Fame Under Fire

Candace Owens claims she is being “hounded” by the media to distract her from investigating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.The right-wing influencer was responding to Fame Under Fire’s exclusive story last week that Brigitte Macron is planning to present “scientific evidence” in the Macrons’ lawsuit against Owens.The French president and his wife are suing the podcaster for defamation including over her allegation that Brigitte Macron was born a biological man.Last week, the Macrons’ lawyer Tom Clare told Fame Under Fire how they plan to support the case with scientific and photographic evidence.On her podcast, Candace Owens told her followers: “I don't know what this is, just like we're just gonna all hound Candace to try to distract her from looking into Charlie Kirk's murder and assassination.”In a statement to Fame Under Fire, she added: “Brigitte's claim that she will offer scientific evidence regarding her gender in court is an obvious and pathetic public relations ploy.”Presenter Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty unpacks Owens’ response with resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and looks at why the location of the lawsuit is so important.Plus, could Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs walk free? The hip hop megastar is due to be sentenced on 3 October after being convicted for two counts of transportation for prostitution.Anoushka and Shaun look at his glowing character reference from rapper Yung Miami and assess how the sentencing hearing may play out.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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence in their US lawsuit to prove Mrs Macron is a woman.The French president and Mrs Macron will present the documentation in a defamation suit they have taken against the right-wing influencer Candace Owens after she promoted a theory that Brigitte Macron was born male.Ms Owens’ lawyers have responded with a motion to dismiss the claim.Speaking to the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast, the Macrons’ lawyer in the case, Tom Clare, said Mrs Macron had found the claims “incredibly upsetting” and they were a “distraction” to the French president.“I don't want to suggest that it somehow has thrown him off his game. But just like anybody who is juggling a career and a family life as well, when your family is under attack, it wears on you. And he's not immune from that because he's the president of country,” he said.Owens’ lawyers have responded with a motion to dismiss, arguing that the case was filed in Delaware, where her businesses are incorporated, rather than in Tennessee, where she lives. They claim forcing her to defend the case in Delaware would cause “substantial financial and operational hardship”.The BBC has approached Candace Owen’s legal team for a comment. She has previously said she believes what she is saying is true and there is nothing more American than free speech, the ability to criticise.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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty examines the $50m lawsuit which calls Priscilla Presley “a pit viper willing to prey on her own family”. The case, brought by Priscilla’s former business partners Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko against the 80-year-old star, includes accusations of fraud in the inducement, breach of contract, misappropriation of name and likeness, and intentional interference with contracts and business opportunities. They allege Priscilla placed financial pressure on Elvis in his final months — pushing him to his death. She has rejected the accusations as “untrue and deeply hurtful.” The dispute follows an earlier lawsuit in which Priscilla accused Kruse and Fialko of financial elder abuse, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty – all of which they deny. Anoushka sits down with trial attorney Shaun Kent to discuss the legal battle and why headline-grabbing allegations are becoming increasingly common in litigation. 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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

How could Taylor Swift protect her assets - and her cats?Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident attorney Shaun Kent consider what prenup between the billionaire superstar and her millionaire fiance, Travis Kelce, might look like.Plus, celebrity wedding planner Sarah Haywood explains how NDAs and no-fly zones could keep their big day a private affair.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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident attorney Shaun Kent unpack the months-long legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Lively is suing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and others involved in the production of the movie It Ends With Us.Her allegations include sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation.All the claims are denied. Lawyer Bryan Freedman, who is representing all the defendants, called them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious".Plus, intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien answers those questions you’ve always secretly wondered about sex on set: What happens if an actor gets an erection? How do directors cope with menstruation? And more!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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

What’s a guardianship? As media personality Wendy Williams fights hers, we ask criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent how guardianships, also known as conservatorships, like those faced by Williams and Britney Spears work.Plus, when does a rap battle turn into a legal fight? The latest on the Drake lawsuit about Kendrick Lamar song ‘Not Like Us’. It was filed against Universal Music Group who said ‘Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist - let alone Drake - is illogical’.Anoushka speaks to Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University in North Carolina. Plus Shaun explains how legally risky a song can be.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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Producer: Vicky Farncombe Producer: Megan Jones Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

The Duke of York ‘should face further investigation’. That’s according to author Andrew Lownie, who speaks to Anoushka about his biography of Prince Andrew. Buckingham Palace told this podcast: ‘As the Duke of York is not a working member of the Royal Family, we would not speak for him, and we would not comment on this matter.’ Prince Andrew’s team has not responded to our request for comment. In 2019, Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew was appalled by sex abuse claims about Jeffrey Epstein. In a 2019 BBC interview, the prince said it was wrong of him to visit and stay at Epstein's house in 2010 after the financier's conviction, but that he did not regret their entire friendship.Also on the podcast, criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent explains the latest news on Ghislaine Maxwell and discusses whether she could be pardoned by President Trump. Maxwell was sentenced in 2019 to twenty years in prison for grooming and trafficking girls for Jeffrey Epstein. 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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Producer: Megan Jones Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s former partner Gina Huynh speaks out to support him. She was ‘Victim 3’ in the indictment and supposed to take the stand to give evidence against Combs during trial, but didn’t turn up.Meanwhile, Combs is refused bail ahead of sentencing in October for transportation for prostitution.Sex worker Bonnie Blue tells us she’s decided to rebrand after controversy following a TV documentary about her. Plus, what exactly are the allegations faced by Andrew and Tristan Tate? We explain them all.Anoushka speaks to criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent and sex worker Adreena Winters. 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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Exec Producer: Tara McDermott Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and guests discuss an advertising campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle which has prompted criticism for what some describe as eugenic overtones. The advert’s wordplay on “jeans” and “genes” has led to accusations of racial insensitivity and critics argue the campaign invokes language historically linked to white supremacy. Podcaster and commentator Candace Owens is facing a lawsuit from French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron over conspiracy theories Owens promoted on her podcast. The Macrons allege Owens spread false and defamatory claims regarding Brigitte Macron’s identity and personal history, despite having received formal retraction requests. Owens says the lawsuit is evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man. Blake Lively is suing her former co-star and director Justin Baldoni, for sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and defamation. She is about to sit for her deposition where she will face questions from Justin Baldoni's lawyer. Her claim alleges there was inappropriate on-set behaviour and that she was targeted in a smear campaign. Baldoni has said the allegations are categorically false.Anoushka speaks to criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent and crisis PR manager Molly McPherson. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4 or find Anoushka on social media. 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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and guests discuss the latest allegations against Kanye West from his former chief of staff. He denies all the claims from Lauren Pischiotta.A warning, this programme contains graphic descriptions of rape and sexual assault allegations.They also talk through Nicki Minaj’s latest social media spat with SZA and how Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s sentence will be decided after his conviction for transportation for prostitution.Anoushka speaks to criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent and crisis PR manager Molly McPherson.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4 or find Anoushka on social media.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: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsClips: BBC 1Xtra and Much Music