, you know, and maybe that will change. But I've been really protective of not bringing them here. And we've had those conversations before. But it's interesting that you say that, but I find my peace. I'm really making time to wake up in the morning and start with prayer. And then I'm starting to, like, count how many times I pray a day. I'm like, okay, I just need, like, two minutes here. So I try to do three prayer times a day. Morning, night, and then somewhere in the midday, just breathe and take, like, five breaths and just Pray, because I feel like that's really important and I don't want to lose that. And I feel like that's a really powerful healing tool and to be able to move forward. So my number one priority this week has been peace.
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B
Actually. I love that for you because, you know, you're very much the matriarch, so, you know, you're holding it down for everybody. You got to have some self care in the mix, right?
- [30:38]
C
Right.
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B
So, yeah, peace is, is key, but it's hard when you're dealing with, like, complex post trauma stuff. Like, there's not a rule book on any of this. They haven't even provided any help to you guys as survivors, if you will, victims, however you want to call it. And I feel like, you know, they should offer something, but I've seen nothing really substantially like significantly productive in anything that they've had other than to try to keep, you know, themselves protected more than looking out for everybody else.
- [31:16]
C
Maybe I'll do like we could do a Palisade sound bath.
- [31:19]
B
There you go, right here.
- [31:20]
C
Invite everyone to Malibu or somewhere. You know, the community sound bath.
- [31:25]
B
You know, I love that they still come here. I wonder how many generations are built into this property because of you.
- [31:31]
A
Oh, these ones are the real survivors.
- [31:32]
C
They were in these trees.
- [31:33]
A
Yeah, these are the last of the Mohican homers right here. Welcome to Phony Murders in the Building, the official podcast. Join me, Michael Cyril Creighton as we go behind the scenes with some of the amazing actors, writers and crew from season five. The audience should never stop suspecting anything.
- [31:51]
B
How can you not be funny crawling.
- [31:53]
A
Around on a coffin? Yeah, that's true. Catch. Only Murders in the Building Building official podcast now streaming wherever you get your podcasts and watch. Only Murders in the Building streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.
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- [32:34]
A
Limu, Limu and Doug. Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu, save yourself money today. Increase your wealth.
- [32:51]
B
Customize and save. We save.
- [32:55]
A
That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty, Liberty, Liberty Savings. Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.
- [33:05]
C
But that's a great question and it's interesting and you know, people don't take enough into account your experience through things and that's. We've always been really protective of celebrity photographers paparazzi because we've known them on such a intimate level and gone to vacations with them. Yeah, people take away the human aspect of it. It's like these are hard working people who are part of this industry that propel it and make it what it is. People love the photos and they love the magazines. It's like, well, where do you think those photos are coming from? They're way better than the Instagram photos that are curated that are shot 100 times. It's like that's what made celebrity culture, that's what it thrived off of. That's what made that sense Spark. That's the people coming out of the clubs at night. So the lack of appreciation there. And I guess we always related to that because we were more ostracized in the industry and not like so beloved. And I mean, you know, we've had our moments, we've been beloved. Ish.
- [33:58]
B
Yeah.
- [33:58]
C
But we've completely identified that.
- [34:01]
B
And yeah, you guys are cool. Like you've always been cool. Not all celebs are. And it doesn't matter what rank or what status. Like, you know, I've seen people just starting out that are just. They have a certain attitude. I mean we come with a certain stigma as you know, as you put it, Photojournalists. Right. Celebrity photojournalists. But there's, you know, there is some truth to it. I can't sit here and just, wow, they really like me. Yeah, there's definitely.
- [34:31]
A
People have ruined the name. You know, there's people that aren't technically professional create, you know, just with phones yelling at there's Bieber outside of nowhere.
