The Rise of a Reluctant Star
Bobbi Althoff is the first to admit she didn’t expect any of this. Soft-spoken and disarmingly candid, Althoff describes herself as shy—especially when stepping into unfamiliar territory. “Especially when I feel, I don’t know if insecure is the right word, but not confident about what I’m doing,” she told Wired’s Katie Drummond.
Despite that, Althoff’s name is now synonymous with one of the most unorthodox ascents to online fame. Known for her TikTok presence and later for her wildly popular podcast, The Really Good Podcast, Bobbi has become an unexpected fixture in the influencer world.
From TikTok Deadpan to Podcast Gold
Althoff first carved out a space for herself on TikTok, adopting a dry, awkward persona that resonated with a generation of moms and millennials who saw both humor and honesty in her content. That brand translated seamlessly into podcasting. In 2023, she launched The Really Good Podcast, maintaining her deadpan tone while interviewing A-list celebrities in an intentionally awkward setting.
Now in its third season, the podcast has hosted an eclectic mix of guests: Maluma, Lil Yachty, Offset, Shaquille O’Neal. But it was her interview with Drake that cemented her place in the digital zeitgeist.
The Drake Episode That Changed Everything
In July 2023, Althoff released a now-infamous interview with rapper Drake. The episode, which quickly garnered over 10 million views on YouTube, featured the two oddly sprawled in bed—a visual choice that spawned internet-wide conspiracy theories about the nature of their relationship.
Shortly after, the episode disappeared from all platforms without explanation. Speculation intensified. Had they hooked up? Was it all a PR stunt? Rumors spiraled, prompting Althoff to break her silence on Instagram Stories, where she vehemently denied the gossip.
“I do stuff, it’s making news…. I don’t think it happened suddenly, because I don’t really remember a moment. It just slowly happened after I interviewed Drake,” she said during her Wired interview. That episode, though fleeting, marked the beginning of her full-blown celebrity.
Not an Industry Plant, Just Strategic
One of the more bizarre rumors Althoff has had to face is that she’s an industry plant. “I was like, is that a joke? What is an industry plant?… But then I realized people actually think that,” she said, laughing.
In truth, her rise was calculated—but not manipulated. Her TikTok strategy was always aimed at financial security. “Last July I was making around $250,000 to $300,000 a year. From brand deals on TikTok and from the Creator Fund. I was doing pretty well for myself.”
Her approach wasn’t about fame for fame’s sake. It was about making money and creating a stable future—a future she didn’t always have growing up. She recalls her father asking her for $20 when she was just 16.
Divorce and Financial Freedom
With her growing bank account came a major shift in her personal life. Althoff quietly divorced writer Cory Althoff earlier this year. The decision was deliberate and calculated, much like her career moves.
“When my daughter was three I remember it was just, if we are going to do this, it needs to be now, because our kids won’t know,” she told Drummond. She had researched the best age for children to handle divorce, influenced by her own upbringing in a household where marriage was fraught.
“The timing lined up perfectly with me getting a lot of money. Once I knew my career was going to take off, I was okay.”
The Podcast Hustle
Althoff’s Really Good Podcast is part cringe comedy, part cultural commentary. It’s an anti-talk show, where interviews are less about hard-hitting questions and more about bizarre, deadpan interactions that keep guests and viewers guessing.
Despite her unconventional style, guests keep coming. Her disarming tone and quirky format seem to lower celebrities’ guards. It’s not about virality for its own sake—Althoff has tapped into a genuine curiosity for how celebrities handle absurdity.
Money, Fame, and Self-Worth
Even with money pouring in, Althoff remains measured. Her growing wealth has given her more than lifestyle upgrades; it’s given her autonomy. For someone who came from financial uncertainty, it’s not just about being rich. It’s about being safe.
Her narrative is strikingly different from the typical influencer story. She’s not flashy. She doesn’t flaunt designer bags or exotic trips. Her TikTok and podcast aesthetics are stripped-down, her fashion choices minimalist. This simplicity has only made her more relatable—and more intriguing.
What Comes Next
So what’s next for Bobbi Althoff? She hasn’t said. She rarely does. But if the past year is any indication, she’ll keep doing exactly what she’s been doing: deadpanning her way to the top, making big money while keeping people guessing.
Whether or not she ever speaks on the Drake saga again seems irrelevant now. Her career has outgrown the conspiracy. The podcast is thriving, her brand is expanding, and she’s financially independent in a way she never imagined.
Bobbi Althoff may be quiet. She may be awkward. But she’s no joke. And she’s certainly no accident.
