Podcaster Bobbi Althoff hits back at critics who call her an ‘industry plant’: ‘They don’t get it’

AAt this point you've all seen or heard the name Bobbi Althoff. The overnight sensational podcaster who suddenly started doing interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry. People were quick to call her an “industry plant,” meaning someone from the upper echelons of the entertainment industry pushed her to become the influencer she is today. Season 1 of their viral “The Really Good Podcast” is so diverse that it's easy to see how many of the biggest podcasters who took years to establish themselves would capitalize on their instant success. But in the world of entertainment, this isn't as unusual as it sounds. Especially in the current world of fast-paced content pushed through social media algorithms.

Shaquille O'Neal reveals his hidden “profession” to Bobbi Althoff.

Althoff gave an exclusive interview to Rolling Stone as she prepares for the second season of her podcast to hit back at any critics who didn't understand her concept. Essentially, she has made the awkward interview style as popular as it can be. With the help of many established comedians and hip-hop artists who knew how to deal with the absurd, Bobbi took off. Your strange interview with a rapper drake is definitely what really put her on the map. But Althoff has made many formats out of her repertoire, all of which are equally complicated and entertaining. In the end, the criticism she received didn't matter as long as she was successful.

Bobbi Althoff defends herself against criticism of the “industrial plant”.

Here's what she told Rolling Stone: “I think a lot of people didn't understand that it was a little bit, and I still think people don't understand it. It's definitely hard when so many people have such different opinions on everything you do.” I think a lot of people think I'm just this mean person who says mean things to people. That's why I try to make sure people know that there is a difference between the interviewer self and the real me. Podcast Bobbi owns her discomfort. She says what she thinks and doesn't care what people think about her. She leans into the things people think are stupid about her. With guests we see what happens. So if the guest throws punches, I can throw punches back. If they're super sweet and gentle, then I feed off that energy. It’s like improvisation.”