- [34:40]
B
I mean you have like different tiers. Back in the day there wasn't social media like when we all started. Right. It's changed a lot. Technology has changed your outcome and what you're doing right now as well as my own. Like it's killed my business because they only could get the, the photos from us and the content and the video and whatnot. But yeah, the there is certain. Just like any business or any kind of work there, there are people who are going to be different. Let's say, you know, there's your go hard, super aggressive. Like I work with these guys a lot and I Don't always feel like that's how I want to go about it. Like, and I put in my time and I earned my stripes in the beginning of, like, okay, this is. You come into it like, this is what paparazzi do. You see it on TV, you know, they're piling 30 people on top of a car, like, for Britney Spears or whatnot. And it's like. And then you get into it and you're like, oh, like, if I'm gonna get a shot and everyone's on short, like, I gotta hustle. So there's a lot of different variables, a lot of different things, but I personally like to just be protecting my peace. I like to go and just be in my car and, like, just shoot out the window or that kind of thing. Or show up to an event that, you know they're expecting you, like a red carpet or whatnot. A movie set. You know, they know sometimes we're gonna be there at movie sets. Those are my favorite, actually. But, yeah, a lot of people, they hate us. And that's okay. Like you said, it's instrumental. We have a symbiotic relationship. We need one another. They don't understand the business aspect of it, and that's okay. Like, you know, I try to educate people. They're always like, well, you know, how do you guys know? There's so many different ways we know. Like, all the people that are in. A celebrity's supposed to be trusted circle from the bodyguard to the doctor's office. Like, they all want to have sort of like this little thing that they can present to you that, like, I've got information for you, you know, so there's that aspect. But in this town, I mean, it's a type of job that I didn't see myself going into. I was a photographer before. I just was kind of doing headshots locally. You know, back when it was actual, like, paper, you had an eight by ten kind of thing. This is a little while ago. And I didn't really like the industry. I didn't, like, I wanted to do editorial, but I didn't like the pretentious side of it and, like, the fakeness. And I'm just so real that, like, it's hard and I can't wing it. So I just. I landed on a Craigslist thing and I was like, I never saw paparazzi back then. It was before, like, the big. The big time that we had that we'll probably never get back to. But, yeah, it just went from there. I got in and been ever since. It's offered me a lot of freedom, a lot of really unique situations and experiences that, like this that I would have never had. And, you know, I take the good with the bad.
- [37:48]
C
So what's your favorite celebrity encounter that you've had?
- [37:52]
B
Oh, gosh. Honestly, I don't really like it. I don't really like it.
- [37:59]
C
I think it's time for a career change.
- [38:01]
B
I've been thinking of it, but honestly, no, it's just so chaotic. It's so. Like, the way it unfolds is just depending on the situation. Like, if you go somewhere where you know they're gonna come, like, let's say you're at a restaurant and it's a popular spot. It's a hot spot. And they already know, like, paps are gonna be there. That's different than, like, all of a sudden on the fly, you get a text like, so and so's at Rodeo Drive, and then you're like, booking it across town to get there. And like. Yeah, it's just. It's so chaotic. And like I said, I'm not like, I can step up to that and do what I have to do to get my job done, But I'm also with guys that are like twice my size, you know, and I have to get in there and I have to be just as equal. I'm a female in a male dominant industry. I'm one of, like, a handful that's, to this day, probably the longest standing veteran female that's been doing this full time. And it gets tiring. It gets tiring. Their antics, the way they are, the way they fight. Like, there's just so many different things, and then that's only half the battle. Then we got to hope that the stuff sells. We got to hope that we're getting what is supposed to be the price on that. You know, there's so many different. So many different variables. But, yeah, I do think often about a career change, but I don't know where to go, especially in this town with that. It's not like I can put that on my resume. People, like, frown upon us, you know.
- [39:26]
C
So you could just say celebrity photographer, which is true.
- [39:29]
B
Yeah, it's the same thing. Like, people know what that means, but.
- [39:32]
C
But I do have to ask and I have to know, how was the cardi b trial? Because the few clips I saw were so big. Where was it in the valley?
- [39:43]
B
It was in Alhambra, which is just kind of outside of Pasadena. Way hotter than it is right now. It was 110.
- [39:52]
C
This is so hot.
