When Whitney Port agreed come on the pod, 13 year old me - and late 20s me, tbh - pinched herself. An objective icon of the 2000s/2010s, Whitney was one of the only women on reality TV who built a wildly successful brand off of poise, elegance, and intellect - things that don't traditionally equate to great ratings within narrative nonfiction. Not the overt and degenerate type of taboo we've come to expect on this show, perhaps, but a fascinating taboo nonetheless. Whit and I went deep on the serious AND juicy stuff, including:

-Major secrets from both of her TV shows, like the casting process, being TRICKED into filming for The Hills, fake friendships, and how refusing to compromise her morals may have led to the cancellation of The City

-Her double life as a USC student AND celebrity/socialite on the rise, aided by the freedom of pre-cell phone camera fame

-Debilitating anxiety over public image, and what it's like to surrender your autonomy to producers

-(Almost) hooking up with Leo DiCaprio!

-Her TMZ scandal

-Staying relevant in the shifting social media/reality TV landscape — and, refreshingly, her resistance to fame.

Listen to my guest slot on Whitney's podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/with-whit/id1462706458?i=1000567955167.

GOT A SECRET TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST? Email [email protected]. Degenerate MERCH is available for purchase on my Instagram - DM me. Tales of Taboo is part of the Eve Podcast Network and a Forever Dog Production. Cover photos by Erika Flynn.

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