The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: Meghann Fahy Has The New Lily Allen Album On Repeat | PLUS Why Boyfriends Are Embarrassing

Release Date: November 13, 2025
Hosted by: Chloe Malle, Chioma Nnadi

Episode Overview

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue is a double feature:

• First, it explores the viral cultural phenomenon questioning “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?” with British Vogue columnist Shantae Joseph, unpacking the modern re-examination of relationships, singleness, and social media performance.
• Second, it features a charming interview with actress Meghann Fahy (White Lotus, The Bold Type), who shares anecdotes from set, creative ambitions, thoughts on horror, musicals, and her favorite new pop album by Lily Allen.

Key Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Vogue World Milan & The State of Fashion (02:00–07:40)

• Milan Announcement: The upcoming Vogue World event (Sept 22 in Milan) will highlight Italian creativity, focusing on craftsmanship—“the human touch and craft in the age of technology.”
• Fashion & Sustainability: Discussion of circular fashion, borrowing outfits, and the close-knit nature of designer competitions like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

Quote
“I think it’s fun that it’s very Fashion focused...about the art of fashion and the petit main, as they say—the hands and the craft behind what goes into the making of clothing.”
—Chloe Malle (02:33)

2. Inside the Fashion World: Designers, Awards, and Sustainability (06:10–07:40)

• Discussing Antonin Tron as Balmain’s new creative director, his background in sustainable yet stylish fashion, and reflection on Olivier Rousteing’s legacy.

3. “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?” – The Viral Conversation with Shantae Joseph (07:45–25:00)

The Cultural Flashpoint (10:25–14:05)

• Shantae Joseph recounts how her viral article changed her life, leading to 100,000+ new social followers and media attention.
• Candid discussion of the Internet’s obsession with her essay, generational responses, and the backlash—especially from upset men.

Quote
“For my life, there is before the Vogue piece and after the Vogue piece...I did not know that many people could just flock to one place on the Internet in that way.”
—Shantae Joseph (11:12)

Why Now? – Societal & Social Media Shifts (12:42–14:05)

• “Single women are scrutinized...it just feels kind of repulsive...you just feel judged for it.”
  —Shantae Joseph (12:42)
• Women today feel less shame about singledom, and cultural narratives have shifted from “pick me” energy to radical independence.

Embarrassment, Shame, and Heterosexual Norms (14:05–16:44)

• The article’s provocation around “embarrassment”: purposely chosen to prompt reflection and critique the heterosexual norm.
• Discussion of Boyfriendland (18:09)—the trend of obscuring partners online, driven by both privacy and a rejection of deriving value from public relationships.

Quote
“The only way to get people to really think critically...is to attach this element of ‘ew’ to it. Because no one wants to be disgusting, no one wants to be embarrassing.”
—Shantae Joseph (14:20)

Social Media, Dating, and the ‘Evil Eye’ (19:37–22:00)

• How women have started hiding boyfriends online, citing everything from the “evil eye” to privacy and cultural shifts.
• The idea that now, being overtly coupled-up is “a bit cringe.”

Relationship Culture and Politics (22:00–24:40)

• The rise of “trad wife” content and how public coupling is being linked to conservative values.
• Men and women drifting apart in values; the rise of the manosphere; dating as a final “battleground” for shifting gender power dynamics.

Quote
“Now to be in a relationship, you feel like—this feels conservative...I feel like I am part of this kind of larger movement that wants to take us back to the time of the nuclear family.”
—Shantae Joseph (22:28)

What’s Next? (24:39–25:00)

• Shantae reveals plans for a follow-up column and a forthcoming book titled “Picky” about modern dating.

4. Interview: Actress Meghann Fahy on New Projects, Pop, & More (26:12–57:52)

On Her New Film “Rebuilding” (26:12–29:12)

• Discusses working alongside Josh O’Connor, playing a more stripped-down role, and the experience of building family dynamics on set.
• Recalls attending her first rodeo (“an unbelievable experience...I was shocked by the mutton racing”).

Accidental Accents (31:13–32:36)

• Meghann shares a funny anecdote about unintentionally adopting a Texan twang in the film, despite her character not being Texan.

On Set “Keepsakes” (33:31–33:56)

• Admits to usually stealing set pieces (combat boots from “Sirens”) but didn’t take anything memorable from “Rebuilding.”

