We Ain't No Divas

Addison fka Addison Rae appears to officially be pop’s new star as her self-titled debut album wins over critics and the charts. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful fails to stun commercially, however what do the Divas think of her ninth studio album?

Plus, we have new music from Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild), Mariah Carey (Type Dangerous) and Tate McRae (Just Keep Watching) to review, and a new album announcement from Taylor Swift.

In this episode we discuss…

• Sabrina Carpenter launches new era with Manchild, a country song aimed at Barry Keoghan
• Mariah Carey launches 16th album campaign with new single Type Dangerous and signs new record deal
• Taylor Swift buys masters back from Big Machine after Scooter Braun drama
• Taylor Swift announces Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version)
• Taylor Swift teases 13th studio album
• Miley Cyrus releases Something Beautiful to low chart sales and divided critical reception
• Addison Rae’s debut album Addison review

Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday and follow @weaintnodivas on Instagram and TikTok.

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 years ago, California Gurls hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the first of five consecutive Katy Perry singles to do so. With her sophomore record Teenage Dream, Katy became the first female artist and second artist after Michael Jackson to score five chart-toppers from one album on its initial run.

Inspired by The Beach Boys and Jay-Z, Katy set out to dominate pop with her second album, enlisting the help of Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Missy Elliott along the way. She dialled up the innuendo, created characters for each single release and had the pop culture fortune of her whirlwind celebrity marriage to Russell Brand ending mid-campaign as she toured the songs written about him. You almost wouldn't believe it!

Teenage Dream made history and defined Katy Perry as an artist for the rest of time. What is its legacy in 2025? And what is Katy Perry's...? If not just being synonymous with plastic bags...?

Ross and Sam revisit the historic pop era in this week's episode of We Ain't No Divas. Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok!

We discuss:

• How did Katy Perry get famous?
• How Jay-Z inspired California Gurls
• Teenage Dream inspired Taylor Swift going pop
• California Gurls music video controversy
• Katy Perry vs. Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry tying Michael Jackson's "Bad" Billboard record
• Katy Perry marrying Russell Brand in India
• Katy Perry's relationship timeline
• "Slapstick Pop" era
• Firework inspiring ally pop copied by P!nk, Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry: Part of Me movie
• Russell Brand divorcing Katy Perry via text message

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rihanna’s first song in three years (Friend of Mine) missed the Global Spotify charts, Ross and Sam question what’s going on with Fenty Music.

We dive into PinkPantheress’ new mixtape Fancy That (and Sam’s interview with her for Capital Buzz), JADE’s That’s Showbiz Baby announcement, and Madonna’s upcoming Netflix biopic mini-series.

Plus, a new Weekly UpTate on all things Tate McRae, who kicked off her Miss Possessive world tour, covered PAPER magazine and has the #1 song on US Spotify and Apple Music with her controversial country collaboration with Morgan Wallen, What I Want.

Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday and follow @weaintnodivas on Instagram and TikTok.

• 03:00 PinkPantheress releases Fancy That mixtape to critical acclaim
• 11:55 Rihanna releases Friend of Mine as first single in three years, fails to make Global Spotify chart
• 17:56 JADE announces debut album That’s Showbiz Baby and solo tour 
• 21:12 Madonna announces Netflix biopic mini-series with Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy
• 25:45 What Madonna eras should be covered in the biopic?
• 28:50 Madonna’s New York years with Keith Haring and her ex-boyfriend Jean-Michel Basquiat
• 30:00 Who will play Madonna? Is Julia Garner still Madonna?
• 31:05 Is there any good biopic?
• 32:05 Tate McRae launches Miss Possessive world tour
• 38:25 Tate ignores Morgan Wallen over What I Want 

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You're 20 years old with $100 million in the bank and no more Disney to answer to, what could go wrong?

Miley Cyrus had something to prove but nobody to answer to when she released Bangerz in 2013. Her first album after being released from all Disney affiliated contracts, Miley described it as her debut album and reintroduced herself to the world while erasing Hannah Montana from their minds.

The Bangerz era gave her two UK number one singles and her first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. She professionally partnered with Pharrell Williams and Mike Will Made It to create her new sound, while personally splitting with fiancé Liam Hemsworth in the middle of the campaign. Miley was at the centre of social media's first widespread cultural appropriation conversation - accused of using Black dancers as props while whitewashing twerking - while loudly posturing her new reputation as a drug-taking, sexually liberated party girl.

