Akon: The Truth About My Multiple Wives & The Real Cost of Fame

ArrDee reflects on the story behind Oliver Twist, Body and his rise as one of the UK’s most recognisable young rappers. He opens up about growing up in Brighton, being raised by his mum, and the complicated relationship with his father that shaped his need for attention, fame and approval. ArrDee shares how music became his way of expressing pain, why he first hid behind the “cheeky” persona, and what really happened when his career exploded during lockdown. He also speaks candidly about the darker side of early fame, from spending his first major advance to partying, addiction, ketamine, alcohol and the moments where he was trying to numb himself behind the success. ArrDee reflects on the guilt he carries around his brother’s psychosis, the pressure of being labelled an industry plant, and how becoming a father has changed the way he sees himself. From music and addiction to fame, family and fatherhood, this is ArrDee on the boy behind the bravado, and the man he is trying to become. ArrDee, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow ArrDee here: https://www.instagram.com/arrdeegram/ https://www.tiktok.com/@arrdeetik (00:00) Intro (03:33) How ArrDee’s Name Was Born (04:46) Growing Up in Brighton (06:12) ArrDee’s Relationship With His Mum (07:59) Growing Up Without His Father (14:52) The First Song ArrDee Wrote (17:43) The Song That Changed Everything (20:36) How ArrDee Signed His First Record Deal (26:09) What ArrDee Did With His First Record Deal Money (28:02) The Story Behind ArrDee’s Feature on “Body” (33:24) How ArrDee Wrote “Oliver Twist” (35:08) ArrDee Reads a Letter From His Mum (39:53) ID Mobile Ad (41:03) How Fame at 19 Changed ArrDee (44:57) Making “Oliver Twist” Music Video (50:34) Did ArrDee Struggle With Addiction? (52:19) ArrDee Addresses Industry Plant Accusations (54:35) Being a White Rapper in the Music Industry (01:01:58) ID Mobile Ad (01:04:26) ArrDee’s First Time Meeting His Dad (01:24:32) Why ArrDee Became an Independent Artist (01:34:09) ArrDee’s Relationship With His Brother (01:40:16) Fatherhood and Relationship With Ocean (01:46:05) Fatherhood and Sobriety (01:49:38) ArrDee Receives Letter From Ocean (01:53:31) Most Memorable Conversation (01:57:05) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lorna Luxe opens up about the love story she shared with her late husband, John - from meeting him by chance on a night out in Brighton to marrying him just a year and a half later. Lorna reflects on their 21-year age gap, why she trusted him instantly, the childhood experiences that shaped what she needed from love, and the moment she realised this relationship felt different to anything she had known before. She speaks honestly about marriage, loyalty, emotional safety, grief, and why she would choose the same love story all over again. We're Talking: Love Stories (00:00) Intro (00:32) How Lorna and John First Met (03:02) How Their Relationship Quickly Developed (08:38) What Friends and Family Really Thought About the Relationship (10:32) The Truth About Age-Gap Relationships (12:09) Inside Lorna and John’s Marriage (16:39) The ‘Father Hunger’ Theory Explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akon reflects on the life behind some of the biggest songs of the 2000s, and the choices, controversies and turning points that shaped him long before global fame. He opens up about growing up between Senegal and the US, the criminal world he entered before music, and the prison sentence that he believes saved his life. Akon shares how ‘Locked Up’ began behind bars, why music became his way out, and how he learned to turn pain, business instinct and controversy into worldwide success. The conversation also explores his views on polyamory, having multiple wives, and why he believes honesty, rules and communication are essential in that dynamic. He also reflects on his friendship with Michael Jackson, the side of him the public rarely saw, and the questions he still has about his passing. Akon looks back on the moments that made him, the mistakes that nearly ended him, and the legacy he is still trying to build. Akon, We Need To Talk Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Akon here: https://www.instagram.com/akon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@akon (00:00) Intro (01:38) Akon Addresses The Hamster Ball (06:29) Touring With Ne-Yo (07:52) Why Akon’s Audience Isn’t Who You’d Expect (15:11) Opening The Door For Artists Like Wizkid (20:15) Every Song Had To Be Ringtone Friendly (22:26) Mr Lonely Changed Everything (26:53) The Blackout That Changed Akon’s Purpose (30:53) ID Mobile Ad (33:06) Akon’s Relationship With Michael Jackson (45:20) Growing Up Between Senegal And America (48:13) Selling Stolen Cars To Fund Music Career (55:50) How Jail Changed Akon’s Life Forever (01:04:58) Huel Ad (01:06:06) What Still Pains Akon Today? (01:08:12) “I Say Ignorant Things On Purpose” (01:11:32) What Is Akon’s Real Name? (01:16:43) Akon Explains His Polyamorous Life (01:32:22) Akon Talks About His New Album (01:36:46) Most Memorable Conversation (01:42:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Huel - http://Huel.com/WNTT with code WNTT for £10 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Mental Health Awareness Week, we speak with Charlie Mackesy about anxiety, grief, loneliness and the quiet struggles so many of us carry alone. The bestselling author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse speaks openly about anxiety attacks, loss, vulnerability, male loneliness and why asking for help matters. In this open and honest conversation, Charlie reflects on the dark periods that shaped him, the friends he has lost, and the inner critic so many of us live with. He also shares the practical tools that helped him through anxiety, and