The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina – Details, episodes & analysis

Before we turn to our regularly scheduled kiki, Lina has some household safety advice: Keep your houseguests’ THC cookies away from nosey little Yorkies. Bashert got zooted, honey! 

And we’re back! Drag Race double-alum and blonde goddess Kerri Colby must have heard the super doll signal because she descended from the heavens to talk about her new DJ career and a new single! Connie offers sage advice on being a show pony and keeping the door open for the trans women who follow you. 

https://www.kerricolby.com/ 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

A very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

We jump right into the wars—the fashion wars! Connie and Lina break down the rivalry between big NYC fashion designers—which models could walk for whom? And who were you disrespecting if you sat with whom? Child, the anxiety lingers! And then—ding dong!—enter the fabulous fashion designer, model, author, O.G. club kid, and the forever “It” Girl, Dianne Brill! Dianne dishes on her pal Andy Warhol, the myth and the reality (and his endowment), the problem with Ry*n M*rphy (we don’t need to get sued, honey), and what it takes to be a Mugler muse and head judge on Drag Race Germany. And we go fishin’. 

• https://www.jeanpaulgaultier.com/
• https://www.mugler.com/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/patcleveland/
• https://www.karllagerfeldparis.com/
• https://www.ysl.com/
• https://www.alexandermcqueen.com/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/diannebrill/ 
• www.youtube.com/@DianneBrill 
• https://www.wowpresentsplus.com/drag-race-germany
• https://www.instagram.com/bettylago 

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman) ; Courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design  Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

A very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your wonderful support.

OK honey, we get right into it, with just a little side swerve into what the girls are fighting over, grammar lessons, The Eyes of Laura Mars, the commercial for DiAnes hair extensions, our “Labiquita” (LGBTQIA) community freedom fighters, and—ding dong!—star of And Just Like That, Nicole Ari Parker! Nicole pays us a visit to dish on her character’s unforgettable fashion moments, her swoonworthy hubby Boris Kodjoe, school uniforms, and fifteen feet of silk chiffon!  And we go fishin’. 

• The Eyes of Laura Mars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_-4L-mssnQ
• DiAnes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7gmZYa4Dsk 
• And Just Like That https://www.hbomax.com/shows/and-just-like-that/b9c27771-247a-459d-b751-85460d3fd5a2 
• Nicole Ari Parker https://www.instagram.com/nicoleariparker/ 
• Tracey Norman https://www.instagram.com/tracey_africa_norman/ 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman) ; Courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design  Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

A very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your wonderful support.

What happens when two women who’ve seen everything in NYC nightlife—from the Club Kid era to the 2025 Met Gala—finally get to tell their stories? Get ready to laugh, learn, and love with The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina. In this glittering debut episode, your fabulous hosts, NYC nightlife legends Lina Bradford and Connie Fleming, invite you into their world—a delightful mix of pop culture, real-life tea, and personal triumphs, served with a heaping spoonful of humor, sass, and sisterhood.

Lina and Connie kick things off by spilling the tea on what inspired this podcast and their vision for creating a space that's all about learning, unity, and, of course, a good ol’ kiki. They’re here to bring visibility to stories that matter, share their lived experiences in the LGBTQ+ community, and remind us all of the power of love, support, and a perfectly timed read.

From heartfelt reflections to hilarious anecdotes, this episode is as vibrant and dynamic as the duo themselves. So, grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join the fun—your Thursdays just got a whole lot better!

✨ Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 – A warm welcome to Cutting Up a Kiki.
• 01:25 – The birth of the podcast: How two icons came together to create magic.
• 02:54 – Community, visibility, and why representation matters more than ever.
• 08:05 – Tackling today’s issues with humor and heart.
• 13:13 – Connie and Lena’s personal stories: Drag, resilience, and love.
• 21:24 – Wrapping up with laughs, love, and a promise for more fabulousness

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music produced and Written and performed by 8 0 8 Beach John “JC” Carr and Bill Coleman, courtesy of Peace Biscuit. 

 Production Design  Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

A very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your wonderful support.

This week ladies are delivering fashion highs, hair flips, and hilarious flashbacks, and they are joined by their adorable and ever‑patient producer, Matthew Breen. 

