Elizabeth the First

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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 StarElizabeth 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.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

MonicaBTaylor

Great Story but Poorly Narrated & Produced

Great subject but I can’t finish listening. It’s repetitive, off-chronologically, and the host throws in “like a boss” and repeats “influencer” when it’s not fitting to the royalty of who was Elizabeth Taylor. Wanted to love, so disappointed.
Brown Diamonds

Poorly produced

Everyone is saying how Katy Perry is annoying, which is true, but annoyance is driven by the writing, at no complete fault to Perry. The Giant era, James Dean’s death while they wrapped up filming, and the overall impact that the cast and production crew left on Marfa was completely skipped over. Also, poor editing… lots of spots throughout various episodes where the audio randomly loops, overlaps, etc. Elizabeth was such a perfectionist, and the final production quality would only have her rolling in her grave. “Here lies Elizabeth. She hated to be called Liz. And she LIVED!”
NickyW073066

Really Enjoyed!

I thought Elizabeth the a First was a wonderful podcast. I was able to follow along easily. Each episode had me excited about the next. I have to be honest… I could not find anything else to listen to on my long ride m, so I was stuck with this one. I did not realize how much I would enjoy it. What a pleasant surprise!
ShannMM123

Wanted to like

I was excited to start this podcast but unfortunately it’s just put together poorly. It’s choppy and very repetitive. Listening because it’s a great story but not sure I will finish all the episodes.
Docsds

So fascinating

Having grown up watching stars of this era, this is so interesting to hear the true story. Thank you, Katy Perry, for bringing this to us. She was much more complex and amazing than the tabloids ever made her out to be!!
DERO27

I wish…

I want to LOVE LOVE this show but I found myself skipping ahead every time I hear the narrator…Katy Perry…speak. She does not add anything to this, especially when you hear the clips of Elizabeth. They should remake this and edit out Katy. Just let Elizabeth speak for Elizabeth!!!!
Gablesgrl34

Well done!

Throughly enjoyed this podcast. Combining interviews and quotes from Elizabeth’s friends, family, staff and Elizabeth herself I thought this was a focused, interesting well put together podcast. I liked the idea of looking at Elizabeth’s life through the lens of an influencer. This was not by any means an in-depth analysis of her career and life but nonetheless entertaining. Yes Katie Parry gets a bit gushy but she obviously respects and loves Elizabeth- who doesn’t.
kaattt2345

Why Katy Perry?!?!

I was totally on board with this podcast until I heard Katy Perry’s voice. Ugh. Hard pass. Elizabeth Taylor was and still is an icon. I don’t need KP to sell this as hard as she’s trying. The narration is pretty laughable.
BAlisonMarie

Too much...

A definite NO. Overtly saccharine, and far too solicitous. Katy Perry is bordering on worshiping Elizabeth Taylor. Yes, Elizabeth was beautiful and at most an average actress. Her best work was her AIDS foundation. Come on Katy, Elizabeth Taylor was human like the rest of us, flaws & all.
false psychology

Great series!

It’s so calming to hear about all of the positive messages that Taylor promoted through not only her words, but also her actions. Thanks to all the individuals that made this series possible! Gratitude!
HAM-in-NYC

Truly Stupendous!

I know a bit about ET because my mom was a fan and introduced me to her through her films. The impact she left on so many levels, in so many facets of life, is magnificent and told by those who knew and loved her most. So, so well done! Bravo! PS: read “Furious Love” for more on her sexy relationship with Burton. Worth every moment!
ZenJenSantaFe1

Editor!

This should have been a five episode podcast. Too much repitition about the damned jewelry (we get it already…), about her ‘brand’, and ‘influence’. This needs to be cut down to the specifics and get rid of most of the rambling interviews. This should have been a better show.
Aarcanda

So well done!

Other reviewers have commented on ‘cringiness’ of use of ‘influencer’ title, and while I understand that sentiment, have to say I disagree. This podcast shows how much more Elizabeth Taylor was SO MUCH more than anyone we’d assign that job title to currently. I had no idea, as much of her career predated me, although I recall bits and pieces of her before she died. This was an amazing podcast, lightly narrated by Katie Perry, highly relying on interviews and clips by those that knew her. Would suggest everyone ignore the ratings and give a listen to decide for themselves. Personally speaking, so illuminating, and a fantastic listen!!!!
IzzyKeyes

There’s only one Elizabeth I

The real Elizabeth I life story is way more interesting and I recommend it over this garbage
Alyzandriafaith

Simply Wonderful!