Beauty Tools & Relatable Moments (34:05–34:39)

• Conversation about LED face masks, adult acne, and aligning her real-life beauty regimen with on-screen moments.

Trends in Roles: Social Horror, Satire & “Rich People Riching Wrong” (35:23–36:11)

• Why she gravitates to stories examining the dark side of privilege (“there is innate curiosity for these stories...always hits for some reason”).

Genre Ambitions (36:33–37:59)

• Meghann shares her excitement (and nerves) about starring in her first true horror film and how childhood exposure to horror left her susceptible to nightmares and lucid dreams.

Ghosts & Haunted Houses! (39:02–40:34)

• Spooky storytelling about haunted houses and the pervasive fear of entities residing in one’s home.

“White Lotus” Deep Dive (41:44–46:43)

• How reading the scripts “without even getting up for water” left her shocked and delighted.
• Reflects on filming at lavish hotels (“It’s ruined me for hotels, generally speaking”), and fun tidbits about working with Leo Woodall (“he’s my favorite actor...I’d love to work with him again”).

Musicals, Career Journey, & Pop Girlies (47:39–49:57)

• Meghann’s roots in musical theater (“Next to Normal”), her love for “pop girlies” like Lily Allen, and the impact of Allen’s new album (“an immersive one...so vulnerable”).
• Favorite Lily Allen songs: “Pussy Palace” (49:14), “Tennis” (49:16), “Sleepwalking.”

Quote
“The new Lily Allen album has been on repeat...what I love about any album is if you can start it in the beginning and listen all the way through.”
—Meghann Fahy (48:52)

On Perseverance, Therapy, & The Path to “The Bold Type” (50:00–54:06)

• Shares honestly about years of struggle, mental health challenges, and how therapy and nannying helped keep her grounded.
• Talks about “believing that something was gonna happen eventually” and the role of stubbornness in her journey.

Quote
“Therapy was huge—an incredible tool that helped me stay balanced...I just had this inner knowing that I didn’t want to do anything else.”
—Meghann Fahy (50:48)

Manifestation & “Just Enough Delusion” (53:29–54:40)

• Discusses the balance of hope and (sometimes) delusion necessary for actors, referencing a recent Jeremy Allen White quote on belief in your own performance.

Would Meghann Work at Vogue? (54:40–55:41)

• Jokes about playing editor-for-a-day at Vogue; expresses deep respect for the fashion media world.

Forthcoming Projects (56:01–57:41)

• Teases her new show “The Good Daughter” on Peacock, based on the Karin Slaughter novel, and shares admiration for co-stars Rose Byrne and Brendan Gleeson.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Shantae Joseph on the viral article:
  “For my life, there is before the Vogue piece and after...just in the last 17 days, over 100,000 people have followed me.” (11:12)

• Meghann Fahy on Lily Allen:
  “The new Lily Allen album has been on repeat...I think what I love about any album is if it feels like you can start it from the beginning and listen all the way through.” (48:52)

• On “White Lotus” Season 2:
  “I got an email with all of the scripts...I just sat there and read them all. I don’t even think I got up for water.” (42:53)

• On therapy and making it as an actor:
  “Therapy was huge...I just had this inner knowing that I didn’t want to do anything else.” (50:48)

Key Timestamps

• 00:30–04:21: Roundup of fashion news, Milan Vogue World preview, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund insight.
• 07:45–25:00: Deep-dive interview with Shantae Joseph on relationships, singleness, and digital dating culture.
• 26:12–57:52: In-depth conversation with Meghann Fahy on acting, creative process, horror, music, and personal growth.
• 41:44: White Lotus segment – reading scripts, filming at exclusive hotels, reflections on cast.

Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, witty, and warm. The hosts and guests balance incisive cultural analysis (particularly in the Shantae Joseph segment) with candid, often humorous exchanges (especially during Meghann Fahy’s interview).

For New Listeners

This episode provides a snapshot of both the fashion world’s internal chatter and the zeitgeist questions consuming Internet culture and young women. Whether you’re here for a critical lens on modern romance or for Meghann Fahy’s infectious pop culture enthusiasm and career reflections, the episode brings both delight and insight.