12 years on, Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance revisit the era for a Diva Dive to discuss the era's problematic legacy and how it has impacted Miley's career.

Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok!

• Hannah Montana and Disney era
• Leaving Disney
• 2012 Miley’s bun and Tumblr fame
• THE HAIR CUT
• Snoop Dogg & will.i.am collabs
• We Can’t Stop
• Written for Rihanna
• Miley watched Pour It Up and wanted to make it her personality
• We Can’t Stop video
• Using Black dancers as props
• VMAs performance with Robin Thicke
• Wrecking Ball
• Naked Music Video by Terry Richardson
• Written for Beyoncé
• Liam Hemsworth Breakup
• Bangerz album
• Adore You music video controversy
• Bangerz Tour Set List
• Bangerz Tour Controversies
• JoJo Siwa Comparisons
• Why Miley doesn’t tour 
• Miley’s Sobriety 
• Future Glastonbury Headliner?

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Diva Digest, Lady Gaga beats Madonna's Brazil concert record in Copacabana, Beyoncé kicks off the Cowboy Carter world tour with new backup dancer Blue Ivy (!) and Lorde announces she's exploring her gender on new album Virgin.

Plus, Little Mix album JADE has confirmed her debut solo album is currently delayed due to "label advice". Meanwhile, why are no songs going to number one in 2025?

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok now!

00:01:28 Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour set list

00:11:06 How much is Blue Ivy Carter paid to be a backup dancer?

00:16:30 Lady Gaga breaks Madonna's concert record in Brazil

00:24:45 JADE confirms solo album delay

00:31:48 Lorde announces new album Virgin

00:38:44 Why is no 2025 song going to #1?

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ross and Sam are back for another Diva Digest and it's a meaty one!

Lorde returns with What Was That, a thumping return to Melodrama's sound that may or may not be a diss track to Jack Antonoff. Addison Rae reigns supreme with fourth single Headphones On and announces her self-titled debut album. Meanwhile, Tate McRae and Lana Del Rey are on two sides of the Morgan Wallen coin - who is the country star and what is going on?

Plus, Charli xcx gets her Kate Bush moment with party 4 u charting five years later, while Zara Larsson makes a bold attempt at a career revival.

Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok now! New podcast episodes every Wednesday.

• Lorde drops What Was That
• Is Lorde singing about Jack Antonoff?
• Addison Rae drops Headphones On
• Addison, the debut album, is announced
• Zara Larsson returns with Pretty Ugly
• Charli xcx's party 4 u charts thanks to TikTok
• Tate McRae collaborates with Morgan Wallen - why?
• Lana Del Rey disses Morgan Wallen

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off Umbrella being the biggest single of 2007, Rihanna reissued Good Girl Gone Bad with three additional songs (including two more US number ones!), another haircut and a first hip-hop feature that'd make her the go-to girl for years to come.

Part two of our Good Girl Gone Bad deep dive delves into the success of Take A Bow, Disturbia and Live Your Life with T.I., while we explore how fashion continued to play a pivotal role in Rihanna's rising star. Ross and Sam find out which song Rihanna nabbed from Janet Jackson, why Rehab was the final single and revisit the tabloid aftermath of Chris Brown assaulting her the night before the 2009 GRAMMYs.

Follow us @weaintnodivas to keep up with your faves and let us know your thoughts!

00:01:35 Rihanna - Take A Bow

00:04:44 Beyoncé - Irreplaceable comparisons

00:09:06 Rihanna and Maroon 5 - If I Never See Your Face Again

00:12:39 The song Rihanna got over Janet Jackson

00:14:33 Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

00:20:14 Rihanna - Disturbia

00:28:28 Rihanna and T.I. - Live Your Life

00:33:48 Rihanna - Rehab

00:37:38 Chris Brown assaults Rihanna the night before 2009 GRAMMYs

00:47:08 Diva Diploma - What do Ross and Sam rate the Good Girl Gone Bad era?

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back and so are (some of) the main pop girls!

Ross and Sam discuss Coachella Weekend 1's biggest sets, from Lady Gaga's career-spanning Mayhem live debut to Megan Thee Stallion's headline show. Charli xcx isn't sure whether or not she's done with the Brat era but are we ready for it to be?

As for new music, Addison Rae has announced her debut album release date and Lorde has taken over TikTok with the first snippet of her comeback single "WWT (What Was That)". We discuss Lorde's influence on pop at large and what we're predicting for her fourth album.

