The Fame Game with Heidi & Spencer

Episode: The Reality of Fame: NYTimes, Navigating Clout, Cancel Culture, and Career Comebacks
Hosts: Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid, unfiltered episode, Heidi and Spencer sit down for an in-depth conversation about the highs and lows of life in the reality TV spotlight. From Heidi’s birthday celebrations and motherhood mishaps to deep dives into the Palisades fire investigation, the realities of “fame clout,” failed music collaborations, and Spencer’s new film project, this episode captures the couple’s raw reflections on navigating notoriety, public perception, and personal resilience. Expect signature banter, honest revelations about industry game-playing, and updates on their ongoing projects and family life, all with their trademark wit and authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up: Heidi’s Birthday & Family Life

• Heidi’s “Family Birthday Staycation” (01:58–05:36):
  • Heidi recounts a chaotic, ultimately memorable birthday celebration at a hotel with their children.
  • Struggles with kids sleeping arrangements, humorous anecdotes, and the challenge of balancing parenthood and celebration.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Heidi: “It was probably a good 10, 15 minutes of pure stress and going back and forth. I’m like, should we just leave? I, I don’t know. I don’t know what to do…” (03:22)
  • Both appreciate making memories as a family, even amidst mayhem.

2. The New York Times Story & Palisades Fire Investigation

• Spencer’s NYT Experience (05:44–10:53):

  • Spencer shares the intensity of being shadowed by a NYT journalist—“It was like being interrogated for days straight.” (05:53)
  • Disagrees with framing the Palisades fire as climate change-related, attributing it to criminal negligence.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “My house burned down, our house, because of criminal negligence and nothing to do with the climate.” (06:44)

• Deep Dive: Political Negligence & The Fire Aid Scandal (10:53–14:27):

  • Spencer describes ongoing efforts to obtain records from fire officials, calling out alleged misconduct by LA officials and Mayor Karen Bass.
  • Frustrations about “several” wildfire charity donations ("Several? Okay, let's go up to 15. 15 out of 200 took wildfire money. So it's the biggest scam...") (11:10)
  • Expresses fatigue with community indifference and resolves to “fight for my family.”
  • Notable Quote:
    • “I am doing this for myself and my family. ... That’s my mission.” (13:45)

3. Navigating Fame, Guests, and Their Podcast Direction

• Reflections on the Fame Game (14:27–16:46):
  • Debate about future podcast guests—less focus on Palisades/fire angle, more on their lives and core fame.
  • Discussion on the broader definition of “fame”—politicians now act like celebrities.
  • Memorable Line:
    • Spencer: “Politicians … are now celebrities, they have followings … So the Fame Game … they are also playing a game of clicks and making TikToks.” (16:50)

4. New Career Developments

• Spencer’s Upcoming Movie with James Franco (17:10–19:16):

  • Spencer receives an unexpected call from James Franco to co-star in a movie (playing himself!).
  • “He says, I wrote a script, it’s co-starring just me and you and you play yourself, you can’t say no. We start filming in a month...” (17:54)
  • Heidi supports the project, promises to “hold the fort down.”

• Heidi’s Music Career & Performance News (19:27–21:35):

  • Heidi discusses her dream of a big live performance and meeting with a new music manager.
  • Hopeful about potentially pitching her album to a major label.
  • Praises the new manager: “He said, you're a star, and I'm excited to take you to the next level of my ability.” (21:16)

5. Health, Wellness, and Rebuilding Home

• Dealing with Aftereffects of the Fire (21:50–23:16):
  • Spencer’s rashes and ongoing health problems from fire debris exposure. Testing soil, ozone treatments to detox.
  • Balancing acceptance and vigilance: “As long as it's not continuing to happen, because that's my only concern about here…” (23:00)
  • Heidi’s perspective: “There's always options in life. At least three options…” (23:20)

6. Music Collaboration Fallout & Reality of Industry Relationships

• Failed Collaboration with a Famous Artist (24:27–29:02):
  • Heidi details a lost opportunity: an unnamed top artist proposed a collaboration for charity (no payment to Heidi), then withdrew the release after months of work and costly legal negotiations.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • Heidi: “It was like, really every minute counted ... So it made sense to feel productive, but it was really frustrating...to not, to have, feel like I wasted that time.” (24:33)
    • About charity split: “Our house burned down. Why would he want to do a song where she can't make any money from the song?” (24:22)
    • “It ended up being a really frustrating, unnecessary situation. Like, why, why, why did we just play this whole charade?” (28:15)
  • Spencer observes how people and brands chase “tragedy clout” and quickly disappear:
    • “It’s so funny how people...come attached to a tragedy to like get that energy, and then second the clout part of it’s gone, they’re out.” (29:02)

7. The Realities of Modern Fame

• Staying Grounded Amid “Clout Chasing” (29:32–31:02):
  • Heidi on keeping perspective: “We've been at the height of fame and we see how wishy washy it is, how it comes and goes...everyone's like a circus act running around juggling and shuffling...” (29:32)
  • Importance of focusing on family and true priorities, not fleeting hype or empty industry promises.

8. Entertainment Recommendations and Light-hearted Banter

• Favorite New Shows (32:50–34:18):
  • Heidi raves about “K Popped” and Meghan Markle’s new cooking/lifestyle reality show, praising their positivity and family-friendliness.
  • “I'm obsessed with Meghan Markle and this show. It's so, so freaking good...she really interests me.” (34:18)
• Comic Relief:
  • Tongue-in-cheek exchanges about waking up with the kids, sleep schedules, and podcasting being the dog's nap time.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the NYT Journalist Experience:
  • “...it was like being interrogated for days straight.” (05:53, Spencer)
• On Political Scandal:
  • “I want to see what [the mayor] was writing leading up to the fire...” (08:13, Spencer)
• Heidi on the Emotional Cost of Collaboration:
  • “...that was precious, serious time that I think this person has no idea...” (24:33, Heidi)
• On Fame and Modern Culture:
  • “Politicians … are now celebrities, they have followings … the Fame Game … is completely broad now.” (16:50, Spencer)
• Personal Motivation:
  • “I care more about my family than anybody else.” (13:14, Spencer)
• Industry Lessons:
  • “...people come attached to a tragedy to get that energy, and then second the like clout part of it’s gone, they’re out…” (29:02, Spencer)
• Fame “Circus”:
  • “Everyone's like a circus act running around juggling and shuffling and filming and it's like, it's chaotic and psychotic.” (29:32, Heidi)
• On the Reality of Offers:
  • “I was definitely very realistic...I appreciate all the fans in this moment and being able to perform...” (30:07, Heidi)
• Closing Joke:
  • “...I think I had a bug go up my nose and just out my mouth.” (30:51, Spencer)

Additional Highlights

• Future Projects: Film with James Franco, Heidi’s pending album release, a potential live show, and new management.
• Ongoing Recovery: Dealing with the longtail effects (legal, health, community) from the Palisades Fire.
• Podcast Direction: More emphasis on fame’s realities, relationships, and self-directed narrative rather than external guests or controversies.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is an intimate showcase of Speidi’s unique brand of resilience, sarcasm, and self-awareness as they navigate scandal, disappointment, and—always—the realities behind the headlines. Whether it’s dealing with shallow industry “clout chasers,” unpacking personal trauma, or making space for creativity and healing, Heidi and Spencer keep it real while keeping each other grounded. For fans new and old, it’s a revealing portrait of the personal price and unexpected perks of 15+ years in the fame game.