Elizabeth the First
In a world where “influence” equals follower counts and likes, there was one woman who, over the course of her career and half a century before, defined the meaning of influence and transformed its power. She went the distance by living a remarkable life beyond the dazzle - breaking ground as the first true influencer.
Her name? Elizabeth Taylor.
Narrated by Katy Perry, Elizabeth the First is a 10-episode podcast series exploring the life of Elizabeth Taylor as Hollywood icon, mother, wife, entrepreneur, advocate… and influencer.
"Sumptuously produced" - The Toronto Star
Elizabeth the First is produced by Imperative Entertainment in association with House of Taylor and Kitty Purry Productions. Executive producers are Katy Perry, Jason Hoch, and Stephanie Koff. Elizabeth the First is narrated by Katy Perry, produced by Jason Hoch, and written by Stephanie Koff. Sound Engineering and audio editing by Shaine Freeman and Jason Hoch.
House of Taylor Trustees are Quinn Tivey, Tim Mendelson, and Barbara Berkowitz, and its Brand Strategy Consultant is Erin Dawkins. Marshall Eskowitz and Carey Schwartz of Sunset Blvd serve as Producing Partners and represent House of Taylor for Elizabeth Taylor licensing and content opportunities.
Jasha Klebe wrote and composed the original score. Additional music provided by Rhys Tivey.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Taylor, ©BertSternTrust photographed by Bert Stern. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan.
If you’d like to support The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, visit http://elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org.
And, if you’d like to go deeper into the world of Elizabeth Taylor, keep an eye out for the first authorized biography about her life. Elizabeth Taylor: the Grit & Glamour of an Icon by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower will be out on December 6.
Our Editor's Take
Elizabeth the First is a biographical podcast about a remarkable woman. Katy Perry examines how Elizabeth Taylor pioneered the use of celebrity as an influence. The host wishes to understand how the actress achieved such success and longevity. It is something that many social media influencers strive to accomplish. Taylor's life experiences may be able to help them create a playbook toward that kind of fame.
Perry speaks to the people closest to the famous actress to better understand her story. She interviews those who run the Taylor archive and estate to build a complete picture of the star's life. There are exclusive audio snippets from Taylor herself, as well as from her loved ones. The podcast is a fascinating exploration of fame, richness, activism, and vulnerability.
The host of Elizabeth the First feels a kingship towards Taylor. Like the actress, Perry strives to be a successful, multi-hyphenate businesswoman. She first became famous as a pop singer, releasing five number-one singles from her album Teenage Dream. But as her career grew, Perry sought other avenues to excel. The songstress became a voice artist, acting the role of Smurfette in the movie The Smurfs.
In 2018, Perry joined as a judge on American Idol. She also developed a shoe collection and has other entrepreneurial ventures. Perry considers Taylor her true inspiration, which helps her create a compelling show. The host's passion for the topic is evident and pushes the storytelling forward.
The ten-part podcast follows Taylor's life from childhood to her death in 2011. But it also examines her legacy. For instance, one of the episodes focuses on Taylor's struggle with addiction. The actress was one of the first people to declare that she was going to a rehab facility. This helped destigmatize the experience. Another episode studies Taylor's outspokenness about the AIDS epidemic. Perry also discusses Taylor's fights in a male-dominated industry and negotiating a $1 million salary.
Elizabeth the First offers a magical and sometimes heartbreaking tale. It is an engaging, surprising, and well-researched podcast series.
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