Finally, we review Miley Cyrus' new single End of the World and its low chart debut in the UK (23) and US (52), a huge dip from Flowers' record-breaking debut and reign of the charts. Can she pull it back for the Something Beautiful era? Does she care to?

Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok now! New podcast episodes every Wednesday.

00:00:44 Lady Gaga debuts Mayhem live show at Coachella 2025

00:10:10 Did Charli xcx officially end the Brat era at Coachella?

00:14:20 Is Charli launching a new era at Coachella Weekend 2?

00:15:15 Megan Thee Stallion at Coachella review

00:18:25 Addison Rae's live debut at Coachella

00:19:09 Addison Rae announces debut album release date

00:20:20 Addison teases Headphones On music video

00:26:10 Lorde kicks off fourth album era

00:26:52 Charli xcx's Girl, so confusing remix

00:32:30 Miley Cyrus' End of the World review

00:40:35 Diva Download - New music recommendations

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi Divas! It feels like 2013 again with new music from Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez out this week. Ross and Sam react to the beginning of Miley's new album era after watching the Something Beautiful music video and chat about Lady Gaga's Mayhem Ball and Kesha's first independent album.

It's an all-out pop war as we dive into Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez's new albums (eternal sunshine deluxe: better days ahead, and I Said I Love You First), leaving us divided by a certain Charli xcx collaboration (Bluest Flame) and questioning the future of a Wicked pop superstar.

Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok now! New podcast episodes every Wednesday.

00:01:31 Miley Cyrus announces new album Something Beautiful

00:07:17 Kesha announces first independent album '.' (PERIOD)

00:11:51 Lady Gaga announces The Mayhem Ball

00:17:15 Selena Gomez & benny blanco's I Said I Love You First album review

00:20:14 Is How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten about Justin Bieber?

00:22:30 Selena collabs with Charli xcx on Bluest Flame

00:29:00 Ariana Grande's eternal sunshine deluxe: better days ahead album review

00:35:10 Why the deluxe tracks are more direct to Ari's ex-husband Dalton Gomez

00:36:20 Is Dandelion inspired by Doja Cat?

00:40:10 Why fans think better days ahead is Ariana's last pop album

00:44:15 Ranking Ariana Grande's albums

00:44:47 New music from Mae Muller and Mahalia

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 years ago this week, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty reintroduced herself to the world with Umbrella, the lead single from her transformative third album Good Girl Gone Bad.

Just two years after she was signed by Jay-Z at 15, Rihanna overhauled her image and formed her pop A-team (Timbaland, Stargate, Justin Timberlake) to command the world's attention with her voice, personality and style. Umbrella was the longest-running Number 1 single in the UK of the 2000s and topped the charts in 19 countries, propelling her to the A-list of global pop. Good Girl Gone Bad is a hit-stacked album that set the tone for RiRi's genre-hopping career and was her first working with Kuk Harrell, the vocal producer who would train her voice for years to come.

In this episode of We Ain't No Divas, Ross and Sam discover how the album was made, why Rihanna had to fight for Umbrella to be hers and the story behind her iconic bob hair cut. Plus, why Jay-Z interrupted her at the 2008 GRAMMY Awards, her performance with Chris Brown at the 2007 VMAs and much more.

Follow us @weaintnodivas to keep up with your faves and let us know your thoughts!

00:01:12 Why is Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad era significant?

00:05:36 Rihanna's inspiration behind Good Girl Gone Bad

00:09:28 How Rihanna got signed by Jay-Z

00:13:33 Umbrella released as a single

00:16:00 Why Rihanna had to fight for Umbrella

00:18:45 Who Is Kuk Harrell?

00:25:07 The "Umbrella Curse" of the UK

00:26:10 Umbrella gave Ross tonsillitis

00:29:17 The Umbrella music video

00:30:15 Did Rihanna copy Victoria Beckham's "Pob"?

00:31:04 The story behind Rihanna's bob hair cut

00:37:11 Good Girl Gone Bad album review

00:50:28 Follow-up singles: Shut Up & Drive, Hate That I Love You & Don't Stop The Music

00:55:00 Shut Up & Drive's double meaning

01:03:00 Performing with Chris Brown at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards

01:04:40 Good Girl Gone Bad - Rihanna's first world tour

01:05:09 Rihanna's first GRAMMY Award win

01:05:57 Jay-Z interrupting Rihanna during GRAMMYs acceptance speech

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.