The Dark Side of Influence: Chico Felitti on Kat Torres

A Little Bit Culty

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

True Crime, Society & Culture, Education

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 8 September 2025

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What does it take to unravel the sinister side of internet fame—and how do influencers become a little bit culty? In this episode, we sit down with BuzzFeed journalist and chronic digital deepdiver Chico Felitti, whose reporting on influencer Kat Torres inspired Season 2 of Wondery’s hit Guru series, “Don’t Cross Kat.” Chico shares how seemingly glamorous social media personas can mask disturbing stories of manipulation and missing followers, and why Brazil’s obsession with the American dream made Kat’s rise—and the disappearances connected to her—even more chilling. We unpack the magnetic allure of online personalities, the blurred lines between fandom and control, and the real-life consequences for those drawn into one influencer’s orbit. If you thought lifestyle influencers were harmless fun, this episode might change your mind.

Follow Chico on Instagram @chicofelitti.

Also…let it be known that:

The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.

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CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Audio production: Will Retherford

Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore

Writer: Sandra Nomoto

Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane

Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin

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Transcript

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0:29.8	This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal,
0:34.3	medical, or mental health advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily
0:38.2	reflect the official policy or position of the podcast and are not intended to malign any religion,
0:43.1	group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone, or anything.
0:58.1	I'm Sarah Edmondson.
1:01.2	And I'm Anthony Nippy Ames, and this is a little bit culty. We woke up from a cult, and that journey was captured in The Vow on HBO and in my memoir, Scard.
1:06.6	Now, in this podcast, we break down the shame and secrets that make these experiences so destructive with honest conversations on how seemingly benign groups can cross into the cultaverse and how to spot and recover from trouble if it happens to you.
1:18.9	Each week, we bring an expert, survivors, and whistleblowers to explore red flags, resilience, and even share a few laughs because sometimes you got to laugh.
1:26.2	Subscribe to our Patreon for early and ad-free listening, some live Q&A and exclusive content
1:30.7	at patreon.com slash A Little Bit Culty.
1:33.2	Welcome to Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty.
1:36.5	Seeking down to the depths of the ocean.
1:41.2	Hanging on to win my love
1:44.5	Welcome back everyone
1:50.2	Welcome back everyone to the Chalty
1:56.3	Season 8 of a little bit culty
	...

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