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)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.