why connection, honesty and feeling loved matter more than perfection. We're Talking Mental Health If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb (00:00) Intro (00:42) Charlie Breaks Down the Darkest Period of His Life (04:36) How Paul and Charlie Actually Deal With Anxiety (12:48) Charlie’s ADHD Diagnosis and What It Changed (14:39) How Drawing Became Charlie’s Escape (16:12) Paul and Charlie on Grief and What Actually Helps (20:39) Charlie on the Loneliness Epidemic and Why It’s Growing (23:17) How to Silence Your Inner Critic and Build Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Heaton reflects on the reality of 2000s fame, from competing on Popstars to forming Liberty X and stepping into a pop world that was often chaotic and intense. She opens up about what was really happening behind the headlines: the pressure to look a certain way, the shame she carried around her body, and the early patterns of addiction that followed her long before she could name them.Michelle speaks candidly about alcohol and drug addiction, hiding the truth from her husband and children, and the painful moments where part of her wanted to be caught. Michelle also reflects on the friends who tried to help, the conversation with Katie Price that helped lead her to rehab, and the impact her addiction had on her marriage, motherhood and sense of self.Michelle also shares the emotional toll of her BRCA2 diagnosis, preventative double mastectomy and early hysterectomy, and what it meant to go through menopause in her early 30s while losing her sense of identity.Now five years sober, this is a conversation about fame, shame, survival, family, recovery and learning to give yourself grace.Michelle Heaton, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of suicide, addiction and eating disorders. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z   CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H   MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b   Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2dx8y  Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Michelle here: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwomanshel/ https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleheatonofficial (00:00) Intro (01:26) What Makes Someone a Geordie? (06:28) Body Image Struggles (08:44) Being Cast on Popstars (12:53) Going Back to a Normal Job After Popstars (16:47) How Liberty X Was Formed (23:53) Hear’Say vs Liberty X (27:04) The Highs & Lows of Life in Liberty X (35:02) Paul Surprises Michelle With a Letter (37:40) ID Mobile Ad (38:53) Relationship With the Press (42:00) Relationship With Andy Scott-Lee (47:58) ID Mobile Ad (50:45) First Experiences With Substance Abuse (56:10) Addiction to Alcohol and Binge Eating (01:04:33) Impact of Hysterectomy (01:11:55) Hiding Addiction From Everyone (01:15:19) How Addiction Affected Her Marriage (01:28:53) How Michelle Eventually Went to Rehab (01:40:24) The Reality of Mastectomies & Hysterectomies (01:57:11) Surprise Message From Her Children (01:58:14) Paul Reads a Letter From Michelle’s Husband (02:01:34) Most Memorable Conversation (02:06:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you think: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AJ McLean and Cody Simpson open up about the darker side of the music industry, from exploitation and manipulation behind the scenes to the personal fallout of becoming famous too young. AJ reflects on Lou Pearlman, the betrayal at the heart of the Backstreet Boys’ rise, and what it cost the band to break free, while Cody shares how early fame, unlimited access and pressure on a young brain pushed him into a period of partying, substance abuse and psychosis. Together, their stories reveal the real cost of fame when success comes before you’re ready for it. We're Talking The Cost of Fame This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. We've included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb (00:00) Intro (00:37) Lou Perlman’s Hold on the Backstreet Boys (02:50) The Real Dynamic Between the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC (04:45) What Is Lou Perlman’s Legacy? (09:14) Cody Reflects on the Dark Side of Fame at a Young Age (16:42) Cody Opens Up About the Darkest Period of His Pop Career Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Sexton is one of the world’s most famous divorce lawyers, and in this conversation he explains what divorce, cheating, marriage and prenups really look like behind closed doors. He speaks openly about why marriages fail, why every couple already has a prenup, and why most people wait too long to understand what they are really signing up for. James also shares what it means to be a high-conflict divorce attorney, why he calls himself “a weapon in court”, and how he protects clients through some of the most painful moments of their lives. He reflects on infidelity, custody battles, domestic abuse cases, and the brutal psychology of what really happens when love turns into war. But this conversation is also about love. James explains why marriage should be harder to get into and easier to leave, why disconnection starts long before divorce, and why the real work of a relationship is choosing each other again and again. James Sexton, We Need To Talk Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow James here:https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nycdivorce (00:00) Intro (02:03) The World’s Most Famous Divorce Lawyer (03:14) “I Hope Your Marriage Ends in Death” (06:30) Should I Get A Prenup? (10:54) The Patriarchal History of Marriage (14:42) James’ Definition of Divorce (22:18) James Opens Up About His Own Divorce (24:38) Representing Clients Who’ve Done Terrible Things (27:25) How to Know If a Couple Should Divorce (33:31) Shopify AD (34:42) How and When to Start the