From jaw‑dropping outfits to legendary first gigs, Connie Girl and DJ Lina compare their first gigs, unforgettable club nights, and the art of the outfit. Connie is looking very Studio 54, very DVF—while Lina is doing her best Cindy Crawford. 

These two never forget a look! Plus music‑video mayhem, backstage chaos, legendary Boy Bar Beauties competitions, and the heartbreak of a shoe haunting. 

And we go fishin’! This one is not rated G.  

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming

00:24 Fashion Highlights and Iconic Looks

01:31 Hair and Makeup Extravaganza

02:04 Memorable Moments and Inside Jokes

08:30 First Jobs and Early Careers

13:02 Nightlife and Clubbing Stories

16:37 Boy Bar Beauties and Competitions

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

Get ready to laugh, strut and pick your jaw up off the floor — because this week’s episode of The Cutting Up is giving full runway meets “girl chat” . Hosts Connie and Lina are in the house, joined by none other than the fabulous Kelly Bensimon — author, fashion icon, reality legend, and all-around powerhouse. 

From epic fashion throwbacks to must-have travel pieces, these women serve insider tea and killer advice for owning your look (and your life). Expect laughs, nostalgia, and several “did she really just say that?” moments. Kelly also dishes on her journey — from modeling to magazines to posing for Playboy and also giving back through her work with the Food Bank — proving style and substance can totally coexist. ✨

So join these ladies for a good cackle, some iconic memories, and some seriously good girl talk. 

🕒 Timestamps
 00:00 — Kicking things off with major banter
 00:39 — Fashion talk: Norma Kamal & Wet Looks
 02:08 — Shoe trends: Mules and more!
 02:40 — Travel fashion must-haves
 05:44 — Throwback looks & beauty secrets
 15:02 — Meet Kiki: How it all began
 23:21 — Iconic fashion memories
 23:53 — Public perception vs. reality
 25:16 — How to balance (all the things!)
 27:13 — Legendary magazine moments
 30:29 — Owning your “imperfections”
 32:34 — The ultimate girls trip
 36:25 — Why giving back never goes out of style
 38:49 — Travel hacks + fashion wrap-up
 47:20 — Farewell, fabulous ones 💖

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

Connie and Lina get to sit down for an incredible, off-the-freaking-chain chat with the legendary Susan Powter. And trust, she holds nothing back, sharing her wild origin story, rise, and fall—and now her return to the stage. We’ve got exclusives! Powter went from being a broke single mom who stripped at the Million Dollar Saloon in conservative Dallas, Texas, and rose to completely shake up the fitness world. They get real about what it means to be a powerful woman, bouncing back from tough times, and why it's so important to just be yourself. Susan gives the inside scoop on her new documentary, “Stop the Insanity,” and how it captures all her biggest fights, wins, and losses. With her super honest stories and amazing energy, Susan is someone you will never forget. This conversation is a must-listen.

Check out the highlights:

00:00 - Kicking things off
 00:13 - Just chatting & talking movies
 01:11 - All about Susan Powter & empowerment
 02:56 - How she changed the game
 05:56 - Getting personal: The tough times
 20:02 - Behind the scenes of her new doc
 24:43 - Keeping it real in the fitness world
 25:17 - Why she had to get out
 26:24 - Getting screwed over & fighting back
 27:03 - The comeback story
 28:43 - Finding happiness & being true to yourself
 31:29 - Dealing with ageism & career hurdles
 34:37 - The power of being honest
 36:04 - Why you gotta keep working
 36:48 - Being thankful & starting fresh
 47:33 - Wrapping it up

Pre-Order “Stop the Insanity”: https://obscuredreleasing.com/films/stop-the-insanity 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen.

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond.

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit. 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

Gobble gobble, everyone! Connie and Lina welcome producer Matt for their special Thanksgiving episode — which, as usual, goes completely off the rails.  From cocktail conversations to family traditions, sharing their favorite traditions, questionable recipes, and chaotic holiday stories — it is a holiday treat that can ONLY come from Connie and Lina! 

So join them for this slightly unhinged holiday escape.

As discussed in this episode

Movies:

Home For the Holidays

How to Make an Airplane Cocktail

The original recipe calls for 3/4 ounce of each ingredient, shaken and served in a chilled coupe glass. 