A beautifully produced podcast showcasing moments from Elizabeth’s life through her own words and the words of those in her life. If you are in any way a fan of Elizabeth and the amazing woman she was, I highly recommend giving this a listen!
chelc32488

Informing and inspiring

I genuinely enjoyed this podcast about Elizabeth Taylor, she was an incredibly inspiring woman and I’m glad someone told her story, because it’s definitely something to be in awe of. Also I thought Katy Perry was a weird choice at first for narration but I think it turned out perfect. She has a nice voice to listen to and good delivery. I would listen to more stuff narrated by her.
abroshar

Episode 6 is fire.

I’m not crazy about Katy Perry, but she GOES THERE with Episode 6 (“War”). On behalf of all of us who lost loved ones in the dark years of Reagan-Bush: the passion and precision of this episode is right on. Thanks, Katy.
Hazy6969

Loved the interviews but..

This is a lovely podcast but irritating. Katie Perry insists on referring to Elizabeth Perry as an influencer and it’s very cringey. She mentions influencer multiple times in each episode, shoving it down your throat. Wish someone else has narrated it.
soundbarbite

Could be even better

Unnecessary to have Katy Perry as a part of this. Please work with experienced podcast hosts Vs celebrities to boost the podcast - we would have found this series without a celebrity presence. I found this podcast to be ok, could be even better.
billh5000

Thank you so much

This podcast has been so inspirational to me. It coincides with discovering the AIDS memorial page on Instagram. Through them both I have been processing that crisis that I somehow managed to escape but nevertheless changed me forever. I am so grateful to be able to gain greater insight into Elizabeth and her amazing life.
Osborne01

Could you make Liz Taylor more insipid?

This podcast struggles and unfortunately succeeds (for people under 30) in making one of the most fascinating, outsized, controversial characters of the 20th century into a vapid self-promoter, surrounded by lackeys. Elizabeth Taylor, according to this, sat around all day ordering her flunkies to get her more public attention. Actually, she LIVED. She didn’t have to court media attention like a Kim Kardashian. She had accomplishments, some great, some tawdry and outrageous, but the public chased her, not the other way around. Also, she wasn’t universally beloved as this podcast implies. She was astonishingly beautiful and talented, and also a sexual predator - or should I say a husband predator (other people’s husbands). She won numerous acting, and later humanitarian awards, lived ostentatiously, and gave the finger to society. This weak series (as much as I could manage to listen) portrays her as a benevolent ruler of a corporation whose goal was to keep herself in the public eye. Katie Perry tried to turn Taylor into another boring Instagram publicity hound. After her film and stage career ended, Taylor raised money for HIV research. She did develop and promote a perfume under the Revlon brand after a while. (Probably gave proceeds to her foundation, I dunno.) The premise and content of this is podcast very strained, trying unsuccessfully to fit Taylor into a bland, pedestrian celebrity seeker. I hope someone comes along and does a serious podcast on Taylor’s life. It could be very exciting. This project deserves to go to a landfill.
PrP--

Katy has a nice voice

Podcast was long and boring. On the positive side, KP does have a very pleasant voice.
nomasmama

A Star

Katy Perry. thank you so much for bringing us Elizabeth Taylor! I am enjoying this series so much! She was such an amazing woman but I hadn’t realized how amazing. She really was incredible and her work with AIDS really changed lives. Thank you! Susan
clare s.

