Ep. 216 | Toxic Fame (with Jennette McCurdy)

Joshua and Ryan discuss fame, notoriety, the difference between being famous and being well-known, and the upsides and downsides of stardom with actor, writer, and director Jennette McCurdy. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at / theminimalists
Questions answered in this episode:
Why do we seem to get more satisfaction from celebrities losing fame than gaining it? (02:44)
What can we do about celebrities that use their fame to spread ill will? (17:16)
Will the general public ever finally realize that fame is hollow? (30:01)
Follow The Minimalists:
Blog: minimalists.com
Podcast: minimalists.com...
Twitter: / theminimalists
Instagram: / theminimalists
Facebook: / theminimalists
Detailed show notes: theminimalists....
#TheMinimalists

[@marinc72ify]

I wish they would have let her speak more .

[@KallieMae]

1,000% agree.

[@drv4543]

ikr. the hosts seem to like the sound of their own voice too much.

[@ПростоКошка-д3л]

Right!? She was third wheeling, they talk about fame like they relate

[@sakura121094]

At first I was really interested in this interview, then I got bored of listening to them. I wanted to know about HER.

[@Cammotto]

She has her own podcast on her KZbin channel if you didn't know. I personally haven't watched yet but id assume she is probably the only one talking

[@QuetzalAndrea]

Love the podcast, please allow your interviewed to talk a little more, I felt that you kind of overshadowed her. Keep up the good work!

[@benebab12]

Literally come to the comment section to say this. Started to bug me so much.

[@saphedbarph]

Agreed

[@asterroux1102]

Yeah they sort of went off on a tangent for a solid back and forth between both of them without their guest. I'm also here to hear her view on toxic fame, but i feel that really wasn't touched as much.

[@Eloaisha]

yees

[@moth5560]

I thought so too.

[@mybittersweetme]

They do love to hear themselves talk, don’t they? Jeannette barely says a thing...

[@Cxrter]

In the start she seemed star struck, as a fan of their podcast. But eventually she looks less intrigued and more annoyed. Sometimes it seems like they forget she’s there, ask a quick question and then takeover while self promoing.

[@vozangelino]

Yeah..... that was so uncomfortable to watch

[@lelemarie6125]

Its their show. They can interview however they want 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@mybittersweetme]

@@lelemarie6125 of course they can, but that doesn't mean it's a good interview...

[@joaopedroaguiar1345]

IKR, and the worst thing is that this constructive kind of comment are probably the "trolls'' they refer to in the video. It felt like she was an audience member who was listening to their stories that a lot of times were totally self centered and had little or nothing to do with the theme. Fist time I watch content from this channel and I must say I'm very unimpressed edit- I wrote this middle video and after that she was interrupted five or more times and I couldn't finish watching

[@Evieventer]

why even have her on if you're not even focusing the interview on what SHE has to say? Ok, you got my view by using her in the thumbnail. Had to fast forward to listen to her speak most of the time. She is incredibly eloquent and I really wanted to hear so much more of what she had to say. Please do better. I found it disrespectful to her.

[@NewAgeSlaves]

I'm sure she wasnt disrespected she's a fan of the show and they went over her being a child star constantly being worked and followed around etc so they probably didn't wanna have her on the spotlight but they could've been more interpersonal and asked her more questions but I believe they were being respectful and sensitive to her

[@Evieventer]

Shabazz Prophet do you know how interviews are supposed to work? Hint: this isn’t it. There are many parts in this interview where she basically isn’t even included in the conversation, she’s just a spectator while they go back and forth. She has a podcast as well as a few videos about her eating disorder and other traumas. She does not feel uncomfortable by being “in the spotlight,” that’s the entire reason why she is there. She is trying to help people by using her platform. But they barely gave her a chance. It’s like they just used her name for clickbait and then talked amongst themselves the whole time.

[@jufinmay1]

@@Evieventer did you see the maximal episode??