- [39:55]
B
It was 110. So she would come in the morning, then she'd come out at break, then go back in and then come back out. And like. So I actually. I was able to be outside and shoot and then go inside and shoot on the last day of the verdict. And what was crazy is that she was in there for alleged assault and whatever. Right. Harassment, whatever. I don't even know like, all the different things, but. And then we had. On the day of the verdict, there was. She had been asked by a reporter something that she thought was offensive, and she just blew up in the Cardi way with all cameras, which there was probably 50 cameras and who knows how many tiktokers. And yeah, she. She, like, threw a pen marker from. She was about to go do an autograph, and she just kind of lost it. And so then she went back in, they resumed. And the judge was known, we were told, as media, don't go too far. He's got a reputation to wrap this up really quick. And I'm thinking, like, quick, we still have a few hours. Maybe he means end of day. No, it was like 30 minutes. Or not even that, like. And so we all had to gather together. And. Yeah, I mean, I feel bad for the girl that tried to go after her because, you know, she. In my opinion, she didn't have a really good attorney. But, yeah, I was right in front of her when Cardi, like, just flipped out. And, you know, you have to capture certain moments. And, yeah, that's how that went down.
- [41:38]
C
Sounds a little less sound.
- [41:39]
B
And then check it out. So then she's got images from the courtroom that she's promoting now on her new album. So her new album has. And I'm thinking, I hope she ran that through the right channels because they're not my photography, but the photos. You know, it could be a copyright violation. I don't know.
- [42:00]
C
But so, yeah, it's like a few extra violations.
- [42:04]
B
Yeah.
- [42:05]
C
Cardi, wrap it up, girl.
- [42:07]
B
Yeah.
- [42:08]
C
Don't be in court anymore. I love her, though. I used to watch on Loving hip Hop. I know.
- [42:14]
B
She's so real and just has zero filter. Yeah, exactly. And, you know, you can't help but to kind of secretly, like, when she gets a little unhinged because she brings out a part of, I think, something that's in everybody, but, like, people know how to behave. And she's just like, I don't care.
- [42:32]
C
Yeah. And she can. She has the money and the ability to do it.
- [42:35]
A
I'm loving hip hop.
- [42:36]
B
Yeah.
- [42:37]
C
It was so good.
- [42:38]
B
So your music?
- [42:40]
C
Yep.
- [42:41]
B
I remember back in the day when it first came out and I was like, oh wait, she's reality star. And then you came to Koi and I remember it so vividly. You were like really feeling it and you were like in your red dress. You gave us a little preview. Was that your first in music back then?
- [42:59]
C
I think so. I think that was higher. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. It's come a far way for sure. It's tricky because it does feel like it had such success but then it's just not. I don't know. It's an interesting in coming full circle.
- [43:17]
B
Would you say that it's better now the success of it, of the music?
- [43:21]
C
Yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean there is like a success of it now which is created, which.
- [43:25]
A
Means from last year month, Heidi is just very upset now that she doesn't have a performance every week. And like I told her it just feels less.
- [43:34]
B
You reignited the spark. She's ready to spark.
- [43:36]
A
She's addicted. But I can tell her the only people right now that. And I'm, I'm scrolling a lot. I keep telling the only people that are performing Lady Gaga, Tate McCray and Addison Ray. Of all the women in music right now. So you had all these shows. It's just like any pro athlete. There's seasons, your season's up. You can't like she's like going through this like, well, I just had a sold out show in LA three weeks ago. Like you're still at a major part of your career in life but now that there's nothing booked next week, it's like it's over.
- [44:12]
C
Well, it doesn't feel as productive. And I was hoping since our house was gone and this was such a crazy disaster that God was going to give me a crazy miracle and like a million dollars or you know, some huge amount of money to be able to put into a down payment of a house. And so I think I just had my own expectation and hope of that translating into financially really successful. And so as long as I was performing, I felt like I continued that hope of like, well, maybe this will lead to something big and maybe this is going to lead to brand deals and maybe this is going to be the thing. And so it just felt like the continued momentum. But like I did keep saying to everyone, I'm like, this could be the last show. And so I, I was very realistic with myself but that still hope was there for the, the ultimate success and wanting that so desperately, like great Mommy did it, guys. And now here's our new house. And instead it's like, okay, well, let's see what God has. Which is harder. It's harder to be.
