Chicks in the Office

Amanda Batula & Kyle Cooke Split, Brooklyn Beckham Blasts Victoria & David Beckham + Anthony Ramos Interview

January 21, 2026

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  • The hosts confirmed the major news items for the episode, including the separation of Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke, and Brooklyn Beckham's public accusations against Victoria and David Beckham. 
  • The hosts discussed the severe winter weather expected in the Northeast, contrasting it with the brief trip to LA. 
  • Brooklyn Beckham's detailed Instagram story blasts painted a picture of long-term control and mistreatment by his parents, Victoria and David Beckham, particularly surrounding his wedding events and business dealings. 
  • The hosts discussed the fallout from Brooklyn Beckham blasting his parents, Victoria and David Beckham, on Instagram, noting the potential embarrassment for Victoria Beckham Beauty. 
  • Karamo Brown pulled out of press for the new season of *Queer Eye*, citing fear of being bullied by his castmates, which the hosts found messy given the show's positive message. 
  • Anthony Ramos praised his role in the new Ryan Murphy show *The Beauty* as his favorite role ever, describing his character as a charismatic, psychotic assassin who enjoys his work. 
  • Anthony Ramos discussed the intense filming schedule for his new show, *The Beauty*, contrasting it sharply with the routine of his previous Broadway work in *Hamilton*. 
  • Anthony Ramos shared anecdotes about the high-profile celebrities, including Busta Rhymes and Spike Lee, who were inspired by early performances of *Hamilton*. 
  • Anthony Ramos detailed his first TV guest star experience on *Law & Order*, which included a humorous anecdote about his landlady's unimpressed reaction to his on-screen appearance. 