[@oogie_boogie101]

@@Evieventer Jeez its just a podcast

[@delajt]

Jennette is one of the awesomest women out there. Stay awesome.

[@maxabramson4781]

Yes, mega-awesome. I love the independent films and work that she's done in the last couple of years. Some of the best out there.

[@lbsist]

#TheMinimalists Ep. 216 | Toxic Fame ( *with Joshua and Ryan* ) ...

[@bumblebee803]

I love how she said she stopped all social media. I did too a year ago and thought I was the only one who felt pressure.

[@stephaniecasper7578]

I have a friend who was in a band in middle school and wrote a song as a joke that got pretty famous in the city I live in. We’re adults now, and I think it’s cool that everyone still remembers that song that my friend wrote, and I never understood why it bothered him so much. This podcast gave me perspective on that. I guess there is a point where that memory is a little too worn out and has to be let go.

[@JLiz-ie7tp]

Thank you for having Jennette on your show! She really is a role model for stepping away from fame to take care of herself. I would love to see more fans interviewed since she really seemed to genuinely care about minimalism and has gone great lengths to live a life aligned with her values.

[@sdAmen]

I saw you in a parking lot, Joshua, and I almost screamed out the window (LOL). I chose not to, didn't want to scare you being a super fan. I just sent you good energy and gratitude from a distance. Hopefully next time I see you around it wont be at yelling distance to express my appreciation for what you and Ryan.

[@calatheaflamestar4924]

Over time, Jennette has grown so much.. she can be very proud of herself! She seems to enjoy her work a lot more now.. She looks happier and more confident. I wish her all the best.. ♡ Sending love from Germany😘

[@findingaway5512]

A good reminder that "famous" people are humans and should be respected as such. The people I admire I honestly feel like I would be able to hang out with them in real life if our paths happened to cross. I enjoy the realness of people. It is a shame that society cares more about the drama then the human.

[@micahcook2408]

Yeah the idolization of certain humans to ‘God Status’ is..... weird in retrospect. I will never understand it. As a kid you think these people are majorly important but as an adult, it’s impertinent to realize literally (1) how we’re all a part of the same species and all birthed from someone we call mom or from a woman (lmao) and (2) that some of the people in these positions do luck out. Yes, determination and work ethic is definitely a huge factor but it’s also a business and an industry and desperately NEEDS people to walk in and out of the limelight. It’s why I’d rather have smaller localized entertainment industries... not everyone needs to be famous in order to do art AND put food on the table.

[@anachronismic]

I'm late to this, but just wanna say do be careful with that mindset as well. I don't know your specifics but I do know that with a lot of the streamers people follow for being relatable, it's important to know that to some amount they're putting on a persona, and you have a parasocial relationship with them. Not saying this is you, but it's the other side of the coin.

[@micahcook2408]

Max Li facts. I don’t watch this podcast but seeing the interviewers talk about themselves made me realize they’re also about growing their brand. Not in a negative way but just to encourage listeners and to encourage the listeners to find help within this podcast.

[@serafinaobi]

Yea a.) they see them as like “higher beings” so they assume that they’re always perfect b.) I think people don’t let them fail because they have money & fame so again, people expect them to be perfect and grateful that they have more than the average person. However, 100% they are still human beings and they still deserve decency. It’s an exchange; famous people entertain us and do what they do because they’re good at it and we put money in their pocket oh well lol

[@serafinaobi]

Buttttt I do think that famous people who are just downright not good people should be handled accordingly.

[@meghansullivan6812]

jennette seems really grounded, well-spoken and chill. so glad she's on my radar again - really psyched actually to start listening to her podcast. side bar, didn't she do a song for a goosebumps movie in 2008ish?! that memory suddenly arrived in my head when ya'll introduced her as a singer, among everything else. oh time, oh life! glad to see she's doing so well. she's also the same age as my older brother! huh.

