Josie Adams

In September 2024, Canadian influencer Lauren Southern suddenly found herself in the eye of a media storm, accused of spreading Russian propaganda. The US government had just alleged that the founders of the startup she’d been making videos for - Tenet Media - were working with Russian state media, in a $10 million Kremlin-backed operation. What exactly did Russia want with a group of YouTubers? And did they succeed? Who knew what was allegedly going on within Tenet Media, and when?

By Josie Adams for The Spinoff Tom Scott, otherwise known as Avantdale Bowling Club, has leaked his collaboration with producer choicevaughan shortly after winning Album of the Year at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Avantdale Bowling Club's first, eponymous album propelled Auckland-based rapper Tom Scott to new heights. After working in groups Home Brew and Average Rap Band earlier in his career, Avantdale Bowling Club was a personal project for Scott.

© The Spinoff Aunty Donna Australian sketch comedy group Aunty Donna finally got a Netflix series. Have they sold out to Big American Comedy? No, says Josie Adams. I shook Mark Bonanno’s hand while he was flyering in Edinburgh. I stood next to Zachary Ruane in line for the movies in Melbourne. I ricoheted off Broden “Manbeast” Kelly when I bumped into him on Queen St in Auckland. I have touched Aunty Donna, and they have touched me. Now they’re touching the whole world.