- [45:15]
B
Yeah.
- [45:15]
C
Patient and faithful and. Yeah. So who knows?
- [45:19]
A
But anyway, told me God's time's not your time.
- [45:21]
B
Right?
- [45:21]
C
Exactly.
- [45:22]
A
And this podcast is getting so depressing.
- [45:26]
C
Yeah.
- [45:26]
A
We're back to TikTok. I'm gonna go dance with Val.
- [45:30]
C
Well, that's why this week I've been working on peace and spirituality and, like, okay, I gotta let that go. That was a great season. That's what I was meant to do, to transfer that energy and to help me to move forward and to deal with so many things. And now I just need to really, like, refocus on, like, God and spirituality and making my. Our rental home, like, feel like home and get pictures and do all the things. So, you know, it's. You know, I have. I have other things coming up for sure, but I just was hoping for that lottery, you know? But all things are good. It's all a blessing. It's all great.
- [46:07]
B
It's not too late, though. I mean, it just happens. So, I mean, things take time and they take a turn, and you never know. Like, I mean, and Spencer's really good. He's like a marketing guru, like, since day one. In fact, at Koi, I think you were handing out T shirts then about Heidi, Team Heidi. I'm looking at this in the back. The Heidi would. And I'm thinking in terms of, you know, marketing, I'm like, that would also be good for, like, you know, a billboard for you guys to do endorsements and stuff.
- [46:37]
A
I pitch it every episode. We have another brand I set up, painted for whatever.
- [46:44]
C
Amazon.
- [46:44]
B
Yeah. I mean, you've been. You've been doing the same thing since day one, and it's worked for you guys. So, I mean, it may not happen the way that you dreamt or idolize, idealized it, I guess, but it doesn't mean that it's game over. I mean, I was thinking too, like, you guys have lasted this long, which is so hard in Hollywood. And it's amazing because, like, you know, I look at other people that during that time, like, they kind of dipped out. You know, you had. Back then, it was like, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and, like, a whole bunch of others that, like, I mean, they kind of had their moment and then they phased out and they kind of come in and go. Right. But you guys have kind of consistently stayed on board, which is really hard to do in Hollywood. And I think you've done successfully, like a great job and may not be going where you want it to go right now, but it doesn't mean it's over. But also I feel like, you know, all of that experience and everything that happened, I sometimes wonder if it was like you never would have saw the trajectory to go here and if maybe like you said, this was some sort of like buildup and a calling that you might have to do what you're doing and you don't know what kind of impact or what kind of legacy you're going to leave in that. And I think it's amazing that you're just out here doing it.
- [48:01]
C
And I've heard that you had your own encounter with Karen Bass.
- [48:05]
B
So, yeah, back in the day, you know, there was, she was, I forget her position. I think she was a speaker and she was rallying with Dennis. Dennis Z, I think is Dennis Z. But he's a 30 plus year veteran. I think he's retired now in the, in the LAPD or he's a police. I'm not sure. Sheriff lapd. But anyway, he was promoting him like he had a campaign. Like they were all trying to do this political crime climb. Not crime, no pun intended, a climb. And basically they had a paparazzi task force that they were going to put in place because at the time it was, there was a fight that went down at the beach in Malibu and It was with McConaughey and some photographers. So they were going to clean up the city. We had. Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor at the time. He signed a bill to try to put some limitations on what we could do. And then she came along and she had her own. So it didn't really go anywhere, honestly, as you know, we still continue to do what we do. You had other people trying to fight some of the battles later, like, you know, Jennifer Garner and Halle Berry mostly was to protect kids in schools, which I totally am down for. I believe that is very important. But yeah, so that was my experience.
- [49:27]
A
Then and I wish I had that experience with that communist murderer. Well, thank you so much for coming out here and being such a now part of one of the most powerful moments of my existence. And I cherish your frequency and energy and what you, you were there, meant to be and I don't think it was accident.