[@kirbyrox2]

You're thinking of Emily Osment who did a song for The Haunting Hour

[@meghansullivan6812]

@@kirbyrox2 HAHA yes i totally am. thank youuuu!

[@CezzyHaag]

As an autistic, I don't really know how to feel about the comment on social media-behaviour being 'semi-autistic'. I see that it was made with good intensions, but it does seem to me to be a bit ableist. It is true that we can be unintentionally rude because we tend to be very direct, but to equate my natural neurological conditioning with rude people on the internet seems a bit insensitive.

[@Ellie-qq9zm]

Yeah the comment you are mentioning left a bad taste in my mouth too

[@la6631]

i agree with you 100%

[@alexjemphrey]

I agree, it didn’t sit well with me

[@DanielleP0314]

I didn’t like that phrasing either. It felt very cringey 😬

[@NannyDiaries23]

Agreed

[@MileHighMinute]

very insightful interview. the things no one talks about

[@fiddlesticks6146]

for those complaining not having jennette's point of view, go listen to her own channel, she hosts people beautifully and also shares her own input.

[@EmeliaSings]

Ryan your hair is flawless, don't let anyone tell you otherwise

[@jjuniper274]

Guys, I'm so glad to see a child actor who seems normal. My daughter has a flair for the dramatic and wants to be in plays and such, I want her to, but am always leery. Maybe I'll let her go into community theater. One summer musical can't hurt. Thx guys. Love ya! Jennette you were always my favorite on the show. 😊

[@VenturousArtist]

Fame is a long discussion but only worthwhile among those actually taking it seriously and distinguishing what's honest and isn't. Fame never comes without conflict for some people and in Jennette's case it's not surprising. But thankfully she's still thriving that. It'd be really brave if she confronted her mental health, while being entirely vulnerable, but poetically in her own film starring herself.

[@danlc95]

The late Neil Peart - lyricist, and percussionist of Rush had a difficult relationship with "fame". So beautifully illustrated in this excerpt from the Rush song "Limelight": Living in a fisheye lens Caught in the camera eye I have no heart to lie I can't pretend a stranger Is a long awaited friend

[@jjuniper274]

I watched iCarly with my oldest child constantly.

[@cellblocknine5385]

Good for you.

[@asterroux1102]

Thank god there's a full version bc i came from a very small little clip and i WAS NEEDING MORE LOL.

[@josie9706]

She should be part of the minimalist

[@youtubemoderationtaskforce5583]

In the words of George Carlin: If your needs aren’t being met, then drop some of your needs. My take on this: I think the reason people gravitate towards collecting mounds of shit, is because they associate their shit with their own personal value as determined by, not only society, but themselves. Maybe the more stuff they have the happier they’ll be? (I don’t even think that mental connection is consciously thought about, but it still seems like the phenomenon we see) What would they intrinsically be if they didn’t have tangible items to represent their inner struggle with their identity? Would their conception of themselves break down until they’re left with nothing? We need money and resources to survive, but too much of it can clutter the mind to the point of a sort of mental paralysis. Even if you have very little, organize it, value it, and make good use of it. Also, I’ve had a crush on Jennette for over 10 years.

[@angellombness4371]

My first watch - TikTok of Jennette Mccurdy brought me here. Subscribed. Enjoyed all thoughts & feelings shared, thank you. I believe the field is finding practicing Gratitude will help minimize unhealthy thoughts/actions. Practice, practice, practice... been finding it somewhat beneficial, only a few years in & out of practice.

[@dontreadmyprofilepicture8635]

This just proves that famous people have lives just like us there not perfect and things happen in their lives that are not perfect

[@stevegeorge6880]

True story. The most high-profile person who ever responded to me was your associate Matt D'avella when he did his video I'm trying cold showers for 30 days. I jokingly responded that having separate body wash wasn't minimalist, and he responded with the two word comment, "Minimalist exposed." In retrospect, that was actually kind of rude for me to say, especially because he does more to both be minimalist in his daily life and promote minimalism as a lifestyle then I have and possibly ever could. I was joking, but that was still a bit rude.

