“It’s An Epidemic!” Drag Race Star Bimini on The Dark Side of Drag, Addiction And Queer Shame
In this episode of We Need To Talk, Drag Race UK star Bimini shares the defining moments that shaped them - from losing their best friend in a tragic car accident to surviving the dark side of fame.
Bimini opens up about battling shame and addiction, reflects on the highs and lows of their Drag Race journey, why they spoke out about the darker side of the industry, and how they rebuilt their life on their own terms.
This is an empowering conversation about grief, identity, survival – and finding strength in living beyond the binary.
Support charities:
Terrence Higgins Trust - https://g2ul0.app.link/2wfkTStrWSb Mermaids - https://g2ul0.app.link/g3id7izrWSb MIND - https://g2ul0.app.link/w5vNMYwowQb
We Need To Talk LIVE at Crossed Wires - https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Support Bimini here:
Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/GBxGzljXVSb TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/a8VFvilXVSb Pieces Podcast: https://g2ul0.app.link/BPCLZ4fXVSb
(0:00) Intro
(1:57) Bimini Talks About Their Pronouns
(5:05) Bimini and Great Yarmouth
(6:07) Bimini's Childhood
(10:00) What Was the Reaction to Bimini's Personality as a Child?
(12:42) How Did Bimini Conform When They Were a Teenager?
(14:26) Who Was Bimini's Support System as a Teenager?
(16:29) Bimini's Friend Ellie and Their Experience of Her Tragic Death
(23:01) How Did Bimini Identify Sexually at 18?
(24:56) Shame and Societal Scripts Around Sexual Identity
(32:58) Bimini's Experience of Drug Abuse
(35:24) The Epidemic Facing The Queer Community
(40:22) How Can LGBTQ+ Allies Provide Meaningful Support?
(43:58) Tinder Ad
(45:15) Crossed Wires Live Pod Ad
(46:17) Bimini's Academic Credentials
(46:53) Bimini's Thoughts on Drag as an Art Form and Way of Life
(59:17) Bimini's First Drag Competition in 2017
(1:02:23) How Does the RuPaul's Drag Race Casting Process Work?
(1:06:19) Bimini on Coming Out as Pansexual on RPDR and Thoughts on Gender Stereotypes
(1:12:15) 'UK Hun?'
(1:16:55) The Aftermath of Drag Race UK
(1:30:02) Bimini's New Music
(1:38:00) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:43:10) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:49:05
“The Next Morning I Was Full Of Anxiety” Calum Scott Reveals What REALLY Happened on Britain’s Got Talent & Battle With Body Dysmorphia “I Told Myself ‘You’re Disgusting’”
In this episode of We Need To Talk, Calum Scott opens up like never before. A decade on from his iconic Britain’s Got Talent audition, Calum reflects on the moment that changed everything. He reveals what was really going on behind the scenes, the guilt he still carries about his sister, and the truth about that death stare at Simon Cowell.
Calum speaks candidly about growing up in Hull, being raised by strong women, and navigating his sexuality - including the impact of being outed by friends at school. He opens up about his struggles with body dysmorphia, identity, and the time he found himself on a bridge, questioning whether he could go on.
From Dancing On My Own - now streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify - to No Matter What, Calum reveals how he turned heartbreak into healing, and how therapy has helped him find peace.
This is Calum Scott as you’ve never seen him - raw, honest, and deeply human.
This episode includes sensitive topics like suicidal thoughts and body dysmorphia. Please watch with care and find support resources below:
MIND - https://g2ul0.app.link/w5vNMYwowQb
Samaritans - https://g2ul0.app.link/zsXiEH8BORb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Support Calum here:
Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/JAW7hxKlKSb
TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/xpUnQDNlKSb
Pre-order new album Avenoir https://g2ul0.app.link/uG2nTUJOKSb
FTD & Me Blog https://www.ftdandme.co.uk/about-me
(00:00) Intro
(01:38) Yorkshire Tea
(02:55) Calum Describes Hull
(04:10) What Are Some of the Northern Stereotypes That Are True?
(05:37) Calum's Memories of Home When He Was a Child
(07:41) Did Calum's Biological Dad Have Any Presence in His Life After He Left?
(10:16) Calum's Time in HR
(11:38) When Did Calum Discover His Voice?
(13:47) Calum's First Time Singing On-Stage
(16:49) Calum's Relationship with His Sister
(17:43) Calum's Time in 'Maroon 4'
(18:51) The Impact of Calum's Grandma on His Life
(20:57) Calum's Life and Relationship with His Sister Going Into the Britain's Got Talent Auditions
(22:18) Calum's Experience of His Britain's Got Talent Audition
(36:51) Calum Reflects on the Impact BGT Had on His Career
(38:47) Calum's Experience of the BGT Final
(45:18) How Did Calum Get a Record Deal After BGT?
(49:35) What Are the Biggest Highs and Lows of Calum's Career?
(55:00) Calum's Style of Singing and His Confidence Over Time
(58:50) Shopify Ad
(1:00:02) Tinder Ad
(1:00:57) The Lyrics to 'You're the Reason'
(1:03:08) Calum's Journey with His Sexuality and Coming Out
(1:21:52) Calum's Experience of Body Dysmorphia and Suicidal Ideation
(1:29:57) A Message from Calum's Best Friend Jess
(1:31:49) How to Support a Friend Going Through a Tough Time
(1:33:51) Calum Explains FTD and the Impact It’s Had on His and Jess' Life
(1:37:09) Discussing Mortality and Living Life to the Fullest
(1:39:45) The Inspiration Behind Calum's New Album 'Avenoir'
(1:41:56) Calum's Pre-Stage Ritual
(1:44:26) Where Does Calum's Desire to Be a Father Come From?
(1:45:52) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:50:20) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:56:56
JoJo Siwa 2 Hours Before Celebrity Big Brother EXCLUSIVE: I Wasn’t Emotionally Abused On Dance Moms - "I’m Not Going To Say Who It Was!”
Just 2 hours before entering the Celebrity Big Brother house, JoJo Siwa sat down for one of her most raw and revealing conversations yet.
Who is JoJo Siwa? In this powerful episode of We Need To Talk, the self-proclaimed “CEO of gay pop” opens up about the cost of growing up on Dance Moms, the pressures of childhood stardom, and why she won’t “give Abby her flowers.” She reflects on the moment her confidence dropped on screen and how it felt being the internet's “punching bag.”
Before entering the Big Brother house, Paul asks how JoJo deals with people she doesn’t agree with - a question that now holds new significance after her viral clash with Mickey Rourke.
JoJo addresses the controversy following the release of Karma and shares how she’s taking full control of her creative journey. She speaks candidly about falling in love, reclaiming her identity, and leaving behind the version of herself the world thought they knew.
From Dance Moms to Big Brother, from glitter and bows to bold reinvention - this is JoJo Siwa like you’ve never seen her before.
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Follow JoJo here:
Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/RmSKBmOXySb
TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/ZHFgDDQXySb
(00:19) Jojo's Imminent Big Brother Arrival
(00:48) Is Jojo Scared of the Public Seeing a Different Side to Her?
(02:45) Would Jojo Describe Herself as Someone with a Strong Personality?
(03:25) How Will Jojo Manage Conflict in the BB House?
(05:14) A Message from Jojo's Mum
(07:33) Jojo's Childhood in Omaha, Nebraska
(11:59) What Made Jojo Fall in Love with Dancing?
(13:23) How Did Jojo Get on Dance Moms?
(14:57) Why Does Jojo Think She Was So Successful on Dance Moms?
(17:30) Did Jojo Need Validation When She Was 11 on Dance Moms?
(19:14) Was Jojo 'Emotionally Abused' During Dance Moms?
(25:42) Jojo's 'Ice Cream Story'
(29:21) Was Jojo's Bow Branding Intentional?
(31:52) Jojo's Bow Merchandise
(33:50) Jojo Pivoting from TV to YouTube
(36:54) Jojo's Perspective on Her Social Media Output
(39:13) Shopify Ad
(40:26) Tinder Ad
(41:21) Did Jojo Have Difficulty Distinguishing Between Her Real Self and Her TV Persona?
(44:43) Jojo's Experience of Bullying Online and In-Person
(51:10) What Caused Jojo to Lose Confidence Over Time?
(54:02) Jojo's Self-Consciousness About Her Singing
(58:28) Jojo's Journey with Her Sexuality
(1:06:04) The Process of Jojo Coming Out to the Wider Public
(1:14:53) Jojo's Current Romantic Relationship
(1:18:41) What Would Jojo Be Without Her Mother?
(1:20:38) Jojo's Perspective on Motherhood
(1:22:28) What Does Jojo Want Viewers of BB to Learn from Her?
(1:23:23) What Is Most Misunderstood About Jojo?
(1:24:01) The Controversy Around 'Karma'
(1:26:53) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:31:17) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:37:16
Estelle EXCLUSIVE The Truth Behind AMERICAN BOY “I Prayed For The Strength To Speak To Kanye!”
In this episode of We Need To Talk, Grammy Award-winning artist Estelle joins Paul for an unfiltered conversation about music, identity, and the power of self-belief.
From growing up in West London to becoming the first artist to be signed by John Legend, Estelle shares the resilience it took to break into the music industry - and the self-trust she had to develop along the way.
She tells the incredible story of how a chance encounter with Kanye West in a chicken shop led to the global smash hit American Boy. Estelle reflects on the personal losses that shaped her, the industry rejection she pushed through, and how she’s finally learned to trust her voice - both in music and in life.
This is the real story behind American Boy - and so much more.
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Follow Estelle here:
Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/YBqxXz8ThSb
TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/CQK5GJbUhSb
(00:00) Intro
(01:50) Estelle's Childhood in Hammersmith
(04:40) What Values Did Estelle's Grandmother Instill in Her?
(06:22) Estelle's Family
(07:37) How Estelle's Parents Met
(09:04) Estelle's Relationship with Her Father
(10:09) How Did Estelle's Parents' Split Affect Her?
(11:22) Estelle's Experience of School
(15:28) The Beginning of Estelle's Career in Music
(27:31) The Differences Between Hip Hop and R&B in the USA vs. UK in the Early 2000s
(29:43) Estelle's Experience in the British Music Industry as a Black Female Artist
(35:53) How Estelle Met Kanye West and John Legend
(44:10) Shopify Ad
(45:21) Tinder Ad
(46:16) How Estelle Wrote 'American Boy'
(51:26) The Legacy of 'American Boy'
(54:53) Paul’s Favourite Estelle Songs
(56:48) When Did Estelle Feel Like She Was 'Losing It' During Her Career?
(1:03:43) How Did Estelle Learn to Trust Herself?
(1:06:44) Estelle's Relationship History
(1:15:59) Is Estelle Interested in Being a Mother?
(1:16:57) The Impact of Estelle's Grandmother's Death
(1:21:51) Estelle's Spiritual Beliefs
(1:22:46) Estelle's Role in 'Steven Universe'
(1:26:30) Why Is Allyship So Important to Estelle?
(1:28:53) Paul Tells a Crazy Story About Estelle
(1:31:03) One of Estelle's Wildest Moments During Her Career
(1:33:07) Happiest Moment of Estelle's Career
(1:34:49) Estelle's New EP 'New Direction'
(1:37:35) Paul, De La Soul and Estelle's Feature on 'Memories Of'
(1:40:24) Estelle's Forthcoming Book
(1:42:37) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:46:18) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:52:38
Talia Mar’s Relationship With Sidemen’s Miniminter “We Didn’t Sleep Until 8AM On First Date!”
This episode of We Need To Talk sees YouTuber and singer Talia Mar share the defining moments that have shaped her life. She opens up about her whirlwind romance with Simon (AKA Sidemen's Miniminter) - from their instant connection on their first date to how they plan to parent their child in the public eye.
Talia candidly discusses being diagnosed with autism at 25, the struggles of masking, feeling different, and how it reshaped her understanding of herself. She also opens up about navigating pregnancy with ASD and why so many women remain undiagnosed on the spectrum. Talia reflects on her school bullying experiences and the battle with anorexia that pushed her to her limits.
This conversation is about Talia’s journey of self-discovery, embracing her autism, and how her deep connection with Simon helps them navigate the challenges of life together.
This episode discusses sensitive topics, including anorexia. If you need support, please find resources below:
MIND - https://g2ul0.app.link/w5vNMYwowQb
Beat Eating Disorders - https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Support Talia here:
Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/QUo550jhbSb
TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/ZuoqY6lhbSb
(1:51) Talia and Paul's Shared Connection with Sutton
(2:48) Talia's Childhood
(6:12) Talia's Childhood Love of Music
(8:00) Talia's Experience of BRIT School
(8:49) Talia's Experience of Bullying at Her Previous School
(10:45) Talia's Mental Health Struggles at School
(13:57) Talia's First Best Friend at 16
(14:47) Talia's Perspective on Romantic Relationships at 16
(15:37) How Did Talia Believe She Was Going to Be Successful in Music?
(19:23) How Did Talia Know She Was Doing Something Right with Her YouTube Channel?
(20:51) When Was Talia's First Monetisation from YouTube?
(23:30) 'Tough Decisions' EP Release
(25:50) Talia's Fellow BRIT Alumni
(30:45) Talia's Emotional Regulation
(33:59) Tinder Ad
(34:55) How Talia Met Simon Minter
(47:23) What Made Talia Fall in Love with Simon Minter?
(49:26) Talia's First Impressions of the Sidemen
(53:16) The Reaction to Talia and Simon Making Content Together
(56:32) How Did Her Public Relationship with Simon Impact Talia's Work?
(1:00:22) Did Talia Have Any Doubts About Her Engagement to Simon?
(1:01:39) Talia's Autism Diagnosis
(1:13:30) How Was Simon with Talia's Autistic Traits?
(1:14:15) Talia and Simon's Wedding
(1:16:06) Talia's Pregnancy
(1:19:21) How Do Talia and Simon Plan to Manage Having a Baby in the Public Eye?
(1:21:57) How Has Talia Found Being Pregnant?
(1:25:42) What Is Talia Most Excited for Regarding Her Future?
(1:27:22) Talia's Thoughts on Plastic Surgery
(1:30:40) Talia's Struggles with Anorexia
(1:38:16) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:41:40) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When someone says to you 'we need to talk', how does that make you feel?
The hardest conversations to have are also the most important. Paul C Brunson, the world’s most influential matchmaker and TV star, brings his insightful commentary on how to create and sustain successful relationships through vulnerability, connection and understanding.
From weekly conversations with industry experts and familiar faces, Paul promises to support your personal growth, provide practical insights, and deliver actionable advice that will add value to your relationships.
Ready to deepen those connections? Then you’re in the right place.
Instagram: @paulcbrunson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcbrunson
UK