Segments

Podcast Sponsorships and Logistics
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Podcast availability spans multiple platforms including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
  • Summary: The episode begins by listing where listeners can find Chicks in the Office, noting ad-free listening is available for Prime members on Amazon Music. Paramount Plus is highlighted as the new home for UFC events. The hosts mention upcoming spring tour dates and LA travel plans.
Weather Talk and Hat Loss
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(00:05:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Severe cold fronts and potential heavy snow are predicted for the Northeast.
  • Summary: The hosts express concern over upcoming freezing temperatures, with one friend’s ski trip forecast showing lows of minus 14 degrees Fahrenheit. One host recounts the dramatic loss of her hat due to extreme wind the previous week. They reference a specific Instagram account, New York Metro West, as a reliable source for digestible weather ratings.
Upcoming LA Interview Tease
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(00:08:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The LA trip includes a highly anticipated ‘bucket list’ interview with two people in a new movie.
  • Summary: The hosts are excited about interviewing two individuals together in LA who are promoting a new film. They hint that the interview is a ‘bucket list’ situation that will elicit a strong, positive reaction from listeners. They confirm they saw the movie together prior to the recording.
Amanda and Kyle Separation Announcement
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(00:14:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke mutually announced their separation via identical Instagram stories.
  • Summary: The hosts address the news of Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke parting ways, noting the announcement was made via matching Instagram stories. They speculate the separation may have been finalized months ago, possibly timed with the upcoming season of Summer House. The hosts express happiness for Amanda, believing Kyle’s behavior made the split necessary for her growth.
Brooklyn Beckham Family Drama
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(00:29:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Brooklyn Beckham publicly accused his parents, Victoria and David Beckham, of controlling narratives and undermining his marriage.
  • Summary: Brooklyn Beckham posted extensive stories detailing alleged parental interference, including attempts to bribe him over signing away rights to his name. He claimed Victoria Beckham hijacked his first dance with Nicola Peltz at the wedding, causing Nicola to cry. Brooklyn stated he has found peace and relief since stepping away from his family’s control and image-focused life.
Prenup and Wedding Details
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(00:23:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Past discussions revealed Amanda Batula was initially against a prenup, which complicates the Loverboy business split.
  • Summary: Recirculated clips show Amanda Batula previously viewing prenups negatively, though she may have softened her stance before marrying Kyle Cooke. The hosts note the complexity of dividing assets, given Amanda likely has equity in Loverboy, which she and Kyle co-own. The drama surrounding the wedding, including lawsuits against planners, supports the couple’s decision to renew vows.
Abercrombie Ad Read
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(00:14:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Abercrombie offers 90s-inspired jeans in classic and curve love fits, alongside the YPB activewear line.
  • Summary: Abercrombie denim is praised for comfort and style, featuring stretch for a better fit. The Curve Love fit provides extra room in the hip and thigh to prevent waist gapping. YPB by Abercrombie activewear is recommended for workouts and errands due to its Sculpt Lux and Studio Flex fabrics.
Brooklyn Beckham Family Drama
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(00:57:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts speculated on the location of Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz following Brooklyn’s social media posts against his parents.
  • Summary: The segment referenced the recent passing of Valentino, which complicated Nicola posting about him amidst the family tension. The hosts guessed the Beckhams were in Palm Beach, as Nicola’s family resides there, rather than England or LA. They anticipated any response from Victoria Beckham would be generic and unhelpful.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Endorsement
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(00:59:07)
  • Key Takeaway: One host vouched for the quality of Victoria Beckham Beauty products, specifically the foundation, despite its high price point.
  • Summary: The host admitted to purchasing the foundation, noting it is very expensive, possibly around $100. Despite the cost, the product was described as really nice with a light coverage, contrasting with the full coverage of House Labs foundation. The hosts joked about the endorsement being paid for by Victoria Beckham.
Karamo’s Queer Eye Press Absence
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(01:02:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Karamo Brown skipped press for the new Queer Eye season, citing fear of being bullied by his castmates, who responded with supportive but vague statements.
  • Summary: Karamo pulled out of interviews, stating he needed to practice his own advice about protecting mental health from those who seek to destroy it. His castmates, including Antoni and Jonathan, expressed shock but emphasized meeting people where they are and respecting Karamo’s need to center himself. Fans noticed Karamo had unfollowed or blocked Tan, Antoni, and Jonathan on Instagram prior to this event.
Harry Styles New Single Release
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(01:10:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Harry Styles is releasing a new single titled ‘Aperture’ on Thursday night, which will drop at midnight London time.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed the single’s release and debated the exact time difference between New York and London, eventually confirming it is usually five hours, changing to four during certain daylight savings periods. The meaning of ‘aperture’ relates to an opening or hole, particularly in photography, leading to speculation about a disco or ‘Kiss’-like sound. The hosts expressed excitement for the new music ahead of their LA interview.
Planet Fitness Membership Plug
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(01:17:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Planet Fitness offers a judgment-free environment with equipment comparable to more expensive gyms, with memberships starting at $15 a month.
  • Summary: The sponsor segment emphasized the importance of staying strong and making the most of gym time, regardless of consistency. Planet Fitness locations are often open 24 hours and feature plate-loaded strength machines, free weights, and cardio equipment. Memberships start low, and the brand encourages joining online or via their app.
The Traitors Shield Hot Take
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(01:19:36)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener suggested that shields won during The Traitors challenges should also protect players from banishment at the roundtable.