[@timthomas598]

I still adore this interview. Watched it back when it first came out and had to come back 4 years later. Such great discussion and topics were being spoken! 💫. And im glad Jennette doing okay these days. Love her so much ❤. Such a great interview!

[@vladimir1559]

Don’t forget Amanda Bynes😣

[@sirraulo9002]

People want watching people fail, crumble and go down. . . That's jealousy, And comparison is the thief of joy.

[@bibtii9691]

When a person loves someone else to go down or fail. Know that these people never come from a good place or a good peace of mind. Those people might be suffering too, and comparing themselves constantly to people who in their opinion do it much better- and then they feel bad and spread more negativity. Either way I am not defending the actions those people have, but I always try to be compassionate to those who spread negativity because they haven’t seen the light and or the positivity yet.

[@tiffprendergast]

@@bibtii9691 my ex friend

[@AdelinaMonroe]

It’s not going to change because people love to see others go down because it makes them feel better about themselves and their lives. People are jealous of child stars because it seems like they have more success than regular people and themselves. Famous people are like the popular people in school. You wanna be like them, hang with them and secretly hate them. And when the rumors start going around, it’s like music to their ears.

[@gabby7992]

Jennette is so strong and amazing! 💕

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

Keni’s reading gave me chills!

[@priusa8113]

Can you do a podcast with the minimal mom Dawn and Joshua Becker please? Thanks

[@pamelavera173]

Ryan. Your hair is fine and you are so insightful.

[@Daggeira]

Ryan kinda looks like Starburns from Community.

[@AqibA.C.]

The biggest issue I see with being a child star, is just the point in your life it happens. As a kid, you should be able to make mistakes, the more you embrace that, the better off you'll be, in trying to learn and find yourself as a person, you have to be willing to stumble a little bit along the way. It's one of the biggest reasons there's such a mental health crisis with younger adults and kids now, social media means that we all feel that pressure, those expectations and that constant accountability for how we present ourselves online, and what we leave behind. It's ridiculous. People find it so hard to just be, as they are, without worrying about how it'll be seen or what people will think about it. Our whole lives feel like they are and have to be broadcasted now, Bo Burnham talks about it a lot, especially in his special _Make Happy_ we all feel constantly self-conscious of who and how we are, and it's hard to deal with. Child stars have been feeling that for so much longer than us, and a greater extent too.

[@BibiRamos]

OMG NO SHIT YOU BROUGHT HER TO THE PODCAST I LOVE HER

[@sitns23]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I love your point of view. This so true, and down to earth. Thank you!

[@juvervelezvargas8220]

This is the first video of your podcast i've seen, and i thought that David bowie was there hahahha

[@fair2middlin]

Jennette McCurdy is perfect

[@pandoraw259]

I get it. I'm still known for who I was in middle school and it's annoying.

[@Slayzlee]

Love this interview, she’s very well spoken especially about a social media break and focus on mental health

[@seiko5335]

wow this is the first time i've watched a video of "the minimalists" and i love it at first i was here just to check on one of my childhood idol and all but then i got interested in this hole thing about how our society is today because of "fame" and that life isn't just about these sort of achievement where u get recognition and all anyway great video love it and hope everyone is having a good day

[@lizzabbott]

Aren’t these guys great ? Such substance & meaning. They have another, newer interview with Jennette now. Itz great ! As is one on a channel called : The Financial Diet. I honestly had never heard of Jennette or her shows !!!! Discovered & read her new book about a week ago & was blown away ! Cheers to you ! Oh! Jennette has a podcast now, called Empty Inside. On one episode, she interviews these guys . And OMG Drew Barrymore’s interview of Jennette is amazing , too !

[@SRLevine7]

Dave Navarro talks about dealing with tragedy by using humor in his documentary Mourning Son which I just re-watched for the fourth time. It makes me think of a quote from The Crow "It can't rain all the time."

