Rachelle Hampton

There are still tickets to see me and Kelsey gabbing about her book on February 11th in New York at Town Hall. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. Okay, that's it. I promise. On to your first of many little treats. I am thrilled to welcome Normal Gossip's new lead producer, Sierra Spagli-Rix, to the front of the microphone.

As some of you may know, Sierra and I worked together on Slate's Internet Culture Podcast, in case you missed it, where we found out we're both March Pisces. It shouldn't then be surprising that we fell in love immediately. Sierra, hello. Welcome to the front of the mic. How are you feeling? Hi.

As some of you may know, Sierra and I worked together on Slate's Internet Culture Podcast, in case you missed it, where we found out we're both March Pisces. It shouldn't then be surprising that we fell in love immediately. Sierra, hello. Welcome to the front of the mic. How are you feeling? Hi.

That's so real. That's so real. But if there's a space for vulnerability, it's right here with me.

That's so real. That's so real. But if there's a space for vulnerability, it's right here with me.

So for today's episode, we've got a real buffet of treats. First, we're going to answer some burning questions that y'all have for me and Ciara. Then later in the episode, we'll be reacting to some delectable morsels of gossip. And finally... New Year's resolutions. Y'all have them and we'll be giving our thoughts. I'm excited. Are you excited?

So for today's episode, we've got a real buffet of treats. First, we're going to answer some burning questions that y'all have for me and Ciara. Then later in the episode, we'll be reacting to some delectable morsels of gossip. And finally... New Year's resolutions. Y'all have them and we'll be giving our thoughts. I'm excited. Are you excited?

Yes. Just picture me steepling my fingers like a villain. That's what I'm doing right now. But before we get into the morsels of gossip, some questions. So the very first one, and I'm excited to hear this one, is one of our listeners says they need to know Ciara's relationship with gossip immediately.

Yes. Just picture me steepling my fingers like a villain. That's what I'm doing right now. But before we get into the morsels of gossip, some questions. So the very first one, and I'm excited to hear this one, is one of our listeners says they need to know Ciara's relationship with gossip immediately.

That's a football team right there. I don't know how many players on a football team, but. but that's a football team right there.

That's a football team right there. I don't know how many players on a football team, but. but that's a football team right there.

No, you really were. You were orchestrating. You were hearing the sides. You were putting them together. You were making a coherent storyline. There's nothing better as a child than being in grown folks' business. It feels life-giving.

No, you really were. You were orchestrating. You were hearing the sides. You were putting them together. You were making a coherent storyline. There's nothing better as a child than being in grown folks' business. It feels life-giving.

Of course. How could you not with an introduction like that? But I do think this segues into the next question, which is, how long have Rachel and Ciara been friends? Based on the way we're talking, you would think it's been 20 years at least.

Of course. How could you not with an introduction like that? But I do think this segues into the next question, which is, how long have Rachel and Ciara been friends? Based on the way we're talking, you would think it's been 20 years at least.

Two. Yeah, we met at the beginning of 2023. So it's been two years as of this January.

Two. Yeah, we met at the beginning of 2023. So it's been two years as of this January.

We also come from, I think, pretty similar places in terms of like region, ethnicity, ethnicity. So I think, especially in journalism, finding someone who understands that background and kind of speaks the same language as you. I remember the first time that I said something and got Sierra to respond with, bitch! Bitch!

We also come from, I think, pretty similar places in terms of like region, ethnicity, ethnicity. So I think, especially in journalism, finding someone who understands that background and kind of speaks the same language as you. I remember the first time that I said something and got Sierra to respond with, bitch! Bitch!

And we were working, obviously, and we didn't know each other that well at that point. It had maybe been like a month or two. And I was over here just grinning because I was like, got her. And Sierra was like, I'm so sorry. You're my host. And I was like, girl, we're in for a ride. We're locked in now.