The Friend Zone Podcast – Episode: “Moved To Chorus”

Date: March 26, 2025
Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesco), Assanté

Episode Overview

In this lively and incisive episode, the trio cover a grab-bag of hot topics from Trick Daddy’s controversial dating comments, Broadway’s historic Othello premiere, viral celebrity drama, and the wildest true crime headlines. As always, music, Black wellness, and laughs are central, with the hosts skillfully weaving lightness into even the heaviest of subjects. Listeners are invited into candid, timely discussions about self-care, community, entertainment, and what it means to stay grounded (and entertained!) in a wild world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trick Daddy's "Old Hoes" Controversy (02:19)

• Recap of Trick Daddy's comments: Trick Daddy (age 51) said that women his own age “need to lower their standards” and made derogatory statements about “old hoes,” preferring women 22–35.
• Hosts’ take: The crew ably roast Trick Daddy but pivot to finding a “positive” by commending his self-awareness—“Shout out to Trick Daddy for understanding that these women have to take an L to experience him” (04:54, Dustin).
• They highlight the intersection of ageism, misogyny, and transactional relationships, but keep things light and witty: “Shout out to Trick Daddy for his accountability and his actual realistic view of self. I am proud of that. That’s where the positivity ends.” (04:54, Dustin).

2. Weekend Catch-up: From Othello to Invisalign (05:41)

• Dustin’s epic weekend: Details on the Broadway premiere of Othello—“Everywhere you turned, you saw somebody: Joe Biden was there... Jennifer Lopez, Colman Domingo, Tamron Hall, Nia Long... Jamie Lee Curtis and I had a conversation on the steps for five minutes” (06:02).
• Fran’s “spring renewal”: Haircut, teeth cleaning, and starting Invisalign—dishing the pros/cons and crowd-sourcing advice from listeners on managing pain and speaking with aligners on (10:07).
• Assanté’s birthday appreciation: A thank you for birthday wishes and musings on connections & unexpected messages that come around on birthdays (15:03).

3. Music, Events, and Shoutouts (17:21)

• Glorilla Concert: “Shout out to Glorilla, her whole team... She came out and she lipsung ‘Giving Him Something He Can Feel’ in like a gown” (18:12, Dustin). Hosts celebrate Glorilla’s rise and energy.
• Cleo Sol Shows: Highlights from her three-night run at Radio City and collective FOMO for what was described as an “amazing experience” (19:40).
• Dustin’s Comedy Show: Heartfelt thanks to supporters: “I feel so supported and that was a great feeling. So thank you.” (21:23)
• Patreon Community: Promotion of interactive “Wednesday Wind Down” and other exclusive perks (21:35).

4. Black Business Highlight: Yummy Tummies Kitchen (23:40)

• Spotlight on Melissa Johnson’s Brooklyn bakery: “Yummy Tummies Kitchen,” its struggle to stay afloat, and the power of community support (25:33, Fran).
• Emphasis on mutual aid and buying Black; shout-out for giving back: “She was handing out a lot of free treats... you can tell she’s really of the people” (25:58).

5. Listener Letters and Previous Episode Feedback (28:04)

• Reflections on “Stack Like Jenga” episode: Listeners shared touching stories about navigating loss, adulting through grief, and family responsibilities (31:05), with the hosts balancing the heaviness with humor.
• Quotes:
  • “Like, I have to hold it together and make room for something super unknown, that’s tragic—but the paperwork for it, too... I have to manage the tragedy.”—Asanté (31:24)
  • “That fear of the day you’re going to get that call... Just a lot to worry about.”—Fran on only-child anxiety (33:25)

6. Viral Salon Drama Talk (36:27)

• Social media outbreaks over salon payment disputes: Discussions of a viral video where a minor was physically assaulted for not paying for braids (37:25).
• Fierce opinions about business boundaries and the need for upfront payment policies to prevent conflicts:
  • “That’s a drag—a not no kids, so I ain’t with that part... You gotta stand up for yourself sometimes.”—Dustin (43:30)
  • Moral: “Stop being thieves y’all... don’t sit in someone’s salon and let them stand on their feet if you can’t pay!”—Fran (40:06)
• Hilarious, exasperated takes notably leaven the otherwise serious topic.