• ¾ oz Bourbon (a mid-shelf, 90-proof spirit like Bulleit or Woodford Reserve is recommended)
• ¾ oz Aperol (an Italian bitter aperitif)
• ¾ oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia (a specific Italian herbal liqueur that is key to the drink's flavor profile; substitutions will change the taste)
• ¾ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Hair by Mariah Molina

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

Buckle up, because this episode goes off the rails the way only our show can. Today we have Joy Reid! Yes, Joy freakin’ Reid, the first Black woman primetime news anchor, New York Times bestselling author, and the woman who tells it like it is. We jump right into the deep end with, what else, dolls! It’s an obsession in this house, as you all know. We talk Mr. and Ms. Potatohead, Baby That–a-Way, custom dolls, and then we go thataway talking about Joy’s ascendance to make primetime news history, and how her Jamaican godmother won’t let it go. The tea is hot! Joy's own independent media platform is flourishing—and baby, the freedom? She said she can finally tell the truth without anyone in a suit whispering, “Um, maybe we don’t say that.” And honestly, I felt that in my spirit. We dip into the fish pond and come up with some ghost stories. The whole episode is a celebration of authenticity—and we can promise you’ve never seen Joy like this!

Enjoy honeysuckles.

Check out Joy's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyReidShow

Episode Breakdown:
 00:00 Welcome Blaque
 00:55 Where is the trustworthy news at?!
 03:20 Fashion Talk (Joy understood the assignment)
 07:11 Welcoming Joy Reid like the queen she is
 10:16 Doll Collections & Childhood Memories
 22:24 Gender Roles and Expectations
 24:51 The Trad Wife Trend (girl…)
 28:16 Joy’s Media Journey Begins
 30:12 Launching a Show During a Pandemic
 32:10 Jumping into Independent Media
 33:07 Social Media, Truth‑Telling, and Being Real
 41:04 Paranormal Moments & Ouija Shenanigans
 46:07 Thank‑yous, Hugs, and Goodbyes

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen.

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond.

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit. 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

Okay Sugar, buckle up—because this episode was basically mine and Connie’s Olympics. From the moment we hit record, the energy was high, the accessories were rattling, and Vivienne Westwood was in the house hovering over the conversation like the patron saint of chaotic glam.

We kicked things off with a little accessory talk (because of course we did), and before long,we were deep in our feelings about our Westwood babies—yes, the squiggles, the pirate boots, and those corsets. Con and I traded stories - spiraling into memories of punk’s electric surge in the late 70s and 80s, back when fashion wasn’t just fashion—it was a full‑blown cultural riot.

And then came the icons. Pat Cleveland strutting through my imagination. Yoko Ono being...Yoko Ono. Grace Jones, obviously slaying from every angle. It felt like flipping through the coolest scrapbook ever made.

Just when you think we can’t get more ‘unserious’, we dive into fishbowl questions—fashion trends we’d banish, knockoff drama, and the teen fashion choices we wish we could time‑travel to fix. Chaos, laughter, and maybe a little too much honesty.

If you want the play‑by‑play, here’s your stylish timestamp menu:

• 00:00 — Hellos, hugs, and general fabulousness
 • 00:18 — Accessories we’re unreasonably attached to
 • 00:57 — Nostalgia hour: fashion shows we still dream about
 • 01:16 — The Vivienne Westwood fangirl spiral begins
 • 04:54 — Punk, politics, and platform everything
 • 08:51 — Why color theory should come with a warning label
 • 14:00 — Personal fashion lore (yes, the corset story is here)
 • 17:11 — Iconic outfits and the Case of the Missing Corsets
 • 18:02 — Fishbowl chaos: trends, tips, tea
 • 21:05 — “Sun’s out, buns out” but make it fashion
 • 23:41 — Teen fashion memories we survived
 • 25:14 — Designer jeans and the era that shaped us
 • 29:17 — Voting matters (and so does what you wear to the polls)
 • 29:55 — Final thoughts and fabulous farewells

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901 

You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com

And follow us on instagram:

@TheLinaBradford

@TheRealConnieGirl

@PrideHouseMedia

The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.

Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen.

Graphic Design Daryl Raymond.

Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit. 

 Production Design by Darryl Dickens. 

Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.