Instagram’s new podcast is a platform for A-listers. Rappers Doja Cat and Ice Spice are the first guests on Close Friends Only, an audio show developed by Insta and The Unwell Network.
A press release from Instagram describes Close Friends Only as a program that offers “the latest on culture — from memes and icks, to fashion and friendship — all from your favorite celebrities.” The first two celebs to appear on the show are a pair of pop stars who are currently on tour together. In a promo for the podcast, Doja and Ice get “catty and spicy” as they share their opinions on top creators (they both love Druski), viral videos, and their respective Insta feeds.
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The first episode of Close Friends Only hit Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Apple Podcasts on December 7. The podcast is tied into Instagram’s Trend Talk post, in which the Meta-owned platform predicted the subjects that will captivate Gen Z in 2024.
The other company behind Close Friends Only also knows a thing or two about trends. The Unwell Network, which launched earlier this year, is led by Alex Cooper. The Call Her Daddy host is working with other influential women — including TikTokers Alix Earle and Madeline Argy — to develop original podcasts.
With Close Friends Only, Instagram is adapting a strategy other platforms have used to boost their cultural relevance. YouTube has kept an eye on the latest trends through the MatPat-hosted podcast Like and Describe. TikTok is building its own connections with Top 40 artists through In The Mix, a star-studded concert slated for December 10. Now, Instagram is showing the world that it also has connections to hitmakers — and insights about their feeds. You can look for new episodes of Close Friends Only across major podcast distribution platforms.