7. Entertainment and Pop Culture Hot Topics (45:44)

Broadway’s Othello with Denzel Washington

• Historic moment: Breaks record for highest-grossing Broadway play previews ($2.8M). Salute to producers Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, and Brian Moreland.
  • “People have tried not to take Kandi and Todd as seriously as Broadway producers, but they doing the damn thing.”—Dustin (46:49)
• Kandi’s career evolution is celebrated.

Sherri Shepherd vs. Nia Long?

• Alleged spat: At Othello, Sherri says an “unnamed celebrity” accused her of “shading” them; Page Six claims it was Nia Long, and the hosts analyze Sherri’s vocal imitation for clues (56:32–57:34).
• “Nia Long drops the first letter of her words... That was Nia Long”—Dustin (57:20).
• Reflections on celebrity confrontation etiquette, “walking down on someone in person” vs. online beefing (58:23).

Omarion Scolds the Crowd

• Concert awkwardness: Omarion tells an unengaged Virginia audience to “get y’all asses up,” prompting debate on artist-audience dynamics (63:03).
• Wise advice: “They purchased a ticket to come see you... never be a situation unless they do something crazy where you become combative with the audience”—Dustin (67:57).

Facetune Claps at Nene Leakes

• Social media pettiness: Facetune’s official account jokes about Nene’s announcement of wanting to return to RHOA, saying, “Guess I’m going too.” (72:49, Dustin).

Angela Rye vs. Kevin O’Leary (CNN)

• Boundaries enforced: Angela checks O’Leary on live TV for touching her arm:
  • “Thank you. That’s my personal space. Don’t do it again.”—Angela Rye (75:10)
  • “She checked him... You, sir, don’t get to interrupt me or tap my arm.”—Dustin (75:23)
  • Context: O’Leary is a vocal Trump supporter with a pattern of overstepping, making this rebuke a satisfying one for the hosts and listeners.

8. Wild True Crime – The Crime Zone (78:51)

• Utah Nurse’s Deadly Deceit: Nurse Megan Randall Sun Wall fabricated a cancer diagnosis for a friend, poisoned her, and sought a nonexistent $1.5M life insurance payout.
  • “So, she did it for nothing, y’all. The girl had no policy!” (82:59, Dustin)
  • Hosts unpack the disturbing psychology and the need for better professional vetting.
• West Virginia Child Abuse: Donald Lance and Gene White Feather sentenced to a combined 375 years for heinous crimes against their five Black adoptive children—locked in sheds, malnourished, and forced labor.
  • “You brought these children to West Virginia, a place that I know is almost heaven, and you put them in hell... This court will now put you in yours.”—Judge Mary Claire Acres (91:08)
  • Sombre reflection: Wishing healing for the children and hoping for systemic justice. (93:01)

9. Wellness: Community Call to Save STI Clinic (94:30)

• Listener letter from Sonia Almonte: Shares closure threat of Multnomah County’s STI clinic in Portland and the larger dangers of budget cuts in public health.
• Fran pledges to amplify the message and provides contact info for county commissioners to rally community support.
• “This is a genuine public health crisis. We’re facing a lot of losses like this.”—Fran (97:53)