Super Insightful

A very interesting commentary on the definition of influencer to its true roots, plus tons of fun stories and amazing behind the scenes about Elizabeth from another modern icon Katy Perry!
DinaRagab

Two podcasts: one is wonderful, the other is horrendous

All of the content that was gathered from Elizabeth Taylors real life friends and associates is wonderful. Really poignant and illustrative of who Elizabeth was and her legacy of empathy, luxury and survival. However, (while i like Katy Perry generally) , all of Katy’s dialogue is abysmal and totally unnecessary. Drawing dumb conclusions and bringing it back to Katy herself when she has no role in Elizabeth’a story. This podcast should be re-edited to remove all of Katy’s dialogue or they should rewrite her narration and recut it. At this point, I’m nearly through episode 6 and her elation at getting to refer to Elizabeth’s “Roar” was too much for me to handle. I have never written a review on apple before. I am not attempting anything other than to beg the creator to fix the horrific dichotomy between the two parts of the podcast.
Junior 1210

Wat

Katy, thank you for reminding the world of Elizabeth, her life, lives, fights, struggles and bravery. One note, man that lived through the 80s. Great stories and commentary. Bad AD placement. We hear the tragedy, then we hear that we can buy diamonds. Maybe moves things around. Or get specific ad placement for such topics. Love your insight and narrative.
cosimo di medici

Good Not Great

I’m probably not the demographic this is intended ( I actually have an attention span) - but this was good for those who have no clue who Elizabeth Taylor is. Again, maybe not for us older people - this is definitely one for the “millennials” as it is spoken by one in their language. “brand” “influencer” and etc. Nothing against the amazing Elizabeth Taylor- but she was not the first. Wallis Simpson, Jackie Kennedy, Barbara Paley - to name only 3 - major influencers before Elizabeth Taylor. Katy - I love you girl but I felt nothing from you. No love. No energy. You phoned it in. Good. Not great.
d_rod715

Huge Fan

I was and am already a huge Liz Taylor fan. Although most of this information I already knew, this podcast gives you a first hand experience of her life with many of the stories told by Elizabeth herself. If you already loved Liz this podcast will make you love her more.
RainbowZoe

Well produced but boring and repetitive

This podcast is well executed and produced. I love the overlay of Elizabeth Taylor’s voice to narrate her story. Katy Perry has a good voice for narration as well. I know that Elizabeth Taylor is super known for her jewelry but I find that the podcast just talks about it over and over and over again. I found it a bit dull and boring after the 2nd episode. Also, I don’t like that this podcast makes it seem like Liz Taylor was a god. It just seems too overly positive and ignores the nuances of her actual self. Honestly, after the 2nd episode I lost all interest. It was boring and repetitive.
Bluedillygal

Great must listen

This is AMAZING. INCREDIBLE. I am changed by listening to this podcast
willalanjr

Low budget writing

I agree with the many other comments that the hyper focus on “first influencer” is unnecessary. They can SHOW-not-TELL us about that if they want to, but it’s clear that this is self-promotion rather than a nuanced and in depth look at someone who is a genuinely important and interesting cultural figure. Interview clips go on for too long unedited and there are very big gaps in the story and details. This script needed a serious workshopping before going to production.
LAMama2

Loved every minute of this!

So great and fun to listen to! Can’t wait to listen to them all. She is such an icon!
help itunes

mccallkristi

This podcast started off great, but now on ep 4 and really don’t understand why so much of this story ties to being the original ‘influencer’ and her ‘brand’. Bleh.
Needham1533

Nice overview

I’d rate this podcast a 3.5 overall after only listening to the first two episodes. If you are a fan of Elizabeth Taylor this is a very interesting podcast that looks at her life in an interesting way. I enjoy the fact that they integrate her own words into the podcast so Taylor feels present in telling her own story. I do wish that they would stop reiterating that she was the first influencer and that she was a star. To me this seems redundant and pretty self explanatory. Regardless its a fun listen and I am looking forward to the book that this podcast was crafted to promote.
well water woman

Surprisingly wordy but vague

A lot of time is spent on the build up, but then leaves out major details. Such as Elizabeth buying her mom a brooch on layaway. It cost $25 in the 40s,Narrator goes on to say it was sold at an auction for $75,000. Yet they never tell you what the brooch made out of? Its never described it at all. Gold, Rubies, cheapo rhinestones? I almost didn’t make it past the opening drivel about influencers and somehow making that into a thesis. Wordy but not specific. Did she have siblings? Where did she ride her horse in LA?It’s never explained.
JDRWo5

Forced Subscription is not Cool

Great podcast/ but just use ads like other great podcasts. I won’t listen to the fourth.
Sitting elsewhere now

