or


[05/25/23 - 12:01 PM]
ABC News Studios and Part2 Pictures Debut Docu-Series "The Age of Influence," Which Examines the Dark Side of Influencer Culture Through Today's Biggest Social Media Scandals
From sweeping cons to viral cancellation campaigns, each episode of the six-part series gives an unfiltered look at an infamous influencer saga.

[via press release from ABC]

ABC NEWS STUDIOS AND PART2 PICTURES DEBUT DOCU-SERIES 'THE AGE OF INFLUENCE,' WHICH EXAMINES THE DARK SIDE OF INFLUENCER CULTURE THROUGH TODAY'S BIGGEST SOCIAL MEDIA SCANDALS

Six-Part Docu-Series Features First-Hand Accounts From Victims, Followers, Former Friends and the Influencers Themselves

'The Age of Influence' Begins Streaming Monday, June 5, Only on Hulu

The Age of Influence, a new ABC News Studios docu-series, examines the dark side of influencer culture through some of the biggest social media scandals of our time. From sweeping cons to viral cancellation campaigns, each episode of the six-part series gives an unfiltered look at an infamous influencer saga. Viewers will watch the drama unfold as these tastemakers become caught in the controversial crosshairs of their own curated online worlds. "The Age of Influence" begins streaming Monday, June 5, only on Hulu.

"One of ABC News Studios' core strategies is to tell stories that are in the cultural zeitgeist while also building on the legacy and journalistic rigor of ABC News," said Mike Kelley, head of ABC News Studios. "'The Age of Influence' does just that and also showcases the range of our storytelling by fusing investigative journalism with true crime, pop culture and social media."

In the first episode, Danielle Miller ― once a victim herself derisively known as "Swiffer Girl" ― becomes an influencer of a different order as she uses social media to con her way into fame and fortune, encountering notorious Soho-grifter-turned-Rikers-roomie Anna Delvey along the way. The series also features episodes on serial scammer Jay Mazini, who uses religion and social media to prey on his victims and con his way to the top; fashion influencer Emily Gellis, who ignites a viral Instagram campaign against Tanya Zuckerbrot and her trendy F-Factor diet, potentially setting the stage for what can and can't be said on social media; bodybuilder Tyler Bauman, who goes from rags to riches as "musclehead320" using Instagram to build his own counterfeit steroid empire; "momfluencer" Machelle Hobson, who builds a massive YouTube show around her adopted children, hiding a nefarious reality behind the scenes; and wannabe influencer, actress and reality star Tracii Hutsona, who wreaks havoc on the ex-wife of former basketball player, Jason Kidd.

"The Age of Influence" is produced by Part2 Pictures for ABC News Studios. Joe Eardly, David Shadrack Smith and Fay Yu are executive producers for Part2 Pictures. For ABC News Studios, Victoria Thompson is the executive producer, and David Sloan is the senior executive producer. ABC News Studios is led by Mike Kelley. Reena Mehta is SVP, Streaming and Digital Content.

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode 101 - "XOXO, Grifter Girl"

Once known as the New York "Swiffer girl," Danielle Miller became the unwilling subject of one of the internet's first viral videos. As she attempts to rewrite her narrative and transform herself into a glamorous influencer, the girl whose identity was stolen from her as a young teen grows up to be a serial identity thief herself. Social media proves her undoing, as images from her lavish lifestyle implicate her in multiple cases of fraud. But like her Rikers roomie, the famed SoHo grifter Anna Delvey, Danielle is doubling down on her infamy and insisting you should never count her out.

Episode 102 - "The Sinfluencer"

New Jersey entrepreneur Jay Mazini cons his way into wealth and internet fame through a series of schemes hinged upon the trust of his devoted social media disciples. His rapid ascent brands him a crypto-prophet, fashion designer and viral philanthropist, but when a former friend, along with others, sounds the alarm on his deceit, he resorts to violence to keep his house of cards from crumbling.

Episode 103 - "Fiber Feud"

When Emily Gellis hears rumors that the trendy F-factor diet is allegedly causing health issues for her followers, she takes up the cause on Instagram. But the diet's founder Tanya Zuckerbrot denies the claims and is ready to fight back with two defamation lawsuits. Meanwhile, the dramatic fiber-feud continues to rage on social media, potentially forever setting the stage for what can and can't be said on the internet.

Episode 104 - "The Steroids Swindler"

After an embattled childhood colored by drugs and poverty, Tyler Bauman attempts to reinvent himself as an over-the-top Instagram personality. Using the handle musclehead320, he chronicles his goal to reach 320 pounds, sharing his expertise on steroids and supplements before eventually getting into the manufacturing and distribution game himself. It's the classic story of a regular guy breaking bad ― with an Instagram account, a Boston accent and a whole lot of juice.

Episode 105 - "The Bad Momfluencer"

Successful child influencers are adept at putting on a show, but what happens when the camera turns off? The terrifying tale of Machelle Hobson explores the tragedy that befell her adopted children, whose lives seemed picture perfect on their popular Youtube series, "Fantastic Adventures." But behind the scenes, abuse ran rampant, and the systems in place failed the children at every turn - begging the question: How can our children best be protected in the age of influence?