[@username9999]

There are some kids shows like Sesame Street and Blues Clues, that do not star any child actors. I think that should be the normal. We don't need sitcoms for children.

[@YoungMule]

Much better than her eric Andre interview

[@yvonnetoleafoa1985]

Really enjoyed this podcast..

[@gus22268]

Me too

[@shrutimitadineshpokhariyal3691]

I am at that point right now that I am just so into your podcast and almost everything I do I derive value from your podcast your words and blogs

[@panda22518]

really considering to take a break from social media fr, kinda afraid I wont come back to it

[@lisaschmidtchen2976]

That would be even better... 😅😂

[@heresjohnny5307]

I think it's like celine Dion with titanic's theme song "my heart will go on". You know shes damn tired of singing that song lmao😂

[@amenenema474]

And you know what I respect Celine Dion for that very reason, because even though she has to be sick of that song, she never shows it. I have watched her perform that so many times in her shows. She puts her heart and soul into it every time and makes it the grand finale usually because she knows and appreciates that that's what her audience wants. She has never dissed that song lol

[@carylmaluping9632]

Thanks for this

[@0verjoyed_ac]

The part about virality and viruses ... lol foreshadowing

[@tcwascawy1]

Courage of conviction.

[@stayinginmy_lane]

I’m a little confused on why you had her on the show?

[@thaliasghost]

Fame is very relative, I have never heard of her before.

[@Treevors30]

He was a great actor. Also he had many different type of rolls other than a gangster. Like I said he was a great actor. RIP

[@vx4982]

I still want to be famous

[@maddyg1998]

Please let your guests speak more.

[@rosie_nora704]

I love this podcast 😍😍

[@jakeyjervis]

I'd like to know if she had any weird encounters with the producer of the show. What's his name? He got let go for foot tweets. Ugh!

[@madisonrose1893]

Dan Schneider *shivers

[@Treevors30]

Yeah I haven't listened to this whole thing yet. But I feel like I lived backwards. But I do want to be famous for the stories that I have and for being a director if I could ever actually do it. But I would never want to be infamous.

[@aestopiaetic]

Josh reminds me of a young Christopher Walken ♥ discovered you just today, and subbed!

[@georgiapearceart]

Love how they say they don't read comments.... and here they are liking all the ones sucking up to them AND ignoring all criticism. It goes well wth the general vibe of this whole interview, self serving and ignorant of the actual point of the matter. Why haven't they responded to a single comment about how they overshadowed Jennette? This was 10/10 disappointing and I hope future interviewees will get more respect.

[@platgeslagengehaktbal]

I don't get why, and am a little sad that Jennette finds her role on iCarly embarassing. I enjoyed it a lot and sometimes think back on what Sam would do in the situation I'm in. I also don't remember anyone of my generation saying they didn't like iCarly, they always did!

[@Treevors30]

Well that's one of the problems with everyone is having identity. Supposably I'm not sure if I could even do this but you're not supposed to identify with anything. Also it should make life easier if you're not identifying with something then nothing going to really get you mad cuz you're not identifying with that thing or whatever it is. I probably sound completely crazy saying that. But to me it does make sense but I also want to be famous so like I said for me I feel like it would be very hard to do. So if people are having problems try not identifying with anything. Meditation helps there's a lot of things out there that can help just look into it.

[@Jillsker]

10:29 ryan you ok?

