Fame Under Fire

Reputations supposedly take years to build and seconds to destroy. But what if that's no longer the case?
What if the normal rules about earning - and keeping - a reputation simply don't apply any more.
This week, David Yelland is joined by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, from the BBC podcast Fame Under Fire. Together, they venture into some distinctly dubious corners of the internet to see how public opinion is really being shaped.
Examining the trial of rapper Diddy, they explain how he may have actually benefitted from the wild accusations being made about him on social media before the case came to court - and how his PR team realised they could capitalise on the fact he was being portrayed as the Devil.
On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Anoushka look at how the PR world might want to take some tips from Candace Owens - however unpalatable that may seem.
The right-wing influencer promotes conspiracy theories and has repeatedly made claims about Brigitte Macron being born a male. The Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit against her.
But Candace Owens has millions of followers and arguably influences more people than many newspapers, news channels or politicians. It's why Anoushka describes her as a 'personal PR powerhouse' - and explains that whatever you think of her, the way she spreads her message should be closely examined - and followed.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

The latest release from the Epstein files has once again thrown the spotlight on numerous famous names such as Bill Gates, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and President Trump. But within the millions of documents, other famous names have appeared, so what does it actually mean if your name is connected to the files? One of those mentioned is rapper Jay-Z, included after an FBI tip off many years ago. It’s provoked a big social media interest but is this really a significant development?
And in a series of shocking social media posts, rapper Nicki Minaj has made some wild allegations about child abuse involving Jay-Z. In the past Jay-Z has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Fame Under Fire gets the legal lowdown from resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and separates the fact from the fiction.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Jim Frank
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Lisa Baxter
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Hollywood film-maker Tyler Perry is facing a second sexual assault lawsuit by an actor employed on one of his productions. Actor Mario Rodriquez claims Perry carried out a series of unwanted sexual advances, some of which happened in Perry’s Los Angeles home. The claims follow an existing sexual assault claim by another actor called Derek Dixon. He was also employed by Perry and is suing for $260 million in damages. Both claims have been filed by the same lawyer.

Tyler Perry’s legal team has strongly denied all the allegations in both lawsuits, saying they are a “scam.” Responding to the Rodriquez claim, Perry’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, says it will be “another failed money grab.”

New York based attorney and legal analyst Terri Austin walks presenter Amber Haque through the two cases.

Host: Amber Haque
Series Producer: Jim Frank
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Hattie Valetine
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Liam Neeson appears as the narrator of a controversial film promoted as an investigation into pharmaceutical wrongdoing and Covid-era decision-making. The narration includes claims about Covid lockdowns and vaccines described as “dangerous experiments”, raising the question of what it means when a beloved movie star becomes associated, even indirectly, with polarising health narratives.
Host Amber Haque discusses reputational risk with Crisis PR Manager Molly McPherson and BBC Journalist Madeline Halpert.
Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Amber Haque
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Daniel Raza
Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A very public and very personal fallout places the Beckham family under renewed attention after Brooklyn Peltz Beckham publishes a series of Instagram statements to his millions of followers. He alleges that family relationships have been shaped by what he calls Brand Beckham, including claims about public promotion, social media expectations and long-standing tensions surrounding his marriage to Nicola Peltz.
The Beckhams have yet to respond.
Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Amber Haque
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Impact Producer: Daniel Raza
Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts