Today’s episode is one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations I’ve ever had—because it’s with someone I’ve known for over 15 years: Alana Hadid. From reverse ombrés and MySpace boyfriends to building fashion brands, becoming an activist, and redefining what motherhood looks like—this episode is a deep dive into identity, choice, and the beautiful mess of figuring it out.
We talk about what it was like growing up in a public family, how working retail shaped her, and why she calls herself an “accidental influencer.” But it gets deeper.
Alana opens up about making the decision not to have kids—something she always thought she’d do—and what it really means to grieve that choice. She shares how becoming a stepmom has shaped her in unexpected ways, and how she's navigating the pressure of public scrutiny in the middle of a political firestorm.
And yes, we talk about the CIA’s Hollywood pipeline, fashion’s broken business model, and why she’s doubling down on storytelling as a form of resistance through her work at Watermelon Pictures.
But there’s one thing she said that completely stopped me in my tracks—a moment where I actually got chills—and you’ll know it when you hear it.
Episode Breakdown
00:13 – Friendship flashbacks, pink hair, and the MySpace era
05:20 – Accidental influencer: Lanzy Bear, Instagram, and falling into fame
10:40 – Working retail, starting fashion brands, and not designing for buyers
19:15 – Choosing not to have kids: privilege, grief, and reframing motherhood
28:30 – Step-parenting with intention: respect, boundaries, and presence
36:45 – What the CIA is doing in Hollywood (yes, really)
40:10 – Watermelon Pictures, media bias, and reclaiming representation
47:30 – Why storytelling is resistance: Palestinian visibility in film
52:00 – Literacy in Gaza, hope as a revolutionary act, and future dreams
55:10 – On being a target: Alana opens up about doxxing, fear, and safety
58:00 – Alana’s next chapter: two books, a podcast, and a legacy in progress
If this made you laugh, nod in agreement, or immediately think of someone who needs to read it, go ahead and tap that little heart—it helps more people (including the lurkers) find this.
For more questionable takes and semi-useful life insights, come hang out on Instagram—follow me @victoriadela_fuente for behind-the-scenes nonsense, and while you’re at it, give Zillion Trillion a follow too. Because let’s be honest—your feed could always use one more mildly chaotic account.
Enter my multiverse: ZILLIONTRILLION.COM—for the dopamine hit you didn’t know you needed.
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