[@xSoporific1]

well said

[@deesenuts8730]

Jennette I'm still ready to hear your country song :( love you sis

[@maximumjesus]

I can't believe that one caler was proud of hiself for doxing someone

[@autumnbrandt8566]

Hind sights 20/20 before 2020 hits 💩 😉

[@flowandriuw7994]

Te amooo

[@Apparentlyyy]

I wonder what's entailed under "semi" racist 26:50

[@twice_velvet]

jokes, microagressions

[@nanaerra6214]

@@twice_velvet well,that's racism

[@user-jr1tq9sd7f]

7:23

[@anthonyhopkins6262]

Here is the problem guys / and Jennette ... All you have to think about is this and it's the answer to everything .. because as Jen said she doesn't read a lot of her comments she gets and many probably never do . So what is happening is that they're NOT giving anything back to the fans that way in terms of a response ... That is what gets fans or people upset with Stars and this can go on for years . Some say no response is a response that they may not want to be bothered or what have you . But what I'm about to say now is the truth to all of it . it's kind of funny so here is the humor you all said we must have in life in general and I quote .. "Social media is just for the rich and or famous , for them selling themselves like a prostitute it's their own personal pimp ... but here is the funny part we all need they don't have to give out nothing LOL hahaha and they win and we lose " Nothing is meant to be a response , love back from them . Not what some may think . This is from my own personal experience with Jennette and others and she knows me . LOL :) Have a wonderful day guys " Love the show !!!!

[@GameShamus]

While I get your point there are a lot of horrific and creepy comments on Jennette's social media. So although she loves her fans you can only truly be selfless if you practice self-care which in her case is avoiding social media.

[@paigeo1383]

Dude. Just because someone is on TV does not mean that they are somehow obligated to talk to strangers online. This was not a thing until social media and it’s totally gross how entitled we feel to know about people’s lives or have communication with them.

[@Buzzbuzz33]

Aliens are real!

[@darkillusion2070]

I wish I was her boyfriend

[@BUONCO]

Unsolicited Video Feedback, perhaps an angle that doesn't hide the guest's face as much with the mic would make this a tad better. More like J&R's angles.

[@paulaangelina7750]

Jannette is so beautiful, in and out.

[@jillythebean3639]

i would love to see someone who became famous via the internet on this show, like drew gooden or danny gonzales. i feel like they'd have a lot of great insight on how social media can affect you since they've briefly spoken about it in their videos

[@deannaw9128]

Agreed! Danny cracks me up. They both do, but Danny is my fave of the 2!

[@madisonrose1893]

would be interesting for Drew to be here since he made a video about them 😂

[@Mr.Murasakino]

This didn't age well for drew Gooden. Though it would be interesting to see

[@jillythebean3639]

@@Mr.Murasakino i dont understand, did something happen? why did it not age well

[@Mr.Murasakino]

@@jillythebean3639 drew Gooden made a video slamming these guys 🤣

[@jc3teacher265]

My kids loved I-Carly!

[@Dontboovote]

These weak, self-absorbed interviewers are more interested in hearing their own voices and selling their swag than getting beyond the surface level with their talented, insightful heroine of a guest

[@mireladantas1491]

I'm just very curious about what would be deemed "semi-racist". A thing is racist or not racist, right?

[@rosie_nora704]

Im only 11 and im watchchin this 😁😁

[@BRBallin1]

I can speak from my personal experience that I at one point found it satisfying to see successful people fail because it gives me a level of comfort knowing that the world is cruel to everyone and isn't biased in its selection process. Once I found more success in my life, I realized how a lot of it had to do with the support I got from friends and family. My friends and family supporting me could only be possible if their life was in order enough for them to give some of their time and energy to uplift me. So I now follow the pay it forward model. Even for the people I dislike, I am indifferent to what happens to them but I'm never explicitly hoping they fail unless their success is built on lies.

[@liujayelle3635]

Wait are they in their 40s mid 40s?

[@serenitybeats1677]

I cant tell tbh, maybe late 30s

[@NannyDiaries23]

@@serenitybeats1677 definitely 40s

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

We’re Loyal!

[@scurrie666]

Love her and good podcast

[@goldilox3147]

I know she tried to go country she’s got a good voice wish her nothing but the best

[@terrortoby47]

amazing interview! love her!

[@kellyanntheoneandonly7377]

I think she doesn’t realize the significance of bringing a character to life in a way that no one else could.. like her role in Grandma’s boy..🤔 #timeless