Divorce Conversation (39:45) When Should You Speak to a Divorce Lawyer? (44:22) Three Things to Consider Before Getting Married (51:43) James’ Most Memorable Case (55:39) The Main Reason for Divorce (57:16) Likelihood of Marrying After Divorce (01:03:47) Paul and James on Love and Relationships (01:14:41) Why Checking In With Your Partner Matters (01:20:16) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (01:37:48) Most Memorable Conversation (01:45:47) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood can feel beautiful, overwhelming and deeply isolating all at once. In this episode of We’re Talking, Cher Lloyd, Georgia Kousoulou and Mel Robbins open up about the side of motherhood no one talks about enough, from postnatal depression and loneliness to shame, identity loss and the pressure to keep going when you don’t feel like yourself. From not bonding with a baby straight away to feeling alone in a house full of people, this is an honest conversation about the hidden struggle so many new mothers face. It is a reminder that motherhood does not always feel the way you expected, and that asking for help can change everything. If anything in this episode brings up difficult feelings, there is support available. We’ve included links below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b (00:00) Intro (00:33) How Cher Balanced Motherhood With Life as a Popstar (02:25) Cher Opens Up About Postnatal Depression (07:10) How Motherhood Changed Georgia’s Life (09:33) The Reality of Postnatal Depression by the Numbers (10:20) Georgia Reveals the Symptoms She Faced (15:27) Why Postnatal Depression Needs to Be Normalised (17:59) Filming a TV Show While Struggling With Postnatal Depression (19:27) An Emotional Message From Mel’s Daughter (21:35) Mel Gets Honest About Motherhood and Marriage (24:02) Mel’s Advice to Parents Supporting Big Dreams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Kemsley, music manager and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, opens up about what really happened behind the headlines, why protecting his children matters more than defending himself publicly, and how he is trying to rebuild his life after divorce, reality TV, and public scrutiny. He reflects on life inside one of the biggest reality television franchises in the world, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and the impact it had on his marriage, his family, and his identity. PK shares what it felt like watching private pain become public entertainment, why he believes reality TV can create stories that are not always true, and why he now wants to step away from the noise. Paul also shares the story behind his rise in business, from growing up in North London and chasing money, status, and success, to building a fortune, losing control, and going bankrupt in public. He reflects on ambition, ego, failure, and the moments that forced him to confront who he had become. He opens up about managing Boy George, rebuilding after public setbacks, giving up alcohol, and the clarity that came when he stopped blaming everything around him. PK reflects on fatherhood, accountability, divorce, and why, after losing so much, he still believes in getting back up. Paul Kemsley, We Need To Talk Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Paul here:https://www.instagram.com/paul_kemsley_pk/  (00:00) Intro (01:46) Why PK Is Sharing His Story Now (02:41) PK’s Upbringing in 1970s Stanmore (04:14) PK’s Experience of Antisemitism (05:57) How PK Built His Early Career and Rock (12:31) What Drove PK’s Business Ambitions (13:49) PK’s Relationship With Sir Alan Sugar (15:54) The 2008 Crash and the Collapse of Rock (21:18) Saily Ad (22:40) PK on His Public Divorce From Dorit (28:21) Why PK Joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (43:36) PK’s Darkest Moment on RHOBH (46:10) The Emotional Toll of Online Backlash (51:32) Why PK Bought the New York Cosmos (54:03) The Story Behind Signing Pelé (56:07) How PK Ended Up Managing Boy George (01:00:28) PK Reads a Letter From Boy George (01:05:40) Most Memorable Conversation (01:08:24) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does secure love actually look like? Dr Amir Levine explores what it really means to build a relationship that feels safe, flexible and deeply connected. Amir goes beyond the labels of anxious, avoidant and secure to explain how security is created in everyday relationships. In the final part of this three-part series, Amir challenges one of the most debated ideas in modern relationships, shares why even secure people can shift depending on who they’re with, and reveals how a secure partner can help reshape the way we see the world. We’re Talking Attachment Styles with Dr Amir Levine (Part Three) Follow me here: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk⁠⁠   ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod⁠⁠  Take the We Need To Talk quiz to discover your attachment style and get personalised episode recommendations: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g3t4⁠⁠ Support Amir here: Website: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xk⁠⁠ My Attachment Topography Calculator: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xl⁠⁠ Secure at Waterstones https://linkly.link/2g8vz Enter 'Secure26' for 25% off (00:00) Intro (01:43) Dr Amir Levine Breaks Down Why Relationships Don’t Need Boundaries (04:50) Can One Shift From a Secure Attachment to an Unsecure One? (07:08) Dr Amir Levine Describes His Childhood Environment (09:39) Saily Ad (10:48) How Did Dr Amir Levine's Upbringing Affect the Man He Is Today? (11:48) What Is Dr Amir's Attachment Style to the Different People in His Life? (14:12) What Is the Best Strategy as a Parent to Raise a Secure Child? (16:37) Most Memorable Conversation (18:33) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices