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)





[10/29/25 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Jake vs. Tank" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Jake Paul collides with Gervonta "Tank" Davis in a Most Valuable Promotions blockbuster boxing mega-event live from the Kaseya Center in Miami.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "50 Seconds: The Fernando Baez Sosa Case" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This documentary series explores the case of Fernando Báez Sosa, whose fatal beating by a group of young men was caught on video, shocking Argentina.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: New Teaser - Hulu Original Series "A Thousand Blows" Season 2
The critically acclaimed series from creator Steven Knight returns on January 9, 2026 on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, and Disney+ internationally.

[10/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Crystal Cuckoo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hoping to learn more about her heart donor, a young doctor arrives in a mountain town where decades of mysterious tragedies plague the small community.

[10/29/25 - 03:00 AM]
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces Additional Presenters and Performers for 2025 Induction Ceremony
They join the previously announced lineup of presenters and performers, which includes Beck, Brandi Carlile, David Letterman, Doja Cat, Elton John, Flea, Iggy Pop, J.I.D, Killer Mike, Maxwell, Missy Elliott, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, RAYE, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots.

[10/28/25 - 07:02 PM]
Video: "Seventeen: Our Chapter" - Official Trailer - Disney+
13 stories. 1 bond.

[10/28/25 - 02:07 PM]
"Sunday Night Football" on Record Pace Through Week 8, Averaging 24.7 Million Viewers on NBC and Peacock
Packers-Steelers audience peaked at 28.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock in the second quarter (9:15-9:30 p.m. ET).

[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of October 20 - "A House of Dynamite" Hits the Target at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Plus: "Nobody Wants This," "The Elixir," and "The Monster of Florence" rise to the top in their opening weekends.

[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
ABC Announces 2026 Midseason Premiere Dates
Premiering Wednesday, February 25, ABC is scrubbing back in for Sacred Heart Hospital with back-to-back episodes of comedy "Scrubs" starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke.

[10/28/25 - 12:00 PM]
Mark Harmon to Make Special Guest Appearance as Gibbs on "NCIS: Origins" During "NCIS" Crossover Event Tuesday, Nov. 11
In the crossover event airing on Veterans Day, younger Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the '90s - a case that's unexpectedly re-opened in the present day.

[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu Renews Hit Emmy-Award Winning Comedy "Only Murders in the Building" for a Sixth Season!
The series will film overseas for the first time, with the beloved crime-solving trio leaving New York City to investigate London's newest mystery.

[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO in Production on New Ronan Farrow Documentary Tracking Sprawling Criminal Case in Johnson City, Tennessee
The film chronicles a maze of revelations about Sean Williams of Johnson City, TN, a serial predator, tracing both his decades-long evasion of justice and an ensuing scandal over claims of corruption and systemic law enforcement failures.

[10/28/25 - 08:32 AM]
Peacock Sets Streaming Debut Dates for Focus Features' "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale," Universal's "Nobody 2" and DreamWorks Animation's "The Bad Guys 2"
The three films will roll out on successive Fridays beginning November 7.

[10/28/25 - 08:30 AM]
Epic New Landmark Natural History Series, "Kingdom," Set to Premiere Saturday, January 24 on BBC America and AMC+
Narrated by renowned naturalist and three-time Emmy Award-winner Sir David Attenborough, the major new six-part natural history series chronicles the dramatic real-life sagas of four African animal families, in one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by BBC Studios Natural History Unit.

[10/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
BBC Confirms Future of "Doctor Who" and a New Christmas Special in 2026
With Disney+ confirming they will not be partnering on the next season of the sci-fi show, the BBC remain fully committed to the show and will announce plans for the next series in due course to ensure the Doctor's adventures continue.