  • Summary: The suggestion was compared to playing an idol at a Survivor tribal council, offering a similar element of surprise protection. The hosts agreed it would increase competition for shields, as passive traders might avoid winning them otherwise. They noted the rule would need careful implementation to avoid revealing a traitor’s identity or overly prolonging the voting process.
Harry Potter Score Composer News
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(01:24:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Hans Zimmer and his company, Bleeding Fingers Music, will compose the score for the upcoming HBO Max Harry Potter series.
  • Summary: The hosts acknowledged John Williams’ iconic work on the first two films but expressed faith in Zimmer to bring a new, classical yet modern sound. Zimmer stated they are humbled and aim to honor the previous scores while bringing audiences closer to the magic. John Williams scored Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, while other composers handled subsequent films.
Crazy Rich Asians Sequel Status
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(01:28:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The sequel to Crazy Rich Asians has reportedly been tabled, possibly due to director John Chu being tied up with the Wicked movie adaptation.
  • Summary: The listener expressed disappointment that the second movie, China Rich Girlfriend, which moves the setting to China, has been delayed for years. The hosts agreed that the long wait diminishes the excitement, making the first film’s standalone quality feel sufficient. The third book, Rich People Problems, involves the Beckham and the Batula families in its plot.
Winter Olympics Excitement
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(01:34:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are highly anticipating the Winter Olympics, particularly figure skating and Team USA gear from Ralph Lauren.
  • Summary: One host loves the Winter Olympics even more than the Summer Games, enjoying the snow sports and the timing after the NFL season. Figure skating, including pairs and ice dancing, is a favorite event, and a new YA figure skating drama called Finding Her Edge is premiering on Netflix soon. The hosts are excited about purchasing the Team USA merchandise designed by Ralph Lauren.
Anthony Ramos Hamilton Anecdotes
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(01:50:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony Ramos recounted a near-fatal appendicitis scare shortly after Hamilton’s Broadway opening night, leading him to refuse strong painkillers.
  • Summary: Ten years ago, just after Hamilton’s opening, Ramos experienced severe stomach pain and required emergency surgery for appendicitis, narrowly avoiding rupture. Upon receiving powerful painkillers post-surgery, he recognized their addictive potential and opted for regular Tylenol instead. This experience correlates thematically with The Beauty, where characters take extreme risks for perceived benefits.
Anthony Ramos’ New Show
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(01:51:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The premise of Anthony Ramos’ new show, The Beauty, involves a shot that makes people beautiful, leading to chaos and violence.
  • Summary: The show’s concept centers on a shot that induces beauty, causing people to become aggressive and even kill for water. Anthony Ramos was cast early in the process after Ryan explained the wild concept to him while he was in Europe. Ramos was able to help build the role from the ground up, with the dialogue becoming tailored to sound like his everyday speech.
Filming vs. Theater Differences
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(01:54:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Filming involves long, unpredictable hours, requiring actors to snap into intense emotional scenes late at night after long waits.
  • Summary: Filming involves 12 to 14-hour days, which is different from the structured performance window of theater or touring. Ramos described having to cry on cue at 3 a.m. after waiting in a trailer for hours, requiring a different method of emotional access. The demanding schedule often starts extremely early, sometimes before the actor is ready to eat breakfast.
Hamilton Celebrity Encounters
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(01:58:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Busta Rhymes was one of the first celebrities to see Hamilton off-Broadway and was so inspired he changed his concert costume to include a king’s cloak and crown.
  • Summary: Busta Rhymes gave the cast a lengthy speech about his inspiration after seeing the show early on. Spike Lee, a Brooklyn staple, attended the show seven times and later directed Anthony Ramos in two seasons of Netflix’s She’s Gotta Have It. Other major celebrities who saw the show included Jim Carrey and Barack Obama.
Law & Order Experience
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(02:02:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony Ramos’ first guest star role on Law & Order was as a rapist, and the production later offered him a second guest role as a lawyer to ‘make it right,’ which he declined.
  • Summary: Appearing on Law & Order is considered a rite of passage for New York actors, and guest star roles offer better pay than day player roles. Mariska Hargitay was a huge fan of Hamilton, reportedly attending over 40 performances and even having an extra seat reserved for her. Ramos sang ‘Maria’ from West Side Story at Hargitay’s birthday party after her husband requested it.
Life Updates and Twisters
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(02:08:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony Ramos currently splits his time between Miami, which he loves for its city vibes and food, and New York, while also considering Puerto Rico as a long-term option.
  • Summary: Ramos moved to Miami unexpectedly while writing music there and eventually bought a place, enjoying the Brickell area’s walkability. He noted the difficulty of New York winters, which contributes to the trend of splitting time with Florida. Filming the movie Twisters in Oklahoma was fun, but the toughest part was returning after the actors’ strike to shoot summer scenes in the cold winter.
Twisters Filming Challenges
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(02:11:54)
  • Key Takeaway: To prevent visible breath in cold Oklahoma winter scenes meant to look like summer, actors on Twisters were required to suck on ice cubes before takes.
  • Summary: The Twisters team, including director Isaac and actors Daisy and Glenn Powell, was described as very cool and fun to work with. Shooting summer scenes in the cold Oklahoma winter was challenging, especially scenes involving water, like when Daisy and Glenn fell into a pool. The ice cube trick was used to suppress condensation from the actors’ breath during takes.
The Beauty Themes and Wrap Up
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(02:15:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The show The Beauty is compared in craziness to The Boys and explores the impossible, mentally explosive lengths people go to meet societal beauty standards.
  • Summary: Ramos confirmed he saw all 11 episodes of The Beauty and compared its shocking nature to The Boys. The show sheds light on the pressure society puts on individuals to achieve maximum beauty, which is an impossible standard that can lead to mental explosion. The first episode of The Beauty is available on FX and streams on Hulu.