Episode 106 - "The Con-fluencer"

Career con artist Tracii Hutsona dreams of fame as an actress, influencer and YouTube reality star. As she fails to reach her goals, she wreaks havoc on the lives of many, including a Los Angeles scenester, a fast-casual restaurateur, and Joumana Kidd, the ex-wife of basketball legend, Jason Kidd.

ABOUT ABC NEWS STUDIOS

ABC News Studios, inspired by ABC News' trusted reporting, is a premium, narrative non-fiction original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios' original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," "The Lady Bird Diaries," "Aftershock" and "The Murders Before the Marathon" as well as compelling docu-series, including "Killing County," "Wild Crime," "Death in the Dorms" and "Mormon No More."

ABOUT PART2

Part2 Pictures is an award-winning leader in premium content across TV and film. Part2's focus is on storytelling through a human lens, connecting our complex world through the diverse voices and experiences that shape us. Since 2007, Brooklyn-based Part2 has created prestige series such as Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, This is Life with Lisa Ling, and Belief with Oprah Winfrey, winning Emmys, IDAs, NAACP Image Awards, TV Academy Honors, a Sundance Jury Prize, and a James Beard Award as we produce stories here and around the world.





  [may 2023]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· AGE OF INFLUENCE, THE (HULU)





[11/26/24 - 03:01 PM]
Video: New Games, New Stakes - "Squid Game" Season 2 Main Trailer and Key Art "Round and Round" Unveiled
With its premiere just around the corner on December 26, the trailer delivers an electrifying glimpse into the deadly games and gripping character dynamics that await fans worldwide.

[11/26/24 - 02:34 PM]
Video: Paramount+ with Showtime Debuts Official Trailer for Showtime's "Dexter: Original Sin"
The series premieres Friday, December 13 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, before making its on-air US debut on Sunday, December 15 at 10pm ET/PT.

[11/26/24 - 01:15 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers"
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week across the board, hitting a 6-week high in overall viewers and 7-week highs in both key Adult demos.

[11/26/24 - 12:03 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Nov. 18: "The Merry Gentlemen" and "A Man on the Inside" Take the Top Spots
Season 2 of the animated series "Arcane" laid siege to #2 (6.4M views), while Season 1 took #5 with 2.2M views.

[11/26/24 - 11:44 AM]
TNT Sports to Debut "Evolve and Flex" with Lance Fresh Friday, Dec. 6, on truTV and Max
The show is hosted by sports-lifestyle expert Lance Fresh and features candid conversations with guests to discuss how life's events have contributed to their sense of style.

[11/26/24 - 11:19 AM]
MGM+ Announces 2025 Premiere Date for "NFL Icons" Season Four
In the upcoming fourth season, the docuseries will feature Pro Football Hall of Famers Joe Montana, DeMarcus Ware, Kurt Warner and Gale Sayers.

[11/26/24 - 10:24 AM]
Video: "Rogue Heroes" (MGM+ 2025 Series) Season 2 Tease
"Rogue Heroes" is a dramatized account of how the world's greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two.

[11/26/24 - 10:09 AM]
Video: Acorn TV Releases Official Trailer for Second Season of Hit Australian Drama, "Darby and Joan"
The new season debuts with a two-episode premiere, exclusively on Acorn TV, on December 30, followed by weekly episodes through January 27.

[11/26/24 - 10:01 AM]
ABC News Studios Announces Fourth Season of Hit True-Crime Series "Wild Crime," Streaming Dec. 5 Only on Hulu
"Wild Crime: Eleven Skulls" delves into the haunting 2012 disappearance of Samantha Koenig, an 18-year-old Anchorage barista last seen leaving her place of work with an unknown man on a dark winter night.

[11/26/24 - 08:32 AM]
Bravo Greenlights "Vanderpump Rules" Season 12 with a New Group of SUR-vers
In addition, "Vanderpump Rules" will celebrate the past decade of heartbreaks, friendship rifts and scandals with a retrospective special highlighting the past 11 seasons.

[11/26/24 - 08:30 AM]
Video: Paramount+ and Nickelodeon Reveal Teaser, First-Look Images and Premiere Date for "Henry Danger The Movie"
"Henry Danger The Movie" will be available to stream in the U.S. on Paramount+ Friday, January 17, and premiere on Nickelodeon that same day at 7 p.m. (ET/PT).

[11/26/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Makayla is a teenage girl who has spent her life grappling with a rare form of autism that rendered her essentially nonverbal until her parents, filled with unwavering belief in their daughter's potential, embarked on a transformative journey to discover the true depth of Makayla's inner world.

[11/26/24 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Announces Ian Bonhote & Peter Ettedgui's Award-Winning "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story," Debuting December 7 on HBO and Max
The critically acclaimed film had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and recently won six Critics Choice Documentary Awards.

[11/26/24 - 08:00 AM]
HGTV Greenlights Gutsy Las Vegas Renovation Series "Sin City Rehab" (wt) Starring Indomitable Designer Alison Victoria
The eight-episode series will document Alison, best known for her Emmy-nominated series "Windy City Rehab," taking the biggest gamble of her career as she expands her successful design business out West.

[11/26/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Manny" Season 2 - Release Date Announcement - Netflix
A busy executive hires a cowboy to care for her kids in a moment of panic. Little does she know he'll challenge her views of gender roles - and of love.