Fascinating Podcast

I’ve not really looked deeply in Elizabeth Taylor’s life, as I have other actresses from her era. But I’m loving this podcast; particularly as it compares her choices to those of influencers of today. I find particular relevance in hearing Katy Perry’s take on Elizabeth’s fame and how it affected her life. Katy knows whereof she speaks, having experienced the power and isolation of fame. Can’t wait for the next episode - kinda wish I’d waited till they all came out so I could just binge them all!
Carmen San Diego Zoo

Get to It

There’s so much about influencer culture and Liz Taylor at the end of her career that I couldn’t get into this as the beginning of a story. Moving on.
Moejackie

5 stars for depth and challenging successful historical perspective.

I hope producers don’t take disparaging comments from younger generations too seriously. For me, Taylor was this older bad actress, often crude, drunk and ostentatious. This podcast recreates the beauty that Taylor understood as an artist. NOW I get her. My past Taylor experience was a gross cognitive dissonance. Myself, having struggled so hard in life, now I see ETaylor’s efforts, life force and deliberate journey. The coping demands put on this woman never let up. She didn’t buckle under her influencer role of the times. But I’m older. I respect effort and intention. Not accomplishment. Not things that depend on luck. In the beginning I could not quite distinguish Perry’s voice from Elizabeth’s. Didn’t know quite when it was Elizabeth who was speaking. But the podcast educated me how to listen to the format. I expected a Taylor myth buster. Instead got a whole, and unique; remarkable woman and survivor. She had no role model.
waggie309

Too much Fluff

I was excited about this until I started listening to the constant reference to “influencers” on social media. I understand the barely relevant comparison, and am completely uninterested. Was looking forward to the real story, not a pop culture narrative. 🤮
leaguin4

Just OK

Not sure why the podcast is so intent on relating it to current pop culture terms: “influencer” “boss” and celebrity couples/status. Would be better if it just told the story of her life. Also gets a bit repetitive with the recapping. Was super interested to hear about her life but it’s confusing who these current pop culture references are geared towards.
Jane Morgan.

Correction

Richard Burton was Welsh a proud Celt. Viking is not the right term. Please…
alittlehawk

So intriguing!!

Okay, so I’m a 20-something college student, so before her passing I never really understood the importance of her passing when I was a child. Now as an “adult” I see why she was SO revolutionary in media and film. Such an amazing docu-podcast and I cannot wait for the rest of the episodes!!!
ShariP714

Don’t bury the Led

Cut the Influencer Culture fluff and get to the story. Subsequent episodes have quite a bit of review and unnecessary ‘splaining’ as well.
TheDude2112192763

Horrible

I was so excited for this. Such a disappointment.
SuSuBea

No thanks.

Just pointless
Keltcher

Ugh, Katy Perry

Honestly, I almost turned it off at the beginning of episode one because all they were talking about was social media influencers and I have zero interest in that. But I decided to give it a chance since they started going into Liz Taylor‘s life, which is what I thought the podcast was about. And then I heard that it was Katy Perry narrating/hosting. Not a fan at all. She’s a rude elitist and i can’t stand her (her appearance on the SmartLess podcast is what solidified this for me).
Iknowhatboyslike

Hate the 1st 5mins

The first 5-10mins of episode 1 was annoying & childish. I don’t need a explanation of the current “influencer culture”. I’m not the type of person who would only listen, if you define Elizabeth Taylor with juvenile terms like “influencer” or “rock star”. I’m not interested in Elizabeth Taylor because she was “the first influencer”. That title, that definition, is a sophomoric attempt at grasping the attention of people who’ve never heard of Elizabeth Taylor. Most of us know who she is, we are already interested, we just want to learn more.
JudyGressel

Superb writing with great narration

Hats off to Stephanie Koff who excels in character development and tells a great story with brilliant historical context. Like the World Beneath this is binge worthy listening. Elizabeth the First knocks it out of the ballpark. How do I purchase a gift subscription?
Mndfuul

Binge This!

I absolutely loved the first 2 episodes! The story isn’t just examining her life, it also deals with themes that are uber relevant today. I loved learning about her ability to stand up for herself and fight against unfair systems and the patriarchy. She was most definitely a woman ahead of her time.

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