Fame Under Fire

BBC
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Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line. Why does it matter? Because we invest in them. We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts. We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth. But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job. Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge. Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline. Got questions? We've got answers. 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.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Kanye West LOSES civil case over $57m house

    Controversial US rapper Kanye West - now known as Ye - has been ordered to pay $140,000 to a man he hired to renovate his $57m Malibu mansion. Handyman Tony Saxon claimed he was injured while working at the beachfront house in 2021, that he wasn’t paid properly and that he was fired after refusing to run generators that released carbon monoxide inside the property. West’s team had argued Saxon was an unlicensed contractor who “destroyed” the “architectural gem” while working as an independent contractor and that bank records showed Saxon was paid $240,000 during the six weeks he worked for the rapper. A jury sitting in Los Angeles Superior Court heard Saxon initially filed a lawsuit in 2023, alleging unsafe working conditions, unpaid wages and wrongful termination. In true Ye style, it’s not been a traditional trial - at one point he appeared to fall asleep while giving evidence on the stand. This claim was then refuted by his defence attorney, Andrew Cherkasky, who told the jury on Monday: “He wasn’t sleeping. He was bored. This is beneath him.” Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent joins Anoushka to discuss the details of what went down - plus what the latest legal battle means for future cases against the self proclaimed Yeezus. We love hearing from you - send us your questions or comments as a voicenote or message via Whatsapp to 0330 678 1114. Host: Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty Producer: Keiligh Baker Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Production Coordinator: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    27 min

  2. 5 MAR

    Singer D4vd named as Grand Jury ‘target’

    US singer D4vd has been named as the ‘Target’ of a Grand Jury investigation into the apparent murder of a teenage girl. The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was found decomposing in a car belonging to the singer in Hollywood last September - but so far there have been no arrests, no charges and no indictment. Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent joins Anoushka to discuss the latest in the legally fraught process, why crucial court documents have been sealed, and what happens next. We also answer your pressing questions on the latest Epstein files dump - does Madeleine McCann’s name appear? And was Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch linked to the convicted sex offender? Host: Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty Producer: Keiligh Baker Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tom Dunster Technical Producer:Ben Andrews and Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    37 min

  3. 26 FEB

    Blake v Justin: Nerdiness, mean girls and how to dress for court

    We answer your pressing questions on the biggest legal cases of the moment. First up, the Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni case in New York. How did dragons, Game of Thrones and Taylor Swift get dragged into all of this? And how might it impact Taylor? Next, your questions on the case France’s first family, the Macrons, have brought against American online commentator and provocateur Candace Owens. Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent joins Anoushka to discuss nerdiness, mean girls and how to dress for court. Host: Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty Producer: Keiligh Baker Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Jonny Baker and Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    32 min

  4. 19 FEB

    Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni head to court.

    As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni head to court together for mediation behind closed doors, we look at how this process works. Legally, both must try and reach agreement before their dispute goes to full trial in May. So what happens at hearings like these? How do they work? Can they reach agreement and avoid a full public trial? Resident Fame Under Fire attorney Shaun Kent walks us through the latest legal steps. Host: Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty Series Producer: Jim Frank Senior Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Production Coordinator: Hattie Valetine Technical Producer: Cameron Ward. Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    33 min

  5. 12 FEB

    The Epstein Files: Fact or Fiction?

    Social media has been rife with speculation about what is in the Epstein Files with stories of cannibalism, designer babies, and references to torture. But what is actually true? What more do we know? The episode answers the questions listeners most want answers to. And we hear about the latest legal developments from US lawyer Arick Fudali, who represents 11 survivors of Jeffery Epstein. What does justice now look like for them? Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Jim Frank Senior Impact Producer: Daniel Raza 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

    21 min

  6. 9 FEB

    When It Hits the Fan x 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

    32 min

  7. 5 FEB

    Jay-Z and the Epstein files

    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

    27 min

  8. 29 JAN

    Tyler Perry to fight new sexual assault allegations

    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

    22 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line. Why does it matter? Because we invest in them. We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts. We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth. But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job. Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge. Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline. Got questions? We've got answers. 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.

Information

  • Channel
    BBC
  • Creator
    BBC Sounds
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Fame Under Fire
  • Provider
    BBC Studios Distribution Limited

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