10. Music Man / Songs to Play (99:08)

• Lizzo’s “Still Bad”: Shout-out for perseverance and industry respect despite haters: “It ain’t ever about her talent. Lizzo is good at what she does. She’s the real deal.”—Dustin (100:07)
• JT’s “Ran Out”: Celebrating her solo hustle and musical focus post–City Girls (104:37). Fran: “Shout out to her for being like, I’m gonna start again. Get it out the mud and watch it happen.”
• Lady Gaga: Deep appreciation for Gaga’s return to pop roots on Mayhem: “If this is a return to that form... I’m open to listen.”—Dustin (109:30). Multiple tracks are recommended (“Perfect Celebrity,” “Love Drug”).
• Featured music picks:
  • Lady Gaga – “So Happy I Could Die” (111:17, Fran)
  • E.J. Ross – “Superficial” & Jay Versace’s production teaser (113:46+)
  • Sequence (in tribute to Angie Stone) – “I Don’t Need Your Love” and “Can You Feel It?” (117:45, Dustin)
  • Jungle – “Back on 74 (Full Crate Remix)” (119:39)
  • Health – “Cyberpunk 2.0” (121:46)
  • Kendrick Lamar – “Hood Politics” (122:57, Asanté)
  • The Organization – “Can’t Stop No Player” (126:19)
  • Lady Gaga – “Love Drug”—new album sample (128:33)
• Hosts reflect on their personal musical histories and why certain songs strike a chord.

11. TV & Streaming Recommendations (132:23)

• RHOA Season 16: Praise for the “showing out” of new cast members and Shamea’s quick wit in classic Atlanta arguments: “Episode 3 is hitting all the marks!” (135:06)
• Married to Medicine Reunion: Toya’s ongoing shade, signature fashions (or lack thereof), and iconic reads.
• Gross Point Garden Society: Special kudos to young actress Aris Harris for standout performances: “Our next Kiki Palmer. Our next Brandy... She just knows.”—Dustin (139:57).
• Yellowstone & White Lotus: Ongoing casual recaps and reactions as the hosts catch up (141:02+).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Shout out to Trick Daddy for understanding that these women have to take an L to experience him.”—Dustin (04:54)
• “Who in the hell wants Trick Daddy voluntarily?”—Fran (05:06)
• “Stop being thieves y’all... don’t sit in someone’s salon and let them stand on their feet if you can’t pay!”—Fran (40:06)
• “She checked him. And sometimes you have to do that.”—Dustin, on Angela Rye’s viral CNN moment (75:23)
• “She brought these children to West Virginia... almost heaven, and you put them in hell. This court will now put you in yours.” —Judge Mary Claire Acres (91:08)
• “I like the fact that JT is music focused... She’s hyper focused on establishing herself as a true rapper.”—Dustin (104:18)
• “So, she did it for nothing, y’all. The girl had no policy!”—Dustin on the Utah nurse murder plot (82:59)
• “Get it out the mud and watch it happen.”—Fran, about JT carving her own lane (105:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:19] – Trick Daddy commentary & reaction
• [05:41] – Weekend/catch-up: Othello premiere, Invisalign chat, birthdays
• [17:21] – Music events: Glorilla, Cleo Sol, comedy show recap
• [23:40] – Black business highlight: Yummy Tummies Kitchen
• [28:04] – Previous episode listener feedback
• [36:27] – Salon video drama & payment debates
• [45:44] – Entertainment news: Othello on Broadway, Kandi Burruss
• [56:32–57:34] – Sherri Shepherd vs. Nia Long confrontation
• [63:03] – Omarion chastises crowd at concert debate
• [72:49] – Facetune trolls Nene Leakes
• [74:04] – Angela Rye checks Kevin O’Leary on CNN
• [78:51] – Crime Zone: Utah nurse fake cancer/insurance plot
• [89:22] – Crime Zone: WV couple sentenced for child abuse
• [94:30] – Wellness: Save the STI clinic (listener letter)
• [99:08] – Music Man/songs to play: Lizzo, JT, Gaga, more
• [132:23] – TV recs: RHOA, Married to Medicine, Gross Point Garden Society
• [139:57] – Kids as stars: Aris Harris’s performance
• [141:02+] – Casual recaps: Yellowstone, White Lotus

Tone & Energy

The conversation flows with their signature mix of heart, humor, and pop culture savvy, moving from the ridiculous (Facetune’s Twitter shade) to the deeply serious (true crime, wellness gaps) without missing a beat. Each host brings a unique lens, but collective care for community, wellness, and Black joy is clear throughout.

For Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for fans of honest, unfiltered conversations about pop culture, music, Black business and wellness, and the beautiful (and occasionally absurd) chaos of everyday life. Whether you’re here for the headlines or the humor, you’ll leave feeling both entertained and informed.