- [49:54]
B
So, yeah, I still look into the community. I still support it in different ways, but I also follow you a lot to see where you're going. And I think a lot of people Do. The community really relies on that. And I know you have some things you can't talk about that are. I'm really anticipating and excited to see how it unfolds down the pike because I'm sure you're. You're unraveling a lot.
- [50:18]
A
One thing that's for sure coming out before this airs on Monday, it's announced, it's official. Congress is investigating the Palisade's fire. So that is. That's beyond a game changer because now everybody has to come explain. And whereas right now with the civil suits, they're already all claiming immunity. Even if there was a settlement, you'd never have a Karen Bass have to talk. You'd never have the LADWP CEO have to talk. You'd never have Newsom after that. None of these people would ever have to speak and be held accountable. Accountable for what they did to the Palisades. And now Congress is going to subpoena them and they're going to be asked on front of C Span and every camera. And to me, that's one of those. Like when you're saying, where do you find peace? Like, that's my piece.
- [51:14]
B
That is because you have results, right?
- [51:16]
A
Yeah. Like, that feels so good. And again, even if they get away with this, people need to be aware of what they can get away with. So that maybe they do buy their own generator for their swimming pool and get their own plans and realize your taxpayer money is not going to come save you. I love law enforcement, but they're not going to come save you within a home invasion. You need to protect yourself. I always knew that. I didn't do that. What I didn't know is firefighters are not there to save you from urban fire, period. They say. They literally say that in their court case. Oh, no. The city is not responsible for fire protection if it comes into your neighborhood.
- [51:58]
B
So my cousin is a firefighter, actually in San Diego.
- [52:01]
A
Most of the people messaging me and calling me are firefighters. So firefighters understand everything I'm saying is the people behind them are hurting what they do and what they're able to do and not having the proper resources, the budget, the. The political stuff that, you know, blaming the feds versus the state, all this stuff they understand that's not firefighters are there to do their job. It's the people behind them.
- [52:28]
B
So you get the chief that was fired in here on your part.
- [52:31]
A
He reached out to Chief Crowley.
- [52:32]
B
Is that a conflict of interest?
- [52:33]
C
I'm sure she'll be in Congress.
- [52:35]
A
Oh, yeah, she'll be speaking In Congress for sure.
- [52:37]
C
Well, congratulations on that hard work because this was completely swept under the rug and irrelevant until you started bringing that re recognition of what everyone's going through in the devastation. So a job well done. Your hard work paid off. Way to be proactive, productive. Keep advocating fighting that good fight. So congratulations, good luck in Washington. Spencer, you will be missed in God's speed. And you're going to Washington. Do you want to tell everyone?
- [53:06]
A
Yeah, I will. After you've seen this. I will have been in Washington. So I go to Washington next week to announce the congressional investigation with the senator that has the subpoena power. So that's very, very exciting. Yeah. And a lot of big meetings I can't talk about that are about other things, that justice is coming and what people keep telling me, the wheels of justice move slowly but they come to a grinding stop or something. Okay. Make sure you hit the five star. If you're on Apple podcasts, it's very important for our algorithm to just leave a five star review. So helpful. Thank you. Make sure to pre order my book the guy you loved past tense to hate. Anywhere you want to buy your books. Amazon's very easy but any anywhere online right now, pre order. I need to sell 30,000 approximately to get number one on New York Times.
- [54:10]
C
They're a great Christmas gift too. You can give them for a Christmas coming up. You can buy them and send them to people. So make sure that you share them all and make sure that you please stream, download, listen to all my music. Thank you all for coming today. God bless you. Thank you for coming and you know, having such a moral compass too and helping Spencer so much through everything and you know, we just, we appreciate your energy and kindness and concern great questions towards us.
- [54:39]
B
I still keep praying for you guys and I, I will keep all the way to the end.
- [54:41]
A
So everyone please.
- [54:43]
C
Yeah, God bless you all. Thank you.
- [54:48]
A
Sam.